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ReykjavikDolphin & whale watching

Our most recommended Reykjavik Dolphin & whale watching

Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise

1. Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise

Take a boat trip from Reykjavik’s harbor to discover Iceland’s rich marine life, which is one of this island country’s highlights. All year round you can spot a variety of whales and other marine animals in the Reykjavik area, including minke and humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and whale-beaked dolphins. Have an opportunity to see some of Iceland's most beautiful marine animals, along with the stunning scenery of the Icelandic coast. The peak season for whale watching runs from April to October, but of course, the ocean is always full of magical creatures, and you never know what you might see. Benefit from the services of specially-trained whale watching guides who are experts at spotting the animals. You will be free to listen as they tell you about the behavior of the whales, and answer any questions you may have. Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Icelandic coast as you spot local wildlife. Take a break and warm up in the heated indoor area. Relax on board the boat and enjoy the indoor and outdoor seating, and purchase drinks and snacks along the way from the onboard bar and cafeteria. You will experience a pleasant and comfortable ride, even at higher speeds, and will be able to share your adventure live on social media with the onboard WiFi.

Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour

2. Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour

Set sail from Reykjavik’s old harbor in style on the Andrea, the largest whale-watching ship in Iceland. Spot minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, humpback whales, and occasionally orcas with the help of an experienced guide. Enjoy a whale-watching experience with a special educational focus, and ask your guide any questions you have. Learn about the whales and other sea life from your guide's knowledge, an app available in 5 languages, and the microscope, baleens, and whale teeth on board. Move around the Andrea's spacious public viewing areas, and admire the fantastic 360-degree views of the environment from the deck. Stay warm with included overalls and heated indoor seating. In the summer, you can also join an express tour on a faster express whale watching boat. If you get cold or hungry, there’s also an onboard café serving a range of refreshments, as well as a souvenir shop. And should you fail to see any of the spectacular creatures from the deep, you'll receive a complimentary ticket to sail again.

Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

3. Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

Come aboard a yacht and see the incredible wealth of marine wildlife that lives in the waters just off the shores of Reykjavík City. See some of Iceland's majestic whales, dolphins, and porpoises on this whale-watching tour.  Your ship sets sail from Reykjavík's Old Harbor and sails among the small islands in the Faxaflói Bay, as well as along the coast of Reykjavík, providing you with fantastic views of the city as you search for the wildlife in the water. Spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. If you're lucky, you may even see a few orcas (also known as killer whales) as well as a wealth of other species. Make the most of three panoramic deck areas aboard the yacht, moving about the decks to get the best views and take advantage of great photo opportunities. The outside decks are also partially covered, providing some shelter from wind and rain. The professional crew on board the Amelia Rose are very experienced in spotting whales and they are dedicated to making sure you leave with a smile. Combine relaxation with education as you enjoy a personal and memorable experience. Amelia Rose is designed as an offshore vessel, making it better adapted to take on the turbulent waves of Iceland's waters, resulting in a smoother sail with less probability of passengers experiencing nausea or seasickness. There is no guarantee, however, that you will not get seasick.

From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

4. From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

Climb aboard a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) equipped with special shock suspension seating for a smoother ride. Look for whales and other marine life in the wild. Travel aboard the 12-meter long boat to get extra close to whales in a way that is safe for passengers and the animals. Benefit from warm flotation suits, life vests, gloves and goggles to keep you cozy and safe, and avail of the services of an experienced guide who will provide information about the animals and bay in English.  Stop by the island of Akurey to look for adorable puffins during the summer. See their nests along the coast during their breeding season. Head out to the bay on a fast and thrilling ride with the wind in your hair. Reach a comfortable cruising speed of 32 knots and get plenty of time in the feeding grounds. Then, take a scenic route back along the coast of Reykjavik. After your tour, you can visit the Whales of Iceland Museum, located in the Grandi harbor district of Reykjavik. Here, you can discover more about the various whale species of the Atlantic, with exhibits on whale biology, migration, and conservation.

From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Fast Catamaran

5. From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Fast Catamaran

Join a whale watching tour for an unforgettable experience in Iceland. Climb aboard a modern boat and head to the whale watching grounds in just 20-30 minutes. Glide at high cruising speed, making it great fun for the adventurous. Embark on your whale watching tour via express boats, which are fast and equipped with the latest technology. Cruise in comfort with amenities both inside the cabin and out on deck during your time at sea. Reach the whale watching grounds in record time and keep your eyes peeled as you sail. Waste no time on your visit to Iceland.

Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

6. Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

Hop aboard a RIB speedboat and head out for a thrilling adventure just off Reykjavik's coast. Marvel at the abundance of sea life Iceland has to offer, such as majestic whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Begin your tour from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor and cruise among the small islands in the Faxaflói Bay, as well as along the coast of Reykjavík. Admire fantastic views of the city and its landmarks like the Harpa concert hall as you search for wildlife in the water. During your tour, pass by Engey, the second-largest island of the Kollafjörður (Faxa Bay) fjord in western Iceland. Also cruise past Lundey, literally “Puffin Island” in Icelandic, a small uninhabited island off Reykjavík’s western coast. Enjoy the chance to see incredible animals in their natural habitat without being overcrowded onboard the boat. And if you don't get lucky with wildlife sightings on the day you go, you'll receive a complimentary ticket to try again another day.

Reykjavik: 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

7. Reykjavik: 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

Climb aboard a whale-watching boat operated by the only environmentally certified whale watching company in Iceland. Get up close to humpback, minke, and orca whales, as well as abundant sea birds, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. After setting sail, explore the southern part of Faxafloi Bay off Reykjavik’s old harbor and have an excellent chance of encountering mysterious and fascinating whales off the coast of Iceland, where the ocean currents create some of the best whale-watching conditions in the world. Enjoy a tour with a high success rate: Whales are seen on more than 95% of summer tours and 80% of winter tours, often surfacing within a few meters of the boat. To ensure that the animals are not disturbed, boats sail at a constant speed toward the whales' habitat, a sustainable policy that also minimizes oil use and pollution. Learn about the wildlife and scenery from guides that have gone through an extensive training program, based on exclusively developed guiding principles. And as a successful whale watching tour is a team effort, the crew works closely with passengers to spot whales, helping you feel an important part of the experience.

Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

8. Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

The tour begins with a cruise along the beautiful coastline of Reykjavik before heading out to Faxafloi Bay in search of whales. The minke whales and humpback whales are the main goal of this tour, the giants of the ocean. With a bit of luck, you may even spot a group of white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. There's also a good chance that you'll observe different sea birds and puffins throughout the summer. During the summer, the puffins are frequently seen sitting on the ocean and diving for food. This activity enables you to escape the crowds and benefit from a yacht cruise with fewer passengers and more personal service on board. Ride on a stable boat with an on-board bar and lounge and spacious outdoor deck areas for maximum comfort.

From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour

9. From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour

Start the trip from a beautiful harbor in the city center and sail out to Kollafjöður, where you can see the island in the bay. Videy Island is known for the Lennon/One Peace tower, Richard Scerra's 'Milestones', and other attractions, along with great bird life. Continue on to Faxaflói Bay, popular for whale and bird watching, sea angling, and also great fishing grounds. The mountain ring seen from the bay, among which Snaefellsjökull Glacier may be spotted on clear days, is particularly beautiful.

From Reykjavik: 2-Hour Whale & Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

10. From Reykjavik: 2-Hour Whale & Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

See whales and puffins seasonally between May and August on a whale-watching tour from Reykjavik. Marvel at the marine fauna of Iceland in its natural environment. Travel aboard a stable boat to search larger areas. Embark on your journey from the Old Harbour in Reykjavík aboard a specially-engineered RIB boat that maneuvers closer to the whales and puffins than bigger boats can. Search wider areas to increase your likelihood of viewing wildlife in this lightweight craft.  Ride out to the islands to see puffins in their natural surroundings before heading out further in search of whales and dolphins. Get as up close as you can without disturbing the magnificent creatures.  Listen as your specially-trained guides enhances your experience with commentary and use their skills to increase the chance of some viewings. On the return trip, sail along Reykjavik's shores and admire the city's skyline and view the Harpa Concert Hall from the water. 

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What people are saying about Reykjavik

Overall rating

4.4 / 5

based on 1,166 reviews

absolutely brilliant whale watching experience. the ship was very comfortable and warm with friendly staff and well stocked bar. the guide onboard was very knowledgeable about the whales and how to find them. ultimately nature finds its own way and nothing is guaranteed but everyone helping on board to look we had loads of whale sightings and seals. the whales very at times extremely close to the boat as well. brilliant event, highly recommended

We unfortunately couldn't spot any whales during my tour now in January, but you can book another one for free if that happens. The tour itself was very pleasant, calm sea,.and we could see lots of seals! We had a lovely guide who gave us hints about how to find the whales and other interesting information about Icelandic wildlife. Drinks, blankets and toilets are available inside the boat.

journey was long and cold,I bought sandwiches for way back,seeing the whales come in and out the water,as our tour guide notifying us of were they were. definitely recommend

Fantastic tour and amazing guide and crew. One very emotional journey meeting the gorgeous solitary humpback whale. Thank you!

Very informative guide. Friendly crew. The offer of free access to top class photographs from the trip was much appreciated.