Blog | Whales of Iceland

The story of cetacean evolution

Whales and dolphins are extremely well adapted to life in the ocean - but how did they get there?

Written by

Eilidh O.

December 20, 2024

A beginner’s guide to photo ID

Photo identification, or photo ID, is a fundamental component of whale and dolphin research. Maybe you can give it a go yourself!

Written by

Eilidh O.

March 18, 2024

Research and Citizen Science at Whales of Iceland

Whales of Iceland are delighted to unveil our newest exhibit, all about marine mammal research in Iceland and throughout the world.

Written by

Eilidh O.

February 12, 2024

All About Echolocation

Some cetaceans have a special super-sense: echolocation! This natural sonar system allows toothed whales to see with sound. But how does it work?

Written by

Eilidh O.

September 5, 2023

Whale of the Month - Bowhead Whale

The bowhead whale - the unrivalled record-breaker of the cetacean world - is our Whale of the Month this July.

Written by

Eilidh O.

July 26, 2023

Whale of the Month - Bottlenose Dolphin

June's Whale of the Month is the common bottlenose dolphin, the most well-researched of all cetaceans - but still full of surprises!

Written by

Eilidh O.

June 29, 2023

Whale of the Month - Fin Whale

Our Whale of the Month this May is the fin whale, the second-largest animal on Earth - with an appetite to match!

Written by

Eilidh O.

May 29, 2023

Whale of the Month - Long-Finned Pilot Whale

April's Whale of the Month is the long-finned pilot whale. These large dolphins live in pods with their families and often beach themselves in mass strandings.

Written by

Eilidh O.

April 26, 2023

Whale of the Month - Sowerby's Beaked Whale

Our Whale of the Month for March, Sowerby's beaked whale, was first discovered over 200 years ago - but to this day remains elusive and mostly unknown.

Written by

Eilidh O.

March 22, 2023

Whale of the Month - Harbour Porpoise

The harbour porpoise, our Whale of the Month this February, is the smallest cetacean to be found in Iceland.

Written by

Eilidh O.

February 24, 2023

Whale of the Month - Beluga Whale

The beluga whale, or white whale, is our first Whale of the Month for 2023!

Written by

Eilidh O.

January 25, 2023

Whale of the Month - Humpback Whale

Our Whale of the Month this December is the humpback whale, the star of whale watching tours in Iceland.

Written by

Eilidh O.

December 21, 2022

Whale of the Month - Narwhal

November's Whale of the Month is the narwhal - an Arctic specialist and a real-life unicorn!

Written by

Eilidh O.

November 30, 2022

Whale of the Month - Sperm Whale

Our Whale of the Month this October is the sperm whale, one of the largest, loudest, and strangest-looking of all cetaceans.

Written by

Eilidh O.

October 28, 2022

Whale of the Month - Blue Whale

September's Whale of the Month is the largest animal on Earth: the blue whale.

Written by

Eilidh O.

September 28, 2022

Whale of the Month - White-Beaked Dolphin

The acrobatic white-beaked dolphin is the most common dolphin to be found in Icelandic seas, and our Whale of the Month for August.

Written by

Eilidh O.

August 19, 2022

Whale of the Month - Cuvier's Beaked Whale

Our whale of the month for July is Cuvier's beaked whale, a record-breaking deep sea diver.

Written by

Eilidh O.

July 29, 2022

Whale of the Month - Sei Whale

June's Whale of the Month is the fastest of all baleen whales - the sei whale.

Written by

Eilidh O.

June 28, 2022

Whale of the Month - Striped Dolphin

Striped dolphins are colourful, gregarious, and lively - and our Whale of the Month for May!

Written by

Eilidh O.

May 24, 2022

Whale of the Month - North Atlantic Right Whale

April's Whale of the Month is the North Atlantic right whale: the most critically endangered baleen whale on Earth.

Written by

Eilidh O.

April 27, 2022

Whale of the Month - Blainville's Beaked Whale

Blainville's beaked whale - a deep-diving, dense-boned whale from warmer waters - is our Whale of the Month for March!

Written by

Eilidh O.

March 24, 2022

Whale of the Month - Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin

The Atlantic white-sided dolphin, a little-known nomad of the open ocean, is February's Whale of the Month.

Written by

Eilidh O.

February 24, 2022

What's in a name?

Why do whales and dolphins have so many names? And what do they all mean?

Written by

Eilidh O.

February 9, 2022

Whale of the Month - Gray Whale

January's Whale of the Month, the gray whale, still roamed the seas around Iceland when settlers first arrived here - now, they are only found in the Pacific.

Written by

Eilidh O.

January 28, 2022

Whales and Vikings: Whales in the historical Icelandic sources

What can we find about whales in the historical Icelandic sources, which describe the exploits of the famous Vikings?

Written by

Sophie K.

January 25, 2022

Whale of the Month - Northern Bottlenose Whale

December's Whale of the Month is the northern bottlenose whale, a mysterious deep-diver with a taste for squid.

Written by

Eilidh O.

December 15, 2021

Whale of the Month - Common Dolphin

November's Whale of the Month is the common dolphin, an occasional visitor to Icelandic waters.

Written by

Eilidh O.

November 26, 2021

Whale of the Month - Minke Whale

October's Whale of the Month is the minke whale, the most numerous whale in Icelandic seas.

Written by

Eilidh O.

October 28, 2021

How do whales hold their breath so long?

Whales and dolphins need to breathe air just like we do. So how do they spend so long underwater?

Written by

Eilidh O.

October 15, 2021

Whale of the Month - Killer Whale

September's Whale of the Month is the killer whale, the largest species of dolphin on the planet.

Written by

Eilidh O.

September 24, 2021

Whale of the Month - Bowhead Whale

June's Whale of the Month is the Bowhead Whale, a baleen whale that lives almost exclusively in arctic and sub-arctic waters.

Written by

Katie T.

June 30, 2021

Whale of the Month - Bottlenose Dolphin

These highly intelligent cetaceans have been spotted in many places around Iceland's coast!

Written by

Katie T.

May 5, 2021

Do whales go through menopause?

A few do – and they are the only other known species besides humans to experience it!

Written by

Katie T.

March 26, 2021

Whale of the Month - Fin Whale

We took a brief hiatus with our blog posts due to COVID-19, but are happy to be back! Click to learn about February's whale of the month - the fin whale.

Written by

Katie T.

February 9, 2021

COVID-19 Updates

Whales of Iceland continues to follow all COVID updates - this means a few small changes for your visit.

Written by

Katie T.

August 5, 2020

Whale of the Month - Long-Finned Pilot Whale

July's whale of the month is the long-finned pilot whale - their nickname is 'pothead' because their head shape reminded sailors of black cooking pots.

Written by

Katie T.

July 31, 2020

Whale of the Month - Sowerby's Beaked Whale

June's whale of the month is the Sowerby's beaked whale, a reclusive and mysterious member of the beaked whale family.

Written by

Katie T.

June 30, 2020

Whale of the Month - Harbour Porpoise

Our featured whale for May is the Harbour Porpoise, a small cetacean seen year-round in Iceland.

Written by

Katie T.

May 26, 2020

Do Whales Have Friends?

Whales form strong social bonds that can last for years.

Written by

Katie T.

May 18, 2020

Whale of the Month - Beluga Whale

April's Whale of the Month is the beluga whale - also known as the Canary of the Sea

Written by

Katie T.

April 22, 2020

Whale of the Month - Humpback Whale

The whale of the month for March is the humpback whale - one of the most common species seen around Iceland.

Written by

Katie T.

March 10, 2020

Whale of the Month - Narwhal

This month we feature the narwhal - also known as the unicorn of the sea!

Written by

Katie T.

February 3, 2020

Do Whales Sleep?

They definitely do – but in very different ways!

Written by

Katie T.

January 20, 2020

Orcas - Apex Predator of the Oceans

Orcas, or killer whales, can have a huge impact on marine ecosystems. Their very presence is enough to scare great white sharks away from their hunting grounds!

Written by

Katie T.

January 13, 2020

Whale of the Month - Sperm Whale

Each month we will feature one of our favorite whale species from the exhibition – this month is the sperm whale!

Written by

Katie T.

January 6, 2020

Christmas at Whales of Iceland

Join us while we celebrate the 13 days of Christmas with our Whale Lads!

Written by

Katie T.

December 12, 2019

Do Whales Have Hair?

Some of them, like the humpback whale, certainly do!

Written by

Katie T.

November 28, 2019

Research in Whale 'Whispers'

Did you know that some whale mothers 'whisper' with their calves to avoid detection?

Written by

Katie T.

October 7, 2019

Humpback Whales: Migration & Song

A new study shows that humpback whale migration can be traced through their songs, and that they share notes with each other!

Written by

Katie T.

October 3, 2019

Guided Tours at Whales of Iceland

Whales of Iceland now offers two live-guided tours every day for all ticket holders!

Written by

Katie T.

September 16, 2019

What Is a Whale Fall?

When whales die, they create unique ecosystems that sustain a wide variety of life.

Written by

Katie T.

July 22, 2019

Grand Opening of the Fin Whale Room

We are proud to announce that our Fin Whale Room is now open to the public!

Written by

Katie T.

June 25, 2019

Whales of Iceland – An International Welcome

Our amazing team is from all over the world, and provides a variety of languages for our visitors!

Written by

Katie T.

May 20, 2019

Gray Whale Migration

Gray whales have the longest mammal migration in the world!

Written by

Katie T.

April 26, 2019

Deep Diving: Cuvier‘s Beaked Whales

These cetaceans are the deepest and longest diving mammals in the world!

Written by

Katie T.

April 12, 2019

Do Whales Exfoliate?

Some of them, like the bowhead whale, certainly do.

Written by

Katie T.

April 26, 2019

New Research Reveals Prehistoric Species

From teeth to baleen - recent research on fossils uncovers evolutionary links between prehistoric toothed whales and modern baleen whales.

Written by

Katie T.

December 10, 2018

North Atlantic Right Whale Spotted!

Mogul, a North Atlantic right whale, was spotted in Faxaflói Bay last week - an incredibly rare sighting!

Written by

Katie T.

July 31, 2018

Whales of Iceland & Special Tours: Statement Regarding Hvalur hf's Killing of a Rare Hybrid Whale

Whales of Iceland & Special Tours release a statement on the killing of the hybrid whale by Hvalur hf.

Written by

Katie T.

July 31, 2018

Whales of Iceland Updates - Parties, Partnerships & More!

Want to know what we've been up to lately? Click 'Read More' to find out!

Written by

Katie T.

July 6, 2018

Reykjavík Whale Day - June 30th, 2018

Join us at Whales of Iceland to celebrate the first ever Reykjavík Whale Day!

Written by

Katie T.

July 6, 2018

KEIKO AND ICELAND

The Star of the Free Willy movie was captured in Iceland in 1979. In 1998, he was flown back to Iceland and a plan to return him to the wild was set to action

Written by

Marinó

August 4, 2017

WHICH IS THE MOST ENDANGERED WHALE?

Only around 400-500 individuals currently exist with fewer than 100 North Pacific right whales remaining.

Written by

Marino

August 2, 2017

WHICH WHALE IS THE DEEPEST DIVER?

Typically it makes dives of up to 400 m, but can reach depths of up to 2-3km. It is thought to be able to hold its breath for up to two hours

Written by

Marino

August 3, 2017

HOW BIG IS THE CALF OF A BLUE WHALE?

Blue whales are pregnant for 10-12 months

Written by

Marinó

August 2, 2017

"Team of Iceland Unlimited recommends all travelers and especially families to visit this spectacular museum"

Iceland Unlimited team visited Whales of Iceland museum in Reykjavik, the largest whale exhibition in Europe.

Written by

Guðrún Halla Friðjónsdóttir

October 16, 2016

Samstarf Hvalasafnsins og Whales of Iceland

Forsvarsmenn Hvalasafnsins á Húsavík og Whales of Iceland, Hvalasýningarinnar á Granda, skrifuðu í gær undir samstarfssamning

Written by

Museum

March 28, 2022

Leikskólar frítt á þriðjudögum í vetur

Í kjölfar umræðunnar um skammarlega stöðu leikskóla ákvað Whales a bjóða leikskólum að koma án gjalds á þriðjudögum í hvalafræðsluð!

Written by

Hvalasýningin

September 2, 2016

Eldri borgara morgnar á Hvalasýningunni

Hvalasýningin ætlar að bjóða upp á eldri borgara morgna í vetur

Written by

Hvalasýningin

September 1, 2016

On the 28th of June, the organization “Orca Guardians Iceland” was launched.

Orca Guardians Iceland is the first Icelandic conservation nonprofit of its kind, dedicated specifically to the protection of orcas in the waters around Iceland

Written by

Marie MK

June 30, 2016

Nýjungar á Hvalasýningunni

Við erum alltaf að bæta við okkur nýjungum á Hvalasýninguna! Varstu búin að sjá að við merktum 3 hnúfubaka? Komdu og fylgdust með þeim synda um heiminn!

Written by

Marinó

June 13, 2016

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF WHALE WATCHING IN ICELAND!

Whales of Iceland opened its doors for WDC and Erich Hoyt who held an impressive lecture to celebrate 25 years of whale watching in Iceland!

Written by

Vanessa Williams (http://uk.whales.org/blog/2016/06/celebrating-25-years-of-whale-watching-in-iceland)

June 7, 2016

From the Drawing station

Few pictures that guests have drawn at our drawing-station.

Written by

Whales of Iceland

March 29, 2016

Hlíðarskóli tók þátt í fræðsludagskrá Hvalasýningarinnar

Við vitum fátt skemmtilegra en að taka á móti hóp sem er uppfullur af áhuga og spurningum og sú var rauninn með Hlíðarskóla

Written by

Marinó

March 18, 2016

Breiðholtsskóli tók þátt í fræðsludagskrá Hvalasýningarinnar

Breiðholtskóli kom til okkar og tók þátt í fræðsludagskránni. Krakkarnir voru mjög vel undirbúin, með margar góðar spurningar.

Written by

Marinó

March 18, 2016

Leikskólinn Marbakki

Lækur og tók þátt í fræðsludagskrá Hvalasýningarinnar

Written by

Marinó

March 18, 2016

Suðurhlíðarskóli

Suðurhlíðarskóli tók þátt í fræðsludagsskrá Hvalasýningarinnar

Written by

Marinó

March 18, 2016

Gott aðgengi hjá Whales of Iceland

Whales of Iceland is strongly committed to offering environmental education for all. We are proud to be one of Iceland's most accessible attractions.

Written by

WOI Teymið

June 26, 2023

Accessibility at Whales of Iceland

Whales of Iceland is strongly committed to offering environmental education for all. We are proud to be one of Iceland's most accessible attractions.

Written by

WOI Team

June 26, 2023

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OUR BLOG

The story of cetacean evolution

A beginner’s guide to photo ID

Research and Citizen Science at Whales of Iceland

All About Echolocation

Whale of the Month - Bowhead Whale

Whale of the Month - Bottlenose Dolphin

Whale of the Month - Fin Whale

Whale of the Month - Long-Finned Pilot Whale

Whale of the Month - Sowerby's Beaked Whale

Whale of the Month - Harbour Porpoise

Whale of the Month - Beluga Whale

Whale of the Month - Humpback Whale

Whale of the Month - Narwhal

Whale of the Month - Sperm Whale

Whale of the Month - Blue Whale

Whale of the Month - White-Beaked Dolphin

Whale of the Month - Cuvier's Beaked Whale

Whale of the Month - Sei Whale

Whale of the Month - Striped Dolphin

Whale of the Month - North Atlantic Right Whale

Whale of the Month - Blainville's Beaked Whale

Whale of the Month - Atlantic White-Sided Dolphin

What's in a name?

Whale of the Month - Gray Whale

Whales and Vikings: Whales in the historical Icelandic sources

Whale of the Month - Northern Bottlenose Whale

Whale of the Month - Common Dolphin

Whale of the Month - Minke Whale

How do whales hold their breath so long?

Whale of the Month - Killer Whale

Whale of the Month - Bowhead Whale

Whale of the Month - Bottlenose Dolphin

Do whales go through menopause?

Whale of the Month - Fin Whale

COVID-19 Updates

Whale of the Month - Long-Finned Pilot Whale

Whale of the Month - Sowerby's Beaked Whale

Whale of the Month - Harbour Porpoise

Do Whales Have Friends?

Whale of the Month - Beluga Whale

Whale of the Month - Humpback Whale

Whale of the Month - Narwhal

Do Whales Sleep?

Orcas - Apex Predator of the Oceans

Whale of the Month - Sperm Whale

Christmas at Whales of Iceland

Do Whales Have Hair?

Research in Whale 'Whispers'

Humpback Whales: Migration & Song

Guided Tours at Whales of Iceland

What Is a Whale Fall?

Grand Opening of the Fin Whale Room

Whales of Iceland – An International Welcome

Gray Whale Migration

Deep Diving: Cuvier‘s Beaked Whales

Do Whales Exfoliate?

New Research Reveals Prehistoric Species

North Atlantic Right Whale Spotted!

Whales of Iceland & Special Tours: Statement Regarding Hvalur hf's Killing of a Rare Hybrid Whale

Whales of Iceland Updates - Parties, Partnerships & More!

Reykjavík Whale Day - June 30th, 2018

KEIKO AND ICELAND

WHICH IS THE MOST ENDANGERED WHALE?

WHICH WHALE IS THE DEEPEST DIVER?

HOW BIG IS THE CALF OF A BLUE WHALE?

"Team of Iceland Unlimited recommends all travelers and especially families to visit this spectacular museum"

Samstarf Hvalasafnsins og Whales of Iceland

Leikskólar frítt á þriðjudögum í vetur

Eldri borgara morgnar á Hvalasýningunni

On the 28th of June, the organization “Orca Guardians Iceland” was launched.

Nýjungar á Hvalasýningunni

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF WHALE WATCHING IN ICELAND!

From the Drawing station

Hlíðarskóli tók þátt í fræðsludagskrá Hvalasýningarinnar

Breiðholtsskóli tók þátt í fræðsludagskrá Hvalasýningarinnar