4 species, including 5 Blue whales!
Today we were privileged to see five blue whales, some where close to the mountains, some close to Sandur, the beautiful black beach located at the Southern part of Skjálfandi Bay. The sea was like a mirror and the sighting conditions perfect.
We spotted the first blow, which can reach up to 20 meters, close to Sandur. After some time with this blue whale we spotted 2 more blows closer to the mountains. It was wonderful to see 2 blue whales surfacing together and engage in synchronised breathing. Then 2 other high blows were sighted and we observed them from a distance. At a distance because we spotted a smaller blow, but still several meters high, closer to the mountains. This was the blow of a humpback whale. Humpback whales are known for their beautiful long flippers and their arial behaviours, jumping and breaching out of the water. This morning the humpback whale was very calm and apperently feeding right under the surface. The whale was followed by a pod of white-beaked dolphins, some adults but also some playful calves, who were jumping out of the water and doing some side breaches. At one point the humpback whale was only 10 meters from the boat, travelling towards us before diving underneath the boat, white flipper large and clearly visible.
After a while the whale surfaced on the other side and as we were watching a Minke whale came up the breath. There we were, surrounded by blue whales, a humpback whale and minke whale as well as about 20 dolphins, what a fantastic whale watch tour so far and so many great photos were made.
After some hours it was time to head back to Husavik. After some nice hot chocolate and a cinnamon roles we spotted a huge blow of a blue whale in the distance, a wonderful sight before saying goodbye to the bay and hello to Husavik harbour.
Sabrina, guide.
