Today’s journey started under a blanket of grey clouds, with the cool breeze hinting at autumn on the horizon. The temperature hovered around 9°C, and a gentle swell moved beneath the boat as we set out from the harbor. Despite the muted light, there was no shortage of life on the water.

As we made our way north, the skies came alive with bird activity. Northern fulmars glided effortlessly alongside the boat, their stiff-winged flight showing off their expert skills in the wind. Arctic terns danced and dived with grace, reminding us that summer is still hanging on in the north , at least for a little while longer.

But the real magic began as we approached Hjalteyri.

Just like the previous day, the telltale signs of whale activity began to appear on the horizon ..spouts, lots of them. As we got closer, we realized we were surrounded. Humpback whales were surfacing in every direction, and for a few moments, I honestly didn’t know where to look. One would breathe just off the starboard side, another would arc its back to dive on the port, and then suddenly a huge fluke lifted right ahead of us.

Some of these gentle giants came quite close, giving us an unforgettable look at their massive, barnacle-covered pectoral fins and the knobby tubercles on their heads. It’s impossible not to be humbled in the presence of animals so large, yet so graceful and peaceful.

We spent some quality time just drifting among them . No need to chase, just observing, quietly sharing space with the whales as they went about their day.

Eventually, it was time to head back to the harbor. The clouds never cleared, but it didn’t matter. We had all the light we needed in the form of these magnificent animals. Another unforgettable day on the water, and truly a "humpback whale soup" out there — a rare and special experience.

Text and Pictures: Lenka & Víctor

Departures of the day: Classic: 0900, 1000, 1400 & 1700 Express: 1000, 1300 & 1400