The 15 Best Boat Trips in Iceland

1.Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9,838 reviews · 3 hours · from $87Our pick

Cruise from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay for three hours of whale and marine-life spotting. Guides such as Maria and Lucky share facts about humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and seabirds. You get indoor warmth, outdoor viewing, WiFi, a café, and hotel pickup as an option.

“An amazing morning whale watching - we were lucky enough to see 2 humpback whales and lots of seals! Maria, our guide, was very knowledgeable and friendly. Even when we were looking for (and unfortunately not finding) more animals, she chatted away about the scenery and sea birds. The views themselves, especially at sunrise, make this a lovely thing to do but the whales coming very close to the boat made it exceptional! Also, the hot chocolate is so so good, and very reasonable!”

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2.Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,911 reviews · 3 hours · from $107

Cruise Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor aboard the Amelia Rose, a smooth-sailing yacht with three viewing decks, a warm lounge, bar, WiFi, and blankets. Guides such as Lucky and Roman help you spot humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The three-hour trip suits families, couples, and solo visitors.

“Excellent experience! The yacht was clean, spacious, and easy to walk between different decks during the journey. We saw several whales and it was really exciting! Definitely recommend!”

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3.Northern Lights Yacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,253 reviews · 2 hours · from $93

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor into Faxafloi Bay for two hours of aurora watching from three panoramic decks. Guides such as Maria, Julian, and Lucky have helped guests spot the lights and improve phone photos. The yacht has indoor seating, blankets, Wi-Fi, sea sickness tablets, and a full bar with hot drinks available to buy.

“Overall good trip. We only faintly saw the lights for a couple minutes (still saw them!). However, they didn’t think it was good enough so they are allowing us to come back up to 3 years time which I think it’s very kind of them. The bar / overall boat was really good. Even the two hour cruise is pretty worth it”

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4.Puffin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,052 reviews · 1 hour · from $64

Join the Puffin Express from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a one-hour cruise to Lundey and Akurey. Your English-speaking guide points out puffins, fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots from the wooden boat Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skuli. Binoculars are provided, and guides such as Patrick and Joe are known for lively, informed commentary.

“Fantastic! Both the guide (Joe) and the captain ((Anders?) were very knowledgeable, funny, kind, and helpful. Everything went smoothly and as advertised.”

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5.Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 707 reviews · 3 hours · from $106

Set out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor aboard MY Harpa or MY Amelia Rose for a three-hour search for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, seabirds, and summer puffins. English and Icelandic guides, warm blankets, Wi-Fi, a bar, and a return ticket if you see no wildlife make this a comfortable choice.

“obviously seeing some whales...but everything was great from start to finish. the boat was very well managed, not overcrowded with people. sunshine and blue skies and whales. perfect .”

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6.Árskógssandur: Whale-Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 695 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $96

Meet at Hótel Kaldi in Árskógssandur, then sail Eyjafjörður for about two and a half hours on a traditional oak boat. Your English-speaking guide and captain look for humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun are included.

“Our captain and guide extended our trip so that we could follow our Minke whale a little longer. Loved the trip. The boat was comfortable with plenty of places to sit and to get a different view and perspectives of the Eyjafjordur. The hot chocolate and bun were also very appreciated! We also learned a lot about northern Iceland, the industry and educational opportunities in the area, as well as information about how whales eat and descend and rise up for air. It was exactly what we we were hoping for.”

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7.Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 684 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102

Sail for about three hours from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour aboard a yacht-style whale-watching boat. An English-speaking guide helps you spot humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and possibly orcas while you enjoy views of Harpa, Viðey, Engey, Lundey, and the city coast. If no whales appear, you can take a return cruise free.

“Loved this tour. The crew did their best to find the whales and were successful. The boat did have an area for shelter,”

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8.Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 651 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $86

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, you’ll cruise Faxaflói Bay with a naturalist guide in search of minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Choose a faster 2.5-hour outing or a 3.5-hour cruise. Thermal coveralls, heated indoor seating, Wi-Fi, and a no-sighting retry ticket make this a practical choice in Iceland’s changeable weather.

“A lovely boat and great experience. Even though the weather was really foggy in late December got to see a humpback whale. The commentary was factual and great. A wonderful trip which I would certainly go on again”

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9.Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 636 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $63Best value

Board a fast boat from Reykjavik’s Geirsgata harbor and circle Akurey Island, where puffins nest from May through August. Your guide, possibly Patrick, Peter, or Joe, explains puffins and local seabirds while binoculars are provided. The cruise lasts about an hour, making it easy to fit into a busy Iceland day, though birds can be far away and numbers drop sharply by mid-August.

“Great tour. We did see the puffins. Wish we could have seen them closer but we did see them. Glad we got to see them before they leave the area.”

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10.Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 610 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

Sail from downtown Reykjavik into Faxaflói Bay for about two hours, watching for the Aurora Borealis from outdoor decks or a heated cabin. You’ll pass Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Imagine Peace Tower when lit. The crew offers warm overalls, Wi-Fi, hot drinks for purchase, and a free return cruise if the lights stay hidden.

“The boat was a good size for the amount of viewers. Their cold suits worked perfectly and everyone was very nice. It took approximately 25 minutes to get to the area where the northern lights were and they were spectacular”

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11.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $203Top rated

Speed across Skjálfandi Bay in a RIB boat carrying no more than 12 people, searching for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins. A guide such as Austin, Alessandra, or Danny explains the wildlife while the captain handles the boat. Expect cold air, spray, and a lively ride.

“The experience was amazing! We saw three whales, some of them very close! In addition, the tours are very individual. Personally, I found the small groups much more pleasant than the large ships.”

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12.Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 488 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor aboard Harpa or Amelia Rose for about three hours on Faxafloi Bay. Your English-speaking guide helps spot whales, dolphins, porpoises, and summer puffins, while the yacht provides outdoor viewing decks, indoor seating, blankets, Wi-Fi, a bar, and free seasickness tablets. No sightings means a free return trip.

“Highly informative and well- organized whale watching ride. Our guide was passionate about sharing the types and habits of whales and dolphins. And was just as passionate about the science of finding the sight of them. You have to be quick, however to not only be where you need to be to view the latest sighting but be mindful of the overzealous who will cut in front of you. Nice boat with inside and outside options.”

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13.Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $205

Travel from Akureyri port with an English-speaking guide to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn. Visit Hverir’s steaming mud pools, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjótagjá Cave, and the Myvatn Nature Baths. The tour lasts about 5 to 6 hours, uses a small group of up to 19 people, and returns you to the pier.

“Make sure you are told you are stopping for a lunch break at your own personal added cost. Make sure you have a watch or cell phone to let you know what time it is as the tour guide gives you a slotted time curfew.”

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14.Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 444 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

Join North Sailing from Húsavík for a roughly 3 to 3.5-hour cruise on a traditional oak boat. A live English-speaking guide helps you spot whales, dolphins, and puffins around Skjálfandi Bay. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun are included. Puffins may be viewed from a distance.

“Great trip on a sailboat - we have seen 3 different whales from very close. Amazing experience. Only drawback: we have seen puffins but from quite a distance. Had expected to get closer.”

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15.Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 442 reviews · from $148

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor on two separate wildlife trips. Old Skúli gets close to puffin islands, while the Andrea or faster express boat searches Faxaflói Bay for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Guides such as Patrick and Rebecca add clear facts, humor, and practical wildlife advice.

“We had a great experience with a whale that liked to show off so we were very lucky!!”

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