Sperm whales in Iceland are seen mostly in summer. In Iceland, mostly male sperm whales visit in groups of around 10 to 20, and they are seen off the west coast and around the Snaefellsnes peninsula, and occasionally in the north.

What sperm whales are

The sperm whale is the largest toothed whale, with teeth set only in its lower jaw.

The largest toothed whale

Adult males are about 17 to 20 metres long, with a large square head that makes up around a third of the body.

Deep divers after squid

They are deep divers, hunting squid at depths of over 1,000 metres, though their usual dives last about 15 minutes.

Where and when to see them in Iceland

In Iceland, mostly male sperm whales visit in summer, in groups of around 10 to 20. They are seen off the west coast and around the Snaefellsnes peninsula, and occasionally in the north.

Seeing sperm whales on a tour

To compare options, see whale watching tours.

Get ready for the day

For a visit or activity connected with Sperm Whales in Iceland: What to Know, the Iceland Packing List is a useful starting point for what to bring.