Gentle Giants Sales Manual 2023 – Whale Watching Húsavík, Iceland

Dear Sir or Madam!

I want to greet you with a warm welcome to Húsavík, Iceland in the 2023 season. Our family run company, Gentle Giants Whale Watching, celebrates its 22nd year and proudly offers you our service and highly educated, 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 50 years of experience in the bay and like to think of myself as continuing my family’s 160 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 grandmothers too. Put short: We were born by the bay of Skjálfandi and our ancestors too. Way back!

Gentle Giants’ goal is to make every guest a happy one. We are proud to be awarded by TripAdvisor for the 11th consecutive year: The Certificate of Excellence (20122019), Hall of Fame (2018-2019) and Travelers’ Choice Awards (2020-2022).

Moreover, the GetYourGuide Awards in 2019, the first and only Icelandic company receiving the awards, as well as the moti vational education awards in 2022 by The Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise (SA). The newest award as the Company of the Year in 2022 by Visit North Iceland. This confirms and underlines that we are surely on the right track in outstanding service and delivering a great experience.

We can offer you:

Untamed and unpredictable nature

Bigger and smaller boats

More personal experience

Higher chances of finding whales

160 years of our family history in Skjálfandi Bay

Great respect to nature and minimum environmental impact

Good memories and natural happiness

We hereby introduce to you our company and our new seasonal sales manual. More information about our company and services is to be found on our website www.gentlegiants.is or by sending us a message directly, info@gentlegiants.is or by calling us at: +354 464 1500

Please do not hesitate to contact us – and check out our new discounts for our customers on page 21.

Welcome aboard!

Stefán Guðmundsson CEO – Marketing Manager – Captain

the traditional

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.

“Thanks for the pleasure of being your passenger!”

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 Puffin Island, where you can experience thousands of puffins, the “Clowns of the Ocean”, during the nesting period (April 15th – August 20th).

“Amazing experience! more than expected!”

ORIGINAL BIG WHALE SAFARI & PUFFINS DAY TOUR FROM REYKJAVÍK WITH EAGLE AIR

The day tour is booked through Eagle Air.

Eagle Air flies on selected days to and from Reykjavík and Húsavík.

bookings on www.eagleair.is.

Do you have little time in Iceland but dream of the chance to encounter big whales from on board a RIB in the north? Then this is the tour for you!

This day package takes you by flight from Reykjavík to Húsavík. You arrive to our fishing village which is sometimes called “The Whale Watching Capital of Europe”. After having lunch at a restau rant of your choice, you will board a RIB. As this boat is faster than the wind, we are more likely to find the big whales.

During the nesting period (April 15th –August 20th) we will also pass Lundey (Puffin Island) which is one of the largest puffin colonies in Iceland.

During your stay in Húsavík you get the chance to visit the Húsavík Whale Museum. This gives an extra dimension to your experience at sea. In the afternoon you return by flight to Reykjavík, full of memories to think back at when your holiday is over.

RATES: INCLUDED: SEASON:

Please visit www.eagleair.is for rates and schedules. The boat tour is not suitable for children under 8 years or < 130 cm in height.

Duration: Approximately 10 hours.

Return flights from Reykjavík domestic airport to Húsavík with Eagle Air. All transportation on site including an English-speaking driver / guide. GG2 Big Whale Safari & Puffins with Gentle Giants (duration approximately 2-2,5 hours). Admission to the Húsavík Whale Museum.

April 1st – October 31st

Other tours, excursions and schedules can be arranged upon request. Contact us for more information. Early booking is recommended. For your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to change schedules, even with short notice, should weather or other conditions change. The day tour is booked through Eagle Air. Not allowed for people with heart- or back problems or pregnant women.

Not included: Food during the day.

Reykjavík

Höfn

Akureyri

Experience the paradise of Skjálf andi Bay in all its glory with unique nature and rich birdlife. Gentle Giants offers all kinds of private tours from Húsavík to Flatey Island. Ideal for individ uals and groups on all occasions, basic or luxury high-end. The company has strong roots to Flatey Island and offers a brand new and environmental friendly building with a large dining hall as well as outdoor BBQ facilities on the island.

Flatey Island is a natural haven for bird life with 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 and 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 summerhouses.

RATES:

INCLUDED:

SEASON: Contact us for price requests. Duration: Approximately 2-4 hours stop in Flatey Island depending on travel plans and dining options. Bookings in advance required.

Private boat transfer to Flatey Island, short whale watching if possible, guided walking tour on the island. Upon request: Two or three course meal, cook on spot and dining equipment. Other services available.

May 1st – September 30th Tours are made upon request. For your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to change schedules, even with short notice, should weather or other condi tions change.

Special arrangements are available upon request.

min from

Gentle Giants cooperates with professional cooks who can serve delicious high-quality meals on all occa sions. Ingredients are locally produced.

Other available services upon request include live music, bonfire, yoga instructor, qualified bird watching guide and wedding planning.

Inspired to visit Flatey Island on a private tour? Visit www.gentlegiants.is for more detailed information or contact us for price requests.

For more info about our special bird watching packages: Visit www.wildlifeiceland.is

· E-mail wildlife@wildlifeiceland.is Call +354 464 3504

Experience the exciting feeling of catching your own meal on Skjálfandi Bay. The distance to the rich fishing grounds is very short.

At the end of the tour your captain can fillet the fish, most likely cod or had dock, and you can take it with you for your own cooking. Upon request and at a reasonable price it is also possible to either have your fish prepared in the

RATES:

Private boat rental:

capacity: 12* pax.

199000

Approximately 3 hours. Bookings in advance required.

*Due to different

at the

time.

nearby Naustið Seafood Restaurant or, if available, get it cooked in a local home in Húsavík.

Thanks to our experience as professional fishermen with historically strong roots around the bay, we provide you with a 100% CATCH

An experienced captain, fishing equipment and rods,

trousers, rubber boots and fleece

conditions in the bay,

July 1st – August 31st Tours are made upon request. For your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to change schedules, even with short notice, should weather or other conditions change.

may limit

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 RIBs we will take you there in only a few minutes.

Puffin Island reaches 34 m above sea level and is about 200 m long and 100 m wide. During the breeding season

RATES:

Private RIB boat rental: ISK 199000

Max capacity: 12 pax.

Duration: Approximately 1 hour.

thousands of 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.

INCLUDED: SEASON:

A specialized guide and warm safety overalls.

April 15th – August 20th Tours are made upon request.

The tour on RIB speedboats is not allowed for passengers with heart- or back problems or pregnant women. The minimum age limit for children on the RIB speedboats is 8 years or minimum 130 cm in height.

For your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to change schedules, even with short no tice, should weather or other conditions change.

Húsavík

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 sec ond 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.

Húsavík

With time the boats became bigger, steadier and safer. Today Gentle Giants is using oak boats similar to these for whale watching.

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.

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.

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 organizations for companies like Gentle Giants Whale Watching who support and contribute to the eco-system and sustainable tourism worldwide.

GG is willing to fulfil every customer’s needs, without threatening nature’s present and future possibilities.

GG operates traditional Icelandic fishing boats that have been renovated for their current purpose. We make a special effort to protect and maintain vessels with cultural and historical importance.

GG uses environmentally friendly products and eco-labels are preferably used for repair and maintenance of hulls and engines.

GG uses recyclable products. The use of single use products is avoided as much as possible.

GG puts great emphasis on delivering all hazardous and toxic waste such as oil, paint and used batteries to assigned official collecting sites.

GG immediately notifies the relevant authorities about any accidents that might cause environmental damage from our boats or from others.

GG staff is updated regularly about the environmental policy of the company to include all new aspects of protecting the environment.

GG puts effort in energy efficiency regarding the output and speed of our engines, in order to minimize pollution and disturbance in wildlife. Special precautions are taken near whales and breeding birds.

GG shows great caution when leaving and entering the harbour area.

GG believes that principles in sustainability refer to three major factors: the environmental factor, the economic factor and social cultural aspects of tourism development. 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.

GG informs passengers on its vessels of the great importance of protecting the environment in the area, its outstanding marine wildlife, stunning scenery and the air that we breathe.

GG is a proud partner of The Wild North – a project with the aim of finding ways to contribute to the sustainable development of wildlife tourism such as whale watching.

On behalf of Gentle Giants Whale Watching Stefán Guðmundsson – CEO – Marketing Manager – Captain

simply natural

Searching-Zone (3000m >)

Keep a dedicated lookout and stay in radio contact with other

Avoid making sudden or excessive noises and disturbance for the cetacean.

Avoid sudden speed or course changes (approaching and departing). Assess the cetacean behaviour and avoid repeated attempts to interact with showing signs of distress.

Approaching-Zone (300m >)

Aim at maintaining a distance of 300 m at the beginning of the encounter closer with time.

Stop the main propeller (max speed 5-6 mph). If the cetacean is travelling up a little (up to 8 mph) but not directly towards the animal.

Avoid following behind cetacean and never deliberately approach directly movements should parallel them by approaching cautiously at an oblique Don’t come closer if there is another boat in the approaching zone, unless the away or signals that it safe to approach.

Take turns if there are more boats in the area, preferably each boat shouldn’t than 20-30 minutes within the area at once.

Never (deliberately) sail through pods of concentrated cetacean. Keep a steady speed if dolphins approach the vessel and start bow-riding let them pass.

Ekki skal gera tilraunir til að hvetja höfrunga til að synda í bógöldu skipsins.

Ensure that the vessel does not disturb nesting or resting birds.

Caution-Zone (50m >)

When possible, stop the propeller if cetacean approaches the vessel and propulsion until the cetacean is observed well clear of your vessel. Do not touch, swim with or feed cetacean.

We have to remember that these are wild animals and to enjoy them for the future we need to show them patience and respect. We will try to get you close but how close we get is always on the animal’s terms as we aim to minimize disturbance.

This is a Code of Conduct we aim to abide by, however, there are many variables to consider when out at sea, such as the weather, number of whales, prey availability, if there are calves present, animal behaviour and so on and so forth.

Searching-Zone (3000 m >)

Keep a dedicated lookout and stay in radio contact with other vessels (approaching and departing).

Avoid making sudden or excessive noises and disturbance for the cetacean. Avoid sudden speed or course changes (approaching and departing).

Assess the cetacean behaviour and avoid repeated attempts to interact with animals that are showing signs of distress.

Approaching-Zone (300 m >)

Aim at maintaining a distance of 300 m at the beginning of the encounter and gradually get closer with time.

Stop the main propeller (max speed ~5-6 mph). If the cetacean is travelling fast you can speed up a little (up to ~8 mph) but not directly towards the animal.

Avoid following behind cetacean and never deliberately approach directly in front. Vessel movements should parallel them by approaching cautiously at an oblique angle (from behind).

Do not come closer if there is another boat in the approaching zone, unless the other boat gives away or signals that it safe to approach.

Take turns if there are more boats in the area, preferably each boat should not spend more than 20-30 minutes within the area at once.

Never (deliberately) sail through pods of concentrated cetacean.

Keep a steady speed if dolphins approach the vessel and start bow-riding or slowly stop and let them pass.

Do not attempt to encourage dolphins to bow-ride. Ensure that the vessel does not disturb nesting or resting birds.

Caution-Zone (50 m >)

When possible, stop the propeller if cetacean approaches the vessel and do not re-engage propulsion until the cetacean is observed well clear of your vessel.

Do not touch, swim with or feed cetacean.

If you think that this Code of Conduct has not been fulfilled, please discuss it with the crew, send an e-mail to Gentle Giants (info@gentlegiants.is) and / or contact the IceWhale office (info@icewhale.is).

We have to remember that these are wild animals and to enjoy them for the future we need to show them patience and respect. We will try to get you close but how close we get is always on the animal’s terms as we aim to minimise disturbance.

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 is land. Garðar spent one winter in Húsavík be fore returning to Sweden, leaving one of his men, Náttfari, behind. He stayed in Iceland until he died and is therefore considered to be the very first Nordic settler. Húsavík is 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. Agriculture and farming have also been important for the inhabitants. Moreover, Iceland’s first coop was founded in Húsavík in 1882. In recent years, yet another trade has

grown in Húsavík – the tourism industry. The biggest visitor attraction is whale watching and our hometown has in fact become known as the Whale Watching Capital of Europe. Thousands of tourists visit Húsavík annually in hope of seeing the gentle giants of the ocean.

Despite a total population of only 2,438 (2022), Húsavík is rich with culture and activities. Our top museums are the Húsavík Whale Museum and the Culture House. Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths offers a unique bathing experience overlooking Skjálfandi Bay. Our church, built in 1907, is one of the main symbols of Húsavík, located in the heart of the town. A local and colour ful festival called Mærudagar (Candy Days) is held in Húsavík in the end of July every year. For more information about Húsavík, please visit www.visithusavik.com.

Flatey Island (35 minutes)

Flatey Island is situated in Skjálfandi 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 rises only about 22 m above sea level, which has given its name “Flat Island”. This secluded and peaceful paradise is home to more than 30 different species of birds during the breeding season.

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 eight-legged horse of the greatest of all the Norse gods, Óðinn. Ásbyrgi is a part of the Vatnajökull National Park and makes an ideal territory for walking and hiking. In fact it cannot be explored to its full extent except by foot.

Dettifoss Waterfall (65 minutes)

Dettifoss is considered to be the most powerful 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 together form a unity unparalleled in the world. There is a marked walking path from Dettifoss to Hafragilsfoss.

Lake Mývatn (40 minutes)

Lake Mývatn is a unique

of endless discov eries and no visitor to Iceland should leave without exploring the area. It is the fourth largest lake in Iceland, measuring 37,3 km2, with an exceptionally rich fauna of waterbirds in the summer. Frequent lava flows have left the lake irregular in shape and dotted with stunning islets and rock formations.

Goðafoss Waterfall (30 minutes)

The name literally means Waterfall of the Gods and is a part of the glacier river Skjálfandafljót, located right by route 1. This magnificent

is 12 m high, 30 m wide and can be viewed both from the east and west side all year around.

Mývatn

©Jón Baldur Hlíðberg, ©Koen Hoekemeijer, ©Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson, ©Stefán Guðmundsson, ©Alexia Askelöf, ©Daniel Annisius, ©Sarah Arndt, ©Anton Í. Óskarsson, ©Charla Basran, ©Daniel González, ©Clément Brun, @Rui Duarte, ©Friðþjófur Helgason©Natàlia Amigó Chaparro, ©Jesse Flores, ©Halli Egilsson, ©Saltvík, ©Húsavík

Museum

When is the best time to see whales?

There is no time of the day when we are more likely to encounter whales. Nature is unpredictable and no two tours are the same – every trip is a new adventure.

Are whales seen on all tours?

Our whale watching tours take place in unpredictable, wild nature. The chances of seeing whales are very high, but if no whales (dolphins included) are seen on a tour, passengers are welcome to join a GG1 Whale Watching tour free of charge, depending on availability.

Do I need to book in advance?

It is always a good idea to book the tours well in advance so that you have a secure place on the departure you want, espe cially during high season June-August.

How do I book a tour?

The easiest way to book a tour is on our website, www.gentlegiants.is, where you can choose if you want to pay online or pay on arrival. It is also possible to send an e-mail to info@gentlegiants.is or call +354 464 1500. Visit our Ticket Center in Húsavík – look for the big blue flags.