REVIEW · WHALE & ORCA WATCHING
Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show
Ice and fire, then whales, in one day. I love the live LAVA SHOW with lava flowing in a safe showroom, and I love that the whale boat provides warm flotation overalls plus heated indoor cabins. It is a Reykjavik day that mixes geology and sea life without feeling like a long, boring lecture.
Just be aware this is a two-venue setup, with the whale tour starting at Geirsgata 11 and the lava show at Fiskislóð 73. The combo includes a break in between, but you should still plan your timing and transport so you do not feel rushed.
In This Review
- Key things I’d circle before booking
- Reykjavik’s Ice and Fire Combo: Whale Bay and Live Lava
- Getting Ready: Meeting Point, Timing, and Weather Reality
- Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay: The 3-Hour Search for Whales
- What makes the boat part comfortable
- The human part: learning while you look
- Break Time on Shore: Why That 1-Hour Gap Matters
- The Reykjavik Lava Show at Fiskislóð 73: How It Works
- What you gain after the show
- What You’ll Learn: Whales, Models, and Icelandic Volcanism
- Price and Value: Is $154 Worth It?
- Weather, Shared Boats, and Real Expectations
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)
- Should You Book This Whale Watching and Lava Show Combo?
- FAQ
- How long is the whole experience?
- Where do I meet for the whale watching part?
- Where does the lava show take place?
- What are the departure and show time options?
- What marine animals does the whale watching tour look for?
- Are warm overalls and indoor facilities provided?
- Is WiFi available on board, and are seasickness tablets provided?
- Is there an English guide?
- What happens if there are no whale sightings?
- Are pets or smoking allowed?
Key things I’d circle before booking
Live lava, up close and in real time in a safe showroom setting
Heated indoor cabins and warm flotation overalls for the cold, windy boat ride
Faxaflói Bay whale search for minke and humpbacks, plus dolphins and harbour porpoises
A second-chance ticket if the whales do not show up on your trip
English guidance you can follow easily, including praise for a guide named Joe
Reykjavik’s Ice and Fire Combo: Whale Bay and Live Lava
This is one of those Iceland combos that actually makes sense. You start on the water in Faxaflói Bay, then shift gears to the land-of-fire side with a live geology show in Reykjavik.
What I like most is how the tour handles two very different kinds of Iceland without making either part feel rushed or overly complicated. You get a real whale watching boat experience, plus a hands-on style lava presentation that aims to make the science feel immediate.
And yes, the big headline is the live lava show. It is billed as the only live LAVA SHOW in the world, with lava flowing into the showroom and a host guiding you through what you are seeing.
Getting Ready: Meeting Point, Timing, and Weather Reality
Your start point for the whale watching portion is Geirsgata 11 at the Special Tours ticket office. You should show up at least 30 minutes early, because you want time to check in, get your gear, and settle before departure.
The combo is offered in two main time slots: 09:00 whale watching with a 14:00 lava show, or 13:00 whale watching with an 18:00 lava show. That means your day is organized around a morning sea trip and an afternoon lava show, or vice versa.
Bring weather-appropriate clothing. Iceland weather can change fast, and while the boat provides warm gear, you still want layers you can breathe in. Also note the basic rules: no pets and no smoking.
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Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay: The 3-Hour Search for Whales
The whale watching portion runs about 3 hours. You depart from Reykjavik’s old harbour and sail into Faxaflói Bay in search of several marine species.
Here is what you are looking for:
Minke whales
Humpback whales
Dolphins
Harbour porpoises
Killer whales (rare sighting)
That list matters because it sets your expectations. This is not a guarantee tour for a single species. You are going out for a healthy mix of Iceland marine life, where the odds change with season and conditions.
What makes the boat part comfortable
Cold water trips can become miserable if you are underprepared. This one improves your odds by focusing on comfort and warmth.
On board you get:
Warm flotation overalls
Heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities
A bar onboard (food and drink are not included, but you can buy drinks)
Free WiFi
Complimentary seasickness tablets if you want them
I also like that the tour keeps the setup practical. You can spend time inside when the wind turns sharp, then step back out when you spot movement. That rhythm is key in Iceland, where the weather can decide to do something new every few minutes.
The human part: learning while you look
The experience is not only about scanning the horizon. The tour’s highlights mention learning about different whale species and seeing man-made models up close.
In plain terms, that makes the sightings (even brief ones) easier to interpret. When you can match what you are seeing to a species story, the moment sticks in your memory longer.
More blows spotted from the rail:
Break Time on Shore: Why That 1-Hour Gap Matters
Between the whale watching and the lava show, there is a break time of about 1 hour in the combo schedule. This is where logistics can make or break your day.
Because the whale tour starts at Geirsgata 11 and the lava show is at Fiskislóð 73, you should use that gap to handle transportation calmly. Reviews also point to confusion here, so treat it as a real planning item.
My practical advice: pick a plan for getting from one location to the other before your first activity day, so you are not trying to solve routes with cold hands and hungry stomachs. Food is not included on the boat, so if you need a snack, plan for it.
The Reykjavik Lava Show at Fiskislóð 73: How It Works
The lava portion is a 50-minute show at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavik 101. The format is built around education first, spectacle second, and safety throughout.
It starts with a welcome from the host, then a short educational video about Icelandic volcanism. The focus includes nearby volcanoes and special emphasis on major eruptions in Icelandic history, plus volcanic dangers connected to the capital area.
Then the real headline moment arrives. Once lava begins flowing into the showroom, the host literally demonstrates it in a playful way while explaining what you are looking at. The idea is that you get the wow-factor up close, in a safe environment, without turning it into just entertainment.
One review notes the show is short but really good. That actually fits the vibe here. This is a focused hit, not a multi-hour museum experience. If you like shows that respect your time, you may like the pacing.
What you gain after the show
A lava show is also a viewpoint switch. After you understand what lava is doing, you start noticing geology everywhere in Iceland. Not because every rock becomes a lecture, but because you recognize patterns that you would have otherwise skipped.
And since the combo pairs the lava show with a whale trip, it also gives you a full Iceland story: ice on the sea, fire under the ground.
What You’ll Learn: Whales, Models, and Icelandic Volcanism
The combo makes sense as an education mashup. One half is about marine life. The other half is about the forces shaping the land.
On the whale side, the highlight notes you learn about different species of whales, and you get man-made models up close. That may sound like a small detail, but it matters. It turns your sighting into a recognizable event instead of a vague splash out in the distance.
On the lava side, the education portion is built right into the show. The video segment covers volcanism and the way volcanic danger is understood around the capital area. Then the host brings it to life when the lava is flowing into the showroom.
There is also a human factor. One of the reviews specifically praises a guide named Joe for being great. If you get Joe, you are likely to appreciate how the info stays clear rather than turning into science jargon.
Price and Value: Is $154 Worth It?
At $154 per person for a combo lasting about 4.5 hours, you are paying for two experiences that are normally sold separately, plus the onboard comfort that helps you enjoy the boat ride.
Here is where the value comes from:
Comfort included: warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, and toilet facilities. That reduces the chance your day gets ruined by cold.
Guided education: you are not only looking, you are learning about whales and volcanism.
A second chance: you get a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings. That is huge, because whale watching is never 100 percent predictable.
Food and drink are not included, so you should plan for snacks or a beverage budget. But you still get the basics that make Iceland weather less stressful.
If you hate spending time searching for the right tours, this combo can simplify your planning. One booking, two themes, one day.
Weather, Shared Boats, and Real Expectations
Iceland keeps its own calendar. The tour notes that, for environmental reasons during certain times of year, trips may be delivered on a shared boat with another activity partner.
The good news is the provider is aiming to keep the environment pristine by limiting the number of boats on the water. That is the same principle you want on any wildlife trip: fewer boats, more quiet, better behavior in the water.
Also remember the reality of whale watching. You are sailing out to look for minke, humpbacks, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and maybe a rare killer whale sighting. Even with experienced guides, nature decides the final outcome.
The combo has one more planning twist. If the whale watching tour is canceled, the lava show ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable. So the safest strategy is to treat both halves as one package, but still check your plans if weather causes changes.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Skip It)
This combo is a strong match if:
You want a short, story-driven day that covers both sea and geology.
You prefer tours with comfort support like heated cabins and provided overalls.
You like the idea of a second-chance ticket if whales do not show up.
It may be less ideal if you:
Hate moving between locations during the day and need everything to be in one exact spot.
- Expect a whale guarantee. This is a search, not a certainty.
If you are traveling in Iceland for the first time and want a “wow” day without adding extra logistics, it can be an efficient way to get both ice and fire in one schedule.
Should You Book This Whale Watching and Lava Show Combo?
I would book it if your priorities are comfort, real wildlife opportunities, and a lava experience that feels genuinely different from a standard indoor exhibit. The combination of heated cabins, warm overalls, and the second-chance ticket makes the whale portion feel less risky than many boat tours.
The main reason not to book is simple: you must handle the reality of two venues in Reykjavik. Use the break time to plan the move between Geirsgata 11 and Fiskislóð 73, and your day should feel smooth.
If you want one Iceland day that hits both the ocean mysteries and the volcano story, this is a solid choice.
FAQ
How long is the whole experience?
The combo runs for about 4.5 hours total.
Where do I meet for the whale watching part?
You meet at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office.
Where does the lava show take place?
The lava show is at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101, Iceland.
What are the departure and show time options?
There are two sets of times: 09:00 whale watching with a 14:00 lava show, or 13:00 whale watching with an 18:00 lava show.
What marine animals does the whale watching tour look for?
The tour searches for minke whales and humpback whales, and also for dolphins and harbour porpoises. Killer whales are mentioned as a rare sighting.
Are warm overalls and indoor facilities provided?
Yes. You get warm flotation overalls and heated indoor cabins, which also have toilet facilities.
Is WiFi available on board, and are seasickness tablets provided?
Yes. There is free WiFi onboard, and complimentary seasickness tablets are available.
Is there an English guide?
Yes, there is a live tour guide in English.
What happens if there are no whale sightings?
If you do not get sightings, you receive a free ticket to join again.
Are pets or smoking allowed?
No. Pets are not allowed, and smoking is not allowed.
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