Postcard from Iceland #5 | Húsavík Whale Watching

Located on Iceland’s north coast, the townfolk of Húsavík primarily make their livings from fishing and tourism, the latter being focused on whale watching trips out from the harbour. Our 3 hour trip with North Sailing gave us some wonderful sightings. The most famous landmark of the town is the wooden church Húsavíkurkirkja, built in 1907. You’ll also find a few cafes and restaurants in the harbour area where you can enjoy a tasty lunch before or after your excursion.

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Húsavík harbour, as we head out to sea

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Húsavíkurkirkja, a wooden church built in 1907; a whale painting on the side of a harbour-side building

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Beautiful weather as we head out to sea; Pete admiring the views

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All-in-one protective suits; bird

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bird

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Nearby boats; whale disappearing back under the waves; Pete checking his camera

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A beautiful sighting of a humpback whale (I think), especially for those on the Haukur

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A different whale, possibly a minke?

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Onboard refreshments; Pete

 

See my other Iceland postcards.

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7 Comments to "Postcard from Iceland #5 | Húsavík Whale Watching"

  1. Chris Routledge

    The white underside to the tail fluke, and the wavy edge and pointy ends says that’s a Humpback. The other is definitely a Minke, based on the hooked dorsal fin and lissom back. Iceland is currently exporting the meat of Minke and other whales to Japan. Whale tourism may be the salvation of them in those waters.

    Reply
    kaveyeats

    Thanks Chris. Yes I had read up on that and had to think about whether visiting could be taken as endorsement of that whaling. I decided in the end that providing economic incentive to promote whale tourism over whale hunting was what I wanted to do.

    Reply
  2. Fede

    Oh wow, Whale watching is something I have not yet done properly… and would love to. Amazing

    Reply
  3. Elizabeth

    Oh my goodness I want to go here something awful! I spent five hours in the airport in Iceland en route to the UK when I first immigrated and I’ve been longing to go back. Whales! Wow! 😀

    Reply

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