Every day, Skjálfandi Bay shows us something amazing. From playful whales and abundant wildlife to the mountains that change color with the light, there’s always something new to see. The bay is full of life and incredible diversity.
During our tours, we regularly spot humpback whales, minke whales and white-beaked dolphins. No matter how many times you see them, it never gets old! Sometimes, however, we are surprised by unexpected visitors.
It’s time to wave goodbye to the puffins of Lundey! From now on, our GG2 Big Whale Safari and Puffins tour will skip our puffin stop and spend more time with the ocean’s gentle giants — the whales. Puffins are true ocean wanderers, spending most of the year far out at sea.
Guests often ask us if the whales are affected by the weather. It makes sense - we all want to get the best out of our trips! The simple response would be "not really, they need to come to the surface for breathing anyway".
Our beautiful bay is surrounded by nesting places for many different bird species. One of these is the noisy arctic tern, who we frequently see fishing as we go out whale watching. Their breeding season is coming to an end around this time of year.
During my internship in Skjálfandi Bay, I knew blue whales could pass through but rarely stayed. One evening, I heard one had been spotted. The next morning, my friends saw it again. An hour later, I went out, nothing.
Pectoral fins in whales are the evolutionary equivalent of forelimbs in land mammals. Inside, they contain bones similar to a human arm—shoulder blades, a humerus, radius, and finger-like phalanges—adapted over millions of years for life in the ocean.
Húsavík, a small town in northern Iceland, is known for its breathtaking scenery, rich history, and incredible marine life. Among the many creatures that call these waters home, the white-beaked dolphins are one of the most charming and beloved.
We welcomed some very special guests in Húsavík last week—guests who brought emotions and even tears of joy to all of us. It all started with a 30-year-old dream that finally came true. Our assistant manager Daniel Annisius, who has been with Gentle Giants for over 20 years—starting in the ticket center, then working as a guide, and now one of the heads of operations—had always heard of this dream.
It’s been a series of unique events that led me here. While studying biology in Greece, I had already decided to specialize in marine biology. During the COVID period, I promised myself that once things settled, I would do something abroad—somewhere still in Europe, but very different, with amazing nature.
