Open bays like Faxaflói near Reykjavík are exposed to Atlantic currents and serve as transit corridors for migratory whales such as minkes, fin whales, and occasionally blues moving along the Mid-Atlantic route. Sheltered fjords in North Iceland, including Eyjafjörður near Akureyri and Skjálfandi Bay near Húsavík, are calmer and warmer, allowing whales to remain feeding for days or weeks rather than passing through.
How whale habitats differ across Iceland’s coast
One thing you need to know is that Iceland’s coastline is not uniform, and neither are its whale habitats. Ocean depth, coastline shape, currents, and food availability change dramatically from region to region, creating distinct zones that attract different whale species at different times of year.
Open bays vs. sheltered fjords
Shallow feeding grounds vs. deep water drop-offs
Shallow, nutrient-rich feeding grounds in Skjálfandi Bay and parts of Eyjafjörður concentrate plankton and small fish, making them ideal for humpback whales that rely on lunge feeding. In contrast, deep-water drop-offs along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and Westfjords lie close to shore, attracting fin and blue whales that follow capelin and herring schools along steep underwater shelves.
Migratory routes vs. resident feeding areas
South and west Iceland sit along major migratory routes used by whales traveling between Arctic feeding grounds and southern breeding areas, resulting in seasonal but varied sightings. North Iceland is where most resident feeding areas are, where humpbacks return year after year, drawn by predictable fish runs and stable plankton blooms.
