Whale watching in Iceland

Fun fact: The fin whale is the second-largest animal in the world, and with a long, sleek body, one of the fastest swimmers – with the ability to swim at up to 72km/h (45mph). Fin whales are most likely to be seen during the summer months, although less frequently than minke whales and sperm whales.

More facts about fin whales:

• Diet: small fish, plankton, and krill
• A lifespan of around 90 years, although sadly this species is endangered
• A population of 120,000 to 150,000 worldwide
• Length: a whopping 20-25 meters (66-82ft)
• Unique features include a brown chevron pattern behind their head, and asymmetrical jaw pattern: a pale right jaw and a dark gray or black left jaw

Humpback whales typically come to Iceland during the warmer summer months, and can be best seen in North Iceland.

Facts about humpback whales:

• Diet: small fish and krill
• An impressive lifespan of about 150 years
• A population of 10,000 to 15,000 worldwide
• Length: 13-17 meters (43-56ft)
• Unique features include long flippers measuring roughly a third of their body length, a head and flippers covered in barnacles, and a fluke with a distinct black and white pattern on the underside
• Happy to live and hunt alone or in small groups
• Humpbacks are known for their beautiful songs, typically used to attract females during mating season. They’re also known for their incredible water-surface acrobatics such as breaching, pec-slapping and lobtailing.

Minke whales are some of the most common whale types in Iceland, with the population size having increased over the years despite commercial whaling. Minke whales tend to have a small, sleek body that is dark gray on top and whitish underneath.

More facts about minke whales:

• Diet: krill, plankton, and small fish
• A lifespan of around 35 to 50 years
• A population of around 1 million worldwide
• Length: 7-10 meters (23-33ft)
• Unique features include narrow flippers with pointed tips and a white band across each
• Minke whales are known for their innate curiosity, happy to approach boats. Be sure to have your camera ready for a close-up!

The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales, with its head alone measuring nearly a third of its body length. Author Herman Melville’s famous Moby Dick was in fact a sperm whale, although the real thing is much more placid.

More facts about the sperm whale:

• Diet: mainly squid and fish
• A typical lifespan of about 60 to 70 years
• A population of up to a million worldwide
• Length: 12-18 meters (39-59ft)
• Unique features include a low, thick dorsal fin; short, broad flippers; and a slightly wrinkled appearance
• Sperm whales are capable of diving as deep as nearly 3km (2 miles) down to forage for food, and can hold their breath for over two hours.