Iceland · Dolphin or Whale Watching

Whales & Lava Show

4 Hours Round trip from Reykjavík Easy pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Combine whale watching and the Lava Show in one experience
02 Search for whales and dolphins in Faxaflói Bay
03 Learn from an excellent live guide during the boat tour
04 See real lava from the 1918 Katla eruption reheated and poured live
05 Experience Iceland’s volcanic forces up close in a safe indoor setting
06 Enjoy panoramic views from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour
07 Free WiFi on board the whale watching tour

Experience two of Iceland’s most memorable natural wonders in one combo tour from Reykjavík: a classic whale watching trip on Faxaflói Bay and the remarkable Lava Show. This experience pairs time on the water searching for whales and dolphins with a close-up encounter with real molten lava in a safe indoor setting.

Begin with a guided whale watching tour from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, where you can enjoy wide ocean views while learning about the marine life that inhabits Icelandic waters. Then make your own way to the Grandi harbour district for the Lava Show, where real lava from the 1918 Katla eruption is reheated and poured before a live audience for an unforgettable demonstration of Iceland’s volcanic power.

Blending wildlife, education, and geology, this 4-hour combo is a great way to discover two very different sides of Icelandic nature in a single day.

And as the audience sits safe in their seats yet only a few feet away from the flowing lava, it is mesmerizing to see, hear, smell and feel the incredible heat that radiates from it.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 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

Day 01

Whale Watching

Start your combo experience by going on a whale watching tour in Faxaflói bay with a pioneering company in sea adventures. Search for the whales and dolphins that call Iceland their home and learn more about the special creatures that live in our oceans.

Lava Show

Witness a recreation of a miniature volcano eruption, as real lava from the 1918 Katla eruption is superheated and once molten, it is poured into a showroom full of people. It is an incredible, unforgettable experience. And as the audience sits safe in their seats yet only a few feet away from the flowing lava, it is mesmerizing to see, hear, smell and feel the incredible heat that radiates from it.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Reykjavík 1 city · 4 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

3 hr. Classic Whale Watching tour
50 min. Lava Show
Excellent live guide
Free WiFi

What's Not Included

Pickup is available for extra charge
Drop off is not available for this combo tour

Know before you go

Please arrive at least 15 minutes before each tour starts.
It gets hot in the showroom when the lava pours in so people are advised to remove some layers of clothing before the show starts. The show is a safe experience and the heat should not be an issue but pregnant women, people with infants, and people with cardiovascular diseases are recommended to sit in the back and/or close to the exits just to be on the safe side. While the show is family friendly, it may not be best suited for the very youngest age group (0-4 years).

Logistics