Discover the World of Icelandic Whales with Jonathan Rempel

Jonathan Rempel is a highly accomplished professional in the field of environmental sciences, originally from New York. He completed his undergraduate studies at Binghamton University, where he received a B.S. in Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies. Later, he earned his M.B.A. from Boston University. Throughout his career, Jonathan has been deeply committed to environmental causes, serving in various roles ranging from research to ecotourism.

Since 2016, he has been residing in Iceland. Jonathan holds the position of museum director at Whales of Iceland, situated in Reykjavík’s harbor district. The museum is dedicated to educating the public about the captivating world of whales, with a mission to inspire every visitor to participate in their protection. Jonathan leads a highly talented team of professionals who collaborate with scientists, artists, and community members to create compelling and thought-provoking exhibits that resonate with diverse audiences.

Be inspired by the Icelandic world of whales

I am happy to have Whales of Iceland and their sister company, Special Tours, as my partners. Both of these companies have it as their mission to help people to discover the world of whales. To receive exclusive promo codes for entrance to the museum and experiences offered by Special tours, simply sign up for the Stuck in Iceland newsletter. Whale enthusiasts will be delighted to find out that with those two companies, travelers can combine a whale-watching tour where they can see the whales in their natural habitat and immerse themselves in the world of whales at the Whales of Iceland Museum.

Hey Jonathan, and thank you for taking the time for this interview. What brought you to Iceland in the first place?

Great to talk to you! What brought me to Iceland in the first place was the whales. It was 2014, I had just spent several months in Florida studying bottlenose dolphins.  I was eager to get more experience with wild cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises). I saw an advertised posting for a research internship in Reykjavík – a collaboration between the University of Iceland and a local whale watching company – and jumped at the chance. It was my first time seeing larger whales – minke whales, humpback whales, and even orcas. I was totally mesmerized. I fell in love with the country and I knew I had to come back. Two years later, in 2016, I made Iceland my permanent home.

You are the director of the Whales of Iceland museum; what can guests visiting the museum expect to experience there?

Whales of Iceland is a museum like no other. Think of it like “whale watching indoors” – and without the need for any whales in captivity. The main focus is life-sized models of every cetacean species ever seen in Icelandic waters, with several educational exhibits to go along with them. Our goal is to give guests a greater appreciation for the gentle giants that inhabit our oceans, and maybe just a little spark to take part in their conservation as well.

What about Icelandic culture or Icelanders do you find striking or unusual?

I really love the “small town feel” of it all. With such a small population, less than 400,000, and a history stretching back over a thousand years, I feel like there’s this understanding that people just help each other out when it’s needed. Maybe it’s because everyone’s just a little bit related to each other, or maybe I just notice it more because I’m originally from New York – it’s pretty hard to get that same “small town feel” there!

What are your favorite places and activities here in Iceland?

Maybe it’s just the city slicker in me, but one of my favorite things to do is to explore downtown Reykjavík on foot and check out places like restaurants, bars, and attractions (like museums!). There is so much to do here and there’s always something new popping up as the city grows and evolves. For example, a few weeks ago I went with my family to the Lava Show. It was really exciting and different.

But when the weather warms up over the summer, I love to explore the countryside as well. I still haven’t been all the way around the Ring Road. However, I have been along the South Coast many times and it never gets boring. Waterfalls, black sand beaches, and my personal favorite place in Iceland, Jökulsárlón. It’s all just otherworldly.

What advice do you have for those visiting Iceland for the first time?

I would say to just really do your homework. Plan out your visit in advance, but also be prepared with backup plans, since the weather can be so unpredictable.

Definitely visit all the most popular places.  These are the Golden Circle, Snæfellsnes, the South Coast – they’re maybe a bit touristy, but that’s for a reason, they’re amazing! But just don’t try to squeeze too much into a shorter trip. You may want to try and tackle the Ring Road in 3 or 4 days, but sleep is important too. Give everything the time it deserves, it’s well worth it.

One thing is that if you do come in the winter to try and catch the Northern Lights, I would try to stay for at least one week if you can, because cloudy spells can make it tricky. But once you see those swirling green lights in the winter sky, it’s all worth it.