Dozens of dead whales found beached in iceland and no. For us in snaefellsnes, winter is definitely a busy season for whale watching and travelers from all around the world join our tours from grundarfjordur or olafsvik. Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales in the world and one of the deepest diving whales. He gave our tour a great orientation to the land, the country, the stories and the people. Due to the escalation with the covid19 situation, we are proactively contacting all guests traveling to advise them to return home. A whale watching adventure from grundarfjordur fjord on the snaefellsnes peninsula, west iceland.
Lush valleys and lava fields with soft moss, abundant bird life, diverse flora, craters and salmon rivers characterize this part of iceland. Around iceland is where you can book a holiday of a lifetime. The whales were spotted by david schwarzhans, a pilot for reykjavik helicopters, and his guests during a tourist excursion. Whales beached in iceland is not an uncommon sight. Another unique species around snaefellsnes are sperm whales. Nowhere else in iceland is there a better change to see toothed whales such as orcas, sperm whales and pilot whales than along this beautiful coastline. If you do not drive, it is, unfortunately, a bit more difficult to reach snaefellsnes via public transportation. On this whale watching tour, we start in olafsvik on the beautiful snaefellnes peninsula in west iceland and cruise across the deep blue atlantic ocean, seeking majestic marinelife. Only two buses go from reykjavik to snaefellsnes each day one in the morning and one in the. Whale watching from snaefellsnes, iceland scott dunn. Orcas, also known as killer whales, and sperm whales. In the summer, you may spot an array of other whale species too, including minke and humpback whales. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and species and many of those species make their home in the coastal waters of iceland.
Kirkjufell this lush and green mountain is a focal point of the northern snaefellsnes peninsula. Orca watching iceland go to snaefellsnes by public transportation. Its unusual shape and vibrant colour make it one of the most photographed landmarks in the country. Dead whales on a remote beach in iceland at least 50 dead whales were discovered washed up on a remote beach in iceland by a group of sightseers thursday. The best time for sperm whales seems to be late spring and early summer, around april to june, but they have been seen late winter and in july sometimes also. Iceland travel offers a variety of tours, packages tickets and services products through its website icelandtravel. Our driver gisli was full of information and i learned so much about iceland. Over the last two decades, iceland has become one of europes premier whale watching destinations. A winter whale watching adventure with spectacular scenery and mount kirkjufell in the background. 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. Pilot whales strand on iceland beach in group of 50 or. From reykjavik to snaefellsnes you need more than 3 hours by bus. Around 20 species of whale can be found in the sea surrounding the country but the most common are the beaked whale, the humpbacked whale, dolphins and a few others. Whale watching is as essential a part of any trip to iceland as seeing northern lights, hot springs and glaciers.
The orcas are more often seen in winter and early in the summer, during april and june, but there is a chance of seeing them all the way through. Experience the beauty of nature, waterfalls, glaciers, geysers and volcanos. Whaletrips iceland the best tips for whale watching in. Whale watching iceland winter snaefellsnes winter whale. Killer whale from iceland sets record with 5,000mile. We went on a whale watching adventure out of the snaefellsnes peninsula with laki tours. The 10 best travel apps to download before your trip. They offer this tour two times a day during the summer. 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. Iceland travels terms and conditions contain legal obligations. They are extremely wellequipped and give everyone a waterproof suit to wear during the trip, which also keeps you warm still recommend dressing warmly hats, scarves, gloves. Some dozens of longfinned pilot whales lay dead on a remote beach in iceland as they were discovered by tourists sightseeing in the snaefellsnes peninsula in western iceland aboard a. The longfinned pilot whales were spotted by the tourists during a sightseeing tour flying over a beach in longufjorur, in the snaefellsnes peninsula, western iceland, on thursday, thebbc reports. Iceland is a great place to go whale watching and in total there are 23 differen.
Then, of course, there are iceland s geothermal baths. Snaefellsnes and west iceland is the region beloved of artists, musicians, writers and anyone seeking viking history and inspiration from nature at its most magical. This can be done all around iceland and you can easily join a trip in all parts of iceland. Snaefellsnes and kirkjufell was a great tour to do on my first full day in iceland.
These amazing creatures, also known as killer whales, are known for gathering in this area in the winter months. The best time for whale watching is during the summer months mayaugust when the whales are feeding and breeding. Whale tours can best be taken starting at husavik or the snaefellsnes peninsula, but tours are also offered starting from the capital reykjavik or from akureyri close to husavik. For many people, it is a dream to see orcas in the wild nature. We search for the worlds largest predators and some of natures most intelligent creatures. Whales are a species of fully aquatic mammals often referred to as being the gentle giants of the sea. Iceland is a wonderful place to go whale watching and this tour is promising both in summer and also in winter. Dozens of dead beached whales spotted by tourists on. The snaefellsnes peninsula is located in the west of iceland, only a couple hours drive from reykjavik. For much of its history, it had an unjust reputation for eating humans, thanks to its size and books such as moby dick, where the white whale is. Go on this whale watching reykjavik tour and meet the giants of the ocean in their natural habitat. Orca watching iceland how to reach snaefellsnes in the. Dozens of dead whales found beached in iceland and no one knows why. Join us as we search for these magnificent creatures of the sea in spectacular scenery, with the iconic mount kirkjufell in the background.
They form the basis on which bookings are accepted by iceland. The orcas are apex predators, which mean that no other animal feeds on them, while the majestic sperm whale. Enjoy whale watching from harbours all around iceland s coast many species of whales can be seen in the waters around iceland. There are two whale watching locations on the snaefellsnes peninsula, depending on the season. A mass stranding of over 50 pilot whales occurred last week in west iceland s sn. Orca watching and northern lights holiday in iceland. Whale watching in grundarfjordur on the snaefellsnes peninsula in west iceland. Must see in iceland read about must see in iceland or read our terms and conditions must see in iceland is registered in. This epic tour will allow you to get up close and personal with some of the most incredible marine species that exist. This becomes more evident in the various ways beached whales have been used in the recent past in iceland. Now the local news site skessuhorn, which broke the story of the whale carcass, reports the whale most likely died. Iceland as a country that has a longstanding history with whales. Whale watching from olafsvik day tours iceland travel.
Check out our selection of whale watching tours in iceland. Even in the winter time, iceland is one of the best places to watch whales. Seeing the northern lights in iceland travel guide. The orcas are apex predators, which mean that no other animal feeds. The event occurred on the sand island gamlaeyri along longufjorur. Whale watching is an incredible experience for people of all ages. There are a few things most of our visitors in iceland do and one of them is whale watching. The cool, clear north atlantic ocean encircling iceland is rich with food for whales of various sizes and species. Whale watching in snaefellsnes, best place for whale. Most common are minke whales and whitebeaked dolphins, but killer whales are also frequently seen. In fact, the icelandic word for a beached whale, hvalreki, is used in common parlance the same way the english use windfall. Snaefellsjokull dominates the region, made famous by jules verne as the setting for his novel a journey to the centre of the earth.
The wonders of snaefellsnes reykjavik 2020 all you. Icelandic sperm whales are massive animals and can measure up to 20 meters, making it the largest predator in the world. Iceland orca whale watching on snaefellsnes killer. Whale watching tours in the north of iceland dalvik if youre based in the north of the country, a whale watching trip from dalvik is the ideal option for you. About the wonders of snaefellsnes for the nature lovers this is a must do tour. Whale watching in snaefellsnes iceland whale watching.
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