Whale Watching from Akureyri

Sail into the nutrient-rich waters of Iceland’s longest fjord, looking for whales, dolphins and porpoises that feed here in abundance.

After departing from the pier in a vessel that is ideal for whale watching, you will cruise along Eyjafjordur, a pristine fjord lined with high mountains on both sides. Chances are, you will spot colonies of puffins nesting in the rocky cliffs and diving for small fish. They are easy to identify by their bright orange beaks and short, stout wings. Despite their appearance, puffins are surprisingly fast flyers and can reach speeds of up to 55 mph.

Still, the star attractions of this cruise are whales. Species such as humpback, blue and minke whales frequent these waters to gorge on the abundant plankton and fish larvae carried in the coastal currents. You may also spot white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises.

It is a breathtaking sight to see humpback whales acrobatically breaching the water’s surface, waving their flukes up and down as they dive, and feeding to fatten up for their winter migration south.

If blue whales are in the area, you will surely notice as they are the world’s largest animals. When they surface to exhale, the spray from their blowholes shoots about 30 feet into the air, so it is quite the spectacle.

Minke whales are smaller, but no less impressive. They have sharply pointed snouts that appear first when they breach. If you see one, it will be a mesmerizing sight.