Enjoy an unforgettable experience at sea on the Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik. This tour takes you out onto the beautiful waters of Faxaflói Bay – one of the best places in Iceland for whale watching. As you set sail from Reykjavik's Old Harbour, a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains unfolds, making for a perfect start to your adventure.
This Whale Watching Tour offers a ‘wildlife guarantee’, which means you can go on the tour again free of charge if you don’t spot any whales.
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Every day of the week. Starts at 09:00 and 13:00.
In Reykjavik at your chosen pick-up point or at the tour starting point at:
Elding Ticket Office, Ægisgarður 5c, Reykjavík 101, IS
Leave the city behind and sail out to sea for an exhilarating adventure on the Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik. Feel the rhythm of the ocean and the promise of the unexpected as you step aboard in the charming Old Harbour. The city slowly recedes into the horizon as the rugged coastline gives way to the vast blue of Faxaflói Bay – one of Iceland’s best places for whale watching.
The Whale Watching Tour starts off gently, with a short introduction from the onboard guides, who will get you started with interesting facts about the species you might encounter. These waters are home to humpback whales, minke whales, harbour porpoises and sometimes even orcas, each with their own characteristic behaviour and impressive appearance. As the ship glides further into the bay, you will scan the horizon, looking for the moment when a fin cuts through the water or a huge tail appears above the surface.
The tension on deck grows as someone catches a glimpse of movement in the water. The guides, armed with years of experience and a keen eye for marine life, help you locate the animals while sharing fascinating stories about whale behavior, their migration patterns, and how climate change is affecting the ecosystem. Their passion for life in the ocean is infectious, making this tour not just a visual spectacle but an educational experience as well.
You can choose whether to experience the trip outside, in the fresh sea air with an unbeatable view, or prefer to stay inside in a warm saloon with panoramic windows. Even in inclement weather, the ship offers comfortable shelters and facilities such as a café for hot drinks, snacks and free Wi-Fi so you can share your experiences right away. If it’s cold, warm overalls are available so you can stay comfortable on deck and watch.
What makes this Whale Watching Tour special is the respect for nature. Everything is done with minimal impact on marine life. If you don’t see any whales one day – which is rare – you can come back for another try for free, so you don’t miss out on any of the experience.
The Whale Watching Tour lasts approximately three hours, but the memories will last much longer. Every trip is different, depending on the season, weather conditions and the mood of the ocean. In summer, the light is almost endless, with often multiple species visible on a single trip. In winter, you will sail under a low sun and have the chance to see dramatic skies and mysterious silhouettes in the twilight.
This tour is a must for anyone who wants to experience the real Iceland – raw, impressive and close to nature. Whether you see a whale for the first time or have been out to sea before, the moment when such a colossus appears next to the ship is always magical. This is no ordinary excursion; this is an encounter with the ocean, at its purest.
It was an amazing experience to see the whales. The tour operator gave us directions to the different spots and the kids didn't miss the whales for a moment. They loved it.
A really fun experience! The first time we didn't see any whales, so the company was so helpful to book us and let us go on another boat the next day, where we saw three whales! They provide food, extra blankets, and clothing on board.
I hadn't expected this to be an option for us in March, so it was a nice surprise that we were able to book it! Apparently, we got a unique show with orcas! We also saw a humpback whale. Because the orcas were so special, we stayed with them for a while. I appreciated how well the staff interacted with the whales. They watched their behavior to make sure we didn't upset them. It was great that they also took photos and shared them with you, so you just had to focus on watching and didn't have to worry about capturing them.
Absolutely fantastic tour – the guides were amazing, the boat was so well equipped. It rained quite a lot, but the thermal suits were excellent. We saw 10-12 orcas! They exceeded our expectations.
We were lucky with the weather in Iceland in March and the sea was calm. We were stuck with the date (mid March) because the trip was for a family birthday and because it was low season I didn't expect to see much.
