FIN WHALE

Balaenoptera physalus

Length: 20 - 25 meters
Weight: 50–80 tons
Worldwide population: 120.000–150.000 individuals
Life expectancy: About 90 years

The fin whale, a baleen whale, is closely related to the blue whale.

Fin whales, 18 - 27 m in length, have a distinctive color, which has been used for identification. The right jaw is white or pale, while the left jaw is dark grey or black. The baleen plates are colored accordingly. The whale itself is dark, but with lighter, brown-toned streaks or swirls across the back.

Their powerful spout, 4 - 6 m, can be seen from afar in good weather conditions and their breathing cycle is between 3 - 5 times. Fin whales usually remain submerged for 5 - 8 minutes at a time, but frequently longer. They rarely lift their fluke when diving.

The amount of fin whales in Icelandic waters has been estimated to be around 10,000 individuals during the summer months.

These huges mammals are not swimming near our whereabouts on our tours....but we can rent you the movie;)