The 15 Best Zodiac Whale Watching in Iceland

1.Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,221 reviews · 2 hours · from $175Our pick

From Húsavík, you’ll ride a spacious 12-passenger RIB with a guide such as Matteo, Carla, or Jo, visiting Puffin Island in season before searching Skjálfandi Bay for humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, and other marine life.

“three experience was perfect from start to finish. the booking was easy, the staff were friendly and efficient the guide was very knowledgeable and appeared to be having as good a time as we were. we saw numerous wildlife and thoroughly enjoyed the boat. brilliant experience.”

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2.Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $198

Join Húsavík Adventures for a fast, small-group whale tour from Húsavík. A maximum of 12 passengers, warm overalls, and guides such as Austin, Iñaki, and Ignacio make it easy to watch humpbacks, dolphins, and seasonal puffins around Lundey Island.

“Our guide, Austin, was incredibly professional and friendly. He speaks several languages (English, Italian, and Mexican Spanish) and gave engaging, informative explanations about whales, seabirds, and ocean safety. The whole trip was well organized, and you could really feel his passion for nature and marine life. It would be lovely if some hot drinks or small snacks were offered after the trip — that would make the experience even cozier and more complete. A wonderful and memorable whale-watching experience — professional, caring, and truly unforgettable. Thank you, Austin! 🐋”

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3.Reykjavik: Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 621 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join Sea Trips Reykjavík at the Old Harbour for a two-hour RIB safari among Faxaflói Bay’s islands. Guides such as Claudia, Julian, and Bianca share marine facts while the captain searches for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins. The boat is fast, intimate, and weather dependent.

“Guide was awesome. We saw great whale and dolphin activity. Amazing pictures. Great value!”

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4.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $203Top rated

Join a captain and expert guide on a two-hour RIB tour from Húsavík. The boat carries no more than 12 people, giving you open views as you search for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seasonal puffins. Warm overalls and life jackets are supplied, but bring gloves and a hat.

“Great whale watching tour. Our guide was great. Highly recommended. Lucky day we saw a hump back whale.”

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5.Akureyri: 2-Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 489 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join a 12-seat RIB boat in Akureyri for two hours of whale and bird watching in Eyjafjord. Guides such as Yoann, Agnes, Mack, and Sergio have helped guests find humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Expect fast runs, close sea-level views, cold spray, and a lively ride.

“amazing whale watching tour with a nice and funny guide, we saw many whales. The boat is comfortable”

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6.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180

From Húsavík, you ride a 12-person RIB for about two hours with a guide such as Clara, Mario, Nicoletta, or Victoria. Expect fast open-water travel, warm safety overalls, whale watching, and a stop near Puffin Island from April 15 to August 15.

“This was an amazing experience. Clara was an enthusiast and knowledgeable guide. The captain was skilled in her job. It was fun to see them equally as excited about all the wildlife we encountered. We would definitely do this experience again if we returned to the area. The RIB is the way to go!”

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7.Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by RIB Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 393 reviews · 2 hours · from $194

Join a two-hour RIB boat trip from Reykjavik with a small-group feel, spring-mounted seats, warm flotation suits, and guides such as Rebecca, Patrick, and Joel. Search Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins, stop at Akurey for summer puffins, then use your included ticket at the Whales of Iceland Museum.

“We were taken out on the RIB boat by a lovely guide called Joel on Sunday 29 September. He was so passionate and knowledgeable about all the local wildlife, pointing out different species of rare birds, getting us to the whales quickly and telling us a lot of facts. He made the experience so exciting and you could just tell he absolutely loves his job. We managed to see 5 humpback whales, including a mum and baby which is very rare to see! And I saw a pod of white beaked dolphins but no one else spotted them as we were going too quick! It was such a brilliant experience…”

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8.Reykjavik: Whale and Puffin Watching RIB Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 293 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, join a small group of up to 12 on a two-hour RIB safari. A marine biologist guide helps you spot puffins, minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises, while the captain covers wide stretches of water quickly. Warm overalls, gloves, and goggles are provided.

“we were fully pleased with our adventure and we had an amazing time and we were extremely satisfied with the whole thing the guide was clear and great the boat ride itself was a lot of fun and we got to see so much not disappointed at all would definitely recommend this activity to anyone and would even do it again if we were to go back to Iceland”

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9.Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 223 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $164

Join Katla Whale Watching for a two-hour RIB ride from Reykjavik with up to 12 people. Guides such as Rebekah, Anika, Joe, and Joel explain whales, dolphins, puffins, and city sights while the fast boat searches Faxaflói Bay. Warm gear, gloves, goggles, and a life-jacket are supplied.

“Truly awful weather, but what an experience! So very very lucky to see the humpbacks leaping from the water and slapping their fins on the sea from mere feet away! Rebecca was such a great guide”

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10.Akureyri Express Whale Watching by RIB boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 168 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180

Meet guides such as David, Jacob, Agnes, or Linsey at Akureyri’s central pier for a two-hour RIB trip into Eyjafjörður. With only 12 people aboard, you get clear views of humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and seabirds. The ride is fast and exciting, but rough water can be hard on your back.

“What an amazing time everyone we encountered was helpful and polite. Safety first all the way, ride back what a buzz a defs must do.”

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11.Dalvík: Whale Watching Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 154 reviews · 2 hours · from $165

Set out from Dalvík with an English-speaking guide on a 12-person RIB speedboat. Suspension seats soften the ride as you search Eyjafjordur for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and summer puffins. Bring warm clothes: the boat feels cold at speed.

“Escursione bellissima per avvistare le balene, considerare che fa molto freddo quando il motoscafo è in movimento.”

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12.Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 119 reviews · 2 hours · from $192

Set out from Ægisgarður on a 12-seat RIB with suspension seats, waterproof overalls, gloves, goggles, and a guide speaking English or Icelandic. Cruise past Harpa and Sun Voyager, then search Faxaflói Bay for whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins. The ride itself is fast, windy, and often bumpy.

“The ride itself was very fun and exhilarating - RIB boat was flying over the waves. The ride was quite bumpy (depends on the size of the waves and direction of the wind). Not for the fearful ones. We saw some humpback whales (mostly their backs -they don't jump as dolphins do) and a lot of friendly dolphins, who outdid themselves. The guide was joking that they are on payroll - it really looked like that :)”

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13.2-Hour RIB Boat Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 96 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $189

Ride a 12-meter RIB from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour toward Faxaflói Bay, where guides search for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. The small group, suspension seats, warm overalls, and summer stop at Akurey make this a fast, close-to-the-water outing, led in English.

“A must go for all travellers to Iceland. We were fortunate enough to spot hump back whales out there. A lifetime & memorable experience.”

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14.Whale Watching in Reykjavik by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 77 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Join an English-speaking captain and wildlife guide at Reykjavik Old Harbour for a two-hour RIB ride with suspension seats, warm overalls, and a wide search area. Look for whales and dolphins, visit puffin grounds from May to August, and view Harpa and Sun Voyager from the water.

“Brilliant brilliant trip. The dolphins and whales were so close to us as the speedboat was low in the water. Much better than going on a cruiser. Thank you we loved every minute.”

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15.Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat from Downtown Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 26 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $145Best value

Join a 12-person RIB from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a fast, close-to-the-water search for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and puffins. Guides such as Claudia, Eva, and Julien have led trips noted for strong wildlife spotting and useful local insight. Warm overalls, gloves, goggles, and safety gear are supplied.

“We had a great time on this excursion. Claudia and our experienced captain took great care of us. This trip is just the right combination of excitement and fun. We saw minke whales, puffins and spent most of our time up close with two humpbacks whales. I highly recommend this adventure! Also kudos to their booking staff who provided excellent communication.”

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