Icelandic Horse Riding and Whale Watching Cruise from Reykjavík

Iceland gives you two very different kinds of wildlife in one well-packed day: a small, sturdy Icelandic horse beneath you and whales surfacing in Faxaflói Bay. The riding takes place near Hveragerði, among hardened lava fields and open heathland, before you head back to Reykjavík for a three-hour cruise.

I like the careful matching of horses to riding ability, and I like that beginners can take part without being pushed into a fast pace. The provided overalls and safety gear matter in Iceland’s rain and wind. The main drawback is simple: whales follow their own schedule. Sightings can be wonderful, but they are never guaranteed, and the full-day timing leaves little room for a proper lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Ride through Hveragerði’s hardened lava fields: The countryside near this hot-spring town gives you a close look at Iceland’s rough volcanic ground from horseback.
• Suitable for complete beginners: Basic instruction is provided, and more experienced riders can take a different route or use more advanced riding skills.
• Look for several species in Faxaflói Bay: The cruise may encounter minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises.
• Warm clothing is supplied for both activities: Riding overalls and necessary safety equipment help, though you should still dress warmly and protect your face.
• The tour runs about eight hours: It begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at Elding’s Old Harbour office in Reykjavík.
• Wildlife sightings vary by season and weather: A missed whale sighting brings a complimentary boat ticket, but that does not change the time or cost of your original day.

Why this horse-and-whale combination works

I like this tour because it avoids making you choose between two classic Iceland activities. Horse riding gives you a quiet, ground-level view of the countryside. Whale watching shifts the focus to open water, seabirds, and marine life. The change of setting keeps an eight-hour day from feeling like one long excursion.

The riding takes place at Hótel Eldhestar near Hveragerði, about 40 minutes from Reykjavík by car, though the exact transfer arrangements depend on your pickup details. The whale cruise leaves from Ægisgarður 5c in the Old Harbour district. Since the two activities begin and end in different places, check your voucher carefully for pickup instructions and allow enough time at the harbor.

The listed price is $280 per person. That is not a budget outing, but it covers two admissions, guides, riding equipment, warm clothing for both activities, a wildlife exhibition, and the three-hour cruise. You also get the convenience of combining two bookings into one day. The value is strongest if you already planned to pay for both a riding trip and a whale cruise.

The weak point is food. Only snacks after the riding portion are included. The boat sells light refreshments, but you should bring food or plan around the schedule. A day that starts at 9:00 a.m. and finishes around 6:30 p.m. is too long to handle comfortably on a few small snacks.

Riding an Icelandic horse near Hveragerði

The first activity takes place at Hótel Eldhestar, near Hveragerði, known as a town of hot springs. The ride lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours, with the wider stop taking about two hours. You cross hardened lava fields, heathland, and fields on Iceland’s famous native breed.

The scenery here is not polished or manicured. Dark volcanic ground, open fields, and low vegetation give you the kind of stark setting that makes Iceland feel different from a standard riding holiday. From a saddle, you notice the uneven ground and broad sky in a way you might miss from a tour bus.

The Icelandic horse is small compared with many riding breeds, but it is hardy and sure-footed. Guides match each rider with a horse based on experience. That matters if you have never ridden before, since a well-matched horse can make the first few minutes far less tense.

You receive basic instruction before setting out. Complete beginners can stay with the group and ride at a comfortable pace. More experienced riders are not simply parked at the back. They may be offered another route that makes better use of their skills, including faster movement where appropriate.

That flexibility is one of the best features of the riding portion. A family group can include a first-time rider, a confident adult, and an older person without forcing everyone into the same level of activity. Riders aged 12 and older can participate, but the horse-riding portion has a weight limit of 240 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

Expect Icelandic weather to play a role. Rain can last for the entire outing, and paths may change when rivers or wet ground become unsafe. The riding guides decide which routes are suitable. Provided overalls help keep rain off your body, but wear warm layers underneath and bring protection for your face. A cold breeze can sting at speed, especially in spring.

The ride is not just a photo stop. You spend real time in the saddle, but the pace and route depend on the group, the weather, and riding ability. A photo break is included, giving you time to record the setting without trying to take pictures while managing a horse.

From lava fields to Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

The transfer between the riding center and Reykjavík is an important practical detail. This is not a loop that begins and ends at one hotel. The listed start is Hótel Eldhestar, and the final stop is Elding’s ticket office at Ægisgarður 5c in the Old Harbour.

Pickup is offered, but your hotel pickup point may require a walk to the nearest bus stop. Read the voucher before the morning of the tour. You need to know where to wait, and you should not assume the vehicle will pull up directly outside your hotel.

The whale-watching meeting point is easy to find once you reach the harbor. Follow the red color at the pier to the Elding office, and arrive early enough to check in and board. The boat ride lasts three hours, so a late arrival could affect the most time-sensitive part of the day.

The tour group is limited to a maximum of 20 people. That is a useful size for a day with several moving parts. It should be easier to hear the guide, ask questions, and find a viewing spot than on a very large coach-and-boat package. Still, the boat may have more passengers if the cruise is shared with other bookings, so do not expect a private charter.

Searching for whales in Faxaflói Bay

The second activity is a three-hour whale-watching cruise with Elding from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay or farther out, depending on conditions and where marine life has been reported.

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises. Minke whales can appear briefly, while a humpback may stay in an area longer and offer several surfacings. One successful outing included a single humpback that surfaced five or six times over roughly 30 minutes. Another produced both humpback and minke whales.

That range gives you a realistic idea of the experience. You may see several whales, or you may get one good sighting, a dolphin, or no wildlife at all. One outing produced no animals, and rough weather limited another cruise. This is not a fault in the guiding, but it is a real part of nature-based tourism.

The onboard guide helps by explaining what to look for and where to direct your attention. That is useful because a whale’s back can appear and vanish before you have time to react. Guides also provide information about Iceland’s whales and marine life, and staff may take photographs to share in case you miss a sighting.

The boat has free WiFi, though I would not make that a reason to book. The point is to watch the water, listen for updates, and keep your camera ready. You can buy light refreshments onboard, but food choices are limited enough that packing something is wise.

The boat’s size received positive attention for giving people room to see comfortably. Even so, bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and something to shield your face. The air on the bay can feel much colder than it does on land, especially when the boat is moving.

What happens if the whales do not appear

Elding offers a complimentary ticket for another boat ride if the cruise does not produce a sighting. This is a useful policy if you remain in Reykjavík long enough to use it. It is less helpful if you are leaving Iceland the next morning or following a tight itinerary.

You should also understand the difference between a non-sighting and bad weather. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the boat goes out but wildlife stays away, the replacement ticket is the stated remedy.

Season matters, too. Whale activity changes through the year, and one booking party was told locally that the timing was not ideal for whale watching. The provided information does not name the best month for this exact departure, so ask Elding about current conditions if whales are the main reason you are considering the tour.

This is why I would treat the horses as the dependable half of the day and the whales as the bonus. The ride can still be enjoyable in rain, while the cruise depends on animals, sea conditions, and visibility.

Is $280 a fair price?

At $280, this is a premium day trip, but the comparison should be made against booking the activities separately. The price includes 1.5 to 2 hours of riding, a three-hour whale cruise, guides, safety equipment, warm clothing, WiFi onboard, entry to the wildlife exhibition, and snacks after the ride.

You also save planning time. Instead of arranging transport to a riding center, finding a separate cruise, and matching two timetables, you get one organized day. For a short stay in Reykjavík, that convenience has real value.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a long horse ride or if whale watching is your single priority. The riding portion is not a half-day expedition, and the cruise can end without a sighting. You are paying for variety, transport coordination, and the chance to experience two very different sides of Iceland.

Who should book this day?

This outing suits you if you want a broad taste of Iceland and have only one open day. It works well for families with children aged 12 or older, mixed-ability groups, first-time riders, and confident riders who still want a flexible route.

It can also suit older adults who want to ride but do not want pressure to gallop. One outing included riders in their seventies, and the guides allowed experienced riders to move faster while keeping less confident riders comfortable.

You should think twice if you dislike cold, wet weather or have little patience for uncertain wildlife sightings. The day is long, and you will need to manage a full schedule without a proper included meal. You should also confirm the 110-kilogram riding limit before paying.

Wear warm layers, waterproof footwear, and a face covering or scarf for the ride. Bring lunch or substantial snacks, and keep your camera accessible but protected from rain.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want two major Iceland activities in one day, value organized transport, and can accept that the whale cruise may not deliver a sighting. The horse ride is the more dependable experience, with good support for beginners and practical gear for rough weather.

Skip it if seeing whales is your only goal, if you need a relaxed schedule, or if you want a full meal included. For the right person, the combination offers strong value: a close encounter with Iceland’s horse culture followed by a genuine search for wildlife at sea.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The listed start point is Hótel Eldhestar at 816 Sveitarfélagið Ölfus, Iceland. Pickup is offered, but your hotel pickup may require a walk to the nearest bus stop. Check your voucher for the exact instructions.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. The complete experience lasts about eight hours.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour district.

How long is the horse ride?

The riding portion lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. The full stop at Hótel Eldhestar takes about two hours.

How long is the whale cruise?

The whale-watching cruise lasts three hours.

Can a complete beginner ride?

Yes. Basic instruction is provided, and horses are matched to your riding experience. More experienced riders may be offered a different route.

Is lunch included?

No. Snacks are available after the horse ride, and light refreshments can be purchased onboard the boat. You can also bring your own food.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a complimentary ticket for another boat ride if the cruise has no sightings. If poor weather cancels the tour, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.