Swim with killer whales in iceland or norway or watch them from a ship in canada. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. The chances of spotting whales vary in accordance with food availability of the shores, but the sighting success of this tour exceeds 90%. This threehour cruise provides you the chance to see minke, whitebeaked and humpback whales. There are two types of boat trips offered, the classic whale watching tour or express rib boat tour. Icelandic orca project killer whale conservation iceland. This is the original whale watching tour from reykjavik and one of the most popular attractions in iceland. The orca is the fast swimmer, and can reach a speed of 50 kmh. The first few strokes of your arms through the water are tentative, yet you become more confident as you.
Theres a lot of herring there so killer whales can feast freely. Orca watching and northern lights holiday in iceland. Based on your location i would advise orca sighting in nz rather than iceland. The orcas are more often seen in winter and early in the summer, but there is a chance of seeing them all the way through the summer months. When is the best time to see orcas in iceland as we are dealing with nature and wild animals, we cannot predict orca sightings for the future. Prices and tours for 201516 northern lights and orca season to be confirmed. Whale watching tours are available from reykjaviks old harbour every day. In the period from january to march they invade waters around snaefelsnes peninsula, bringing other colourful water life with them. We are very excited about our our renewed trips to iceland in march 2017.
Winter in northern iceland is the time to spot large pods of magnificent orcas feeding close to shore, but brutal weather means kevin rushbys trip is almost a writeoff. The orca sighting season in iceland is december to september. Iceland travel offers a variety of tours, packages tickets and services products through its website icelandtravel. During the summer, wildlife in the bay is at its peak, with sightings of harbor porpoises and other whale species, including orcas and even fin whales. Where and when can you see killer whales in iceland. Our trips cater for everyone from complete beginners to wildlife enthusiasts, and we work with an array of expert partners to give you an once in a lifetime experience. Reykjavik is served from the uk by easyjet, icelandair and wow air. Killer whales have a cosmopolitan distribution and as a species are generalists, feeding on a variety of prey. Orca watching iceland award winning iceland travel.
However, during winter the drive within one day might be quite risky due to the short daylight, possible snow, ice, and wind. Orca whale watching tours in iceland iceland message board. Join us on a safari excursion you will live one week on board and we will sail to where than annual herringrun happens and orcas and humpback whales gather to feed. The orca, also known as killer whale, is a member of the dolphin family and belongs to the toothed whales odontoceti that form a suborder of cetaceans. The whales use ultrasonic sound to herd herring to the surface and then enjoy a fishy feast. However, during winter the drive within one daymight be quite risky due to the short daylight, possible snow, ice, and wind. Sometimes as many as 5060 orcas and humpback whales can be observed at the same time. The old harbor is conveniently located in the city center, with various cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops in the area.
The north of iceland is known as the capital of whale watching. This page is about killer whales in iceland, and the research conducted by the icelandic orcas project. Iceland unlimited award winning iceland travel agency in. Whaletrips orcas the best time and place to watch orcas. A total of 123 orca have been recorded off vestmannaeyjar, although actual numbers are likely to be higher. Laki tours is the only tour operator in this area that offers whale watching tours from grundarfjordur during winter and trips from olafsvik in summer. Whale watching from olafsvik day tours iceland travel.
Visit our website for bookings and further information. I am looking to go to iceland for a holiday next year and want to go on an orca whale watching tour. Icelandic orcas have not been studied as much as other orca populations in the world. Killer whale holidays best time to see orcas natural. Pull on a pair of provided coveralls and then stay on the lookout for harbor porpoises, whitebeaked dolphins and whales as you cut through the still waters of faxafloi bay.
Although they can be seen all around, id say the best spot to see orcas would be the west coast of iceland, and specifically sn. The whales of iceland exhibition showcases 23 lifesize whale models with a lot of indepth information, interactive experiences and underwater footage of whales shown on a 8 meter long screen. The icelandic orca project research and conservation of killer whales found in icelandic waters. Whale watching is a mustdo for everyone visiting iceland. Orcas are easily identified by the tall dorsal fin, which can be up to 1,8 m tall, and the dominant black and white colour. Watch kevins audio slideshow on killer whalewatching in iceland. All because of the overfishing of the herring a whales favorite meal. Midatlantic offers a great platform for travel industry professionals from around the world to meet, work together and exchange ideas, in iceland a hub between europe and. A part of the exhibition focuses on conservation where the multiple threats and their solutions that whales face in the ocean today are showcased. Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch whales. A picture of your adopted orca jpeg to print in postcard format the picture of the year jpeg. Seeing the northern lights in iceland travel guide audley.
The peak season for activity is from june to august. Whale watching reykjavik tours, iceland special tours. The elding whale watching tour is located in reykjaviks harbour. A male orca whale belonging to an icelandic pod was sighted around beirut, lebanon, on february 19 and 20. Whale watching is operated from various locations around iceland. A unique experience and a show rare to be seen is the scene of killer whales coming to coastal waters to find some food. Iceland s biggest wildlife drawcard is the gentle giant of the sea. A holiday highlight is the opportunity to see beautifulyetdeadly killer. Starting in reykjaviks old harbour, your whale watching adventure is located right in the city centre. Elding is the original whale watching tour operator in reykjavik iceland, offering also sea angling, puffing watching and northern lights tours. Whale watching iceland holidays discover the world.
Whale watching iceland tour iceland holidays icelandair. Oct 11, 2017 by far the best time of year for whale watching in iceland is during the summer months, from april through september, when over 20 species of cetaceaincluding the orca, minke, humpback, and blue whalecan be seen in the north atlantic and arctic oceans on either side of the island. Stay in remote countryside hotels, and as the evenings plunge the rugged landscapes into darkness, head out in search of the incredible aurora borealis. Its also one of the most accessible places to encounter them. The final leg of the trip puts you back on the alaska railroad, this time bound for fairbanks. Iceland unlimited is a wellestablished independent travel company and tour operator in iceland. Reykjavik whale watching in iceland itsallbee travel blog. Our tour selection combines of whale watching, northern lights by boat, puffin, rib and sea angling tours among other exciting adventures. On this whale watching excursion you will be able to get up close to some of icelands amazing wildlife. Especially in the north, you have very good chances to meet blue whales. Below you can download the catalogue and read about our icelandic orca population as well as check out the pictures of the individuals we have spotted along. Per a press release issued by orca guardians of iceland, this is a journey of just over 8,000 kilometres 4,970 miles and is the longest known oneway distance travelled by any killer whale to date. Orca offer a range of different trips, giving people the chance to go out and experience the amazing wildlife on our doorstep for themselves.
Positioned on the edge of the arctic circle, iceland is one of the best places on the planet to see the northern lights. The waters that surround the island are home to over 20 different species of whale from the skilled orca to the gigantic sperm whale. Killer whale from iceland sets record with 5,000mile. They form the basis on which bookings are accepted by iceland travel. Orcas in iceland where and when can you see killer. The focus is naturally on the giants of the sea and we hope to see minke and humpback whales, harbour porpoises and whitebeaked. Whale watching tours are a fun activity that can be enjoyed by travelers of all ages and group sizes. Orca completes 8,000km swim from iceland to lebanon. In general, it is possible to drive all the way from reykjavik and back in one day. Iceland travel s terms and conditions contain legal obligations. Whale watching in reykjavik iceland on the go tours us. The high season for whale watching starts in april and lasts until midoctober.
Our whale watching boat, rosin the rose, offers an absolute innovation in whale watching adventures in iceland, it is fast and a luxurious whale watching boat, one of its kind in iceland, providing security and luxury for all. In iceland, up to eleven different whale species can be observed. Killer whale close to haguanes whale watching north iceland. Killer whales of west iceland orca guardians iceland. A new season by steve truluck its peak season once again for seeing orcas in the sn. The whales most frequently seen on our trips are minke and humpback whales, and we sometimes see dolphins, porpoises, and other species too. A killer whale from an icelandic pod has travelled over 8,000km 4,970 miles from the far north to the waters off the coast of lebanon, near beirut, and is believed to have covered the greatest. The identification catalogue is available for download at. We bring you to the best places to watch whales in iceland. You have a great chance of encountering the rare and magnificent orcas and sperm whales.
Best whale watching spots in iceland guide to iceland. By day see the orca killer whales hunting in the fjords. Nowadays the orca s have left lofoten and are situated more north in vesteralen. Whale watching reykjavik special tours 2020 all you need. Uniquely in the world, you have a more than 90% chance of seeing whales around iceland. Whether you are looking for a classic whale watching tour or thrilling rib boat experience, we have a wide variety of tours in dalvik, reykjavik and snaefellsnes. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and. We specialize in meticulously handcrafted travel packages that vary from selfdrive tours to privately guided experiences in iceland, greenland, and the faroe islands. During the late winter into spring, the coastal waters of the snaefellsnes peninsula are often teeming with herring a food bounty which can attract large pods of killer whales, dolphins and numerous seabirds.
Explore the landscapes of south and west iceland on this winter flydrive adventure. Throughout your cruise, listen to the knowledgeable guides insightful commentary, and have your camera ready to. Iceland travels terms and conditions contain legal obligations. By night seekout the spectacular aurora borealis northern lights we only offer this tour and are unable to arrange holidays to iceland at any other time. Research focuses on photoidentification and acoustic studies. Orcas in the west, humpbacks up north, even blue whales if you are lucky. Iceland special tours whale watching and other tours from. However, local populations tend to specialise on specific prey types. On a whale watching tour from reykjavik with special tours wildlife adventures you will be able to experience some of icelands rich and thriving bird life, as well as visit our large variety of sealife, including minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises and whitebeaked dolphins among other whale species.
Dont get caught out in the cold when travelling to iceland prepare your visit with our handy travel guide resources that cover everything from visas to weather and seasons, how best to see the northern lights and where best to visit plus plenty more tips. Whale tours can best be taken starting at husavik or the. In the summertime, you might also see cute puffins, regal whitetailed eagles, and other arctic seabirds, framed by some absolutely incredible icelandic scenery, including mt. Orcas are considered the most intelligent animals in the sea. In the winter, its a whole new experience with the fresh, crisp air and a lowlying sun casting a warm glow over the whitecapped mountains. To manage that with northern lights is going out to sea when its the coldest. Iceland, laki tours whale watching, and researchers and members of the.
Most of the animal is black, with the exception of the belly which is white right up to the beak. Another very good option is the street of gibraltar during summer. In iceland, orcas can be observed both during summer and winter but chances are not as reliable as in norway and north america. Occasionally, other species are spotted such as the enormous fin whale, the orca or killer whale, and even blue whales, the largest mammal in the world. Luckily for me, im the first volunteer of the orca guardia. This makes it the perfect place to go whale watching. Set off in search of minke whales, humpbacks and more on this whalewatching cruise from reykjavik. Join us for a chance to encounter the incredible whales and dolphins of faxafloi bay. This northern lights and orca photography holiday is a small group trip, max 10 people, and it focusses on west iceland s stunning snaefellsnes peninsula. Scientists believe that there are more than 400 orcas in iceland s waters.
The best time of year to see whales in the waters around iceland is from april to october. Whale watching tours are ideal for anyone who loves wildlife. Kvaloya, a neighbouring island to tromso, meaning whale island is where youll find the acrobatic humpback whale and the wolf of the sea, orca or killer whale. This area boasts many wonderful landscapes, but in addition to photographing these, we hope to photograph two of the countrys most iconic attractions. Lowering yourself into the cold waters of norway, you ready yourself to swim with one of the most powerful predators in the world, the killer whale orca. Habe an dieser unglaublichen walbeobachtungstour in island teilgenommen.
Project nakid started researching the icelandic orca in vestmannaeyjar, iceland in 2007. We follow the orcas closely to watch them play and feed. Other places for orca watching are ireland, scotland, greenland or faroe islands but, again, its not very likely to meet them there. Whale watching tours are often combined with sea angling and puffin watching. What a tour we were only 4 minutes from the harbour of grindavik when we spotted some huge black fins coming up to the. Iceland is lucky to have some of the best whale watching areas in the world. We could then compare these images to our pictures taken in west iceland from 2014 to 2018. Whale watching tour operator in reykjavik iceland elding. Except for one time when we were driving through big sur in california and saw one from the road. Iceland, dalvik watching crazy humpback whale from the. How to choose the best whale watching tours in iceland and norway.
There is also a distinctive white patch above and to the rear of the eye. The success rate of the summer tours is over 95%, in the north, this is even higher at 98%. West iceland whale watching tour arctic adventures. Whether it is beautiful views or grand adventures you seek, this rail tour in alaska has it all. Iceland the best tips for whale watching in iceland whaletrips. Incredible photographic trip in stunning west iceland, from. However, recent studies suggest a more complex foraging ecology, possibly including a. But however you choose to package it, for the lover of the natural world its. Orca watching iceland go to snaefellsnes with a rental car the best option to reach snaefellsnes is with a rental car. Most of the whale watching tours sail out from the old harbour in reykjavik as well as neighbouring areas in reykjanesb. In icelandic waters, killer whales are generally associated with herring and, thus, have been presumed to be herring specialists. The northern lights and orcas in the wild the independent. We are also proud to be the first travel agency in iceland, specialized in.
Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer whales west. The sight of a whales fluke or the sound of it spouting water through its blow hole can be both magical and aweinspiring. However, many whales stay in the icelandic waters throughout the year. This has become quite a phenomenon and is regarded as one of the best places in the world to see orca in the wild. Or maybe it was some other whale but it looked like an orca at least. Icelandic waters are some of their favorite areas to live, thanks to the advantageous location and natural assets.
Does anyone know when is the best time of the year to go to see orcas and where is the best place to go. Whales are among the most enigmatic and fascinating creatures on our planet. There are few travel experiences in this world that have the power to move people to tears and whale watching is one of them. Over the last few years large pods of orca have been coming to the west coast of iceland from january to april, remarkably close to a small fishing village from where we will be based. Five icelandic orca have been sighted off the shetland coast. Tours departing from reykjavik operate all year round while tours from husavik, on the north coast of iceland, only operate from the end of march to november. Orca guardians iceland icelandic killer whale conservation.
Special tours offers amazing sea adventures from reykjavik, iceland. Our close ties with the tourist industry in iceland allows us to offer dedicated whale watching holidays led by expert teams of guides and naturalists. Orca whale watching in island schwertwale in westisland. Arctic adventures offers a variety of whale watching tours, both from reykjavik and dalvik in the north of iceland. All you need to know about whale watching in iceland. We take a smaller open rib with us that brings you close to the whales every day. Whale watching in iceland ultimate guide extreme iceland.
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