Subscribe now and choose from over 30 free gifts worth up to £49 - Plus get £25 to spend in our shop
Am wanting to book a week away in Iceland with the other half. Want to go whale watching and to see the Northern Lights. Just wondered if anyone has had any experience of anything similar before I book with someone I have found on the internet.
Cheers.
Went mid year several years back, only saw one whale and no Northern lights (it was summer).
A great place to explore, hire a car and travel but take in The Blue Lagoon.
We flew from Glasgow and stopped at the airport near the Airport in Reykjavik, the bus station has affordable food but the rest of the places to eat and drink are very, very expensive
Been ice watching in Wales a few times, does that count? 🙂
Iceland is on my to do list - have friends who've been and suggest that you have the whale watching as just one part, from what I understand it's quite a trip to get to the whale watching area. Also check for the best season if that's your priority.
FWIW I've done whale watching off Provincetown in Cape Cod and it was absolutely fabulous, we were very lucky seeing lots of behaviour including breaching, fingers crossed for you.
Family Ambrose have been a few times from Husavik in the north. If you are hoping to see the Northern Lights I'd suggest that the further north you go the better your chances. Reykjavik tends to be clouded over far more than places like Myvatn or Akureyri are. A lot depends upon how you are traveling- Myvatn (STUNNING)is a day's travel from Reykjavik, but thoroughly worth it.
My perfect itinerary would be to land in Keflavik as early as possible and collect the pre- arranged 4x4, like a Grand Vitara or similar. Then drive via Reykjavik (possibly spend a day there, that is all!) to overnight at Geysir. Take in the geothermal wonderfulness that is there. Next day, take the highland F35 via Gullfoss to Hveravellir in the centre of the island. You can pre-book places in the dormitories here:
http://www.hveravellir.is/english.html
The older, smaller hut is best, right next to the hot pool 🙂
Other interior huts can be booked here: http://www.fi.is/en/huts/
Perhaps break the journey at Hvitarnes?
It is possible to drive from Keflavik to Hveravellir in a day if you are keen. I'd recommend getting LOTS of supplies at a supermarket somewhere big, like Reykjavik (Kringlan) or in Sellfoss (detour). Off-road/ gravel driving experience is VERY useful but not essential. If Super-duper keen, you could drive to Akureyri or beyond (eg Myvatn, Husavik) if you really wanted.
In the north there are three places I'd really recommend. Myvatn, Asbyrgi and Akureyri. All have their advantages but if my ashes were not to be spread in Wales they would be spread on Hverfjal, Myvatn. You'll see why if you get there.
I'd suggest that wherever you stay you book a whale-watching trip immediately and participate asap. Tour operators often do a deal whereby you get a free second trip if the first is a 'no show'. We've always used http://www.northsailing.is/home/ a first rate bunch of people. Very flexible and friendly. If the trip is a no show you have time to try again.
And then drive back via the F26, assuming the weather is OK. Take lots of fuel, supplies etc. Break the journey at Hverfjall. Take a sense of humour and cushions, the road is not a fast one.
email in profile if you want more info.
yep, hide behind the bread trays ,some real whales in my local Iceland its a fetish of mine.
But going to Iceland is on my bucket list.Whale viewing wouldn't be my first choice of activity whilst there mind you.
Took the family whale watching in Husavik and Reykjavik a couple of summers ago. Saw Minke whales on both trips, I think theses are the main ones you are likely to see, not the most active whale on the surface. A bit underwhelming in some respects. Probably had more fun whatching a family of killer whales of the cliffs at Arnastapi.
Fab place and aiming to go back.