Monday, 28 July 2025
A Beautiful Day on the Fjord
Today we set sail under calm conditions .
The water temperature was mild, there was almost no wind, and not a single wave disturbed the surface. The fjord looked more like a serene lake, reflecting the quiet beauty of the surroundings.
As we reached Svalbarðseyri, we spotted a few harbor porpoises gliding through the water. These elusive little cetaceans are often shy around boats, and true to their nature, they kept their distance. Harbor porpoises are one of the smallest marine mammals in the North Atlantic, typically growing to just 1.5–2 meters long. Unlike their more acrobatic dolphin cousins, porpoises tend to avoid boats and rarely leap from the water , which is why seeing them is always a quiet delight.
As we continued heading north, we encountered more groups of these gentle porpoises swimming around us. Then, just north of Hjalteyri, we noticed a blow in the distance . The unmistakable breath of a whale breaking the surface. This time, it was a humpback whale!
We paused to listen to the deep, rhythmic sound of its breathing before it disappeared beneath the surface. But it didn’t stay hidden for long. When it surfaced again, it lifted its massive pectoral fin the largest in the cetacean world, sometimes reaching up to 5 meters in length! It looked as if the whale was waving to us, a graceful greeting from the deep.
What followed was even more breathtaking: the whale approached the boat, first on the left side, then the right, as if to give us a full view of its grandeur. Almost like it wanted to show off its beauty.
On our return journey, we caught a final glimpse of harbor porpoises, leaping gracefully through the water. What a spectacular end to an unforgettable day.
The afternoon’s tours were nothing short of delightful. The fjord came alive with bird activity elegant Arctic terns diving for fish, northern fulmars gliding effortlessly above the waves, big flock of swans which are the greatest birds in Iceland, watchful skuas soaring overhead and sightings of both the common loon and common eider adding to the excitement.
But the true star of the show? None other than Disy, our familiar humpback whale, who spent nearly an hour with us gifting us with unforgettable close encounters. With graceful surfacing and powerful dives, she captivated everyone on board, reminding us once again of the raw beauty and wonder of these waters.
Text and Pictures: Lenka, Sergio &
Departures of the day: Classic 08:00, 10:00, 14:00 & 20:30. Express 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 1200, 1400 & 21:00