SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary

The SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary is the world's first open-water sanctuary for cetaceans, established in Klettsvik Bay on the island of Heimaey in the Westman Islands off Iceland's south coast. Opened in 2019, the sanctuary provides a more natural home for two beluga whales, Little Grey and Little White, who previously lived in captivity at Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai, China. The project is run by the SEA LIFE Trust, a registered English charity, in partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation.

The Beluga Whales

Little Grey and Little White arrived in Iceland in June 2019 after a 6,000-mile journey from Shanghai that took over 30 hours. The two female belugas were born in Russian waters and captured as juveniles before spending years performing at the Chinese aquarium. At the sanctuary, a dedicated care team works to help the whales build strength, stamina, and the skills needed to thrive in the open sea bay.

The sanctuary bay at Klettsvik measures approximately 32,000 square metres with depths reaching 10 metres. Protective netting extends from the surface to the seabed, keeping the whales safe while allowing fish and other marine life to pass through freely. A system of pontoons provides staff access for care and feeding while also reducing wave impact within the bay.

The Visitor Centre

The visitor centre is located at the harbour in Vestmannaeyjar, a short walk from the ferry terminal. Inside, you will find educational displays about the beluga whales, their journey from Shanghai, and the broader mission of cetacean conservation. Live monitoring footage gives visitors insight into the whales' daily lives and behaviour.

The centre also houses Iceland's only Puffin Rescue Centre, which takes in injured puffins and pufflings found on the Westman Islands. Many of these birds are brought in by the local Puffling Patrol, a community initiative that works in cooperation with the sanctuary. A native species aquarium showcases marine life found in the waters around the archipelago.

A Bay with History

Klettsvik Bay carries a notable history in marine mammal conservation. In 1998, the bay became the temporary home of Keiko, the orca who starred in the 1993 film Free Willy. Warner Bros and a coalition of conservation groups funded Keiko's relocation from a Mexican amusement park to Iceland as part of an ambitious rehabilitation programme. Though Keiko's story ended in Norway in 2003, the bay's infrastructure and experience with marine mammal care laid important groundwork for the beluga sanctuary that would follow years later.

Planning Your Visit

The sanctuary is open from mid-February through mid-November, with peak season hours from May to September (10:00 to 16:00 daily). Outside peak season, hours are reduced, and during winter months visits are available only by pre-booked guided educational tours. Guided tours run daily at 14:00 for an additional fee. Booking tickets online in advance is recommended, particularly during the busy summer months when the Westman Islands attract visitors for puffin watching, hiking, and the Sprengisandur festival.

Reaching Heimaey involves a ferry crossing from Landeyjahofn, located near Seljalandsfoss waterfall on the south coast. The drive from Reykjavik to the ferry terminal takes approximately two hours, and the crossing itself is around 35 minutes. The sanctuary pairs well with other Westman Islands attractions, including Eldfell volcano, Eldheimar museum, and the island's dramatic coastal cliffs.