Iceland

Aurora Borealis, Budir, Iceland

I visited Iceland in March 2014 on a rare non-mammal holiday. Not only was the trip successful – I saw the Northern Lights for two of the three nights I was there – I was also very impressed with the country. It is scenically stunning with great food and places to stay. Plus there is something special about the people and the whole society.

There are a few land mammals, all of which I’d seen, and made no effort to look for. The marine mammals are more interesting with chances of several arctic seal species including Harp and Hooded Seals (both presumably more likely in winter). Iceland is also home to what is arguably Europe’s best whale watching.

Humpbacks, Minkes and White-beaked Dolphins are apparently resident year round off of Reykavik. In the winter Orcas congregrate in Grundarfjörður on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. I saw a couple of distant animals as well as a pod of White-beaked Dolphins close to shore.

I had hoped to do an Orca trip with Laki Tours but didn’t quite have time to get to the airport afterwards. In the summer Laki Tours run trips to see Blues, Fins, Humpbacks, Minkes and Orcas, with chances too for Sei, Sperm and Pilot Whales. I’ve heard that Iceland is one of the more reliable places to look for Sei Whales worldwide.

Snaefellsnes Peninsula