Every year, thousands of whales congregate in the sea surrounding Iceland to feed on the abundant fish stocks. If you’re visiting Iceland, you have a unique opportunity to come up close and personal with the world’s largest mammals on a whale watching tour.

The best whale watching tours in Iceland sail from Reykjavik in the west or Akureyri and Húsavík in the north. Some of the whale watching tours will pass close to islands where puffins regularly nest so you can observe their antics.

The 7 tours detailed below are the top whale watching tours in Iceland. If you like whales, we think you will love these tours.

Be sure to see our reviews of Northern Lights Tours, Golden Circle Tours and ATV Tours.

Best Whale Watching Tours in Iceland

	The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik	Original Whale Watching and Puffins From Húsavík	Express Whale Watching Tour by RIB From Reykjavik
Departure:	Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík	North Sailing Ticket Office, Húsavík	Aegisgardur 13, Reykjavik
Start:	Between 9:00 AM & 8:30 PM	11:00 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:00 PM , 5:30 PM	9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM
Duration:	3 hours	3 hours	2 hours
Includes:	Experienced and enthusiastic tour guides, 3-hour cruise, life jacket, blankets, raincoats and admission to Wildlife Exhibition	Professional guide, 3-hour cruise, warm overalls, and light refreshments	Guide, 2-hour cruise on a speedboat, goggles, gloves, a life vest, and a warm flotation suit
	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking	Tour Information & Booking

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Iceland Whale Watching Tours

1. The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik
2. Húsavík Original Whale Watching and Puffins
3. From Reykjavik: Express Whale Watching Tour by RIB
4. Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffin Island Tour
5. Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik
6. Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour
7. From Húsavík: Traditional Whale Watching Tour

We have reviewed the top rated whale watching tours in Iceland providing overviews and highlighting the details of each. We also make recommendations on staying in Iceland in our guide section.

Iceland Whale Watching Tour Reviews

1. The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

If you’re a whale fan, you’ll love this whale watching tour. Once whales are spotted, the ship will rush over so you can observe these magnificent creatures up close. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be fascinated by the rich variety of marine wildlife in Faxaflói Bay, including whales, dolphins, and seals.

Listen to your expert guides as they explain the whales’ behavior and provide you with an introduction to the local ecosystem. Feel free to question your guides about the whales and any other sea creatures you come across.

Your cruise will take you close to the islands in the bay, where puffins build nests and lay their eggs. The speedboat will also pass Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture. Enjoy these scenic views of the Icelandic shoreline.

The enthusiastic father and son crew will provide you with all the specialist clothing you need to stay warm, dry, and safe while crashing through the waves.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Other Experiences You May Enjoy:

2. Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

If you prefer to feel something more solid underfoot while you’re watching whales in the north of Iceland, you’ll appreciate this traditional Icelandic oak boat.

Watch safely from behind the rails on the main deck, or climb up to the flying bridge for a different perspective, as the boat sails across Skjálfandi Bay.

This is a great opportunity to watch dolphins and whales in the wild. When the boat passes close to Lundey (Puffin Island), look out for Arctic terns, black guillemots, and Atlantic puffins.

This small, uninhabited island is a natural haven for seabirds. During the 3-hour cruise, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the complimentary cinnamon bun and a warming mug of hot chocolate.

A great plus point for this tour is that if you fail to see any whales, the operators will offer you another whale watching tour for free.

If you have difficulty walking or require a wheelchair, this is a great tour for you. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and the crew is trained to assist.

This is the best Husavik whale watching tour if you want to take out the whole family for a fun cruise and to see a wide variety of marine wildlife.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

3. Express Whale Watching Tour by RIB From Reykjavik

If you enjoy white-knuckle rides, this rigid inflatable boat (RIB) will make you smile. Expect to feel the wind in your hair as this 40ft speedboat speeds you over the waves of Faxaflói Bay at an impressive 32 knots.

But don’t worry about being uncomfortable. The RIB is equipped with special shock suspension seats to keep your journey smooth.

Keep your eyes open for an abundance of marine wildlife, including seals, dolphins, and up to 23 different species of whale.

The relatively soft-skinned boat is safe for both you and the whales, allowing you to get closer than you can imagine to these marvelous sea creatures.

The experienced guide will provide you with an introduction to the local ecology and the lifecycle of whales. You will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions about anything you see in the sea.

This tour takes a scenic route along the Icelandic coast, transporting you from Reykjavik to the small island of Akurey. Puffins nest on the shores of Akurey in their hundreds, so prepare yourself for a sight that you will remember for the rest of your life.

For your comfort and safety, you will be provided with goggles, gloves, a life vest, and a warm flotation suit. This is a fantastic tour if you want to combine an exhilarating ride with a close encounter with the largest living mammals on Earth.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

4. Original Big Whale Safari & Puffin Island Tour From Húsavík

This is another thrill-seekers’ tour aboard a rigid inflatable boat (RIB). Because the RIB speedboat moves fast, you will cover more water as you speed across Skjálfandi Bay.

This gives you a better chance of seeing whales than on slower tours.

Skjálfandi Bay is a prime location to observe the whales that flock here every winter to feed on the abundant fish stocks off the north coast of Iceland.

The specialized guide will provide you with live commentary and answer any questions you may have about the marine wildlife you see on your journey.

There’s a good chance you will see larger species of whales, like humpback whales and blue whales. You could also see dolphins and seals.

This tour will also take you to Lundey (Puffin Island) where you can observe the nesting behavior of the thousands of puffins that congregate there every summer to breed.

Enjoy laughing at the “Clowns of the Ocean” as their antics keep you entertained.

The water around Skjálfandi Bay can be chilly, even in midsummer, but don’t worry. You will be provided with specially designed overalls and a life jacket to keep you safe and warm.

As a special treat, you will receive a surprise from Húsavík’s only vineyard. In the unlikely event that you don’t see any whales on the tour, you will receive a free traditional whale watching tour ticket in compensation.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

5. Whale Watching Tour From Reykjavik

If you especially value your family’s safety and creature comforts, you’ll love this tour. It sails you into Faxaflói Bay aboard Iceland’s largest whale watching boat, the Andrea.

This safe and stable ship boasts an enclosed lower deck with comfortable seating and large windows. You’ll also find a café, a souvenir shop, an “educational laboratory”, and a fabulous 360⁰ view from the upper deck.

Because Faxaflói Bay is a favorite haunt of 23 different species of whale as well as dolphins and seals, you’ll have plenty of great photo opportunities.

And with free Wi-Fi onboard, you can upload your pics instantly to your Instagram account or Facebook.

If you want to step out onto the open deck but feel too cold, don’t worry. The crew will supply you with warm overalls. And if you are unlucky on the day and don’t see any whales, you will be given a free ticket to try again.

The expert guides will ensure you enjoy a thorough educational experience. When you encounter whales, dolphins, or seals, the knowledgeable crew will be there to provide interesting commentary and answer all your questions about marine life.

Inside the “educational laboratory”, you can use a microscope to examine whale teeth and bones.

This is the best whale watching tour from Reykjavik if you want a tour that is family-friendly, comfortable, and safe.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

6. 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour From Akureyri

If you seek a whale watching tour that combines speed and comfort in the north of Iceland, you’ve found it.

This tour departing from Akureyri aboard a specially modified ship will whisk you quickly and comfortably toward whale pods feeding in the longest glacial fjord in Iceland—Eyjafjord.

The large and comfortable ship can carry up to 200 passengers and features both inside and outside seating.

You can purchase drinks and food from the onboard bar and cafeteria while you take advantage of the free Wi-Fi. And if you want to step out on the deck, you will be provided with warm overalls to protect you from the cold.

If you are environmentally conscious, you’ll be impressed to hear this tour is operated by the only environmentally-certified whale watching tour company in Iceland.

The trained whale watching guides will explain how the summer sun warms the fjord to provide abundant food for the world’s largest mammals.

Feel free to ask them questions about the marine wildlife you encounter during your cruise along the fjord.

You are almost guaranteed to see whales on this tour. However, if you’re not in luck, you will be provided with a complimentary voucher for a free whale watching tour from either Reykjavik or Akureyri.

This is the best tour in the north of Iceland for all the family to watch whales in comfort.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

7. Traditional Whale Watching Tour From Húsavík

If you want to go on a traditional whale watching tour suitable for the whole family, this is for you. Climb aboard a traditional Icelandic oak boat in Húsavik for a 3-hour cruise around Skjálfandi Bay.

From the vantage point of the open deck or flying bridge, you’ll have an unobstructed view of the beautiful Icelandic shoreline.

And while you’re hunting for whales in the fertile waters of Skjálfandi Bay, you can enjoy the complimentary Icelandic twisted donut (kleina) and a mug of hot chocolate.

The experienced guides will tell you all about the Icelandic marine ecosystem and answer questions about the wildlife you see during the tour. Wearing the overalls provided, you won’t feel cold out on the deck.

If you have family members with walking difficulties or who require a wheelchair, you’ll be delighted to hear this tour is wheelchair accessible.

You’re almost guaranteed to see whales in Skjálfandi Bay, but don’t worry if you don’t. In the unlikely event no whales can be found, you will be given free tickets for another tour.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience

Iceland Travel Guide

There are many reasons the Land of Fire and Ice has seen an explosion in tourism since 2019. Not only can you see whales, the Northern Lights, active volcanoes, glaciers, and puffins, you can also relax in a geothermal spa and even take a tour of the glaciers on an ATV.

What you decide to do in this fascinating country is your choice, but you should take the time to do some research before you go. This guide is here to inform you where you can go, what you can do, and how you can get there, because we want you to have the best vacation of your life in Iceland.

If you are looking to see whales the best time of year to see them splashing through Icelandic waters is from April to October.

If you’re interested in ornithology, you can combine your love of whales with some birdwatching. Puffins nest on the small islands found just off the coast of Iceland, and their annual nesting period is from mid-April to mid-August. Just be sure you bring a good wildlife camera!

Airports & Entry

Most visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Although Iceland only has a population of 359 thousand people, in 2018 this busy airport handled 9.8 million passengers. Despite the number of visitors, there is only one terminal. You will find the check-in times minimal, with an average 20-minute waiting time at the security check.

Inside the terminal, you will find everything clearly signposted in English. Charging points for cellphones and laptops are provided in the waiting area along with free Wi-Fi.

Strollers are provided for children, and there is a dedicated kids’ play area. The usual selection of food outlets and shops are found on the upper floor of the main building. Manned information stands are located throughout the airport.

It is 30 miles from the airport to Reykjavik, the capital city. The speed limit is 55 mph, but the drive usually takes 50 minutes due to traffic. Shuttle bus services link KEF to the city, which you can book in advance online or pay for at the airport.

Some hotels offer airport collection, and you should ask about that when you book your room. You can, of course, jump in a taxi at the airport, but it will be extremely expensive compared to the airport bus service. Car rental is available at the airport, but it is advisable to book in advance.

Planning Tips

With so many exciting things to do and see in Iceland, you’re guaranteed to have a great holiday. However, things do not always go to plan, so here are 5 tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Tip #1: If you want to see whales, the best times are April through November

It’s easier to find whales in the spring, fall and summer but there are tours from Reykjavik operated year round. Husavik operates whale watching tours from mid/late march to November. When you go during the day is not that important, they are visible throughout the day and you have almost a 100% chance of seeing them.

Tip #2: Take your time to enjoy all the attractions of Iceland

There’s so much to see in Iceland, it would be a crime not to explore and experience as much as you are able in the time you have. While you are there, do not miss the opportunity to see so many unforgettable natural phenomena in one place. There is nowhere else on the planet where you can see active volcanoes, glaciers, and icebergs, all in one national park. For an exciting adventure, take a snowmobile tour of the glaciers.

Tip #3: Book everything in advance, especially in winter

Tourism is on the rise in Iceland, and hotel rooms, tours, and attractions get fully-booked ahead of time.  Don’t miss out on seeing the Northern Lights from the best vantage point possible because all the tours were booked-up before you arrived. Many tours like the ones detailed above offer a 24-hour-in-advance free cancellation, so you take no financial risk booking. Ask about free cancellation when buying your ticket. If you are going to go in the backcountry for a horseback riding tour, be sure to dress especially warm!

Tip #4: Impress your friends with quintessentially Icelandic souvenirs

The budget chain store Bonus stocks many unique Icelandic products, such as Omnom chocolate, Icelandic specialty teas, herbal sea salt blends, and licorice mixed with chocolate. At Bonus, you can pick up great, inexpensive gifts for your friends! Vinbuoin, the state-run liquor store, sells a fine selection of renowned Icelandic spirits, including Iceland’s signature tipple, Brennivin.

And if you like to sort through other folks’ debris for the hidden treasures, a special weekend market is held at Kolaportio in downtown Reykjavik where Icelanders come to sell off their unwanted goods when moving to a new house. You could find anything!

Restaurants & Eating Out

Because of Iceland’s geographical position and climate, vegetables and grains are rare in traditional foods, and many famous dishes focus on preserved seafood or meat. Also, food was scarce in yesteryears, so every part of an animal or fish was eaten. You’ll find many traditional meals involve fish or meat that is salted, smoked, dried, or fermented. Watch out for such culinary delights as baked sheep’s head and fermented shark.

Seafood restaurants are common throughout Iceland, and all serve “fish of the day”, which is usually salmon, monkfish, haddock, or cod. However, if you wish, you can seek out some of the more exotic options. Humar is a kind of lobster caught off the south coast of Iceland, renowned for its tender and tasty flesh.

It is served fried, baked or grilled, though it can also be found as a pizza topping! Plokkfishkur is a fish stew, made to the chef’s specific recipe but usually combining white fish with onions, potatoes, milk, and flour. Harofiskur is a snack you can buy in any grocery store. It is dried stockfish, eaten with butter or straight out of a bag.

Because it is difficult to grow wheat in Iceland, there are many traditional varieties of rye bread, like flatkaka, baked in thin disks on hot stones. One variety of rye bread you should try is rugbrauo, a sweet-tasting, dark bread.

The reason rugbrauo is so interesting for visitors to Iceland is that a common baking technique is to bury a dough-filled pot near one of the many hot springs, such as Fontana Hot Springs, and use geothermal heat to bake the bread. Rugbrauo baked that way is also called hyerabrauo (hot-spring bread).

Icelanders don’t only eat fish and rye bread. Sheep are the most common livestock in Iceland, so lamb is often on the menu. Sheep wander freely around the countryside, eating seaweed, grass, and berries, which tends to make lamb tender with a mild flavor.

Smoked lamb is called hangikjöt and is often served boiled during the winter holidays. Also watch out for varieties of meat you won’t see in most other countries, like puffin, horse, and whale. Despite international concern over puffins and whales, they are still commonly consumed in Iceland.

A meal on vacation isn’t complete without dessert. Popular local sweets include rugbrauosis (rye bread ice cream), pönnukökur (Icelandic pancakes), and snuour (cinnamon bread covered in caramel or chocolate). A dairy product unique to Iceland is skyr.

It is a kind of sour milk cheese eaten like yogurt and often sweetened and flavored with fruit or vanilla.

Nightlife & Entertainment

With long, cold nights throughout the winter, it’s no surprise Icelanders love their nightlife, and much of it is centered where most of the people live—Reykjavik. Because the capital is so small, most of the clubs and bars are within walking distance of one another. In fact, many are along one street, Laugavegur, the commercial artery of downtown.

Most social venues are informal and entrance fees rare. When Icelanders go out for the night, they tend to begin late, and many clubs and bars don’t get busy until after midnight. This is in part because alcohol in bars is expensive, so locals drink at home before setting out.

Many clubs and bars stay open as late as 5 am. Cocktail bars are a recent addition to Iceland’s nightlife, but with the booming tourist trade, they are rapidly expanding.

And don’t worry too much about safety at night. In 2019, the Institute for Economics and Peace in Sydney ranked Iceland the most peaceful nation on Earth for the 12^th year running. Crime rates in Reykjavik are probably lower than anywhere you have ever lived.

Getting Around

Iceland is a small country covering an area slightly smaller than Kentucky. If you wanted to drive from Reykjavik on the west coast to Faskruosfjorour on the east coast, the 425 miles route would take only 8½ hours.

However, because of its small population outside of the capital, you cannot rely on public transport to go sightseeing around the country or reach the best place to view the northern lights. This leaves you with two options: hiring a car or booking a coach tour, like the Golden Circle tour detailed above.

Within the capital and its immediate area, you do have more options: bus, taxi, bicycle, or walk. The public bus service is inexpensive and efficient, and you can ask for help to find the right bus from your hotel reception. Given that Reykjavik is so small a city, taxis are affordable.

If you want a little exercise, bicycle rentals are available in many hotels, and the city is crisscrossed by dedicated bicycle paths. If you decide to walk, make sure you wrap up well. The weather can deteriorate rapidly in Iceland.

Accommodations

Over the past few years, Iceland has seen a huge expansion in tourism. With a 378% increase since 2010, hotel rooms fill up quickly. Through Christmas and summer, hotels are usually fully booked. Since 228 of Iceland’s 359 thousand citizens live within the capital and its immediate hinterland, settlements throughout the rest of Iceland are small and rooms for visitors limited. Most hotels are in the capital.

You will probably find it most convenient to stay in Reykjavik. You will find a broad range of hotels there, it is near the airport, and many of the attractions along with most of the nightlife are found there or nearby. Many organized tours to other parts of Iceland and major tourist attractions set out from Reykjavik, such as most of the Northern Lights tours detailed above.

Within the downtown and central area of Reykjavik you will find a choice of luxury hotels, like the Hotel Borg downtown and The Icelandair Hotel Marina, overlooking the harbor. If you head a little more out of the center, you’ll find more affordable hostels, such as The Capital Inn and Bus Hostel Reykjavik.

There are some popular hotels outside of the capital near to tourist attractions, such as Hotel Skaftafell in the Vatnajökull National Park, which offers spectacular views of Iceland’s largest mountain, or Skyrhusid Guesthouse near Lake Jökulsarion in the south. Wherever you decide to stay, the important thing is to book in advance. If you don’t, you will miss out on the best rooms.

Weather

Iceland is not the place to go if you want year-round sunshine and dry weather. In fact, on 22^nd December there are only 4 hours of daylight, because that is the shortest day. That’s great if you want to see the Aurora Borealis, since it can only be seen during dark nights, but not so good for other sightseeing. In contrast, the longest day boasts 21 hours of daylight, 21^st June.

The “warm” summer period covers June, July, and August, with an average daily high of 55⁰F and a low of 46⁰F. Yes, 55⁰F is their summer high! Summers are short and cloudy. The winter period covers November through March, two months longer than summer, and is cold, wet, windy, and overcast, with frequent snow. The average daily high drops to 35⁰F in January with a low of 27⁰F.

If your main interest is the Northern Lights, you should go anytime September through March, because the sky is dark enough to view those fantastic electromagnetic displays. If the Aurora Borealis does not interest you, you’ll get the warmest weather and longer days from the end of June to mid-August.

Attractions

The Aurora Borealis is not the only unique and fascinating attraction in Iceland. The Land of Fire and Ice is the best place in the world to see and experience the majesty and power of two extremes in Nature: glaciers and volcanoes. These attractions are all part of what is called the “Golden Circle”. Taking a day tour of the Golden Circle with a guide is a great way to take in all of the best sights.

12 miles from KEF is the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Here you can laze in pools of hot, milky blue water heated by a lava flow. Nearby stands the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant, which uses superheated water from the lava flow to generate electricity and also provide heat for a municipal water heating system.

There are geothermal spas like the Blu Lagoon throughout Iceland, so wherever you choose to stay, you can find one near you and experience the power of molten rock.

If ice and Arctic landscapes interest you, head 140 miles east from Reykjavik to Vatnajökull National Park, which is centered on Vatnajökull glacier and the surrounding beautiful landscape. This park covers 14% of Iceland and is filled with glacial rivers and active volcanoes. Be sure to take a tour of the spectacular ice caves. To see some of the volcanic activity under the water, a great way to see it with is a tour of Silfra. It’s one of the only places to see where two continents collide.

Vatnajökull glacier empties into the glacial lake of Jökulsarion in the south, where you can see 100-feet-tall icebergs freshly broken away from the glacier. Jökulsarion served as a setting in several major Hollywood movies. On your drive back to Reykjavik, you can see two beautiful waterfalls around Skogar. The first, Skogafoss, is an impressive waterfall and a popular destination for Icelandic day-trippers.

18 miles west of Skogafoss is picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall. A path allows sightseers to pass behind the curtain of water as it falls into the crystal-clear plunge pool.

Perhaps one of the most unique attractions is seeing the continental plates splitting apart at Silfra. Here the North American and Eurasian plates are separating. If you are daring you can take a snorkel tour of Silfra and see it for yourself!

If it’s man-made cultural and historical attractions you seek, you’ll find plenty to do and see around Reykjavik. The capital’s earliest history stretches back to 874, but it only became a true city in 1785.

Around Reykjavik, you’ll find an interesting assortment of museums and tourist attractions, like the National Museum of Iceland and the Reykjavik Maritime Museum.

A famous landmark visitors flock to see is the Hallgrimskirkja Church, which is the largest church in Iceland. This unique structure was designed by a local architect to resemble the glaciers and mountains of Iceland.