When we started planning our trip to Iceland last year, there was one specific activity I knew I absolutely didn’t want to miss: whale watching Iceland Reykjavík. I had already seen so many spectacular videos of whales that I became completely obsessed with the idea of seeing them in the ocean with my own eyes.
Although we visited Iceland during one of the better months for whale sightings, there’s still never a guarantee that you’ll actually see them. They’re wild animals after all, and the uncertainty of seeing none at all is part of what makes this activity thrilling.
I remember when we hopped on the boat, I was a bit nervous that we might spend hours out on the water staring into the ocean until our eyes stopped working, without spotting anything. Spoiler: our tour didn’t disappoint at all!
Whale watching in Reykjavík was genuinely one of the coolest activities I’ve done during my trip to Iceland.
If whale watching in Reykjavík is on your bucket list, I’d definitely plan it into your itinerary. In this guide, I’ll share what I liked about the tour we did, which tour we did, what you can expect, the best time to go, and some of the practical things.
Whale Watching in Reykjavík: My Experience
Even before we sat down to make an itinerary for our Iceland trip, I was already teasing Lorenzo about how much I wanted to go on a whale watching tour in Reykjavík.
I’ve always been a huge fan of mammals, ever since I was a kid. For me, seeing dolphins, orcas, and whales in real life (outside of a zoo) was something I had wanted for such a long time. Seeing dolphins had already been accomplished in the Maldives earlier that year, so that meant 2 out of 3 were left.
Our Iceland itinerary started around Reykjavík area, so the whale watching tour was one of the first activities on our schedule. We booked the tour here, way in advance (I’d advise you to do the same as timeslots quickly sell out close to date), and went with the company Sea Trips Reykjavík. I would highly recommend them, so make sure to book your spot!! <3
Once we arrived at the parking lot at the Old Harbour, we immediately started searching for a free spot, as we were already running a little late. It was incredibly busy, and there were barely any spaces left. But luckily, we eventually managed to park our rental car.
From there, we went inside the small shop to the ticket counter to redeem our tickets, and afterwards, a staff member showed us the way to the dock where the boat was moored.
Finally, we were allowed to board the boat and choose where we wanted to sit. Obviously, we headed straight to the main deck, where you get the best views over the ocean, but also the place where you’ll be confronted with the most wind gusts, haha.
After our departure we immediately got two ‘lovely’ surprises. The first one was that it started to rain, whilst being on the outside deck, and I can tell you that one of us wasn’t wearing waterproof pants (and it wasn’t Lorenzo…).
However, the second surprise really was lovely though, as we found out that our tour guide was an official marine biologist. So, this meant that we were about to learn way more about the animals than you normally would.
After about 30-40 minutes, we already spotted the first porpoises and some white-beaked dolphins, the most common ones spotted around Iceland. Only a couple of minutes later, minke whales started to show their fins as well. The captain quickly turned the boat around, so people were able to take pictures from both sides of the boat.
About one and a half hour into the tour, the main attraction started. Finally, we got to see the first glimpses of the animals we came for. A couple of humpback whales (including babies) started to come around. It was such a magical moment and went by so fast, that I wasn’t able to get some good pictures, but luckily the memory will stay forever on my mind!
Unfortunately, they didn’t jump out of the water this time. But, if there’s a possibility to ever go again, I wouldn’t hesitate to do another tour, hopefully this time the whales will properly show off their jumps.
After those couple of whale sightings and being on the ocean for 2 hours, we returned to the Old Harbour. Both Lorenzo and I, were so happy to have seen those beautiful animals in real life!
Good to know is that if you’re doing the tour during the ‘colder’ months, Sea Trips Reykjavík also provides rain suits to help keep you warm and dry during the trip, so you hopefully won’t return to the Old Harbour looking like an icicle. 😉
Costs whale watching tour in Reykjavík
We paid 89 euros (a little over 100 US dollars) per person for the 2,5-hour whale watching tour in Reykjavík. Sure, it’s quite a lot of money for just two and a half hours, especially when you’re travelling in a country as expensive as Iceland, but in my opinion, this certainly is one of those activities that’s worth spending money on.
Alternative place for whale watching in Iceland
Besides Reykjavík, there are a several other places in Iceland where you can do the whale sightings. But this only might be optional if you’re planning to do a longer kind of road trip, as those places are all located in the north of Iceland.
Húsavík is probably the best-known whale watching town in Iceland, and there’s a good reason for that. Tours head into Skjálfandi Bay, where whales come to feed during most of the year. The bay is pretty sheltered, so tours usually stay within the bay, instead of heading out into the open ocean.
FAQ About Whale Watching Iceland Reykjavík
Is whale watching in Iceland worth it?
I can genuinely tell you that it’s 100% worth it. It’s such a unique experience and, unless you travel often or actively seek out wildlife encounters, probably not something you get to do many times in your life.
Is Reykjavík the best place for whale watching in Iceland?
Reykjavík is for sure one of the easiest places for whale watching in Iceland, since most people start their trip in the capital. Tours leave from the Old Harbour, which is easy to reach and convenient if you stay somewhere around the city.
That said, I might not be the absolute best place in Iceland. Húsavík and Akureyri, in the north of Iceland, are very well known for whale watching, but they’re much farther away.
Which months have the highest chance of seeing whales in Iceland?
I’d say March through September, as tours run more often during these months. During the ‘warmer’ months, Faxaflói Bay becomes a feeding area, with fish, plankton, and tiny little shrimps, which attract minke whales and humpback whales closer to the coast.
What other places can you go whale watching in Iceland?
Húsavík and Akureyri in the north of Iceland are also very well known for whale watching. Tours head into Skjálfandi Bay, where humpback whales and minke whales are often seen, and if you’re lucky, even blue whales make an appearance during your trip.
Dalvík and Hauganes are located close to Akureyri, in the north of Iceland, and are also known for whale sightings. These smaller towns can be a good alternative if you want to experience whale watching in a less touristy setting.
What happens if you don’t see any whales?
Because the tour obviously takes place in the wild, whale sightings can never be guaranteed. If you don’t see any sightings during your trip (which means no dolphins, orcas, whales etc.), you’ll be given a free rebooking*, which is valid for up to three years.
*This was the case for our tour operator but always check the terms and conditions before booking.
My Honest Thoughts About Whale Watching in Reykjavík
Whale watching in Reykjavík was honestly one of the coolest activities I’ve done during my Iceland trip, as it completely lived up to my expectations.
As I told you earlier, I was a bit nervous at the beginning, cause of course, you could be out there for a couple of hours without any luck of seeing a whale, maybe only a couple of dolphins… But obviously, we were there to spot the whales in real life!
I really liked that the tour wasn’t just about seeing animals. The crew and marine biologist made the tour interesting from start to finish, with facts about the animals we could spot, but also interesting information about Iceland itself, so we learned a lot that day!
I would highly recommend booking the whale watching tour in Reykjavík if your budget allows it, especially if you’re visiting Iceland during one of the better months for whale sightings.
Check Out My Other Iceland Blogs
The Best Waterfalls in Iceland: Add These Waterfalls to Your Iceland Itinerary
What’s the Best Month to Visit Iceland? My Honest Opinion & Thoughts
Spend 24 Hours in Reykjavík Iceland: What I Did and What I Recommend
