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Ísafjörður

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Hornbjargsviti

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Whale Watching in Ísafjarðardjúp

A Boat Cruise into Ísafjarðardjúp: In Search of Whales and Wildlife

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the biodiverse subarctic as you explore the largest fjord in the Westfjords. Ísafjarðardjúp is a prime feeding ground teeming with marine life, where majestic giants of the sea await discovery.

Led by our knowledgeable guides, this excursion offers thrilling encounters with nature. Spot humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises, with occasional sightings of orcas adding a touch of rarity to the experience.

Enhance your adventure by delving into local research on the region’s remarkable wildlife. Immerse yourself in the wonders of Iceland’s rich marine ecosystem and create memories to last a lifetime with Borea Adventures.

Contents of this tour

Tour overview

Description

Join us for an unforgettable adventure on our fully equipped boat! Departing from Ísafjörður, we’ll embark on a journey into the breathtaking Ísafjarðardjúp fjord. Keep your eyes peeled for the distant blows of whales, as our expert captain navigates the waters to bring you as close as possible—always with care to avoid any disturbance.

The fjord is teeming with life, offering the chance to spot humpback and minke whales, as well as dolphins and porpoises. Among these, the humpback whale stands out, as it often flashes its tail when diving—an awe-inspiring sight you won’t want to miss! Additionally, you’ll likely encounter puffins bobbing on the water, as they nest on the nearby islands of Vigur and Æðey.

On rare occasions, orcas also pass through the area, adding to the excitement. Accompanying you on this trip will be our experienced boat crew and a knowledgeable guide, eager to share fascinating insights about the local wildlife and environment.

We also use these tours to contribute to ongoing research on the area’s whale population. Guests are encouraged to participate by photographing whale flukes (tails) to assist with identification efforts.

While we enjoy a high rate of sightings, please remember that these are wild animals, and we cannot guarantee whale sightings on every tour.


Important Details:

  • Meeting Point: Our Service Centre (white container), Ísafjörður Harbour
  • Departure Time: 10:00 AM (Please arrive 30 minutes before departure)
  • Minimum Age: 4 years
  • Group Size: Minimum 15 participants required, maximum 40 participants
  • Trip Difficulty: Easy
  • Duration: Approximately 2.5 hours

Photos

Itinerary

The journey begins at our boat, located opposite our gear storage on Mávagarður, where our guide, easily identifiable by the Borea logo, will be waiting to welcome you. Once aboard, we’ll spend approximately two hours exploring the stunning Ísafjarðardjúp, searching for whales and seabirds while savoring our time at sea. Afterward, we’ll return to our base in Ísafjörður.

What to bring

We do not supply overalls or extra clothing for this trip, so please come prepared for cold Icelandic weather with the following:
  • Warm outdoor clothing. While our boats, Sif and Íris, are fully equipped with warm interiors, the best spot for whale watching is outside. We recommend wearing layers to stay warm!
  • Waterproof jacket (and trousers, if you have them)
  • Hat and gloves.
  • Sunglasses.
  • Sunscreen

And don’t forget your camera!

FAQ

No, Borea does not supply any clothing on this tour.
Yes, the age limit is 4 years as Borea does not have life jackets for infants.
Whale sitings are very common in the area although this is a wild environment so we can never give guarantees.
No, we do not have wheelchair access on our boats. We can accommodate people with limited mobility if they are able to go up and down 2-3 steps.

Map

We had an amazing experience going on a Borea Adventures whale watching tour. We got to see dozens of whales, including several that came very close to the boat, and our guide Ben was friendly and informative. Ben is a graduate student who studies whale migration, and was able to answer all of our questions in great detail! Thank you to Ben and Borea! We will definitely be booking again with you again when we return to Isafjordur.

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