Reykjavik

The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

Name: The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik
Brand: Elding Whale Watching
SKU: 7090P9
Price: 92.00 USD
Rating: 4.5 (1749 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceReykjavik, Iceland

Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik Old Harbour

3 hours
Offered in: English

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Overview

Experience the magic of whale watching on a cruise from Reykjavik. With a knowledgeable guide, cruise the coastal curve of Iceland to marvel at whales in their natural habitat. Scour the sea for sightings of porpoises and dolphins as you listen to fascinating facts surrounding the majestic creatures that inhabit the Icelandic ocean. Heighten your chances of seeing whales on this tour, the success rates of which are 95% in summer and 80% in winter.

Whale watching tour from Reykjavik
Learn about the fascinating wildlife that inhabits Iceland's ocean from a knowledgeable guide
Scour the see for sightings of other creatures like dolphins, porpoises and rare sea birds
Choose from multiple departures to best suit your schedule

What's Included

Excellent live guide
Overalls, raincoats and blankets
Admission to Wildlife Exhibition
Free WiFi on board

Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Elding Whale Watching
Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Meet us in the ELDING ticket office located at Ægisgarður 5c by the Old Harbour district in Reykjavík. Once at the pier, simply follow the red colour to find us! Be sure to arrive at least 15 min. before departure to ensure enough time to check in and to board the boat.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
The tour may sometimes depart from other harbours when the conditions in Reykjavík are rough. In this case, the tour may be 1-2 hrs. longer than advertised.
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
No whales or dolphins on your tour? Try again another day for FREE!
Please note that our fleet is not completely wheelchair accessible as there are steep stairs between lower and upper decks and high thresholds to get from the decks into the saloon as well as from the saloon to the toilets.
Wheelchair users are welcome to bring a foldable chair onboard our bigger boats, but if possible, please advise our office prior to departure as we may need to assist with boarding.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Roland_B

The staff were very well prepared and kind. They explained everything clearly. We really enjoyed the cruise. Unfortunately we didn't see any larger whales, but we did see a lot of defins. We would very much like to choose this company again.

Reviews

4.5

1,749 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 1,749 reviews

Poor english

Tage_R, Apr 2024

No whale, or maybe just a glimpse. Worn out vessel. The guide was very inarticulate. Spoke very poor English

Great trip despite shy whales.

Martin_S, Apr 2024

An excellent way to spend part of your time in Iceland! It was a beautiful sunny, crisp morning as we set out across the water. All of the staff on-board looked after us very well and, even though we didn't see any whales, we had a really great time! Plus, they gave everyone free tickets for another trip because of the shy whales 🐋

Elding are highly recommended

Philip_P, Apr 2024

Fantastic experience seeing a humpback whale and a bunch of puffins. Professional pictures from the operator provided from our trip to our email account as well so you don’t need to worry about losing your phone over the side of the boat. Free seasickness tablets and the loan of a warm jumpsuit if needed. Last but not least, commentary provided by a marine biologist who talks about the work the company does cataloguing and tracking the marine life and answers any questions passengers have. Would definitely go again, and would highly recommend Elding for any tours!

Not worth the price. If it includes some soft drink or a snack worth it.Cruise is not scenic too.

Grace_D, Apr 2024

The tour was ok we saw 2-3 whales.After spotting whales it was just a boring cruise nothing interesting to look around.

Great experience

Lynn_C, Apr 2024

Fabulous experience! We thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The museum was really informative as were the crew.

Totally Worth It!!

Eliza_R, Apr 2024

The whale watching tour was amazing! We were able to see humpback and minke whales, puffins and seabirds. The boat itself is nice, rain coats and covers are provided to wear over your coat, and the captains are knowledgeable marine biologists. Seeing humpback whales in an ethical way had been on my bucket list for years and this was such a fantastic way to see several. Highly recommend!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Eliza_R, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are delighted to read about your positive experience of our tour and glad you appreciated our sustainability efforts! Thank you for your recommendation, it truly means a lot to us! All the best, The Elding team

only one whale but a nice experience

T_S, Apr 2024

Despite the cold, the seas were calm and it was a nice cruise. The staff were very friendly and attentive and it was enjoyable. Unfortunately, we only saw one whale but these things happen

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear T_S, Thank you very much for your kind review. We are pleased to hear that you had a wonderful time on the tour. While we strive to provide unforgettable wildlife encounters, nature can be unpredictable and sightings are never guaranteed. Nonetheless, we're glad you had the opportunity to witness at least one whale during your tour! All the best, The Elding team

Whale watching

baukje_d, Apr 2024

Unfortunately no whales but a lovely boattrip. Very windy and waves. Lucky enough we did see puffins!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear baukje_d, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're glad to hear that despite not seeing any whales, you still enjoyed the boat trip and had the opportunity to see puffins. We appreciate your understanding of the unpredictable nature of wildlife sightings and hope to welcome you aboard again in the future. All the best, The Elding team

What an experience!

Shannon_M, Apr 2024

Me and my family went on this tour in hopes of seeing at least one whale. The day we decided to book for, there was over 50 whales in every direction! What added to this moving experience, was the marine biologist that told us where to look was so excited and enthusiastic by what she was seeing that it made everyone 10x more excited. 10/10 experience

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Shannon_M , It sounds like you and your family had an absolutely incredible experience on our whale watching tour! Witnessing over 50 whales in every direction must have been truly awe inspiring - our crew were even surprised at the quantity! We're thrilled to hear that our marine biologist guide's enthusiasm added to the excitement of the experience for everyone on board. Thank you for choosing Elding for your adventure, and we're delighted to hear that it was a 10/10 experience! All the best, The Elding team

Not spectacular, but Ok

Lisa_O, Apr 2024

Was ok but a bit over priced. I know you can never guarantee sighting of an animal in nature but just seemed to me we were trawling around the Atlantic. The guide was lovely and seemed to have some knowledge. The sickness pills were an advantage. All in all, 3 hours out at see was a bit much for me!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Lisa_O, Thank you for taking the time to share your honest feedback with us. We are glad you understand that sightings can vary and hope you also take into account that we sometimes need time to search for the wildlife in the vast bay. Our aim is to create enriching experiences that allow our guests to appreciate the beauty of the natural world and we are sorry if we fell short in your case. In terms of the tour duration, we do provide a shorter alternative on RIB boats, albeit at a higher cost. All the best, The Elding team

Elding Whale watching

Melanie_R, Apr 2024

We had an afternoon trip, 1pm. It was very calm and we saw Porpoises, Minke whales and the icing on the cake, Orcas, at least 5. The afternoon trip the day before saw at least 50 humpback whales. Very well organised and great commentary. Would highly recommend Elding Whale watching Iceland.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Melanie_R, Thank you for joining us on an afternoon trip and for sharing your fantastic experience! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a memorable time on board! Our team works hard to ensure that each trip is well organised, accompanied by informative commentary. We're delighted to hear that you appreciated our efforts and your kind recommendation means a lot to us! All the best, The Elding team

Amazing, awe-inspiring experience.

Lewis_C, Apr 2024

You can tell this company really love nature and care for the environment. This trip was our last tour of our holiday and it was absolutely brilliant. We saw at least four or five humpbacks, seals and other wildlife. The whales put on a hell of a show and did at least 15 jumps, flukes and breaches. The guide was so enthusiastic and excited, it was a truly magical experience. It is absolutely freezing, make sure you layer up and take handwarmers! We'd definitely do this trip again, it was such a magical way to spend an afternoon.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Lewis_C, Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a wonderful experience on our tour and that you appreciated our love for nature and commitment to environmental care. It's fantastic that you were able to witness several humpbacks, seals and other wildlife during your trip, and that the whales put on such an impressive show with their jumps, flukes, and breaches. We're delighted that our guide's enthusiasm and excitement added to the magic of the experience for you. And thank you for the tip about layering up - staying warm is key when wildlife watching! We'd be honoured to have you join us again for another magical adventure in the future! All the best, The Elding team

Whale watching

Cedric_M, Mar 2024

Being in a boat enjoying the sun and view that's all I have to say about the trip as we did not see whales or dolphins

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Cedric_M, Thank you for sharing your feedback with us. While we regret that you didn't have the opportunity to see whales or dolphins during your trip, we're glad to hear that you enjoyed the experience of being out on the boat and soaking up the view in the sun. We appreciate your understanding and hope to have the chance to welcome you back for another tour in the future! All the best, The Elding team

Amazing day viewing an or a pod

Amy_P, Mar 2024

This was an amazing trip for us, as we got to see a pod of orcas! The guide did an excellent job helping our eyes locate them in the water and the company even emailed me photographs the staff photographer took from our ship.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Amy_P, Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing day viewing a pod of orcas during The Original Classic Whale Watching tour from Reykjavik. It's fantastic that our guide was able to help you spot them in the water, and we're glad you enjoyed the photographs taken by our staff photographer. All the best, The Elding team

Great but need to have better viewing areas

Eugenia_L, Mar 2024

First time on board we saw nothing and the seas were pretty rough. They gave us vouchers and we came back 2 days later to a wonderful show of porpoises, minke and humpback whales having lunch. One thing though, there is NOT enough room in the outside viewing areas so be prepared to stake a spot and brave the cold if you want to video without other people’s head in the way!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Eugenia_L, Thank you for your feedback and for joining our Classic Whale Watching tour from Reykjavik. We're glad to hear that you had a great experience on your second trip and were able to see porpoises, minke, and humpback whales. All the best, The Elding team

Absolutely Amazing

Lesley_F, Mar 2024

Seeing Davey Jones the Humpack on several times, we saw a Minky & a school of dolphines who put on a show for us.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Lesley_F, Thank you for sharing your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you had an absolutely amazing experience on our Classic Whale Watching tour. It's fantastic that you were able to see Davey Jones the humpback whale several times, as well as a minke whale and a pod of playful dolphins. All the best, The Elding team

Great staff, beautiful scenery!

Brya_P, Mar 2024

Staff and crew were very nice. The guide was wonderful- she said it was her first time on the mic- she gave clear directions on a clock on where we could find things in the water. Sadly, we did not see any whales but we did see porpoises & many dolphins. The boat was clean and warm, the bathrooms were clean, there was a snack bar with drinks, and plenty of seats inside and outside the boat.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Brya_P, Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the hospitality of our staff and crew on our whale watching tour. We're glad to read about your positive outlook despite not encountering any whales, but are glad that you were still able to see porpoises and dolphins. It's reassuring that you found the boat clean and comfortable and we're pleased that our guide provided clear directions and information. All the best, The Elding team

Overrated

Jeetu_M, Mar 2024

Crowded boat, very mediocre experience. Maybe it was the time of the year, but you spend very little time with the whales. In 3.5 hrs of being on the boat, we only saw one humpback whale twice. It was so crowded that you couldn’t get a clear visual. I think go with a smaller operator or on smaller boats for a better experience. The crew is knowledgeable and these guys are very well researched. They offer the photos for free which is the only positive

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Jeetu_M, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. We're sorry to hear that your experience didn't meet your expectations, but we're glad to hear that you found our crew knowledgeable and appreciated the complimentary photos offered. Perhaps we can have the pleasure of taking you out on our RIB boats next time! All the best, The Elding team

Disappointing Trip

Martin_W, Mar 2024

Comfortable boat trip with great Mountain View’s and of Reykjavík but did not see any whales, porpoise, seals, dolphins etc. In fairness they do offer you free lifetime complimentary tickets when no whales etc are spotted but still at over £70 per person it is a lot of money to pay just for a boat trip.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Martin_W, Thank you for joining our tour and for sharing your feedback. We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the comfortable journey and the great mountain views of Reykjavík. We understand your disappointment in not spotting any wildlife. While sightings can never be guaranteed, we strive to provide the best possible experience for our guests. We appreciate your understanding regarding the complimentary tickets offered in such instances. Thank you for choosing Elding, and we hope to have the opportunity to welcome you onboard again in the future. All the best, The Elding team

Birds in Iceland for a small fee

Alex_C, Mar 2024

Saw a few seagulls, no whales. Given a free return trip, which was then cancelled. Requested a refund but as we had a boat ride to see some birds, that’s worth £78, and I can return in seven years for free. If you enjoy bird watching I would definitely recommend, 5/5 for sea sickness and some harbour views.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Dear Alex_C, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. We're sorry to hear that your whale watching trip did not meet your expectations. While sightings of marine wildlife can never be guaranteed due to the unpredictable nature of the tour, we understand your disappointment. As per our terms and conditions, we re not able to refund non-sighting tours. We appreciate your understanding regarding the offer of a complimentary return trip, although we regret any inconvenience caused by the subsequent cancellation due to rough weather. We hope you consider joining the tour again in future. All the best, The Elding team

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