Whale Watching and Marine Life Tour in Reykjavik

Reykjavik, Iceland

3 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Iceland is known for its rugged landscapes but it’s also home to a number of wildlife species. Embark on a journey to the Bay of Faxafloi and enjoy a whale-watching excursion. Keep your eyes peeled for minke, humpbacks, and even orcas as well as other marine life like porpoises and dolphins. While you sail, enjoy views of Reykjavik’s coast, spotting landmarks like Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture.

Learn about aquatic wildlife from your captain
Upload your live photos with the onboard Wi-Fi
If you don’t see wildlife, receive a ticket for another day
Upgrade to a private tour for a personalized experience

What's Included

Guided language in english
Panoramic views
Free WiFi
Drinks and snacks are available for purchase
Professional guides
Spacious observation decks
Restroom on board

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Old Harbour House | Food, Drinks & Tours
Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
We are located at the Reykjavík Old Harbour close to the city's center. It is the main port of departure for whale watching and northern lights tours. *Please arrive at the meeting point 30 MINUTES BEFORE DEPARTURE.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Faxaflói (Pass By)

Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre (Pass By)

Faxaflói (Pass By)

Engey (Pass By)

Lundey (Pass By)

Videy Island (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 75 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.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Antonis_G

Saw a humpback wale and boat made sure we get good shots and tried to keep up with the whale. Announcer gave very nice information and made sure we were entertained

Reviews

4.5

14 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 14 reviews

Great experience

Yvonne_L, Mar 2024

We were not excepting to see any whales, but we’re pleasantly surprised. Beautiful scenery too. Would recommend.

Memorable experience

Antonis_G, Mar 2024

Saw a humpback wale and boat made sure we get good shots and tried to keep up with the whale. Announcer gave very nice information and made sure we were entertained

Fabulous trip - we saw loads!

natashalouisek, Mar 2024

So firstly, we travelled with our three year old. As we boarded, we were shown a safe place to keep the pushchair. The staff got us a life jacket for our daughter but she was happy enough to stay inside 99% of the time. The boat was incredibly comfortable and prices on board were excellent (we particularly enjoyed the pot noodles). The captain was fabulous and made sure if he was able to see anything, he called it out straight away. The boat wasn’t packed unlike some of the other operators so it was nice to be able to walk about and not feel overcrowded. We saw a few whales and some of them got really close. My three year old loved it and it is a new core memory.

We were lucky enough to...

Marlies_H, Feb 2024

We were lucky enough to see the whales multiple times. The crew on board were all very friendly and made sure we all could follow where the whales were being spotted. I would recommend wearing really warm clothes because it’s extremely cold if you stay on the outside of the boat for multiple hours.

First time in Iceland,...

John_L, Jan 2024

First time in Iceland, first time for kids to go whale watching. What an experience for all of us! The guides were very good, friendly and funny. Only disappointment was there was no catering for food intolerances.

Whale watching

Penelope_O, Mar 2023

This trip was quite disappointing not because we didn't see any whales but because it also mentioned a marine life tour which involved was a few sentences. We also found it very disappointing from a safety aspect that we were not given life jackets to wear, we were old where they were, luckily we didn't need them.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Hello, I am sorry you didn't find the tour up to scratch. We like to balance information with allowing people time to relax and enjoy the scenery without continuous commentary. We have never had a complaint before about the lack of tourguide interaction on a whale-watching tour before! With regards to the lifejackets, this is a huge 32m yacht, with a 1 metre high railing around it. No one has ever fallen off. During the safety briefing we tell everyone where they are, and all kids 12 or under must wear them at all times. Occasionally we have a nervous adult customer who wants to wear them and if they ask the crew they are given an adult-sized one to wear. It is a shame you didn't ask!

10/10!!

Caitlan_T, Jan 2023

Amazing experience got to see a beautiful humpback whale surrounded by snowy mountains couldn't have asked for more.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thank you for taking the time to write a review of our tour. We're glad that your experience exceeded your expectations and that you couldn't have asked for more. We are happy that we were able to provide you with a memorable experience and we appreciate your positive feedback. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future. All the best,

Good experience

Manisha_D, Dec 2021

Experience was good... However we saw no whale due to snow and bad weather...but the captain and the crew was informative and friendly...

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Please come again for free one day!

Au top

Audrey_M, May 2024

Superbe expérience nous n'avions rien vu la première fois du coup nous avons pu retenter une seconde fois et cette fois nous avons vu dauphins et baleines. Bateau très confortable et personnel très gentil

Gemütliche Stimmung bei...

Julia_S, Dec 2021

Gemütliche Stimmung bei Aufbruch mit Jazz-Pop-Musik. Wir haben zwei Delfinarten und einen Minkwal gesehen. Orcas und Buckelwale haben wir leider nicht gesehen, danach wurde auch nicht speziell geschaut. Die Crew hält mit bloßem Auge in einem bestimmten Gebiet Ausschau. Als sich ein paar Delfine dem Boot näherten, ging der Motor an, was sie erschreckt hat. Vielleicht ein unglücklicher Zufall?! Habe nicht extra nachgefragt. Die angegebene Adresse für den Meetup stimmt nicht ganz, es ist eine Hütte weiter als bei Google Maps angegeben. Die Mädels, die mir das Ticket gegeben haben, waren mittelmäßig freundlich. Im Anschluss läuft man in Eigenregie um einen Häuserblock zur Anlegestelle. An sich kein Problem. Aufgrund einer Baustelle war es aber doch etwas tricky auf Anhieb zu finden, Schilder oder ein Guide, der die Gegend im Blick hat, hätten geholfen. Im Ganzen war die Tour okay. Mindestens so beeindruckend wie die Walsichtungen ist auch die Aussicht. Und im Winter hat man romantischerweise noch die untergehende Sonne mit am Horizont im Bild. Das war schon sehr schön landschaftlich!

Response from Host, Feb 2022

Erstens tut mir mein Deutsch leid! Es tut mir leid, dass Sie keine Wale gesehen haben, das sind wilde Tiere und es kann schwierig sein, sie zu finden. Es tut mir leid, dass die Delfine verängstigt waren, aber die Sicherheit des Bootes ist das Wichtigste, und wenn der Kapitän will, dass die Motoren laufen, müssen sie laufen. Vielen Dank für Ihre freundlichen Worte über das Boot und die Mitarbeiter, und ich stimme zu, die Sonnenuntergänge sind erstaunlich! Vielen Dank für Ihre Bewertung.