Whale Watching from Akureyri Port
Akureyri, Iceland
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
What's Included
- SnacksWe offer traditional Icelandic treats on the tour
- Coffee and/or Tea
- WiFi on board
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup point
- Laufásgata 1, 600 Akureyri, Iceland
Akureyri Cruise Ship Port
Pickup details
We pickup in front of your cruise ship. Look for Saga Travel, our employees are wearing red jackets. We are ready for pickup from 30 minutes prior the departure.
Itinerary
1
Akureyri
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Hauganes
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
3
Eyjafjörður
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 49 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
JACQUELYNE_B
This whale-watching experience was the family favorite during our 10-day northern lights cruise. Being on the boat in the middle of an Icelandic fjord was amazing by itself, but we had multiple whale sightings that were so much fun! The hot chocolate and cookies were such a welcome treat, too! The staff took great care of us, and we definitely recommend this wonderful experience!
Reviews
4.2
based on 27 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
ELEANOR_E, Sep 2026
Great trip! Saw three humpbacks, pretty close to us. They even provided cookies, coffee and hot chocolate.
Mary_M, Aug 2026
Not the experience we hoped for. The excursion was sold to be at 49 travelers max. I counted at least 55 on the bottom (some more were at the back but I couldn’t move to see them) and 18 on top, the boat was terribly overcrowded and not what we paid for. It lurched from side to side when the driver spotted the whale and moved to intercept it. Poor communication with pick up and drop off, late a half hour both times. We did see one whale and followed it for two hours as it surfaced. I would look elsewhere for this tour, not worth the money.
Karthik_N, Aug 2026
The tour starting point was so confusing and we had to wait for multiple hours before and after for the shuttle to take us to the location. Boat was small and the tour did not even try to show us anything else other than one whale called Sophie and that's it. I think they can do better and I would definitely not go with them again.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Dear Karthik
We kindly moved your departure to 10am after you had booked at 12:30. It was a busy day with two full boats and a full vehicle. The car left Akureyri port at 10:00 (correct time) and drove 30 minutes to Hauganes. There the whale watching tour starting at the right time, around 11am.
The boats are pictured when you book the tour. As we had two boats one took a bit longer and passengers had to wait for 35 minutes for the departure of the bus. That was all the hours you had to wait.
These are wildlife whales, they are not on a schedule, if you were only able to see one whale it is because there was only one whale in the area at the time.
We feel that your review is untruthful and unfair.
best regards
Baldvin
Helen_H, Aug 2026
It worked well at first - we found the rep quickly, were taken to a bus, waited a short while for it to fill, then were taken to Haugenes, kitted out with thermal suits & got on the boat. It was very rough but we saw a few whales. They gave us hot chocolate and cookies. We headed back quite early & got on the bus. Then we waited nearly an hour for the other boat to return, which meant we were late back to the port. We couldn’t understand why the other boat had so much longer - and they saw a blue whale. It would have been helpful if a saga rep had been there to explain what was happening.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Hi Helen
We thank you for your honest and truthful review, we have had other reviews claiming many hours of wait. But we agree with you, the wait was too long and our driver was unaware how long it was going to be. We will make sure that it will not happen again.
best regards
Baldvin
Jennifer_K, Aug 2026
The captain and guide were both great. They give you float suits that seem silly at first and then you learn to love them. It’s very windy and cold. Bring a hat and gloves. The ride is long (about 40 minutes) but it’s so beautiful, it goes by quickly. We saw many dolphins swimming with our boat. The whales were spectacular! We saw 2 humpbacks who were feeding near the surface, so they were visible multiple times. I would highly recommend this tour.
Marcia_S, Aug 2026
You are provided outer weatherproof cover-alls. Unfortunately, there is no guide provided at the pier - just an associate to check you in. The bus driver also does not give any information about the area. The boat does give a small talk although we could not hear any of it. The boat ride was fine. Lots of small waterfalls along the route. Nature is unpredictable- we did not see any whales.
Gordon_C, Jul 2026
Would highly recommend the bus travel to Hauganes. Very well organized and we saw whales. They knew exactly how to position the boat and made sure everyone saw the whales i would do it again.
kevansnclr, Jul 2026
The information leading upbto our excursion was rxcellent. Reassuring and helpful.
We explored Icelandic culture and it’svextreme geology.
sue_b, Jul 2026
This is an excellent trip that takes you in a mini bus from the port to Haugenes to start your whale watching adventure. You are supplied with wet weather coveralls, which we definitely needed as it was windy, rainy and wet from spray on our trip. Do wrap up warm with a hat even in the summer months.
For the first half hour the whales were elusive but our skipper and guide know these waters well and we were rewarded with some great views of whales close to the boat and further away. We saw humpbacks and a minke whale put on a great display. Trying to photograph them is quite hard with a boat and whales that are constantly moving so sit/stand and just enjoy the site of them. A great experience.
Joyce_W, Jul 2026
We saw whales so for us it was third time lucky, having tried elsewhere twice before. However, I think customers should be aware that whilst the ship has a lot of history unless you are lucky enough to stand in the bow it’s not a great ship for viewing. When whales were sighted other than the people in the bow everyone rushed to the necessary side of the ship if like me you’re short the view was not easy. Better to look for a sight seeing boat in my opinion.
Add that to the fact the morning cruise was cancelled and everyone on the lunchtime cruise, a lot of people.
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re glad you were able to see the whales with us! We’re sorry the experience felt busy and that viewing was difficult at times. That day, the morning cruise had to be cancelled and resulted in a busier afternoon.
We hope you still enjoyed the whale watching experience.
Heather_B, Jul 2026
The whale watching experience was very good but not impressed with pick up arranged by Viator. The pick up instructions said to meet outside our cruise ship and look for rep wearing red. We were there at 12:00 as pick up was 12:30. We waited until 12:40 The person wasn't there and we were advised by another tour guide to go to the hut outside the other cruise ship that was in dock. When we got to the hut the lady apologised to us. The minibus had gone without picking us up. The minibus then came back to pick bus up. Also there was an American couple who nearly missed their cruise ship as the return drop off was late back to their ship,
Response from Host, Aug 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are glad you enjoyed the whale watching and we are very sorry for the confusion with the transfer. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention and we will do our best to keep improving our service.
Darlene_H, Oct 2025
First you board a bus to the location of the whale watching boats. You are fitted with a full wind suit and the. Aboard the boat in a lake where the whales come in and out. It is not in open seas so the water is very calm. Did get to see some whales. Hot chocolate was a warm treat.
JACQUELYNE_B, Sep 2025
This whale-watching experience was the family favorite during our 10-day northern lights cruise. Being on the boat in the middle of an Icelandic fjord was amazing by itself, but we had multiple whale sightings that were so much fun! The hot chocolate and cookies were such a welcome treat, too! The staff took great care of us, and we definitely recommend this wonderful experience!
Jean_D, Aug 2025
Trip went like clockwork, pick up on time too. Boat was nice and we were given waterproof clothes to wear. We saw whales so we were really pleased with that. The trip overall was great and we had a wonderful day. Viator even sorted out a refund for me because we were on a cruise and the ships WiFi was spotty making me book the wrong trip but I was helped very quickly by Viator and they sorted everything out for me, it was a relief for me. I wouldn’t hesitate to book with them again because of the excellent customer service, the ease of the trips and the quick response to questions, well done Viator.
Stuart_S, Aug 2025
Excellent trip managed to see a dozen hump back whales on the day
Well organised
Free drinks and snacks
Flotation suits supplied
Free pickup in minibus to location of boat
JohnnyWong, Aug 2025
The trip was well worth it. Saw sooo many humpbacks and really close too although they bit may be due to luck and the season. Staff is friendly and impressionable and know what they're doing.
Helen_D, Aug 2025
The boat was VERY full. This meant that it was difficult to see over all the people in order to see the whales.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Hi
During the busy summer season our biggest boat carry up to 72 guests. It is much less than our competition in the area as they have same size boats and carry up to 98 guests.
That being said the boats are quite crowded. But we try to give everyone a change to have good look and stop for over an hour to experience and photograph the whales. That should give everyone change to have good access to witnessing these majestic creatures. We also offer Coffee and home baked treats so our guests can take a break and allow others to see them better.
We will take your review to heart and strive to allow better access to all our guests.
Brian_H, Aug 2025
We had an amazing time and above average whale watching experience!
The cookies and warm drinks were appreciated!
Wanda_S, Jul 2025
Finding the meeting point was an easy walk from the cruise port (5 minutes) the boat was a little late due to a delayed of previous tour .
But it was all worth it we were taken to 3 spots where the whales usually are and wow we got to see one up close!!!! Highly recommend this tour . Good prices and service
DINAH_P, Jul 2025
It was wonderful! We saw several whales, a puffin, and a few porpoise. The ship was not overcrowded either.
Staff was terrific!
Robert_K, Jul 2025
Highly recommended. The owner of the business ran the tour along with some other friendly people and is experienced and knowledgeable and truly enjoys his work.
Jaye, Jul 2025
It was a long bus ride to the whaling boat. We did briefly see a few whales… But mostly just spouts a glimpse of gray and one or two tales.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi Jaye
Sorry to hear you did not enjoy the 30 minute bus ride along the arctic coastline to Hauganes village and that the whales did not give you a better view of themselves on your tour. We will of course have a staff meeting with them and tell them to be more visible in in the future.
All the best
JT
From $148.10
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Whale Watching from Akureyri Port
27
4 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$148.10
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Akureyri, Iceland
- Akureyri Church (Akureyrarkirkja) Tours & Tickets
- Akureyri Botanical Garden (Lystigardur Akureyrar) Tours & Tickets
- Earth Lagoon Mývatn Tours & Tickets
- Vatnajokull National Park Tours & Tickets
- Dettifoss Tours & Tickets
- Hverir Tours & Tickets
- Forest Lagoon Tours & Tickets
- Godafoss Tours & Tickets
- Dalvik Tours & Tickets
- Húsavík Tours & Tickets
- Tjörnes Peninsula Tours & Tickets
- Ásbyrgi Canyon Tours & Tickets
- Lake Mývatn Tours & Tickets
- Dimmuborgir Tours & Tickets