Top Iceland Nature and Wildlife Tours

The northern lights draw hopeful travelers from across the world to Iceland, but knowing how to boost your chances of the best sightings requires skill, practice, and a bit of luck. On this northern lights bus tour, enjoy round-trip travel from your Reykjavik hotel and head out into the Icelandic countryside with your experienced guide.

Get the chance to see marine mammals in the wild on this whale-watching cruise from Reykjavik—whales and dolphins are seen on more than 90% of tours in both summer and winter. With a local guide, cruise the coastal curve of Iceland to marvel at whales in their natural habitat. Keep your eyes peeled for the local wildlife as you listen to your guide's fun facts about the majestic creatures.

This is the perfect way to explore Iceland’s incredible scenery and meet the Icelandic horse. Get out in the open air and ride an Icelandic horse from the stables in Vik to a picturesque black sand beach. No need to worry if you’ve never ridden a horse before—this experience is suitable for beginners and goes at a slow and calm pace. Note: riders must be ages 10 and older and cannot weigh more than 220 lbs (100kg).

Get up close to puffins on this boat tour from Reykjavik. With your local naturalist-guide, step aboard a custom boat that lets you glide right up to Akurey Island's jagged shore to watch the seabirds in their natural habitat. Enjoy engaging commentary about the puffins' biology and behavior from your guide. Includes binoculars for birdwatching and a multilingual audio guide app.

Located just outside of Reykjavik, the Raufarhólshellir Lava Tunnel is one of the most accessible natural wonders in the country. This half-day tour takes you inside the tunnel—a feat only available on a guided tour—where you can see magnificent geological features that have been created by ancient lava flows. Hotel pickup upgrade available.

Experience the enchantment of watching whales in their natural environment on a 3-hour whale watching tour from Husavik. Climb aboard a powerful boat and relax as an expert skipper sails to spots renowned for abundant whale sightings. Observe wild seabirds and playful dolphins in their natural environment while scouring the sea for sightings of colossal humpback, blue and Minke whales. Warm up with Hot cocoa and cinnamon buns served on your way back.

Many glacier tours in Vatnajökull National Park require travelers to walk from the parking lot to the glacier terminus, eating into their time on the ice. On this tour, maximize your time on Falljökull glacier by traveling as near as possible in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Explore moulins, crevasses, and other formations in the company of an Association of Icelandic Mountain Guides-certified guide.

Witness the three wonders of the famous Iceland Golden Circle, without the hassle of driving, on a day trip from Reykjavik. Travel by air-conditioned vehicle with a guide and learn the history and geology of each site. See the mighty Gullfoss waterfall, the bubbling pools and Strokkur geyser, and the incredible tectonic rift at Thingvellir National Park.

Experience the rare sensation of visiting a natural ice cave on this small-group tour. Board a Super Jeep in Vík and go off the beaten track into the Icelandic wilderness. You'll leave the regular tourist trail behind as you journey through a landscape of majestic mountains and glaciers toward the Katla Ice Cave.

There are many day tours from Reykjavik that can take you around Iceland's Golden Circle, but this one includes an additional stop that most tours miss. Head for the three main attractions—Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall—then add on a visit to Kerid Crater and walk along the rim for panoramic.

Iceland’s Faxaflói Bay is home to diverse marine life, including dolphins, puffins, and whales—but knowing where the wildlife is likely to appear requires skill and experience. On this small-group rigid inflatable boat (RIB) tour from Reykjavik, zoom across the waves with your guide and reach the action swiftly. Wrapped up warm against the cold, discover scenic views along the way, and enjoy personal attention from your guide.

Check off several of South Iceland’s most-loved natural attractions in just one day on this small-group tour from Reykjavik. Gain an overview of the region as you travel alongside your guide to must-see sites including the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Sólheimajökull glacier, and the black-sand Reynisfjara Beach in the charming village of Vik.

Combine pre-booked admission tickets to the Perlan Museum’s Wonders of Iceland exhibition with a planetarium show, all thanks to this two-part, time-saving sightseeing package. Choose from a range of admission times throughout the day, make your own way to the Reykjavik museum, and explore immersive highlights like the world's first indoor ice cave. Then, watch a northern lights show in Iceland's only planetarium.

Get out and enjoy nature while getting the chance to ride an Icelandic horse—a breed originally brought to the country by the Vikings—on this equestrian excursion. Enjoy a relaxing ride through lava-laden scenery, rolling green hills, and mountains. Your excursion is designed based on your experience level and is led by an instructor.

Enjoy an unforgettable angling trip on Iceland’s icy waters on a sea-fishing trip from Reykjavik. Sail into Faxaflói Bay on a comfortable fishing boat then, with instructions from the crew, set up the supplied fishing rods and bait, and wait for a bite. If you’re lucky, catch species such as cod, halibut, and haddock, and choose to either grill the catch on board or take back to your accommodation.

The Skaftafell-Vatnajökull National Park is home to Europe’s largest glacier and the icy landscapes offer a dramatic backdrop for a hiking adventure. This guided glacier hike across Falljökull Glacier ensures a personalized experience, with a small group of up to 15 participants, and full instruction provided.

Chasing the northern lights is an essential, and often elusive, experience when visiting Iceland. Let an expert navigate dark roads and find the best viewing spots on this small-group tour. Ride out to areas with little-to-no light pollution and cozy up with hot chocolate, traditional pastries, and lunch. Enjoy round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off along with warm snacks for added comfort on your aurora adventure.

Most people chase the northern lights in a car but you can see this natural phenomenon aboard a yacht. Depart from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor and sail past small islands until you reach an area with little to no light pollution, sometimes spotting whales and dolphins along the way. Watch the colorful lights dancing across the sky on the observation deck and warm up with a drink from the onboard bar.

Enjoy a special way to hunt for the northern lights when you set off an evening boat tour from Reykjavik. Once the night sets in, make your own way to the waterfront departure point, hop aboard your vessel, and keep your eyes to the skies: your guide will do everything they can to help you discover the aurora. While cruising, admire the coastline, look out for wildlife, and grab a snack or drink from the on-board café.

Seeing Iceland’s south coast in a single day can feel rushed or impersonal on large coach tours, but this small-group experience offers a more comfortable and flexible way to explore. Travel from Reykjavik in a luxury minibus through volcanic landscapes, stopping at highlights such as Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls, the black-sand beach of Reynisfjara, and the Solheimajökull glacier.

One surefire way to get away from Iceland's crowds? Get on the water. On this tour, you'll see the Sólheimajökull Glacier from a different perspective—from a kayak. After dressing in the included dry suit and learning the basics of kayaking, you'll paddle out behind your guide into the gorgeous lagoon. You'll glide around the icebergs anchored in the water, snap quick photos between paddling, and get to know this wild slice of paradise.

While many tours in Iceland make pit stops at glaciers, fewer take you over them and close enough to discover their otherworldly features. With this small-group tour, take an easy glacier hike to see ice formations, crevasses, and water cauldrons that you’d miss just stopping for a look.

Reykjavik is a fascinating city, but knowing where to go and what not to miss isn’t always obvious to first time visitors. On this small-group walking tour, you'll get familiar with the streets of the city—and discover many of its most important landmarks and attractions—all while your guide shares hidden stories and secrets many visitors miss