Akureyri Whale Watching: Discover Oceanic Marvels

by Reykjavik Sailors · Whale watching · North Iceland

4.30· 215 Google reviews of the operator

Fine on your own
Suits older travellers
Good with teenagers
Eco-certified

from €98.89 per person

Next departure: Sat 1 May

Book Sat 1 May · €98.89 Other dates

Akureyri Whale Watching: Discover Oceanic Marvels — Reykjavik Sailors

Whale breaching above the sea during a whale watching tour in North Iceland

Whale watching boat sailing through Eyjafjörður Fjord in Iceland

Dolphins swimming near the surface during a whale watching cruise in Iceland

Whale surfacing above the ocean in Eyjafjörður Fjord

Whale swimming close to the surface in Icelandic waters

Whale tail diving into the ocean during a whale watching tour in Iceland

Whale surfacing beside the ocean during a North Iceland whale tour

Whale swimming beneath the surface during a whale watching tour in Akureyri

Whale surfacing near a whale watching boat in North Iceland

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

Duration
2 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty
Very easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Akureyri
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Starts at
Special Tours
Oddeyrarbót 1, Akureyri, Iceland, Akureyri
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
09:00, 10:00, 13:00, 14:00 …
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before

About this experience

Join us aboard the Lilja, operated by our partner Special Tours, for an up-close encounter with some of the world's most magnificent creatures. Prepare to marvel at humpback whales and minke whales in their natural playground, where they leap and frolic, showcasing their breathtaking elegance.

Our expert crew members are passionate about marine life and are committed to ensuring you have an unforgettable experience. They'll share fascinating insights into the biology and behavior of these incredible marine mammals, enriching your understanding of this unique ecosystem.

Set against Akureyri's stunning fjords, our whale-watching adventure provides the perfect backdrop for your outing. As we glide through the waters, you'll have plenty of opportunities to capture stunning photographs of Iceland's stunning landscapes.

The Lilja, our chosen vessel, is a swift cruiser that promises a comfortable and smooth journey for all passengers. With indoor and outdoor seating options, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the action while staying cozy in any weather.

We're deeply committed to preserving Akureyri's fragile marine ecosystem. Our tours adhere to sustainable practices to minimize our impact on the environment and show respect for nature.

Your safety is paramount to us. We provide all the necessary safety equipment and strictly adhere to safety protocols to ensure a worry-free excursion.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary adventure that connects you with the wonders of the sea. Whale Watching tour on the Lilja guarantees a memorable voyage where you'll witness nature's beauty in its purest form.

Secure your spot on the Lilja today and embark on an unforgettable whale watching adventure in Akureyri, Iceland.

Join us as we delve into the mysteries of the deep blue and create memories that will last a lifetime.

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

Where you go

Special Tours Akureyri Ticket Office

Included

2-2.5 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

Good to know

We recommend opting for sturdy footwear and dressing warmly to ensure coziness throughout the tour.

Remember to pack your camera to seize stunning snapshots of your Whale Watching excursion.

Prepare for an unforgettable journey and create enduring memories with these helpful hints.

Kindly join us directly at Akureyri 600, at the Special Tours ticket office, 30 minutes before departure.

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 Classic Whale Watching from Dalvík from Arctic Sea Tours is €80 — €19 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

	Reykjavik Sailors · €99	Arctic Sea Tours · €80
How long it runs	2.5 hours	3 hours

On everything we can measure, the Arctic Sea Tours tour is the better buy. The €19 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

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.
Húsavík or Eyjafjörður for whale watching?Whale watching from Húsavík's Skjálfandi Bay versus boats leaving Akureyri or Dalvík on Eyjafjörður — which bay to book from and why.

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 Akureyri, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in North Iceland →

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from

€98.89 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.

Departs09:0010:0013:0014:0017:00

Akureyri: light 04:36–21:43, 17 h 7 min of daylight.

Labour Day — a public holiday in Iceland. Shops, pools and museums keep short hours or shut, and some tours do not run.

✓ 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.