Keli Sea Tours, Akureyri

An outstanding whale watching experience in a breathtaking location, Keli Seatours (in partnership with Whales.is) bring generations of experience of sailing in harmony with the whales of Eyjafjordur, one of the longest and most beautiful fjords in Iceland. Compared with whale watching tours departing from Reykjavik and Husavik, sailing from Hauganes is a vastly preferable experience, as the narrow fjord means that the boat will be much more quickly in range of the whales, rather than needing a lengthy journey to first get to the feeding grounds. That means a much better chance of a prolonged encounter with these majestic mammals, rather than half of the sailing or more being set aside for the "commute" to get there. Even without sight of any whales or dolphins, the stunning scenery rewards a sailing with Keli Seatours, with impressive mountain ranges rising steeply on both sides of the fjord. These mountains also provide a windbreak (except for when the northerlies are blowing), making it a calmer and more peaceful experience too. Halldor was our guide on this journey, and he provided a very entertaining commentary as we made our way from Hauganes to the edge of Hrisey and back. It wasn't very long before we heard a blowhole exhalation and had our first sight of a number of humpbacks as they glided around the fjord, feeding and diving as they wished. The boat captain did his best to get us as close as possible, without disturbing the whales, and respecting their space. It was a glorious way to spend a Saturday morning and one that is highly recommended if you find yourself in North Iceland. The boats are well-equipped, spacious, comfortable and stable, with flotation suits provided, along with coffee, hot chocolate and cakes. An excellent experience.

We’re glad we did our whale watching excursion with Keli Sea Tours in Akureyri. They exceeded our expectation. They’re a wonderful group of people who were focused on making sure you have a great experience. I especially enjoyed the smaller group, attentive service, and knowledgeable crew. We also liked the fact that it was family run and the history of the boat made it even more special. We highly recommend Keli Sea Tours!