Icelandic Horse Riding and Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Iceland packs two very different experiences into this half-day outing: a quiet ride across old lava fields, followed by a fast boat trip into Faxaflói Bay. The Icelandic horses are the star of the first half, with their smooth tölt gait and calm nature making the ride friendly to beginners.

I like the thoughtful rider matching and the small horse-riding group, and I like that the tour gives you a second chance if the sea is empty. The main catch is timing and weather. Whale sightings are never certain, fog can spoil the view, and the transfer between the stable and harbor takes some planning.

Key points to know before you book

• Ride through lava fields near Reykjavik: The trails pass moorland, fields, and black volcanic ground just outside the city.
• Try the Icelandic horse’s tölt: This four-beat gait is unusually smooth and helps make the ride comfortable.
• Riders are split by ability: Beginners can stay with a slower group while more experienced riders may get a livelier outing.
• The boat reaches the bay quickly: The high-speed vessel gets to likely feeding areas in about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Your wildlife ticket has a safety net: If no whales or dolphins are seen, you receive a complimentary ticket for another trip.
• Plan around the meeting point: The listed start is Íshestar Horse Riding Centre in Hafnarfjörður at 10 a.m.; hotel pickup and drop-off require separate arrangements.

Why this combo works so well in Iceland

I like this tour because it gives you two sides of Iceland without asking you to spend a full day on a bus. In the morning, you are on horseback in open volcanic country. Later, you are on the water, scanning for fins and blows in Faxaflói Bay.

Those experiences balance each other. Horse riding is active and close to the ground. Whale watching is slower, colder, and dependent on nature. If the sea stays quiet, the riding still gives you a solid Iceland experience rather than leaving you with an empty afternoon.

The price is about $233.08 per person. That is not a budget outing, but Icelandic activities are costly, and this includes two guided experiences, riding equipment, warm clothing for the boat, drinks after the ride, Wi-Fi onboard, and transport between the main parts of the day. You are paying for convenience as much as for the activities.

I would compare the price with booking separate tours before deciding. The advantage here is that one reservation joins the two activities. The tradeoff is less freedom to choose the best weather window for each one.

From Reykjavik to the Íshestar stables

The advertised start time is 10 a.m. at the Íshestar Horse Riding Centre on Sörlaskeið 26 in Hafnarfjörður, just south of Reykjavik. Hotel pickup may be available for an added fee, but you need to confirm it directly with the supplier. Do not assume it is included.

The drive out of the city is part of the introduction. You learn about Icelandic horses and their unusual past. The breed descends from horses brought to Iceland in the 10th century, and it has remained distinct because Iceland has long restricted the import of horses.

At the stable, you receive a helmet, rubber boots, rainwear, and warm clothing for the ride. That matters in Iceland, where a pleasant morning can turn damp and cold quickly. Dress in layers even if the sky looks clear when you leave Reykjavik.

The riding limit is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds. Children must be at least seven years old to ride. Anyone aged 14 or older who wants to ride alone needs written permission from a parent.

Meeting the horses and finding your pace

The stable staff match riders with horses based on experience. You have time to get familiar with your horse before setting off, which is especially useful if you are nervous or have little riding experience.

The guides begin at a steady walk. The group can then split into slower and faster sections, giving confident riders a little more action while beginners keep the pace comfortable. This system has worked well for mixed groups, including families and riders with very different levels of experience.

I would be honest about your ability at the start. Experienced riders may find a guided trail ride more restrained than a private riding holiday. One rider enjoyed trying several of the horse’s gaits, while another felt that the ride was too controlled and preferred the slower group.

That difference is important. If you want a relaxed way to see volcanic scenery, this should suit you. If you expect a long, independent canter or a technically demanding ride, you may find it tame.

The Icelandic horse itself is a memorable part of the outing. The breed is small but sturdy, and the tölt is its famous four-beat gait. It can feel smoother than a normal trot because the horse keeps at least one foot on the ground at all times.

Riding across lava fields and open moorland

The route runs through fields and remote moorland near Hafnarfjörður, with lava-covered ground forming the backdrop. You stop for photographs, so keep your phone or camera handy, but protect it from rain and wind.

This is not a city sightseeing ride. You get open views and dark volcanic rock rather than famous buildings or a long list of formal stops. The charm comes from moving slowly through Iceland’s raw terrain with a horse beneath you.

The guides also explain the horses and the volcanic area along the way. Staff have been praised for staying attentive to both the animals and the riders. That care matters when a child becomes nervous or an adult needs help mounting. One guide even hand-walked a horse for a frightened child.

Expect about 2.5 hours at the stable, including preparation, instruction, riding, and the return. Afterward, you can warm up with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. There is also a small gift shop, and photographs may be available through the riding operation.

Getting from the stable to Reykjavik Old Harbor

The second part begins at Old Harbor, where you board the whale-watching boat. The transfer is a practical feature, but it is also the part most likely to cause confusion.

Different transport arrangements may apply to the morning pickup, the move to the harbor, and the return to your hotel. If you arrange hotel transfers, confirm every detail, including where and when you will be collected and how the return is handled.

Build in patience if you are arriving in Iceland that morning. One delayed airport arrival caused a rider to miss the planned pickup, though the staff worked with that person to reach the stable in time. I would not count on such a close rescue. Give yourself a buffer.

You also have free time for lunch at the harbor before boarding. Food is not included, so plan to buy something or carry a snack. The tour summary gives an overall duration of about 5 hours and 30 minutes, but the boat portion can run around three to three and a half hours, depending on conditions and how long the captain searches.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay

The high-speed boat reaches likely feeding areas in roughly 20 to 30 minutes. You can watch from the outside deck or from the indoor cabin, and warm overalls are provided. I would still wear a hat, gloves, and warm layers if you want to stay outside for long.

The common species in Faxaflói Bay include minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. Puffins may also appear during the right season, along with seabirds. The captain and guide point out activity on the water and explain what you are seeing.

Humpbacks can make the trip spectacular. They may surface near the boat, show a flipper, roll at the surface, or disappear for a longer period before returning. Minke whales are smaller and can be harder to spot, while porpoises and dolphins may move quickly and appear only briefly.

You need to accept a measure of luck. Several outings have produced close humpback encounters, multiple whale sightings, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins. Other trips have produced only a distant sighting, or no whales at all.

Fog is the biggest problem. It can reduce visibility even when the sea is calm, and rough weather can lead to cancellation. If no whales or dolphins appear, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the next available day. That is useful if you have extra time in Reykjavik, but it does not solve the problem if your schedule allows only one day.

The boat has an onboard cafe serving drinks and snacks. Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and waffles have been available on similar outings, though food and drinks are generally not included in the tour price. The indoor cabin gives you a place to warm up when the wind becomes too much.

Comfort, crowding, and the boat experience

The boat is described as comfortable, with several levels and good viewing access. You can move between the deck and cabin, which is far better than being stuck in one exposed seat.

The tradeoff is that the whale-watching portion is not the same small-group experience as the horse ride. The riding group is limited to a maximum of five people, but the boat is shared with other ticket holders. At busy times, the viewing areas can feel crowded, and one account found the onboard speaker difficult to hear.

Captains may spend time positioning the boat and searching for activity. That can mean waiting in the cold, so use the provided overalls and take regular breaks inside. The crew’s approach is to watch the animals without pushing too close. That is worth keeping in mind when several boats gather around the same sighting.

If you are sensitive to crowds, sound, or rough water, the boat may be the less comfortable half. The indoor cabin helps, but it does not guarantee a smooth ride or a clear view.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this combination if you want a first taste of Iceland beyond Reykjavik and like having varied activities in one day. It suits couples, families with eligible children, beginners on horseback, and riders who want scenery more than technical riding.

It also works for confident riders if you are happy to stay within a guided group. Tell the staff your experience level so they can place you in the right section.

This is less suitable if you need a guaranteed whale sighting, dislike cold boat trips, or want a full day devoted to serious riding. It may also be a poor fit if you are in Reykjavik for only a short time and cannot use the free return ticket after a failed whale watch.

The tour operates in changing weather, so bring flexible clothing and keep your schedule open enough to handle a cancellation. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can request another date or a full refund.

My verdict on the $233 price

At $233.08, this is good value if you would otherwise book both a riding trip and a whale cruise. You get the horse, helmet, boots, rainwear, warm boat overalls, post-ride hot drinks, guides for both activities, and onboard Wi-Fi.

The value drops if you are mainly interested in whales. A quiet sea can leave you with a long boat ride and no sighting, even though the free retry ticket softens the risk. The value also depends on your transport plan. Extra hotel transfer fees and lunch add to the real cost.

I like the way the tour gives you a land-based backup to an uncertain wildlife outing. The horses are not filler. They are a genuine part of Iceland’s culture and scenery, and the riding guides generally make the experience approachable.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a convenient two-part day, enjoy animals, and can handle uncertain weather. It is especially appealing for first-time visitors who want to leave Reykjavik without committing to a long countryside excursion.

Skip it if your priority is a guaranteed wildlife encounter or advanced riding. For the best chance of success, keep the next day open in case you want to use the complimentary whale-watching ticket, confirm hotel transfers before departure, and wear more warm clothing than you think you need.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding begin?

The listed meeting point is Íshestar Horse Riding Centre, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. The listed start time is 10 a.m.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfers are not included in the base tour. They may be available for an additional fee, and you should contact the supplier directly to confirm the details.

How long is the tour?

The overall experience lasts approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. The horse-riding portion takes about 2.5 hours, while the whale-watching cruise may last around three to three and a half hours depending on conditions.

What should I wear for the horse ride?

Dress for changing weather. A riding helmet, rubber boots, rainwear, and warm riding clothing are provided, but you should still wear suitable layers.

What equipment is provided on the boat?

Warm overalls are provided for the whale-watching cruise. The boat also has Wi-Fi and an indoor cabin.

What whales and dolphins might I see?

The most common species listed for Faxaflói Bay are minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. Puffins and other seabirds may also be seen.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. If you see no whales or dolphins, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the next available day.

What is the minimum age for riding?

Children must be at least seven years old to ride. Riders aged 14 or older need written parental permission if they want to ride alone.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The riding weight limit is 110 kilograms, or 240 pounds.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.