Contribution starting at $4,800
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12 days - Each day filled with impactful activities Includes accommodations, food, and all related research costs

As a paying volunteer, you directly fund scientific research by covering permits, equipment, and other costs while supporting local vendors.

BOOK WITH A $500 DEPOSIT
Ocean Health
Climate Change

Killer Whales and Their Prey in Iceland

Lead Scientist
Filipa Samarra, Ph.D.
Location
Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
Activity Level
Moderate
Accommodations
Housing Varies
Food
Shared meals
Special diets accommodated
View the Expedition Briefing

TYPICAL ITINERARY:

  • DAY 1: Meet, travel to field site
  • DAYS 2–11: Killer whale surveys by land, behavioral observations by boat, prepare for and process biopsy samples
  • DAY 12: Departure
View Research Impact in the Field Report
A close up of a killer whale (Orcinus orca) (C) Filipa Samarra
ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers track killer whales (Orcinus orca) by boat (C) Filipa Samarra
A volunteer photographs a killer whale's dorsal fin for identification (C) Filipa Samarra
A puffin (Fratercula) in the tall grasses of Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers photograph a pod of killer whales (C) David Gaspard
ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers head out to sea by boat (C) David Gaspard
ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers watch for killer whale activity from land (C) Filipa Samarra
A close up of a killer whale (Orcinus orca) (C) Filipa Samarra
ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers track killer whales (Orcinus orca) by boat (C) Filipa Samarra
A volunteer photographs a killer whale's dorsal fin for identification (C) Filipa Samarra
A puffin (Fratercula) in the tall grasses of Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers photograph a pod of killer whales (C) David Gaspard
ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers head out to sea by boat (C) David Gaspard
ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers watch for killer whale activity from land (C) Filipa Samarra

Join the groundbreaking first-ever study of Iceland’s killer whales, where you’ll help uncover critical insights into their diet and behavior, playing a key role in safeguarding this vital apex predator.

ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers listen for killer whale callsKiller whales (Orcinus orca) are not just powerful apex predators, but also key players in shaping entire ecosystems. Their influence on the populations of their prey and their feeding habits can trigger cascading effects throughout the food chain, potentially transforming the environment itself.

These awe-inspiring creatures demonstrate a remarkable adaptability in their feeding strategies, adjusting their behavior according to the availability of prey. Some orcas prefer herring, while others target marine mammals such as whales and dolphins. However, these dietary preferences also carry significant implications. Whales that hunt higher-level prey may accumulate harmful pollutants, which can impact their reproductive health and the survival rates of their calves.

For the first time in Iceland, scientists are conducting groundbreaking research to investigate the diets of killer whale populations. This crucial research is uncovering hidden threats to their survival. You’ll join the team in collecting data on what these whales are eating, sampling skin and blubber to measure pollutant levels, and using drones to study their growth and health. This cutting-edge research will reveal the intricate connections between killer whale behavior, their diet, and the greater ecosystem—offering critical insights to protect these iconic predators.

 

Why It Matters:
The Impact of Volunteer Science

 


This long-term study has resulted in !

watercolor killer whale over a gradient circle


Volunteers have supported key research, including a on Icelandic killer whales, with more publications currently under review and planned for 2025, helping to advance scientific knowledge and inform future conservation efforts

 

 

Citizen science is crucial to our research. Without these contributions we would be limited to the places where we can work and our knowledge of this highly mobile species would be severely impacted.

—Dr. Fillipa Samarra,  Lead Scientist

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HOW YOU WILL HELP

When you arrive, the researchers will conduct an orientation and training and brief you on the work you’ll be doing. Fieldwork will begin on the second day, where you will be involved with land and boat work. Note that boat work will depend on the weather. On good weather days, half of the volunteers will be on the water while the others will be on land conducting surveys and/or analyzing data. Specific activities include:

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Widescan surveys for killer whales from land (C) David Gaspard
WIDESCAN SURVEYS FOR KILLER WHALES

You will use binoculars on land to search for the presence of killer whales in the study area.

ÃÀ¼§ÉçÇø volunteers collect behavioral observation data (C) Filipa Samarra
Behavioral observations

On boats, you will help scientists track and record individual killer whales' behavior. You will also help track a drone as a staff member flies it and make other necessary observations during drone flights.

A pair of gloved hands holding a biopsy sample in a lab.
PREPARATION FOR AND PROCESSING OF BIOPSY SAMPLES

You will help scientists collect small skin and blubber samples from killer whales to record their diet, pollutant levels, and genetic material. You will prepare the sampling procedure and process the samples once collected.

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Field conditions and research needs can lead to changes in the itinerary and activities. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding.

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Highlights to Explore at this Destination

  • Eldheimar Museum: A museum showcasing the 1973 volcanic eruption that nearly destroyed Heimaey.
  • Seljalandsfoss Waterfall: A stunning waterfall near the South Coast, known for its ability to walk behind it.
  • Þórsmörk Nature Reserve: A scenic area with hiking trails and dramatic landscapes, perfect for adventure seekers.
  • Reynisfjara Beach: A black sand beach with dramatic sea stacks and basalt columns, located near Vik about an hour away.

 

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FEEDBACK & QUESTIONS

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10 Reviews on this Expedition

If you have been on this expedition, others considering attending would love to hear about your experience.
Kataryn Martin |
Came in with no expectations and left with memories that will last forever!
This expedition, alongside the Icelandic Orca Project, was one I will not soon forget. I am a marine naturalist who has had a fierce love for killer whales, and I just knew this was going to be the perfect journey for me to embark on. While my trip was incredible and unforgettable, people coming into this need to be sure they have their expectations in the right place. This is Iceland, not a tropical getaway. The weather here can be unpredictable, and it is very cold. Fifty percent of the time was spent on inside work due to unfavorable weather conditions. We also never saw any killer whales. However, this is the nature of fieldwork and science. No data is still data, and we are there to help the organization better understand the importance of southern Iceland to whales and dolphins of all kinds, not just killer whales. Volunteers will be expected to work. It’s challenging when whales are involved, but keep your focus on the data first. You are allowed to have fun, though, and have fun we certainly did. The group of people I went with ended up becoming good friends by the end of the trip, and we all shared in the joy of the research. At the end of the day, while we may not have seen the animal we came to study, we saw so many wonderful things in Iceland. It was worth every penny, and I will be coming back to do it again someday.
Bas Hermans |
Biodiversity around the Westman Islands
Filipa is one of the best lecturers I’ve ever met. Her enthusiasm about the subject, combined with in-depth knowledge and the ethics of a true scientist, makes her lectures enjoyable. She and her team do everything within their power to make this an unforgettable experience for you, but keep in mind that you are dealing with all forces of nature; weather and migration patterns can’t be controlled. However, I am convinced that, regardless of potential setbacks, Filipa and her team will make this an unforgettable experience.
Lisa Danno |
Just Amazing!
What an incredible experience with access to orcas like you will never get anywhere else. Do be flexible with the weather and how often you get out on the water. Safety first. But on land, there's so much to do. It's so beautiful. I'd go back in a heartbeat. And the team of all female scientists from all over the world was top-notch. Plus the house came with a free part-time house cat to keep us company."

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