Iceland Whales: Which Whales Can You See in Iceland?
During the peak whale watching season in Iceland, over 100,000 whales and dolphins congregate around the island’s coastlines, feasting on the rich pockets of food that rise up from the depths around this time of year.
However, Iceland is not considered one of the best places in the world for whale watching for its lack of diversity, which means even in the offseason, there are whales aplenty. But exactly which whales can you see in Iceland?
Which Whales Can You See in Iceland?
You can see many whales in Iceland. Whales that visit Iceland include blue whales, sperm whales and pilot whales. There are plenty of year-round residents, too. Orca, humpback whale, fin whale, minke whales and white-beaked dolphins are all residents.
List of Iceland Whales
Humpback Whales - Humpbacks arrive in massive numbers during the summer season, but can be seen in Iceland year-round.
Minke Whales - Minke whales are native to Iceland and live here year-round. Many thousands, some 40,000 are here throughout the year.
Killer Whales - Orcas are commonly found off the west coast of Iceland during peak season, feasting on balls of herring close to shore.
Blue Whales - Around one thousand blue whales visit Iceland during the summer, making it one of the best places to see blue whales in the world.
Sperm Whales - Over a thousand sperm whales arrive to feed around the shores of Iceland during the summer, often seen resting on the surface after long dives.
Fin Whales - Fin whales are rare and elusive in most parts of the world, but in Iceland, they are actually fairly common.
Sei Whales - Large animals, sei whales are surprisingly difficult to spot. This is usually because they prefer deep-sea fishing and are found further out to sea than other whales.
Bottlenose Whales - Not to be confused with bottlenose dolphins, these whales are some of the largest toothed whales, reaching over 10m in length. There are lots in Iceland, but like sei whales, are generally found in deeper waters.
Pilot Whales - Pilot whales are one of the most popular whales in Iceland. You’ll find them all over the coastline hunting and frolicking in large pods.
Harbour Porpoise - Small and agile, harbour porpoise aren’t as tough to spot as you might think and are common sightings around Iceland. This is due predominantly to the fact they travel together in large groups.
White-Beaked Dolphins - White-beaked dolphins are one of the most common sightings in Iceland. Hunting close to the shore, these bold and curious animals aren’t afraid to be seen.
If you’re looking to go whale watching in Iceland, be sure to click the link to our wild travel guide!
