Day 9 - Husavik
Husavik
(Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈhuːsaˌviːk])
Húsavík is the oldest settlement in Iceland and the largest town in Þingeyjarsýsla district. Located on the coastline of Skjalfandi Bay, the ocean views are picturesque. The town is quite the cultural hub with numerous museums and great restaurants. The perfect stop to make whilst exploring the North of Iceland, it has gained international fame as one of the world's best places to see whales.
Some history…According to the Book of Settlement, Landnáma which traces the history of the Viking settlement in Iceland, Húsavík was the first place in the country to be settled by the Norse. The Viking, Garðar Svavarsson is believed to have stayed in Húsavík over one winter’s time around the year 870. He named the location Garðshólmi, which would translate to The Cape of Garðar in English. In spring when the ice started to melt and the weather started to calm Garðar set his sails out from the bay leaving behind a man by the name of Náttfari and two slaves, a man and a woman. These three people established a farm in the area which is thought to mark the beginning of residency in Húsavík.
While in Húsavík, we will immerse ourselves in the beauty of Skjálfandi Bay on board the silent electric Opal. On July 12th, 2015, Schooner Opal was launched with her uniquely designed electrical system. The launching marked a worldwide first: Offering carbon-free whale watching tours by using only wind and electricity for propulsion! From this date, Opal is fitted with an innovative electric hybrid drive propulsion system, which makes her perfect for silent whale watching activities and allows for more efficient sailing on green energy during voyages.
In the winter of 2017, a wooden hot tub was installed onboard Opal! The owners thought it would be the perfect addition to the great facilities onboard.
Currently, Opal is the largest sailing vessel in Iceland and remains busy carrying expeditions to the Arctic waters, where she has reached 79º North.
Opal is the only hybrid-electric sailboat in Iceland offering whale watching tours that run on green electricity and glide silently amongst the whales. A breathtaking aspect of the experience is listening to the whales – humpbacks and blue whales are incredibly powerful and can be heard from great distances.
Whale Watching on the Hybrid-Electric Sailboat Opal
GeoSea Spa
Geosea is not only a world-class geothermal bathing mecca — it is an experience that taps into the historical roots of a small fishing town in North Iceland that has harnessed the earth's geothermal waters for centuries. It is a rare union of mineral-rich seawater and heat from the Earth's core. Perched along a western-facing cliffside that overlooks the Skjálfandi Bay and the Arctic Circle to the north, our baths provide the ultimate vantage point for whale watchers and for those seeking the northern lights.
There is a long tradition of bathing in Iceland’s geothermal waters. Throughout its history, Icelanders have met in hot pools to relax and relieve themselves of the day’s hard work. In a way their sea baths serve as a cultural center where locals come to discuss the day’s happenings - taking part in a custom that is ingrained in the cultural fabric of Iceland. Reconnect, decompress, and enjoy Icelandic nature in a unique way at Geosea.
