Sunday, 20 April 2025
We set sail this morning with a fresh chill in the air – around 4°C – and a blanket of cloudy sky above us. Classic fjord weather, honestly. The water was incredibly calm, almost glassy, like we were floating on a giant lake. It couldn’t have been a better setting for wildlife watching. And let me tell you – nature did not disappoint.
Just after leaving the harbor, we were instantly surrounded by a flurry of birdlife. One of the first to catch our eye were the long-tailed ducks – looking absolutely fabulous with their stylish streamer-like tail feathers. And get this: these ducks can dive as deep as 60 meters! That’s right, they’ve got built-in scuba skills. Plus, they’re also among the noisiest sea ducks around – their call sounds like a cartoon character attempting to yodel. Highly underrated entertainment.
Next up, we spotted some northern fulmars, gliding over the water like chilled-out pros. These birds may look graceful, but they’ve got a wild side – they defend themselves by spitting foul-smelling stomach oil. Seriously. It’s like nature’s pepper spray, bird edition.
Then came the black-headed gulls, already rocking their summer look with a deep chocolate-brown cap (which, fun fact, isn’t actually black). They were swooping, squawking, and being their usual dramatic selves.
Suddenly, we spotted a gang of northern gannets – sleek, white, with striking black wingtips. These guys don’t just fly, they dive-bomb the ocean from heights of up to 30 meters, hitting the water at speeds over 100 km/h. Think of them as feathered missiles with attitude.
And let’s not forget the eider ducks – the royalty of sea ducks. Why? Because they produce eiderdown, the softest, warmest, and most luxurious feather material on Earth. It’s so fancy, it makes sleeping on clouds seem basic. You don’t buy eiderdown bedding – you invest in it.
As if that bird bonanza wasn’t enough, the harbor porpoises made an appearance – in style. Some were just gliding quietly beneath the surface, while others were porpoising playfully, giving us a perfect view of their sleek, torpedo-like bodies. It really felt like they knew they were being watched.
But we had our eyes on something bigger…
And then – there it was. A dark back and that signature curved dorsal fin breaking the water’s surface. A minke whale!
We followed it for a few magical minutes, watching it surface with that slow, graceful rhythm. These are the smallest of the baleen whales, but don’t be fooled – they can still grow up to 10 meters long (basically, the size of a small bus). They’re surprisingly speedy too, often earning the nickname “torpedo of the sea.” Oh, and here’s a cool detail: their jaws have asymmetrical coloring – one side dark, the other white. Scientists think this quirky design may help confuse their prey during feeding.
After a good look, we continued our search – and it didn’t take long. Soon, we spotted another minke whale, this one hanging out close to the green buoy. Later in the afternoon, west of Grenivík, we spotted a smaller minke, likely a juvenile, cruising solo through the calm waters.
All in all, it was a day packed with birds, porpoises, whales, and enough fun facts to keep any wildlife nerd buzzing. The fjord may have started off grey and chilly, but by the end, it was absolutely brimming with life.
Text & Picture: Lenka
Departures of the day: 09:00 & 13:00 o’clock Classic Tour