Most reviewed
Ægisgarður 2
Three hours on a large boat with a heated cabin
For a first trip: by far the most reviews here, a heated cabin, and pickup if you want it.
Whale watching in Reykjavik
14 tours from the Old Harbour, all year, from €50: large boat, yacht or RIB, and what happens if no whales are seen.
- From
- €50
- Duration
- 2 to 6 h
- Best season
- All year, best from April to September
- Tours compared
- 14
Can you see whales from Reykjavik?
Yes, all year, in Faxaflói Bay, though the operators say summer is best.
Elding reports whales on more than 90% of its tours over the year, and more than 95% in summer. Special Tours gives up to 90% in the bay. Those are their own numbers.
Elding lists humpbacks, minkes, dolphins and porpoises as what you usually meet. Sea Trips says they can be seen all year, with a peak from April to October. Special Tours warns the chances may be lower outside April to September.
Which whale watching tour from Reykjavik?
The large boat with the most reviews for a first trip, a RIB for a small group.
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On a large boat
Four tours from the Old Harbour.
Low price
Geirsgata 11
Whales and dolphins on a heated boat, tablets on board
For a low price by day, with seasickness tablets on board.
With a whale centre
Ægisgarður 5
Classic tour with a whale centre at the harbour
For a whale centre at the pier. The operator reports whales on more than 90% of its tours.
A seat inside
Old Harbour
Two to three hours with an indoor seat for everyone
For a guaranteed seat indoors on a cold day.
On a yacht
Two boats, from €90.
Lower price
Old Harbour House
On a motor yacht, Harpa or Amelia Rose
For a yacht at a lower price, with up to 35 or 95 people depending on the boat.
More reviews
Old Harbour House
On the yacht Amelia Rose, with blankets on deck
For the yacht with the most reviews, and pickup if you want it.
Faster or later
A shorter tour, or an evening in summer.
Shorter
Geirsgata 11
Express cruise on a faster boat
For a shorter morning: a faster boat, 2 to 2.5 hours in all.
Lowest price
Ægisgarður 5
Evening cruise in the summer light
For the lowest price of all, on a summer evening, with live music on board.
By RIB
Three tours, from €170.
With a museum ticket
Ægisgarður 5
RIB with a museum ticket included
For the highest-rated RIB here, with a Whales of Iceland ticket included.
Most reviewed RIB
Ægisgarður 2
Two hours by 12-seat RIB
For the most reviewed RIB from Reykjavik.
April to October
Ægisgarður 5
RIB for whales and puffins, April to October
For whales and puffins together in season.
With something more
A second activity on the same ticket.
With the museum
Geirsgata 11
A whale cruise and the Whales of Iceland museum
For a rainy afternoon as well: a cruise and the Whales of Iceland museum.
With puffins
Geirsgata 11
Two cruises: whales, then puffins
For puffins as well as whales, on two boats in one day.
With northern lights
Geirsgata 11
A whale cruise, and a northern lights cruise
For a second cruise after dark, in search of the northern lights.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On a large boat | ||||||
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: A return ticket if nothing is seen, not a refund. The tour runs 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 | ||
Whales and dolphins on a heated boat, tablets on boardReykjavik SailorsBoat: Large boatIf no whales are seen: A free ticket for another tour if no whales or dolphins are seen.Keep in mind: At some times of year the tour may run on a partner's boat. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | Geirsgata 11, Reykjavik | €70 | See dates: Whales and dolphins on a heated boat, tablets on board | ||
Classic tour with a whale centre at the harbourElding Adventure at SeaBoat: Large boatIf no whales are seen: Try again for free.Keep in mind: Hotel transfers are not included. What's includedIncluded
Not included
| 3 h | Ægisgarður 5, Old Harbour, Reykjavik | €92 | See dates: Classic tour with a whale centre at the harbour | ||
Two to three hours with an indoor seat for everyoneSpecial Tours IcelandBoat: Large boatIf no whales are seen: Another ticket for free.Keep in mind: The sea may be rougher than expected: be ready if you are prone to seasickness. 2 to 3 hours. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 2 h | Special Tours office, Old Harbour, Reykjavik | €92 | See dates: Two to three hours with an indoor seat for everyone | ||
| On a yacht | ||||||
On a motor yacht, Harpa or Amelia RoseHarpa YachtsBoat: Yacht, for 35 or 95 passengersIf no whales are seen: A ticket to return.Keep in mind: You don't choose between the two yachts. What's includedIncluded
Bring
| 3 h | Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, Reykjavik | €90 | See dates: On a motor yacht, Harpa or Amelia Rose | ||
On the yacht Amelia Rose, with blankets on deckSea Trips ReykjavíkBoat: YachtIf no whales are seen: Free return ticket, valid up to three years, subject to availability. No refund.Keep in mind: A return ticket if nothing is seen, not a refund. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h | Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, Reykjavik, or pickup as an option | €99 | See dates: On the yacht Amelia Rose, with blankets on deck | ||
| Faster or later | ||||||
Express cruise on a faster boatSpecial Tours IcelandBoat: Fast boatIf no whales are seen: A free ticket to try again.Keep in mind: Up to 90% sighting success, says the operator. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 2 h | Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, Reykjavik | €86 | See dates: Express cruise on a faster boat | ||
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 | ||
| By RIB | ||||||
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 | |
Two hours by 12-seat RIBSea Trips ReykjavíkBoat: RIBGroup size: 12 people at mostIf no whales are seen: A free ticket to try again.Keep in mind: From age 10 and 145 cm. Not for pregnant women or people with back problems. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 2 h | Ægisgarður 2, Reykjavik | 10 years | €170 | See dates: Two hours by 12-seat RIB | |
RIB for whales and puffins, April to OctoberElding Adventure at SeaBoat: RIBGroup size: 12 people at mostKeep in mind: From 1 April to 31 October only. No toilets on board. Under 75 years old and 140 kg. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
Not suitable with
| 2 h | Ægisgarður 5, Old Harbour, Reykjavik | 10 years | €183 | See dates: RIB for whales and puffins, April to October | |
| With something more | ||||||
A whale cruise and the Whales of Iceland museumSpecial Tours IcelandBoat: Large boatIf no whales are seen: A free ticket to visit again.Keep in mind: A free ticket to come back if nothing is seen. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 3 h 30 | Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, Reykjavik | €107 | See dates: A whale cruise and the Whales of Iceland museum | ||
Two cruises: whales, then puffinsSpecial Tours IcelandBoat: Large boat, then a puffin boatIf no whales are seen: A free ticket to try again.Keep in mind: Puffins come from about mid-May to mid-August. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 4 h | Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, Reykjavik | €143 | See dates: Two cruises: whales, then puffins | ||
A whale cruise, and a northern lights cruiseReykjavik SailorsBoat: Large boatIf no whales are seen: A free ticket to join again.Keep in mind: The two cruises take about 6 hours in all. What's includedIncluded
Not included
Bring
| 6 h | Geirsgata 11, Reykjavik | €157 | See dates: A whale cruise, and a northern lights cruise | ||
Where do the boats leave from?
All from the Old Harbour, a 5-minute walk from the centre, says Special Tours.
Ægisgarður 2
Old Harbour House
Sea Trips and Harpa Yachts. Sea Trips asks you to check in 30 minutes before departure at the self-service kiosk.
Ægisgarður 5
Elding and RIBs
Elding's tours and Special Tours' RIB. Elding's pier has its own whale centre.
Geirsgata 11
Special Tours and Reykjavik Sailors
Large boats, the express boat and the combined tours. Look for your ticket's exact address: the piers are close, but they are not the same.
Large boat or RIB from Reykjavik?
A large boat for shelter and children, a RIB for speed and 12 people at most.
Large boat
You get a cabin to warm up in on most boats, and no age limit on their pages. It takes longer to reach the whales, and the group is bigger.
- From
- €70
- Duration
- 3 h
- Minimum age
- No limit on most pages
RIB
Twelve people, with overalls, gloves and goggles provided. Not for pregnant women or people with back problems.
- From
- €170
- Duration
- 2 h
- Minimum age
- Age 10 and 140 to 145 cm
What should you check before booking from Reykjavik?
The boat, the no-whale terms, and the season of your tour.
If nothing is seen
Sea Trips gives a return ticket valid up to three years, subject to availability, and no refund. Elding and Special Tours give a new ticket too.
If the weather turns
Captains decide on the day, and Special Tours refunds you if it cancels.
A shared boat
Reykjavik Sailors says its tours may run on a partner's boat at certain times of year.
Puffins
Dates differ: Elding says 20 April to 20 August, Harpa Yachts about mid-May to mid-August.
Should you add the Whales of Iceland museum?
Two tours include it, if you want more than the boat.
They are A whale cruise and the Whales of Iceland museum and RIB with a museum ticket included. The museum is in the Grandi harbour district, and Special Tours says it offers audio guides in many languages.
Is whale watching from Reykjavik worth it?
If you are staying in the capital, it is the simplest way to go: you can walk to the boat.
What is the best month to go whale watching in Reykjavik?
Sea Trips gives April to October as the peak. Visit Iceland says April to September for the whole country.
The best timeWhat is the best whale watching tour in Reykjavik?
It depends on the boat you want. Three hours on a large boat with a heated cabin has the most reviews by far, RIB with a museum ticket included the highest rating among RIBs.
How long is a tour from Reykjavik?
From 2 h on the fast boats to 3 h on the large ones. Sea Trips says its tour lasts 2.5 to 3.5 hours, depending on where the whales are that day.
Is hotel pickup included?
Sea Trips offers it as an option on two tours. Others say it isn't included or costs extra. Each tour shows its own terms under “What's included”.
Can you see orcas from Reykjavik?
Elding doesn't list them among the most common wildlife in the bay. IceWhale says orcas are commonly seen on tours in the west.
Orcas in IcelandNot staying in Reykjavik?
The north has its own boats and its own bays.