Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik
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 768 reviews
Emma_F, Apr 2026
Amazing once in a lifetime experience. We were so lucky to see all the species on offer, even some puffins. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and clearly very passionate about whales. She was very good at spotting and pointing out every whale. And on the journey back she gave a presentation about the different whale species, their anatomy and how we can help to prevent whaling. I had a bad bout of sea sickness while aboard and another staff member supplied me with ginger sweets which helped massively. Overall a very fun experience that I shall not forget.
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful and detailed feedback. We’re delighted to hear you had such a memorable experience and were able to see a wide variety of wildlife. It’s great to know the guiding made a strong impression and added depth to the trip.
We’re also glad our crew could assist when needed and help make your time on board more comfortable. Your kind words mean a lot to us.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
SAMPINA_A, Apr 2026
It was a very unique experience, but to be honest it was really exhausting. To many hours in the cold weather, if you want to be outside and sightseeing.
The beautiful whales were shy, and we didn't see them a lot, but it's ok.
And actually we were wondering if it's good for the whales to watching them.
As experience it was a good chance to see the Reykjavik sea, the beautiful birds and the horizon.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback. We’re glad you found the experience unique and enjoyed the scenery along the way. We understand that spending extended time outdoors can be challenging in colder conditions, and we always aim to provide indoor comfort options when needed.
Regarding wildlife, sightings can vary as we observe animals in their natural habitat, and we follow strict guidelines to ensure minimal disturbance and respectful viewing at all times.
We appreciate your perspective and thank you for joining us.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Jessica_W, Apr 2026
We had THE BEST experience - we saw so many whales, dolphins and puffins. One humpback whale we saw was breaching continuously for at least half an hour. We had a great guide, plenty of time to find and observe the whales and we would thoroughly recommend.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your amazing review. We’re thrilled to hear you had such an unforgettable experience with so many sightings and such active wildlife — truly special moments out on the water.
It’s also wonderful to know the guiding and time spent observing made the trip even more enjoyable. We really appreciate the recommendation.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Danielle_G, Apr 2026
A great experience and we were so lucky to see a pod of whales.
Everything was well organised and the guide was very passionate and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear you had such a great experience and were lucky with your sightings. It’s also wonderful to know everything felt well organised and that the guiding made a positive impression.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
janet_M, Apr 2026
Fantastic experience. The guide was very knowledgeable and very humorous. We learnt a lot and saw the whales, dolphins and puffins close up. Really incredible experience not to be missed.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We’re delighted to hear you had such an enjoyable and informative experience, and that you were able to see a variety of wildlife up close.
We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you on board again.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
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.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re pleased to hear you enjoyed the informative guiding and learned more about the whales during the tour.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
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.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your great feedback. We’re delighted to hear everything ran smoothly and that the guiding made the experience both fun and engaging. It’s wonderful you were able to spot multiple species during the tour.
We also appreciate your helpful tips for future guests and are glad the onboard comfort added to your experience.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
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
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear about your experience, especially after multiple cancellations and limited sightings during the tour. Unfortunately, weather conditions are beyond our control, and for safety reasons we must always prioritise the well-being of our passengers and crew.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
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.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the excitement of spotting a whale, even in challenging conditions. Icelandic weather can be quite unpredictable, so we always recommend dressing warmly, especially for the open deck. It’s also good to know the seasickness tablets helped make the journey more comfortable.
We appreciate you joining us.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Taylor_Y, Mar 2026
Great crew!! Very friendly! They worked hard to make sure we saw a whale! I would go again for sure!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your kind words. We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the effort our crew put into making your experience a great one.
We’d love to welcome you on board again in the future.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Liza_R, Feb 2026
Joe our guide was great fun and knowledgeable. We saw two humpback whales and some harbour porpoise.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your kind review. We’re happy to hear Joe made the tour both fun and informative, and that you enjoyed some great wildlife sightings along the way.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
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
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for your kind feedback. We’re glad to hear everything felt well organised and that the seasickness support made your trip more comfortable. It’s also great that you had successful sightings on your first tour.
We appreciate you joining us and hope to see you again.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
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.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the whale sightings and that our approach allowed everyone on board to have a great view. It’s wonderful to know that the information shared about whales and Icelandic wildlife added to your experience.
We’re also glad you mentioned the ticket discount for the Whales of Iceland museum—it’s a fantastic place to visit and a great complement to a whale watching tour. Thank you for your kind feedback, and we hope to welcome you aboard again in the future!
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
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.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you very much for such a wonderful and detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the comfort of the boat, the knowledge and helpfulness of our crew, and the onboard commentary. Having clear skies and calm seas truly makes the experience extra special, and we’re delighted that you were rewarded with unforgettable sightings of humpback whales feeding and resting at the surface. Your kind recommendation means a great deal to us, and we hope to welcome you aboard again for another memorable adventure.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
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.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hello,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us.
We’re delighted to hear that you were able to see two whales and a seal—that’s always a special moment. We understand that the wait at the beginning can feel a bit nerve‑racking, especially outside of peak season, and we truly appreciate your patience. Whale watching can vary with timing and conditions, but we’re glad to know you still found the experience fun overall.
Thank you again for joining us, and we hope to welcome you back during peak season for an even richer experience.
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
From $97.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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