HÚSAVÍK WHALE MUSEUM

Supporting the Blue Whale’s Fight for Survival

Renowned as the whale-watching capital of Europe, Húsavík is the perfect place to raise awareness for the plight of the endangered blue whale.

Like other large whales, blue whale populations were initially decimated by pre-industrial hunting. Climate change, pollution, ocean noise, ship strikes and fishing gear continue to threaten their existence, placing the estimated 10,000 to 25,000 remaining blues on the endangered species list.

Húsavík, Iceland is one of the few places on earth you can still see a blue whale in the wild. It stands to reason that this is home to the Húsavík Whale Museum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about whales’ vital role in marine ecology, as well as the interaction of whales and humans throughout history.

In 2013, A&K Philanthropy began its partnership with the museum by sponsoring the construction of a new exhibition hall housing an awe-inspiring 82-foot-long blue whale skeleton. Recovered from a deceased whale that washed ashore in northern Iceland in 2010, it is the only blue whale skeleton in the world displayed on the ground, laid out as it would have looked when it beached.

Along with ongoing maintenance contributions, AKP has continued its support by sponsoring the museum’s Ocean Plastics Education Campaign in 2022 and the preservation of a white beaked dolphin skeleton in 2023 and 2024.

Today, the museum continues to shine as a beacon of hope for this majestic species. After visiting, guests leave with a deeper appreciation of their whale watching encounters and a new perspective on how they can help preserve these gentle giants for generations to come.