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Monday 07:30 - 22:00 Tuesday 07:30 - 22:00 Wednesday 07:30 - 22:00 Thursday 07:30 - 22:00 Friday 07:30 - 22:00 Saturday 07:30 - 22:00 Sunday 07:30 - 22:00

Gentle Giants Whale Watching

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Gentle Giants Whale Watching

Welcome to Gentle Giants Whale Watching in Húsavík, Iceland, where unforgettable encounters with majestic marine life await.

Choose a real locally-owned family company with more than 160 years of family history in Skjálfandi Bay. Experience the Gentle Giants of Húsavík – the Whale Watching Capital of Europe. Welcome aboard traditional Icelandic oak boats or modern RIB speedboats in search of the mammals of the ocean. Gentle Giants is a family run company and is proud of its background with 160 years of family history in Skjálfandi Bay.

30/06/2025

In the blink of an eye, another month has flown by! While June's weather hasn't exactly been our favorite, it's been a fantastic month for whale sightings!

Daily sightings have been incredible these last weeks as we observed playful dolphins, hungry humpback whales, minkes and the majesty of the sea: the blue whale!

Some days, it was impossible to tell how many humpback whales were actually roaming the bay in search for food and oftentimes, we'd see several of them feeding either together or in the same area! Sometimes, whichever direction one looked, their spouts were shooting up from the surface, near and far!

As July begins, we once more add more daily departures to our schedule! Check the timetable on our website (link in bio) to learn more and book your tour with us today!

See you onboard!

Photo Credit:

Photo 1-4: Charlie (guide)
Photo 5-7: Joséphine (captain / head guide) .jo
Photo 8-10: Louisa (guide)
Photo 11: Fiona (shift manager / guide)

22/06/2025

As weeks pass by and the season proceeds, more and more humpback whale individuals pass by. Some stay just shortly, come and go, others stick around for a while, even for weeks.

Some of these individuals are known from previous years, while others are newbies in the bay.

How do we know? Humpback whales can be identified as individuals by the unique black and white patterns on the underside of their flukes (tails).

While we know humpback whales migrate vast distances between their feeding grounds here and their breeding grounds in (sub-)tropical waters, for the majority of individuals coming into our bay, we don't know where exactly they have been the last months.

Therefore, it is extremely exciting when it is possible to match photos of flukes taken around Iceland with others from far away places.

Recently, two such matches could be made thanks to the platform Happywhale.

One of them is Marí / Asclepius who was first sighted around Iceland in 2019. Between then and 2022 it has shown up in various areas around our country. Then, in 2022 it ventured even further north to Sermersooq, Greenland.
The last sighting of Marí was in late January 2024 - around the British Virgin Islands! What do you think, will Marí be back here this summer?

Another individual is Love. Love first appeared around Iceland in 2016, and returned for two consecutive years. While not having shown up in 2019, Love was then sighted completely elsewhere in late January 2020: Guadalupe! And while we still don't know where Marí will venture after its journey to the British Virgin Islands, Love has returned to Skjálfandi Bay (Húsavík) earlier this month!

If you are curious to find out which humpback whale individuals you saw on your tour with us, upload your flukes shots on happywhale.com and learn more about who you spotted!

Source: happywhale.com
Recent photo of Love in Skjálfandi Bay: Joséphine Aussage (captain / head guide) .jo

17/06/2025

ÞJÓÐHÁTIÐARDAGURINN

Today, 17th of June, is Iceland's National Day. It commemorates the foundation of The Republic of Iceland on 17th of June 1944 and, therewith, celebrates the declaration of independence from Denmark. The date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, a major figure of Icelandic culture and the leader of the 19th-century Icelandic independence movement.

And since we live on an island surrounded by the beautiful and wild North Atlantic, what place could be more fitting to celebrate this day than out at sea on Skjálfandi Bay, surrounded by whales, other wildlife, and the pristine beauty of Iceland's incredible nature?

Are you joining in?

📷 Charlie (guide)

16/06/2025

FROM WHALE TAILS TO FOREST TRAILS: DICOVERING LAKE BOTNSVATN
You’ve just finished your amazing whale watching tour—maybe you saw a humpback breach or caught a tail slap on camera. The sea gave you unforgettable memories. But now what?

What else is there to see in Húsavík?

Just a few minutes from the harbour lies a hidden gem: Lake Botnsvatn. Surrounded by peaceful nature, Botnsvatn has it all—waterfalls, birds, forest trails, and stunning views of the majestic Kinnarfjöll mountains (known as the Cheek Mountains in English).

If you're looking for a gentle adventure, just follow the trail marked by the Lake Botnsvatn sign. Prefer to drive? There's also a car route that brings you close to the lake. Once there, you can enjoy a beautiful hike around its perimeter. Along the way, you’ll cross charming little bridges, hear the sound of babbling streams, and discover hidden waterfalls tucked into the landscape.

It’s peaceful, scenic, and full of that quiet Icelandic magic.

Bird lovers—bring your binoculars! Around the lake, you might spot species like the snipe, redwing, red-necked phalarope, whooper swan, and the rock ptarmigan (rjúpa in Icelandic). The area is a paradise for birdwatching, especially in late spring and summer.

Want to go even further? There are side trails that lead into the nearby forest, connecting with the Húsavíkurfjall hiking path—that’s the local mountain above the town. It’s perfect for those looking to stretch their legs a little longer and enjoy more elevated views.

So if you’ve got some time to spare in Húsavík and you’re craving a bit more Icelandic nature, go visit the beautiful Lake Botnsvatn. You won’t regret it.

—Nikolina Sokcic, Guide
📸:
📸:.sokcic

12/06/2025

THE HIDDEN HAIRS OF THE HUMPBACK WHALE

When we picture whales, we don’t usually think of hair. But what if I told you that our beautiful humpbacks still carry tiny reminders of their land-dwelling past—right on their heads.

Humpback whales are part of the baleen whale group, known scientifically as Mysticetes. One of the biggest differences between baleen whales and their toothed cousins (Odontocetes) is, as the name suggests—they don’t have any teeth! Instead, they have baleen plates hanging from the upper jaw, which they use to filter microscopic organisms like krill and small fish (like anchovies) out of the water. (Want to know more about baleen? Click here to read another article!)

But this brings us to the question:
If baleen whales can’t echolocate like toothed whales do... how do they find their food?

The answer might surprise you: hairs!

If you’ve ever seen a humpback whale surface up close, you might have noticed a series of small, round bumps on the top of its head. These bumps are called tubercles, and inside each one is a hair follicle—yes, actual hair! These tiny hairs are sensitive to movement in the water, and scientists believe they help whales detect swarms of prey by picking up vibrations.

Even though not every bump is easily visible, these hair follicles are present and play a sensory role. Toothed whales also have hairs—but usually only around their mouths at birth, and most species lose them shortly after. Baleen whales like humpbacks, on the other hand, keep theirs for life, using them to sense movement in the water. And here’s an evolutionary fact: whales still have these hairs today as a leftover trait from their ancient ancestors who once lived on land.

So next time you join us on a whale watching tour, keep an eye out for those iconic bumps—and remember, there’s a lot more going on under the surface than meets the eye!

—Nikolina Sokcic, Guide
📸:.jo
📸:.sokcic

08/06/2025

OF NEST DUTY AND SNACK RUNS

As spring gives way to early summer in the North Atlantic, a remarkable event is quietly unfolding on Puffin Island:

Our beloved puffins, known for their colourful beaks and comical waddles, have officially clocked in for their most important job of the year—egg-sitting!

Each puffin couple lays ONE (yes, just one!) egg and then takes turns babysitting like the responsible seabirds they are.

They nest in cozy, self-built burrows, safe from nosy neighbours and seagull drama.
Meanwhile, mom and dad are taking turns between nest duty and snack runs from the ocean.

Puffin eggs are surprisingly large for the bird’s size and are pear-shaped to help prevent them from rolling out of the burrow or off the slopes!

Soon, a puffling will hatch. Then, the co-parenting parents rotate between guarding the young and heading out at sea, securing a 24/7 fish delivery for their offspring.

But for now, it’s all about naps, snacks, and protecting the egg like it's the last cookie on Earth.

Text & Photos: Sarah Arndt (captain / head guide)

06/06/2025

HVALASKÓLINN

Recently, we had the pleasure of welcoming two enthusiastic groups of children from the playschool Grænuvellir in Húsavík. These young visitors are in their final year of playschool and have spent the winter immersed in an exciting educational journey as part of the Hvalaskólinn (Whale School) project.

Their project has included a visit to the Whale Museum in Húsavík and even painting a large blue whale on the street in front of their school—a creative and fun way to bring their learning to life.

The highlight and final step of their Whale School adventure was a visit to a real whale watching boat down by the harbour of Húsavík.
Accompanied by their teachers, we were happy to welcome the kids aboard Sylvía on two separate mornings. The children were given a tour of the boat by our team members Hanna Sigga and Daniel, and learnt more fun information on whales and life out at sea in Skjálfandi Bay.

Highlight of the visit for the children was stepping into the wheelhouse and taking a turn sitting in the captain’s chair—a memorable moment for these future marine explorers! After the tour, we shared some refreshments and had a fun chat about what it’s like to work at Gentle Giants.

We’re always delighted to be part of initiatives that spark curiosity and respect for nature in young minds. Educating children about whales and the natural world around them is not only fun—it’s vital.

Who knows? Maybe we’ll see some of these great young minds join the Gentle Giants team one day?

05/06/2025

A TASTE OF THE RESEARCH IN THE BAY

Have you ever wondered what kind of research is going on in Skjálfandi Bay?

The Research Centre in Húsavík offers many opportunities for diverse scientific projects. Sometimes, researchers join our whale watching tours or other times, you spot them at sea in their own vessels, doing impressive fieldwork.

One of the most important long-term projects is cetacean photo-identification. It involves photographing flukes and dorsal fins (used to ID individuals) and recording weather and behaviour at each sighting for species like humpback whales, minke whales, and white-beaked dolphins. Drones are also sometimes used to expand this research.

And once researchers have access to this growing archive of data, the possibilities are unlimited. One fascinating use of the photo-ID dataset, for example, is tracing the sources of scars on humpback whales.

Beyond visual data, the centre collects acoustic recordings too. These are used not only for studying vocalizations but also to explore migration patterns, presence of species, and to compare sound data with visual sightings.

While much of the work sounds scientific and focused on biology, there are other perspectives too. Can we study this complex activity with social science? Can we explore the human perspective within the ecosystem?

Yes! Some projects include interviews with local captains, guides, and community members to explore sustainable marine tourism and a regenerative approach to whale watching in the Arctic.

This is just a small taste of the ongoing research in the bay but even this glimpse already sounds like a dream for any young researcher!

Text & Photos: Dimitra (guide; former researcher at Húsavík Research Center)

Háskóla Íslands á Húsavík / Húsavík Research Centre

02/06/2025

🌊🐋 Evening whale watching on our RIB speedboats is back! 🐋🌅

There’s no better way to end a day than out at sea, watching whales while marvelling at the sunset! And now, we're turning that dream into reality!

Head out onto the bay with us, into the golden hour and be carried away by the beauty of whales and dolphins beneath a painted sky. 🌞✨

Join us for a magical evening or midnight sun tour filled with ocean breezes, stunning views, and unforgettable encounters with humpbacks, minkes and white-beaked dolphins. With fewer boats on the water, evening tours offer a peaceful, intimate way to connect with the wild. Prepare for a whale of a time!

📍Húsavík, North Iceland
🎫 GG2 Big Whale Safari & Puffins
ℹ️ Includes Puffin Island
🕕 Departures: 7pm (19:00) and 9:30pm (21:30)
📸 Bring your camera for golden hour magic

📅 Book now (link in bio)!

Photos: Sarah Arndt (captain / head guide)

01/06/2025

HONOURING THOSE WHO SAIL– SEAMAN'S DAY IN ICELAND

The sea gives, and the sea takes—but above all, it connects us.
Here in Iceland, especially in coastal towns like Húsavík, the ocean isn’t just a backdrop—it’s part of daily life. This is why Sjómannadagurinn, or Seaman’s Day, means so much. It’s a time to honour the brave and hardworking people who spend their lives at sea—past and present—and to celebrate the deep relationship between Icelanders and the ocean.

This special day has been celebrated since 1938, always on the first Sunday of June (unless Pentecost pushes it to the second Sunday). It began as a way to pay tribute to Icelandic fishermen, whose lives were once far more dangerous before modern technology made life at sea safer. Still today, we remember their courage, and everything they made possible for coastal communities.

In towns like Húsavík, where the rhythm of daily life is still tied to the sea, this day carries a special weight. Even if we’re not hauling fish in stormy seas, many of us—guides, sailors, and tour operators alike—spend our days working on the ocean. There’s a shared respect for the power of nature, and for those who came before us.

Sjómannadagurinn is often marked by boat parades, rescue demonstrations, music, and games for families, and just a general sense of coming together to thank those who sail. It’s a moment to slow down and appreciate the people whose connection to the ocean keeps our coastal communities alive and thriving.

Happy Seaman’s Day—from all of us who work with and love the sea.
Gleðilegan sjómannadag!

—Nikolina Sokcic, Guide

25/05/2025

LOVERS OF THE SUN

Since the start of May, the bay has been growing more vibrant by the day. More and more humpback whales have arrived, and the sight of migratory birds on the water continously increased.

Among them is the Arctic tern—one of the most tireless wanderers on Earth. Lovers of the sun, they chase light across the world, living not one, but two summers every year.

Their journey is the longest in the animal kingdom: over 90'000 kilometers annually, a voyage that, over a lifetime of 25 to 30 years, adds up to 2.4 million kilometers—enough to circle the moon and return three times.

Yet these travelers do not rush. Their route is shaped by winds and the promise of rich feeding grounds.
From Arctic light to Antarctic sun, no creature sees more daylight.

While in flight, Arctic terns glide effortlessly for long periods, even sleeping mid-air. Their light bodies (in average they just weigh 100gr) allow ocean breezes to carry them great distances.
Yet, they're agile and fly so precise they can hover—sharing that rare skill with only a few other bird species, like the hummingbird.

Text & Photo: Sarah Arndt .ar

Address

Harbour Side
Húsavík
640

Opening Hours

Monday	07:30 - 22:00
Tuesday	07:30 - 22:00
Wednesday	07:30 - 22:00
Thursday	07:30 - 22:00
Friday	07:30 - 22:00
Saturday	07:30 - 22:00
Sunday	07:30 - 22:00

Website

https://www.gentlegiants.is/

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Welcome aboard!

Gentle Giants offers whale watching on traditional Icelandic oak boats and modern RIB speedboats, as well as other exciting seafaring adventures like sea-angling, bird watching and island excursions. We operate from Húsavík, ”the Whale Capital of Iceland”, in the north east and have more than 150 years of family history in the bay.