Iceland · WHALE WATCHING TOURS

The 15 Best Whale Watching Tours in Iceland

34 tours  ·  from $34 a head

Humpbacks and minke through the summer, with the north generally beating the capital for sightings. The 15 below cover Reykjavik, Akureyri and Husavik, comparing big boats against RIBs on price, time at sea and how rough it gets.

Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise - The first stretch across Faxaflói Bay
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Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise

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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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

2.3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship

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

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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Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht - Why the Amelia Rose feels different from a basic boat trip
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Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

3.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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Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide - Meeting the oak boat in Húsavík
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Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

4.Whale Watching Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,761 reviews · 3 hours · from $115

Join North Sailing in Húsavík for a three-hour whale-watching cruise on Skjálfandi Bay. Your English-speaking guide, often a marine biologist, explains whale behavior as you search for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun are included.

“Saw several humpback whales and harbor porpoises. Boat was well handled by the crew. Good information from the guide. What a great location and experience!”

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The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik - What the guide adds to the trip
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The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

5.The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,626 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $105

Cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay for roughly three hours with Elding Whale Watching. A live guide, often a marine biologist, explains the wildlife while the crew searches for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Warm overalls, raincoats, blankets, WiFi, and a wildlife exhibition are included.

“We took the trip Jan 12th 2026 we knew it was going to be a bit rough and though they had had sightings recently they were single shots. Well almost as soon as we set off we saw a whale. And it stayed visible almost the whole trip. The team were brilliant at spotting, educating and keeping visitors safe on what was quite a choppy sea.”

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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide - Andrea and the practical comfort of a large ship
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

6.Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,307 reviews · from $90

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay aboard Andrea, Iceland’s largest whale-watching ship. Your English-speaking guide points out minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and occasional orcas. You get warm overalls, indoor seating, WiFi, an onboard café, and a free return ticket if no whales or dolphins appear.

“Saw two humpback whales and a couple of seals up close. Food was affordable and good, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and also taught us a lot about the animals. Very easy ride, the sea wasn’t rough at all!”

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Húsavík: Traditional Whale Watching by Local Family Company - Starting at the Gentle Giants ticket center
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Húsavík: Traditional Whale Watching by Local Family Company

7.Traditional Whale Watching by Local Family Company

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,735 reviews · from $91

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a three-hour whale-watching cruise aboard a traditional Icelandic oak boat. Your English-speaking guide shares live commentary as you search Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, minke whales, blue whales, dolphins, and puffins. Warm safety overalls and rain jackets are provided, but bring extra layers for the cold sea.

“This was my second trip with Gentle Giants in one day, the morning was on the speedboat and the afternoon on the traditional boat. I loved both of them and I saw humpbacks both times. It is so amazing to see these creatures in their natural environment. I have booked another boat trip with Gentle Giants and would recommend the company as helpful, caring, great staff and who make the experience the best you can have. Fingers crossed for more whale sightings!”

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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour - Lundey Island and the puffin season
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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

8.Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $198

Join a small RIB tour from Húsavík for two hours of whale watching in Skjálfandi Bay. The boat carries up to 12 people, reaches wildlife quickly, and visits Lundey Island for puffins from April 15 to August 20. Guides such as Austin, Iñaki, and Ignacio add useful nature facts while warm overalls protect you from the cold.

“A great Must-go experience in Iceland! My family love the whale-watching trip and we DID see 4 whales. The guide Martin (see if the name is correct) is a very nice guy, who is professional and cared a lot about my parents‘ safety. Highly recommended!”

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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat - Puffin Island and the short summer nesting season
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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

9.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 973 reviews · from $159

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB speedboat trip with up to 12 passengers. Your English-speaking guide, possibly a marine biologist such as Matteo, Rui, or Zara, leads you to Puffin Island and whale-rich Skjálfandi Bay. Warm overalls are supplied, but expect a brisk, bumpy ride.

“Very nice experience and approach, we got useful information. Thanks to our guide and the captain.”

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

10.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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Reykjavik: the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour - What you may see in Faxaflói Bay
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Reykjavik: the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

11.the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 908 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay with Elding Adventure at Sea. A trained marine biologist guide explains the wildlife while you watch for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and seabirds. Warm overalls, onboard WiFi, professional photos, and a free return trip if no whales are seen add practical value.

“Saw two beautiful humpback whales on my tour. The best part of this tour is the company being aware of the whales and not distrusting them too much. Allowing them their space and not using sonar! Do this tour if you want to go on a tour that is respectful of the environment and animals. P.s their hot chocolate is fantastic!!!!!!! And it’s cheap”

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Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik - Wildlife watching without false promises
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Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik

12.Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 744 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $97

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay with a professional English-speaking guide. Look for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and summer puffins. Patrick and Joe are among the guides praised for lively commentary. Warm flotation overalls, indoor cabins, WiFi, toilets, and a free return ticket if you see no whales are included.

“Great experience, friendly staff. Calm weather they provide suits for if is particularly cold. Would do again.”

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From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour - Kollafjörður offers a calm start
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From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour

13.Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 711 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $103

From Geirsgata 11, cruise through Kollafjörður and into Faxaflói Bay for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, seals, and seabirds. Guides such as Patrick, Patrik, and Lukas add lively commentary, while heated cabins, flotation overalls, WiFi, and seasickness tablets make this a practical choice in Iceland’s changeable weather.

“tour guide very informative and skipper navigated the boat to best locations to increase chance of seeing whales & dolphins”

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Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise - Searching for humpbacks, minkes, and dolphins
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

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

15.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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New in Whale Watching Tours

★ 4.5Magical Whales in the Midnight Sun | from ReykjavikFrom $10591 reviews
★ 4.6Whale Watching in the Midnight SunFrom $10175 reviews
★ 4.6Midnight Sun Whale Watching TourFrom $111286 reviews
★ 4.5Best Value Whale Watching Boat TourFrom $103300 reviews
★ 4.5Traditional Whale Watching from Húsavík by Local Family CompanyFrom $102389 reviews
★ 4.5Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From HusavikFrom $118366 reviews
★ 4.7Whale Watching Tour by RIB BoatFrom $194393 reviews
★ 4.7From Dalvik: Arctic Whale Watching in Northern IcelandFrom $94327 reviews
★ 4.3Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo TourFrom $148442 reviews
★ 4.5Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht CruiseFrom $108488 reviews
★ 5.0Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from HúsavíkFrom $180417 reviews
★ 4.6Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided TourFrom $135444 reviews
★ 4.82-Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB SpeedboatFrom $200489 reviews

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