Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik
Description
Discover the wonders of Iceland through our unparalleled Whale Watching excursions. Embark on a memorable journey from Reykjavik's Old Harbour, venturing into Faxaflói bay to encounter Minke and Humpback whales, Dolphins and Harbour porpoises. Admire the stunning vistas of Reykjavik's surrounding mountains, islands, and vibrant birdlife. Ensuring your comfort, our boats provide snug overalls, cozy indoor cabins, a delightful bar, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your adventure begins at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, where you’ll board one of our comfortable whale watching boats. As you set sail into Faxaflói Bay, take in panoramic views of the city skyline and surrounding mountains while the crew shares insights about Iceland’s marine wildlife and natural environment.
As you depart or return to the harbour, enjoy views of Harpa, Reykjavík’s iconic glass concert hall. Its shimmering façade reflects the light of the bay, making it one of Iceland’s most photographed landmarks.
On clear days, admire breathtaking views of Mount Esja rising behind Reykjavík and, in the distance, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula — often called “Iceland in Miniature” for its diverse landscapes and volcanic peaks.
After few hours at sea, the tour concludes back at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. Warm up with complimentary overalls and enjoy a hot drink on board as you reflect on your unforgettable whale watching experience.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- NOTE: You should schedule to be at our departure point at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure.
- Please, check our DAILY DIARY before you come for the tour, all the important daily information of all our tours will be notified on our website.
- If you have a boat tour booked, please check your email before the tour as all important daily information will be notified via email.
- We recommend wearing good footwear and warm clothing. Don´t forget to bring your camera to take amazing photos!
- Kindly notify us if you require wheelchair access, as not all of our boats are equipped for accessibility.
Reviews(57)
We went out on a 9am whale watch trip. Although it was a bit cold and rainy, the waters were reasonably calm. The guides did a great job helping us spot humpback whales, minke whales, and a number of bird species, including puffins. We were fortunate enough to see a humpback whale jump out of the water, although it was at a bit of a distance. The boat was clean and not overcrowded. A big plus was that we’re were given the option of wearing coveralls, which was really helpful in the cold rain. All in all, this was a really great experience.
We did this trip on Tuesday ..the weather was great just a bit wind. We saw 2 humpback whales together and some dolphins with them. The guide very knowledgeable and friendly. The ship very good. Staff very friendly. We loved it and will be back next year
Larger tour/boat than we're used to, but the company still respected the animal welfare. Knowledgable crew and lots of space to move around Saw Minke, Humpback, Dolphins & Porpoise, so everything ticked
Really good experience, we loved it!
Hello, Thank you for your amazing review. We’re thrilled to hear you had such an unforgettable experience with so many sightings and such active wildlife — truly special moments out on the water. We really appreciate the recommendation. Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors Team
Fantastic experience. We saw squirrels and dolphins
Mange tak for din fine anmeldelse! Vi er meget glade for at høre, at du havde en fantastisk oplevelse hos os, og at I var så heldige at se både pukkelhvaler og delfiner – det er virkelig noget helt særligt. Det er præcis sådanne øjeblikke, vi håber at kunne give vores gæster. Vi håber at byde jer velkommen ombord igen en anden gang til endnu flere gode oplevelser på havet! Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
Seaworthy vessel, nicely sized to deal with rough seas (ours was thankfully calm), appeared to be well-maintained. (Personally, we would never do a zodiac boat outing because of the distance traveled to promising whale locations.) Our sailing was not crowded, plenty of railing space for everyone to observe the single humpback we found, who made several appearances, even showing his tail, which delighted our very capable and interesting guide. All in all, a relaxing three hour venture on the high seas, made even more special by nice weather.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the vessel comfortable, well-maintained, and well-suited for the conditions. It’s great to know you had plenty of space to enjoy the experience and that your encounter with the humpback whale—especially the tail display—made the trip memorable. Our guides truly love sharing these moments, and your kind words will mean a lot to the team. We also appreciate your perspective regarding different boat types, and we’re glad our sailing experience matched your preferences for comfort and distance. Thank you again for joining us—we hope to welcome you back on board for another relaxing adventure in the future! Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
This was awesome! We got to see a lot of Puffins in the water and several humpback whales. Our driver, deck hand, and guide was amazing. The guide really made the trip and was full of information. Would gladly book again with him as the guide.
Hello, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an awesome experience with us. Seeing both puffins up close and several humpback whales truly makes for a memorable day on the water. It’s especially great to know that our driver, deckhand, and guide made such a positive impression—your kind words about the guide’s knowledge and enthusiasm mean a lot, and we’ll be sure to pass them along. We’d be delighted to welcome you back on board anytime—hopefully for another unforgettable adventure! Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
Highly recommended, we went with family and very well
Hello, Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear you had a great family experience and truly appreciate the recommendation. Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors Team
The most unpleasant experience. After a cancellation due to weather, we rebooked a whale watching tour, and the process was smooth and easy. The boat departed on time, and the guide was very informative and pleasant throughout the trip, making a real effort to keep everyone engaged. However, once we left the harbor, the sea was very rough, just as we had been warned. About 30 minutes into the trip, many passengers (including us) started feeling seasick. Even though we took the anti-nausea pills, by the time they worked, we had already missed the whales that others saw. We could only hear the guide describing them over the speakers. I briefly caught a glimpse of one, but that was it. Overall, it was not a disappointing experience due to poor organization or the absence of whales, but purely because the seasickness prevented us from enjoying the trip and fully appreciating these beautiful animals. So if you plan to go on such a trip in rough seas, make sure you take precautions in advance to fully enjoy the experience.
Hello, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re sorry to hear that seasickness affected your enjoyment of the tour, especially after everything else ran smoothly and the guiding met your expectations. Sea conditions can sometimes be challenging, and while we do our best to prepare guests with advice and onboard remedies, we understand how much this can impact the overall experience. We truly appreciate your understanding and your helpful advice for future travellers. Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors Team
On the date of our original booking sea was rough so our booking was postponed. The boat was comfortable and everything well organised. Going far out we saw 3 dolphins, on our way back to the port we were very lucky to see some Minke whales very close to the port. My kids had a great time ☺️
Hello, Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re pleased everything ran smoothly after the reschedule and that you and your family had an enjoyable time out on the water. It’s great to know the trip offered some memorable wildlife encounters. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again. Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors Team
