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Traditional oak-boat whale watching in Europe's whale capital with expert guides and rich marine life.
Traditional oak-boat whale watching in Europe's whale capital with expert guides and rich marine life.
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Your ending point would be same as your start point
Spot whales with a marine biologist and enjoy Iceland’s coastal views from a heated indoor areas.
Spot whales with a marine biologist and enjoy Iceland’s coastal views from a heated indoor areas.
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Reykjavík keeps things close to the city, Húsavík is famous for abundant whales, and Akureyri offers sheltered fjord sailing. Compare all three departure points below and book the whale-watching trip that fits you best.
Your ending point would be same as your start point
Fast, stable catamaran ride offering quick access to whale areas with expert marine guides onboard.
Fast, stable catamaran ride offering quick access to whale areas with expert marine guides onboard.
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Your ending point would be same as your start point
High-speed RIB tour for close-up whale and puffin encounters in Husavik’s Skjálfandi Bay.
High-speed RIB tour for close-up whale and puffin encounters in Husavik’s Skjálfandi Bay.
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High-speed RIB boat gets you closer to whales with unmatched comfort and thrilling coastal views.
High-speed RIB boat gets you closer to whales with unmatched comfort and thrilling coastal views.
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Your ending point would be same as your start point
See whales and seabirds up close on a small group RIB speedboat adventure.
See whales and seabirds up close on a small group RIB speedboat adventure.
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Your ending point would be same as your start point
Sail Eyjafjörður’s calm waters for up-close encounters with playful humpback whales and seabirds.
Sail Eyjafjörður’s calm waters for up-close encounters with playful humpback whales and seabirds.
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Take a 3-hour whale-watching tour in the golden glow under the expert guidance of a marine expert
Take a 3-hour whale-watching tour in the golden glow under the expert guidance of a marine expert
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Iceland is one of the world’s top whale watching destinations, thanks to its nutrient-rich waters that attract a wide range of whale species. During peak months, some tours achieve incredible sighting rates of 97-99%. Expert guides use their deep local knowledge and real-time tracking to help you get the best possible whale encounters.
Best for: Travelers who value comfort, stability, and a relaxed pace on their whale watching experience.
Best for: Thrill seekers, and those wanting a close-up look at the marine giants.
Your tour begins with a warm welcome and a detailed safety briefing. Guides explain the day’s plan, distribute flotation suits and life jackets, and share tips for spotting whales and staying comfortable at sea.
As you leave the harbor, take in stunning views of Iceland’s dramatic coastline be it Reykjavík’s cityscape, Húsavík’s colorful harbor, or Akureyri’s mountain-framed fjord. The journey itself is a feast for the eyes, with volcanic islands and distant peaks on the horizon.
Expert guides give you insights on whale behaviour, marine ecology, and local conservation efforts. Their engaging stories and real-time observations turn each sighting into a learning experience, deepening your appreciation for Iceland’s unique marine life.
Guides and crew help you scan the waves for telltale blows, fins, and breaches. Depending on the season and location, you may see humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and even blue whales or orca whales in Iceland. Puffins and seabirds often join the show in summer.
Enjoy the excitement of seeing whales breach, tail-slap, or feed at the surface. Some tours even pause the engines so you can listen to the sounds of whales and seabirds, creating a truly immersive Arctic experience.
Reykjavik whale-watching cruise boats are designed to offer comfort in the best way possible. With heated indoor and outdoor seating options, provision for warm overalls, necessary safety equipment, and an onboard cafeteria to grab a bite, the choice is yours!
In Iceland, the tours ensure eco-conscious methods of conducting whale-watching tours by maintaining distance and using environmentally friendly boats. Here are some of the things that are followed:
The Humpback whale is a commonly seen species in the waters around Reykjavík. They are known for their long pectoral fins and broad tails and their size is up to 52 feet long. Humpbacks are often seen performing acrobatic breaches, fluke (tail) lifting, and peeping with their heads up depending on how they are communicating.
Best time to go on whale watching tours in Iceland: Iceland’s whale watching season runs mainly from April to October, when calmer seas and rich feeding grounds draw humpbacks, minkes, and dolphins close to shore. Summer offers near-24-hour daylight and peak wildlife activity, while early spring and late autumn still see strong sightings. Winter tours operate on select days, but are weather dependent and less frequent.
Reykjavík: Old Harbour | Find on map
Husavik: Húsavík harbor | Find on map
Akureyri: Oddeyrarbót pier | Find on map
In Icelandic folklore, whales were seen as mysterious creatures, believed to bring either storms or good fortune. Encountering a whale at sea was considered to signal the presence of a hidden force or spirit, and their appearance was often believed to be an omen. These massive animals were seen as both mystical and powerful symbols.
Icelandic sagas often feature whales or whale-like creatures. In "The Saga of Grettir the Strong," Grettir, a warrior, faces a giant sea monster resembling a whale. These encounters blend myth with reality, symbolizing both the physical and metaphysical challenges of the sea. Whales represent the powerful forces and mysteries of the ocean in these stories.
During the Viking Age, whales were seen as powerful, terrifying creatures symbolizing the untamable forces of nature. They could bring destruction, like storms or shipwrecks, but also awe, reflecting the ocean's raw power. Whales held a significant symbolic role in Viking culture, especially in tales of voyages and maritime adventures, where the sea was central.
Some sagas feature beings that can transform between human and whale forms, such as the "Whale Kings." These transformations symbolized spiritual journeys or crossing realms. Whales were also seen as protectors of seafarers, with sightings near ships believed to signal safety from storms or predators. This belief stemmed from the reverence for whales as rulers of the sea.
In winter, join a Northern Lights boat tour from Reykjavík for the chance to witness the aurora borealis dancing above the Arctic waters for a magical complement to your wildlife adventures.
Northern Lights tours
After your Iceland whale safari, relax in one of the famous geothermal hot springs, such as the Blue Lagoon near Reykjavík or Mývatn Nature Baths near Akureyri, soaking in mineral-rich waters with breathtaking views.
Iceland hot springs tickets
Combine your whale watching with a classic Golden Circle tour, visiting Þingvellir National Park, Geysir hot springs, and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall for a full day of Icelandic wonders.
Golden Circle toursGo for the standard whale watching tour departing from the Old Harbour, featuring comfortable boats, expert guides, and high sighting rates of minke and humpback whales year-round.
Whale watching Reykjavik tours are the most convenient, departing from the city center and offering a mix of urban and marine scenery. Húsavík is known for the highest sighting rates, while Akureyri tours explore the calm waters of Iceland’s longest fjord.
The peak season for a whale trip in Reykjavik is from May to September, when sighting rates and species diversity are at their best. However, tours operate year-round, and winter trips offer a unique experience with fewer crowds.
RIB whale safari tours are best for adventure seekers and older children (typically ages 10+ and over 145 cm tall).
Husavik whale watching tours are famous for their high sighting rates (often 95% or higher) and the chance to see a wide variety of species, including blue whales.
If you join a whale safari from Husavik, especially on a RIB speedboat, you can get remarkably close to the whales while still respecting safe wildlife distances. The small group size and agile boats maximize your chances for up-close encounters.
The best whale watching tour Iceland offers for close encounters is a RIB speedboat tour from Reykjavik, Húsavík, or Akureyri. These tours use small, fast boats that can approach whales more closely and cover more area in search of wildlife.
Yes, you can see whales in Iceland year-round, especially in Reykjavik and Akureyri. While summer offers the greatest diversity, winter tours still have good sighting rates and the added bonus of dramatic Arctic scenery.
Yes, if you choose the Akureyri whale watching tour, you can opt for the option that includes a Forest Lagoon spa visit.
Yes, whale watching from Akureyri is available year-round, with standard tours operating in all seasons and RIB speedboat tours running from April to October. Summer months offer the greatest species diversity, but humpbacks can be seen in Eyjafjörður throughout the year.
Iceland sits right where cold Arctic waters mix with warmer Atlantic currents, creating nutrient-rich feeding grounds that draw humpbacks, minkes, and dolphins close to shore all summer.
Guides track surface behaviour, bird activity, wind direction, and reports from other vessels. Many have years of local knowledge and know each bay’s patterns by heart.
This is intentional. Boats reduce noise to avoid disrupting feeding. Staying put often leads to the best sightings because whales surface naturally when undisturbed.
Jose
Gallotti
Deepak
Sandra
Nikolai
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