Experience
23 whale species
in Life Size

Life-Sized Whales

The Whales of Iceland museum consists of 23 life sized models of the various whale species found in Icelandic waters. Inside, we have an amazing blue whale, a spectacular sperm whale, the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, and many more! Short of strapping into scuba gear, this is the closest most will get to these majestic creatures. Each whale was modeled after an actual individual in the wild and features their personal markings and characteristics. The models are soft, squishy and fun to touch!

With interactive information stands and videos, surrounded by soothing whale sounds and underwater ambient lighting, Whales of Iceland is a dreamy, underwater adventure for the whole family.

Interactive exploration of the wonders of whale anatomy

Fin Whale theatre

Our newest exhibit is a conservation exhibit, developed in cooperation with the International Fund for Animal Welfare and local whale scientists. The exhibit focuses on five major threats that whales face today and what each of us can do to help. And looming over the exhibit is a life-sized fin whale model!

The award-winning documentary Sonic Sea is shown daily on a large cinema screen in the conservation exhibit, included in the cost of admission. The film discusses the effects of noise pollution on whales and marine life.

Screening Times: 10:30, 12:15, 14:00, & 15:45 daily
Please note that this schedule may change occasionally due to scheduled lectures or other events. You are welcome to call or email us to confirm the screening times for the date of your visit.

After the documentary, reflect and relax in our beautiful cafe where we serve coffee and freshly baked pastries.

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real size
whales exhibiton

Our WHALES 

BELUGA

WEIGHT

1-2 tons

LENGTH

3-6 m

LIFE SPAN

25-30 years

NECK

Has the unusual ability to turn its head up,
down and side-to-side.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

narwhal

WEIGHT

1 - 2 tons

LENGTH

3 -5 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 52 years

real life unicorn

The males sport a 2-3 m spiral tusk
(as do some females).

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

Harbour Porpoise

WEIGHT

60 kg

LENGTH

1.5 m

LIFE SPAN

10-20 years

little one

The smallest marine mammal in Iceland.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

white-beaked dolphin

WEIGHT

180-350 kg

LENGTH

2 -3 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 40-50 years

SPEED

Can reach up to 25 mph.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

atlantic white-sided dolphin

Male – weight and length

230 kg & 2.5 m

Female – weight and length

180 kg & 2 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 27 years

Social behavior

Shows sympathy towards
an injured individual.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN

MALE – WEIGHT & LENGHT

120 kg & 2.3 m

Female – weight and length

135 kg & 2.6 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 30-35 years

population in the N-Atlantic

400,000 individuals.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

COMMON BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN

Male – weight and length

300-500 kg & 4 m

Female – weight and length

260-300 kg & 2.5-3.5 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 40-50 years

individual names?

Each individual has a
special call sound.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

STRIPED DOLPHIN

WEIGHT

150-165 kg

LENGTH

2-2,5 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 58 years

POPULATION size

2.8 million individuals in the Pacific.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

KILLER WHALE / ORCA

Male – weight and length

10 tons & 10 m

Female – weight and length

7 tons & 8 m

life span MALE / FEMALE 

60 years / 90 years

social structure

The grandmother
leads the pod.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

LONG FINNED PILOT WHALE

Female – weight and length

1.3 tons - 5.8 m

Male – weight and length

2.3 tons - 7.6 m

life span FEMALE / MALE

59 years / 46 years

diet

Feeds on squid.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

NORTHERN BOTTLENOSE whale

Female – weight and length

5.8 tons & 7.5 m

Male – weight and length

7.8 tons & 9 m

life span FEMALE / MALE

27 years /37 years

pods

2-4 animals of
the same age &
sex live together.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

CUVIER'S BEAKED WHALE

WEIGHT

2.5 tons

LENGTH

5 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 30-40 years

diving & swimming

Can dive to a depth of 3,000m
and can hold its breath for 140 min.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

BLAINVILLE'S BEAKED WHALE

weight

1 ton

LENGTH

3-5 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 20-30 years

DIVING & SWIMMING

After deep diving the whale rests on the surface
up to 90 min. before diving again.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

SOWERBY'S BEAKED WHALE

WEIGHT

1 - 1.5 tons

LENGTH

4 - 6 m

LIFE SPAN

Unknown

diet

Sucks food into mouth,
mostly small deep sea fish, 4-30 cm long.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

SPERM WHALE

Male – weight and length

45 tons & 16 m

Female – weight and length

13 tons & 11 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 60-70 years

sperm whales & iceland

Only old or immature
males are found
around Iceland.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

BOWHEAD WHALE

Female – weight and length

70-100 tons & 19 m

Male – weight and length

70-100 tons & 17 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 130-211 years

grandpa

Probably the most
long-lived whale.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

NORTH-ATLANTIC RIGHT WHALE

WEIGHT

44 - 77 tons

LENGTH

13 - 16 m

LIFE SPAN

70 years+

name

The name "right whale" indicated
the right whale to hunt.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

GRAY WHALE

WEIGHT

45 tons

LENGTH

15 m

LIFE SPAN

80 years +

long distance miigration

The gray whale travels 20,000 km each year!

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

HUMPBACK WHALE

Female – weight and length

40 tons & 18 m

Male – weight and length

40 tons & 16 m

LIFE SPAN

50 years +

"fingerprint"

Each individual can be
recognized by its unique
fluke pattern.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

BLUE WHALE

Female – weight and length

190 tons & 33 m

Male – weight and length

160 tons & 28 m

LIFE SPAN

90 years

Giant

The largest animal that has
ever existed!

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

MINKE WHALE

Female – weight and length

7 tons & 8.5 m

Male – weight and length

5.7 tons & 7.5 m

LIFE SPAN

40-50 years

IDENTITY

White stripe on flippers

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

SEI WHALE

Female – weight and length

20-40 tons & 14-19 m

Male – weight and length

20-30 tons & 13-15 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 60 years

speed

Can reach up to 25 mph.

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

FIN WHALE

Female – weight and length

75 tons & 23 m

Male – weight and length

62 tons & 21 m

LIFE SPAN

≈ 90 years

speed

The fastest swimmer
– reaches up to 28 mph!

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LIFE-SIZE WHALE MODELS

Free educational
AUDIO GUIDE

Easily accessed onsite using your smartphone - just scan a QR code at the front desk!

We recommend bringing headphones compatible with your device.

Languages: English, Icelandic, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Dutch, Danish, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Faroese, Polish, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and Japanese

The AUDIO TOUR
takes AROUND 30 MINutes

Guided tours

A live guided tour of Whales of Iceland is offered daily at 11:00 and 15:00 for all ticket holders at no extra cost. Each guided tour takes about 30 minutes. The tour teaches you about different cetaceans and the differences between baleen whale and tooth​ed whales while looking at real teeth and ​baleen plates. Groups of 15+ people can also book a private tour of the museum at other times.

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