All Whale Watching Tours
Whale Watching from Reykjavik
Set sail from Reykjavik aboard one of Iceland’s most family-friendly whale watching vessels and immerse yourself in a marine spectacle! Witness whales, dolphins, and vibrant birdlife while diving deep into oceanic tales. This comfortable, safe and educational trip has an excellent success rate, and if you don’t see the whales, you're invited to rebook at no extra cost!
Whale watching in Iceland
Whales are some of the most majestic creatures on the planet. The way they burst through the ocean surface and leave a shower of spray in their wake is perhaps one of the most thrilling sights to witness anywhere.
There are few places where you can see more types of whales than in Iceland. With over 20 different species that pass through our waters, it’s an opportunity that can’t be missed when visiting the country.
The best way to get up close to these natural wonders is on a whale-watching tour. Leaving the Reykjavík harbour, or the northern towns of Akureyri or Húsavík, you can visit some of the local spots where we know groups of whales hang out.
You’ll have the chance to see many different species. One of the most common is the humpback whale, which is known as the species that breaches the water most—offering you excellent views.
Of course, you’re not limited to these two. Fin whales, orcas, even the mighty blue whales and the serene beluga whales can be spotted off the coast of Iceland. And it’s not just whales. Harbour dolphins, seals, and Iceland’s rich marine bird life will all accompany you on your trip, too.
Iceland whale-watching trips are easy to arrange and are built to suit your preferences. For example, book a standalone voyage or combine your whale-watching trip with a visit to the Whales of Iceland exhibition to learn all about these glorious mammals.
And don’t worry about missing Iceland’s whale-watching season, either. While there’s greater variety in the summer—making it probably the best time for whale watching in Iceland—there’s still plenty to see in winter. That’s why all our wildlife tours run all year round.
Explore our packages to discover more.
FAQ:
Most orca sightings in Iceland are throughout the months of spring, roughly from March to June. Yet orcas are in Icelandic waters—particularly around the Snæfellsnes peninsula—throughout the year.
You’ll have the best chance to see whales in Iceland throughout the summer months, typically from May to June. This is the time when the highest number of whales are in Icelandic waters, thanks to the rich feeding opportunities around our coasts.
Iceland is one of the best countries in the world for whale watching. Thanks to the diverse species that live in these waters—and the ease with which you can see them—it’s an incredibly popular destination for wildlife tours.
Reykjavík and North Iceland are top spots for whale watching. On a whale watching tour from Reykjavík, you’ll likely head to the Snæfellsnes peninsula, home to many different species all year round. And while North Iceland tends to be less visited, it’s known as one of the planet’s top regions for whales.
No, you are not guaranteed to see whales on any whale watching trip. As we’re dealing with natural phenomena, we can’t predict whether we’ll actually encounter any creatures on any given day.
That said, your chances are good. Iceland is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. And what’s more, we’ll take you to the areas where we whales are most regularly found.
Yes, you can see whales in Iceland in winter. We run whale-watching tours throughout the year and we regularly encounter all sorts of creatures even in the colder season.
For example, orcas are commonly seen in Iceland during the winter. What’s more, the winter might be the best time to see beluga whales around Akureyri too.
Most whale watching tours in Iceland last for about three hours. This gives us enough time to get to the spots where you’ll have the best chance of seeing whales, before returning back to the harbour.
Europe has many famous places to see whales, including Madeira and the Azores in Portugal, the west coast of Ireland, and Tarifa in Spain.
Yet for sheer diversity, there are few places in Europe that come close to Iceland. With over 20 species of whale in our waters and the chance to see these creatures year round, Iceland deserves its title as Europe’s best place for whale watching.
There are many whale watching tours to choose from in Iceland. No matter where you’re located and how you like to travel, you’ll find the perfect option for you.
For example, tours run daily from Reykjavík and Akureyri throughout the year. Classic tours typically last for about three hours. But if you want to add further experiences to your trip—such as a visit to Reykjavík’s whale museum, Whales of Iceland—it can be a great whole day out.
The ports of Reykjavík and Akureyri are both known for incredible whale watching experiences. Aside from the many different species that can pass by at any time, both ports are close to areas where groups of whales are known to reside.
For example, the Snæfellsnes peninsula close to Reykjavík is known for its population of orcas that come here for the shoals of herring throughout the year. Similarly, the port of Akureyri sits on the Eyjafjörður, a fjord that’s now world-famous for its group of humpback whales.
The best months to go whale watching in Iceland are the summer months, between April and September.
Typically, this is when the waters in the North Atlantic are a little warmer and many species of whale come to visit. As such, it’s the time to see humpbacks, sei whales, blue whales, and other types of baleen whales.
However, that’s not to say that you can’t see whales in other seasons. The winter is one of the better times to see orcas from Reykjavík, while beluga whales come further south during the colder months to avoid the Arctic ice.
In winter, you’ll also have the opportunity to see whales with fewer people around too.
On a whale watching tour, you’ll be sailing across the sea. As such, your priority will likely be to stay warm. Even if the sun is shining, the sea breeze will likely be cool. That means warm layers and a jacket are a must.
Don’t forget your waterproofs, even if it’s not raining. When whales breach the surface, they land with an incredible splash. If you’re there taking photos, you’ll likely get a little wet!
You can see whales at any time of the day in Iceland, from morning until night. There’s no particular time of day when whales are more active.
On a whale watching trip in Iceland, you’ll be taken out to sea. While there’s space indoors on all our vessels, for the best view of these creatures you’ll want to be outside. Inevitably, that means you’ll be exposed to the elements.
Wrap up warm, bring waterproofs (even if the sun is shining), and pack your camera. You won’t want changes in the weather—or technical issues—to get in the way of this experience.