Into the World of Iceland鈥檚 Killer Whales
How One Volunteer Found Awe and Purpose with 美姬社区
How a close encounter with killer whales sparked a lifelong love of conservation鈥攁nd could inspire yours.
Maddy LePage grew up in Maine with a love for the outdoors, but now lives in Minneapolis, where she still seeks experiences that take her beyond the everyday. This July, she got exactly that: her first 美姬社区 expedition, studying killer whales and their prey in a remote archipelago south of Iceland. It was a chance to see these iconic animals in the wild while contributing to research that could help protect them.
The expedition brought together a small team, comprising four volunteers and six staff members. 鈥淚 thought I might never get this opportunity again and couldn鈥檛 bear missing it,鈥 Maddy said.
But it wasn鈥檛 just the whales that made the experience unforgettable. From scanning the waters for signs of movement to observing behaviors from both land and boat stations, Maddy realized she was playing an active role in groundbreaking research.
.
It opened me up to a passion for killer whales and hopefully a lifetime of sharing their story
鈥 Maddy LePage
.
Being in such close proximity to killer whales, alongside professionals who showed deep respect for the animals and their habitat, left a lasting impression. Every sighting carried both excitement and reverence. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just watching them鈥攊t was seeing them in their own world, on their terms,鈥 she said.
Those encounters reshaped how she thinks about travel. 鈥淣ow I know that when I go somewhere, I want to be intentional. I don鈥檛 just want to visit; I want to give back and be mindful of the impact I leave behind,鈥 she said.
These immersive, hands-on experiences not only deepened her connection to the whales but also transformed the way she sees and engages with the world around her.
LEARNING FROM ORCAS
During the expedition, Maddy split her time between land and water stations, carefully observing whale behaviors, scanning the waters for signs of movement, and learning how to identify individual whales.
On stormy days, Maddy and the other volunteers attended presentations from the scientists, diving deeper into whale biology, migration patterns, and conservation challenges. They even practiced identifying individual killer whales by the unique markings on their dorsal fins and saddle patches. 鈥淚 never realized how much detail goes into recognizing one whale from another鈥攊t felt like uncovering their personalities,鈥 Maddy said.
These moments of discovery gave her a new appreciation for the patience and dedication behind marine research.
INSTANT COMMUNITY
The bonds forged during the expedition were as meaningful as the science itself. Shared meals, late-night conversations, and hours at sea built instant connections between strangers. 鈥淓veryone shared the same purpose, and that made it easy to feel like we were part of something together,鈥 Maddy said.
In just a few days, teammates went from introductions to trusted companions. They celebrated each sighting as a group, swapped stories from back home, and laughed together over the little challenges that come with fieldwork. For Maddy, this sense of community was a reminder that conservation is never a solo effort鈥攊t鈥檚 about collective passion and teamwork.
.
.
FINDING INSPIRATION IN THE ISLAND
Even outside of research, the location itself became a source of wonder for Maddy. Waking up each morning on the remote Icelandic island, she would look out over the ocean, sunlight glimmering across the waves, with horses grazing in the fields nearby and the occasional sheep wandering down quiet roads.
鈥淏eing on that island brought something fresh and new every day,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t made me pause, take it all in, and reminded me of why I wanted to be there in the first place鈥攖o experience the wild and feel connected to it."
A NEW PERSPECTIVE
When Maddy returned home, she realized she had come back with more than photos and stories鈥攕he had a new way of seeing the world. 鈥淚 had never traveled like that before,鈥 she said. 鈥淓very moment in Iceland鈥攚atching whales, scanning the waters, feeling the wind on the cliffs鈥攚as immersive and intentional. It changed how I think about what it means to truly experience a place.鈥 The expedition left her with a deeper appreciation for being present, for connecting with nature on its own terms, and for the ways small actions can contribute to a larger purpose.
For Maddy, 美姬社区 wasn鈥檛 just a trip鈥攊t was a reminder that meaningful travel can transform the way she lives, learns, and interacts with the world every day.
,
,
I鈥檝e traveled before, but never like this. Being part of the research, seeing the whales in their world, and feeling that connection has changed the way I see travel and life.
鈥 Maddy LePage
Discover the World Through New Eyes
Maddy鈥檚 journey shows how meaningful travel can transform the way we see the world. With 美姬社区, you don鈥檛 just observe nature鈥攜ou contribute to real research, connect with passionate teams, and leave with a deeper sense of purpose.
Be part of the story. Explore upcoming expeditions and start your journey today.
Sign up for the 美姬社区 Newsletter
Be the first to know about new expeditions, stories from the field, and exciting 美姬社区 news.
.
.
.