Elding Adventure at Sea – maintaining ecological balance
Making optimal use of the natural resources that our tours are built around requires us to respect nature and give as much back as we possibly can. The Elding team therefore strives to maintain an essential ecological balance and help conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.
Our goal is to operate on sustainability principles, which refer to a suitable balance of the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. We try to offer good quality services and facilities, and base our work on the EarthCheck and Blue Flag’s standards along with IceWhale’s guidelines.
Working together on sustainability
All Elding staff members, and the different operational areas, are expected to pull their load when it comes to sustainability and work according to our environmental policy. Therefore we have our captains, engineers, guides, crewmembers, bus drivers, ticket sales, office workers and so on work closely together to implement our environmental policy and make it as efficient as possible. We also ask all our passengers to take part in the environmental work we’re doing on board as we consider their contribution important.
Responsible whale watching – your support is vital
See a whale or dolphin with a responsible operator and you will be inspired to care about the marine environment and support those working to protect it. The World Cetacean Alliance is a powerful coalition of individuals, businesses and organisations working towards best practice and sustainability in whale and dolphin watching tourism. We intend to have a positive influence on the way we view whales and dolphins. Together we are the global voice for whales and dolphins.
Our sustainibility timeline
| YEAR: | AWARD / CERTIFICATION |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Elding maintains the Blue Flag recognition |
| 2023 | Elding receives the Blue Flag recognition |
| 2022 | Elding receives the Platinum Certification of EarthCheck (12 years) |
| 2020 | Elding maintains Blue Flag recognition |
| 2020 | Elding acheives WCA Certification for Responsible Whale Watching |
| 2019 | Elding maintains the Platinum Certification of EarthCheck |
| 2019 | Elding is recognized as the Model Company of Responsible Tourism for 2018 |
| 2019 | Elding maintains Blue Flag recognition |
| 2019 | Elding maintains VAKINN Quality and Enviro Gold label |
| 2019 | Elding is nominated for the Nordic Council Environment Prize for 2018 |
| 2018 | Elding receives the Platinum Certification of EarthCheck |
| 2018 | Elding receives Kuðungurinn Environmental award for 2017 |
| 2018 | Elding becomes a founding member of Votlendissjóðurinn (foundation for the restoration of wetlands) |
| 2018 | Elding maintains Blue Flag recognition |
| 2017 | Elding retains Gold Certification of EarthCheck |
| 2017 | Elding maintains Blue Flag recognition for second time under new criteria |
| 2017 | Elding maintains VAKINN Quality and Enviro Gold label |
| 2016 | Elding receives the Gold Certification of EarthCheck |
| 2016 | Elding receives the Blue Flag recognition again, meeting new criteria |
| 2015 | Elding receives the Gold Certification of EarthCheck |
| 2014 | Elding receives the Gold Certification of EarthCheck |
| 2013 | Elding receives Fjörusteinninn, the environmental awards of Faxaflóahafnir, the Associated Icelandic Ports |
| 2013 | Elding receives the GOLD Certification of EarthCheck |
| 2012 | Elding receives the Silver Certification of EarthCheck |
| 2012 | Elding receives the VAKINN Enviro Gold from the Icelandic Tourist Board |
| 2011 | Elding starts participation in World Cetacean Alliance and it’s working group on responsible whale watching (at the time under the name of PlanetWhale) |
| 2010 | Elding receives the Silver Certification of EarthCheck |
| 2008 | Elding receives the Silver Certification of EarthCheck (at the time under the name of GreenGlobe) |
| 2008 | Elding receives the Environmental Award of the Icelandic Tourist Boar |
| 2007 | Elding starts participation in the Smart H2 Project |
| 2006 | Elding receives the Blue Flag recognition |
| 2006 | Elding starts participation in EarthCheck (at the time under the name of GreenGlobe) |
| 2003 | Elding was a founding member of IceWhale |
As Reykjavík’s leading family-owned whale watching company, Elding is committed to sustainable tourism and protecting Iceland’s marine environment. Our tours follow strict eco guidelines, and our sustainability policy focuses on reducing impact, conserving natural heritage, and preserving ecological balance. Join us for responsible sea adventures that let you enjoy the ocean without disturbing its inhabitants.
From 2007 to 2010, Elding participated in the SMART-H2 project, exploring the potential of hydrogen as a sustainable marine fuel in Iceland. As part of the project, we installed a hydrogen-powered Auxiliary Power Unit aboard one of our boats to reduce engine noise near whales and test hydrogen performance in harsh marine conditions. Though the project has concluded, it continues to inspire our pursuit of cleaner energy solutions for the future.
In 2023, Elding was selected for the CE4RT programme, a European initiative supporting sustainable tourism SMEs. Elding received training, coaching, certification opportunities, and funding to boost sustainability practices. Key projects included implementing a green procurement policy for our souvenir shop and pioneering upcycled souvenirs from recycled textiles.
