Westfjords Whale Watching
Recommended by 93% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Isafjordur, Iceland
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Maximize your chances of spotting whales in the Westfjords' icy waters with a whale-watching tour from Ísafjörður led by a local captain who knows the waters intimately. Head into Ísafjarðardjúp fjord, home to humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and rich birdlife, with the best chance of sightings handled by a crew that knows exactly where to look.
- Responsibly search for whales with a company known for its welfare commitments
- Learn about whales and their behavior from the crew
- Cruise in comfort: Restrooms are available on board
- Enjoy great photo ops of whales against a majestic backdrop
What's Included
- Restroom on board
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- SjóferðirÁsgeirsgata, 400 Ísafjörður, Iceland
The meeting points is by the red boathouse on the harbour. You can't miss it. All passengers are required to check in 15–30 minutes before departure
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Ísafjarðardjúp
3 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 48 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
Michael_H
Tom was fantastic along with the boat captain. We saw at least 7 whales and one was a pod of 4 that we were able to watch for quite a while. Amazing to see all 4 tails up at one time. Highly recommend this tour.
Reviews
4.7
based on 141 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Virginia_G, Sep 2026
Our tour guide was fantastic. Our boat captain did an amazing job of navigating.
Saw many whales and an iceberg.
Norrie_P, Aug 2026
We booked this tour independently when we were in port with our cruise. It’s ideally placed near the cruise terminal.
The tour was full, but the boat didn’t feel at all crowded. The guide was first class and the captain clearly very experienced.
We saw at least 5 humpback whales in 2 different locations during the cruise. It was an amazing and humbling experience. The captain was sympathetic and considerate to the whales and got close, but not too close.
I would highly recommend an excursion with this company and I would definitely book again.
Zachary_M, Aug 2026
Well organized Crew knew where to go and what they were doing. Would do again highly recommend to everyone
Russell_B, Aug 2026
We found two humpback juveniles and they did not disappoint. The whales were like clock work. Down for 6 minutes and back to the surface. Got great pictures and videos!
Cyndi_C, Aug 2026
They give bad directions. We followed their Google Maps link and got lost. Wished we had ordered a taxi. We missed the boat and lost our money and no more later boats out. Very disappointed!
LINDA_K, Aug 2026
The red house meeting location in Not right on the pier. You have to walk a small amount and the signage was lacking. The trip was great. We saw many whales and puffins. We highly recommend
Lindsay_C, Aug 2026
Great day trip. Knowledgeable captain and guide dedicated to finding the best spots for whale watching. This boat had interior cabin as well as outside areas for watching.
Alexandra_G, Aug 2026
What an incredible experience! Encounters of a lifetime, for sure. We had three humpback whales mere feet from us as they approached and then swam under the boat. Also two humpbacks smacking their pectoral fins on the surface of the water, which was amazing to see. I also had an unexpected puffin sighting of one that came up out of the water and was startled by the boat so it zoomed away on the surface of the water like a wind-up toy. So amazing!
Karmen_V, Aug 2026
The experience was very fun and entertaining, but I recommend to prepare for the trip. For example bring waterproof clothes, gloves, a warm hat and etc. You will probably spend a lot of time on the deck and it is quite windy outside. We saw several whales and the tourquide was very educated, explained everything and told us many facts about the whales in the area. I will recommend the tour to my friends and family.
Andy_P, Aug 2026
We get to see a lot of humpback whales closely. The boat size is not too small, just right. Beautiful weather also. We got soaked coming back to shore either because the splash of the boat or the strong wave, not sure, but was fun!
Sinead_R, Aug 2026
Well organised trip.
Good price.
Excellent tour guide.
We were lucky enough to see some humpback whales and puffins.
Incredible landscape.
Would recommend booking with this company.
Jenny_W, Aug 2026
Such an amazing experience, it was absolutely breathtaking. The guides were very engaged and knowledgeable and we got to see several whales. Two of them were feeding so they showed up several times. Also saw some puffins!
Carol_W, Aug 2026
This tour was a great choice. Fantastic! Guides were very knowledgeable. We saw several whales, and being able to experience their amazing beauty was one of the highlights of our trip.
James_H, Aug 2026
Excellent tour. Really enjoyed all the information provided throughout the tour, and the Captain did a great job of locating and keeping us near whale activity. Very enjoyable and very good value.
Alan_M, Jul 2026
Convenient to the cruise port. We had extended encounters with several whales. We were given good information about Wales in general and conservation efforts.
Michelle_L, Jul 2026
Awesome trip. They are very good about spotting whales. Our guides were extremely knowledgeable. We would definitely do this again.
Keisha_H, Jul 2026
Wonderful! Yes, we saw whales, and it was also a sacred and moving experience. The guide's love and knowledge of whales was contagious. It was beautiful to experience the whales through his eyes. He also let us hold baleen and see whale tail pictures to help us identify which ones we were seeing. Delightful experience! (We went in July)
Madora_D, Jul 2026
Guide very knowledgeable. Boat is fine with inside seats. Easy to find. Definitely recommend. Would be hard for anyone with mobility issues.
Paul_J, Jul 2026
Outstanding whale watching experience; saw many whales. Judith, our guide, was incredibly engaging, informative and a pleasure to listen and learn from. The dock we departed from was an easy five minute walk from the cruise ship pier. Everything about this tour was first rate.
Lazaro_D, Jul 2026
Overall it was ok. We did get some whale sightings.
I think one should calibrate expectations before taking this tour. As was explained to us on board, this area is a feeding ground, so any whale that is spotted will spend very short time taking a few breaths from just below the water line, then take a dive. So one can expect to maybe make out a tail coming out briefly then back in the water, from a distance, then nothing for a while. So yes, great to see, but you don’t see that much or that close.
The boat itself was fairly old and the crew not overly friendly.
The tour was advertised as being 3 hours, but was really only a bit more than 2 hours. Not a big deal as after a few whale sightings, there is not much new in seeing more.
So as long as you are ok with that… it is still fun to do - exciting to spot them.
Stephen_C, Jul 2026
We had a great experience on this tour and saw 2 different whales.
The guide Judith was good at pointing out where the whales were and giving us facts and information.
We also saw some puffins
Overall we would highly recommend this tour. It was also easy to find from the cruise terminal
Gail_B, Jul 2026
We were so excited for this tour. We got off the cruise ship with 30 minutes to spare as recommended and the instructions said "look for the red boat house, you can't miss it". Well, turns out there are dozens of red boat houses and we walked around for 30 minutes before finally finding the location which is quite hidden behind other buildings and not easy to see. We arrived at 9:59 for our tour that was to leave at 10, to find the boat pulling away and they would not come back for us. The customer service was less than helpful, and only offered to rebook at a later time when we kept complaining. Luckily we had time to go on a later tour and they did not charge us. So, if you decide to book this tour, turn RIGHT out of the cruise terminal and walk about 400 meters to find a small, unlabeled red boat house.
Once we got on our later tour, it was amazing. Our tour guide Judith was incredible - very knowledgable and kind. We were able to see a mom and baby whale and we followed at a safe distance viewing them (as well as puffins) for about an hour. It was an unforgettable experience! We were able to purchase a handmade icelandic wool hat with a whale on it made by Judith as well as a painting of a whale which is a great souvenir to remember this experience by.
Make sure you dress warm, especially if you sit on the top deck of the boat where the best whale viewing is. They have blankets for you to use, but I was glad I brought my hat, gloves, and winter coat as it is windy out on the water.
I'm so glad it worked out in the end, but please leave yourself PLENTY of time to find the correct location if you decide to book this tour.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
i am really sorry that you had a hard time finding us!
there are several red houses down by the cruise ship but ours is the only one with boats around, we have been doing our best to advertise the location with all our social media and we will add more info when buying the ticket, we are also on google maps.
good to hear that you had a good tour, we really strive to do our best!
all the best from us and our crew.
Lindsey_H, Jul 2026
Our guide was great. She educated us on various whales, and even though we only spotted one, she and the driver made sure we got close for photos. She also helped us spot puffins. The scenery was amazing.
April_B, Jun 2026
Well, I was super excited for this whale watching trip, but unfortunately I booked it for June instead of July. So no whales for me. Booking was so easy, cancellation policy fair, but I guess I cannot read a calendar.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Dear April.
i dont understand the reason for us receiving 2 stars for your mixup.
we are more then willing to fix your booking if we still have availability in july.
please contact us via email: sjoferdir@sjoferdir.is
all the best.
Heather_S, Jan 2026
What an amazing adventure. We watched as our ship’s tour group boarded a small boat with cramped rows and smiled a bit when our open boat arrived! We were able to board quickly and headed straight to the top deck. We were given blankets for the ride as well.
Loved the opportunity to hear an expert in his field explain and talk with passion about the whales.
We were so close and felt in the actions as the whales came close to us.
On the return we got to see things the tour guide had collected on whales as well as see photos of the whale tails we had experienced seeing.
This was amazing
RobertL, Sep 2025
Best whale watching ever!! 2 groups of whales we followed swam right up to the boat!! WE got great pics and videos. We even had a 4 TAIL Flip at once - AMAZING!! Just an amazing trip. The crew was great including a visiting whale specialist documenting the whales for researc purposes. They donate part of each trips earnings into a save the whales research fund.
Michael_H, Sep 2025
Tom was fantastic along with the boat captain. We saw at least 7 whales and one was a pod of 4 that we were able to watch for quite a while. Amazing to see all 4 tails up at one time. Highly recommend this tour.
david_B, Sep 2025
Great experience and we saw loads of whales. Our guide Tom, was very knowledgeable and helpful. Thoroughly enjoyed it - but dress up warm!
TonyMichael_R, Sep 2025
Just done a whale trip with this Company in Isafjordur Iceland and would thoroughly recommend. We were surrounded by humpbacks. Pick up is very close to cruise ship terminal. Very knowledgeable crew on board, we didn’t have to travel far, I.e. 15 minutes, to see whales.
Kim_J, Sep 2025
This is definitely a bucket list item ticked off! I was expecting to see maybe one or two whales in the distance but instead our boat was surrounded by dozens of whales which were all really close. After about half hour sailing we reached the point where the whales were feeding, we then spent over an hour watching these magnificent creatures. We were joined by a whale expert who told us a lot of interesting facts about the whales and even the names of some of them (they all have unique tail patterns).
From $111.34
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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