Thursday, 24 April 2025
We sailed out early, the temperature holding at a crisp 4°C. The weather was surprisingly calm—clear skies, gentle breeze—perfect conditions for exploring the vast, fjord-like lake that stretched out before us. The way the water wound between the cliffs gave the whole scene a dramatic, almost otherworldly feel.
As we cruised along, our first avian companions appeared: long-tailed ducks, elegant and effortlessly gliding along the surface, and not far behind, a northern fulmar cutting across the water with that steady, stiff-winged flight that makes it look more like a glider than a bird.
Then came a truly special sight—Arctic terns. These small, graceful birds are famous for having the longest migration of any animal on Earth, traveling from their breeding grounds in the Arctic all the way to the Antarctic and back each year—over 70,000 km (43,000 miles) round-trip. That means these little birds see more daylight in a year than any other creature alive. Their flight is fast, acrobatic, and stunning to watch. You could spend hours just admiring their aerial stunts.
But the day was only beginning.
As the sun lifted higher, we were lucky to spot a minke whale—sleek and fast, surfacing briefly before slipping beneath the waves again. Then came several small pods of harbour porpoises, their quick, quiet appearances breaking the surface like whispers in the water.
The real highlight came west of Hrísey: four humpback whales, their massive tails rising and falling in slow, majestic arcs. These giants can grow up to 16 meters long (52 feet) and weigh over 30 tons. Despite their size, they’re surprisingly agile—known for their powerful breaches and soulful, complex songs that can travel for miles underwater.
Humpbacks are also among the more curious whale species; often, they’ll approach boats, seemingly just as interested in us as we are in them. Today, they stayed a respectful distance but gave us an unforgettable show—spouting, diving, and fluking with that signature flourish of their tail.
In the afternoon light, we were treated to more sightings of both harbour porpoises and humpbacks. There’s something incredibly humbling about sharing space with such intelligent, ancient creatures. The calm water, the soft light, and the distant snow-capped peaks just made everything feel even more surreal.
What a beautiful day.
Text & Picture: Lenka and Agnes
Departures of the day: 09:00 & 13:00 o’clock Classic Tour. 10:00 & 14:00 o’clock Express Tour