Hunter Schafer Goes Whale Watching in Iceland
Hunter Schafer’s Iceland visit appears to have followed the most ambitious version of a Reykjavík itinerary: one part art pilgrimage, one part weather report, one part open-water wildlife encounter. Her Instagram caption says simply “ICELAND!!!”; the photo album does the rest of the talking.
The actor and artist, known to Euphoria viewers as Jules Vaughn, shared a generous set of photographs and video moments from her trip. It is less a carefully colour-coded holiday recap than a cheerful evidence board for the idea that Iceland is capable of fitting several different worlds into one visit.
An Iceland album with no indoor voice
According to Vísir, Schafer’s stop included Björk’s Echolalia event at Víðistaðatún in Hafnarfjörður and the accompanying exhibition at the National Gallery of Iceland. Her images also point to time around Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon, Mossfellsdal and Helgufoss, plus a visit to Gullfoss—an itinerary that moves from gallery lighting to glacier water with almost suspicious efficiency.
There is a particularly good Icelandic logic to it all. You can begin with contemporary art, meet a waterfall that has been doing its thing for thousands of years, and end the day wondering whether your jacket is waterproof enough. The answer is usually: perhaps, but bring another layer anyway.
From Björk’s eclipse gathering to the whale-watching boat
The standout adventure in the story is Schafer’s whale-watching trip from Reykjavík. Vísir reports that she headed out on the bay during her stay, and her album includes a sea-going wildlife moment that makes a persuasive case for looking up from the phone—at least until it is time to take a photo.
Whale watching from Reykjavík is one of the capital’s easiest big-nature experiences. Boats leave from the Old Harbour and head into Faxaflói Bay, where the city quickly gives way to open water, sea birds and a horizon that makes even a short trip feel wonderfully far from the café table you left behind.
Whales do not take direction
That is part of the appeal. Unlike a waterfall, a whale has not agreed to be in the same place every day for your convenience. Sightings vary with season, weather and the animals themselves, and responsible operators put their welfare first. But when a fin, back or tail breaks the surface, the whole boat becomes very quiet for approximately two seconds—before everyone remembers they own a camera.
For visitors hoping for their own Reykjavík sea story, choose a licensed operator, dress for wind even on a bright day and leave a little flexibility in the schedule. Warm layers, gloves and an outer shell make a surprisingly large difference once the harbour is out of sight.
A very Reykjavík kind of day
Schafer’s trip is a fun reminder that Reykjavík is not only a place to sleep before the next road trip. The harbour, art scene, geothermal pools and day excursions are all close enough to combine without attempting an Olympic event in itinerary planning. Add one coastal wildlife cruise and the city becomes a gateway to an entirely different scale of Iceland.
The full Hunter Schafer photo album
Browse all of the images and video stills shared in Hunter Schafer’s Iceland Instagram post below. Credit: Hunter Schafer / Instagram.
The practical takeaway
There is no need to recreate Schafer’s exact itinerary to have a memorable Iceland day. Pair a Reykjavík museum or gallery visit with a harbour departure, give yourself time for changing weather, and treat wildlife encounters as the bonus rather than the guarantee. Iceland will supply the scenery; the whale may supply the plot twist.