HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2014


A new year has started, with new opportunities and yet another exciting whale watching season ahead. In less than three months from now, our first tour of 2015 will leave Húsavík harbour. Preparations are in full swing. For example, maintenance is being done on our boats and in February Gentle Giants will attend the international Icelandair Mid-Atlantic Tradeshow in Reykjavík.

But before leaving last year behind, we would like to bring you back to some of our highlights of 2014.

Click the embedded links to see and read more.


Once again we started the season earlier than ever - on April 1st. Overall the 2014 season was extraordinary whale-wise.

One of the most remarkable things was that sperm whales visited our bay – for the first time in Gentle Giants' history! And we encountered them both in June and July. They are the biggest of the tooth whales, can reach up to 18 metres in length, 50 tonnes in weight, and are capable of diving down to 3,000 metres. Learn more about them on our sperm whale info page.

Sperm whale final.
Orcas were also spotted more often than usual. Other rare guests were the fin whales, sei whales and a blue/fin-hybrid. All this except for what we consider “common” by us: humpback whales, blue whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises.

A unique blue/fin-hybrid in Skjálfandi Bay - possibly the same individual which has been encountered in the bay for several years (photo: Sarah Arndt).

A male orca is easily recognised by its high dorsal fin which can reach up to 1.8 metres (photo: Sarah Arndt).


Our company expands and last year we had more people employed than ever before. We are proud of our team, which consists of a great mix of knowledgeable locals and foreigners, all with a passion for whales and their habitat. Get to know our international staff better at the GG crew page.

We also had many more RIB tours than previous years. Both scheduled Big Whale Safaris as well as tailor-made adventures such as adrenaline trips, island-hopping and research expeditions. Both RIBs Amma Kibba and Amma Sigga were busy daily, and we really enjoy seeing how popular our speedboats are, both by tourists and locals. Get inspiration and read more at our tailor-made tours' page.


Koen is a Dutch nature enthusiast who shares our passion for whales and decided to invest in a GG1 five-day multi-trip pass by Gentle Giants in July. During this time period, he joined three to four tours a day (mostly on the oak boats but added to his pass also some on the RIBs) and was very lucky with both whales and weather.

This is what Koen wrote to us before he left:

"Guys,

This has probably been the best week of my life! 15 trips in 4.5 days and I simply cannot get enough! I am honestly sad & down that I have to leave. All trips were great but of course some were better than others haha!

A big thank you to the whales & dolphins and also to all of you at Gentle Giants! Your passion is fantastic and I am so happy to have met so many other whale fantastics. (PASSION!!!)

Thanks for everything and also for being flexible with me. It was simply wonderful.

THANK YOU!!!

KOEN"

We want to thank Koen Hoekemeijer too, for joining us and for all his amazing photos. Below you see just a few of them:

Koen small 1

Koen small 2

Koen small 3

 
Three other memorable things that were special for season 2014 were:


Giant thanks to all our passengers, co-operators, staff members, and last but not least, all the wild whales in Skjálfandi Bay, for making the 2014 season a yet a successful one. We are now looking forward to celebrate our 14th year offering seafaring adventures from Húsavík and welcome you aboard with us!

All the best on behalf of the GG team,

 

- Lia and Daniel

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