Tours/Akureyri/Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central
Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central
4.7(60)Akureyri2h 30min
VIATOR4.5(23)TRIPADVISOR4.8(37)
+2 photos
At a glance
Duration
2h 30min
Price from
$103 / person
Location
Akureyri, Iceland
Rating
4.7 / 5 · 60 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 189
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Special Tours Iceland
Meeting point
Please make your way to the Special Tours Akureyri Ticket Office, located at Oddeyrarbót 1, 600 Akureyri.
Description
Eyjafjörður's sheltered waters are some of the most reliable whale habitat in Iceland. Aboard the Lilja, dressed in warm provided overalls, you'll cruise with an expert guide who knows exactly where humpbacks and minke whales surface to feed — plus what to look for when amazing seabirds appear alongside the boat.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
9:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 2:30 PM
Adult (ages 16+)
$103
Youth (ages 7–15)
$52
Child (ages 0–6)
Free
Out at sunset: the 2:30 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 4:32 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 120 of the next 120 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 23.
Tour Options
Express Whale Watching
What's included
Included
Free onboard Wi-Fi
Whale sightings guarantee — no whales spotted? Free try again ticket.
Complimentary seasickness tablets available on board
Heated indoor saloon with panoramic windows, plus open viewing decks
Expert English-speaking guide with live wildlife commentary
Warm, floatable thermal overalls — adult and children's sizes provided
Not included
Food and drinks (available to purchase from the onboard café)
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.7
60 reviews
5
52
4
2
3
4
2
0
1
2
How it compares in Akureyri
No. 37 by number of reviews among 136 tours in Akureyri
Starting price $103 is 18% below the typical $126 for tours of similar length in Akureyri
Price over the last 21 days: $102–$103
Excurgo comparison of 136 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
If cancelled due to unsuitable sailing conditions, you will be give the option of an alternative date or a full refund.
Operates in a variety of weather conditions, please dress appropriately
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 Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central take?
Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central lasts about 2h 30min.
How much does Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central cost?
Prices start at $103 per person for this Akureyri experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 2:30 PM.
How much does Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central cost for children?
Children aged 0–6 pay nothing, adults from $103.
Does Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central sell out?
It can: 120 of the next 120 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central 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 Please make your way to the Special Tours Akureyri Ticket Office, located at Oddeyrarbót 1, 600 Akureyri. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central 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 189 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 60 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Special Tours Iceland.
Reviews(60)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
anthonyaY7351OV
October 2, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Whale Watching in Akureyri
We went on whale watching tour on Monday 21 Sept at 09:00 from a cruise ship in port for that day. The booking office was easy to find and just a ten minute walk from the cruise terminal. The booking office staff were helpful while waiting for the boat. The boat was clean and spacious with cafe, toilets and wifi on board. The staff and guide on board were very helpful and knowledgeable and we saw several whales some quite close to the boat. The team on board took photos and provided them via a link at the end of the tour. We enjoyed the tour and felt that it was good value for money and would recommend to anyone.
Operator response
Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review! We're delighted to hear that you found our ticket office easy to locate from the cruise terminal and that our team made you feel welcome before departure. It's wonderful to know that you enjoyed the comfort of the boat and appreciated the onboard amenities throughout the tour.
Most importantly, we're thrilled that you were able to see several whales, including some up close, and that our crew and guide helped make the experience both enjoyable and informative. We're also glad you liked receiving the photos after the tour so you could relive those special moments.
Thank you for recommending us and for choosing to spend part of your visit to Iceland with us. We hope to welcome you aboard again in the future for another unforgettable whale watching adventure!
1
185mariadoloress
September 30, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Good experience
100% recommended; The guide is in Spanish and English; You will see whales 100% guaranteed
Operator response
¡Muchas gracias por su recomendación! Nos alegra saber que disfrutó de la excursión y que la atención en español e inglés contribuyó a que la experiencia fuera aún mejor. Lo más importante es que pudo ver ballenas y vivir un momento tan especial en la naturaleza. Esperamos darle la bienvenida de nuevo a bordo en su próxima visita a Islandia. ¡Gracias por navegar con nosotros!
S
Serena_F
September 14, 2026 · via Viator
Fantastic experience while respecting the whales
Beautiful experience! I really liked how the company always respected the whales, approaching with discretion without invading their space. The excellent guide gave us some information about the surrounding flora and fauna while we were moving along the fjord towards the whales. In the end, we spotted two that even came close to the boat!
Operator response
Grazie mille per la sua splendida recensione! Siamo felicissimi di sapere che ha vissuto un'esperienza così bella con noi.
Ci fa particolarmente piacere che abbia apprezzato il nostro approccio rispettoso nei confronti delle balene. Il loro benessere viene sempre al primo posto e ci impegniamo ad osservarle in modo responsabile, senza interferire con il loro comportamento naturale.
Siamo inoltre lieti che abbia apprezzato le informazioni fornite dalla nostra guida sulla fauna e sull'ambiente circostante durante la navigazione nel fiordo. E che finale meraviglioso: avvistare due balene e vederle avvicinarsi alla barca è sempre un momento speciale e indimenticabile!
Grazie per aver navigato con noi. Speriamo di darle nuovamente il benvenuto a bordo per un'altra fantastica avventura!
8
815benitam
September 13, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A wonderful company. The Sofia made it a fun and educational.
Everyone was very helpful and kind. Boat was clean. Guide (Sofia) was very knowledgable. Great experience. Someone had fallen on our ride, and they took immediate action to make sure she was ok. They immediately shared photos from our trip so we could just enjoy the show.
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're delighted to hear that you had a great experience with us and found our team helpful and kind throughout the tour.
A special thank you for mentioning Sofía. She will be thrilled to hear that you enjoyed her guiding and found her knowledge valuable. We're also pleased that you appreciated the cleanliness of the boat and the photo sharing after the tour, allowing you to relax and fully enjoy the wildlife experience in the moment.
We're especially grateful for your comments regarding the crew's response when a passenger fell. The safety and wellbeing of our guests is always our top priority, and we're glad our team was able to act quickly and provide assistance.
Thank you for choosing to sail with us. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you on board again for another unforgettable whale-watching adventure!
G
genevieves443
September 13, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Awesome!
Jitke was amazing, funny and very knowledgeable :) We saw so many whales and she knew all of them!
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you saw so many whales during your tour.
A special thank you for mentioning Jitka. She'll be delighted to hear that you enjoyed her sense of humor and appreciated her knowledge about the whales. Being able to share both information and enthusiasm with our guests is something she does exceptionally well!
Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back on board for another fantastic whale-watching adventure in the future.
A
andydN3556GM
September 8, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Brilliant experience
Absolutely brilliant. Sophia was amazing
Operator response
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a brilliant experience with us.
A special thank you for mentioning Sofía. She will be delighted to know that she helped make your tour so memorable. Our guides are passionate about sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with guests, and it's always rewarding to hear when they've made such a positive impression.
M
Michael_G
September 6, 2026 · via Viator
100% whales
The excursion was great, and of course we also saw some whales. The boat was big enough to see the whales from above.
Operator response
Vielen Dank für Ihre Bewertung! Es freut uns sehr, dass Ihnen der Ausflug gefallen hat und Sie während der Tour einige Wale beobachten konnten.
Schön zu hören, dass das Boot groß genug war und Sie von oben eine gute Sicht auf die Wale hatten. Die Tiere aus verschiedenen Perspektiven beobachten zu können, macht das Erlebnis oft noch besonderer, und wir freuen uns, dass Sie dies genießen konnten.
Vielen Dank, dass Sie mit uns gefahren sind. Wir hoffen, Sie bald wieder zu einer weiteren unvergesslichen Walbeobachtungstour an Bord begrüßen zu dürfen!
F
F9489PKalexanderw
September 4, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Simply worth seeing, brilliant, and highly recommended
We were greeted warmly at the ticket counter, received our tickets booked online, and were allowed on board immediately.
The trip took approx. 45 minutes until we were in the area where whale sightings are possible. Our guide provided information about nature, the whales, their habits, etc. It was very interesting.
The captain continued slowly upon sighting to not stress the whales too much.
We were lucky and had several sightings. It was a great experience for all of us.
Operator response
Vielen Dank für Ihre wunderbare Bewertung! Es freut uns sehr, dass Sie am Ticketschalter freundlich empfangen wurden und mit Ihren online gebuchten Tickets direkt an Bord gehen konnten.
Schön zu hören, dass Ihnen die Fahrt gefallen hat und Sie die Informationen unseres Guides über die Wale, ihr Verhalten und die Natur in der Umgebung interessant und informativ fanden. Ebenso freut es uns, dass Sie die rücksichtsvolle Fahrweise unseres Kapitäns wahrgenommen haben, um die Tiere möglichst wenig zu stören.
Besonders begeistert sind wir darüber, dass Sie das Glück hatten, mehrere Walsichtungen zu erleben und dass der Ausflug für Ihre gesamte Gruppe zu einem unvergesslichen Erlebnis wurde. Vielen Dank, dass Sie mit uns gefahren sind. Wir würden uns freuen, Sie bei einem zukünftigen Abenteuer wieder an Bord begrüßen zu dürfen! 🐋
X
X2570IKnadineg
September 1, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Unique
Nice tour, good equipment, nice tour guides
Operator response
Vielen Dank für Ihre Bewertung!
Es freut uns sehr zu hören, dass Ihnen die Tour gefallen hat und Sie sowohl unsere Ausrüstung als auch unsere freundlichen Reiseleiter geschätzt haben. Unser Team arbeitet stets daran, allen Gästen ein sicheres, komfortables und angenehmes Erlebnis zu bieten, daher freuen wir uns sehr über Ihr positives Feedback.
Q
Q994SUstefaniab
August 30, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A lifelong dream!!!🐳
Incredible experience I had been dreaming of for a lifetime: after about half an hour of sailing, our excellent guide Lawrence starts spotting humpback whales and shortly after many others... at least a dozen!!! I highly recommend this tour with excellent value for money!!!
Operator response
Grazie mille per la sua splendida recensione!
Siamo felicissimi di sapere che questa sia stata l'esperienza che sognava da tanto tempo. Osservare le megattere nel loro habitat naturale è sempre un momento speciale, e incontrarne così tante ha reso il tour ancora più straordinario.
Ci fa particolarmente piacere leggere i suoi complimenti per Laurens. La sua passione per la fauna marina e il suo impegno nel far scoprire e conoscere le balene ai nostri ospiti rendono ogni escursione un'esperienza memorabile, e saremo lieti di trasmettergli le sue parole.
Grazie per aver raccomandato il nostro tour e per aver sottolineato l'ottimo rapporto qualità-prezzo. Speriamo di poterla accogliere nuovamente a bordo per un'altra indimenticabile avventura di whale watching in Islanda!
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