Reykjavik Shore Excursion: Whale-Watching Cruise

The best part of this Reykjavik excursion is the chance to get out on Faxaflói Bay, where minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises feed close to the capital. The boat ride itself can be rewarding, even when the whales keep their distance.

I like the thermal coveralls, which turn a cold outing into a manageable one, and I like the clear onboard commentary. Guide Dominiki, praised for her humor and strong grasp of local marine life, made it easier to spot animals quickly from either side of the boat. The drawback is simple: wildlife is never guaranteed, and rough seas can make the long ride unpleasant.

Key points to know before booking

• Faxaflói Bay is the main stage: You leave Reykjavik Port and search open water for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises.
• Choose your pace: The regular cruise lasts about 3.5 hours, while the high-speed option takes about 2.5 hours.
• Warm clothing is supplied: Waterproof thermal overalls are available in adult and children’s sizes.
• No sightings mean a free second chance: You receive a ticket to try again if nothing is seen, though that requires another visit to Iceland.
• Weather controls the experience: Calm seas can make the trip magical, while wind and rain may bring seasickness and cancellations.
• Plan carefully for pickup: If you select transport, be ready at Skarfabakki Harbour one hour before departure.

Leaving Skarfabakki Harbour for Faxaflói Bay

The excursion begins at Skarfabakki Harbour, listed at 544P+F35 in Reykjavik. If you arrange pickup, you are asked to be ready at the harbour one hour before departure. That extra time matters for a cruise passenger, since the port area can involve a transfer from your ship and several vehicles may be arriving.

The pickup service has been both useful and imperfect. Some departures have been on time, with a return straight to the ship. Other passengers have dealt with a late vehicle or unclear pickup timing. One practical lesson is to confirm the exact meeting arrangement before the day of the trip, and to leave enough time for a taxi if your ship schedule is tight.

Once aboard, you can settle inside, move around the viewing areas, or put on one of the supplied thermal suits. The boat has a snack bar and hot coffee can be available for purchase, but food and drinks are not included in the tour price. Free WiFi and complimentary seasickness tablets are included.

The boat can carry up to 189 people. That does not mean every departure reaches that number, but you should expect a shared excursion rather than a small private outing. The captain works to give both port and starboard sides chances to see wildlife, while the guide points out the direction of each sighting over the speaker system.

Two cruise styles, two different trade-offs

You can choose between a leisurely cruise of roughly 3.5 hours and a high-speed cruise of about 2.5 hours. The longer option gives you more time on the water and more searching time, which matters when animals surface only briefly. The shorter cruise may suit you better if you have limited time in Reykjavik or are worried about seasickness.

The published shore excursion duration is about 3 hours and 50 minutes, so allow extra time beyond the advertised time on the water. Pickup, boarding, and the return transfer can all add to the day.

The high-speed boat is not automatically the better choice. Faster travel may reduce the time spent rolling at sea, but it can also feel more active. The regular boat gives you room to move, indoor viewing, and a slower pace for watching the bay. If you are sensitive to motion, the weather and sea conditions matter more than the label of the boat.

The captain may circle an animal or reposition the boat several times. That can improve your view, but it also means you may spend time waiting for a whale to surface again. Keep your expectations realistic: this is a search for wild animals, not a scheduled wildlife performance.

What you may see in the bay

The common targets include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Sightings vary sharply from one departure to the next. On a productive outing, you might see several minke whales, groups of dolphins, and repeated surfacing over a long stretch of water. One especially fortunate trip included six whales from two species, with one whale reportedly clearing the surface.

Other departures have produced only a brief glimpse of a minke whale, a few dolphins, or no marine mammals at all. Birds can add interest, including puffins and gannets, but they do not replace a whale sighting if that is your main reason for booking.

The most useful skill is staying alert and listening closely. The guide helps by telling you where to look, and the installed speakers make the commentary easier to follow throughout the boat. You will still need to scan the water quickly. A whale may show only a small part of its back, and a dolphin can vanish almost as soon as you find it.

Do not expect the dramatic breach shown in many promotional photographs. A whale may surface quietly, show its back, and disappear. That is normal wildlife watching, but it can feel disappointing if you have pictured a full whale leaping into the air.

The guide adds more than animal names

The onboard guide explains the species that visit Faxaflói Bay, along with local geography and the surrounding sea. The best commentary does not simply announce a sighting. It gives you enough context to understand what you are looking at and helps everyone find the animal.

Dominiki received particular praise for her humor and detailed explanations. Her approach is useful for first-time whale watchers and still worthwhile if you have taken similar cruises before. The new Special Tours Iceland app adds text and audio material about the tour, wildlife, and nature around you.

The app is available for Apple and Android devices in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Download it before departure or during the tour if you want extra information in one of those languages. The onboard tour itself is offered in English.

Commentary also helps during quiet periods. When no animal is visible, the guide can explain what species frequent the bay and why sightings change. That does not erase a disappointing wildlife count, but it makes the empty stretches feel less like dead time.

Staying warm when Reykjavik weather turns

The supplied waterproof thermal overalls are one of the smartest features of this cruise. You can wear them over your own clothes, including in children’s sizes, and they are especially helpful on the exposed outer viewing areas. Several people found them essential, including those who arrived underdressed.

Bring your own warm layers anyway. The suits help block wind and damp, but the bay can still feel cold, especially when you remain outside for a long time. If rain arrives, waterproof clothing makes the difference between enjoying the search and retreating indoors.

The boat provides indoor viewing space, so you do not have to stay outside for the entire cruise. You can move between the cabin and open viewing areas as conditions change. That flexibility is important on a rough day, when the best view may not be worth the stomach trouble.

Seasickness tablets are available at no extra charge, but take the risk seriously. Rough water has made it difficult for some people to move toward the front of the boat, where sightings may be easier. If you are prone to motion sickness, choose a calm-weather date when possible, take the offered tablet, and remain seated when the sea becomes unsettled.

Why weather matters more than the calendar

A sunny, calm day can transform this outing. The boat feels comfortable, the water is easier to cross, and you can spend more time outside looking for animals. One calm departure included whales, dolphins, puffins, and gannets for more than an hour.

Poor weather can change the trip completely. Wind and rain reduce comfort, rough water causes seasickness, and animals may be harder to spot. The operator can cancel if conditions are unsafe, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

This is not a tour to squeeze into the last few hours before an important flight. Give yourself flexibility if you can. The free return ticket is useful only if you will be in Iceland long enough to use it, and even a second attempt cannot guarantee whales.

The operator does not use sonar or radar to locate the animals, according to information from the trip itself. The crew relies on human sightings and observation. That approach keeps the search natural, but it also explains why the boat may spend time moving, turning, and scanning without a certain result.

Is the $108.13 price fair?

At $108.13 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but it can be fair value for a nearly four-hour shore excursion with thermal overalls, WiFi, seasickness tablets, an English-speaking guide, and a return ticket if no wildlife is spotted.

The value is strongest when you are already in Reykjavik or arriving by cruise ship and want a well-organized way to get onto the bay. A boat ride of this length, with indoor space and wildlife interpretation, gives you more than a quick harbor trip.

The value weakens if you are booking only for a guaranteed whale encounter. You may see several species, or you may see one distant back, a few dolphins, or nothing but birds. The replacement ticket softens that risk, but it does not help much if you are leaving Iceland immediately.

Pickup is another part of the value calculation. A dependable transfer to and from the ship is convenient. An unclear or late pickup can create stress and may force you to pay for a taxi. Confirm the time and vehicle details before departure rather than treating the pickup as an afterthought.

Practical comfort and accessibility details

Most people can take part, and the boat offers plenty of space to move around. Still, one account found the vessel difficult to use with a disability. If you need specific accessibility support, ask the operator before booking instead of assuming that a large boat is fully accessible.

The boat has indoor viewing, a snack bar, and facilities suited to a long outing. You will want to bring water and any food you need, since meals are not included. Hot drinks and snacks may be available for purchase, but they are not part of the tour price.

Keep your phone ready, but do not spend the whole ride looking at the screen. The guide may direct your attention to a whale on one side, and the sighting may last only seconds. The app is a useful extra, not a substitute for listening to the crew.

The return is to the same meeting point at Skarfabakki Harbour. If you are on a cruise ship, build in enough time for the transfer back to your vessel. The tour is designed for shore excursion use, but your responsibility is to confirm the schedule and allow for weather-related delays.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy being on the water, want a chance to see Icelandic marine life, and can accept an uncertain wildlife result. It is also a good fit if you value a guide who explains what you are seeing rather than simply taking you out and back.

Families may appreciate the children’s thermal suits and the mix of indoor and outdoor viewing. The free replacement ticket can also reduce the sting of a quiet departure, especially for people spending several days in Reykjavik.

I would hesitate if you have only one narrow time slot, are highly prone to seasickness, or would be upset by anything less than a close whale encounter. A calm forecast improves your odds of enjoying the trip, but it still does not change the basic fact that wild whales choose the schedule.

Book as early as you can if your dates are fixed. This excursion is booked an average of 83 days ahead, which suggests that popular departures can fill well before a cruise visit. At the same time, keep your plans flexible enough to handle poor weather.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded.

If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Skarfabakki Harbour, 544P+F35, 104 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the excursion last?

The shore excursion takes approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes. You can choose a leisurely cruise of about 3.5 hours or a high-speed cruise of about 2.5 hours.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and humpback whales. You may also see birds such as puffins and gannets.

What happens if I see no whales?

You receive a free ticket to try the whale-watching cruise again. The return ticket does not guarantee that you will see whales on the second trip.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Waterproof thermal overalls are available, including children’s sizes. The boat also offers complimentary seasickness tablets if needed.

Is pickup available from the cruise port?

Yes, pickup is offered. If you select it, be ready at Skarfabakki Harbour one hour before your departure time.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Poor-weather cancellations arranged by the operator offer another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you see the bay, the boat ride, and the guide’s explanations as part of the experience, with whales as the hoped-for reward. The thermal suits, wildlife app, return ticket, and strong onboard commentary make it a practical choice for many visitors.

Skip it if a whale sighting is essential to your Iceland plans and you have no time for a second attempt. On the right day, Faxaflói Bay can deliver whales, dolphins, birds, and calm water. On the wrong day, you may get a cold, rolling boat ride and a few distant surfaces. That uncertainty is not a flaw in the ocean, but you should be comfortable with it before paying.