Two brothers from Innri-Njardvík, southwest Iceland, Ari Gauti (21) and Andri Thór Arinbjörnsson (25), had an unusual experience when they were kayaking on Sunday, when they spotted a humpback which stayed close to them for an hour.
“We saw it first at a 40-meter distance, paddled towards it and it always resurfaced,” Andri Thór Arinbjörnsson told Morgunbladid. “Sometimes it came closer and it seemed like it was as much interested in us as we were in it.”
“We think it was about 15 to 20 meters long and I was a bit frightened when it was only three meters away from me, because it is a huge animal,” Andri Thór added. “It was a rather uncomfortable experience because the whale was in a good position to attack us, but it didn’t.”
Ari Gauti Arinbjörnsson said Sunday’s kayak tour was the most memorable he has ever experienced. “I will never forget it and I was rather frightened when it came up close. […] But in hindsight it was fantastic and a great experience to be able to watch this animal under such circumstances.”
When the humpback whale finally swam away the brothers tried to follow it, but since it didn’t resurface again they paddled back home. They are both amateur photographers, but had unfortunately left their cameras at home.
