Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WHALE WATCHING IN HÚSAVÍK
The whale-watching industry in Húsavík started after whalers hit by a 1989 moratorium
realized that there was still good money to be made by taking tourists out to find the
creatures. Despite the resumption of commercial whaling in 2006, whale stocks off Húsavík
remain high, and the chances of seeing some are good. Dolphins, porpoises and medium-
sized
minke
whales are encountered most frequently, with much larger
humpback
whales
runners-up; these are identified by lengthy flippers and their habit of “breaching” - making
spectacular, crashing leaps out of the water. Similar-looking
fin whales
are the next most
likely candidates, with rarer sightings of colossal
blue whales
,
orca
and square-headed
sperm
whales (for some reason, only males of the last species are seen in Iceland's waters).
Cruises generally head directly across the bay from Húsavík - this can be rough in a northerly
wind - where you'll come across pu
ns and other seabirds fishing; the whales obviously move
around a lot but boat crews are expert at locating them. Most of the time you'll see little more
than an animal's back, fluke or tail breaking the surface in the middle distance, and perhaps jets
of water vapour as they breathe; if you're lucky, whales swim right under the boats, lie on their
sides looking up at you, or breach. And you might, of course, see nothing at all.
Whale-watching
trips
run at least daily from April to August, cost 8500kr and last three
hours. Húsavík's two
operators
are Gentle Giants (
T
464 1500,
W
gentlegiants.is) and North
Sailing (
T
464 2350,
W
northsailing.is);
ticket booths
are at the top of the harbour and it's
best to buy in advance. There's little to choose between the two options: both use wooden
whaling ships seating around forty people - North Sailing's rigged sailship is the most
attractive - and provide essential full waterproof gear, hot drinks and biscuits. Bring
binoculars and plenty of warm clothing.
6
Destinations
Akureyri (1 daily; 1hr 10min); Ásbyrgi
(1 daily; 45min); Kópasker (3 weekly; 1hr 25min);
Þórshöfn (3 weekly; 3hr 30min); Raufarhöfn (3 weekly on
demand only; 2hr 15min); Reykjahlíð (1 daily; 45min).
By car
Coming from Akureyri, Húsavík is 90km northeast
along Route 85; from Mývatn, the quickest way is by
following Route 87 for 55km northwest from Reykjahlíð.
INFORMATION
Tourist information
The helpful tourist
o
ce is inside
the whale museum (daily May & Sept 10am-5pm;
June-Aug 9am-7pm;
T
464 4300,
W
husavik.is), with
free internet access (maximum 15min per person).
Services
Banks with ATMs, two fuel stations, the KASKO
supermarket (Mon-Thurs 10am-6.30pm, Fri 10am-7pm,
Sat 10am-6pm) and swimming pool (Mon-Fri 6.45am-9pm,
Sat & Sun 10am-6pm) are all on Garðarsbraut.
ACCOMMODATION
Ì
Árból
Ásgarðsvegur 2
T
464 2220,
W
simnet.is
/arbol.
Warmly hospitable guesthouse in an early
twentieth-century wooden building, with a helpful owner
and bright doubles and quads; room rates include breakfast.
Dorms are available out of season only; c
ontact the
m for
prices. Advance booking essential. Doubles
17,900kr
Campsite
T
464 4300.
Alongside the main road at the
northern side of town, this huge grassy area has toilets and
showers, a laundry, a shed for sheltering from inclement
weather
and a small chil
dren's
playground. First night
1000kr
, subsequent nights
800kr
Fosshótel Húsavík
Ketilsbraut 22
T
464 1220,
W
fosshotel.is.
Welcoming place with seventy cosy rooms,
a conference centre and an in-house restaurant. Try for
rooms 304, 320-329 or 404
, which all
l have balconies and
reasonable views seawards.
31,600kr
Húsavík
W
husavikhotels.com.
This newly renovated 1950s
building features smallish, motel-style bedrooms with
tiled floors and firm beds. The hotel o
verlooks t
he harbour,
though few of the rooms have views.
18,000kr
Húsavík Guesthouse
Laugarbrekka 16
T
463 3399,
W
husavikhotels.com.
Bland and box-like from the
outside, but a beautifully converted 1947 house inside,
with polished wooden floors and period furniture in the
dining room and double room
s. They als
o have a few dorm
beds; contact them for prices.
17,500kr
Kaldbaks-Kot
Kaldbakur
T
464 1504,
W
cottages.is.
Some 3km south of Húsavík via the main road, and set on a
rise overlooking the sea and town, these self-contained
pine cabins sleeping 4-8 have TV, kitchenette and
bathroom. The geothermal heating is a plus in winter;
there's also
a hot tub
, bbq area and free fishing on a nearby
pond. From
9900kr
Cape
Hotel
Höfði
24
T
463
3399,
