Electric motor challenge at the shipyard

As part of the installment of a new unique Regenerative Plug-in Hybrid Propulsion system in the sailing ship Opal, North Sailing ship builders at the Húsavík shipyard faced a tough challenge. Traditional Sailing ship Opal How to get the 1.5 ton electric motor down into the engine room of the 64 years old oak ship…

The blue whale is in Skjálfandi bay

Crew and passengers on board the whale watching boat Náttfari spotted a blue whale just before 11:00 am today. Blue whale diving   According to captain Már Eyfjörð Höskuldsson, the blue whale seems to be feeding in the bay. Skjálfandi bay is one of the few places in Iceland where the blue whale – this…

Electrified atmosphere at North Sailing

North Sailing recently purchased two VW e-Golf electric cars in accordance with the company´s environmental policy. The cars will be used by the sales office in Reykjavík and the main office in Húsavík. From left: Birna Lind Björnsdóttir sales manager at North Sailing, Árni Þorsteinsson sales manager for VW cars at Hekla dealership and Heimir…

Solar Eclipse Special a great success

Today, March 20th at 09:41 am, a Solar Eclipse of around 98% was viewable from North Iceland. This was the darkest Eclipse in Iceland for more then 60 years or since 1954. The next one of this magnitude is in the year 2026. Sailing ship Hildur leaving Húsavík harbour at 8:30 for the Solar Eclipse…

An experience of our lifetime!

Few things are more giving in tourism then the gratitude of satisfied customers. Such gratitude was recently received by email and we would like to share it with you!   It is truly motivating for our staff to receive a statement like this and will encourage us to do even better!   Hello!It is almost…

Donna Wood in dry-dock in Gilleleje

Donna Wood prepares for the voyage from Denmark to Iceland in a dry-dock in Gilleleje in Denmark, where the ship is being inspected and serviced.   Captain Heimir Harðarson expects the ship will depart for Iceland early April – depending on a favourable weather forecast. The two mast Donna Wood is the latest addition to…

New addition to the North Sailing fleet

The latest addition to the North Sailing fleet is the beautiful two mast oak ship Donna Wood built in 1918. Representing Danish shipbuilding tradition at its very best Donna Wood was originally built as a lighthouse ship but in 1990 the ship underwent massive restoration and was equipped with rigging and sails.   Donna Wood…

Preparation for next season has started

When the summer season ends it is time to prepare for the next season. During offseason we take our boats up in the Húsavik shipyard for routine maintenance and repairing if require. We pride ourselves of our boats and therefore work hard to keep them in top condition each year.   The schooners Opal and Hildur…

Formal Opening ceremony and North Sailing anniversary

Last weekend we celebrated the official opening of our new facility and North Sailings’ 20th anniversary.On Friday night the contractors involved in the construction of the facility were invited as well as employees, individuals, colleagues and tour operators of the area. Light refreshments were offered with live dinner music by Kiddi Halldórs, Siggi Illuga and…

North Sailing in Vakinn – Quality Label

North Sailing has today received the quality label Vakinn from the Icelandic Tourist Board.   Birna Lind Björnsdóttir, North Sailing´s Sales and Marketing manager, received the Vakinn quality certificate from Ólöf Ýrr Atladóttir, Director General of the Icelandic Tourist Board, at the Vestnorden Travel Mart in Reykjavík today.   North Sailing has, from the beginning,…

Maintenance time for Schooners Hildur and Opal

Schooners Opal and Hildur have just been hauled out of the water for routine maintenance after returning from the summer season in Scoresbysund, NE-Greenland.   Schooner Hildur will have the classic winter treatment of paint and varnish plus some sail and engine care.   Schooner Opal will have extensive work done in the engine room…

North Sailing donates to charity

The Icelandic Chess Association, Hrókurinn, has arranged a collection of shoes and clothes for children in Ittoqqortoormiit, the most secluded village in Greenland. This effort has been well received in Iceland and donations been made from various places, including Húsavík. In fact, it has been more successful than originally expected so more villages in East-Greenland…

A Cause For Celebration

Skál! Captains, accountants, waitresses and other members of the North Sailing team gathered for an annual celebration last night.  What began as two brothers on an old wooden trawler pioneering whale watching in Iceland, is now a leading workplace in Húsavík. North Sailing, along with its restaurant Gamli Baukur, boosts of almost hundred employees over…

Excitement in the air

  Our second group of 11 offered trips on their way to Constable Point with Air Iceland – joining our successful Greenland tours.   The travelers came from all over the world and excitement was in the air: Italy, USA, Australia, France, Brazil, Israel,  Norway and met for the first time at the domestic airport in…

Sweet Days in Húsavík

Almost every town in Iceland has a special day or weekend, and Húsavík is no exception.  The town’s festival is called Mærudagar, which means Candy Days, and it is held the last weekend in July as a time for everyone to come together and enjoy Húsavík.   The town is divided into 3 districts: Pink,…

1st Whale Congress in Húsavík

Wednesday 16th July, the Whale Museum hosted an event here in Húsavík, the Whale Congress.  North Sailing had two representatives presenting at this conference, guides Luisa Klotz and Sabrina Brando.   Dr Marianne Rasmussen, the director of the Húsavík Research Centre, was the first to present.  She described some of the research that is being…

Schooner Opal is leaving for Greenland!

  Once again, North Sailing is offering tours in beautiful Scoresby Sund on the east coast of Greenland.  Opal is leaving now to start the season and Hildur will also go to Greenland later in August.    Schooner Opal will leave Húsavík later tonight and head for the majestic scenery of Scoresby Sund, on the…