Travel bucket list idea:
Iceland
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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.
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.
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
Akureyri
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Reykjavik
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Iceland
From volcanoes and glaciers to black beaches, geothermal pools and the Northern Lights, Iceland is one of the world’s wildest, weirdest destinations. A paradise for adventurous travellers.
Round-ups that include this experience
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Ranging from the mere 2.5m dwarf sperm whale to the whopping 30m blue whale, these ocean giants beguile and amaze with their size, grace and dignity. Here’s our round-up some of the best places in the world to see them.
