Into the Blue – Whale Watching in Iceland
Into the Blue – Whale Watching in Iceland
from £3,200 excluding flights
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Highlights
Whale watch in three locations around Iceland
Explore under the long days of the midnight sun
Explore Snaefellsnes Peninsula’s stunning coast and volcanoes
Discover pseudo-craters and mud pools at Lake Myvatn
Walk to the brink of mighty Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall
Bathe in Husavik's Geo Sea Spa overlooking the bay
Why this trip...
Your guide
This holiday is led by an award-winning guide
Like-minded travellers
Share your travel experiences with fellow travellers
Conservation/Eco-tourism
This itinerary has a strong focus on wildlife and natural habitat conservation, one of our pillars of sustainability
Overview
The ultimate Iceland holiday for marine-wildlife enthusiasts, this 9-day small-group holiday led by whale expert, Asbjörn Björgvinsson, combines spectacular landscapes with three whale watching hot spots as you travel around the country under the midnight sun. This itinerary is exclusive to Discover the World and the next departures are planned for summer 2024.
Discover the land of fire and ice; where fjords and other-worldly volcanic landscapes have been carved out over centuries by glaciers and rolling magma. Iceland is Europe's most sparsely populated country where you can be sure of a warm welcome.
This 9-day tour combines the stunning scenery of this Nordic island with the awe-inspiring experience of witnessing marine giants. Off the tip of the west coast's Snaefellsnes peninsula, where the Gulf Stream and the East Greenland current meet, sperm whales and orcas arrive in June to feast in the rich seas. This spot is where you'll have your first chance to see these watery wonders - cruising at a safe distance.
Husavik, Iceland's whale watching capital
Then in the north of Iceland, from a former herring station, you will set sail into the stunning Eyjafjordur. Humpbacks have taken a liking to this sheltered fjord in recent years, so there's a good chance you'll catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures. Further along the north coast lies Husavik, the first place in Iceland to be settled by a Norse man, Viking Gardarr Svavarsson and a top whale watching location due to the frequency of white-beaked dolphins and minke, humpback and blue whales entering the bay. It's here on the summer solstice that you will board a boat to keep one eye on the sun skimming the horizon and the other looking for tell-tale blowholes breaking the surface.
Throughout this trip, there are many other moments that will also live long in the memory. Take a tour between Dimmuborgir's monumental lava pillars and walk among steam vents. Admire Europe's most powerful waterfall in Dettifoss. And keep your eyes to the sky to catch a glimpse of a white-tailed eagle or another of the many bird species that visit this incredible island.
Itinerary
Day 1 Keflavik - Snaefellsnes
On arrival at Keflavik Airport meet your driver and guide and transfer to Stykkisholmur in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. A drive of around 3 hours. Check into your accommodation where you will spend the next 3 nights. This evening you will be able to get acquainted with the group over a dinner (optional).
On arrival at Keflavik Airport meet your driver and guide and transfer to Stykkisholmur in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. A drive of around 3 hours. Check into your accommodation where you will spend the next 3 nights. This evening you will be able to get acquainted with the group over a dinner (optional).
Day 2 whale watching from Olafsvik and Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Head to Olafsvík and board the stable and roomy boat, heading out to sea on your first whale watch. June is a good time to see orcas and sperm whales gathering to feed in rich seas off the tip of the peninsula, where upwelling from the meeting of the Gulf Stream and cold East Greenland current produces a banquet across the food chain. Acrobatic white-beaked dolphins, humpback and minke whales can also turn up, adding to the spectacle in this most exciting whale watching destination.
In the afternoon you will visit Kirkjufellsfoss, a much-admired waterfall framed by one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains, pyramid-shaped Kirkjufell. You will walk to a crater and explore bizarre lava formations in Snaefellsjokull National Park, perhaps spotting a shy arctic fox if you are lucky. On the way back, you will look for white-tailed eagles along the north shore of the peninsula. Your guide will again make suggestions for dinner (not included). After dinner you will walk to a viewpoint and if the sky is clear watch the late evening sun skim the horizon to the north.
Head to Olafsvík and board the stable and roomy boat, heading out to sea on your first whale watch. June is a good time to see orcas and sperm whales gathering to feed in rich seas off the tip of the peninsula, where upwelling from the meeting of the Gulf Stream and cold East Greenland current produces a banquet across the food chain. Acrobatic white-beaked dolphins, humpback and minke whales can also turn up, adding to the spectacle in this most exciting whale watching destination.
In the afternoon you will visit Kirkjufellsfoss, a much-admired waterfall framed by one of Iceland’s most photographed mountains, pyramid-shaped Kirkjufell. You will walk to a crater and explore bizarre lava formations in Snaefellsjokull National Park, perhaps spotting a shy arctic fox if you are lucky. On the way back, you will look for white-tailed eagles along the north shore of the peninsula. Your guide will again make suggestions for dinner (not included). After dinner you will walk to a viewpoint and if the sky is clear watch the late evening sun skim the horizon to the north.
Day 3 Snaefellsnes Peninsula and whale watching
In the morning continue exploring the other-worldly landscapes at the foot of Snaefellsjokull, the mystical ice-topped volcano made famous by Jules Verne in his ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’. Where the lava meets the ocean, you will stroll among blow holes and rock arches along the cliffs of Arnarstapi and Thufubjarg and see thousands of nesting kittiwakes, guillemots and fulmars. At Budir we explore a landscape of sand dunes bordering a lava flow, whose crevices and hollows shelter many plant species. This afternoon you set sail from Olafsvik for another whale watching experience.
In the morning continue exploring the other-worldly landscapes at the foot of Snaefellsjokull, the mystical ice-topped volcano made famous by Jules Verne in his ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’. Where the lava meets the ocean, you will stroll among blow holes and rock arches along the cliffs of Arnarstapi and Thufubjarg and see thousands of nesting kittiwakes, guillemots and fulmars. At Budir we explore a landscape of sand dunes bordering a lava flow, whose crevices and hollows shelter many plant species. This afternoon you set sail from Olafsvik for another whale watching experience.
Day 4 Snaefellsnes - Akureyri
After breakfast you will set off to drive to the north of Iceland. Winding among scenic mountains, valleys and fjords, the drive is long but you will make stops for photographs and a leg stretch from time to time. Overnight in the town of Akureyri, whose many cafés and restaurants offer a choice of dining options.
After breakfast you will set off to drive to the north of Iceland. Winding among scenic mountains, valleys and fjords, the drive is long but you will make stops for photographs and a leg stretch from time to time. Overnight in the town of Akureyri, whose many cafés and restaurants offer a choice of dining options.
Day 5 whale watching from Hjalteyri and Myvatn sightseeing
After a short drive you will arrive at Hjalteyri, a former herring station where you will board a traditional oak fishing boat for a whale watching tour in beautiful Eyjafjordur. In recent years this sheltered fjord has become a humpback hotspot but as this is nature, there is no telling what will show up. Back in Akureyri, you will visit the town and its much-admired botanical garden. In the afternoon, you will drive east to Godafoss, a stunning waterfall with remarkable symmetry. Arriving in the Myvatn area there'll be time to take a walk along the banks of the beautiful Laxa River. Lake Myvatn is a renowned Ramsar wetland site of global importance for wildfowl, where rarities including great northern diver, Slavonian grebe, barrow’s goldeneye and harlequin ducks breed. You will end the day at the stylish Hotel Laxa, by Lake Myvatn where you will spend the next two nights.
After a short drive you will arrive at Hjalteyri, a former herring station where you will board a traditional oak fishing boat for a whale watching tour in beautiful Eyjafjordur. In recent years this sheltered fjord has become a humpback hotspot but as this is nature, there is no telling what will show up. Back in Akureyri, you will visit the town and its much-admired botanical garden. In the afternoon, you will drive east to Godafoss, a stunning waterfall with remarkable symmetry. Arriving in the Myvatn area there'll be time to take a walk along the banks of the beautiful Laxa River. Lake Myvatn is a renowned Ramsar wetland site of global importance for wildfowl, where rarities including great northern diver, Slavonian grebe, barrow’s goldeneye and harlequin ducks breed. You will end the day at the stylish Hotel Laxa, by Lake Myvatn where you will spend the next two nights.
Your Guide
Abbi Björgvinsson
A true whale expert, Icelander Asbjörn ‘Abbi’ Björgvinsson will be leading this special small-group holiday.
Originating from Flateyri, a small fishing village in the Westfjords, Abbi was one of the whale watching pioneers of Iceland and has dedicated much of his life educating local communities that whaling belongs in the past and whale watching is the way of the future. Abbi is also the founder and curator of the fascinating Husavik Whale Museum, which features informative displays on different species of whales and dolphins as well as the mythology and history of the Icelanders’ relationship with them.
Abbi has been one of our local guides for whale watching tours for decades and has taken countless trips to see the magnificent whales of Iceland. He is excited to share his local knowledge of Iceland’s nature, culture and marine life, as well as his personal passion for the ongoing protection of whales.
Abbi has received multiple awards for his work, including the Order of the Golden Ark from HRH Prinz Bernhard of the Netherlands in 1999. He was nominated a European HERO by TIME Magazine in 2003 and has been recognized as a Global Laureate by UNEP.
Prices and Departures
Price from £3,200 excluding flights
Airfares vary widely and are quoted separately to the holiday price, starting from around £250pp return with Icelandair and British Airways, though may be lower with Play, EasyJet or Wizz Air. We'll provide the best fare available at the time of enquiry, which tend to be cheaper the earlier you book.
UK Airports with flights direct to Iceland are Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. We can also arrange flights from non-UK destinations. Discover more »
What's Included
- Accommodation in rooms with private bathroom
- Daily breakfast & 2 dinners
- Coach and guide (except in Reykjavik)
- 5 whale-watching excursions in 3 locations
- Sightseeing in two national parks and Lake Myvatn
- Entry to Geo Sea spa and towel
- Transfer from Reykjavik to the airport
- 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday
- No surcharge guarantee
- Full financial protection
| Contact us to register interest for summer 2024 |
Group Size
This escorted group requires a minimum of 15 participants in order to operate, and will have a maximum of 25. Note: on occasion tours may operate with less than the minimum number of participants specified above (or exceed the maximum number indicated) – please refer to our booking conditions for more detailsMeet our expert
One of our specialists
Meet Bruno5 Continents visted
6 Indian Ocean dives
8 Out of 10 northern lights success
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