Gentle Giants Whale Watching - Summer 2014

Húsavík

Húsavík

150 YEARS of fAMILY HISToRY IN THE BAY

this is it · Welcome

Gentle Giants · húsavík

Whale WatchinG

2

Húsavík

the truly oriGinal and experienced family company

Dear Sir or Madam!

I want to greet you with a warm welcome to Húsavík, Iceland in the 2014 season. Our family-run company, Gentle Giants Whale Watching, celebrates its thirteenth year and proudly offers you our service and highly experienced and fully qualified staff in our various tours and excursions.

The company is proud of its originality and background and is owned by people with vast experience in the field. I have personally over 40 years of experience in the bay and like to think of myself as continuing my family´s 150 year long tradition started by my great great grandfather who was a fisherman just like my great grandfather, grandfather and father would later be… not to forget my GREAT grand mothers too. Put short: We were born by the bay of Skjálf andi and our ancestors too. Way back!

Gentle Giants goal is to make every visitor a happy one. We are proud of The Certificates Of Excellence from TripAdvisor to Gentle Giants Whale Watching for the past years, 2012,2013 & 2014. It confirms and underlines, that we are surely on the right track in outstanding service and delivering a great experience.

We hereby introduce to you our company and our new seasonal brochure. More information about our company and services is to be found on our website www.gentlegiants.is or by sending us a message directly, [email protected] or by calling us at: +354 464 1500. Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Stefán GuðmundssonCEO & Marketing [email protected]

Our company, Gentle Giants Whale Watching Ltd., proudly supports UNICEF CHILDREN

Gentle Giants ensures the safety and security of its passenGers

simply natural

Gentle Giants Whale Watching boats and

staff are fully-licensedby the Icelandic

Maritime Administration.

Gentle Giants Whale Watchingis a member of SAF,the Icelandic Travel

Industry Association.

Gentle Giants Whale Watchingis a member of the International

Blue Flag eco-label.

Gentle Giants Whale Watchingis a partner in the Wild NorthProject of sustainable tourism.

Gentle Giants Whale Watchinguses ECO LABELLED printing for all marketing material.

Authentic experience in Iceland.

Gentle Giants Whale Watching staff is trained in Safety and Survival by the

Maritime Safety and Survival TrainingCentre of Iceland.

Our passengers are fully insured by VÍS

Insurance Ltd.

n o r t h i c e l a n d . i s

MEMBER OFVISIT NORTH ICELAND

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Húsavík

the family

Sylvía Dís (12)

Aþena Lind (17)

Sædís Helga (18)

In 2001 eleven experienced, diverse individuals in

Húsavík decided to combine their years of expertise in

a variety of fields to establish a new travel and tourism

company in Húsavík. The group restored an old oak

boat, which was originally a fishing and whale-hunting

boat, and put it back into commission sailing visitors

around Skjálfandi Bay searching for whales… not for

hunting but for watching! The immense effort proved

more than worthwhile, growing into a giant success

among visitors. Ever since then Gentle Giants has

employed great staff and enjoyed a rapidly increasing

number of annual visitors.

Hanna Sigga, Katrín Svava (10) and Rakel Ása (13).

folloW us on:

Facebook TwitterTripAdvisor

Photos in the brochure are taken by Gentle Giants’ team: ©Peter Waltl jr. & Sr., ©Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson, ©Stefán Guðmundsson, ©Daniel & Alexia, ©Anton Ísak Óskarsson, ©Elín Lilja, ©Friðþjófur Helgason, ©Sarah Arndt, ©HalliEgils, ©Rebekka K.

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Húsavík

Gentle Giants’ proud fleetBoat rental - six Boats

m/v SylvíaBuilt: 1976 in Akureyri Tonnage: 30Length: 17,5 m – Beam: 4,3 m Capacity: 60 paxEUR 2.455 for 3 hours

m/v AthenaBuilt: 2000 in HafnarfjörðurTonnage: 8Length: 9,5 m – Beam: 3 m Capacity: 24 paxEUR 977 for 3 hours Specialized for sea angling and smaller groups in various activity.

m/v FaldurBuilt: 1972 in Westman-islandsTonnage: 26Length: 14,5 m – Beam: 4 m Capacity: 45 paxEUR 1.985 for 3 hours

m/v Axel - ZodiacBuilt: 2007Length: 4,5 m – Beam: 2 mCapacity: 8 paxEUR 195 pr. hourOnly as a working boat nr. II - ideal for camera work, diving and coastal transport / beaches.

RIB Amma SiggaBuilt: 2011Length: 11,5 m – Beam: 3 mEngines: 2 x 300 hpMax speed: 52 knotsCapacity: 18 paxEUR 990 pr. hour

RIB Amma KibbaBuilt: 2013Length: 12 m – Beam: 4 mEngines: 2 x 400 hpMax speed: 52 knotsCapacity: 24 paxEUR 1.190 pr. hour

PRIVATE TOURS

Call now for information and

bookings +354 464 1500 or by

visiting www.gentlegiants.is

PRIVATE TOURS




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Húsavíklet us Guide you and take care of you

The Boss

Stefán GuðmundssonCEO & Marketing ManagerCaptain

Mrs. Boss

Jóhanna S. SvavarsdóttirEmployee ManagerCaptain

The King

Daniel AnnisiusAssistant ManagerGuideTicket Sales

The Queen

Alexia Annisius AskelöfWeb Editor Guide & Ticket Sales

The Dart Player

Hallgrímur EgilssonSales ManagerDesigner

The Tough Guy

Ingimar Eydal ÓskarssonCaptain

The Hunter

Elías Frímann ElvarssonCaptain

The Pro Guy

Sigdór JósefssonCaptain

The Gentleman

Sigurður KristjánssonCaptain

The Big fish

Sigmar IngólfssonCaptain

The Rock

Sigurjón SigurbjörnssonCaptain

The Mid-field

striker

Sigrún Vala HauksdóttirTicket Sales

Miss Húsavik

Sigrún Björg SteinþórsdóttirTicket Sales

The Artist

Björg Skarphéðins dóttirTicket Sales

The Author

Sigurveig GunnarsdóttirTicket Sales

The Princess

Sigrún Ólöf Karlsdóttir Ticket Sales

The Rocket

Karólína Hildur Hauksdóttir Ticket Sales Assistant

The Champ

Hilmar Þór GuðmundssonCaptain

The officer

Birkir ArnarssonCaptain

The old Dog

Vilhjálmur Bessi KristinssonCaptain

The Mustang

Sverrir Yngvi KarlssonCaptain

The Leader

Pétur OlgeirssonCaptain

The Sailor

Svavar ÁgústssonCaptain

The Admiral

Karl Óskar GeirssonFleet ManagerCaptain

The Cosmopolitan

Sarah ArndtHead Guide

The Bird Lover

Karitas ÞórisdóttirGuide

The Horse

Whisperer

Þórdís Björt SigþórsdóttirGuide

Miss Spain

Belén Garcia OvideGuide

The Pearl Diver

Sandra MontesGuide

The Player

Hlynur Þór BirgissonCaptain

Miss Canada

Charla BasranGuide

The Viking

Axel BjarnasonGuide

The Poet

Þröstur SverrissonGuide

The Voyager

Miriam WalterGuide

We proudly present our experienced team

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Húsavík

GG1 • Whale WatchinGexperience the mammals of the ocean

Experience the traditional tour from Húsavík. Our birth-place is often considered as the Whale Watching Capital of

Europe. Whale watching is a unique adventure at sea: Gazing at the wonders of nature in the beautiful surroundings of

Skjálfandi Bay, sheltered by the stunning mountains of Vík.This is a place where our roots lie, where our ancestors used to live in peace and joy for centuries, living in total harmony with the unpredictable and untamed nature of the North Atlantic.

RATES:Adults: EUR 56Children 7-15 years: EUR 24Children 0-6 years: FREEDuration: Approximately 3 hours.

INClUDED:A specialized guide, light refreshments (hot chocolate and an Icelandic traditional twisted donut, kleina), warm overalls and raincoats if needed.

SEASON:April 1st – October 31st.

Group discounts and tailor made tours available, as well as multi-trip passes or contact us for more information.

See our timetable on the back page for daily tours.

“Do not miss out of this experience”

July 15, 2013

20% DISCOUnT

to the Húsavík

Whale Museum

with every ticket

Special

warm overalls

available FREE

every day







SEE OUR TIMETABlE On THE BACK PAGE FOR DAIlY TOURS

Húsavík

RATES:Adults: EUR 99Children 7-12 years: EUR 69Not recommended for children under 7 years.Duration: Approximately 2,5 hours. Minimum number of six required for the standard tour, or you can rent a boat for a private trip.

INClUDED:A specialized guide, safety overalls, and a little surprise from Húsavík’s only winemaker.

SEASON:May 1st – September 30th.Other tours, excursions and schedules can be arranged upon request at our Ticket Center. Early booking is recommended. For your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to change sched-ules should weather or other conditions change.

New specially

made overalls to

keep you warm

and dry!

GG2 • BiG Whale Safarifor more excitement

With our speedboats we can offer our passengers more area to cover in search for the gentle giants. A RIB is faster than the wind and makes it therefore more likely for us to find the big whales. Normally we do not have to leave our bay to look for whales of any kind, but on this tour we focus on finding the bigger ones - further out. Nothing is guaranteed but on this tour, your chances to encounter some of the world’s biggest animals ever increase - big time!

On this tour we also include a visit to the Puffin Island, where you can experience thousands of puffins, “The Clowns of the Ocean”, during the nesting period (May 1st – August 20th).

See our timetable on the back page for daily tours.

Daytrips from Reykjavík to Húsavík available all season

www.eagleair.is

“A thrilling wildlife experience”August 3, 2013

7SEE OUR TIMETABlE On THE BACK PAGE FOR DAIlY TOURS

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Húsavík

GG3 • Sea anGlinGcatch your oWn meal

Experience the exciting feeling of catching your own meal out on Skjálf andi Bay. The distance to the rich fishing grounds is very short. At the end of the trip the captain can fillet your catch, which will probably be cod or haddock. You can take it with you for your own cooking or upon request, have it prepared in a local restaurant. Thanks to our experience as professional fishermen with historically strong roots around the bay, on this tour we can provide you with a 100% CATCH GUARAnTEE!

RATES:Adults: EUR 79Children 7-12 years: EUR 39Children 0-6 years: FREEDuration: Approx. 2–3 hours.Minimum number of four required in a standard tour, or you can rent a boat for a private trip.

INClUDED:An experienced captain, fishing equipment/rods, waterproof trousers, rubber boots, fleece jackets and light refreshments (hot chocolate and a traditional Icelandic twisted donut, kleina).

SEASON:April 1st - October 31st.Trips made upon request.







100%CATCH

GUARANTEE!

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Húsavík

GG4 • flatey iSlandPUffinS • Bird WatchinG • WhaleS

On our way to Flatey Island, experience the beautiful surroundings of Skjálfandi Bay. Flatey Island is a natural haven for birdlife and is extremely rich and diverse. It therefore attracts many people each year. The island offers more than 30 different species of birds during the breeding season. The island is about 2,5 km long and 1,7 km wide. The name means “Flat Island” and for a reason; its highest peak rises only about 22 m above sea level. In 1967 the last inhabitants left. It has not been permanently inhabited since but many people visit the island each summer. Most of the old homes are kept and maintained as summer houses.

We offer guided excursions through Flatey’s beautiful nature. The island is home to the arctic tern and puffins, which you may watch up close. This is a unique opportunity to commune with nature. From Flatey we head back to Húsavík and sail by the awesome mountains of Vík. If Mother Nature is feeling generous, we may even be able to do some whale watching on our way back.

RATES:Adults: EUR 139Children 7-12 years: EUR 68Children 0-6 years: FREEDuration: 4–5 hours.

INClUDED:A specialized guide, safety overalls, and a little surprise from Húsavík’s only winemaker. Ask for tailor-made tours and arrangements in our Ticket Center.

SEASON:June 1st - August 10th. Saturdays at 17:00.






visiting www.gentlegiants.isMinimum number of two required in this standard tour, or you can rent a boat for a private trip. Special arrangements are available upon request.

For more info about our special bird watching packages:

· Visit www.wildlifeiceland.is

· Send an e-mail to

[email protected]

· Call +354 464 3504

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Húsavík

GG5 • GrÍMSey iSland adventurearctic crossinG - Whales & puffins

Get the opportunity to cross the Arctic Circle, see whales and encounter puffins - all in one tour.

Our fast RIBs can take you to Grímsey Island in one hour during good conditions (and the sea is usually very calm in the early mornings). Upon arrival you will get a guided tour on the island, including bird watching. After-wards, to top your stay, you will be served a fully loaded breakfast while melting the experience and impressions.

On our way back we do some whale- and puffin watching in Skjálfandi Bay. Estimated time of arrival in Húsavík is around noon. Every passenger gets a certificate after crossing the Arctic Circle.

RATES:EUR 390Duration: Approximately 6 hours. Minimum number of ten required for the standard tour, or you can rent a boat for a private trip.

INClUDED:Nice comfortable RIB boat, experienced captain and a speciali zed guide. Warm safety overalls, life jackets, refreshments on the way and fun. A guided tour and fully loaded breakfast on Grímsey Island.

SEASON:May 15th – August 20th. Tuesdays and Saturdays.Departure from Húsavík at 06:00 am. Booking in advance required. We reserve the right to change schedules should weather or other conditions change.

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Húsavík

GG6 • hiKinG the MOUntainShikinG the mountains of skjálfandi Bay

STARTn66 02.178 W17 41.348

n66 06.799 W17 52.992

SlEEP

EnD

STARTEnD

AlTITUDE PROFIlE

855 m

0 m

200 m

400 m

600 m

800 mGG6 · HIKInG MAP

A beautiful two day hiking tour in the mountains of Skjálfandi Bay.DAY 1 - We leave early on Friday morning at 07:00, with a boat and head towards the mountain side, sail across the bay and go ashore in Rauðavík or Naustavík Beach half an hour later. Next, we hike across the beautiful and very lonesome Víknafjöll, the Bay Mountains, over to the Flatey Island Valley. The hiking path is approximately 12 km before we have to cross a river and reach the sleeping cabin. The estimated arrival time at the first destination is around 16:00. The Guide’s Fish Soup will be served for starting leisure time for short walking trips and relaxation in the afternoon in the valley.

DAY 2 - We leave the accommodation in the valley at 08:00 in the morning and head NNW towards the coast / beach. The path leads around 14 km alongside a beautiful river. Then a boat picks up the group and heads to Flatey Island for a short visit and a BBQ. Afterwards we head back to Húsavík passing the whale watching areas in Skjálfandi Bay – ETA in Húsavík this day is at 17:00.

RATES:EUR 599InClUDED: A specialized guide, delicious fish soup, dinner, breakfast, accommodation in a cabin, two boat trips, BBQ in Flatey Island and whale watch-ing. Spectacular and unspoiled remote nature.

DEPARTURES 2014:June 27th - Friday from Húsavík

at 07:00 am.July 18th – Friday from Húsavík

at 07:00 am.August 22nd – Friday from Húsavík

at 07:00 am.Sept. 12th – Friday from Húsavík

at 07:00 am.

NOTE:Expect all kinds of Icelandic summer weather; be well prepared with clothing and food. Remember to bring your sleeping bag and your hiking shoes. A meeting will be held the night before departure in Húsavík at 20:00.

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Húsavíkunique and unforGettaBle experienceGG7 • PrO-fiShinG

Become an Icelandic fishing pro for a day or two. Daily from April to October, we welcome people to join us as crew members on our fishing boats, sharing our extensive knowledge of fishing and the sea to create an unforgettable and traditional Icelandic adventure.

We take our customers out from Húsavík to Skjálfandi Bay on daily professional fishing trips on our fishing boats. From April to May each year you could be a crew member during lumpfish season, or from June to September catch mainly cod. This is a hard-core fishing experience in the real North Atlantic seas for people who love new adventures.

We focus on the exciting and relaxing, adventurous quality of life that can be found in Iceland’s beauty and wild nature, using our family’s ancestral roots in the history and environment around Húsavík, Skjálfandi Bay, and Flatey Island. We tell our true family story around Skjálfandi Bay and Húsavík, generation after generation, for more than 150 years. We are an original part of the history, fishermen with salty blood running through our veins. Others may wish they had the same tradition, and we want to offer them the salty experience… a real one! For further information visit www.profishing.is.

For further information visit

www.profishing.is

RATES:EUR 299Duration: 10–16 hours of hard work and adventure (dependent upon catch and weather).

INClUDED:A crew member’s position on one of our fishing boats, full water-proof outfit, a box of food and drinks for a whole day, a part of the catch, filleted for own use or cooked at a restaurant.

SEASON:April 1st - September 30th. For your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to change schedules should weather or other conditions change.

1 DAY PRO-FISHInG PACKAGE







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Húsavíkthe icelandic horse and the WhaleGG8 • WhaleS & hOrSeS

Experience the combination of traditional whale watching and the Icelandic horse. Explore the countryside close to Húsavík on an Icelandic horse with experienced riders at your side. The riding trip begins in Saltvík, which is just four minutes by car from Húsavík harbour, and can be taken either before or after your whale watching tour.

RATES:Adults: EUR 99Children 0-12 years: EUR 49Duration: Approximately 3 hours whale watching and 2 hours horse riding.

INClUDED:A specialized guide, light refresh-ments (hot chocolate and an Icelandic traditional twisted donut, kleina) and warm overalls and raincoats if needed during the whale watching tour.

SEASON:May 1st – October 31st.See our whale watching timetable on the back page for daily tours.

Tailor made tours and other arrangements can be made by contacting our Ticket Center.

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Húsavík

GG9 • PUffinS eXclUSiVeone hour express tour

In this Puffins Exclusive Express Tour, we will take you to Puffin Island (lundey) on a RIB boat to see one of the largest puffin colonies in Iceland. This island is only 4,5 nautical miles from Húsavík harbour and with our fast RIB we will take you there in only a few minutes.

Puffin Island reaches 34 m above sea level, and is around 200 m in length and 100 m wide. During the breeding season around 300.000 puffins can be found there; close to the rich feeding grounds in the sea around. The island is privately owned by farmers nearby and we will take you there for a close look. On this tour you will get the possibility to encounter the “Clowns of the Ocean” close up.

Trips can also be made upon request.

RATES:Adults: EUR 43Children 7-12 years: EUR 20Not recommended for children under 7 years.Duration: Approximately 1 hour.

INClUDED:A specialized guide, safety overalls, and a little surprise from Húsavík’s only winemaker.

SEASON:May 1st - August 20th. Trips are made upon request.






visiting www.gentlegiants.isMinimum number of five required in this standard tour.

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Húsavík

GG tailor made tourscreate your oWn adventure

This is your perfect opportunity! As a licenced tour operator, Gentle Giants has orga-nized many tailor made excursions throughout the years. We would be happy to shape a unique adventure together with you, which will turn into lifetime memories for you to think back at in the future.

Welcome to give us an idea of your dream trip – contact us for more information.

SCHOOL GROUPSWeddinG planninGBachelor and bachelorette toursPrivate toursCorporate toursStaff tourSGrímsey Island tours – Crossing the Arctic circle

Hrísey Island toursdiving tours

Camera & filming toursBBQ toursHistory and eDucational toursScientific & research toursBirthday tours

Family reunion toursAnd more…………

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Húsavíkfive Generations of pioneerinG in the Baysince 1861

Árni Tómasson, fisherman and farmer in Flatey Island Valley (great grandfather of Gentle

Giants’ owner Stefán Guðmundsson), with his wife Jóhanna Jónsdóttir and 14 of their children.

Jón Ármann Árnason (great great grandfather of Gentle Giants’ owner) and his second wife

Karen Halldórsdóttir with their five children, who were actually the children of his former wife

Kristbjörg Sigurðardóttir who passed away young. All of them lived their lives by Skjálfandi Bay

with their families. Until this day the ancestors still live in Húsavík making the roots stronger

year by year. Jón Ármann was the head mason of the Húsavík Church and laid the foundation

for it - built in 1907.

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Húsavík

more than 150 years of family history in the Bay

not ideal for whale

watching, but boats like

these made it possible to

catch the fish necessary

to feed a big family of

nine. Hólmgeir Árnason,

grandfather of Gentle

Giants’ owner, fishing close

to his home in Flatey Island

in Skjálfandi Bay.

With time the boats

became bigger,

steadier and safer.

Today Gentle Giants

is using oak boats

similar to these for

whale watching.

150 YEARS offAMILY HISToRY

IN THE BAY

ANNo 1861

Generation to generation, the knowledge about the bay is passed down. In the picture

on the left is Héðinn Maríusson great grandfather of Stefán Guðmundsson, owner of

Gentle Giants, on the right.

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Húsavíkour hometoWnhúsavík

Húsavík means “The House Bay” and is a town in northern Iceland,

located on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi Bay. It was first settled in 870

AD by a Swedish Viking, Garðar Svavarsson. According to the Book of

Settlement, he circumnavigated Iceland and was the first one to discover it is

an island. Garðar spent one winter in Húsavík before returning to Sweden,

leaving one of his men, Náttfari, behind. He stayed in Iceland until he died

and is therefore considered to be the first Nordic settler in Iceland. The name

Húsavík is indeed one of Iceland’s oldest local names.

like many other towns on the coast, the fishing industry has played a vital

part for Húsavík’s local development. The first sources of fishing and fish

processing are from the late 19th century. Agriculture and farming have

also been important for the inhabitants. Moreover, Iceland’s first co-op was

founded in Húsavík in 1882.

In recent years, yet another trade has grown in Húsavík – the tourist industry.

It is the fastest growing sector of the econ omy. The biggest tourist attraction

is whale watching and Húsavík has in fact become known as the Whale

Watching Capital of Europe. Thousands of tourists visit Húsavík annually in

the hope of seeing the gentle giants of the ocean.

The church, built in 1907, is one of the main symbols of Húsavík, located in

the heart of the town. With a total popu lation of 2.205 (2014), Húsavík is rich

with culture and activities. One of the major events in Húsavík is Mærudagar

(Candy Days), a local festival held every summer.

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Húsavík

The Exploration Museum is dedicated to the history of human exploration, from the early explorers to the exploration of space. The museum is located in the centre of Húsavík in North Iceland, thirty miles from the Arctic Circle. The main exhibition room features photographs and artefacts from the Apollo Astronaut Training near Húsavík in 1965 and 1967.Opening hours: Open every day all year round: 9-18.Information: Tel. 848 7600 and www.explorationmuseum.com.

the exploration museum

Safnahúsið, The Museum House, is The District Cultural Centre. It consists of District Folk Museum, Maritime Museum (opened in 2002), Natural History Museum (its best known items being the polar bear caught on Grímsey 1969), District Archives, Photo Archives and Collection of Paintings. Private collections or the museum’s own exhibitions are always on display in the exhibition room on the third floor, which also houses lectures, meetings and concerts. Opening hours: June / July / August: 10-18. Winter: 10-16 (weekdays). Information: Tel. 464 1860, www.husmus.is.

the museum house

In addition to whale watching tours, Húsavík is also home to The Whale Museum, established in December 1997 by owners of Gentle Giants along with many other individuals and companies in Húsavík. The museum is a non-profit educational information centre dedi-cated to the promotion of whales and whale watching and pro-vides visitors with information about whales‘ lives and their habitat around Iceland.Opening hours: April / May / September: 9-16 June / July / August: 8:30-18:30.Information: Tel. 414 2800 and www.whalemuseum.is.

the Whale museum

museums

Specially designed useful things for sale on location at reasonable

prices. Different colours available.

20

n

Just look for

ThE WhalE

WaTchiNg

TickET

cENTER

USEFUl nUMBERS:Húsavík Swimming Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 6190Húsavík Car Rental . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 2500Kaskó Supermarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 1779Úrval Supermarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 1750Húsavík Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 0500Húsavík Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444 2850Bílaþjónustan Car Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 1122Mývatn Nature Baths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4411The Transportation Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 3133The Mánárbakki Museum of Culture . . . . . . . . . . 464 1957Grenjaðastaður District Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 3688Sigurgeir‘s Bird Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4477

TOURIST InFORMATIOnS:Húsavík Tourist Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4300Mývatn Tourist Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4390Gljúfrastofa Ásbyrgi Tourist Information . . . . . . . . 470 7100Ásbyrgi Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465 2260Akureyri Tourist Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 450 1050Egilsstaðir Tourist Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 471 2320Seyðisfjörður Tourist Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 472 1551

YOUR WAY TO HÚSAVÍK:INTERNATIONALIcelandair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 505 0300WOW Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 590 3000Smyril Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 570 8600

DOMESTICFjallasýn Bus Company / Day Excursions . . . . . . . . . 464 3940Eagle Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 562 2640Air Iceland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 570 3030FAB Travel Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 571 2282Sterna Bus Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 551 1166SBA Bus Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 550 0700Strætó Bus Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 540 2700

ACCOMMODATIOnS:HÚSAVÍKFosshotel Húsavík . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464 1220Húsavík Cape Hotel / Guesthouse . . . . . . . . . . . . .463 3399Saltvík Guesthouse / Horse Rental . . . . . . . . . . . . .847 9515Árból Guesthouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464 2220Höfði Guesthouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .852 0010Aðsetur Guesthouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .898 8325Sólbakki Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .898 0036Kaldbakskot Cottages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464 1504Laugarholt Apartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .899 2127Húsavík Camping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464 4300Berg Youth Hostel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .464 3777

IN THE AREA SOUTH OF HÚSAVÍK (DISTANCE)Staðarhóll Guesthouse (15 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 3707Þinghúsið Guesthouse (15 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 3695Ferðaþjónustan Hafralæk (15 min) . . . . . . . . . . . 464 3561Hotel Rauðaskriða / Guesthouse (20 min) . . . . . . . . 464 3504Fosshóll Guesthouse (30 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 3108Fosshotel Laugar (30 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 6300Hotel Narfastaðir (35 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 3300Hotel Edda Stórutjarnir (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 444 4890Hagi 1 Guesthouse (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 3526Stóru-Laugar Guesthouse (30 min) . . . . . . . . . . . 464 2990

LAKE MÝVATN AREA (DISTANCE)Bjarg Camping / Travel Service (40 min) . . . . . . . . . 464 4240Hotel Reynihlíð (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4170Hotel Reykjahlíð (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4142Hlíð Camping / Travel Service (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . 464 4103Vogar Camping / Travel Service (40 min) . . . . . . . . 464 4399Sel-Hotel Mývatn (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4164Hotel Gígur (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4455Hotel Laxá (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 1900Stöng Guesthouse (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4252Skútustaðir Guesthouse (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4212Dimmuborgir Guesthouse (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4210Eldá Guesthouse (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 464 4220

IN THE AREA NORTHEAST OF HÚSAVÍK (DISTANCE)Skúlagarður Guesthouse (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . 465 2280Akurgerði Youth Hostel (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . 465 2314Ásbyrgi Camping (40 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 470 7100Keldunes Guesthouse (45 min) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 465 2275

You can book and buy your ticket: ... online at www.gentlegiants.is ... by e-mail: [email protected] ... by phone: +354 464 1500 ... in the Whale Watching Ticket Center.

Húsavík

GoÐafoss

flatey

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road to sprenGisandurf-26

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85

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845

864862

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krafla

mÝvatn

húsavík

ásByrGi

dettifoss

skjálfandi Bay

here We are - lookinG forWard

to seeinG you!

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1 Flatey Island (30 minutes)Flatey ISlAND is situ ated in Skjálf andi Bay, only 14,7 nautical miles from Húsavík. The island is about 2,5 km long and 1,7 km wide, and is low- lying. The highest peak only rises about 22 m

above sea level. Which is why it is called Flat Island.

2 Ásbyrgi canyon (40 minutes) A natural marvel, Ásbyrgi is surrounded by 90 to 100 m cliffs. According to legend, Ásbyrgi is a hoof print made by Sleipnir, the horse of Óðinn, the greatest of all Nordic gods. Ásbyrgi is

a part of the Vatnajökull National Park and is an ideal territory for walking and hiking. In fact it cannot be explored to the full extend except by foot.

3 Dettifoss waterfall (65 minutes) Dettifoss is considered the most impressive waterfall in Europe. It is 45 m high and 100 m wide. Below it in the Jökulsá river is Hafragilsfoss (27 m) and above it is Selfoss (10 m).

These waterfalls form a unity unparalleled in the world. There is a marked walking path from Dettifoss to Hafragilsfoss.

4 Goðafoss waterfall (30 minutes)literally, waterfall of the gods! Waterfall on the river Skjálfandafljót, not far from the main road at Fosshóll in Bárðardalur Valley. The waterfall can be viewed from several places,

and the river enters a chasm beneath it.

5 lake Mývatn (40 minutes)lake Mývatn is a unique source of endless discover-ies and no visitor to Iceland should leave without having spent a day here. It is the fourth-largest lake in Iceland, measuring

37,3 km2. Frequent lava flows have left the lake very irregular in shape, and it is dotted with many islets and rock formations.

Mývatn 54

Akureyri 91

Seyðisfjörður 248

Egilsstaðir 220

Reykjavík 480

Borgarnes 406

Ísafjörður 659

Höfn 467

Selfoss 521

Vík 650

Gullfoss 587

Keflavík 520

Þingvellir 497

Grundarfjörður 474

road distances in km from húsavík

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Húsavík

environmental policy

Our environmental policy reflects Gentle Giants’ long-time experience and commitment to all aspects of conservation, protecting the environment and treating nature with respect. This policy is our answer to the increasing demand from our customers and global organisa-tions for companies like Gentle Giants Whale Watching who support and contribute to the eco-system and sustainable tourism worldwide.

• GGiswillingtofulfileverycustomer’sneeds,withoutthreateningnature’spresentand future possibilities.

• GGoperatestraditionalIcelandicfishingboatsthathavebeenrenovatedfortheircurrent purpose. We make a special effort to protect and maintain vessels with cultural and historical importance.

• GGusesenvironmentallyfriendlyproductsandeco-labelsarepreferablyusedforrepair and maintenance of hulls and engines.

• GGusesrecyclableproducts.Theuseofsingleuseproductsisavoidedasmuchaspossible

• GGputsagreatemphasisondeliveringallhazardousandtoxicwastesuchasoil,paint and used batteries to assigned official collecting sites.

• GGimmediatelynotifiestherelevantauthoritiesaboutanyaccidentsthatmightcause environmental damage from our boats or from others.

• GGstaffisupdatedregularlyabouttheenvironmentalpolicyofthecompanytoinclude all new aspects of protecting the environment.

• GGputseffortinenergyefficiencyregardingtheoutputandspeedofourengines,in order to minimise pollution and disturbance in wildlife. Special precautions are taken near whales and breeding birds.

• GGalwaysshowsgreatcautionwhenleavingandenteringtheharbourarea.

• GGbelievesthatprinciplesinsustainabilityrefertothreemajorfactors:theenviron-mental factor, the economic factor and social cultural aspects of tourism develop-ment. A suitable balance must be established between these factors in order to reach a long-term optimal use of nature’s resources in the ecological process.

• GGinformspassengersonitsvesselsofthegreatimportanceofprotectingtheenvironment in the area, its outstanding marine wildlife, stunning scenery and the air that we breathe.

• GGisaproudpartnerofTheWildNorth-aprojectwiththeaimoffindingwaysto contribute to the sustainable development of wildlife tourism such as whale watching.

• Weareaproudmemberoftheinternationaleco-labelBlueFlag.

On behalf of Gentle Giants Whale Watching

Stefán Guðmundsson – CEO & Marketing Managersimply natural

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Húsavíkcollect your Whale friendsWhales in skjálfandi Bay

Steypireyður • Balaenoptera musculusBlue whale • Blauwal • Rorqual BleuMax: 33 m. & 190 t.

Hnýðingur • Lagenorhynchus albirostrisWhite-beaked dolphin • Weißsnauzendelphin • Lagènorhynque à bec blancMax: 3.1 m. & 350 kg.

Sandreyður • Balaenoptera borealisSei Whale • Seiwal • Rorqual du NordMax: 19.5 m. & 26 t.

Grindhvalur • Globicephala melasPilot Whale • Grindwal • Globi cèpale noirMax: 8 m. & 5 t.

Hrefna • Balaenoptera acutorstrataMinke whale • Zwergwal • Petit rorqualMax: 11 m. & 10 t.

Andarnefja • Hyperoodon ampullatusNorthern bottlenose Whale • Nördlicher Entenwal • Hyperoodon boréalMax: 9 m. & 7,5 t.

Hnúfubakur • Megaptera novaeangeliaeHumpback Whale • Buckelwal • MegaptèreMax: 17 m. & 48 t.

Búrhvalur • Physeter macrocephalusSperm Whale • Pottwal • CachalotMax: 18 m. & 50 t.

Langreyður • Balaenoptera PhysalusFin Whale • Finnwal • Rorqual commonMax: 26 m. & 78 t.

Háhyrningur • Orcinus OrcaOrca / Killer Whale • Schwertwal • OrqueMax: 10 m. & 9 t.

Hnísa • PhocoenaHarbour porpoise • Schweinswal • Marsouin commonMax: 1.9 m. & 80 kg.

GG1 · Whale Watching

GG2 · Big Whale Safari & Puffins

GG3 · Sea Angling

GG4 · Flatey Island

GG5 · Grímsey Island Adventure

GG6 · Hiking the Mountains

GG7 · Pro-Fishing

GG8 · Whales & Horses

GG9 · Puffins Exclusive

flateyisland

puffin island(lundey)

húsavík66° 02’ 47”n17° 20’ 36”W

Grímseyisland

66° 32’ n18° 01’ W

the arctic circle

reykjavíkhöfn

akureyri húsavík

skjálfandi BayGentle Giants' routes

APRIl MAY JUnE JUlY AUGUST SEPT. OCTOBER

1st-14th 15th-30th 1st-31st 1st-30th 1st-31st 1st-20th 21st-31st 1st-30th 1st-15th 16th-31st

09:30 09:30 09:30 09:30

11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00

12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30

16:00 16:00 16:00

19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00



09:30 09:30 09:30 09:30*

11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00*

12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30* 12:30*

16:00 16:00 16:00*

19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00*

GG2 · BIG WHAlE SAFARI & PUFFInS - TIMETABlE

* The puffins are leaving. More focus on Big Whales.



08:45 08:45 08:45

09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45

12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00

13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15

15:15 15:15 15:15

16:45 16:45 16:45 16:45

20:15 20:15 20:15*



08:45 08:45 08:45

09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45

12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00

13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15

15:15 15:15 15:15

16:45 16:45 16:45 16:45

20:15 20:15 20:15*

GG1 · WHAlE WATCHInG - TIMETABlE

* Until August 15th.

Húsavík

WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS AND CURRENCIES

Gentle Giants Whale Watching - Summer 2014

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Transcript of Gentle Giants Whale Watching - Summer 2014