Monday, 3 February 2025
We sailed out with the wind coming from the south, and the temperature around 1°C, feeling the breeze as we headed deeper into the fjord.
Before we reached the area where we spotted the first blow, we enjoyed the journey, taking in the stunning beauty of the fjord. Then, just off the west of Grenivík, we caught a glimpse of a humpback whale blow. The mist rose from the surface like a natural fountain, and we knew immediately that this whale was on the move. Not even a few minutes later, we saw another blow. It seemed like the whale was traveling north, moving steadily through the waters of the fjord.
As we got closer, something incredible caught our attention—a dark shadow beneath the surface, with the beautiful turquoise color swirling around it. It was here that we saw the huge pectoral fin of the whale, one of the longest among cetaceans. The sight was mesmerizing as the turquoise hue seemed to glow beneath the water, giving us a rare, up-close view of this magnificent creature. The whale stayed close to the surface, allowing us a few magical moments to admire it.
Then, the whale surfaced again, giving us a full view of its head and that distinctive, curved dorsal fin. It was easy to identify this particular whale, so we decided to name it “Captain Hook,” thanks to the unique shape of its fin.
Unfortunately, just as we were soaking in the beauty of the moment, we realized that one of our two engines had stopped working. With the situation at hand, we made the decision to head towards the nearest harbor—Dalvik. It wasn’t the plan we had in mind, but safety first.
Once we docked in Dalvik, we arranged buses to take our guests back to Akureyri. Although we didn’t get to stay out on the water as long as we had hoped, it was still a day to remember—full of nature’s wonders and a bit of adventure.
The whale’s journey north reminded us that, sometimes, things don’t always go as planned, but that’s all part of the experience. The fjord always has its surprises, and we’re just along for the ride.
Pictures & Text: Lenka
Departure of the day: 13:00 o’clock Classic Tour.