Whale watchers in Húsavík, north Iceland, were in for a treat last night when they spotted a blue whale, the earth’s largest animal and an endangered species, playing in the ocean on a tour with North Sailing’s oak boat Náttfari and schooner Hildur on Skjálfandi bay.
The blue whale seen from the air. Photos by Heimir Hardarson. Courtesy of North Sailing.
The bay was especially lively last night. In addition to the blue whale, travelers spotted a fin whale, humpback whale, minke whale and dolphin—the tourist season is off to a good start in Iceland’s whale watching capital, Morgunbladid reports.
Skjálfandi is among the best locations in the world to spot blue whales; the best time to see them is June and early July.
Among visitors to the town in the past few days is Mark Carwardine, who has participated in making wildlife programs for the BBC and helped launch North Sailing’s whale watching from Húsavík in 1995.
This summer, North Sailing will also operate whale watching tours from Ólafsfjördur and schooner tours in Greenland.
Also, the Nordic coastal culture festival Sail Húsavík is coming up, July 16-23, where large sailing vessels from the Nordic countries and Germany will cast anchor at the town’s docks and visitors can learn all about sailing and be entertained.
