Tours/Reykjavik/Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik
Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik
4.7(66)Reykjavik3 hours
VIATOR3.0(5)TRIPADVISOR4.8(61)
+12 photos
At a glance
Duration
3 hours
Price from
$97 / person
Location
Reykjavik, Iceland
Rating
4.7 / 5 · 66 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 198
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Reykjavik Sailors
Meeting point
Meet us at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office, for your upcoming tour.Please arrive 30 minutes early at the meeting point.
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.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
9:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM
Next available
Wed, Oct 14
Adult (ages 16+)
$97
Youth (ages 7–15)
$49
Child (ages 0–6)
Free
Out at sunset: the 5:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 5:31 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 30 of the next 90 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Tour Options
09:00 departure
Classic tour 3-3.5 hours
13:00 departure
Classic tour 3-3.5 hours
17:00 departure
Classic tour 3-3.5 hours
Itinerary
Faxafloi Bay
Pass by
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.
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre
Pass by
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.
Mount Esja
Pass by
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.
Old Harbour
Pass by
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.
What's included
Included
Free WiFi on board
Free ticket to join again in case of no sightings
Heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities
Experienced and professional guides
2,5-3,5 hours Whale Watching tour
Complimentary seasickness tablets available
Warm flotation overalls
Not included
Snacks and beverages sold on board
Pickup is available for extra charge
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
66 reviews
5
55
4
7
3
1
2
1
1
2
How it compares in Reykjavik
Starting price $97 is 29% below the typical $137 for tours of similar length in Reykjavik
Excurgo comparison of 1,573 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
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.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik take?
Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
How much does Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik cost?
Prices start at $97 per person for this Reykjavik experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 3 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.
How much does Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik cost for children?
Children aged 0–6 pay nothing, adults from $97.
Does Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik sell out?
It can: 30 of the next 90 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Meet us at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office, for your upcoming tour. Please arrive 30 minutes early at the meeting point. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 198 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Kindly notify us if you require wheelchair access, as not all of our boats are equipped for accessibility.
Reviews(66)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
D
Dreamer548019
September 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Incredible Experience
Incredible experience. We originally had a booking for a monday but the weather was awful, they emailled us a day before saying we could go on their 5pm tour instead. We took it up, and so glad we did. Not only was the weather on the monday awful, but on the tour we took up we saw 3 humpback whales. It was one of the most beautiful experiences we all witnessed. We couldn't get over how close the boats were able to carefully get, so we could all have incredible views of the whales. The guide was fantastic.
It is cold, so definitely wrap up!
9
928cathalq
September 9, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A fabulous evening.
A fantastic trip weather was excellent and there were plenty of whales to watch. Alex and all the staff were excellent.
B
BoardingPass490530
August 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Whale watching
Great service. Friendly staff. We were lucky to see humpback and minke whales. Definitely recommend.
J
juttahY3392QD
August 15, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent experience
very easy to manage, not complicated toi find, the guide was extremely both professionnel and entertaining and told a lot of interesting things about the whales, Reykjavik, the birds. Really great !
7
792alicek
August 7, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
No whales
Crew was very nice. Unfortunately we only saw birds. No whales. They do offer another trip if you have time
M
MartinC892
July 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Excellent way to see whales
We had an excellent time on this cruise. We saw plenty of humpback whales and even some rare Finn whales. Plenty of bird life too including puffins on the sea. The guide was very good and knowledgeable (as well as speaking in both English and German). It was cold so wrap up well. The only complaint was that we got there early to get a good seat. However a large tour group turn up after us but were let on first and took all the best seats.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear you had such an enjoyable cruise and were lucky enough to see humpback whales, the rare fin whales, puffins, and other seabirds. It's also great to know you appreciated our guide's knowledge and multilingual commentary.
We're sorry to hear about the boarding experience. Occasionally, larger groups are boarded together for operational reasons, but we understand your disappointment after arriving early and appreciate you bringing this to our attention.
Thank you for your feedback, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon!
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
C
Cleo I
July 7, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful whale watching with lovely guides
We saw all 4 species that are common in the bay. Humpback using a bubble net was the highlight. Great guide, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable
Operator response
Hello,
We're delighted to hear that you were able to see all four of the species most commonly found in Faxaflói Bay. Witnessing a humpback whale using a bubble net feeding technique is a truly remarkable sight and definitely a special highlight!
We're also very pleased that you enjoyed the enthusiasm and knowledge of your guide. Our team loves sharing their passion for Iceland's incredible marine life, and it's wonderful to know that this helped make your experience even more memorable.
Thank you for choosing Reykjavík Sailors, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another unforgettable whale watching adventure!
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
C
Companion05830026796
July 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Nice ride with beautiful views
We got to see one whale and some dolphins. Glad we did this, just for the views alone. It was so pretty! Our 6 year old enjoyed it as well! Boat also had indoor seating area where you could buy drinks/snacks if you needed a break from the wind/cold. Life jackets provided if desired. I think the life jackets were required for anyone under 12.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your lovely review!
We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that your family, especially your 6-year-old, had a great time. Seeing a whale and dolphins is always a memorable experience, and we're glad you were able to enjoy the beautiful scenery as well.
It's wonderful to know that you appreciated the indoor seating area and onboard refreshments, providing a comfortable place to warm up when needed. Safety is very important to us, and we're pleased that the life jackets and family-friendly facilities helped make your trip enjoyable.
Thank you for choosing Reykjavík Sailors. We hope to welcome you and your family back on board for another unforgettable adventure in the future!
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
F
flutist1962
July 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Sound system 3 Whales 5
Sound system is designed poorly. Unless you are on an outside deck, the people inside (especially if other guests are talking) cannot discern what the captain is saying. We could not hear the safety instructions, rules of the vessel, or the instructional commentary at all over the din of people talking loudly amongst themselves. When crew was approached about the problem, they said there was nothing they could do; however this crew can ensure that all safety instructions are audible. A gentle shhhh would have sufficed. The whales were very cooperative, we saw minke, humpback, and dolphins. This is a very large vessel, and quite comfortable. The spotter was excellent, and we learned quite a lot. Tickets and instructions for check-in and boarding were handled well.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed feedback.
We're sorry to hear that you had difficulty hearing some of the commentary and safety information during the tour. We understand how important it is for all guests to be able to hear announcements clearly, especially safety briefings, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. Your comments will be shared with our team as we continuously look for ways to improve the onboard experience.
At the same time, we're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the wildlife sightings and were able to see minke whales, humpback whales, and dolphins during your trip. It's also wonderful to know that you found the vessel comfortable, appreciated the work of our wildlife spotter, and felt that the check-in and boarding process was well organised.
Thank you again for your valuable feedback and for joining us on the waters of Faxaflói Bay. We hope to welcome you aboard again in the future.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
E
Eido W
June 28, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Well executed
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.
Operator response
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review!
We're delighted to hear that you had such a great experience on our 9:00 whale watching tour. Despite the cool and rainy weather, it sounds like nature put on quite a show! Seeing humpback whales, minke whales, puffins, and other seabirds—and even witnessing a humpback breach—is truly a special experience.
We're glad our guides helped you spot the wildlife and that you found the boat clean and comfortable. It's also great to hear that the complimentary overalls helped keep you warm and dry during the trip.
Thank you for choosing Reykjavík Sailors.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
Compare similar tours in Reykjavik
Lowest price: Guided Whale Watching Experience from Reykjavik — $97
Best rated: Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri — 4.6 (1,100 reviews)
Shortest: Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik — 2 hours