From Ólafsvík
Láki Tours
Looking for orcas and sperm whales from Ólafsvík
For the chance of orcas and sperm whales in season, on a boat with a saloon and an upper deck.
Orcas in Iceland
Where orcas are seen on tours, in which months, and why it is worth leaving yourself several days.
- From
- €109
- Duration
- 3 h
- Best season
- Feb to Sept
- Tours compared
- 1
Where can you see orcas in Iceland?
On tours in the west, says IceWhale, off the Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Láki Tours says no other firm runs whale tours on the peninsula, and it sails from Ólafsvík. It says orcas in West Iceland feed mainly on herring. IceWhale has worked with the nonprofit Orca Guardians since 2016 on a code of conduct for watching them.
Iceland has a famous orca: IceWhale says Keiko, the star of the film Free Willy, was captured in Icelandic waters in 1979.
Which tour goes looking for orcas?
One, from Ólafsvík: it is the only one we list for this area.
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Compare in detail
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Looking for orcas and sperm whales from ÓlafsvíkLáki ToursBoat: Boat for up to 70 passengersKeep in mind: From 10 February to 30 September. Not suitable for people prone to seasickness. 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 |
When is the best time to see orcas in Iceland?
March to May, says Láki Tours, with April and May above all.
According to Láki Tours
From mid-February to June on its tours, March to May being the most reliable. Its page on GetYourGuide gives February to early July.
According to IceWhale
Commonly in the west from November/December to March/April, then from April/May to June/July.
In summer and autumn
Later in the year you are looking for other species: white-beaked dolphins and minke whales above all in August and September.
Can anyone promise you orcas?
No: even Láki Tours says it doesn't see them on every departure.
They move
Láki Tours says they can travel up to 120 km in a day, so they can leave the area quickly.
Give it time
If orcas are the reason for your trip, it advises several days in the area and flexible plans.
Check the terms
The tour's page on GetYourGuide says nothing about a new ticket if nothing is seen. Ask before you book.
What else can you see from Ólafsvík?
Sperm whales in spring, humpbacks and dolphins later on.
Sperm whales
April to June are Láki Tours' best months. IceWhale says most sightings are on tours from the west.
Humpback whales
April, then July to September in recent years, says Láki Tours.
Pilot whales
Less often in recent years, Láki Tours says.
Blue whales
A handful of times in five years.
Is it worth going to Ólafsvík just for orcas?
Only if you have several days and flexible plans, says Láki Tours.
Can you see orcas from Reykjavik or Húsavík?
Elding doesn't list them among the most common wildlife off Reykjavik, and the Whale Museum doesn't list them for Skjálfandi Bay. We have no reliable rate for either.
How much is the tour?
From €109 on GetYourGuide, per person.
How long does it last?
About 3 h.
Do the boats disturb orcas?
IceWhale says there is still limited regulation and monitoring of whale watching in Iceland, which is why it wrote a code of conduct. It worked on one for orcas with Orca Guardians.
Not going to Snæfellsnes?
IceWhale says humpbacks are most often seen in the north.