Tours/Akureyri/Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central
Viator · group up to 189 pax

Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central

4.6(46)Akureyri1 hour
VIATOR4.5(20)TRIPADVISOR4.7(26)

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.

Tour Options

Express Whale Watching

Highlights

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

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

4.6
46 reviews
5
38
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2
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4
2
0
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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

Reviews(46)

M
Mercedes_D
August 11, 2026
Whale Watching 8.10.26

We are currently doing the ring road adventure. Yesterday was so beautiful out for whale watching and we got to see a few! Our tour guide was very informative and a great guide. I forget the young man’s name but he was amazing! Glad we got this opportunity.

Operator response

Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed the beautiful weather, spotted a few whales, and had such a positive experience with our guide. It's especially nice to know you took the time to share your feedback while continuing your Iceland adventure. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope you enjoy the rest of your travels around the country!

R
Robert1675
July 24, 2026
No sightings

No sightings so I got comped for a voyage later in the week. Guide was super knowledgeable.

Operator response

Thank you for your review! 😊 We're sorry that no whales were sighted during your tour, but we're glad you were able to take advantage of our complimentary ticket policy and join another voyage later in the week. It's wonderful to hear that you found the guide knowledgeable and informative throughout the experience. Even on days when wildlife is elusive, our team always strives to make the tour engaging and enjoyable. Thank you for joining us in Akureyri!

D
Denise_J
July 19, 2026
We saw a whale!

The weather changed greatly as you left the fjord. We were glad to have brought our gloves and hats. The tour provided interesting information and facts concerning the whales predictable blows prior to deep dives so we could watch for the tail. Glad we chose a little larger boat for the tour as the sea was a bit choppy at the entrance to the fjord.

Operator response

Thank you for your review! 😊 We're glad you came prepared for the changing weather conditions and that you enjoyed the information shared during the tour. It's always exciting to spot the whales' blows and watch for those spectacular tail dives! 🐋 We're also pleased to hear that you felt comfortable on board and appreciated being on a larger vessel, especially with the choppier sea conditions. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again in the future! ⛵✨

R
Rosis1967
July 17, 2026
A spectacle of nature!

It was a very positive experience: the boat was welcoming and tidy, the guide, I think his name was Davide, gave us a lot of information about the life and habits of these cetaceans and was available to answer some of my questions. We only saw one, but we watched it dive and resurface many times, even very close to our boat. Upon returning, you can download the photos taken by the expert guide for free via a QR code.

Operator response

Grazie mille per la sua splendida recensione! 😊 Siamo felici di sapere che abbia vissuto un'esperienza così positiva a bordo e che abbia apprezzato sia l'imbarcazione che le spiegazioni della nostra guida, Davide. È sempre un piacere condividere curiosità e informazioni sul mondo dei cetacei e rispondere alle domande dei nostri ospiti. Anche se avete avvistato una sola balena, siamo lieti che abbiate potuto osservarla così da vicino e assistere ai suoi affascinanti tuffi e riemersioni. Momenti come questi rendono ogni escursione davvero speciale! 🐋 Grazie anche per aver menzionato il servizio fotografico disponibile tramite QR code. Speriamo che le foto vi aiutino a conservare un bellissimo ricordo della vostra avventura. Saremo lieti di accogliervi nuovamente a bordo in futuro!

S
Stephen_C
July 13, 2026
We saw 4 whales!

Excellent experience, and on the day we went we saw 4 whales (3 Humpbacks and 1 minke whale) There was plenty of room on board the boat, and the commentary was good too. The tour guide took some pictures which we had access to and were much better than the ones we had taken on our phones. Overall we would highly recommend

Operator response

Thank you for reviewing and recommending us! We are glad you enjoyed the commentary and photos from your tour. It's great to hear that yoy saw 4 whales during your tour! That's amazing!

M
Melody_Z
July 10, 2026
The staff and guide were...

The staff and guide were excellent and the tour was amazing Guide was very knowledgeable and well versed on wildlife and the fjord

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about our whale watching tour in Akureyri! We are delighted to hear that you had a great time with us and that you found both our crew and guide to be excellent. Your kind words mean a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you on board again for another unforgettable adventure in the future!

F
Fedefranceintheworld
July 2, 2026
Stunning fjord where you can spot whales.

The ship is comfortable, and the guide is knowledgeable. There weren't many of us on board, so we could move around to see the whales better. The staff takes photos that they then share via QR code. We saw a couple of whales coming up to breathe. The boat does not use sonar and stays at a distance to avoid disturbing. The fjord and the scenery are beautiful.

Operator response

Grazie per la sua gentile recensione! Siamo felici di sapere che ha apprezzato l’escursione e che ha trovato la nostra guida preparata e competente. Siamo inoltre molto contenti che abbia avuto la possibilità di avvistare le balene e che la barca non fosse affollata, permettendo a tutti i partecipanti di godere di una vista eccellente e di un’esperienza più confortevole. Ci fa piacere sapere che ha trovato semplice accedere alle foto scattate durante l’escursione tramite il nostro codice QR. Grazie ancora per aver condiviso la sua esperienza e speriamo di darle il benvenuto nuovamente a bordo in futuro!

C
Coastal28420785414
July 1, 2026
Feeling part of the community studying and protecting these amazing mammals

Great whale watching experience with a knowledgeable guide, who explained the rule of engagement to limit the stress caused by our presence. The availability of warm suit was essential for us to enjoy the whole trip.

Operator response

Thank you for your kind review. We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed your whale watching tour in Akureyri and appreciated our guide's explanation of our respectful, non-intrusive approach to whale watching. We are especially pleased that you noticed this, as providing an experience that prioritises the well-being of the whales while allowing our guests to enjoy them in their natural habitat is at the heart of what we do. We are also happy to hear that our warm overalls helped keep you comfortable throughout the tour. Most of all, we are thrilled that you had such a great time with us. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in the future!

D
ddianir
June 23, 2026
Must do

Lovelly ride in the fijord, we saw 3 walles and one waved back, such a spectacle. Attentive crew ( safety &wellbeeing)

Operator response

Thank you for sharing a review! We are glad you saw 3 whales and one of them was waving, that's super cool! Thank you for highlighting our crew!

J
janetpP381GW
June 20, 2026
Best tour ever

Fantastic experience. Guide was excellent very knowledgeable. Had gone on a trip previous day booked through cruise, double the price. Whilst experience was positive as we seen Whales the guide did not provide any information.

Operator response

Thank you for sharing your opinion with us! We are very happy to hear that you had a fantastic experience on our whale watching tour and that you found the guide very knowledgeable. It is great to know that this added value to your overall experience. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on board again in the future!

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4.6(46)
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