Sunday, 31st August 2025
A Day for the Brave in Eyjafjörður!
The morning started a bit rainy, with a chilly north wind that grew stronger as the hours went by, stirring up the sea into a bit of a challenge, perfect conditions for the brave and adventurous!
As we set sail, it quickly became clear that even the birds preferred to stay sheltered near the coast. We spotted swans, geese, and gulls all keeping close to land, seemingly reluctant to venture out to sea today. But our spirits were high, everyone on board was eager to meet our beloved whales, and we were determined not to disappoint.
It didn’t take long before we found them. Near Hjalteyri, we spotted the first powerful spouts rising from the water like natural geysers. Three humpback whales were in the area, busy with their own routines. We carefully approached the nearest ones, always maintaining a respectful distance to avoid disturbing them.
We spent a long, unforgettable time observing them, watching their breathing, admiring their magnificent tails as they dove deep, and even catching glimpses of their feeding behaviour. At one point, one whale defecated before diving, giving us a rare and important reminder of how vital they are to the ecosystem. Their role in recycling nutrients between different layers of the ocean helps sustain fish, birds, and most importantly, the phytoplankton that rely on those nutrients for photosynthesis.
Just when we thought the experience couldn’t get any better, we were gifted with the highlight of the day: one of the humpbacks began breaching, leaping out of the water again and again, at least ten times! The sight left us absolutely mesmerised, an image that will not fade anytime soon. From my experience, whales tend to show this behaviour more often on cloudy, rougher days—perhaps because the dimmer light feels more comfortable for them. Who knows?
At last, it was time to head back, but not without a stop at the hot spring waterfalls to warm our hands and capture a few more photos before returning to port.
Now, let’s see what surprises the afternoon tour will bring!
This afternoon, the sea reminded us who’s in charge. The wind picked up even more than in the morning, and the swells rose higher, challenging conditions that only the adventurous would embrace.
But the reward was worth every splash. Just off the coast of Hjalteyri, we encountered three humpback whales, and one of them—our well-known friend Bob—put on an unforgettable show. He tail-slapped with power and breached out of the water, leaving us in awe.
Despite getting soaked by the waves, the energy on board was pure excitement. Encounters like these remind us why we head out to sea, no matter the weather.
At 17:00, we had up to 3 Humpback whales breaching at the same time. One of them breached during the whole tour, at least 2 hours, since it was still going after we left!
Now it’s time to dry off, enjoy a hot cup of tea, and rest. Tomorrow, we set out again, hoping for more, and maybe even better!
Text and Images: Sergio & Yoann
Classic 09:00, 13:00 & 17:00 O’clock. Express 10:00 & 14:00