Whale Watching in IcelandEncounter Majestic Giants: Unforgettable Whale Watching Adventures in Iceland

Made famous by the Moby Dick novel, the sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales with a head that accounts for a third of its body length. It also has the largest brain of any animal on the planet. Females and young males live together in groups while mature males keep to themselves except during the mating season when they go looking for females.

The sperm whale is found in the open ocean and can dive down to 2,250 metres, staying submerged for up to an hour at a time. They can be seen around the west of Iceland from late spring (April/May) to late summer (August/September) and tend to be solitary male sperm whales.

The most distinguishable feature of the humpback whale is its pectoral fins, which measure a third of the animal's body and are covered with bumps known as tubercles. These same bumps are also found on the whale's head. Another unique feature of the humpback whale is its tail fluke, which has a black topside and white underside. The patterns on a humpback's tail fluke are as unique as a human fingerprint.

Humpback whales are one of the most active whales, frequently breaching out of the water and even slapping their heads against the surface. They are most commonly spotted around the north of Iceland in the summer months between April and October. In recent times, they have also been seen in late winter (February/March) to the south of the country.

It may not be one of the biggest whales in the ocean but the orca sure is one of the most deadly. More commonly known as killer whale, these roaming predators actually belong to the oceanic dolphin family and feed on fish and marine mammals including seals and occasionally whale calves. Their global distribution covers each of the world's oceans and they live in large family groups known as pods. They are highly social animals and hunt in groups, developing sophisticated techniques and using unique vocal behaviour.

Male orca have a dorsal fin that can measure up to 1.8 metres and slices the water as they glide through the ocean. These fascinating creatures frequent the waters west of Iceland in the winter (November to March) and early summer (June/July).

The blue whale is the true giant of the sea with a longest recorded body length of 30 metres. It is the largest animal known to have ever existed, bigger than any dinosaur ever recorded. The blue whale's mouth is large enough to park a family saloon car in! Blue whales come in various shades of blueish-grey with unique mottling across their bodies. They prefer to live alone or with just one other individual. Blue whale calves stay with their mothers for around seven months, so you're likely to see a miniature version accompanying its mother on your whale watching trip!

Blue whales typically swim at a depth of around 13 metres and can be found in the waters of north Iceland from late spring (April/May) to early summer (June/July). They can also be spotted to the west of Iceland as well as in the south during the autumn months (September/October).

Found in oceans around the world, the minke whale is the most abundant of the baleen whale family. In the Northern Hemisphere, they are characterised by a white band on their flippers, while their southern counterparts do not have such markings. They are relatively quick in the water, with a streamlined shape, a sharply pointed snout, and small fins. Their skin is perfectly smooth, with a pale underbelly and a dark grey upper side.

Minke whales are the most commonly spotted whales in Iceland and are also one of the most inquisitive, often swimming alongside sea vessels. They are most abundant in the summer months between April and October and are found in the waters north, south, and west of Iceland.

The fin whale is the second-largest animal after the blue whale. Its slender body makes it fast in the water, with a long back and small dorsal fin that sits low down its spine. Behind the dorsal is a distinctive ridge that has earned the fin whale the nickname 'razorback'. Another unique characteristic of this whale is its asymmetric colouring - the head is usually dark grey on the left side and patterned on the right.

The fin whale isn't as common as other species, such as humpback and orca, but whale watching in Iceland gives you one of the best chances to see the species. Sightings can occur in the north or the south during the summer months (June to August).

This charismatic species of dolphin is characterised by its short white beak and highly curved dorsal fin. They are social animals, travelling in large pods and communicating in solar clicks and whistles. They are also acrobatic and will frequently put on a show for whale watchers, whether it's jumping into the air or riding the bow wave of quick-moving vessels.

The white-beaked dolphin is one of the more common dolphins found in European waters and is abundant around Iceland. They can be seen throughout the year, though the best time is late winter (February/March) after the calving season.

The harbour porpoise is one of six species of porpoise and one of the smallest marine mammals. Its name derived from the fact that this particular species stays close to coastal areas, however, the harbour porpoise is wary of boats and is generally only spotted when the waters are calm. In some places they have been given the nickname 'Puffing Pigs' due to the noise they make when they breathe above water.

The harbour porpoise is widespread across the North Atlantic and Pacific, and are abundant around Iceland. They can be seen year-round though between April and October is the best time to spot them.