Reykjavik, Húsavík, Akureyri and the other ports: where to sail from, when to go, and 30 tours compared.
Very often in summer, but nobody can promise it.
IceWhale, the association of Iceland's whale watching companies, puts the success rate at 90% or higher in summer. Operators publish their own figures: Elding reports whales on more than 95% of its summer tours from Reykjavik, Whale Watching Hauganes 99% in summer 2025, and Gentle Giants 97 to 99% on average in recent years. These are the sellers' own numbers, and we have found no independent count.
Whales are wild, so sightings can't be predicted. That is why many operators give you a free return ticket if nothing is seen. The terms differ: most don't refund you, and some count dolphins as a sighting.
Over 20 species live in Icelandic waters, and IceWhale says 8 are often seen on tours.
From five areas, from Reykjavik to the fjords of the north and west.
The prices are the lowest we read on GetYourGuide for each area.
14 tours from €50
Boats leave from the Old Harbour, a 5-minute walk from the city centre according to Special Tours. Elding lists humpbacks, minkes, dolphins and porpoises as the most common wildlife in Faxaflói Bay.
Whale watching from Reykjavik6 tours from €71
The town's Whale Museum says it is often called the whale capital of Iceland. It lists humpback, minke, white-beaked dolphin, porpoise and blue whale as the most common species in Skjálfandi Bay.
Whale watching from Húsavík8 tours from €67
Visit Akureyri says the fjord is considered one of the best places to watch whales, with humpbacks all year. Boats also leave from Hauganes, Árskógssandur and Dalvík, 25 to 30 minutes' drive away.
Whale watching from Akureyri1 tour from €109
Láki Tours says no other firm runs whale tours on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and sails for the chance to see orcas and sperm whales.
Orcas in Iceland1 tour from €98
In the Westfjords, a family firm with roots going back to 1998 runs a tour that sets out to spot humpbacks.
Reykjavik if you are staying in the capital, Húsavík if you are touring the north.
Húsavík is about an hour's drive from Akureyri.
You walk to the boat from the city, and you can go in any month: operators here sail all year. Special Tours says the chances may be lower outside April to September.
A small town on a bay, with tours since the mid-1990s and traditional oak boats you can choose over a modern one. Boats sail from April to October, and one operator continues into November.
For a first trip, the large boat from Reykjavik: it has far more reviews than any other.
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14 tours from €50. Here are three, the others are on the Reykjavik page.
From the Old Harbour
For a first trip: the most reviewed tour here by far, with a heated cabin to warm up in.
From the Old Harbour
For the lowest price here, on an evening in summer.
From the Old Harbour
For a fast boat and 12 people at most, with a museum ticket included.
6 tours from €71.
Oak boat
For a traditional oak boat with a local firm, at the lowest price in Húsavík.
12 seats
For a fast boat, and Puffin Island in season.
8 tours from €67.
25 minutes from Akureyri
For a tour on an oak boat, with coffee and cinnamon buns on board.
From central Akureyri
For a heated cabin and no drive: the boat leaves from the Hof cultural centre.
One tour from each port.
From Ólafsvík
For orcas: IceWhale says they are commonly seen on tours in the west.
From Ísafjörður
For humpbacks in the Westfjords, if you are already there.
Prices and ratings are read from GetYourGuide. Prices are rounded up. Last checked on 4 Nov.
Every tour here is free to cancel up to 24 hours before it starts.
| Tour | Duration | Starts | Min. age | Rating | From | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| From Reykjavik | ||||||
Most reviewedThree hours on a large boat with a heated cabinSea Trips ReykjavíkBoat: Large boatIf no whales are seen: Free return ticket, valid up to three years, subject to availability. No refund.Keep in mind: If nothing is seen you get a return ticket, not a refund. The tour can run 2.5 to 3.5 hours. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, Reykjavik, or pickup as an option | €89 | See dates: Three hours on a large boat with a heated cabin | ||
Lowest priceEvening cruise in the summer lightElding Adventure at SeaBoat: Large boatKeep in mind: Summer only: check the dates when you book. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | Ægisgarður 5, Old Harbour, Reykjavik | €50 | See dates: Evening cruise in the summer light | ||
RIB with a museum ticket includedSpecial Tours IcelandBoat: RIBGroup size: 12 people at mostIf no whales are seen: A free ticket for the classic tour.Keep in mind: From age 10 and 140 cm. Not for pregnant women or people with back problems. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Not suitable with
| 2 h | Special Tours, Ægisgarður 5, Reykjavik | 10 years | €170 | See dates: RIB with a museum ticket included | |
| From Húsavík | ||||||
Most reviewed in HúsavíkThree hours on an oak boat, with a local family firmGentle Giants Whale WatchingBoat: Oak boatIf no whales are seen: A voucher for another tour, dolphins count as a sighting. No refund.Keep in mind: Arrive at least 40 minutes before departure. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | Gentle Giants ticket centre, Garðarsbraut, Húsavík | €71 | See dates: Three hours on an oak boat, with a local family firm | ||
12-seat RIB to the bay and Puffin IslandHusavik AdventuresBoat: RIBGroup size: 12 people at mostKeep in mind: From age 8 and 130 cm. A departure can be cancelled with fewer than 4 passengers. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 2 h | Hafnarstétt 11, Húsavík | 8 years | €150 | See dates: 12-seat RIB to the bay and Puffin Island | |
| From Akureyri and Eyjafjörður | ||||||
Lowest price in the fjordOak boat from Hauganes, with cinnamon bunsWhale Watching HauganesBoat: Oak boatKeep in mind: You need your own way to reach Hauganes: pickup isn't included. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Not suitable with
| 2 h 30 | Hafnargata 2, Hauganes | €67 | See dates: Oak boat from Hauganes, with cinnamon buns | ||
Most reviewed in the fjordClassic cruise from Akureyri with a heated cabinWhale Watching AkureyriBoat: Large boatIf no whales are seen: A free ticket, valid 2 years in Reykjavik and Akureyri.Keep in mind: It costs more than the oak boats outside town. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | By the Hof cultural centre, Strandgata 12, Akureyri | €102 | See dates: Classic cruise from Akureyri with a heated cabin | ||
| From the west | ||||||
Looking for orcas and sperm whales from ÓlafsvíkLáki ToursBoat: Boat for up to 70 passengersKeep in mind: Runs from 10 February to 30 September. Orcas are not there on every departure. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 3 h | Norðurtangi 9, Ólafsvík | €109 | See dates: Looking for orcas and sperm whales from Ólafsvík | ||
Humpback tour from Ísafjörður with the captainSjóferðirBoat: BoatKeep in mind: Not suitable for people prone to seasickness. What's includedIncluded
Bring
Not suitable with
| 2 h 30 | Ásgeirsgata, Ísafjörður | €98 | See dates: Humpback tour from Ísafjörður with the captain | ||
A large boat for comfort and children, a RIB for speed and a small group.
Oak boats are the traditional choice in the north. What each one offers is on its own tour page.
| Large boat | Oak boat | RIB | |
|---|---|---|---|
| From | €70 | €67 | €140 |
| Duration | 2 to 3 h | 2 h 30 to 3 h | 2 h |
| Passengers | Up to 95 on the largest yacht | Not stated | 12 per boat on several tours |
| Minimum age | No limit on most pages | No limit stated | Age 8 at Húsavík, 10 at Reykjavik and Akureyri |
| Indoors | A heated cabin on most | Depends on the boat | No toilets on some |
April to September, says Visit Iceland, though some boats sail all year.
All year
April to October or November
All year at Hauganes
10 February to 30 September
Months shown are those operators state for their own tours. We don't show a row for Ísafjörður, because we have not read its months.
Tours are less frequent in winter, and Special Tours says the chances may be lower. See the best time, species by species.
You sail for two to three and a half hours, in warm clothes, while the crew looks out.
Times and rules vary by operator: here is what a few of them say.
Sea Trips asks for 30 minutes before departure, Gentle Giants at least 40 minutes in Húsavík.
Many boats lend warm overalls. Bring warm clothes anyway: it is colder on the water.
The length depends on where the whales are that day: 2.5 to 3.5 hours on Sea Trips' boat.
IceWhale's members signed a code of conduct in 2015. Whale Watching Hauganes says its boats can turn off their engines near the whales.
Humpbacks and minkes above all; orcas and sperm whales mostly in the west.
Visit Iceland lists humpback, minke, orca, fin, sperm and blue whales as the most commonly seen. IceWhale gives the months.
Most often on tours in the north, from April/May to September/October, and increasingly in the south in late winter.
Most often in the south, from March/April to September/October, and quite regularly in the north and west. IceWhale says fewer are now found near the coast.
Commonly on tours in the west, from November/December to June/July. See orcas in Iceland.
Most often on tours from the west, from April/May to August/September.
Visit Iceland says finding one takes luck, and a trip to Skjálfandi Bay.
White-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises live around Iceland all year.
The no-whale terms, the weather, and your stomach.
Most large boats give a free return ticket and no refund. Several RIB tours say nothing about it on their page.
Captains decide on the day. If weather cancels the tour, you are offered a refund or another date.
The sea can be rougher than expected. Reykjavik Sailors has tablets on board. Otherwise, bring your own.
More than 400,000 people went in 2023, IceWhale says. It takes about three hours, from €70 on a large boat.
IceWhale puts it at 90% or higher in summer. Over the year, Elding reports more than 90% from Reykjavik. These are operators' figures, and none of them is a promise.
The best monthsFrom €50 on a summer evening tour from Reykjavik. Most large boats start at €70, and RIBs at €140. Prices are per person.
Visit Iceland says April to September. Sea Trips gives April to October as the peak. For orcas in the west, Láki Tours says March to May.
Month by monthYes: boats leave from the Old Harbour all year. Elding reports whales on more than 90% of its tours.
Tours from ReykjavikIceWhale says they are commonly seen on tours in the west of Iceland. We list one tour there, from Ólafsvík.
Orcas in IcelandIceWhale says humpbacks are most often seen in the north, and minkes in the south. Choose the one closest to your route.
Tours from AkureyriOn most large boats, yes: their pages give no age limit, and several lend overalls in children's sizes. RIBs start at age 8 or 10, with a minimum height.
IceWhale says fin and minke whales have been hunted commercially in Icelandic waters, and Láki Tours says fin whales still are.
Pick your port, then your boat.
