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Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavík

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Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavík

Take a boat ride from Reykjavik to see whales and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the coast of Iceland.

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Whale seen breaching during a whale watching tour.

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Whale fully breaching close to visitor on a whale watching tour with Elding in Reykjavík.

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Whale fluke seen on a whale watching boat tour with Reykjavik, Iceland in the background.

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Whale seen breaching out of the ocean on a Elding whale watching tour with Reykjavík in the background.

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Orca swimming in the ocean during a whale watching tour in Iceland with Elding.

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Two whales spotted swimming during a whale watching tour with Elding in Reykjavík.

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Whale swimming in water seen at a whale watching tour with Elding in Reykjavík.

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Whale jumping out of water during a whale watching tour in Reykjavík with Elding.

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Visitors on a whale watching boat tour viewing a whale fluke come out of the ocean.

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Puffin skimming over the ocean near Reykjavík, captured during an Elding Whale Watching tour, showcasing Iceland's rich wildlife on the water.

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Dolphin seen jumping out of the ocean during a whale watching tour with Elding in Reykjavík.

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Orca pod swimming together during a whale watching tour in Reykjavík, Iceland.

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Our best rates

Price Per Person

Whale Watching Boat Tour in Reykjavík

If you have the opportunity, don’t miss the chance to join our whale watching excursion. Observing whales is a truly unique experience, and a boat trip offers a refreshing change from land-based day tours. The adventure begins at the harbor, where you'll board the boat. Warm overalls are available if you feel cold or want extra protection. If you need further warmth, you can enjoy a coffee or something stronger. The boat is fully equipped with all the necessary facilities to ensure your comfort, allowing you to choose whether to sit inside or outside.

As the ship sets off, you’ll cruise through Faxaflói Bay, where Reykjavik is located. Don’t forget to take in the stunning views of Reykjavik from the sea. Your captain will use modern technology and expertise to locate the whales, often following birds that lead the way by flying over areas where fish, the whales' prey, are abundant.

Meanwhile, your guide will be on hand to help spot wildlife and share fascinating information about the animals you encounter. Common sightings include Minke whales, Humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises, with occasional appearances by other species.

February - November Tours
Departure time: 09:00
Pickup starts: 08:15

All Year Tours
Departure time: 13:00
Pickup starts: 12:15

Itinerary

Be ready at your chosen pickup place 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time of your Whale Watching tour. Please make sure to be on time as you might be the first pickup of the day.

Note that some areas in Reykjavík have traffic restrictions which can mean that your pickup place is the closest bus stop. Our booking engine will guide you to the correct location. Usually located within a 5 minute walk from your accommodation.

Your driver drops you off at the Old Harbor in Reykjavík for your whale watching tour the includes the following comforts

Use of warm overalls and blankets
Excellent live guidance in English
Complimentary WiFi on board
Access to the Wildlife Exhibition
Heated indoor saloon
Large viewing windows
Wildlife guarantee (or try again for free)
Pictures taken by crew (when possible)

Pickup starts 45 min before departure.

Head to the double A-frame house by the pier where the team will show you to the boat located close by at the harbor.

You'll start by stepping aboard Fífill a boat that has been turned to a Wildlife Exhibition. Walk through and explore whale and dolphin skeletons, baleen plates, teeth, and a bird display.

Afterward, board the whale watching vessel where you’ll present your boarding card to the crew. On board you'll find multiple outdoor viewing platforms, a heated saloon with large windows, a cafeteria, and restrooms. Complimentary warm overalls are available for comfort while spotting wildlife.

Whale Skeleton Elding Whale Watching Wildlife Exhibition Medium1600x1202

The journey begins at the harbor, where guests board a well-equipped boat designed for comfort. Warm overalls are provided and if the sea air feels chilly the onboard café inside the boat offers coffee or other drinks to keep you warm.

As the boat departs into Faxaflói Bay passengers are treated to views of Reykjavík from the water where they get a unique angle of the city. The captain and crew use advanced tracking equipment and expert knowledge to navigate towards areas where whales are most commonly spotted. Often, flocks of seabirds signal the presence of fish that attract whales to the area.

A knowledgeable guide, often a marine biologist, is on board to help guests spot Minke whales, Humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises, while sharing interesting facts about these incredible marine creatures. And occasionally, rarer species make an appearance, adding to the excitement of the journey.

When you're back on land your shuttle awaits to drive you back to your hotel or nearby drop-off location.

Note that some areas in Reykjavík have traffic restrictions which can mean that your drop-off location is the closest bus stop. Our booking engine guides you to the exact spot. Usually located within a 5 minute walk to your accommodation.

Reykjavik Faxafloi Bay City View Medium1600x1067

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, especially out at sea, so it’s important to pack wisely to stay comfortable throughout your whale watching adventure.

Here are a few essentials to bring:

Warm layers – It can be much colder on the ocean than on land.
Waterproof outerwear – Wind and sea spray are common on the boat. Although, there is also a heated lounge and overalls to borrow.
Hat, gloves, and scarf – Even in summer, it gets chilly out on the water.
Fully charged phone and camera – For capturing unforgettable whale sightings.
Comfortable, sturdy shoes – Decks can be wet and slippery.

In winter, we recommend thermal layers and extra warm socks to keep you cozy during the cruise.

Daily

4 Hours

English-Speaking Guide

Included

Pickup and Drop-off in Reykjavík
Expert guidance in English
Wifi on board
Wildlife guarantee (or try again for free)

Not Included

Refreshments (can be purchased on board)

June 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Pickup location *

Have a question?

Booking a trip doesn’t have to be confusing. Simply send us an inquiry with any questions you have. We're always happy to help.

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Tips and trivia

Blue whales are bigger than any dinosaur we know of - Making them the largest known animal to ever live on earth.
Whales can hold their breaths for at least 20 minutes and some whales can stay underwater with one breath for 2 hours

Additional information

Pickup starts 45 min before departure
Free cancellation up to 24 hours

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Available dates

Selected date

June 2025

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I combine Whale Watching with another tour?

We offer numerous options to spice up your Whale Watching tour and make the most of your visit in Iceland. Here's a list of some great tours.

Join on the same day:

Add a Stopover Package:

What if the weather doesn’t allow for a boat excursion?

If a tour is canceled due to unfavorable conditions, our partner, Elding, will notify you as soon as possible using the contact details provided in your booking. However, as weather can be unpredictable, cancellations may occur up to two hours before departure.

If you wish to reschedule, we are happy to assist in finding a new departure time. Alternatively, you can switch to a different experience or receive a full refund. For further assistance, please reach out to our team.

What if I don’t see a whale on the tour?

This Whale Watching tour has over 90% sighting success rate. However, as this is an authentic wildlife tour, we cannot predict or guarantee specific sightings. We also adhere to a strict Code of Conduct for responsible whale watching, ensuring that all encounters occur on the animals' terms.

If there are no whales or dolphins seen on your tour, we do not refund the tour price, but rather our whale watching partner Elding gives you a complimentary ticket to try again another day. The voucher is valid on a future Classic tour for at least 2 years and for returning passengers only. The tickets are also non-transferrable, meaning they cannot be changed to a different service other than the one it states on the ticket.

Where will I be picked up in the city center?

Due to traffic restrictions in the city center, your pickup location may not be directly in front of your hotel or accommodation but rather the closest bus stop.

It’s important that you provide the complete address of your accommodation when booking your tour and our convenient system will provide you with the closest pick-up location if direct pickup is not possible at your accommodation.

A good example is Hótel Óðinsvé where you’ll be guided to Bus Stop 8 at Hallgrímskirkja. To make it easy to find we’ve put together locations of all city center bus stops.

All our vehicles are easily recognizable, displaying the distinctive Snæland Travel logo and a sign in the window with the tour name.

How do I prepare for a pickup with Travel Reykjavík by Snæland Travel?

First things first, have your correct email and phone number listed with us upon booking your tour so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.

Pickup usually starts 30 minutes before the tour departure time. The exact information is provided in your booking. Please be ready at your pickup stop from the start of the pickup time indicated to avoid any delays, as you might be the first pickup of the day.

In the case of any unforeseen events you can always give us a call +(354) 588 8660 (or the contact number provided in your email).

Is there always a guide on the tours by Travel Reykjavík and Snæland Travel?

Yes, there is a trained and certified English speaking guide on each one of our tours, ready to make your day.

The only exceptions are Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon transfer tours, our Self-Drive tours, and Private tours unless a private guide has been requested at an additional charge.

Are there any family friendly tours available for younger children?

Yes, Snæland Travel offers a number of family-friendly tours and activities. The Golden Circle Day Tour is a wonderful family experience where you see the must visit Gullfoss waterfall, the all age favorite Strokkur geyser, and stroll around Þingvellir National Park (the kids will love Peningagjá).

The Reykjavík City Tour & FlyOver Iceland Experience is also a great tour for those who want to stay in town and discover the city. There are no age restrictions however the Flyover Iceland Experience has a height requirement of 1m (ca. 3ft). Whale watching tours with our partner company Elding are also a time tested favorite for families with young children.

Another option could be one of our Stopover Packages that consist of multiple day tours so that you can rest easy in the same spot every night in Reykjavík, while also experiencing outer city adventures during the day.

Now, if you are travelling with an infant or small children you might feel more comfortable on one of our Private Driver tours so that you can easily adjust your schedule and enjoy a more relaxing time with your family.

For more recommendations we’re only a click away.

Tips and trivia

Blue whales are bigger than any dinosaur we know of - Making them the largest known animal to ever live on earth.
Whales can hold their breaths for at least 20 minutes and some whales can stay underwater with one breath for 2 hours