Exploring the Thrilling Regions of Northeastern Iceland
Heading north, past the city lights of Reykjavik, lies Husavik, the "harbor of houses." This quaint coastal town in Iceland's remote northern reaches can be reached by a brief flight or a lengthy road trip from the capital. Once thought to be the site of Iceland's first dwelling, built by Viking settler Gardar Svavarsson in 860 AD, Husavik now offers visitors a doorway to breathtaking landscapes and abundant marine life.
Legend and truth come together in this charming town, which serves as an ideal base for discovering the major attractions Iceland has to offer. Ack, you say you're hunting for whales? Well, mate, you ain't come to the wrong place! Husavik is no stranger to these leviathans, and your chances of spotting blues, fins, and humbacks are considerably higher in these waters than in ol' Southland.
Now, I'd not been in this neck of the woods since my youth, so I hopped aboard an Eagle Air Jetstream 32 for a quick flight to Husavik. I was joined by my young daughter and my fella, and off we went, brilliant views of Iceland's highlands passing below us as we cut through the clear skies. Upon our arrival, our local guide, Gunnar, regaled us with tales of Husavik's past, its beauty, and the abundant whale life that calls this bay home.
Our home away from home was Fosshotel Husavik. This modern, well-appointed hotel boasts a family-friendly atmosphere, spacious rooms, and an elegant eatery named Moby Dick. The bistro menu at Moby Dick offers a range of tasty options, from pizza and burgers to fish and chips. My little one even got her own kid's menu, complete with healthy options and a whale coloring book!
The following morn, we set sail with Gentle Giants Whale Watching, hopping aboard a charming, small oak fishing boat. Equipped with waterproof overalls, we braced ourselves for the adventure ahead. It wasn't long before we were treated to a display of acrobatics by a group of playful dolphins, diving and leaping through the waves.
But the main event was yet to come! Just as we'd been warned, the waters grew choppy as we ventured further out into Skjalafandi Bay. With a tumble and a tilt, our boat bobbed like a cork on the restless seas, but that didn't sour our spirits. A sudden cry from our German-speaking guide, and our heads whipped to the right, where we beheld the gigantic, reddish-brown back of a fin whale, spouting a jet of water into the air. Spying the giants, we trailed them for a time, marveling at their massive size, the second largest of all whale species.
With a final wave and dip, the fin whales vanished beneath the waves, but we weren't left empty-handed. Moments later, three jets of water erupted from the ocean's surface, followed by three enormous, grey-skinned, black-and-white tailed humpbacks, gliding gracefully through the water. The sight of these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat left us all speechless, and my little one's eyes welled with unshed tears of joy.
After our exhilarating encounter with the whales, we returned to the harbor for a hearty lunch before venturing to GeoSea, a series of modern infinity pools located along the coast. These mineral-rich seawater baths, perched atop cliffs overlooking the ocean, offer an unforgettable soaking experience.
Fortified by our time in the water, we ambled back to the hotel for dinner before resting up for our departure the next day. Before we took off, we paid a visit to the Exploration Museum, a small but fascinating establishment dedicated to the history of human exploration in various environments.
And there you have it, mate, a weekend escape to Husavik, worth every moment of the trip. So pack your bags, grab your doubloons (or Icelandic krona), and set sail for the whale capital! May your journey be as wildlife-filled and enchanting as ours!
- In Husavik, our adventurous journey transitioned from the skies to the seas as we embarked on a whale-watching tour with Gentle Giants, an experience enhanced by the sighting of not one but two spectacular species - fin whales and humpbacks.
- Nature's beauty and modern amenities harmoniously coexist in Husavik, where we stayed at Fosshotel Husavik, a stylish yet family-friendly hotel that offers a gastronomical adventure with its Moby Dick eatery.
- As we traveled further from Reykjavik, we discovered that Husavik is not only an ideal base for adventure-travel enthusiasts seeking breathtaking landscapes and marine life but also a location rich in geothermal activity, making it an intriguing destination for lifestyle-driven explorers.
