Whale Watching Excursion from Reykjavik & Whales of Iceland Exhibition: Explore the Sea's Giants

by Reykjavik Sailors · Whale watching · Reykjavík

5.0· 15 TripAdvisor reviews of this tour 4.30· 215 Google reviews of the operator

Fine on your own
Suits older travellers
Works in the rain
Good with teenagers
Eco-certified

from €109.15 per person

Next departure: Sat 24 Oct

Book Sat 24 Oct · €109.15 Other dates

Whale Watching Excursion from Reykjavik & Whales of Iceland Exhibition: Explore the Sea's Giants — Reykjavik Sailors

Close view of a humpback whale tail during a whale watching tour from Reykjavík harbour

Whale swimming through Icelandic waters during a Reykjavík whale watching experience

Humpback whale surfacing and exhaling in the ocean near Reykjavík, Iceland

Whale swimming close to a whale watching vessel in Icelandic waters. Join a Reykjavík whale tour to search for humpback whales, minke whales

A humpback whale shows its beautiful fluke before diving into Faxaflói Bay during a whale watching tour departing from Reykjavík Harbour.

A whale travels through the waves during a whale watching experience in Iceland, home to humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins and rich ma

A whale tail appears above the ocean surface during a memorable whale watching tour in Faxaflói Bay, one of Iceland’s best places to see wha

Humpback whale lifting its tail before a deep dive during a Reykjavík whale watching trip, offering guests a chance to experience Iceland’s

Whale swimming through the ocean waves near Reykjavík, Iceland. Experience encounters with humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins and seabi

1 / 10

10 photos from Reykjavik Sailors. Tap any one for the full-size original.

Duration
3 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty
Very easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Reykjavík
Pickup
Hotel pickup available at extra cost, or meet at the start point
Starts at
Special Tours
Geirsgata 11, Reykjavík
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
09:00, 13:00, 17:00
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before

Meeting point, in Reykjavik Sailors's words: Whales of Iceland Exhibition: The address is Fiskislóð 23-25, Reykjavík 101, Iceland. The email address is info@whalesoficeland.is. Phone number +354 571 0077. Whale Watching tour departs from old harbour.

About this experience

1. Whale Watching Tour

Experience the best Iceland has to offer with spectacular Whale Watching opportunities.

Our tours offer a unique experience and we do our best to make this a lifetime experience for you.

A Whale Watching adventure departing from Old harbour in downtown Reykjavik. We sail into Faxaflói bay in search of Minke and Humpback whales, Dolphins, Harbour porpoises and Killer whales (a rare sighting). On this tour, you will also experience the spectacular views of the mountains and islands around Reykjavik as well as the wonderful bird life. On board we have warm overalls, heated spacious indoor cabins, a nice bar and free WiFi.

NOTE: You should schedule to be at our departure point at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure.

Please be aware that due to environmental reasons during certain times of the year our trips may be delivered on a shared boat with one of our partners. At Reykjavik Sailors, we are committed to ensuring the environment is kept pristine by making sure fewer boats are on the water.

Please note: Whale Watching is a natural activity governed by the laws of the weather. If the trip is cancelled due to bad weather, the Whale Watching ticket is refunded if the following tour was not joined before or you can change your reservation to the next available day.

Please, check our DAILY DIARY before you come for the tour. All the important daily information of all our tours will be notified on our website.

If you don't see a whale, you have the option to take the tour again for free.

Disclaimer for pick-ups

Pick-ups must be booked with a minimum of one hour before the tour departure time, all pick-ups booked after that will be discarded.

Pickup service (round trip) fee applies to first boat tour, if due to lack of sightings tour is joined for free again, pickup service must be added and paid again.

ADDRESS

We start at Geirsgata 11 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/DatKA6eiZ5sXyxTW7)

Get there 30 minutes early to join the excitement.

See you soon.

2. Whales of Iceland Exhibition Admission

Whales of Iceland is open daily 10:00-17:00.

Experience the 23 life-size models at the Whales of Iceland Exhibition. This educational and interactive exhibition is full of underwater sounds, interactive technology and educational information for all ages - a must do when in Reykjavik.

Whales of Iceland features 23 life-size, hand-painted whale models. Enjoy this unique experience to walk through the world of whales, enjoying the soothing whale songs, ambient underwater lighting and beach-like floors. You can see just how big these amazing cetaceans actually are while you stand next to the models – and you are welcome to touch and explore each whale.

The latest addition to Whales of Iceland is the Fin Whale Room. This room highlights the various threats (and their solutions) that marine mammals face today. The documentary Sonic Sea is screened daily at 10:30, 12:15, 14:00, and 15:45, and features incredible underwater footage of whales at other times of the day.

A daily live-guided tour is also available for free for all ticket holders at 11:00 and 15:00.

Whales of Iceland is located just 15 minutes walking distance from the Old Harbour, in the Grandi area. Grandi continues to grow and welcome additional museums, shops and restaurants. Once you have experienced all that the exhibition has to offer you can finish your visit with a freshly baked pastry & cup of coffee in their Whale Cafe. Make sure to purchase a souvenir in their gift shop on the way out – this unique shop has a variety of souvenirs from local and international artists.

What's included?

Free parking & wi-fi.

Live guided tour of Whales of Iceland daily at 11:00 & 15:00 for all ticket holders.

Audio guide (available in 12+ languages)

Exclusions

Food & drinks (available to purchase on site)

Hotel transfers

Please note

Wheelchair accessible

Stroller / pram accessible

Public transportation nearby

Free parking is available and you can purchase drinks & snacks at the Whale Cafe.

Please note that in case of cancellation of the whale watching tour, the price of the entire ticket will not be refunded, only the whale watching part. The ticket to the museum is open, meaning you can freely choose when you want to go. This does not have to happen on the same day that your whale watching tour is scheduled.

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Description from the operator, Reykjavik Sailors. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

Whale Watching tour from Reykjavik
Whales of Iceland Exhibition

Included

Entry fee Whales of Iceland Exhibition

2.5-3.5 hours Whale Watching tour

Expert and professional guides

Complimentary ticket for a second tour if no sightings occur

Warm flotation overalls

Enjoy free WiFi on board

Relax in heated indoor cabins featuring convenient toilet facilities

Complimentary seasickness tablets available

Not included

Snacks and beverages, available for purchase on board and pickup service, offered at an extra charge.

Good to know

Here's a friendly recommendation for your comfort and enjoyment:

We suggest wearing sturdy footwear and warm clothing to stay cozy during the tour.

Don't forget to bring your camera to capture amazing photos of your Whale Watching adventure.

Prepare for an unforgettable experience and make lasting memories with these handy tips.

Some of our boats are wheelchair accessible, but please contact our team in advance for more information and assistance.

Before your arrival, kindly check the tour status on our homepage in the Daily Diary.

Please meet us directly at Special Tours ticket office, Geirsgata 11, Reykjavík Old Harbour pier, 30 minutes before departure.

The Whales of Iceland Exhibition is located at Fiskislóð 23, Reykjavík.

Whales of Iceland Exhibition operating hours: Open daily (Monday–Sunday) from 10:00 to 17:00.

For museum inquiries, you can contact Whales of Iceland at +354 571 0077.

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is sea state — the skipper decides an hour or two before departure; in winter this happens often. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

1Reykjavik Sailors decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Why this one and not the cheaper one?

The nearest cheaper Sailing with Giants: Whale Watching from Reykjavik from Your Friend in Reykjavik is €79 — €30 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

	Reykjavik Sailors · €109	Your Friend in Reykjavik · €79
How hard it is	Very easy	Easy

On everything we can measure, the Your Friend in Reykjavik tour is the better buy. The €30 is not buying anything we can point to, so unless you want this operator in particular, take the cheaper one.

Why we list it

Reykjavik Sailors is one of 207 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Reykjavik Sailors

Read all 215 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.3/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

K Reu
★★★★ · 3 months ago
We booked the whale watching and puffin watching tour package (whale watching boat followed by puffin watching boat) through Get Your Guide in late May. We did not see a single whale which isn't the fault of the tour guide, just something to consider when choosing tours late May. However, we saw more puffins on the puffin tour portion than we saw the entire time in Iceland. It was great. If going late May you'll definitely want your waterproof layers to stay warm. The company provides you with seasickness tablets if needed.
Anna Lis
★★★★★ · 7 months ago
We went whale watching in Reykjavik and had such a fantastic time! The guide was absolutely hilarious — the perfect mix of informative and funny, which made the whole trip even more enjoyable. And yes… “Banana” and “Apple” showed up so many times! 🐋🐳 It was so exciting every time we spotted them again. Seeing the whales surface so close to the boat was unforgettable, and the crew made sure everyone had a great view. The whole experience was well organized, fun, and memorable. If you’re in Reykjavik, don’t miss whale watching — especially if you get a guide like ours!
Ariel Macon
★★★★★ · 8 months ago
Seeing humpback whales in Iceland was an unforgettable experience. I cried from joy. Since we went in December, we knew the chances could be slim, but that made it even more special when we spotted them. The tour wasn’t overcrowded, which made the experience feel more personal. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and even knew details about the individual whales, explaining how biologists study and track them. Warm oversuits were provided, which made the cold completely manageable, and they also offered anti-nausea medicine for anyone worried about seasickness. Even beyond the whales, the scenery was stunning. Between the views, the expertise of the guide, and the overall care taken by the crew, the tour was absolutely worth the cost. I can’t recommend it enough. (Mobile photos included. DSLR cameras allowed.)
Luna
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
We went whale watching, our guide was super helpful and friendly. We were super lucky we saw the humpback whales and dolphins and the dolphins decided to swim with the boat

Reviews from Google · updated 23 Oct 2026

Read before you book

What to do on your arrival afternoon in ReykjavíkFood walk, whale watching or bed on the afternoon you land — which one survives a red-eye, which one wastes the day, and the combo we'd actually book.
Cruise port to Keflavík airport transferGetting from Reykjavík cruise terminal to Keflavík airport: private transfers start around €147 a car, and you should book before the ship docks.
Cruise ship day in Iceland: what fits in six hoursShore excursions for cruise days in Reykjavík, Akureyri and Grundarfjörður — what fits inside a six-hour call and what to leave for another trip.

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Whale watching — questions people ask

When is the best time for whale watching in Iceland?

April to October, with June to August the most reliable. Humpbacks and minke whales feed in Faxaflói off Reykjavík and in the northern fjords all summer, and white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises turn up on most trips. Winter boats still sail from Reykjavík, but sightings drop and the sea is rougher. If whales are the point of your trip, come in summer and book an early departure; seas are usually calmer in the morning.

Can you see whales from Reykjavík in December?

Sometimes. Boats run from the Old Harbour all year, and winter trips do find whales, mostly humpbacks and the occasional orca. But December means short daylight, cold wind and a higher chance the operator cancels for weather. Sightings are noticeably less frequent than in summer. If you are here in winter, go anyway, but treat it as a sea trip with a chance of whales rather than a whale trip. Most operators offer a free second trip if nothing shows.

Is Húsavík or Reykjavík better for whale watching?

Húsavík, if you can get there. Skjálfandi Bay in the north sees humpbacks close to shore from May to September, and the small family-run boats like Friends of Moby Dick (/experience/752602/) keep group sizes down. Reykjavík is more convenient: boats leave the Old Harbour five minutes from most hotels and run all year. Akureyri and Dalvík in Eyjafjörður are also strong. If you are only in Reykjavík, go from Reykjavík and do not feel short-changed.

Will I get seasick on a whale watching tour?

You might. Faxaflói is open sea and the boats roll, especially in wind. Take a tablet an hour before departure, stay on deck in fresh air and watch the horizon rather than your phone. Morning trips tend to be calmer than afternoon ones. If you know you suffer badly, a two-hour RIB trip (/experience/155331/) is faster and bumpier but shorter, or pick a northern fjord like Eyjafjörður, which is more sheltered than the bay off Reykjavík.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Reykjavík, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in Reykjavík →

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from

€109.15 per person

Reykjavik Sailors's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

The next departure we can see — change it if this tour is for another day.

Pick a date to check departures.

Departs09:0013:0017:00

Reykjavík: light 08:43–17:41, 8 h 58 min of daylight.

✓ Free cancellation until 24 hours before
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If Reykjavik Sailors cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: Reykjavik Sailors's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
✓ Vetted operator — the six checks every operator passes

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €6 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.