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(63)
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 !
Crew was very nice. Unfortunately we only saw birds. No whales. They do offer another trip if you have time
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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
Hello, Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic trip with us. Seeing two humpback whales together, along with dolphins, is a truly special experience, and we're so pleased that you were able to enjoy these amazing wildlife encounters. It's also great to know that you enjoyed the commentary from our knowledgeable and friendly guide and felt well looked after by our crew. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to the team. Thank you for choosing Reykjavík Sailors. We're thrilled that you loved the experience, and we look forward to welcoming you back on board next year for another unforgettable whale watching adventure! 🐋🐬🌊💙 Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
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
Hello, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We're delighted to hear that, despite being on a larger vessel than you're used to, you felt our team maintained a strong focus on animal welfare and responsible wildlife viewing. It's also wonderful to know that our knowledgeable crew and spacious boat helped make your trip comfortable and enjoyable. What an incredible day on the water—seeing minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and harbour porpoises all in one tour is truly special! We're so pleased everything on your wildlife wish list was ticked off. Thank you for choosing Reykjavík Sailors, and we hope to welcome you back aboard for another unforgettable adventure in the future. 🐋🌊 Best regards, Reykjavik Sailors
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
