About

The Húsavík Whale Museum is a non-profit organisation, founded in 1997. The aim of the museum is to convey information about whales, marine ecology and the interaction of whales and humans through history in an entertaining and interesting way.  Focus on collaboration and working with educational institutions at home and overseas strengthens the foundation of the museum.

The museum provides 1.400 m2 for the display of numerous different whale skeletons and fascinating facts about whales.

The Whale Museum, along with the University of Iceland’s Research Center forms the educational component to the whale watching trips, enjoyed in Húsavík during the summer months.

Brief History

The Whale Museum, formerly called Whale Centre, began as a trial, with a small exhibition on whales. Only three years after its establishment, the popularity of the exhibit made it necessary to acquire a bigger building. What had once been an abandoned slaughterhouse in town is now one of the most visited places in the north of Iceland, providing 1.400m2 to display whale skeletons of several species and fascinating facts about the whales.

The founder of the museum and manager for the first 11 years is Ásbjörn Björgvinsson, who through enthusiasm and hard work made the Whale Museum what it is today. Húsavík and the whale watching industry are in dept to Ásbjörn for his unselfish work.

Over 200.000 people have visited the museum since its establishment and we look forward to welcoming many more.