The Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Join this whale watching tour to see the incredible wealth of marine wildlife just off Reykjavík’s shores. You’ll journey into the famous Faxafloi Bay in search of these amazing creatures of the deep. This tour is a must for nature-lovers and fits perfectly into a busy holiday - a 3-3.5 hour trip departing straight from the capital city’s Old Harbour.

You will arrive at the harbour in good time for your departure, either by making your way there yourself or through a pick-up you can request during booking. If taking this trip during summer, you will have a choice between two boats, which you can select based on your sense of adventure and the nature of your group.

This Classic Whale Watching tour sails year-round and is one of the largest whale watching boats in Iceland. It has a fantastic educational and interactive focus on board, where you can learn more about the whales. Alternatively, if you’d rather sit back and relax before venturing outside for a glimpse the ship hosts a great cafe with a variety of drinks and snack options.

You can expect to spend 3-3.5 hours out on the ocean looking for whales. As you travel out, your guide will point out the natural features surrounding the capital; in clear weather, you should be able to see both the Reykjanes Peninsula and the Snæfellsnes peninsula, as well as the ‘whale fjord’, otherwise called Hvalfjörður. These views will show you a quick snapshot into the diverse landscapes of Iceland with mountains, fjords, glaciers and lava fields.

Four species can be regularly seen on these tours: harbour porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales and humpback whales. Other species that are occasionally seen are orcas (or killer whales), pilot whales and basking sharks. On top of these incredible animals, during summer you can expect to see a wealth of seabirds, most notably the puffin. Your experienced guides can answer any questions you have as you search for and marvel over these majestic creatures. 

Each tour yields entirely different results. The animals’ behaviour changes throughout the day; you might catch them breaching, socialising, feeding or just basking near the surface. If by chance, you are not lucky enough to see a marine mammal, you will have another opportunity to take this tour for free until you do.

You will return to Reykjavík after three hours on the sea, hopefully after many exciting sightings and an up-close look at some of Iceland’s most incredible creatures. Because of the convenience and length of this tour, there will still be plenty of opportunities to make the most of the rest of your day, either on another tour or within the capital.

Do not miss your chance to see the magnificent whales, dolphins and porpoises of Iceland. Set sail into Faxaflói Bay for your opportunity. Check availability by choosing a date and book your Whale Watching adventure.