Whale watching tours in Iceland depart from Reykjavik, Husavik, Akureyri, Olafsvik, and other coastal towns. Most tours last 2 to 3.5 hours and run on large passenger boats, traditional oak boats, or fast RIB boats.
The most common sightings on whale watching tours in Iceland are humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Reported summer sighting rates are 85% or higher across the main whale watching regions, although sightings are never guaranteed.
Whale watching was among the 20 things tourism professionals most often recommended in a 2026 survey of Iceland’s top experiences. Many summer whale watching tours in Iceland also pass puffin colonies, so you can see whales and puffins on one trip.
Boat type, group size, and onboard facilities vary between tours. Differences between operators are also discussed in our study of the best whale watching companies in Iceland.
Why Iceland Is One of the Best Places for Whale Watching
Iceland is one of the best places in Europe for whale watching because cold Arctic currents meet warmer Atlantic waters around the coast. These mixing waters create rich feeding grounds for whales, dolphins, and seabirds from spring through early fall.
Humpback whales and minke whales are the most common whales in Iceland. Depending on the region and season, whale watching tours in Iceland may also spot orcas, pilot whales, fin whales, sperm whales, or blue whales.
Best Time to Go Whale Watching in Iceland
The best time to go whale watching in Iceland is from May to September, when seas are calmer and daylight is longer. Our month-by-month whale sighting data narrows the peak season to June through August.
April, May, September, and October are strong shoulder months for whale watching in Iceland, with fewer crowds. Blue whales and fin whales join the humpback whales in Skjalfandi Bay mainly from mid-June to mid-July.
Reykjavik whale watching tours run all year round. Faxafloi Bay near Reykjavik keeps sighting rates of around 80% in winter, compared with 85% to 95% in summer.
Orcas are the main exception to the summer peak. Herring draws orcas close to Grundarfjordur and Olafsvik on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula from about December to March.
Best Whale Watching Tours from Reykjavik
For most travelers, Reykjavik is the easiest place to go whale watching in Iceland. Boat tours leave directly from the Old Harbor, and Faxafloi Bay is known for regular sightings of whales, dolphins, and seabirds.
- Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik: A 3-hour whale watching tour in Faxafloi Bay on one of the largest whale watching boats in Iceland. The tour runs all year round, and you get a free ticket to try again if you see no whales, dolphins, or porpoises.
- Affordable Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik: This budget whale watching tour runs all year round. Warm overalls, seasickness tablets, and a heated indoor cabin are included.
- 3-Hour Whale Watching & Wildlife Yacht Tour with Transfer from Reykjavik: A small group Reykjavik whale watching tour with more comfort and a more personal feel on the water.
- Up-Close Whale Watching RIB Tour from Reykjavik on Faxafloi Bay: This RIB boat tour from Reykjavik uses a speedboat with shock-absorbing seats, bringing you closer to the water for a faster, more adventurous whale-watching experience.
- 6-Hour Whale Watching & Northern Lights Boat Tour Combo from Reykjavik: Combines a daytime whale watching tour with an evening northern lights cruise. The combo runs from September to April, and you get a free ticket to try again if you see no wildlife.
Best Whale Watching Tours in North Iceland
North Iceland has the highest whale sighting rates in the country. Our study of where to find whales in Iceland shows that about 97% of summer whale watching tours from Husavik record a sighting in Skjalfandi Bay.
Husavik is known as the whale watching capital of Iceland, and whale watching began there in 1995. Akureyri, Dalvik, and Hauganes also offer whale watching tours in Eyjafjordur Fjord, the longest fjord in North Iceland.
- Traditional Whale Watching from Husavik: This 3-hour tour sails into Skjalfandi Bay on an Icelandic oak fishing boat. It runs from April to November, and warm overalls are included.
- Whale-Watching Tour from Akureyri: Watch for humpback whales and other marine life while cruising through Eyjafjordur Fjord. The tour runs all year round and includes a free return trip if you see no whales.
- Whale Watching Tour in Traditional Oak Boat from Husavik: This classic whale watching tour from Husavik sails on a traditional wooden oak boat from March to November. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and cinnamon buns are included.
- 2.5-Hour Summer Whale-Watching Tour from Akureyri: A 2.5-hour adventure from Akureyri Harbor runs from May to October on a boat with indoor seating and a cafe. It suits families, and warm overalls come in children's sizes.
- Whale Watching & Sea Fishing Boat Trip from Hauganes: This tour departs from Hauganes and combines whale watching with sea fishing in Eyjafjordur Fjord. Your catch is filleted on board, and coffee and Icelandic pastries are included.
Whale Watching on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is the best region in Iceland for seeing orcas. The Whale Watching Tour from Olafsvik is a 3-hour tour in Breidafjordur Bay that runs from February to October. The tour looks for orcas, sperm whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and white-beaked dolphins. With no minimum age, it is also suitable for families.
Best Whale and Puffin Tours in Iceland
Puffin tours in Iceland run from May to August, when Atlantic puffins come ashore to nest. Iceland hosts close to half of Europe's Atlantic puffins and roughly a third of the global population.
Our count of Iceland's biggest puffin colonies puts the national total at 2,679,000 nesting burrows. These large puffin colonies make Iceland one of the best destinations in Europe for marine wildlife tours.
Boat tours are one of the best ways to see puffins in Iceland because they reach nesting islands without disturbing the colonies. The best places to see puffins in Iceland include the Westman Islands, Latrabjarg Cliffs, Dyrholaey Peninsula, and the small islands off Reykjavik.
- Family-Run Whale Watching & Puffin Safari RIB Boat Tour from Husavik: Join a fast-paced boat tour to look for whales and puffins in Iceland’s whale watching capital.
- Whale & Puffin Watching Tour from Reykjavik: Combine whale watching and puffin spotting on a convenient tour departing from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.
- Family-Friendly 1-Hour Puffin Boat Tour from Reykjavik Harbor: A short and accessible puffin tour from Reykjavik reaches the puffin colonies on Lundey Island or Akurey Island in about 15 minutes. It’s ideal for summer travelers with limited time.
How to Choose a Whale Watching Tour in Iceland
Choose a whale watching tour from Reykjavik for convenience, or from Husavik for the highest summer sighting rates. Choose a tour from Olafsvik if you want the best chance of seeing orcas.
Large whale watching boats offer the steadiest ride, indoor seating, and a cafe on board. RIB boats are faster and closer to the water, but they are less suitable for young children and travelers prone to seasickness.
Dress for cold wind and sea spray on every whale watching tour in Iceland, even in summer. Most operators provide warm overalls on board, but you should still bring a hat, gloves, and a waterproof jacket.
Whale watching tours leave from both the south and the north coast. Book one of the hotels in Reykjavik for Faxafloi Bay departures, or one of the hotels in Akureyri for North Iceland departures.
