Iceland · Whale Watching

Reykjavík Classic Whale Watching

3 Hours Round trip from Reykjavík Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Cruise into Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour
  • 02 Look out for humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins and harbour porpoises
  • 03 Learn from expert crew and marine biologist naturalists
  • 04 Enjoy access to outdoor viewing decks and a heated indoor saloon
  • 05 Visit the onboard Wildlife Exhibition before departure
  • 06 Use complimentary warm overalls and blankets on board
  • 07 Take advantage of the wildlife guarantee or try again for free

Set out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour for a classic whale watching adventure in Faxaflói Bay. With an expert crew and marine biologist naturalists on board, this tour offers the chance to encounter some of Iceland’s most remarkable marine wildlife, including humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises.

As you cruise through these nutrient-rich waters, enjoy live commentary, scenic views of the surrounding coastline and mountains, and access to comfortable onboard facilities including outdoor viewing decks and a heated indoor saloon. Every trip is a genuine wildlife experience, with each encounter happening naturally and on the animals’ terms.

Before or after your sailing, explore the floating Wildlife Exhibition for an engaging introduction to the whales, dolphins and seabirds of the bay. With wildlife seen here throughout the year, this is a memorable way to experience Reykjavík from the water.

With an expert crew and marine biologist naturalists on board, this tour offers the chance to encounter some of Iceland’s most remarkable marine wildlife, including humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 3 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
City Reykjavik
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Check-in

Meet us at our ticket office by the Old Harbour in Reykjavík at least 15 min. before scheduled departure for check-in. We are located in a double A-frame house by the pier; simply follow the red colour at the harbour to find us. Our team will show you to the boat, located just a few steps down the harbour.

Wildlife Exhibiton & Boarding

Step aboard Fífill, our one of a kind floating Wildlife Exhibition, housed in a beautifully converted fishing vessel. As you wander through the hull, you'll immerse yourself in the fascinating world of the whales and other marine wildlife you might encounter on your tour. Discover real whale and dolphin skeletons, baleen plates, teeth, and an impressive bird display, offering a captivating preview of the wonders that await you.

Head directly to the whale watching vessel, where you’ll present your boarding card to the crew. Once on board, you’ll have access to multiple outdoor viewing platforms for prime wildlife spotting, a heated saloon with ample seating and large windows, a cafeteria serving drinks and light refreshments, as well as toilet facilities. To keep warm, complimentary overalls are available for your comfort.

Classic Whale Watching

Choose your spot, whether you prefer the comfort of the heated saloon or the crisp air and panoramic views outside. While the excitement builds, your experienced naturalist will deliver a safety briefing and introduce you to the incredible wildlife you may encounter on the journey ahead. As we set off into the bay, where the thrill of spotting wildlife awaits, keep your eyes peeled for majestic humpback whales, sleek minke whales, playful white-beaked dolphins and swift harbour porpoises - species commonly seen on our tours throughout the year. 

Our passionate naturalist will share fascinating insights about the marine life and the environment along the way, enriching your experience as we venture further into their world. As we search the waters, remember that we adhere to a strict code of conduct to ensure that all interactions occur naturally, on the animals' terms. While we aim to bring you as close as possible to these magnificent creatures, the wellbeing of the wildlife is our top priority, so specific encounters can't be guaranteed.

Disembarking

The total duration of the tour is approximately 2-3,5 hours, from boarding to disembarking, with the time spent observing wildlife varying based on the sightings. We hope you enjoy your experience with us and leave with lasting memories of Reykjavík’s beautiful wildlife. If you’d like photos from your tour, feel free to email us, and our team will be happy to share any they were able to capture!

Now that you're back on land, we recommend taking a stroll through the charming Old Harbour area, where you'll find a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafés. If you need a ride back to your hotel, please contact our ticket office for assistance.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Reykjavík 1 city · 3 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • 2-3,5 hr. whale watching tour
  • Use of warm overalls and blankets
  • Excellent live commentary in English
  • Complimentary WiFi on board
  • Access to our Wildlife Exhibition
  • Heated indoor saloon
  • Large viewing windows
  • Wildlife guarantee (or try again for free)
  • Pictures taken by crew (when possible)

What's Not Included

  • Pick up / Drop off (available for an extra charge)
  • Refreshments (can be purchased on board)

Know before you go

This is the original whale watching tour from Reykjavík and one of the most popular attractions in Iceland! Join us for a chance to encounter the incredible whales and dolphins of Faxaflói bay.

As the weather in Iceland can be quite unpredictable, we advise you that this tour is weather dependent. In case of unfavourable conditions in the bay, the itinerary may be altered (possibly resulting in a longer duration) or the tour could get cancelled on short notice. You will be notified of any changes as soon as possible, but we suggest that you have a look at our online whale diary to check for updates.

Since this is a genuine wildlife tour we can never predict or guarantee sightings of any kind. Additionally, we abide by a Code of Conduct for responsible whale watching and thus each encounter is on the animals' terms. In the event that we don't encounter any whales or dolphins, we do not offer refunds, but instead give our passengers a complimentary ticket to use another day. 

See here for more information about whale watching from Reykjavík and get to know the cetacean you can expect to come across on the tour. 

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Reykjavík, IS
Tour start
Reykjavík, IS
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 3 hours finish where they began, in Reykjavík.

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