North Sailing Husavik

North Sailing Husavik is a third generation, family-owned eco-tourism adventure company operating whale watching and boutique Arctic expedition cruises of North Iceland and Greenland aboard a fleet of elegantly restored oak sailing vessels. Committed to an environmentally friendly operation, the oak-built boats run silently to not disturb the whales and other animals. As Industry pioneers in operation since 1995, North Sailing is recognized for putting the tiny fishing village of Husavik on the world map as the Whale Capital of Europe. WHALES OF NORTH ICELAND Whale species spotted on cruises from Skjalfandi Bay include minke, fin, and sei whales, orcas, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, humpback whales and the magnificent blue whale. Sighting rates: 98% sightings in summer, and 60% in winter. NORTH SAILING ZERO-CARBON PROJECT North Sailing is braving the waves of innovation to improve responsible eco-tourism in Iceland and around the world. Our wooden schooner vessel, Opal, is being fitted with a newly developed hybrid system using electric car technology. Once completed, voyages will be powered by electricity from small batteries recharged during the sail by renewable wind energy. The silent-running, electric-driven propeller will allow the ship to get closer to whales while causing the marine mammals minimal disturbance. The launch of Opal is scheduled for July 12, 2015 and North Sailing aims to convert our entire fleet of ships to zero-carbon by 2020. CULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY Our lovingly refurbished oak schooners are Iceland’s only 2-mast ships still in operation and play a vital role in preserving the historical knowledge and practice of maintaining a traditional sailing vessel. Climb aboard and step back in time to relive history by sailing without the power of an engine. Many of the skippers and crew have been fishermen for decades and welcome passengers to participate in the schooner ship rigging and hoisting up the sails.