Life-Sized Whales
The Whales of Iceland museum consists of 23 life sized models of the various whale species found in Icelandic waters. Inside, we have an amazing blue whale, a spectacular sperm whale, the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, and many more! Short of strapping into scuba gear, this is the closest most will get to these majestic creatures. Each whale was modeled after an actual individual in the wild and features their personal markings and characteristics. The models are soft, squishy and fun to touch!
With interactive information stands and videos, surrounded by soothing whale sounds and underwater ambient lighting, Whales of Iceland is a dreamy, underwater adventure for the whole family.
Interactive exploration of the wonders of whale anatomy
Our eight-meter screen is an amazing way to watch the documentary - or stunning whale footage at other times of day.
You won't be able to stop talking about it!
Fin Whale theatre
Award-winning documentaries are shown daily on a large cinema screen in our Fin Whale Theatre, included in the cost of admission. The films variously discuss whale conservation, research, and other fascinating subjects. The theatre also features a conservation exhibit, developed in cooperation with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and local whale scientists.
Whale Wisdom: 10:20, 12:30, & 14:40 daily
Narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Filmmaker Rick Rosenthal embarks on a journey into the minds of whales, and discovers their ingenuity and tenderness, their risk-taking and curiosity, and even their music.
Sonic Sea: 11:20, 13:30, & 15:40 daily
Sonic Sea reveals the impact of industrial and military ocean noise on whales and other marine life. The narrative is propelled by the story of Ken Balcomb, a former U.S. naval officer who solved a tragic mystery and changed the way we understand our impact on the ocean.
Please note that this schedule may change occasionally due to scheduled lectures or other events. You are welcome to call or email us to confirm the screening times for the date of your visit.
⚠️ On 20th October 2024, the final film screening will be at 12:30 due to a Halloween family event. Please plan your visit accordingly!
After the documentary, reflect and relax in our beautiful cafe where we serve coffee and freshly baked pastries.
23
real size
whales exhibiton
Our WHALES
BELUGA
WEIGHT
1-2 tons
LENGTH
3-6 m
LIFE SPAN
25-30 years
NECK
Has the unusual ability to turn its head up,
down and side-to-side.
23
LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
narwhal
WEIGHT
1 - 2 tons
LENGTH
3 -5 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 52 years
real life unicorn
The males sport a 2-3 m spiral tusk
(as do some females).
23
LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
Harbour Porpoise
WEIGHT
60 kg
LENGTH
1.5 m
LIFE SPAN
10-20 years
little one
The smallest marine mammal in Iceland.
23
LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
white-beaked dolphin
WEIGHT
180-350 kg
LENGTH
2 -3 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 40-50 years
SPEED
Can reach up to 25 mph.
23
LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
atlantic white-sided dolphin
Male – weight and length
230 kg & 2.5 m
Female – weight and length
180 kg & 2 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 27 years
Social behavior
Shows sympathy towards
an injured individual.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN
MALE – WEIGHT & LENGHT
120 kg & 2.3 m
Female – weight and length
135 kg & 2.6 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 30-35 years
population in the N-Atlantic
400,000 individuals.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN
Male – weight and length
300-500 kg & 4 m
Female – weight and length
260-300 kg & 2.5-3.5 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 40-50 years
individual names?
Each individual has a
special call sound.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
STRIPED DOLPHIN
WEIGHT
150-165 kg
LENGTH
2-2,5 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 58 years
POPULATION size
2.8 million individuals in the Pacific.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
KILLER WHALE / ORCA
Male – weight and length
10 tons & 10 m
Female – weight and length
7 tons & 8 m
life span MALE / FEMALE
60 years / 90 years
social structure
The grandmother
leads the pod.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
LONG FINNED PILOT WHALE
Female – weight and length
1.3 tons - 5.8 m
Male – weight and length
2.3 tons - 7.6 m
life span FEMALE / MALE
59 years / 46 years
diet
Feeds on squid.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
NORTHERN BOTTLENOSE whale
Female – weight and length
5.8 tons & 7.5 m
Male – weight and length
7.8 tons & 9 m
life span FEMALE / MALE
27 years /37 years
pods
2-4 animals of
the same age &
sex live together.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
CUVIER'S BEAKED WHALE
WEIGHT
2.5 tons
LENGTH
5 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 30-40 years
diving & swimming
Can dive to a depth of 3,000m
and can hold its breath for 140 min.
23
LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
BLAINVILLE'S BEAKED WHALE
weight
1 ton
LENGTH
3-5 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 20-30 years
DIVING & SWIMMING
After deep diving the whale rests on the surface
up to 90 min. before diving again.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
SOWERBY'S BEAKED WHALE
WEIGHT
1 - 1.5 tons
LENGTH
4 - 6 m
LIFE SPAN
Unknown
diet
Sucks food into mouth,
mostly small deep sea fish, 4-30 cm long.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
SPERM WHALE
Male – weight and length
45 tons & 16 m
Female – weight and length
13 tons & 11 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 60-70 years
sperm whales & iceland
Only old or immature
males are found
around Iceland.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
BOWHEAD WHALE
Female – weight and length
70-100 tons & 19 m
Male – weight and length
70-100 tons & 17 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 130-211 years
grandpa
Probably the most
long-lived whale.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
NORTH-ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE
WEIGHT
44 - 77 tons
LENGTH
13 - 16 m
LIFE SPAN
70 years+
name
The name "right whale" indicated
the right whale to hunt.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
GRAY WHALE
WEIGHT
45 tons
LENGTH
15 m
LIFE SPAN
80 years +
long distance miigration
The gray whale travels 20,000 km each year!
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
HUMPBACK WHALE
Female – weight and length
40 tons & 18 m
Male – weight and length
40 tons & 16 m
LIFE SPAN
50 years +
"fingerprint"
Each individual can be
recognized by its unique
fluke pattern.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
BLUE WHALE
Female – weight and length
190 tons & 33 m
Male – weight and length
160 tons & 28 m
LIFE SPAN
90 years
Giant
The largest animal that has
ever existed!
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
MINKE WHALE
Female – weight and length
7 tons & 8.5 m
Male – weight and length
5.7 tons & 7.5 m
LIFE SPAN
40-50 years
IDENTITY
White stripe on flippers
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
SEI WHALE
Female – weight and length
20-40 tons & 14-19 m
Male – weight and length
20-30 tons & 13-15 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 60 years
speed
Can reach up to 25 mph.
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
FIN WHALE
Female – weight and length
75 tons & 23 m
Male – weight and length
62 tons & 21 m
LIFE SPAN
≈ 90 years
speed
The fastest swimmer
– reaches up to 28 mph!
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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS
Free educational
AUDIO GUIDE
Easily accessed onsite using your smartphone - just scan a QR code at the front desk!
We recommend bringing headphones compatible with your device.
Languages: English, Icelandic, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Faroese, Polish, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese
The AUDIO TOUR
takes AROUND 30 MINutes
Guided tours
A live guided tour of Whales of Iceland is offered daily at 11:00 and 15:00 for all ticket holders at no extra cost. Each guided tour takes about 30 minutes. The tour teaches you about different cetaceans and the differences between baleen whale and toothed whales while looking at real teeth and baleen plates. Groups of 15+ people can also book a private tour of the museum at other times.
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