No trip to Reykjavik is complete without EXperiencing whale-watching in Faxafloi Bay, only 20 minutes from Reykjavik Harbor. Most trips sight minke whales, fin whales, and white-beaked dolphins, but lucky boaters may also see sei whales, orcas, or even a humpback whale or the shy harbor porpoise. A variety of seabirds, including the comical and colorful puffin, also inhabit the bay. Elding tel. +(354) 555-3565) and the Whale Watching Centre tel. +(354) 533-2660) are the two main whale watching outfits in Reykjavik. If no whales are spotted, vistors will usually be given a coupon for another excursion.
Don't forget to budget for a delicious meal at Perlan (tel. +(354) 562-0200), located in a revolving dome on top of Reykjavik's hot water tanks. Here you can eat European high cuisine with a French and Italian flair while enjoying the view of the city, or try an Icelandic delicacy like reindeer and guillemot.
After your EXile in Reykjavik you should be refreshed and energized. If you have the time, why not continue on to EXplore the scenic beauty of Skaftafell National Park or the volcanically active Westman Islands the northern fishing town of Husavík, or the geothermal beauty and rich bird life of Lake Myvatn?
Melissa Barton is a Colorado-based freelance writer specializing in science, environment, and travel writing. Her previous work has appeared in Transitions Abroad and the Colorado College Alumni Bulletin, and she has also written interpretive materials for the U.S. National Park Service. She can be found online at www.rosettastones.net.
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