From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour

A humpback whale surfacing beside a boat is the sort of Iceland memory that stays with you. This 3.5-hour cruise from Reykjavik searches Faxaflói Bay for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, puffins, seals, and other sea life, with mountain views all around.

I like the warm flotation overalls and heated cabin, which matter when Iceland’s wind bites. I also like the free second trip if no wildlife appears. The main drawback is simple: whales are wild animals, and the sea can be rough, cold, and empty on a particular outing.

Key points

• Humpback whales are the main prize: Sightings can last for minutes or much longer, with some outings finding several whales.
• The boat covers Kollafjörður and Faxaflói Bay: You get coastal views, bird life, and a chance to see Snaefellsjökull Glacier on a clear day.
• Guides keep the search interesting: Patrik, Patrick, and Lukas are among the guides praised for lively facts, good humor, and sharp eyes.
• Warmth is handled well: Flotation overalls, heated indoor seating, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets are included.
• No sighting means a free return: This softens the risk of paying for a wildlife trip and seeing only sea birds or waves.
• Expect a large boat feel: You get comfort and shelter, though some people may prefer a smaller boat for closer viewing.

Setting out from Geirsgata 11

Your trip begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, close to Reykjavik’s harbor. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure, giving yourself time to check in, get settled, and collect an overall before boarding.

The outing lasts about three to three and a half hours. The schedule includes roughly 30 minutes of guided sightseeing around Reykjavik and coastal waters, followed by about two hours in Faxaflói Bay searching for whales and dolphins. The remaining time covers the journey out and back.

That timing makes this a useful half-day activity. I would place it early in your Reykjavik stay if whale watching matters a lot to you. If the first trip produces no sightings, you still have a chance to use the complimentary return ticket during your visit.

Pickup from your hotel is not included, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. That is not difficult for most people staying in central Reykjavik, but it is worth allowing extra time in poor weather.

Kollafjörður gives you a gentle start

The boat first heads toward Kollafjörður, a quieter coastal area with an island and many birds. This opening section is less about finding whales and more about settling into the rhythm of the sea.

Look toward the shore and horizon as the city falls behind. The route offers a useful introduction to Iceland’s coastal setting, with bird activity close to the water and open views toward the mountains.

The first half hour also lets your guide explain what to watch for. You may learn to look for a blow, a dorsal fin, a sudden change in bird movement, or a patch of disturbed water. That instruction is useful because whale watching is not like visiting an aquarium. You need to keep scanning, and a good guide helps you know where to look.

The boat has an indoor cabin with heating and toilet facilities. That gives you a place to warm up, dry off, or sit down when the wind becomes too much. You can use WiFi on board, though I would save at least part of the journey for watching the water rather than looking at a screen.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

Faxaflói Bay is the main working area for the trip. The boat spends much of the outing looking for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and other wildlife. Some trips have found several humpbacks, while others have produced a minke whale, dolphins, seals, puffins, or porpoises.

Humpback whales are the sightings that receive the most attention. Their size makes them easier to spot than smaller marine animals, but that does not mean every sighting is close or dramatic. You may see a back rise, a blow in the distance, or a tail appearing before the animal disappears.

At better moments, the boat can remain with a whale for a substantial period. One trip spent around 20 minutes watching a humpback near the boat, while another had a whale in view for about 40 minutes. Such encounters depend on the animal’s behavior and the skipper’s decisions, not on a fixed schedule.

The guides help keep the search active rather than passive. Patrik and Patrick have been singled out for entertaining commentary, whale facts, and their ability to alert people quickly when an animal surfaces. Lukas has also been praised for clear explanations and a friendly manner.

A guide may point out how bird activity can help locate marine life. You will also hear about the animals found outside Reykjavik and may see whale bones used during a short presentation. The talk is not just filler between sightings. It gives you a better sense of what you are watching and why a brief glimpse can still be meaningful.

A boat built for comfort, not total solitude

This is a larger boat experience, with an indoor cabin, toilets, WiFi, a snack counter, and room to move between sheltered and outside areas. That setup is particularly helpful for families and anyone who does not want to spend three hours exposed to Icelandic weather.

The large boat also has limits. You may find it harder to reach the best viewing position when several people move outside at once. A few passengers have found the deck crowded around an active whale, making it difficult to see over the people in front.

I would arrive early and choose a spot with a clear view if that matters to you. Still, do not stay fixed in one place. Whales can surface on either side, and the guide may direct everyone toward a particular area as the boat changes position.

You are not guaranteed the close, low-to-the-water feeling that a small rigid boat can provide. In return, you get more protection from wind and rain, a steadier platform, and the option to watch through windows from inside. For a family or a first whale-watching trip, I consider that a fair trade.

The operator may share a boat with another activity partner during certain periods to reduce the number of vessels on the water. That can affect the feel of the trip, but it also reflects an effort to limit boat traffic in the bay.

Weather, sea conditions, and seasickness

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and Faxaflói Bay may be choppy. Several outings have had cold rain, strong wind, or poor visibility. A blizzard even limited one trip’s views, although the passengers still received a free return option after no whale sighting.

The included flotation overalls are one of the strongest practical features. Wear them over weather-appropriate clothing, and add layers underneath. The suits help with wind and cold, but they do not replace gloves, a hat, and sturdy footwear.

Seasickness is a real possibility. The crew provides seasickness tablets, and the ticket office can offer them before departure. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the warning seriously and sit inside when needed. A rough crossing can make the journey tiring even when the wildlife is excellent.

The crew has sometimes stayed out longer when sightings were slow or when whales appeared late in the trip. That shows a useful effort to give the search time, but you should not treat extra time as guaranteed. Weather, wildlife behavior, and operating conditions can all affect the schedule.

Birds, dolphins, seals, and the view beyond whales

Whales are the headline, but they are not the only reason to keep watching. Dolphins and porpoises may travel near the boat, while puffins and other sea birds bring movement to the surface. Seals have also appeared on successful outings.

The bird life gives you something to look for during quiet stretches. Scan the water around groups of birds and watch for sudden changes in direction. You may not see a whale immediately, but the bay remains active.

The scenery is another strong part of the experience. Faxaflói Bay is framed by Iceland’s mountain ring, and clear weather may reveal Snaefellsjökull Glacier in the distance. The glacier view is not guaranteed, but when visibility is good it adds a memorable backdrop to the wildlife search.

This is also a good way to see Reykjavik from the water. The city, harbor, mountains, and open Atlantic form a much wider picture than you get from streets and observation decks. I would bring a camera, but keep it ready rather than spending the whole time trying to record every surface.

The operator provides photographs taken during the outing, with access and downloads available online after the trip. That is useful because you can watch the water instead of holding your phone up every time a whale appears.

Food, facilities, and family practicality

Snacks and drinks are not included, but you can buy them on board. Hot drinks and waffles have been available, which can make a cold return journey more comfortable. You may also want to bring a small snack if you know you will be hungry after several hours at sea.

The indoor cabin is heated, clean, and fitted with toilets. Those details matter more than they might on paper. A whale trip can involve long periods of waiting, and having a dry place to sit makes the experience easier for children and older passengers.

The tour is wheelchair accessible. Pets and smoking are not allowed. English is the tour language, and the activity includes a live guide rather than only recorded information.

Families can make good use of the indoor space. Children may enjoy the excitement of searching for fins and blows, while the cabin gives them a break when the cold or motion becomes too much. The trip is still long enough that very young children may need patience and warm clothing.

Is $103 a fair price?

At $103 per person, this is not a bargain basement harbor ride, but the price includes more than transport to the bay. You get the whale-watching cruise, live guiding, flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilet facilities, WiFi, seasickness tablets, and a free second outing if no wildlife appears.

The no-sighting policy is the biggest value protection. It cannot guarantee a whale on the first trip, but it gives you another chance without paying again. That matters when the main purpose of booking is to see a whale rather than simply enjoy a boat ride.

You are also paying for comfort and time. A cheaper trip might provide fewer onboard facilities or less shelter, while this boat lets you move between the deck and cabin. If the weather turns wet, that flexibility can make the difference between an enjoyable outing and a miserable one.

I would compare the price with the rest of your Iceland budget. If you are already paying for several expensive excursions, you may need to decide how strongly you want whale watching. If seeing a humpback is high on your list, the return option and onboard comfort make the cost easier to justify.

Who should book this Reykjavik whale trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time whale watchers who want a well-supported introduction.
• Families that need a heated cabin, toilets, and protection from bad weather.
• Wildlife fans who are happy to watch birds, dolphins, seals, and scenery while searching for whales.
• Visitors with flexible schedules who can use the free second trip if the first outing has no sightings.
• Photographers who want open views and access to official trip photographs afterward.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, become badly seasick, or need a guaranteed close encounter. The sea can be rough, and even a careful crew cannot control where wildlife appears.

The boat can become crowded around a sighting, too. If you want a small-group feel and a low viewpoint close to the water, a different style of trip may suit you better. Here, comfort and weather protection come before a private, intimate atmosphere.

Booking details worth knowing

Your meeting point is Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office. Arrive 30 minutes early, especially if you need an overall or seasickness tablet.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the available departure time for your chosen date, since the tour runs for about 3.5 hours.

Bring weather-appropriate clothing, even though overalls are supplied. I would use layers, a warm hat, gloves, and shoes suitable for a wet deck. Do not rely on the cabin alone if you want the best chance of seeing a whale.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a comfortable, well-organized search for Icelandic wildlife rather than a guaranteed show. The guides bring energy and useful facts, the crew works hard to give sightings time, and the boat offers shelter when the Atlantic turns cold.

The strongest reason to choose it is the balance of wildlife and practicality. You may see several humpbacks, dolphins, puffins, and seals, but you can also warm up indoors, buy a hot drink, and return for free after a blank outing.

I would book it early in your Reykjavik stay, dress for real wind, and treat the whale as a wild bonus rather than a scheduled performance. That mindset gives you the best chance of enjoying the bay, even if the animals stay out of sight.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour depart from?

The tour departs from Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about 3.5 hours. The route includes guided sightseeing around Reykjavik and approximately two hours of whale and dolphin watching in Faxaflói Bay.

Which animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, puffins, and other sea birds. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a complimentary ticket for a second tour if there are no sightings. A free return trip is intended to give you another chance to find wildlife.

Are warm clothes provided?

Flotation overalls are provided, and the boat has heated indoor cabins. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing for the cold and wind on deck.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. English is the tour language, and toilets are available on board.