Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik
Description
Experience the best Iceland has to offer with spectacular Whale Watching opportunities. Our tours offer a unique experience and we do our best to make this a lifetime experience for you. A Whale Watching adventure departing from Old harbour in downtown Reykjavik. We sail into Faxaflói bay in search of Minke and Humpback whales, Dolphins and Harbour porpoises. On this tour, you will also experience the spectacular views of the mountains and islands around Reykjavik as well as the wonderful bird life. On board we have warm overalls, heated spacious indoor cabins, a nice bar and free WiFi.
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.
Sail through the rich feeding grounds of Faxaflói Bay, home to humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Keep your camera ready — sightings are frequent, and you may even spot puffins (in summer) and playful seals. Our experienced crew uses their local knowledge to find the best viewing spots while sharing fascinating facts about each species.
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(780)
It is definitely worth it, but dress warmly. It is very cold on the open deck. The boat moves a lot, so if you get seasick, take Dramamine 30 minutes beforehand.
Great whale watching tour! We saw several whales and dolphins up close. The guide was knowledgeable and committed, the boat was comfortable and the whole experience exceeded our expectations. Highly recommended!
We saw many humbacks and got a lot of information about the whales living around Iceland. The guide was very friendly.
Really well organised and great commentary. I would recommend dressing warmly but there is viewing inside which is great if it rains. It was amazing to see dolphins and humpback whales.
We had a great day! I was a bit nervous about whether we’d see any whales since they had seen them on the earlier outing. We were on the boat for about an hour when two were spotted. What a blast! They hung around our boat for a good 45 minutes. Those two whales put quite a show on! The crew was very good at giving us all the info on the whales, and what we could see. I definitely recommend this excursion.
Dear Guest, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great day with us and that your patience was rewarded with an unforgettable encounter 🐋 It’s always a special moment when whales choose to stay close to the boat, and it sounds like you truly got to enjoy an amazing and extended show! We’re also very happy to hear that our crew helped make the experience even better by sharing information and guiding you through what you were seeing. Creating those memorable moments is exactly what we strive for. Thank you for your kind recommendation—it means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you on board again sometime in the future! Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
Tour was informative and interesting, lead by marine biologist who provides the right balance of facts and spotting information to see and observe the whale, dolphin and bird behaviors in the wild Boat is spacious and clean with lots of seating and a warm cabin if the wind and rain picks up.
Dear Guest, Thank you very much for your thoughtful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour both informative and engaging. Our marine biologists are truly passionate about what they do, so it’s wonderful to know that their balance of sharing knowledge while helping spot wildlife added to your experience 🐋🐬🐦 It’s also great to hear that you appreciated the comfort of the boat, from the spacious seating areas to the warm indoor cabin—especially important when the Icelandic weather decides to change! Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you on board again in the future. Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
Staff was nice. Good length for trip- not too long. We barely saw anything however regarding whales or porpoises. That is just how it goes.
Dear Guest, Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We’re really glad to hear that you found our staff friendly and that the length of the tour suited you well—that’s exactly what we aim for. We’re, of course, sorry that you didn’t get to see more wildlife on this occasion. As you kindly pointed out, whale watching is very much dependent on nature, and sightings can vary from day to day. That said, we truly appreciate your understanding. We hope you still enjoyed your time out on the water, and we’d love the opportunity to welcome you on board again for another try in the future. Best regards, Reykjavík Sailors
Great up close sightings of multiple Hump back Whales. Comfortable boat with good facilities. The whole family enjoyed the trip. The weather was amazing too. Actually got a tan.
Hello, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such great up-close sightings of the humpback whales—that’s always a special experience 🐋 It’s also fantastic to know that you found the boat comfortable and that the whole family enjoyed the trip together. And what a bonus with the amazing weather—getting a tan in Iceland is not something that happens every day! ☀️ We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and hope to welcome you all on board again in the future. Warm regards, The Reykjavík Sailors Team
Not so lucky as the whale did not show up well. Only sighted its dorsal fin. An experience but not value for money.
Hello, Thank you for sharing your experience and for joining our whale watching tour. You’re absolutely right that whale watching depends on nature and a bit of luck, and we’re sorry to hear that the sighting on your trip was limited. While even a glimpse can be exciting, we understand that it may not have met your expectations in terms of value. Our crew always does their very best to locate whales and provide an informative and enjoyable experience regardless of sightings, but wildlife can of course be unpredictable. We truly appreciate your feedback, as it helps us continue to improve both our tours and how we set expectations for our guests. We hope you might consider joining us again in the future for another chance at a more memorable sighting. Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
Everything it was wonderfull. The matching, the service, the assisstance.
Hello, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such an awesome experience with us. We’d be delighted to welcome you back on board anytime—hopefully for another unforgettable adventure! Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
