Seal Spotting in the Westfjords: Enjoy the View, Respect the Crew
How to Watch Seals Without Disturbing Them
1. Keep your distance – always.
Stay at least 100 meters away from the seals. This includes both adult seals and seal pups. Never try to touch them or get closer for a better photo.
2. Move slowly and stay quiet.
Sudden movements or loud noises can scare seals. Avoid shouting, clapping, or calling out to get their attention. It may seem harmless, but it causes stress and can drive them away from the area over time.
3. Never throw anything.
Throwing rocks or objects toward seals—even just to make them look your way—is never okay. It frightens them and can seriously affect their behavior and health.
4. Respect mother and pup space.
If you see a seal pup alone, do not approach it. The mother is likely nearby, hunting for food. Getting too close can cause unnecessary stress and may even lead the mother to abandon her pup. Keep your distance—100 meters at minimum.
5. If a seal approaches you, don’t move toward it.
Sometimes, seals come closer out of curiosity. If that happens, just stay where you are. Don’t walk toward them or try to interact. Let them explore on their terms and swim away when they’re ready.
6. Never use a drone around seals.
This is important: drones are very stressful for seals. They see and hear them as potential threats from above. Even if a drone doesn’t get too close, its sound and presence can be enough to frighten seals off the shore entirely. For this reason, never fly a drone near seal habitats—not even at a distance.
A Simple Rule: Let the Seals Be
The key to respectful seal watching is simple: let the animals be. By giving them space, keeping quiet, and avoiding disruptive behavior, you’re helping make sure these wild places stay safe and welcoming—for the seals, and for others who come to enjoy them after you.
Let’s keep Iceland’s coastlines a peaceful place for wildlife.
