<p><strong>The SEA LIFE TRUST Beluga Whale Sanctuary provides rescued beluga whales with a safe and more natural home. The Sanctuary also includes a Puffin Rescue Center and a local species aquarium.</strong></p>
<p>Situated in the <a href="https://www.icelandtravel.is/attractions/vestmannaeyjar/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vestmannaeyjar</a> islands off the south coast of Iceland, the Sanctuary includes a stunning natural sea inlet, a land side Care Facility, and a Visitor Center. The Sanctuary’s first residents, Little White and Little Grey, traveled from a Shanghai aquarium in 2019. They made the 9.657 km (6.000 mile) journey by air, land and sea.</p>
<h2>A Bay for Belugas</h2>
<p>The large natural Klettsvík bay area gives significant space for belugas to swim, explore and deep dive. There is space for up to 10 beluga whales in Klettsvík Bay. Additionallly, the bay is relatively secluded and offers protection from the Icelandic weather. In order to keep the whales safe, the bay has enclosure netting from its surface to the sea bed.</p>
<p>The sanctuary&#8217;s pontoon and care pool area provides staff access to look after Little White and Little Grey.  Equally important, the pontoons act as wave attenuators, dampening the swell coming into the bay. The land side Care Facility allows staff to quarantine and acclimatize whales arriving at the Sanctuary.</p>
<p>The Sanctuary hopes other whales will soon join Little White and Little Grey.</p>
<h2><strong>Icelandic Puffin Rescue</strong></h2>
<p>The Beluga Whale Sanctuary is home to Iceland’s only Puffin Rescue Centre. The centre takes in pufflings (baby puffins) and puffins needing extra care. The local Puffling Patrol rescues most of these birds. This volunteer rescue group works in cooperation with the Sanctuary.  Other local residents also bring in stranded puffins for examination and treatment. The Rescue Centre releases the puffins back into the wild when they are fit and ready. Furthermore, The Puffin Centre provides long-term care for birds who cannot be released into the wild.</p>
<p>Visitor Centre admission fees and donations help support the care of injured puffins, as well as those which cannot be released.</p>
<p>You can visit the sanctuary between April and October. The sanctuary also offers boat tours that sail by the beluga sanctuary in Klettsvík and by a wild puffin colony. In addition, you can  also support the centre by taking a virtual tour of the sanctuary.</p>
<h2><strong>Opening Times</strong></h2>
<p><strong>April 1 – October 1:</strong> Monday- Saturday 10:00am to 16:00 (4:00pm), Sunday 13:00 to 16:00 (1:00pm – 4:00pm)</p>
<h2><strong>How to Get to SEALIFE Beluga Sanctuary</strong></h2>
<p>The Sanctuary&#8217;s home is on the beautiful island of Heimaey in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago off Iceland’s south coast.</p>
<p>It is a 2-hour drive from<a href="https://www.icelandtravel.is/attractions/reykjavik-2-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Reykjavík</a> on Road 1 to the Landeyjahöfn ferry terminal.  The terminal is not far from <a href="https://www.icelandtravel.is/attractions/seljalandsfoss/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seljalandsfoss</a> waterfall. In addition, public bus transportation is available between Reykjavík and the ferry terminal.</p>


SEALIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary

Safety & Responsibility

Check the weather forecast and road conditions every day.

Weather can be unpredictable

Put litter in the bin and recycle when possible.

Help keep Iceland clean

Follow the Icelandic road rules, and remember that off-roading is strictly forbidden as it damages natural landscapes.

Safe roads, safe people

Keep to marked trails and read any warning and safety signs. If in doubt, use common sense or turn back.

SEALIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary

Photo Gallery