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Last updated: 23 June, 2023
Expert travel writer: Oliver Berry

Iceland’s pristine waters are among the best places in the world to spot wild whales. Tour boats take you out into the North Atlantic to see these gentle giants as they pass Iceland on their annual north–south migration, especially the main feeding and breeding season from May to November.

Humpback and minke are the most commonly sighted, but with luck you might also see sei, fin and, very occasionally, blue whales. Humpbacks – the most curious and playful of all the whales, so the best for whale watching – congregate in the far northern fjord of Eyjafjord.

The town of Husavik is the main base for whale watching, although it’s also possible to take tours from nearby Akureyri. Tours from Reykjavik head to wildlife-filled Faxafloi Bay, where dolphins, porpoises and puffins are also regularly sighted.

The tours guarantee sightings (or you get a free trip) and it’s common to see the whales up close. If you’re really lucky, you’ll be treated to a breach – an unforgettable display of whale acrobatics, in which the animals leap from the water before smashing back down in an explosion of spray.

Price from: £70
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 4+
When: All year around
Duration: 3-4 hours

Getting there & doing it

Tours depart from Husavik, Akureyri and Reykjavik, and last between two and four hours. There is generally a choice of cheaper, but larger, boats with more tourists that cannot get as close to the whales, or more expensive, smaller RIB boats (max 12 people) that can get much closer.

Trips often get cancelled at short notice for bad weather, and if you don’t spot whales, you get a complimentary second chance – so plan this trip early in your vacation, to allow the opportunity to reschedule if needed.

When to do it

Tours generally run up to five times daily from April to October, less so in winter months, due to the longer periods of daylight.

Whales can be spotted all year round, but summer months from May to September are the time to go, when the whales congregate or migrate past, the weather is warmer and the days are longer. Winter sightings are sporadic.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Whale Watching on board a Traditional Oak Boat from Árskógssandur

Akureyri

Whale Watching on board a Traditional Oak Boat from Árskógssandur
Experience the stunning scenery of Eyjafjörður while discovering the incredible wildlife of the North, all under the guidance and expertise of our qualified crew. Playful humpbacks have found their summer dwelling in Eyjafjörður and are regularly seen on the tours.

Price: €75

Min age: 0

Rating 4.44 / 5 [54 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik

Akureyri

Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik
Experience the Original Húsavík Whale Watching tour that has built a reputation for the town of Húsavík as the capital of whale watching in Iceland.

Price: €79

Min age: 0

Rating 4.47 / 5 [372 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Traditional Whale Watching Tour from Húsavík

Akureyri

Traditional Whale Watching Tour from Húsavík
-More than 160 years of family history in the bay -Great respect to nature and minimum environmental impact -Good memories and natural happiness -Local family-run company

Price: €79

Min age: 0

Rating 4.32 / 5 [282 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

Reykjavik

Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise
Join Harpa Yachts for a Luxury Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise from Reykjavik Old Harbor. On this cruise with we sail out from the old harbor in downtown Reykjavik out to Faxafloi bay looking for whales & dolphins. Depending on the season you might experience a wide variety of wildlife in the picturesque surroundings of Reykjavik with mountains and stunning scenario everywhere you look. During the summer months we will see the puffins in the tour sitting on the ocean and diving for food. Note that puffins can only been seen fro approximately middle of May to middle of August. Harpa yachts is a family owned and operated company, the owners have decades of experience in providing visitors with experiences of a lifetime. Both MY Harpa and MY Amelia Rose are perfect for guests looking to travel with small groups. Both yachts are equipped with comfortable inside areas, lounge, bar, salon and spacious outside areas with flydeck.

Price: €84

Min age: 0

Rating 4.43 / 5 [341 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik
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 3-hour 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. 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.

Price: $85

Min age: 0

Rating 4.28 / 5 [405 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik

Reykjavik

Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik
Join our 3-hour whale watching cruise, starting in the Old Harbour, and traveling through the spectacular Reykjavík Coast. Our whale watching tour focuses on Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Orca Killer Whales, and other marine wildlife. Please note, the tour takes place in wild nature, sightings cannot be predicted or guaranteed. If there are no sightings on the tour, we do not offer refunds but instead, we offer our passengers a free return to join our tour depending on availability, valid for up to three years. Weather is a big factor for the tour, and we may have to cancel the tour. Additional Information We also offer private yacht rental in Reykjavík. Whether it’s a romantic cruise or an evening sailing adventure for all your friends, we’ve got you covered.

Price: $89

Min age: 0

Rating 4.39 / 5 [426 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri

Akureyri

Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri
Experience the incredible humpbacks in the Eyjafjord on board our comfortable sight seeing ship. Family friendly and great value whale watching tour operated up to 4 times a day from Akureyri in North Iceland. Elding is an environmentally friendly company and recognised worldwide for its environmental efforts. The aim, mission and goal is to minimise the operational impact on the environment while offering an unforgettable experience at sea.

Price: $99

Min age: 0

Rating 4.52 / 5 [497 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

Akureyri

Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík
A 2-hour whale watching tour on a speedy RIB boat from the town of Húsavík, The Whale Capital of Iceland.! The RIB boats seat a maximum of 12 passengers per boat, each with an expert whale watching guide and captain on board. Each passenger gets a warm overall, a life jacket and raincoat (if needed). The focus is on small group tours, eliminating competition for the best view on board.

Price: €135

Min age: 8

Rating 4.87 / 5 [276 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Whale Safari and Puffins RIB Boat Tour from Húsavík

Akureyri

Whale Safari and Puffins RIB Boat Tour from Húsavík
On the RIB speedboats you get: -Less crowded boats -More personal experience -Higher chances of finding whales than on other boats -Great respect to nature and minimum environmental impact -Good memories and natural happiness

Price: €143

Min age: 8

Rating 4.71 / 5 [294 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Speedboat Whale Watching in Reykjavík Iceland - Small group

Reykjavik

Speedboat Whale Watching in Reykjavík Iceland - Small group
See Iceland’s gentle giants from our spectacular and fast speedboats which are brand new and equipped with 12 suspension seats to enhance your comfort, security and level of enjoyment. The guide to client ratio (12 per guide) creates the special feeling of a small group experience where the guide provides you with various information on the whales and other wildlife at Faxa bay. Hop on board on this two hour amazing nature experience! Check availability by choosing a date. 

Price: $156

Min age: 10

Rating 4.76 / 5 [138 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Express Whale Watching by RIB boat from Akureyri

Akureyri

Express Whale Watching by RIB boat from Akureyri
Leave behind Akureyri for this 2-hour whale watching experience. Limited to only 12 travelers, board your boat with a guide who can answer your questions and provide personal service. Search the ocean for humpback whales and other wildlife. This tour includes all necessary safety equipment. Choose between one of four departure times when you book Elding is an environmentally friendly company and recognised worldwide for its environmental efforts. The aim, mission and goal is to minimise the operational impact on the environment while offering an unforgettable experience at sea.

Price: $159

Min age: 10

Rating 4.61 / 5 [104 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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