Whale Watching in Iceland: The Ultimate Guide

When Is the Best Time for Whale Watching in Iceland?

You can enjoy whale-watching in Iceland throughout the year from some ports, but the experience changes with the season. Weather, daylight, and the animals you may see all depend on when and where you go.

When deciding when to visit Iceland, consider what you hope to see. How many days you spend in Iceland may also affect which whale-watching ports fit your route. Let us break it down for you.

Whale Watching in Iceland in Summer

Whale watching in summer has one obvious appeal over whale watching in winter: the weather in Iceland is generally milder. Whale-watching tours may face fewer cancellations, and clear weather can make whales easier to spot, though it does not guarantee a sighting. Furthermore, standing on the deck for the tour's duration is a lot more enjoyable.

However, the milder weather is not the only reason whale watching in summer has advantages over whale watching in winter. The second main draw is the greater diversity of marine life.

Many migratory baleen whales, including humpbacks, spend winter in warmer breeding waters and summer in colder waters where they feed. As a result, summer brings more opportunities to see the world's largest whales in Iceland.

Minke and humpback whales are seen on summer tours from several ports, although sightings vary by location and day. Sperm whales may also be seen, particularly on trips from Olafsvik in late spring and early summer.

Northern bottlenose whales live farther offshore, so sightings on coastal tours are rare. You can sometimes see sperm whales on trips into Breidafjordur Bay from Olafsvik. Northern bottlenose whales usually remain in deeper offshore waters.

In addition to whales, you can see birds such as Arctic terns, great skuas, and puffins, depending on where the boat goes. Puffins are most likely to be seen near nesting islands, such as Akurey and Lundey off Reykjavik or Lundey in Skjalfandi Bay near Husavik, from spring through roughly mid-August.

Another advantage of whale watching in the summer is the choice of smaller vessels, such as RIBs. They depart from several towns, including Husavik, where this 2-hour puffin and whale-watching boat tour is offered.

Whale Watching in Iceland in Winter

Despite the many advantages of summer whale-watching tours, going whale-watching in winter also has its benefits. First, whale watching during winter trips in Iceland is generally less busy.

Summer is the peak season for visitors, so whale watching tours in winter may have fewer passengers. If you don't mind cold winter conditions, you may have more space on the viewing deck to search for sea mammals when they do appear.

The most common are minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. Some whales remain in Icelandic waters through winter, too. You may see humpbacks, depending on where you go and what’s feeding nearby.

The second advantage of whale watching in winter applies to whale watching in certain areas. Breidafjordur Bay, between the Westfjords and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, is one place where orcas follow herring.

Humpbacks may remain around Iceland throughout winter. Sightings still depend on the location, weather, and where the whales find food.

A final advantage of whale watching in winter is that it allows you to experience some incredible nature, regardless of the wildlife you may encounter. Searching for whales in Iceland while surrounded by the snowy mountains of Eyjafjordur Fjord, for example, gives the trip a different setting from summer.

There’s also the chance to see the northern lights, which would be an unforgettable experience. You can find a whale-watching and northern lights combo tour that includes a daytime whale-watching trip and an evening boat trip for the aurora.

Whales of Iceland

Iceland’s waters attract 23 whale species, thanks in part to a mix of cold and warm sea currents. Humpback and minke whales are the most commonly spotted in summer but can also appear in winter.

The sections below introduce the whales, dolphins, and porpoises you might see on a whale-watching tour in Iceland. Each species has its own characteristics and behaviors to look out for.

Minke Whales

Minke whales are among the most common whales in Iceland’s waters, with many arriving in summer and occasional sightings in winter months.

They're small compared to other whale species but can still exceed 30 feet (9 meters) in length. They often surface briefly, but you can regularly see them on tours from several whale-watching ports, including Reykjavik.

Humpback Whales

Humpback whales can be seen in Iceland during the summer months, including on summer tours in Iceland. Humpbacks are renowned for their acrobatic behavior. They may breach or slap the water with their fins and tails.

According to Marianne Rasmussen, humpbacks are among the most commonly sighted whales in Icelandic waters, alongside minke whales.

Tour operators from northern towns, such as Akureyri and Husavik, regularly report humpback sightings during spring to autumn, although sightings vary by trip.

While most visitors associate humpbacks with their spectacular surface displays, some of their most remarkable behavior happens out of sight. Rasmussen notes that humpbacks are also known for their complex vocalizations during Iceland’s winter months.

White-Beaked Dolphins

White-beaked dolphins are the most commonly seen dolphins around Iceland and can be spotted near the shore throughout the year. They live in pods ranging from a few individuals to a hundred, and though a bulky species, you can often see them bow-riding, breaching, and playing at the surface.

Their stocky bodies and pale markings along their sides can help you recognize them on a whale-watching trip. In Iceland, they’re commonly seen in Faxafloi Bay near Reykjavik and Skjalfandi Bay near Husavik.

Harbor Porpoises

Photo from Wikimedia Commons Library. No edits made.

The adorable harbor porpoise is one of the smallest whale species. It can be seen in Iceland's waters throughout the year, including in Faxafloi Bay off Reykjavik and Skjalfandi Bay near Husavik. However, you might need someone with a trained eye to point them out.

They're small and shy and usually appear at the surface, alone or in small groups, for moments at a time. When feeding, they may surface quickly with a small splash, but they rarely put on the dramatic displays seen with dolphins.

Orcas

Despite being called killer whales, orcas are the world’s largest dolphin species. They can be found in Icelandic waters throughout the year, though individual orcas may move between regions and farther afield. Orcas are especially well known in Iceland because of Keiko, an orca captured in Icelandic waters as a calf who later starred in Free Willy.

Orcas can appear on whale-watching trips but are not as easy to find as other species because they move widely. However, their great size and occasional acrobatic behavior make them a favorite among whale watchers.

If you're eager to go orca watching in Iceland, they can be seen around the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in late winter and spring, most consistently March to May, the Eastfjords during summer, and near the Westman Islands off the South Coast in summer.

Blue Whales and Fin Whales

Blue and fin whales, the two largest animals on Earth, occasionally appear during the summer, most often from mid-June to mid-July in Skjalfandi Bay near Husavik. Blue whales can grow up to 100 feet (30 meters) long and weigh up to 165 tons (150 tonnes). Their long bodies and mottled blue-gray coloring can help you recognize them when they surface.

Researchers still don’t have a complete picture of where blue whales spend the rest of the year or where they give birth.

Fin whales are the second largest creatures on Earth. They can grow up to 82 feet (25 meters) long and weigh about 40 to 50 tons (36 to 45 tonnes). They usually stay farther offshore, but they sometimes join blue whales in Skjalfandi Bay in summer.

Sperm Whales

Sightings of the largest toothed whale, the mighty sperm whale, are possible off Iceland’s West Coast, particularly on trips from Olafsvik in late spring and early summer. A 2015 survey estimated about 23,000 sperm whales across a broad area around Iceland and the Faroe Islands.

Despite that estimate, sperm whales are rarely spotted on coastal tours because they favor deeper waters and spend long periods underwater. They typically dive for around 50 minutes, so even when one is nearby, you may only catch a brief glimpse at the surface.

Long-Finned Pilot Whale

Despite their name, the long-finned pilot whales seen around Iceland are actually a species of large dolphins. Their rounded heads and broad dorsal fins can help you recognize them at the surface. They often travel or rest in groups.

Pilot whales are widespread in the North Atlantic. However, they spend much of their time offshore, so they are not seen on whale-watching tours as often as you might expect. In summer, they are sometimes spotted near the Westman Islands, Breidafjordur Bay, or Skjalfandi Bay.

Beluga Whales

Photo from Wikimedia Commons Library. No edits were made.

Belugas are rarely seen on whale-watching tours, but you can see them in Iceland at the SEA LIFE Trust Beluga Whale Sanctuary in the Westman Islands. Little White and Little Grey are cared for in the visitor center’s pool.

Adult belugas are recognizable by their white coloring and rounded heads. Unlike many other whales and dolphins, they have no dorsal fin. Their usual habitat is further north around Greenland, within the Arctic Circle. Wild belugas occasionally reach Icelandic waters, but sightings are rare.

How To Prepare for Whale Watching in Iceland

To prepare for whale watching in Iceland, plan your clothing, consider how you’ll manage seasickness, and check your operator’s approach to responsible viewing. Knowing what to expect on board helps you stay comfortable and follow the crew’s guidance during sightings.

What To Wear for Whale Watching in Iceland

Preparing for whale watching in Iceland means dressing for time on an exposed deck and checking what your operator provides. Wind, spray, and rain can make a boat trip feel colder than the forecast for the town where you board.

Wear a warm base layer, a fleece or sweater, a warm jacket, long trousers, warm socks, and closed shoes. Whale watching operators often supply overalls or waterproof clothing, but you still need suitable layers underneath. Follow the packing list for your departure.

Managing Seasickness on a Whale Watching Trip

Seasickness can affect passengers on whale watching trips, and conditions vary between departures. Calm water one day does not mean the next trip will feel the same. To reduce the risk, eat something light beforehand, stay hydrated, get fresh air, and look at the horizon rather than down at your phone.

How To Behave Around Whales on a Boat Trip

During a whale sighting, follow the crew’s instructions and move carefully around the deck. Do not run, push past other passengers, or climb on railings or seating to get a better view.

Keep your hands inside the boat if an animal approaches, and do not throw anything into the water or make noise to attract it. If you plan to bring a drone, check your operator’s policy first, as flying one from the vessel may not be allowed.

A crew may keep its distance or leave if a whale repeatedly changes direction, speeds up, or seems to be avoiding the vessel. Passengers should respect that decision, even if it means viewing the animal from a greater distance.

Choosing a Responsible Whale Watching Operator

Iceland’s reputable operators follow a voluntary Code of Conduct for Responsible Whale Watching, developed by IceWhale, the Icelandic Association of Whale Watchers. It sets guidelines for how boats approach whales, how long they stay, and the distances they keep.

In practice, that means captains slow down near whales, avoid crossing their path, and give them space to continue feeding, resting, or traveling.

Whales in Icelandic History and Culture

Whales have long been part of Icelandic life, providing food and inspiring stories about creatures of the sea. Their role has changed over time, with whale watching, conservation, and commercial whaling shaping the discussion today.

Whales in Icelandic Folklore and Sagas

Throughout Iceland's history, whales have had, in some cases, positive connotations. The Icelandic word hvalreki means “beached whale” and is also used to mean a stroke of good luck.

That's because, in the harsh conditions of medieval Iceland, where food was hard to come by, a beached whale was incredibly fortunate, as it meant an abundance of food that could last throughout the winter.

In other cases, they were considered terrifying creatures with many folkloric stories surrounding them. The map above shows 16th-century depictions of the many sea creatures thought to live in Iceland's waters.

Interestingly, each creature is marked with a letter from the alphabet. Some of these creatures resemble real whales. For example, the creature marked A depicts a narwhal, while the one marked L represents Steipereidur, a whale said to protect fishermen.

In Icelandic folklore, there are many stories of the so-called illhveli, which literally translates to "evil whale." These whales were said to have evil intent and deliberately stalked and tried to sink boats by tipping them over.

The most evil of the illhveli was Raudkembingur, a type of whale with a spiky reddish comb along its head. This whale was said to have a thirst for killing and wrecking ships. Above, you can see a depiction of a Raudkembingur from a 17th-century manuscript.

Evil whales are a surprisingly common occurrence in Icelandic stories. As early as in the Heimskringla Saga of King Olaf Tryggvason, it's written that when King Harald Bluetooth was planning to invade Iceland, he had a sorcerer take the form of a whale to locate the island’s points of vulnerability.

But each time the whale-sorcerer attempted to land ashore, the four landwights of Iceland—the dragon of the east, the eagle of the north, the bull of the west, and the stone giant of the south—sent him back to the sea, rendering the invading king's efforts futile. These four landwights are depicted on Iceland's coat of arms.

Although countless legends tell remarkable tales of the meetings between Icelanders and magical whale-like creatures, the first official Icelandic whale-watching ship didn't leave port until 1991.

Keiko the Killer Whale

The most famous whale to grace Icelandic waters is not a magical creature of medieval literature but an aquatic star of Hollywood blockbusters. Keiko, the male orca who portrayed Willy in the 1993 hit film Free Willy, was captured near the Westman Islands in 1979 and was originally named Siggi.

He was subsequently bought and sold between various aquariums and marine parks, where he learned to perform for audiences before being cast in the film. Following Keiko’s rise to stardom, the Free Willy-Keiko Foundation was established in 1995 to find him a better home.

In 1998, Keiko was loaded aboard a C-130 U.S. Air Force cargo plane and flown from the United States back home to his birthplace in Iceland. Keiko would finally be allowed to swim in the ocean again, with the hope that he would eventually join other killer whales.

Keiko spent the following years in Klettsvik Bay of the Westman Islands, where he underwent extensive training in preparation for a life on the open seas. In August 2002, Keiko left Icelandic waters after spending time near wild killer whales. In September, he showed up in a fjord in Norway, seeking human contact.

Keiko did not fully reintegrate into the wild. He remained under human care in Norway and died of pneumonia on December 12, 2003. He was 27 years old.

Few marine animals have brought more attention to the whales of Iceland than Keiko. Whale watching in Iceland has also grown considerably since the first organized trip in 1991. In 2018 alone, more than 300,000 people took whale-watching trips from Icelandic harbors.

Keiko’s former home in Klettsvik Bay is now part of the Beluga Whale Sanctuary. Its two belugas, Little Grey and Little White, arrived in Iceland from an aquarium in Shanghai on June 20, 2019. They are currently cared for in the sanctuary’s visitor-centre pool while preparations for their return to the bay continue.

You can book admission to the Beluga Whale Sanctuary and Puffin Rescue to learn about the belugas and the sanctuary’s work.

Commercial Whaling in Iceland

Iceland still permits commercial whaling, despite opposition within the country and abroad. Fin whale hunting resumed in June 2026 after a two-year pause, and the season ended in September with 93 fin whales caught.

Protests against the industry date back decades. In 1986, Sea Shepherd activists sank two whaling vessels in Reykjavik Harbor. Both ships were later raised, but neither returned to whale hunting.

Public opinion remains divided. A June 2026 Maskina poll reported by RUV found that 41% opposed fin whale hunting, 33% supported it, and 26% neither supported nor opposed it. The Icelandic Nature Conservation Association commissioned the survey.

The future of whaling in Iceland is also under review. The government’s legislative agenda schedules a bill revising the Whaling Act for February 2027, with particular consideration given to a permanent ban. The outcome remains undecided.

Eating Whale Meat in Iceland

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Thjurexoell. No edits made.

Some Icelandic restaurants serve whale meat, but regular consumption is uncommon among residents. Much of the minke whale meat sold within Iceland has been bought by tourists, while almost all Icelandic fin whale meat and products have been exported to Japan.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Icelandic Whale Watching Association launched the “Meet Us, Don’t Eat Us” campaign to encourage visitors to watch whales rather than eat them. Travelers who prefer restaurants without whale meat can check menus before choosing where to eat.

Ready To Embark on Your Whale-Watching Adventure in Iceland?

Whale watching tours in Iceland take place in very different settings, from Faxafloi Bay near Reykjavik to North Iceland’s fjords and the waters off the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. Whales are the main attraction, but dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds are also part of the experience.

Whales have a place in Icelandic history, too, from stories of stranded whales and legendary sea creatures to Keiko’s return and the continuing debate over whaling. Together, these places and stories show why whales remain an important part of Iceland’s nature and culture.

Where do you plan to go whale watching in Iceland, or where have you already been? Tell us what you hope to see or what you spotted, and share your tips in the comments below.