The Humpback is back in Skjálfandi Bay

The humpback is back in Skjálfandi Bay after a long winter in the Caribbean Sea. First animals were sighted yesterday on North Sailing´s oak ship Náttfari.

 

© Hörður Jónasson  – A photo taken yesterday of a humpback in Skjálfandi Bay

 

The humpback whale, 11-19 m in length, is a baleen whale, like the blue, fin, sei and minke whale and primarily feeds on plankton, krill, but also small fish, such as capelin and is easily identified by its enormously long flippers, which can be up to 5 or 6 m in length.

Length: 13–17 meters – Weight: 25–40 tons – Life expectancy: Appr. 95 years
 
The humpback whale is playful, occasionally raising the flippers to slap the water surface, rolling over or leaping out of the water.

 

© Hörður Jónasson – The playful humpback can give fantastic photo opportunities

 
The powerful spout, 2,5-3 m, lasts for several seconds and the breathing cycle is 3-4 times before deep diving. The humpback whale remains underwater for 5-7 minutes at a time, though often much longer. It nearly always raises the fluke before diving, revealing the distinctive black and white pattern, which distinguishes individuals and is used for identification.

 

North Sailing´s oak ships are well suited for whale watching

The Northern Atlantic humpback whale migrates to the breeding grounds in the Caribbean. In summertime, it frequents shallow waters around Iceland and often comes into the fjords and bays in search of food. The population size in Icelandic waters is uncertain, but is estimated to be around 1,500-1,800 individuals.

 

Listen to the sounds of the humpback: https://www.northsailing.is/wildlife-of-skjalfandi-bay/whale-sounds/humpback-whale/