Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

The unusual part of this Reykjavik combo is that it pairs two very different sides of Iceland in one half-day: wildlife at sea and red-hot volcanic rock indoors. You may watch for minke whales and humpbacks in Faxaflói Bay, then see molten lava flow into a showroom and get shaped by the host’s tools.

I like the heated indoor boat cabins, warm flotation overalls, and the chance to rejoin a whale trip for free if no animals appear. I also like that the lava show uses real lava, not a screen or a model. The main catch is practical: the two activities are in different parts of Reykjavik, and you must arrange your own transport between them.

Key Points at a Glance

• Real lava in a controlled showroom: The 50-minute show brings red-hot lava close enough to see clearly while explaining Icelandic eruptions and volcanic risks around the capital.
• Three hours on Faxaflói Bay: The boat searches for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and the rare killer whale.
• Two possible schedules: Choose whale watching at 9:00 with the lava show at 14:00, or sail at 13:00 and see the show at 18:00.
• Separate meeting points: The boat departs from Geirsgata 11, while Lava Show Reykjavik is at Fiskislóð 73.
• Good foul-weather support: Warm flotation suits, heated cabins, toilets, free WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets are provided onboard.
• No guarantee of wildlife: A free return ticket is included if you see no whales, but the lava show remains tied to the booked date if the boat trip is canceled.

Two Iceland Stories in One Booking

At $154 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but it buys two substantial activities rather than a short harbor cruise and a quick museum visit. The whale watching portion lasts about three hours, and the lava show takes 50 minutes, with time between them for the transfer.

The value depends on what you want from a Reykjavik day. If you are already planning a whale trip and a volcanic attraction, combining them can save you from making two separate bookings. If you want an easy, fully escorted package, the price is less attractive because hotel transfers and transport between the activities are not included.

This pairing also works well as an introduction to Iceland. At sea, you look outward toward birds, islands, mountains, and marine life. At the lava show, you see the force beneath the ground. The contrast gives the day a clear theme without pretending the two activities are one continuous tour.

Sailing Out from Geirsgata 11

Your day begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival matters because the boat trip is tied to a fixed sailing time, and a late arrival can create a stressful start.

The two schedules are:

• Whale watching at 9:00, followed by the lava show at 14:00
• Whale watching at 13:00, followed by the lava show at 18:00

The boat portion lasts about three hours. You head into Faxaflói Bay, where the crew searches for minke and humpback whales. Dolphins and harbour porpoises are also possible, while killer whales are described as a rare sighting. You should treat this as a wildlife search, not a guaranteed animal performance.

That distinction is important. The crew can take you to the right waters, but whales decide what happens next. A free ticket to join again is included if no sightings occur, which gives the trip some protection against a completely empty outing. It does not, however, turn a quiet sea into a successful first visit.

What You See Around Faxaflói Bay

The appeal is not limited to spotting a whale. From the water, you get views of the mountains and islands around Reykjavik, along with bird life. Those wider views help make the trip worthwhile even during a slow wildlife period.

The tour introduces you to Iceland’s range of marine species, including whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Minke whales are among the more likely targets named for the outing, while humpbacks can provide a larger and more dramatic sighting. Killer whales are possible but rare, so I would not book this trip specifically for them.

There is also an educational element. You learn about different whale species and can see man-made whale models up close. That helps you understand the size and shape of the animals before or after you spot one in open water, where distance and movement can make identification tricky.

The onboard guide speaks English, and the crew is described as experienced and professional. One named guide, Joe, received especially strong praise, so if he is leading your sailing, you may find the commentary particularly engaging. Since guide assignments can change, I would not treat a particular guide as guaranteed.

Staying Warm on the Whale Boat

Icelandic weather can change quickly, and a three-hour boat ride can feel much longer if you are cold. This tour provides warm flotation overalls, which are a major practical benefit. Wear weather-appropriate clothing underneath rather than relying on the outer layer alone.

The vessel also has heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities. You can step inside to warm up, use the restroom, or watch through the windows when standing outside becomes uncomfortable. Free WiFi is available onboard, and drinks and food can be purchased, though neither is included in the price.

Complimentary seasickness tablets are available. If you know you are sensitive to motion, it makes sense to ask about them before departure rather than waiting until you feel ill. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

During certain times of year, the company may operate the trip on a shared boat with another partner. That is an environmental decision intended to keep fewer boats on the water. You should expect the vessel or operating partner to vary at times, but the core whale watching service remains the same.

The One-Hour Gap You Need to Plan

The most important logistical point is easy to miss: the whale boat and lava show use different locations. The boat meeting point is Geirsgata 11, while Lava Show Reykjavik is at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavik 101.

You arrange your own transport between them. No hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, or transport guidance bus is included. The schedule allows roughly an hour between the main parts of the day, but the exact time available depends on the boat’s return and your show entry time.

I would plan this transfer before leaving your accommodation. Keep your phone charged, allow room for the boat to return late, and do not treat the gap as free time for a long meal. You can buy food and drink onboard, but the booking does not include a meal break.

This is the clearest weakness of the package. The activities are sold together, but they are not joined by a guide or vehicle. If you prefer to have every transfer handled, book the whale watching and lava show separately with enough time between them, or choose a package that includes transport.

Inside Lava Show Reykjavik

The lava show takes place at Fiskislóð 73 and lasts 50 minutes. It begins with a welcome from the host and an educational video about Icelandic volcanism. The presentation focuses on major eruptions in Icelandic history and the volcanic hazards around the capital area.

Then the main event begins. Red-hot lava flows into the showroom, and the host works with it directly. The result is part demonstration, part lesson, and part theatrical presentation. You see the material change and move in front of you, rather than simply looking at a photograph of an old eruption.

The show is short, but that is not necessarily a flaw. One booking described it as very short but very good, which is a fair way to set expectations. At 50 minutes, it fits neatly into a busy Reykjavik schedule. If you want a long geology lecture, this will feel brief. If you want a clear, memorable look at molten rock without committing half a day, the timing is useful.

The safety of the setting also matters. You see the lava up close in a controlled environment, without hiking over rough ground or waiting for a natural eruption. The show cannot replace a real volcanic site, but it gives you a direct sense of what molten rock looks and behaves like.

Why the Lava Show Adds More Than a Photo Stop

I like the way the show gives context to the rest of an Iceland visit. Iceland’s volcanoes can seem abstract when you read about them on a map or pass a field of dark rock from a bus. Seeing hot lava enter the room makes the country’s geology easier to understand.

The video also places the capital area in a volcanic setting. That is useful because Reykjavik is not simply a city beside dramatic nature. It sits within a region shaped by eruptions, heat, and unstable ground. The show connects everyday urban life with the forces under Iceland.

You should still keep your expectations in check. This is a reenactment and educational presentation, not a natural eruption. The lava is real, but the setting is purpose-built and controlled. For many people, that balance is the attraction: a genuine material presented in a safe, easy-to-follow format.

Timing, Weather, and the Wildlife Factor

The tour operates in conditions that can affect how much you enjoy the boat. Bring weather-appropriate clothing even though flotation overalls and heated cabins are supplied. The outer deck is where you may get the clearest views, but the cabin gives you a warmer place to watch when the wind picks up.

The whale trip is also a patience exercise. You may see a minke whale, humpback, dolphin, or harbour porpoise, or you may spend much of the time scanning the water. The free return ticket helps if there are no sightings, but it may not help visitors with only one day in Reykjavik.

For that reason, I would place this activity earlier in a longer stay if possible. A return option has real value when your schedule allows another attempt. If you are in Reykjavik for a single short visit, choose the tour because you enjoy the boat ride, bay views, and wildlife search, not because you need a guaranteed whale encounter.

The lava show is the more predictable half. Its content, duration, and location are set, while the whale watching depends on weather, sea conditions, and animal behavior.

Who Will Get the Most from This Combo

This experience suits you if you want both nature and geology without leaving Reykjavik. Families, first-time visitors, and anyone with a strong interest in volcanoes can get a lot from the mix. The whale boat offers outdoor time, while the lava show provides a warmer, structured finish.

It is also a sensible choice for visitors who want an English-speaking tour and useful onboard facilities. The heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, warm suits, and seasickness tablets remove some of the usual worries about a long boat trip.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water excursions, have a very tight schedule, or want all transport handled for you. The separate locations require planning, and the whale sightings cannot be promised. The product also makes less financial sense if you have already booked a different whale tour and a separate lava attraction.

Is $154 a Fair Price?

At $154, the price is reasonable only if you intend to do both activities. The whale trip alone provides three hours on the bay, onboard guides, warm gear, indoor shelter, and a free return ticket if no animals appear. The lava show adds a distinct 50-minute presentation using real lava.

The package is less convenient than its name might suggest because you are responsible for moving between Geirsgata 11 and Fiskislóð 73. Still, the combination can be good value for a visitor who wants two major Reykjavik activities in one planned day and is comfortable arranging a short city transfer.

Read the cancellation condition carefully before you book. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, but if the whale watching is canceled, the lava ticket remains valid only on the original date and is non-refundable. That makes it important to keep the original day open for the show.

Should You Book It?

Book this combo if you want a balanced Reykjavik day with real lava, open-water wildlife watching, and strong weather backup. It offers more variety than a standard whale trip and gives you a memorable geological experience even if the animals stay hidden.

Skip it if you need guaranteed wildlife, included transfers, or a relaxed schedule with no route planning. For everyone else, the key is to treat the whale watching as an outing with possibilities, not a promise. Plan the transfer between locations in advance, arrive 30 minutes early, and bring proper clothing. With those details handled, the pairing gives you two very different and worthwhile views of Iceland.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour depart?

The whale watching tour begins at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik.

Where is the lava show held?

Lava Show Reykjavik is located at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavik 101, Iceland.

How long does the full experience last?

The stated duration is 4.5 hours. The whale watching portion lasts about three hours, the lava show lasts 50 minutes, and time is allowed between the activities.

What whale species might I see?

The tour searches for minke whales and humpback whales. Dolphins, harbour porpoises, and rare killer whale sightings are also possible.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If no sightings occur, you receive a free ticket to join the whale watching tour again.

What happens if the whale tour is canceled?

The lava show ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable if the whale watching tour is canceled.

Is transport between the whale tour and lava show included?

No. The two activities take place at separate locations, and you must arrange your own transport between them.

What is provided on the boat?

The boat has warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, and free WiFi. Complimentary seasickness tablets are also available.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.