Alice Lehir unlocks the world of Iceland’s whales

Iceland’s whales are a huge magnet for people visiting the country. Special Tours has been connecting visitors with the awe-inspiring marine life of Faxaflói Bay for over 25 years. Their experienced guides and knowledgeable crew make every trip a fun and educational experience for guests. Whether joining their classic Whale Watching Tour, the Puffin Express Tour, or a thrilling RIB Express Adventure, you’re guaranteed a front-row seat to Iceland’s incredible of Iceland’s whales. If you want to immerse yourself even more in whale lore, visit the Whales of Iceland exhibition, which is also run by Special Tours.

Commitment to sustainability and responsible traveling

Special Tours prides itself on its commitment to sustainability and responsible traveling. Their team adheres to strict guidelines (IceWhale)to ensure the safety and well-being of the whales and other marine life, promoting a respectful approach that minimizes disturbance to these majestic creatures. They’re also actively involved in conservation efforts, supporting research projects that protect the fragile ecosystems of Iceland’s waters.

Like all of my partners, Special Tours is highly rated on Tripadvisor

With over 4,700 reviews on Tripadvisor and an impressive 4.5-star rating, it’s clear Special Tours has earned the admiration of its guests. Travelers rave about the friendly and informative guides, the smooth booking process, and the breathtaking encounters with whales, dolphins, puffins, and more. Reviewers highlight the company’s professionalism and dedication to providing a memorable yet eco-conscious experience.

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The perfect person to tell us more about Iceland’s whales in the Bay of Faxaflói is Alice Lehir, Special Tours head guide.

Can you tell us about your background and how you became the head guide at Special Tours? What inspired your passion for marine life?

I have a 3-year degree in marine biology from France (where I come from). During my studies, I had to accomplish an internship and I got one in Iceland. I was studying the behavior of humpback whales in Faxafloi. To do so, I go on whale-watching tours. It was an absolute dream for me to be at sea every single day, surrounded by such beautiful creatures. Later on, I finished my studies, and 2 years later, I decided to come back to Iceland to find a job in this field. And so this wonderful journey as a whale-watching guide at Special Tours started in May 2022. In April 2024, I was offered the position of head guide since the former head guide started new projects. I was really thrilled by this opportunity and very grateful to see that they trusted me to be responsible for the guide team.

I grew up next to the ocean, and my passion for marine life came very early. Before I was not even one year old I was already on my dad’s Rib boat. As I grew up, I developed this passion for the ocean in general, but mainly for marine mammals. Every time I was by the sea or on a boat, I would search for them. My eyes are always on the oceans. So, searching for them in my free time or at work feels natural for me.

What does a typical day look like for you as the head guide at Special Tours? Are there any parts of your job you particularly love?

I am the head guide, but I am mostly a guide. My days start at 8 o’clock. The first thing is to check the boat: see if everything is in order, check if the sound system works properly, check if the boat is ready to welcome people onboard… I always ask the captain about the sea conditions. As we are sailing from an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, it happens that we have to deal with rough seas. The first tour of the day is at 9 o’clock, so beforehand, we greet people on board and let them know about the sea conditions and where they can find warm overalls, for example.

Safety first!

Once everyone is onboard, we are good to go! Safety speech first, then some explanation about the area and the different species that we are looking for, as well as how to find them. After that, it’s time for me to head toward my guide box, the highest point on the boat and I start looking for whales.

Sharing facts about Iceland’s whales

Once we find them, I share more facts about them with our passengers and enjoy the company of the whales, which is obviously the best time of the tour and the best part of the job! We also take pictures during the tour for our passengers, and I enjoy this part since I love photography. On the way back to the harbor, I like chatting with people, answering their questions, and talking even more about whales. This is another great part of my job since I love sharing my passion and seeing how enthusiastic people can be.

Raising awareness of whaling and pollution

Toward the end of the tour, we show our passengers different whale bones onboard, mentioning different subjects such as whaling or pollution, for example, to raise public awareness. When we are back at the harbor, it’s time to say goodbye to everyone, get the boat ready for the next tour, and take a break between tours!

What’s the most memorable or surprising wildlife encounter you’ve had while guiding a tour?

I have had many memorable wildlife encounters! Such as finding whales that are rather rare in our area such as fin whales or orcas for example. Also, some animals are extremely curious and come really close to the boat to the point that you don’t know who is watching who: are we doing whale watching, or are they doing human watching? Probably both. But the most memorable encounter I’ve had while guiding happened in April 2024: we got ourselves surrounded by at least 50 humpback whales and about 10 fin whales! That was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I was at a loss for words. How amazing this was! This tour probably defines my definition of Paradise.

What whales can you find in the Bay of Faxaflói, and why are so many there?

There are four main species of whales in Faxafloi. From the largest to the smallest one, there are: humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. From time to time, we can have visits from other species, such as fin whales, sei whales, orcas, or common dolphins (which are not common in Iceland). There is quite a lot of wildlife in the bay but also all around the country because there is plenty of food for them. They feed on krill but also some species of small fish such as herring, sand eels or capelin. During our tours, we usually explore what we call the feeding ground, which is an area known to have a lot of food for the whales.

What actions do you take to protect Iceland’s whales, and what do people learn about them in your tours

Iceland has a code of conduct for all whale-watching boats: keep your distance from the animals, don’t rush on them, don’t cross their path… Also, we don’t use any sonar to find the animals cause this could harm their hearing. And we are here to enjoy their company respectfully, not to disturb them. So, if an animal shows any sign of stress, we say goodbye and try to find other marine mammals in the bay.

During our tours, our passengers can learn many things about whales: their appearance, their behavior, their diet, their migration path, how to identify them, how to monitor the populations, and the threats they face.

For those who are nervous about being out on the water, how do you ensure they feel safe and comfortable?

First of all, we let our passengers know before the tour what the sea conditions are. If it’s too rough for them, they should be able to reschedule for another time. The goal of our tours is to be pleasant and comfortable. If people are nervous, they can always go to strategic points where they feel the movement of the boat less, such as the back of the boat. If they prefer, they can stay inside for the beginning of the tour and go outside later on, where the view is better. But our captains try to keep the boat in a position so that most people can see the whale from the side of the boat, most likely also from inside the boat. Last but not least, during the tour, we check on the passengers to make sure everyone is alright.

If you could share one piece of advice with someone taking their first whale-watching tour, what would it be? Any tips for making the most of the experience?

For people going to watch Iceland’s whales for the first time in Iceland with Special Tours, I would recommend first of all to dressing warm! Sometimes, the weather is great in Reykjavik, but it can be windy outside the harbor. Also, I recommend staying as long as you can outside because you will have more chances to spot whales. Some individuals are shy, and they show themselves briefly before disappearing. So it is better to be ready outside. Plus, we have warm overalls onboard that people can use that they can grab anytime during the tour. Also, if you want to enjoy the tour fully, most of the time, we take pictures so passengers don’t have to think about it, and they can just focus on the whales. So enjoy!

What are your favorite places and activities in Iceland?

Obviously, watching Iceland’s whales is my favorite activity here! But other than that, I love going on camping trips and hiking. I love discovering new places and waterfalls. Waterfalls are dear to me, so wherever I see a roadside sign ending with -foss, either I google it or check it out. I enjoy the Southern part of the country, with quite a few waterfalls on the way. But I also love the absolutely stunning Westfjords! The hot springs all around the country are also an excellent way to enjoy nature while relaxing. I definitely recommend it!