Iceland · WHALE WATCHING TOURS IN AKUREYRI

15 Whale Watching Tours in Akureyri to Build a Day Around

24 tours  ·  from $90 a head

The 15 best whale watching tours in Akureyri you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship - The first fjord views set the pace
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Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship

1.3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,000 reviews · 3 hours · from $108Our pick

Cruise Eyjafjord from Akureyri for 2.5 to 3.5 hours aboard Iceland’s specially modified high-speed whale-watching ship. Guides such as Gisella, Johan, Jacob, and David explain whale behavior while the crew searches for humpbacks, orcas, and minke whales. Thermal overalls, indoor seating, Wi-Fi, hot drinks, and crew photographs make this a practical choice in any season.

“It was an amazing experience. I got some good footage. Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable. We got to see quite a few whales. Can’t wait to see the footage they send out after the tour.”

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Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri - Humpbacks, orcas, minke whales, and porpoises
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Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri

2.Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 971 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $104

Board Elding’s whale-watching vessel at Oddeyrarbót in central Akureyri for a roughly three-hour cruise into Eyjafjord. Guides explain the area and its humpback whales while the captain checks likely viewing spots. You can watch from heated indoor areas or outdoor decks, borrow warm overalls and blankets, buy café drinks, and use free Wi-Fi.

“The tour is very good. Our tour guide was very informative and had a fun persona. We saw a humpback and a minke and few porpoises. I would highly recommend.”

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Árskógssandur: Whale-Watching Boat Trip - Two and a half hours on Eyjafjörður
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Árskógssandur: Whale-Watching Boat Trip

3.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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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík - Setting out from Húsavík
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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

4.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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Akureyri: 2-Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB Speedboat - From the floating pier to open water
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Akureyri: 2-Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB Speedboat

5.2-Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 489 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join guides such as Sergio, Mack, Agnes, or Victor for a two-hour whale and bird-watching ride from Akureyri’s floating pier. A 12-person RIB covers the Eyjafjord quickly, giving you a low, close view of humpback and minke whales. Expect warm overalls, an exciting ride, changing weather, and no toilet on board.

“Very organized tour, great guide, professional staff. We were fortunate to see quite a few whales on this tour. Highly recommend the smaller RIB boat which allows you to get much closer than the larger ships.”

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Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík - Puffin Island between April and August
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Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

6.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB speedboat safari across Skjálfandi Bay. Your guide may lead you to humpback, minke, blue whales, dolphins, and Puffin Island during the April to August season. The boat carries no more than 12 people, with warm safety overalls supplied. Expect speed, spray, cold air, and a serious chance of wildlife.

“Well organized & professional. Give & Captain excellent. Only downside was not being able to get close pictures of Puffins, otherwise, really great. Saw many whales.”

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Traditional Whale Watching from Húsavík by Local Family Company - Guides, Commentary, and Whale Watching Skills
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Traditional Whale Watching from Húsavík by Local Family Company

7.Traditional Whale Watching from Húsavík by Local Family Company

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 389 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102

Cruise Skjálfandi Bay from Húsavík on a traditional Icelandic oak boat for about three hours. A guide such as Fabio or Vittoria may help spot humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins while sharing live commentary. Warm overalls and rain gear are supplied, but expect cold, wind, waves, and a slower ride than the RIB boats.

“This was amazing! We loved our tour and lucked out with the weather. We saw so many whales and puffins! It was definitely one of the highlights of our trip.”

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Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik - What happens during the three-hour outing
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Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik

8.Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 366 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $118

Sail from Husavik for about three hours aboard a traditional Icelandic oak ship with North Sailing. Your guide or marine scientist explains whale behavior, while the crew provides warm overalls, light refreshments, and live commentary. Sightings can include humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, puffins, and other seabirds.

“I had never been whale watching so it was a great first experience. Luckily we had some stars of the morning and we had two humpbacks giving us a show. The trip back we enjoyed hot chocolate and a cinnamon roll.”

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From Dalvik: Arctic Whale Watching in Northern Iceland - The first five minutes: safety before scenery
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From Dalvik: Arctic Whale Watching in Northern Iceland

9.From Dalvik: Arctic Whale Watching in Northern Iceland

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 327 reviews · 3 hours · from $94

From Dalvík, Arctic Sea Tours takes you into Eyjafjörður for three hours of whale watching among Tröllaskagi’s mountains. Expect an English-speaking guide, flotation coveralls, and chances to see humpbacks, dolphins, minke whales, and possibly blue or fin whales. Guide Clara has led especially well-praised trips.

“It was amazing! We were really lucky and we saw several whales and one of them jumped twice!!!! An awesome experience!”

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100% Whale Watching - The boat ride into Eyjafjordur
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100% Whale Watching

10.100% Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 273 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90Best value

Join Whale Watching Hauganes for a 2.5-hour trip from Hafnargata 2 in Hauganes. A professional fisherman captains the traditional boat while guides such as Júlía explain the whales and fjord. Expect warm waterproof suits, hot drinks, biscuits, and possible sightings of humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, blue whales, orcas, and more.

“Very pleasant experience. We were running late due to rain and traffic, they waited for us. Thanks. Watch three whales.”

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Akureyri: Whale Watching Shore Excursions - Watching humpback whales in their own waters
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Akureyri: Whale Watching Shore Excursions

11.Whale Watching Shore Excursions

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 250 reviews · from $100

Sail from Akureyri into Eyjafjörður on a fast catamaran with an English-speaking guide, warm coveralls, heated seating, Wi-Fi, and an onboard café. You may see humpback and minke whales, porpoises, dolphins, and seabirds. Guides such as Massimiliano and Dominique have been praised for sharp spotting and clear explanations.

“Loved seeing whales so quickly and a lot of them. Would have liked to stay out longer since it said 2.5 hours and it was only 2”

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Akureyri Express Whale Watching by RIB boat - Finding whales in the fjord
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Akureyri Express Whale Watching by RIB boat

12.Akureyri Express Whale Watching by RIB boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180

Meet Elding Whale Watching at Akureyri’s central pier for a two-hour RIB cruise into Eyjafjörður. With a maximum of 12 passengers, guides such as Jacob, David, Agnes, and Linsey can keep the group close to sightings. Expect humpback and minke whales, dolphins, seabirds, fast turns, cold wind, and a bumpy ride when the water is rough.

“The RIB was ideal for whale watching and our guides were extremely knowledgeable not only in identifying the whales and their behaviors but also the history of the surrounding areas”

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Dalvík: Whale Watching Speedboat Tour - Why the RIB ride changes the experience
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Dalvík: Whale Watching Speedboat Tour

13.Dalvík: Whale Watching Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 154 reviews · 2 hours · from $165

Join an English-speaking guide in Dalvík for a two-hour RIB speedboat trip across Eyjafjordur. Suspension seats, flotation coveralls, and a small group of up to 12 keep the ride comfortable as you search for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and summer puffins. Expect speed, spray, cold air, and wide mountain views.

“Kurze Wartezeiten, nur 15 vorher. Wir waren nur 6 Teilnehmende und konnten uns auf dem Boot bewegen. Haben mehrere Buckelwale gesehen. Die beiden Bootsführer konnten all unsere Fragen zu den Walen und zur Landschaft beantworten.”

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Húsavík Whale Watching Tour, family owned and operated - Boarding Moby Dick for a three-hour search
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Húsavík Whale Watching Tour, family owned and operated

14.Húsavík Whale Watching Tour, family owned and operated

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 140 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102

Join Friends of Moby Dick in Húsavík for about three hours on the boat Moby Dick. Guide Mada, a marine biologist, explains whale behavior and respectful viewing as you search Skjálfandi Bay for humpback, minke, blue, fin, or killer whales. Puffins appear from May to mid-August. Warm flotation overalls and life jackets are included.

“Great tour. The guide Mada was very informative & answered all the queries with aplomb. We got to see the humpback whale taking a dive in full revealing it's tale fin in all its splendour twice!!! Truly a memorable experience 😍”

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Whale Watching in Husavik - What you might see in three hours
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Whale Watching in Husavik

15.Whale Watching in Husavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 119 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $113

From Húsavík, you spend about three hours sailing Skjálfandi Bay in a traditional oak boat, guided in English. Look for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Warm overalls, hot cocoa, and a snack help with the cold, while the 20% Whale Museum discount adds value.

“Very great time, the guide obviously cared very much about whales! It was an incredible opportunity and I would definitely do it again.”

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New in Whale Watching Tours in Akureyri

★ 3.8Whale Watching Tour & Forest Lagoon EntranceFrom $1594 reviews
★ 4.5Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City CentralFrom $10533 reviews
★ 5.0RIB boat express: Whales, Eyjafjord and AkureyriFrom $19212 reviews

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