Wednesday, 27 August 2025

Another Fun Day in Eyjafjörður

Today was a real treat! The weather was kinder than in previous days, clouds sitting a little higher, patches of sunshine sneaking through, and the southeast wind finally taking a breather. Add a calm, flat sea to the mix and you get the perfect recipe for a whale-watching adventure.

In the morning, we came across several humpback whales near Hjalteyri. Since there were a few options to choose from, we decided to keep company with a solitary one, no other boats around, just us and the whale. This friendly giant gave us quite a show, approaching the boat closely and showing off its massive body and those enormous pectoral fins. Later, a second humpback joined the scene, giving us the chance to compare sizes and admire the unique patterns on its tail.

The afternoon tour turned out to be even more exciting. Alongside the humpbacks, we also encountered at least two minke whales. Watching them side by side was fascinating; they may be related, but the differences in size, speed, and surface behaviour are striking. And let’s not forget… the smell! Yes, we literally got a whiff of these minkes. Their breath carries a certain “aroma” (think rotten fish cologne), courtesy of anaerobic bacteria in their stomachs. Nature’s perfume, straight from the source.

We also enjoyed the company of several seabirds still hanging around, though many are already migrating; we spotted fulmars, Arctic terns, swans, different types of gulls, and even guillemots.

Altogether, it was a fantastic day on the water. On our way back to port, we couldn’t resist stopping by our favorite hot-water waterfall (yes, that’s a thing!) to snap some last photos and end the tour on a high note.

Now, all that’s left is the evening tour… stay tuned!

Text and Images: Sergio

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