gg sales manual 2014

150 YEARS of fAMILY HISToRY IN THE BAY

Húsavík

this is it 2014welcome

sales manual

whale watchingGentle Giants • Húsavík • iceland

tHe truly oriGinal and experienced family company

Dear Sir or Madam!

I want to greet you with a warm

welcome to Húsavík, Iceland in the

2014 season. Our family run com-

pany, Gentle Giants Whale Watching,

celebrates its thirteenth year and

proudly offers you our service and highly

experienced and fully qualified staff in our

various tours and excursions.

The company is proud of its originality and

background and is owned by people with

vast experience in the field. I have person-

ally over 40 years of experience in the bay

and like to think of myself as continuing my

family´s 150 year long tradition started by my

great great grandfather who was a fisherman

just like my great grandfather, grandfather

and father would later be… not to forget

my GREAT grand mothers too. Put short: We

were born by the bay of Skjálf andi and our

ancestors too. Way back!

Gentle Giants’ goal is to make every visitor

a satisfied and happy one. We hereby in-

troduce to you our company and our new

seasonal sales manual.

More information about our company and

services is to be found on our webpage

www.gentlegiants.is or by sending us a

message directly, [email protected] or

by calling us at: +354 464 1500. Please do

not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely,

Stefán Guðmundsson

CEO & Marketing Manager

[email protected]

Photos in the Sales Manual are taken by Gentle Giants’ team: ©Peter Waltl jr. & Sr., ©Jóhann Óli Hilmarsson, ©Stefán Guðmundsson, ©Daniel & Alexia, ©Anton Ísak Óskarsson, ©Elín Lilja, ©Friðþjófur Helgason, ©Sarah Arndt, ©HalliEgils, ©Rebekka K.

Our company, Gentle Giants Whale Watching Ltd., proudly supports UNICEF CHILDREN

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a Gentle Giant familyfive Generations in skjálfandi Bay

Sylvía Dís (11) Aþena Lind (16) Sædís Helga (18)

In 2001 eleven experienced, diverse

individuals in Húsavík decided to combine

their years of expertise in a variety of fields to

establish a new travel and tourism company

in Húsavík. The group restored an old oak

boat, which was originally a fishing and

whale-hunting boat, and put it back into

commission sailing visitors around Skjálfandi

Bay searching for whales… not for hunting

but for watching! The immense effort proved

more than worthwhile, growing into a giant

success among visitors. Ever since then Gentle

Giants has employed great staff and enjoyed

a rapidly increasing number of annual visitors.

Stefán’s daughters.

Three of the owners of Gentle Giants,

members of our fifth generation in the bay,

are shown here testing out the Zodiac.

Gentle Giants boats andstaff are fully-licensed

by the IcelandicMaritime Administration.

Gentle Giants Whale Watchingis a member of SAF,the Icelandic Travel

Industry Association.

Our passengers are fully insured by VÍS

Insurance Ltd.

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We proudly present our experienced team

The Boss The King The mid-field strikerThe Author

Stefán GuðmundssonCEO & Marketing Manager – Captain

Daniel AnnisiusAssistant Manager – Guide – Ticket Sales

The Spanish Pearl

María Torralba EscobedoGuide – Ticket Sales

The Queen

Alexia Annisius AskelöfGuide – Ticket Sales

Sigrún Vala HauksdóttirTicket Sales

Sigurveig GunnarsdóttirTicket Sales

Mr Smiley

The Leader

The Pianist

The Big fish

Peter WaltlGuide

Pétur OlgeirssonCaptain

Steinunn HalldórsdóttirGuide

Sigmar IngólfssonCaptain

The Adventurer

The Sailor

Der Herr

The Gentleman

Ann-Sophie BehrendtGuide

Svavar ÁgústssonCaptain

Matthías AnnisiusGuide

Sigurður KristjánssonCaptain

The Cosmopolitan

The Viking

The General

The Hunter

Sarah ArndtGuide

Sigurjón SigurjónssonCaptain

Karl Óskar GeirssonCaptain

Elías Frímann ElvarssonCaptain

The Lily

The old Dog

The unbeatable

armwrestler

The Pro Guy

Elin LiljaGuide

Vilhjálmur Bessi KristinssonCaptain

Björgvin SigurjónssonCaptain

Sigdór JósefssonCaptain

Mr NASA

The Champ

The Mustang

The Dart player

Sigurður Ágúst HreiðarssonGuide

Hilmar Þór GuðmundssonCaptain

Sverrir Yngvi KarlssonCaptain

Hallgrímur EgilssonDesigner

The Artist

The Player

The Traveller

The Rock

Björg SkarphéðinsdóttirTicket Sales

Hlynur Þór BirgissonCaptain

Veronika SzámelováGuide

Sigurjón SigurbjörnssonCaptain

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m/v SylvíaBuilt: 1976 in Akureyri Tonnage: 30Length: 17,5 m – Beam: 4,3 m Capacity: 60 paxEUR 2.455 for 3 hours

RIB Amma KibbaBuilt: 2013Length: 12 m – Beam: 4 mEngines: 2 x 400 hpMax speed: 52 knotsCapacity: 24 paxEUR 1.190 pr. hour

m/v FaldurBuilt: 1972 in Westman-islandsTonnage: 26Length: 14,5 m – Beam: 4 m Capacity: 45 paxEUR 1.985 for 3 hours

RIB Amma SiggaBuilt: 2011Length: 11,5 m – Beam: 3 mEngines: 2 x 300 hpMax speed: 52 knotsCapacity: 18 paxEUR 990 pr. hour

m/v AthenaBuilt: 2000 in HafnarfjörðurTonnage: 8Length: 9,5 m – Beam: 3 m Capacity: 24 paxEUR 977 for 3 hours Specialized for sea angling and smaller groups in various activity.

m/v Axel - ZodiacBuilt: 2007Length: 4,5 m – Beam: 2 mCapacity: 8 paxEUR 195 pr. hourOnly as a working boat nr. II - ideal for camera work, diving and coastal transport / beaches.

PRIVATE TOURS

Call now for information and

bookings +354 464 1500 or by

visiting www.gentlegiants.is

PRIVATE TOURS




Experience private and tailor made tours. Travel yourself in cooperation with our crew. Ideal for individuals, families and groups. Suggest a trip or route – any idea is a good one – or let us create an itinerary for you. We want to please you with our service and experience. The limitations of possibilities are up to your imagination.Note: Tailor made refreshments available at a reasonable price.

for our activities · Boat rental · six BoatsGentle Giants’ proud fleet

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APRIL MAY JUnE JULY AUGUST SEPT. OCTOBER

1st-14th 15th-30th 1st-31st 1st-30th 1st-31st 1st-20th 21st-31st 1st-30th 1st-15th 16th-31st

08:45 08:45 08:45

09:30 09:30 09:30 09:30

09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45 09:45

11:00 11:00 11:00 11:00

12:00 12:00 12:00 12:00

12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30 12:30

13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15 13:15

15:15 15:15 15:15

16:00 16:00 16:00

16:45 16:45 16:45 16:45

19:00 19:00 19:00 19:00

20:15 20:15 20:15*

timetaBle 2014

Whale watching timetable 2014. Other tours, excursions and schedules can be arranged upon request at our Ticket Center. Early booking is recommended. For your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to change schedules should weather or other conditions change.*Until August 15th.

GG1 Whale Watching GG2 Big Whale Safari & Puffins GG2 Big Whale Safari

WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS

AND CURRENCIES

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find your Best suitaBle departure HÚSAVÍK

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GG1 • WHale WatcHinG

[65] PW_2012_0207.JPG

[66] PW_2012_0208.JPG

Preview Pictures Peter Waltl 2012

33/58

“Do not miss out of this experience”

July 15, 2013

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experience tHe maGnificent mammals of tHe ocean

Experience the traditional tour from Húsavík. Our birthplace is often considered as

the Whale Watching Capital of Europe. Whale

watching is a unique adventure at sea: Gazing

at the wonders of nature in the beautiful

surroundings of Skjálfandi Bay, sheltered by

the stunning mountains of Vík.

This is a place where our roots lie, where our

ancestors used to live in peace and joy for

centuries, living in total harmony with the

unpredictable and untamed nature of

the North Atlantic.

RATES:

Adults: EUR 56Children 7-15 years: EUR 24Children 0-6 years: FREEDuration: Approximately 3 hours.

INClUDED:

A specialized guide, light refreshments (hot chocolate and an Icelandic traditional twisted donut, kleina), warm overalls and raincoats if needed.

SEASON:

April 1st – October 31st.See our timetable on page 6 for daily tours.

Group discounts and tailor made tours available, as well as multi-trip passes. See our timetable on page 6 for daily tours or contact us for more information.

“Incredible - witnessed

3 humpbacks!”September 12, 2013







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GG2 • BiG WHale safari

New specially

made overalls to

keep you warm

and dry!

With our speedboats we can offer our passengers more area to cover in search for the gentle giants. A RIB is faster than the wind and makes it therefore more likely for us to find the big whales. Normally we do not have to leave our bay to look for whales of any kind, but on this tour we focus on finding the bigger ones - further out.

Nothing is guaranteed but on this tour, your chances to encounter some of the world’s biggest animals ever increase - big time!

On this tour we also include a visit to the Puffin Island, where you can experience thousands of puffins, “The Clowns of the Ocean”, during the nesting period (May 1st – August 20th).







“A must in north Iceland”

August 22, 2013

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See our timetable on page 6 for daily tours

for more excitement

RATES:

Adults: EUR 99Children 7-12 years: EUR 69Not recommended for children under 7 years.Duration: Approximately 2,5 hours. Minimum number of six required for the standard tour, or you can rent a boat for a private trip.

INClUDED:

A specialized guide, safety overalls, and a little surprise from Húsavík’s only winemaker.

SEASON:

May 1st – September 30th.Other tours, excursions and schedules can be arranged upon request at our Ticket Center. Early booking is recommended. For your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to change schedules should weather or other conditions change.

Daytrips from Reykjavík to Húsavík available all season - www.eagleair.is

“A thrilling wildlife experience”August 3, 2013

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GG3 • sea anGlinG

Experience the exciting feeling of catching your

own meal out on Skjálf andi Bay. The distance to

the rich fishing grounds is very short. At the end

of the trip the captain can fillet your catch, which

will probably be cod or haddock. You can take it

with you for your own cooking or upon request,

have it prepared in a local restaurant. Thanks to our

experience as professional fishermen with historically

strong roots around the bay, on this tour we can

provide you with a 100% CATCH GUARAnTEE!

100%CATCH

GUARANTEE!

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catch YouR own meal

RATES:

Adults: EUR 79Children 7-12 years: EUR 39Children 0-6 years: FREEDuration: Approx. 2–3 hours.Minimum number of four required in a standard tour, or you can rent a boat for a private trip.

INClUDED:

An experienced captain, fishing equipment/rods, waterproof trousers, rubber boots, fleece jackets and light refreshments (hot chocolate and a traditional Icelandic twisted donut, kleina).

SEASON:

April 1st - October 31st.Trips made upon request.







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GG4 • flatey island

On our way to Flatey Island,

experience the beautiful

surroundings of Skjálfandi Bay.

Flatey Island is a natural haven

for birdlife and is extremely

rich and diverse. It therefore

attracts many people each

year. The island offers more

than 30 different species of

birds during the breeding

season. The island is about

2,5 km long and 1,7 km wide.

The name means “Flat Island”

and for a reason; its highest

peak rises only about 22 m

above sea level. In 1967 the

last inhabitants left. It has not

been permanently inhabited

since but many people visit the

island each summer. Most of

the old homes are kept and

maintained as summer houses.

We offer guided excursions

through Flatey’s beautiful

nature. The island is home to

the arctic tern and puffins,

which you may watch

up close. This is a unique

opportunity to commune with

nature. From Flatey we head

back to Húsavík and sail by

the awesome mountains of

Vík. If Mother Nature is feeling

generous, we may even be

able to do some whale watch-

ing on our way back.

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Check also out our special Birdwatching

Tours on www.wildlifeiceland.is

or by sending us an email on

[email protected]

or by calling for info and bookings,

Tel. +354 464 3504

RATES:

Adults: EUR 139Children 7-12 years: EUR 68Children 0-6 years: FREEDuration: 4–5 hours.

INClUDED:

A specialized guide, safety overalls, and a little surprise from Húsavík’s only winemaker. Ask for tailor-made tours and arrangements in our Ticket Center.

SEASON:

June 1st - August 10th. Saturdays at 17:00.

puffins • Bird WatcHinG • WHales







Minimum number of two required in this standard tour, or you can rent a boat for a private trip. Special arrangements are available upon request.

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GG5 • Grímsey island adventure

Get the opportunity to cross the Arctic Circle, see whales and encounter puffins -

all in one tour.

Our fast RIBs can take you to Grímsey

Island in one hour during good conditions

(and the sea is usually very calm in the

early mornings). Upon arrival you will get

a guided tour on the island, including bird

watching. Afterwards, to top your stay, you

will be served a fully loaded breakfast while

melting the experience and impressions.

On our way back we do some whale- and

puffin watching in Skjálfandi Bay. Esti-

mated time of arrival in Húsavík is around

noon. Every passenger gets a certificate

after crossing the Arctic Circle.

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arctic crossinG · WHales & puffins

RATES:

EUR 390Duration: Approximately 6 hours. Minimum number of ten required for the standard tour, or you can rent a boat for a private trip.

INClUDED:

Nice comfortable RIB boat, experienced captain and a speciali zed guide. Warm safety overalls, life jackets, refreshments on the way and fun. A guided tour and fully loaded breakfast on Grímsey Island.

SEASON:

May 15th – August 20th. Tuesdays and Saturdays.Departure from Húsavík at 06:00 am. Booking in advance required. We reserve the right to change schedules should weather or other conditions change.

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A beautiful two day hiking tour in the mountains of Skjálfandi Bay.DAY 1 - We leave early on Friday morning

at 07:00, with a boat and head towards the

mountain side, sail across the bay and go ashore

in Rauðavík or Naustavík Beach half an hour

later. Next, we hike across the beautiful and

very lonesome Víknafjöll, the Bay Mountains,

over to the Flatey Island Valley. The hiking

path is approximately 12 km before we have

to cross a river and reach the sleeping cabin.

The estimated arrival time at the first destina-

tion is around 16:00. The Guide’s Fish Soup

will be served for starting leisure time for short

walking trips and relaxation in the afternoon in

the valley.

DAY 2 - We leave the accommodation in the

valley at 08:00 in the morning and head NNW

towards the coast / beach. The path leads

around 14 km alongside a beautiful river. Then

a boat picks up the group and heads to Flatey

Island for a short visit and a BBQ. Afterwards

we head back to Húsavík passing the whale

watching areas in Skjálfandi Bay – ETA in

Húsavík this day is at 17:00.

GG6 • HikinG tHe mountainsHÚSAVÍK

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RATES:

EUR 599InCLUDED: A specialized guide, delicious fish soup, dinner, breakfast, accommoda-tion in a cabin, two boat trips, BBQ in Flatey Island and whale watching. Spectacular and unspoiled remote nature.

DEPARTURES 2014:

June 27th - Friday from Húsavík at 07:00 am.

July 18th – Friday from Húsavík at 07:00 am.

August 22rd – Friday from Húsavík at 07:00 am.

Sept. 12th – Friday from Húsavík at 07:00 am.

NOTE:

Expect all kinds of Icelandic summer weather; be well prepared with cloth-ing and food. Remember to bring your sleeping bag and your hiking shoes. A meeting will be held the night before departure in Húsavík at 20:00.

HikinG tHe mountains of skjálfandi Bay

STARTn66 02.178 W17 41.348

n66 06.799 W17 52.992

SLEEP

EnD

STARTEnD

ALTITUDE PROFILE

855 m

0 m

200 m

400 m

600 m

800 mGG6 · HIKInG MAP

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GG7 • pro-fisHinG

“We spent some very exciting days in Iceland, and the top of it was the day we were fishing in Húsavík!When we were in Iceland for the first time, we wanted to try working on a fishing boat, but we didn’t find any opportunity. It was a great pleasure when we found Gentle Giants on our second trip. We didn’t know exactly how much hard work fishing is. We spent 14 hours at sea, very close to the pure nature. We worked hard, and we caught an incredible amount of fish. Fishing is extremely tiring, but an amazing experience. And during the work we saw some killer whales, dolphins, puffins and many other sea birds.We recommend this trip to anyone who is looking for a unique experience.Thank you very much for this unforgettable experience!”Juli & Attila from Hungary

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unique and unforGettaBle experience

Become an Icelandic fishing pro for a day or two. Daily from April to October, we welcome

people to join us as crewmembers on our fishing

boats, sharing our extensive knowledge of fish-

ing and the sea to create an unforgettable and

traditional Icelandic adventure.

We take our customers out from Húsavík to

Skjálfandi Bay on daily professional fishing

trips on our fishing boats. From April to May

each year you could be a crew member during

lumpfish season, or from June to September

catch mainly cod. This is a hard-core fishing

experience in the real North Atlantic seas for

people who love new adventures.

We focus on the exciting and relaxing,

adventurous quality of life that can be found

in Iceland’s beauty and wild nature, using

our family’s ancestral roots in the history and

environment around Húsavík, Skjálfandi Bay, and

Flatey Island. We tell our true family story around

Skjálfandi Bay and Húsavík, generation after

generation, for more than 150 years.

We are an original part of the history, fishermen

with salty blood running through our veins. Oth-

ers may wish they had the same tradition, and we

want to offer them the salty experience… a real

one! For further information visit profishing.is

1 DAY PRO-FISHInG PACKAGE

RATES:

EUR 299Duration: 10–16 hours of hard work and adventure (dependent upon catch and weather).

INClUDED:

A crewmember’s position on one of our fishing boats, full waterproof outfit, a box of food and drinks for a whole day, a part of the catch, filleted for own use or cooked at a restaurant.

SEASON:

April 1st - September 30th. For your safety and comfort, we reserve the right to change schedules should weather or other conditions change.

FISHInG APR MAY JUn JUL AUG SEP OCT

Lumpfish • •

Cod • • • • • • •

Haddock • • • • • • •

Pollock • • • • • • •

Redfish • • • • • • •

European Plaice • • • • • • •

Common Dab • • • • • • •

American Plaice • • • • • • •

Catfish • • • • • • •

Leopardfish • • • • • • •

Whiting • • • • • • •

Monkfish • • • • • • •

DIFFICULTY 5 4 3 2 2 3 4

Difficulty levels are calculated by our Marine Experts living in Skjálfandi Bay for decades with vast experience fishing in the bay. The biggest con-tributor to the difficulty levels is the unpredictable weather conditions.

Primary catch • Secondary catch •

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GG8 • WHales & Horses

Experience the combination of traditional

whale watching and the Icelandic horse. Explore

the countryside close to Húsavík on an Icelan-

dic horse with experienced riders at your side.

The riding trip begins in Saltvík, which is just

four minutes by car from Húsavík harbour, and

can be taken either before or after your whale

watching tour.

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tHe icelandic Horse and tHe WHale

[7] PW_2012_0081.JPG

[8] PW_2012_0083.JPG

Preview Pictures Peter Waltl 2012

4/16

RATES:

Adults: EUR 99Children 0-12 years: EUR 49Duration: Approximately 3 hours whale watching and 2 hours horse riding.

INClUDED:

A specialized guide, light refreshments (hot chocolate and an Icelandic traditional twisted donut, kleina) and warm overalls and raincoats if needed during the whale watching tour.

SEASON:

May 1st – October 31st.See our whale watching timetable on page 6 for daily tours.







Tailor made tours and other arrangements can be made by contacting our Ticket Center.

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In this Puffins Exclusive Express Tour, we will take

you to Puffin Island (lundey)

on a RIB boat to see one of

the largest puffin colonies in

Iceland. This island is only 4,5

nautical miles from Húsavík

harbour and with our fast RIB

we will take you there in only

a few minutes.

Puffin Island reaches 34 m

above sea level, and is around

200 m in length and 100

m wide. During the breed-

ing season around 300.000

puffins can be found there;

close to the rich feeding

grounds in the sea around.

The island is privately owned

by farmers nearby and we

will take you there for a close

look. On this tour you will get

the possibility to encounter

the “Clowns of the Ocean”

close up.

GG9 • puffins exclusiveHÚSAVÍK

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RATES:

Adults: EUR 43Children 7-12 years: EUR 20Not recommended for children under 7 years.Duration: Approximately 1 hour.

INClUDED:

A specialized guide, safety overalls, and a little surprise from Húsavík’s only winemaker.

SEASON:

May 1st - August 20th.

one houR expRess touR Puffinsexclusive

Minimum number of five required in this standard tour. Trips are made upon request.

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WHales in skjálfandi Bay

Steypireyður • Balaenoptera musculusBlue whale • Blauwal • Rorqual BleuMax: 33 m. & 190 t.

Hnísa • PhocoenaHarbour porpoise • Schweinswal • Marsouin commonMax: 1.9 m. & 80 kg.

Hnúfubakur • Megaptera novaeangeliaeHumpback Whale • Buckelwal • MegaptèreMax: 17 m. & 48 t.

© J

ón

Bal

du

r H

líðb

erg

, ww

w.f

aun

a.is

Hrefna • Balaenoptera acutorstrataMinke whale • Zwergwal • Petit rorqualMax: 11 m. & 10 t.

Hnýðingur • Lagenorhynchus albirostrisWhite-beaked dolphin • Weißsnauzendelphin • Lagènorhynque à bec blancMax: 3.1 m. & 350 kg.

Háhyrningur • Orcinus OrcaOrca / Killer Whale • Schwertwal • OrqueMax: 10 m. & 9 t.

most common WHales in skjálfandi BayHÚSAVÍK

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WHales in skjálfandi Bay

Búrhvalur • Physeter macrocephalusSperm Whale • Pottwal • CachalotMax: 18 m. & 50 t.Grindhvalur • Globicephala melas

Pilot Whale • Grindwal • Globi cèpale noirMax: 8 m. & 5 t.

Langreyður • Balaenoptera PhysalusFin Whale • Finnwal • Rorqual commonMax: 26 m. & 78 t.

Sandreyður • Balaenoptera borealisSei Whale • Seiwal • Rorqual du NordMax: 19.5 m. & 26 t.

Andarnefja • Hyperoodon ampullatusNorthern bottlenose Whale • Nördlicher Entenwal • Hyperoodon boréalMax: 9 m. & 7,5 t.

HÚSAVÍK

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GG tailor made tours

SCHOOL GROUPSWeddinG planninGBachelor and bachelorette toursPrivate toursCorporate toursStaff tourSGrímsey Island tours – Crossing the Arctic circle

Hrísey Island toursdiving tours

Camera & filming toursBBQ toursHistory and eDucational toursScientific & research toursBirthday tours

Family reunion toursAnd more…………

create your oWn adventure

This is your perfect opportunity! As a licenced tour operator, Gentle Giants has organized many tailor made excursions throughout the years. We would be happy to shape a unique adventure together with you, which will turn into lifetime memories for you to think back at in the future.

Welcome to give us an idea of your dream trip – contact us for more information.

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Gentle Giants ensures tHe safety and security of its passenGers

SAfetyfirStGentle Giants boats andstaff are fully-licensed

by the IcelandicMaritime Administration.

Gentle Giants Whale Watchingis a member of SAF,the Icelandic Travel

Industry Association.

Gentle Giants Whale Watchingis a member of the International

Blue Flag eco-label.

Gentle Giants Whale Watchingis a partner in the Wild NorthProject of sustainable tourism.

Gentle Giants staff is trained in Safety and Survival by the Maritime

Safety and Survival TrainingCentre of Iceland.

FOLLOW US ON:

Facebook TwitterTripAdvisor

Our passengers are fully insured by VÍS

Insurance Ltd.

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five Generations of pioneerinG in tHe Baysince 1861

Árni Tómasson, fisherman and farmer in Flatey Island Valley

(great grandfather of Gentle Giants’ owner Stefán Guðmunds-

son), with his wife Jóhanna Jónsdóttir and 14 of their children.

Jón Ármann Árnason (great great grandfather of Gentle

Giants’ owner) and his second wife Karen Halldórsdóttir with

their five children, who were actually the children of his former

wife Kristbjörg Sigurðardóttir who passed away young. All of

them lived their lives by Skjálfandi Bay with their families. Until

this day the ancestors still live in Húsavík making the roots

stronger year by year. Jón Ármann was the head mason of the

Húsavík Church and laid the foundation for it - built in 1907.

not ideal for whale watching, but boats like these made it

possible to catch the fish necessary to feed a big family of nine.

Hólmgeir Árnason, grandfather of Gentle Giants’ owner, fishing

close to his home in Flatey Island in Skjálfandi Bay.With time the boats became bigger, steadier and safer.

Today Gentle Giants is using oak boats similar to these for

whale watching.

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more tHan 150 years of family History in tHe Bay

150 YEARS offAMILY HISToRY

IN THE BAY

ANNO 1861

Generation to generation, the knowledge about the bay is passed down. In the picture on the left is Héðinn Maríusson great grandfather of Stefán Guðmundsson, owner of Gentle Giants, on the right.

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Húsavík

Húsavík means “The House Bay” and is a town in northern Iceland, located on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi Bay. It was first settled in 870 AD by a Swedish Viking, Garðar Svavarsson. According to the Book of Settlement, he circum navigated Iceland and was the first one to discover it is an island. Garðar spent one winter in Húsavík before returning to Sweden, leaving one of his men, Náttfari, behind. He stayed in Iceland until he died and is therefore considered to be the first Nordic settler in Iceland. The name Húsavík is indeed one of Iceland’s oldest local names.

Like many other towns on the coast, the fishing industry has played a vital part for Húsavík’s local development. The first sources of fishing and fish processing are from the late 19th century. Agri-culture and farming have also been important

for the inhabitants. Moreover, Iceland’s first co-op was founded in Húsavík in 1882.

In recent years, yet another trade has grown in Húsavík – the tourist industry. It is the fast-est growing sector of the econ omy. The biggest tourist attraction is whale watching and Húsavík has in fact become known as the Whale Watch-ing Capital of Europe. Thousands of tourists visit Húsavík annually in the hope of seeing the gentle giants of the ocean.

The church, built in 1907, is one of the main symbols of Húsavík, located in the heart of the town. With a total popu lation of 2.228 (2013), Húsavík is rich with culture and activities. One of the major events in Húsavík is Mærudagar (Candy Days), a local festival held late July every summer.

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nJust look for

The Whale

WaTching

TickeT

cenTer

ouR hometown

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diamonds around tHe corner

Flatey Island (30 minutes)

FLATEY ISLAND is situated in SkjálfandiBay, only 14,7 nautical miles from Húsavík. The island is about 2,5 km long and 1,7 km wide, and is low-lying. The highest peak only rises about 22 m above sea level. Which is why it is called Flat Island.

Ásbyrgi canyon (40 minutes)

A natural marvel, Ásbyrgi is surrounded by 90 to 100 m cliffs. According to legend, Ásbyrgi is a hoof print made by Sleipnir, the horse of Óðinn, the greatest of all Nordic gods. Ásbyrgi is a part of the Vatnajökull National Park and is an ideal territory for walking and hiking. In fact it cannot be explored to the full extend except by foot.

1 2

Dettifoss waterfall (65 min.)

Dettifoss is considered the most impressive waterfall in Europe. It is 45 m high and 100 m wide. Below it in the Jökulsá river is Hafragilsfoss (27 m) and above it is Selfoss (10 m). These waterfalls form a unity unparalleled in the world. There is a marked walking path from Dettifoss to Hafragilsfoss.

3 Goðafoss waterfall (30 min.)

Literally, waterfall of the gods! Waterfall on the river Skjálfandafljót, not far from the main road at Fosshóll in Bárðardalur Valley. The waterfall can be viewed from several places, and the river enters a chasm beneath it.

5 Lake Mývatn (40 minutes)

Lake Mývatn is a unique source of end-less discoveries and no visitor to Iceland should leave without having spent a day here. It is the fourth-largest lake in Ice-land, measuring 37,3 km2. Frequent lava flows have left the lake very irregular in shape, and it is dotted with many islets and rock formations.

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Mývatn 54

Akureyri 91

Seyðisfjörður 248

Egilsstaðir 220

Reykjavík 480

Borgarnes 406

Ísafjörður 659

Höfn 467

Selfoss 521

Vík 650

Gullfoss 587

Keflavík 520

Þingvellir 497

Grundarfjörður 474

road distances in km from Húsavík

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heRe we aRe - lookinG forWard

to seeing You!

GoÐafoss

road to reykjavík

flatey

85

1

11

1

85

85

845

864862

848

863

krafla

mÝvatn

Húsavík

akureyri

ásByrGi

dettifoss

skjálfandi Bay

n

the aRctic ciRcle

sprenGisandur road

aldeyjarfoss

n

Grímsey

let us Guide you

1

2

3

5

4

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Our environmental policy reflects Gentle Giants’ long-time experience and commitment to all aspects of conservation,

protecting the environment and treating nature with respect. This policy is our answer to the increasing demand from

our customers and global organisations for companies like Gentle Giants Whale Watching who support and contribute

to the eco-system and sustainable tourism worldwide.

• GGiswillingtofulfileverycustomer’sneeds,withoutthreateningnature’spresen

tandfuturepossibilities.

• GGoperatestraditionalIcelandicfishingboatsthathavebeenrenovatedforthe

ircurrentpurpose.Wemakea

special effort to protect and maintain vessels with cultural and historical importance.

• GGusesenvironmentallyfriendlyproductsandeco-labelsarepreferablyusedfor

repairandmaintenanceofhulls

and engines.

• GGusesrecyclableproducts.Theuseofsingleuseproductsisavoidedasmuch

aspossible

• GGputsagreatemphasisondeliveringallhazardousandtoxicwastesuchasoi

l,paintandusedbatteriesto

assignedofficialcollectingsites.

• GGimmediatelynotifiestherelevantauthoritiesaboutanyaccidentsthatmight

causeenvironmentaldamage

from our boats or from others.

• GGstaffisupdatedregularlyabouttheenvironmentalpolicyofthecompanyto

includeallnewaspectsof

protecting the environment.

• GGputseffortinenergyefficiencyregardingtheoutputandspeedofourengin

es,inordertominimisepollution

and disturbance in wildlife. Special precautions are taken near whales and breeding birds.

• GGalwaysshowsgreatcautionwhenleavingandenteringtheharbourarea.

• GGbelievesthatprinciplesinsustainabilityrefertothreemajorfactors:theenvir

onmentalfactor,theeconomic

factor and social cultural aspects of tourism development. A suitable balance must be established between these

factors in order to reach a long-term optimal use of nature’s resources in the ecological process.

• GGinformspassengersonitsvesselsofthegreatimportanceofprotectingthee

nvironmentinthearea,its

outstanding marine wildlife, stunning scenery and the air that we breathe.

• GGisaproudpartnerofTheWildNorth-aprojectwiththeaimoffindingways

tocontributetothesustainable

development of wildlife tourism such as whale watching.

• Weareaproudmemberoftheinternationaleco-labelBlueFlag.

On behalf of Gentle Giants Whale Watching

Stefán Guðmundsson CEO

environmental policy

simply natural

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we caRemr & mrs feel Good

You can book and buy your ticket: ... online at www.gentlegiants.is ... by e-mail: [email protected] ... by phone: +354 464 1500 ... in the Whale Watching Ticket Center. Just look for the BIG BLUE FLAGS by the main street in Húsavík!

Specially designed useful things for sale on location at reasonable prices. Different

colours available.

We care about our passengers’ feelings.

We have cozy, warm overalls in bright

safety colours and a wide range of sizes,

all especially designed for our excursions to

the open sea. We also offer every passenger

light refreshments on our traditional

whale watching tour. Complement ary

hot chocolate and the traditional Icelandic

twisted donut, kleina, to keep you warm

and nourished. We want our passengers

to have a great

experience and

FEEl GOOD!

specialwarm overalls

and raincoats

available Freeevery day

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GG1 · Whale Watching

GG3 · Sea Angling

GG4 · Flatey Island

GG8 · Whales & Horses

GG7 · Pro-Fishing

GG9 · Puffins Exclusive

GG2 · Big Whale Safari & Puffins

GG6 · Hiking the Mountains

GG5 · Grímsey Island Adventure

flateyisland

puffin island(lundey)

Húsavík66° 02’ 47”n17° 20’ 36”w

Grímseyisland

66° 32’ n18° 01’ w

the aRctic ciRcle

SKJÁLFANDI BAYgentle giants' Routes

HÚSAVÍK

♥ enjoy ♥

gg sales manual 2014

Documents

gentle giants team

gentle giants goal

owners of gentle giants

gentle giants whale

gentle giants boats

great great grandfather

great staff

tourism company