Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik
14,500 ISK/person
About the Tour
Discover Iceland’s marine wildlife on a guided whale-watching tour departing from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. Cruise into Faxaflói Bay with experienced marine guides and look for minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and seabirds in their natural environment. The comfortable boat includes outdoor viewing areas, a heated indoor saloon, warm overalls, blankets and complimentary Wi-Fi. This approximately three-hour experience also includes access to the Wildlife Exhibition near the harbour.
Ideal for : Couples, families with children aged two or older, solo travellers, photographers and wildlife enthusiasts looking for an accessible boat tour from central Reykjavík.
What you'll Experience
- Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay
- Possible dolphin and porpoise sightings
- Icelandic seabirds and coastal scenery
- Live wildlife commentary
- Outdoor viewing decks
- Heated indoor seating
- Wildlife Exhibition access
Included
✓ 2.5–3.5-hour boat tour
✓ English-language guidance
✓ Marine wildlife commentary
✓ Wildlife Exhibition access
✓ Warm flotation overalls
✓ Blankets onboard
✓ Heated indoor saloon
✓ Complimentary Wi-Fi
Not Included
✕ Hotel transfers
✕ Food and refreshments
✕ Tips and gratuities
✕ Personal expenses
What to bring
In Iceland, conditions at sea can feel colder and windier than in Reykjavík, so bring warm and waterproof clothing.
- Warm base layers
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Supportive closed shoes
- Beanie and gloves
- Neck warmer
- Sunglasses
- Camera or mobile phone
Warm overalls and blankets are available onboard.
Tour Summary
Age
2 Years
Availability
All Year
Dificulty
Easy
Start
Reykjavik
Duration
3 Hours
Language
English
Meet on Location
Yes
Pickup
Yes
Start-time
13:00
Start
Reykjavik
Start-time
13:00
Duration
3 Hours
Tour Highlights
- Faxaflói Bay
- Reykjavík Old Harbour
- Minke whales
- Humpback whales
- White-beaked dolphins
- Harbour porpoises
- Wildlife Exhibition
- Icelandic seabirds
Itinerary
Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavík
Begin at Reykjavík’s historic Old Harbour before sailing into Faxaflói Bay with experienced marine guides. The experience combines wildlife observation, expert commentary and comfortable onboard facilities.
1. Arrival at Reykjavík Old Harbour
Arrive at the designated ticket office at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour and exchange your booking voucher for boarding tickets. Please arrive early enough to complete check-in before departure.
2. Wildlife Exhibition
Before boarding, visit the included Wildlife Exhibition near the harbour. Learn more about the whales, dolphins and marine ecosystem of Iceland before seeing the animals in their natural environment.
3. Departure into Faxaflói Bay
Board the whale-watching vessel and sail away from Reykjavík into Faxaflói Bay. Choose between the outdoor viewing areas and the heated indoor saloon as the crew begins searching for wildlife.
4. Guided Whale Watching
Look for minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. Your guide provides live commentary about each sighting and explains the behaviour and habitat of Iceland’s marine animals.
Wildlife sightings vary naturally, and no specific species can be guaranteed.
5. Seabirds and Coastal Scenery
During the cruise, you may also see seabirds such as gannets and seasonal puffins. Enjoy views of Reykjavík, the surrounding coastline and distant mountains from the water.
6. Return to Reykjavík Harbour
Return to Reykjavík’s Old Harbour after approximately 2.5 to 3.5 hours at sea. The exact duration may vary according to sailing conditions and wildlife activity.
Wildlife Sightings
➤ Minke whales commonly observed
➤ Humpback whales may be seen
➤ White-beaked dolphins possible
➤ Harbour porpoises possible
➤ Seabird sightings throughout the route
Whales and dolphins are wild animals, so sightings and species cannot be guaranteed on every departure.
Important Information Before Booking
- The tour departs from Reykjavík Old Harbour
- Hotel transfers are not included
- Guests must meet at the harbour
- Arrive before the stated departure time
- The boat tour lasts approximately 2.5–3.5 hours
- Sea conditions may affect the route and duration
- Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed
- Warm overalls and blankets are provided
- Food and refreshments are not included
- Outdoor decks may be wet or slippery
- Follow all safety instructions from the crew
- Seasonal seabird sightings vary throughout the year
Why Choose this Tour ?
➤ Depart directly from Reykjavík Old Harbour
➤ Explore one of Iceland’s main whale-watching areas
➤ Learn from experienced marine wildlife guides
➤ Stay comfortable with indoor seating and warm overalls
➤ Visit the included Wildlife Exhibition
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure.
- Cancellations made within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable.
- Cancellation requests must be submitted via email.
- If we cancel due to severe weather or safety conditions, you may reschedule or receive a full refund.
Why Book with Us
Tour Amenities
➤ Heated indoor saloon
➤ Outdoor viewing areas
➤ Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
➤ Warm overalls and blankets
➤ Wildlife Exhibition access
Video Highlights
Choose your preferred date, confirm your group size, and check live availability to reserve your tour.
Secure your place in just a few clicks and let us take care of the rest.
Customer Reviews
EXCELLENT Based on 232 reviews Posted on Tripadvisor Anthony OVerified Tour guide with a sense of humour What can I say!! We were SO LUCKY with this tour, not only did the Northern Lights put on a show, the tour guide was funny/charismatic and charming!Posted on Tripadvisor Scott Van HornVerified Highly recommend for a day! Our guide Lina was amazing! She knew exactly how long we needed at each place and made sure we did not miss anything! Her timing was perfect to avoid the crowds. Her driving was impeccable too. At one place she took us to the top, let us walk downhill, then picked us up at the bottom! And she made sure she took special group photos of us along the way. It was an amazing day.Posted on Tripadvisor James HVerified A great tour with Lina Our tour guide, Lina, was outstanding. She was knowledgeable, personable, flexible, and made the whole day a fun experience. I would highly recommend her, and this tour.Posted on Tripadvisor FLYJADEVerified Wonderful Golden Circle tour with Lina This tour of the Golden Circle was SO worth it! Our group of 6 saw so much in our 7 hour tour. We were visiting Reykjavík before getting on a cruise ship and wanted to see as much as possible. This was the best way to do it, as we saw more things than we would have compared to a tour with a big group. The day before, our driver Lina messaged me on whatsapp to confirm pickup location and time. The day of, she was there as promised. We saw everything we wanted to and Lina was very knowledgeable about each of the sights and surrounding areas during the drive (we were never bored). She was a great guide and answered all of our questions! I’m so happy we booked this experience to make the most of our trip.Posted on Tripadvisor Ross FVerified The Golden Circle Tour was a wonderful introduction to Iceland. As beautiful as previous visitors had said made all the better by our guide, Lina. Though not a native of Iceland, Lina knew a number of “off the beaten path” stops to add to the tour. Our family could not have enjoyed the tour more. Thanks Lina.Posted on Tripadvisor Bob IVerified Iceland Golden Circle Tour with Nice Travels Amazing day with our guide Bart. Saw so many amazing sites in Iceland. Waterfalls, volcano, Geyser, Tectonic plates, and ending with a dip in the Blue Lagoon. Nice Travel did a great job. Van was very clean and comfortable. Felt safe at all times. A trip I will never forget. I highly recommend Nice Travel group.Posted on Tripadvisor shuchita mVerified Great guide great service We did a ring road tour and were lucky to have Maria as our guide. Literally the ultimate tour guide. Born with generations of Icelandic blood, being a local gives her immense knowledge. She took us to some amazing additional spots apart from the typical tourist itinerary. Her humor helped gel with our group perfectly. She was attentive to every person's wishes in the group. She is truly a gem of Tourism Iceland.Posted on Tripadvisor namita pVerified Maria - The Simply Amazing Guide Iceland tour was a dream come true ! Our tour guide Maria was beyond superlatives. She made us tour every small little place that we wouldn’t ever have imagined to do ourselves….the tomato farm , the lupin fields, the brooks on the way & of course the must - see places of Iceland. She went out of the way to help do video and photo shoots in our chiffon Sarees by the black beach and waterfalls! We even danced and dedicated a song to her. She was so cooperative and proactive to make us feel comfortable. Highly recommended, especially for family tours .Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more

