This is a story worth telling
It all started with a dream and passion
Our story begins with Arnar, our head captain. In the early 1990s, in the small fishing village of Húsavík, where the towering cliffs meet the pristine waters of Skjálfandi Bay, Arnar became the first captain to sail whale-watching tours from Húsavík, forever changing the relationship between this community and the ocean’s giants.
In the early 1990’s most industry in Húsavík relied on fishing, these days the term “whale watching” wasn’t yet a familiar phrase in the area. Arnar’s curiosity about the Icelandic marine wildlife and the success of this type of operation in other countries led him to the idea of inviting travelers to observe these incredible animals since he knew that they are so present around Húsavík.
When you join us on board, you’ll be stepping into a personal story written with the waves and a family whose passion for the sea spans generations.
Sailing since 1994
In 1994, Arnar launched his first boat, the "Vinur" (Friend), offering what he called “wildlife excursions.” These early tours were intimate and raw, with no daily schedule, just the rhythm of the sea and the daily sightings of whales breaking the surface. It wasn’t long before word spread about th experiences Arnar was creating - the moments where people could really connect with nature in ways they’d never imagined and soon more bots started to sail out.
By 1996, a new vessel, "Moby Dick," joined Arnar’s fleet, and solidified our early pioneering success and growing interest into whale-watching. The name “Moby Dick” carried a deep respect for the tales of the sea and reflected the majestic nature of the whales. Over the years, the operation evolved, but the spirit remained the same—small, personal, and deeply connected to the whales and the waters they inhabit.
Fast forward to today, and Friends of Moby Dick continues to honor this legacy. In 2023, the newest “Moby Dick” sailed out, preserving the same values and family-run atmosphere that has always defined us. Every journey we offer is more than a sightseeing tour—it’s a tribute to the wonder & respect for nature that first inspired us to launch “Vinur” all those years ago.
In 2025 we are taking another big step of bringing a new boat to our fleet, which will likely be a “game changer” in the bay, as it will be the first boat like this in the area, a boat that offers great stability, maneuverability, heated inside area on board for our guests to make the entire experience even more enjoyable and allow us to swap between the vessels if needed, in case of change of weather conditions. We are very excited about this step and yet curious of the experience of our passengers, after all, we like to take the paths no one else did, don’t we?
We would love for you to come meet our friends - the whales - and join us on board to create the memories that will last a lifetime.