This morning, SH Vega is docked in Ísafjörður, Iceland (below), where we plan to disembark for a whale watching excursion. This is an optional excursion ($185/pp) offered by Swan Hellenic.

After disembarking SH Vega, we walk a few hundred yards to our whale watching tour boat. There were about 25 guests on this tour.

While the tour boat was capable, with indoor seating and an outer aft deck, once whales are spotted, everyone rushes out to the aft deck to get a good look and photos. This aft deck is simply not large enough to accommodate 25 people, all trying to position themselves for photo taking.

I was able to manage to get a few photos and some video of whales, but only because I am 6’ 2” tall and could extend my arm and camera up high enough to get over everyone’s heads.

The tour lasted about 2 hours and was good. I don’t think it was our best whale watching tour ever, only because of the boat. There were plenty of whale sightings and they were relatively close to the boat. A good camera could easily have gotten some good photos.

Back on board in time for lunch, we are greeted in the Swan Restaurant by Restaurant Manager, Fhilbert, and Head Waiter Kadek.

Head waiter, Kadek and Restaurant Manager, Fhilbert

Today’s lunch buffet is a Caribbean theme with Jerk Chicken, Jerk Pork Roast, Curry Beef, and much more.

This afternoon, SH Vega set sail for Vigur Island. Alex D’Souza had to deliver the dreaded Disembarkation Lecture to inform guests that our cruise will soon be coming to an end. We have a 12 noon flight and must disembark early to have time to get to the airport, which is locatedone hour from where the ship docks in Reykjavik.

After Alex’s talk, Claire Ellen Penny gave a lecture on the flora in Iceland. Unfortunately, right in the middle of her lecture, there was a whale sighted on the port side of the ship and everyone ran over to see the whale!

Claire Ellen Penny, Geologist and Expedition Leader

Afternoon Tea is offered each day at 3:30 in the Club Lounge. There is a nice selection of finger sandwiches, scones, crepes, cookies and, of course, hot tea. This is an informal self-serve tea, but nicely presented.

Late this afternoon, while Rickee visited the Spa for a facial treatment, I boarded the Zodiac for a short ride to Vigur Island.

Vigur is the second largest island of the Ísafjarðardjúp fjord in Westfjords, Iceland. Located just south of the Arctic Circle, the island is around 2 kilometres in length and 400 metres in width. The island is most noted for its thriving seabird colonies, traditional eiderdown production, and historical buildings (Wikipedia).

Our local tour guide took us on a walking tour of the small island. We were shown the facility used to clean and prepare the eiderdown for export. The Eider ducks actually pluck the down from themselves to make a nest for their eggs. The down is collected and replaced with hay and the eggs carefully placed back into the new hay nest, which the ducks seem to be okay with. The down is very light, very soft and makes a great insulation. An eiderdown duvet in Japan can sell for as much as 80,000 Euro!

We were also guided on a short walk to see some of the small ducks nesting. We are all carrying sticks to prevent aggressive Arctic Terns from dive-bombing us to protect their nests. I did not see any dive bombing today.

There is a very old windmill that our guide said was the oldest working windmill in Iceland.

The fishing boat below is more than 200 years old and is the oldest seaworthy boat in Iceland.

At the end of our short island tour, guests are invited into a cafe for a slice of Rhubarb cake and cup of coffee.

It has been a very busy day today on SH Vega. Tomorrow, we will visit Dynjandi Waterfall, after which we will set sail for Reykjavik. Sadly, tomorrow will be our final day aboard SH Vega. Make sure you subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our final review of the ship, the crew and the destination.

Ísafjörður & Vigur Island, Iceland

Dynjandi Waterfall

A Day at Sea