Seal spotting

Lara's favorite part of the trip was seal watching at the seal colony at Ytri Tunga Beach. I enjoyed it too. The walk on the "beach" to the viewing area was challenging and then some. You had to walk over various sizes of rocks, being careful to avoid stepping on seaweed and potentially falling. I was very cautious on the way out, but got the hang of it on the way back -- big steps on big rocks.

Ytri Tunga Beach

Famous for its large seal colony

I was wrong:  we saw seals!

The beach was tough going.

Lara looking for seals

Seal beach

Three Harbor seals

Watch a video of the seals

In Iceland, there are two common types of seals:  harbor seals and grey seals. The harbor seal can grow up to 6.5 feet long and weigh 220 lbs.  Females out live males:  30 to 35 years vs. 20 to 25. The female has one pup in June. We would have seen the seals when they were pregnant (gestation is about 9 months).

Reflections

Closer

Five of them

Rocky beach

Our Icelandic Itinerery

September 12-22, 2025 . . .

Here's what we did on a day-by-day basis.  We saw a lot. There's a lot to see. Iceland is a fascinating place with diverse landscapes. 
 

Flight from Baltimore to Reykjavik
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Bridge between two continents

Gunnuhver Geothermal Area
Tip of the Reykjanes Peninsula

Brimketill Lava Rock Pool

Krýsuvík Geothermal Area
Lava Cave (Tunnel)

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Urriðafoss and Ægissíðufoss Falls
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi Falls

Vík í Mýrdal
Víkurfjara Black Sand Beach
Skógafoss Waterfall
Mystical Caves
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Dyrhólaey Peninsula
Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach

Fjaðrárgljúfur Canyon 

Dwarf Rocks

A farm with a waterfall (Foss á Síðu)
 Svínafellsjökull Glacier

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Black Diamond Beach

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Viking Village Movie Set

Stokksnes Peninsula

F road (Axarvegur)

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River in Kerlingarfjöll

Stuðlagil Canyon

Dettifoss and Selfoss

Mývatn Nature Baths

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Námafjall Geothermal Area

The Black Cone (Hverfjall)

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Waterfall of the Gods (Goðafoss) 

Kolugljúfur Canyon and Falls

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On the Peninsula (Ólafsvík)

Kirkjufell Mountain and Waterfalls

Seal Spotting @ Ytri Tunga Beach

Thingvellir National Park

Home of the Geysers

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Capital City (Reykjavik)

Iconic church (Hallgrímskirkja)

National Phallological (penis) Museum

Cats of Reykjavik

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Kerið Volcanic Crater

A Viking Town

Return flight Reykjavik to Baltimore

OTHER POSTS

Staying in Iceland

Eating in Iceland

Driving in Iceland

Icelandic sheep (sauðfé)
Icelandic wool (lopi)

Viking Horses

Icelandic goats

Icelandic agriculture