Iceland is the perfect location for whale watching. The cold waters off the coast play host to diverse marine life.Iceland's unique ocean environment means you have a 90-95% chance of spotting at least one species during your time there from specific locations. However, it's best to bear in mind that these are wild animals and their movements cannot be fully predicted so, although it is likely, it's not guaranteed.Minke Whales
They're small compared to other species but can still exceed 30 feet (9 meters) in length. Their behavior is usually rather shy, but due to their numbers, you can regularly see them from almost all whale-watching ports, including Reykjavik.
Where is the best spot for whale watching in Iceland : Two of the major centres of whale watching in North Iceland are the towns of Akureyri and Húsavík. In fact, the town of Húsavik, on Skjálfandi Bay, is often named as the best place to see whales and other marine mammals in all of Europe. Whales are in these waters throughout the year.
Can you see whales from the beach
Look close to shore, and look out across the horizon. Watch for anything that breaks the surface of the water. Look for boats, especially if they are stopped. Sometimes the best way to find marine mammals is to find the other people who are watching them.
Can you whale watch from the shore : Land or Sea
If you opt for watching from afar, make sure to bring binoculars and aim to go out on a clear day. Whales and other ocean life can be harder to see from shore, but if you're patient and the conditions are right, you will likely find what you're looking for!
The best time for whale watching in Iceland and Greenland is from April to late September-early October, with the summer months of June, July and August recognized as the peak whale watching season.
When it comes to the best time of day to see whales (morning, afternoon, or evening), there is no definitive answer. One leading operator in North Iceland says that 'afternoon and evening tours are usually less busy, and you get a chance to see whales in a spectacular sunset'.
Can you see whales from the shore
Although large baleen whales such as blue whales and fin whales prefer deep, offshore waters and therefore are typically best viewed from a boat, it is possible to see these whales from shore in Dana Point, albeit from a distance.When it comes to the best time of day to see whales (morning, afternoon, or evening), there is no definitive answer. One leading operator in North Iceland says that 'afternoon and evening tours are usually less busy, and you get a chance to see whales in a spectacular sunset'.While it is not impossible to hear whales above water with just the human ear, the technology used by Wild Waterways Adventures made for a very unique experience, even for veteran whale watchers.
What to Look For
- Blowholes. When a whale exhales, you can see a spray of water out of the top of the ocean that can look like smoke from the shore.
- Tails. It sounds obvious, but all whales have tail flukes.
- Whales have specific behaviors that should not be overlooked. For example, the spray of water from the blow horn.
When a whale is on shore : “Once on the shore a whale quickly decomposes and so can be a public health risk,” said Danny Groves, of the cetacean charity WDC. “There are significant hazards from bacteria and so people and pets should stay away.
What are the odds of seeing a whale on a whale watch : There's a 95% chance you'll see a whale any month of the year. Generally, humpback whales are observed feeding in the bay March through December and Gray whales are seen migrating December through May.
Are you more likely to see whales in the morning or afternoon in Iceland
There's no “best” time of the day to go whale watching. Over almost three decades of whale watching, we haven't discovered any specific time slot when whales would be more active than others. No matter if you are an early bird or night owl, you'll always have a great chance of seeing whales and other marine wildlife.
The best destinations in the world for whale watching
- Hervey Bay, Australia.
- Silver Bank, Dominican Republic.
- Maui, Hawaii, USA.
- Juneau, Alaska, USA.
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
- San Juan Islands, Washington, USA.
- Puerto Madryn, Argentina.
- Monterey, California, USA.
According to whale-watching companies in Húsavík the blue whale is spotted on 2–5 percent of all tours, typically early summer. Sightings always come down to luck. The whales need to breathe oxygen at a 20-minute interval, give or take, and that is the whale watchers' only chance to catch a glimpse of them.
What is the best time of day to see whales from shore : Whales are generally most active in the morning and late afternoon, making these the best times to spot them. During the morning, whales tend to be more active as they start their day and may feed. As the day progresses and the sun sets, whales become more active as they prepare to rest for the night.