Iceland · WHALE & ORCA WATCHING
Reykjavik harbour sails all year, Husavik and Akureyri run the summer and see more. The 15 below are compared on boat type, how long you are actually at sea, and whether a blank trip earns you a free second sailing.
3-hour Reykjavík whale watching cruise in Faxafloi Bay to spot humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and more, with heated cabins.
“It was so good !! Really recommend to anyone who’s coming to Iceland ! We saw 2 hump back whales which was very lucky :)”
3-hour Akureyri whale cruise in Eyjafjord, high-speed ship, thermal suits, and expert guides hunting humpbacks, plus comfy warmth.
“Really loved this whale watching trip (snowy February 2026). Even if we didn't see any whales, the scenic cruise along the fjord was very nice itself, but we saw two young humpbacks! We spent over an hour in their company as they were feeding, which was amazing. When we left to return to Port, they could still be seen in the distance. Very informative guide, very considerate of the whales and not getting too close. Free hot drinks onboard (coffee, hot chocolate, etc) was a nice touch and welcome after enduring the cold outdoors.”
Amelia Rose in Reykjavik, a 3-hour whale watching cruise from Old Harbor with triple decks, warm blankets, and expert spotting.
“The whole Team was great on the Amelia Rose Yacht. Definitely recommend.”
Húsavík whale watching from a traditional oak boat in Skjálfandi Bay, with live guide, warm overalls, hot chocolate, and cinnamon bun.
“Great Guides, had a lot of fun and the female Guide (don’t remember her name unfortunately) did such a great job on commenting where to see the whales and gave many interesting Information.”
Elding’s classic whale cruise from Reykjavik in Faxaflói Bay, with warm gear, onboard WiFi, and a free return if no whales appear.
“A great trip we really enjoyed it. We were very lucky to see humpback whales and sea lions. Eldin staff really helpful and very informative.”
Reykjavík whale watching on the Andrea with warm overalls, expert guide-led spotting, and a free return ticket if no whales are spotted.
“I booked this to celebrate my 40th birthday and was trying to manage my expectations that we might not see any whale. However, we saw a minke on the way to the feeding ground, then at least 3 humpbacks. The guide was really good at sharing interesting information, then pointing us where to look. You also get access to a folder with the photos the guide took. It was really incredible - a real bucket list thing ticked off!”
Traditional Húsavík whale watching on a wooden oak boat in Skjálfandi Bay, with warm gear, live guide talk, and real wildlife spotting.
“We saw whales in the very first beginning, which was very nice. The whole trip was a bit too long for us (around 3.5 hours) but it’s bearable. The only downside is that there wasn’t enough sits for everyone so we almost stood the entire time.”
Húsavík whale watching with indoor seating March to December. Friends of Moby Dick, warm suits, expert crew, and a 3-hour Skjálfandi Bay cruise.
“Guide and Boat Captain did great job with our tour and seeing the whales feeding close to our boat. Once in a lifetime event! Safety coveralls helped ensure you stayed warm and comfortable on the tour!”
Húsavík RIB safari to Puffin Island and Skjálfandi Bay. Modern boat, warm overalls, expert guide, big-whale odds in 2 hours.
“We had such an unforgettable whale-watching tour! For the first two hours, we searched without any luck, but that only made the adventure more exciting. The typical Icelandic weather — strong wind and rain — added to the atmosphere and gave us some pretty high waves, which made the whole experience feel even more real and adventurous. Spotting whales was definitely more challenging in those conditions, and although we didn’t get to see any humpbacks, the tour ended in the most magical way. In the last five minutes, a group of bottlenose whales appeared right next to the boat! Absolutely fantastic and a memory we’ll never forget.”
Speedboat whale watching in Húsavík, plus Puffin Island in season, from a warm RIB ride with a pro guide.
“This tour was fantastic! Our guide Ignacio was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We saw multiple humpback whales, puffins and arctic tern. The boat was comfortable and gear is provided to help keep you warm and dry. Tour is a good amount of time (not too long) and is run in small groups which was really nice! Highly recommend!”
3-hour whale watching from downtown Akureyri with thermal gear, indoor decks, WiFi, and a captain who hunts humpbacks and orcas.
“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.”
A 3-hour Reykjavik whale watching cruise with warm gear, live marine-biologist commentary, and a 90%+ sighting success rate year-round.
“We got to see two humpback whales and great views. The boat wasn’t too crowded and the marine biologist on board gave lots of useful insights.”
Reykjavik whale watching in Faxafloi Bay with a professional guide, warm overalls, heated cabins, and a free return if no whales.
“We had such a fantastic time on the boat looking out for the whales. And we managed to see a few up close which was exhilarating! The crew on board were all so nice and lovely and we had a wonderful afternoon! It was also really nice to hear the commentary with regards to facts about the whales and we learned so much.”
3.5-hour Reykjavik whale watching cruise to Faxaflói Bay for minke whales, humpbacks, and dolphins, with warm overalls and heated cabins.
“This was amazing!! A must see. The tour guide was amazing and very knowledgeable. We saw loads of humpback whales, the boat was comfortable and the waterproof overalls were a life saver. The tour guide takes pictures and videos throughout which you can retrieve online for free! Definitely recommend”
Yacht cruise from Reykjavik in Faxafloi Bay for whales, dolphins, and seabirds, with warm blankets, WiFi, and guided spotting.
“We had the most incredible trip! We were so lucky to see several humpbacks, minke whales and the endangered fin whale as well as lots of puffins! It was an absolute dream come true. Our guide, Lucky, was incredibly knowledgable and passionate. Thank you so much for having us 🙏”
Every kind of Icelandic day out, and the best of each.
