Whilst we and our boats are patiently awaiting the day that we can sail out of the harbour again and let our guests submerge in the world of whales, we know that life has returned to Skjálfandi Bay over the past weeks.
In an article published by “The New York Times”, locals of eleven top tourist destinations were asked what it’s like to experience a place, that is normally filled with tourists, all empty during current travel restrictions due to COVID-19. Gentle Giants’ CEO Stefán Guðmundsson was one of the persons questioned.
The Icelandic government announced yesterday that it expects to open its borders and start easing restrictions on international arrivals no later than 15 June 2020 (with conditions). Gentle Giants has been closed since 20 March due to COVID-19, for the health and safety of our guests and staff, to limit the spread of the virus.
Earlier in March we wrote about our fishing boat Aþena having returned to Húsavík right in time to start the annual lump fish season. (In late autumn she had been relocated to Reykjavík and underwent both, modernisation and maintenance work during the following winter months.
From recommendations by official authorities, we continue to keep our operation closed temporarily and all tours have been cancelled until May 5th at least. This is done for the health and safety of our guests and staff, to limit the spread of the virus.
Due to the current situation with COVID-19, we have closed our operation temporarily and all tours have been cancelled until April 20th at least. This is done for the health and safety of our guests and staff, to limit the spread of the virus.
In Skjálfandi Bay, humpback whales are seasonal visitors and one of the most common species we encounter on our tours. They head north towards Icelandic waters in early spring, eager to return to their feeding grounds.
In late autumn 2019, our sea angling boat Aþena was taken out of the water and brought to Reykjavík, where she was modernised with a new engine and received a general beauty treatment at the same time.
Due to the current situation with COVID-19, we have closed our operation temporarily and all tours have been cancelled until April 10th at least. This is done for the health and safety of our guests and staff, to limit the spread of the virus.
Fin whales were sighted on several of our tours the last days. It is indeed special and very rare to see them come into Skjálfandi Bay.All the individuals that have been in the bay recently were very calm, up on the surface a lot and therefore allowed us to get some magnificent views of them.
