February 2026 will be remembered as one of the most remarkable winter months in the history of Arctic Sea Tours.
For the first time since we began operating whale watching tours in 2009 — and running year-round tours since 2014 — we achieved 100% humpback whale sighting success throughout the entire month of February.
Every single tour in February encountered humpback whales. At the same time, our long-running streak of successful tours continued to grow, reaching 872 consecutive whale watching tours with humpback sightings, a streak that began in June 2025.
Beyond the impressive numbers, February also highlighted something even more important: the strength and productivity of the marine ecosystem in Eyjafjörður.
Whale distribution in Eyjafjörður can vary depending on prey movements, and February required some operational flexibility.
During the first 20 days of the month, humpback whales were concentrated deep inside the fjord. To stay close to the whales and minimize travel time for our guests, we operated tours from Akureyri during this period.
Toward the end of February, whale distribution shifted further out in the fjord. As a result, we returned to our main departure point in Dalvík for the final days of the month.
This flexibility allowed us to consistently position our tours close to whale activity while providing the best possible experience for our guests.
One of the most striking aspects of February was the behaviour of the humpback whales.
Throughout the month we frequently observed surface feeding, where whales rise through the water with their mouths wide open to capture concentrated prey near the surface.
Surface feeding is always an exciting sight, but it also tells us something important about the ecosystem. It often indicates that prey species are abundant and concentrated in the upper water layers.
Another notable observation was that whales were often seen resting at the surface for extended periods between feeding bouts.
This behaviour can suggest that whales are able to obtain sufficient food with relatively little effort — another positive indicator of strong prey availability in the fjord.
Together, these observations point toward a very productive winter feeding environment in Eyjafjörður.
February also included encounters with several humpback whales that have become familiar individuals in the fjord.
Among the whales observed during the month were:
These whales have been documented in Eyjafjörður during previous seasons and their return continues to build our understanding of whale movements and site fidelity in North Iceland.
In addition to these known individuals, we also documented a new humpback whale that we had not previously recorded in the fjord. New arrivals like this are always exciting, as they contribute to the growing catalogue of whales visiting the region.
February also brought an exciting bonus: orcas were present in Eyjafjörður for five days during the month.
Although humpback whales are the most frequently observed species in the fjord, orcas occasionally enter the area, often following prey movements.
Encounters with orcas add another layer of excitement to winter whale watching and highlight the diversity of marine life using the fjord.
In addition to the larger whale species, harbour porpoises were also observed during February.
Harbour porpoises are the smallest cetaceans regularly found in Icelandic waters. They are often more elusive than whales, but sightings in the fjord provide further evidence of the rich marine life present in the area.
With three cetacean species observed in the fjord during the same winter month — humpback whales, orcas, and harbour porpoises — February offered a strong reminder of the biodiversity found in North Iceland’s coastal waters.
The combination of factors observed during February points to a thriving marine ecosystem in Eyjafjörður:
These signs all indicate a productive and healthy environment for marine mammals.
For us at Arctic Sea Tours, witnessing this ecosystem every day is both a privilege and a responsibility. Responsible whale watching allows visitors to experience these animals while maintaining respect for their natural behaviour and habitat.
While winter whale watching continues to deliver incredible experiences, the coming spring months often bring even more activity to Eyjafjörður.
As daylight increases and marine productivity continues to build, whale numbers can grow and feeding behaviour often becomes even more dynamic.
With our 872-tour humpback sighting streak still ongoing, we look forward to continuing to share these remarkable encounters with our guests in the months ahead.
Arctic Sea Tours operates whale watching tours from Dalvík in North Iceland, offering access to the rich waters of Eyjafjörður.
Whether visiting in winter, spring, summer, or autumn, each season offers its own unique perspective on the whales and marine life of the fjord.
If you are planning a trip to North Iceland, we would be delighted to welcome you on board.