Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik
Badge of Excellence
Reykjavik, Iceland
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Enjoy a nature experience like no other—and watch out for minke whales, dolphins, and humpbacks—on a half-day sightseeing cruise from Reykjavik. Cruise the harbor in comfort and style: Take in views of the coast from an open viewing platform or an enclosed cabin. Along the way, enjoy access to an indoor saloon stocked with snacks and drinks, and look out for Iceland’s diverse aquatic species with help from the experienced crew.
- Attend again for free if you don't spot any whales on your trip
- Pick between two seating areas to fit your needs and preferences
- Benefit from your captain's local knowledge as you look out for whales
- Discover a side of the Reykjavik region many other visitors miss
What's Included
- 3-3,5 hours Whale Watching tour
- Experienced and professional guides
- Free ticket to join again in case of no sightings
- Warm flotation overalls
- Free WiFi on board
- Heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities
- Complimentary seasickness tablets available
- Snacks and beverages sold on board
- Pickup is available for extra charge
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Meet us at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office, for your upcoming tour. Please arrive 30 minutes early at the meeting point.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Old Harbour (Pass By)
Faxafloi Bay (Pass By)
Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre (Pass By)
Mount Esja (Pass By)
Old Harbour (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- NOTE: You should schedule to be at our departure point at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure.
- Please, check our DAILY DIARY before you come for the tour, all the important daily information of all our tours will be notified on our website.
- If you have a boat tour booked, please check your email before the tour as all important daily information will be notified via email.
- We recommend wearing good footwear and warm clothing. Don´t forget to bring your camera to take amazing photos!
- Kindly notify us if you require wheelchair access, as not all of our boats are equipped for accessibility.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 198 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Phil_P
What an amazing trip. The boat was extremely comfortable and the crew helpful and knowledgeable. The lady providing commentary could be heard loud and clear and kept everyone on board interested and informed. We were so lucky to have clear blue sky and calm conditions, which made the whale watching all the more enjoyable. The beautiful hump back whales that we saw feeding and floating on the surface were an incredible sight that none of us will forget. Superb excursion and highly recommended.
Reviews
4.4
based on 761 reviews
Carol_T, Mar 2026
A lot of people trying to see the whale. Staff was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of information about whales.
Leann_S, Mar 2026
Great experience! Everything went as planned, the guides were enthusiastic and funny. We were lucky to see whales and dolphins. Dress warm as it gets very windy if you are on the top upper decks. It was nice there is indoor seating if you want to warm up. Take something for sea sickness ahead of time.
Emma_M, Mar 2026
Cancelled 2 days in a row
Then once on board little commentary and we saw no whales at all
3 hours sailing and saw nothing
Alivia_B, Mar 2026
It was very very cold and extremely windy, so come dressed for that if you want to sit top deck in open air. The thrill of locating a whale was fun. We saw one, a humpback. The eaters were very rough so thank goodness they give Dramamine before the trip.
Taylor_Y, Mar 2026
Great crew!! Very friendly! They worked hard to make sure we saw a whale! I would go again for sure!
Liza_R, Feb 2026
Joe our guide was great fun and knowledgeable. We saw two humpback whales and some harbour porpoise.
Sarah_W, Feb 2026
Very well organized and they provided sea sickness medicine which helped a lot ! We were able to see whales on our first try but they allow rebooking if there is no sighting
Ruxandra_C, Feb 2026
We found the whales and the boat made circles around them so we could all see them, followed them for some time. There was much information about whales in particular but also about wildlife in Iceland.
With your ticket you will get a huge discount (50%, I think) in the museum Whales of Iceland which is near the harbour and really worth visiting.
Phil_P, Feb 2026
What an amazing trip. The boat was extremely comfortable and the crew helpful and knowledgeable. The lady providing commentary could be heard loud and clear and kept everyone on board interested and informed. We were so lucky to have clear blue sky and calm conditions, which made the whale watching all the more enjoyable. The beautiful hump back whales that we saw feeding and floating on the surface were an incredible sight that none of us will forget. Superb excursion and highly recommended.
Knia_T, Feb 2026
We saw two whales which the boat followed for a while and a seal. I think the tour would be better during their peak season. It was fun experience. A bit nerve-racking in the beginning as it took a while to see them.
Christopher_J, Jan 2026
Great experience, friendly staff. Calm weather they provide suits for if is particularly cold. Would do again.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re delighted to hear you had a great experience and felt well looked after by our team. It’s also wonderful to know the calm conditions and the thermal suits helped make your time on board comfortable.
We’d love to welcome you again in the future.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Lesley_C, Jan 2026
Excellent tour! The guide was wonderful and the boat ride was pretty smooth despite the rough weather.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your kind review. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and that the guide and onboard experience made it a great outing, even with challenging weather conditions.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Rachel_B, Jan 2026
Amazing tour!!! We seen 4 humpback whales in total, and even got to see the tail of banana. The weather was very smooth and our guide was very very approachable. I took a sea sickness tablet prior to the tour which worked wonders. The views were amazing too, just make sure to wrap up warm.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your fantastic feedback. We’re delighted to hear you had such a great tour, enjoyed the smooth conditions, beautiful views, and memorable wildlife sightings. It’s also lovely to know our guide helped make the experience so enjoyable. Thank you for the helpful tips as well!
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Bruce_L, Jan 2026
Unfortunately, virtually no whales were sighted on our cruise and the staff indicated that the seas were the roughest of the season so far
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. While nature is unpredictable, we understand how this may have impacted your experience and appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Kim_M, Jan 2026
Clean boat, guide was very informative. Enjoyed this a great deal! Would highly recommend this trip.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the trip and found the boat clean and the guide informative. It’s great to know that the experience met your expectations and that you would highly recommend it.
Your feedback means a lot to us, and we look forward to welcoming you aboard again for another memorable adventure.
Warm regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Deborah_D, Jan 2026
Went with my 2 daughters and 2 grandchildren and we enjoyed every minute of it. Excellent for all ages
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Dear Guest,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review! We are thrilled to hear that you and your family, including your two daughters and two grandchildren, enjoyed every minute of the whale watching tour. It’s fantastic to know that the experience was excellent for all ages — creating memories across generations is what we strive for.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back on board for another adventure soon!
Warm regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Abbie_R, Jan 2026
We seen Banana the Whale after 3 hours. Such a special experience and well worth it. Get it booked !!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had the chance to see Banana the Whale after three hours — what an incredible and memorable experience. It’s moments like these that make whale watching so special and worth every second.
We truly appreciate your recommendation to get it booked. Your enthusiasm means a lot to us, and we’re delighted that we could help create such a unique adventure for you.
Best regards
Reykjavík Sailors Team
Venia_P, Jan 2026
Amazing experience. We manage to see whales!! Exceptional landscapes! Whales were just there - swimming in the Atlantic
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you had such an amazing experience and were able to see whales up close. It’s always a special moment when these majestic creatures appear, and we’re delighted you enjoyed the breathtaking Atlantic landscapes as well.
Your feedback means a lot to us, and we’re so glad we could make your adventure memorable. We hope to welcome you aboard again soon for another unforgettable journey!
Best regards
Reykjavík Sailors Team
Patricia_C, Dec 2025
Excellent tour with great explanation and guide. It all depends on luck as you can’t predict when would the wild shows up but we were lucky🤩
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your lovely review. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the guiding and had a fortunate encounter during the tour. Nature can be unpredictable, so it’s always wonderful when everything comes together.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Houcin_A, Dec 2025
“Whale watching” feels like the wrong term here — it’s more like whale sneak peeking. You might see one or two whales, and only for a very short moment. The experience is highly unpredictable and far from what the name suggests. If you go, it’s best to manage expectations and see it as a boat trip with a small chance of spotting whales, rather than a true whale-watching experience.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. Whale encounters are always dependent on natural conditions, and we understand that this can shape how the experience feels for each guest. Your comments are appreciated and help us reflect on how we present and explain the tour experience.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Julia_V, Dec 2025
Great trip and very knowledgeable guide! Lucky to see the whales and have decent weather, would recommend
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your kind review. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the trip, the guiding, and the favourable conditions. We appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you on board again.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Dan_N, Dec 2025
Fantastic experience. Saw a pair of humpback whales for some time. Guide was informative with sound commentary throughout the tour.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hello,
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re very happy to hear you had such a great experience and enjoyed both the wildlife sightings and the informative commentary during the tour.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Jonathan_R, Dec 2025
Patrick was a fantastic guide, very informative, charismatic and personable. He really made the tour, along with the whales, dolphins and scenery!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hello,
Thank you for your kind words. We’re delighted to hear that Patrick made such a positive impression and helped elevate your experience on the tour. We’re also glad you enjoyed the incredible wildlife and scenery along the way.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Helen_F, Dec 2025
Wrap up warm, plenty of layers needed but excellent tour with two humpback whales showing off a number of times! Guide (Patrick) was very entertaining.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and had such great wildlife sightings. It’s also lovely to know that Patrick helped make the experience entertaining and memorable. We appreciate you joining us and hope to see you again on board.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Helen_B, Dec 2025
Amazing experience Whale watching! The guides were fantastic at finding the whales and explaining all about them. The boat was comfy with plenty of places to explore outside and plenty of seats inside. They even take photos of the whales which you can download afterwards.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted that you enjoyed the tour and that our crew’s efforts and explanations added to the experience. It’s great to hear you felt comfortable on board and appreciated the photo option afterward.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Mark_W, Dec 2025
I never do reviews but feel like I have to with this one.
Patrick was absolutely brilliant. Funny, in a self-depricating sarcastic manner that was equal measure of being highly knowledgeable and flippin' hilarious.
Made us forget about the cold (this trip is COLD!!) with his engaging wit and general positivity.
He knew more about whales than the average Joe, with enlightening facts like "did you know that whales are REALLY big?", whilst keeping the crowd waiting for the next surface.
Would thoroughly recommend. Time passed a little slowly until Mr and Mrs Humpback made an appearance, then it was a hoot.
Book it. It's expensive, but a great laugh, and (added bonus) you see real like actual whales doing real life actual whale things.
Brilliant.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review. We’re delighted to hear how much you enjoyed the tour and that Patrick’s humor, enthusiasm, and expertise added so much to your experience. It’s wonderful that his energy helped make the chilly day memorable and that the whale sightings made the trip truly special. We greatly appreciate your recommendation.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Giovanna_T, Dec 2025
Life changing experience. Watching the whales was an amazing experience, but even if we hadn’t seen them which can happen as nature is unpredictable, the staff made the experience very pleasant. Would definitely recommend this experience.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful review! Even when nature is unpredictable, we’re glad our staff helped make the trip enjoyable. We truly appreciate your recommendation.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Christine_E, Nov 2025
Lovely experience for the family.
Guide was very funny and made sure we saw whales.
Definitely an experience.
Warm clothes free of charge on board as well as drinks and snacks.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello there,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled that you had an unforgettable trip. Our team is dedicated to providing the best whale-watching experience, and it's gratifying to know their efforts made your adventure special. We look forward to welcoming you aboard again for another amazing journey.
With warm regards,
The Reykjavik Sailors Team
Sallyann_D, Nov 2025
What started as a bleak, rainy, windy day turned into a wonderful experience. There are complementary waterproof outfits you can use for this type of weather.
I wasn't expecting to see anything but we persevered and the sun came out then so did the minky whale and humpback whales.
Our guide was informative and kept us updated throughout. She also took pictures on her long lens camera which she uploaded onto the website for us as, try as we might, photos on mobile phones are a bit hit and miss.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience! It sounds like you had an incredible day out on the water — seeing humpbacks and minke whales leap from the ocean is something truly special.
We’re glad to hear the service and commentary from the guide added to the overall experience. Your recommendation means a lot to us!
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
Mridula_C, Nov 2025
We had such a fantastic time on the boat looking out for the whales. And we managed to see a few up close which was exhilarating! The crew on board were all so nice and lovely and we had a wonderful afternoon! It was also really nice to hear the commentary with regards to facts about the whales and we learned so much.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Hello,
Thanks for sharing your experience! Sounds like a fantastic day on the water with some great sightings — we’re glad the crew helped make it even better.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
From $97.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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