Iceland review - 2015, Page 94

92 ICELAND REVIEW
Often ranked among the best whale watching destinations in Europe,
the small town of Húsavík, located in the breathtaking, mountain-en-
circled Skjálfandi Bay, offers whale and bird watchers a wealth of op-
portunities to get right up close to nature. With so many tour opera-
tors to choose from, what sets the family-run Salka Whale Watching
company apart is its ‘less is more’ approach: a dedication to providing
each and every guest with an intimate and comfortable whale-watch-
ing experience that they will remember for a lifetime.
The BesT vieWs
Salka operates a single whale watching vessel, a charming oak fishing
boat named Fanney which was built by fishermen in the nearby town
of Akureyri in 1975. Salka never overbooks its tours, thereby ensuring
that the boat is never overcrowded, so guests have plenty of room to
move around and get the best views. And everyone onboard is pro-
vided with thick waterproof overalls; so whatever the weather, you’ll
be warm and cozy on deck.
Skjálfandi Bay is rich with diverse whale and bird species, all
attracted by the waters’ ample fish and marine life. Accompanied
by seabirds flying above, whale watchers are most likely to see
minke and humpback whales on their three-hour expeditions, as
well as harbor porpoises and white beaked dolphins. Visitors on
the extended whale and puffin tour will sail to Lundey, or Puffin
Island, only four miles from the harbor, where they will not only
have the chance to see as many as 200,000 nesting puffins, but
also black guillemots, fulmar and Arctic terns.
Of course, nature can be unpredictable and whale sightings
cannot be guaranteed, but Salka’s guests have enjoyed a remark-
able success rate. Over the course of 300 tours last season, visi-
tors sighted whales 98 percent of the time.
Delicious meal
In addition to its whale watching tours, Salka has also run its own
restaurant since 2000. With a focus on the finest ingredients—lo-
cal whenever possible—Salka is based in one of the oldest build-
ings in Húsavík and serves fresh seafood, high quality steaks, light
entrées and pizzas, year-round. For a delicious Iceland-inspired
nightcap, try a glass of locally-made Haustsól (‘Autumn Sun’),
a rich amber herbal liqueur flavored with Icelandic ingredients,
such as Angelica and birch. Salka’s nearby coffeehouse doubles
as its ticket office, where you can sample desserts, snacks and
light meals. And during the summer, the Salka bistro has a great
terrace where you can sit and enjoy the midnight sun, long after
an unforgettable day at sea.
salkawhalewatching.is
Less is more
salka Whale Watching offers an intimate and unforgettable experience.
the arctic north SPeCiAL PromotioN