RESPECTFUL WHALE WATCHING FROM REYKJAVIK (ICELAND)
The Shelltone Whale Project is an environmental organization that carefully selects whale-watching operators committed to a respectful approach.
Marine biologists and experienced naturalists who put animal welfare first.
Book directly with operators selected by the Shelltone Whale Project, at the best available rate and with no additional fees.
The Shelltone Team’s Review
Reykjavík is one of the few capitals in the world where it is possible to observe whales just minutes from the city center. Departing from the Old Harbour, these excursions quickly reach the waters of Faxaflói Bay, a rich marine environment regularly visited by several cetacean species.
Humpback whales are the most frequently observed, but other species also inhabit these waters throughout the season. The close proximity between the city and this marine environment offers a unique opportunity to discover how present the living world remains at the doorstep of a modern capital.
We selected this team for their longstanding experience in whale watching in Iceland and the quality of the experience they provide on the water. Their small-group trips offer excellent wildlife viewing conditions while giving visitors the opportunity to learn from experienced naturalist guides.
Beyond whale watching, these outings offer a unique perspective on Reykjavík itself. Seen from the sea, the city skyline, the surrounding mountains, and the ocean combine to create a landscape where nature and human presence coexist in a remarkable way.
What it means to be “Shelltone selected”
Every operator featured here has been selected because it complies with the Shelltone Charter.
Cetaceans are never approached at more than 5 knots.
Animals are always approached from an angle that follows their direction of travel, never by cutting across them.
Mothers with calves are never approached.
These principles form the foundation of the Shelltone Charter. Our selection also considers the overall attitude of the operator, the quality of the guidance provided, and the ability to recognize when choosing not to approach is the most respectful decision.
These are not recommendations. They are the conditions under which every Shelltone Selected Operator is chosen.
What We Particularly Appreciate Here
The opportunity to move in just a few minutes from the heart of Iceland’s capital to a world inhabited by whales. A destination that reminds us that the living world does not exist only in the most remote places, but sometimes right at the edge of our cities.
YOU ARE BOOKING HERE DIRECTLY THROUGH THE OFFICIAL CALENDAR OF ELDING, REYKJAVIK
NO INTERMEDIARY. NO ADDITIONAL FEES.
AVAILABILITY AND PRICES ARE PROVIDED DIRECTLY BY THE OPERATOR.
Photos from the Reykjavik expedition
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