From Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour

Whales turn a Reykjavik morning into a waiting game. I like the heated cabin and flotation overalls, which make Iceland’s cold sea air far easier to handle, and I like that the crew offers a free second trip if no whales appear. The main drawback is simple: wildlife is never guaranteed, and rough water can make the ride uncomfortable.

This 3.5-hour cruise from Geirsgata 11 heads through Kollafjörður and into Faxaflói Bay, where minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds may appear. Guides such as Patrick and Lukas have been praised for lively explanations, but you should still allow time for patient searching rather than expecting nonstop animal action.

Key points to know before sailing

• Humpback whales are the main prize: Sightings have included several humpbacks, sometimes close to the boat and sometimes watched for 20 to 40 minutes.
• You get real cold-weather support: Flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets are included.
• Faxaflói offers more than whales: Dolphins, minke whales, seals, puffins, seabirds, mountains, and Snaefellsjökull Glacier may all be part of the view.
• The no-sighting policy adds value: If the crew finds no wildlife, you receive a complimentary ticket for another tour.
• This is a large boat experience: You get shelter and room to move indoors, but the best rail positions can become crowded when a whale surfaces.
• Arrive early: The meeting point is the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, and you should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

Setting out from Geirsgata 11

Your outing begins at the harbor-side Special Tours ticket office on Geirsgata 11. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. That gives you time to check in, collect any needed information, and get ready before boarding instead of rushing onto the boat at the last moment.

The harbor is a convenient starting point if you are staying in central Reykjavik. Pickup is not included, though it can be arranged for an extra charge. If you make your own way there, check your walking time carefully and leave room for weather delays.

This is a three to three-and-a-half-hour outing, with about two hours set aside for whale and dolphin watching in Faxaflói Bay. The remaining time covers the departure, the ride toward the wildlife area, and the return to Reykjavik.

Kollafjörður gives the trip a gentle start

The boat first moves toward Kollafjörður, a quieter coastal stretch with an island and a busy bird population. This opening section helps you settle into the rhythm of the cruise before the main search begins.

Do not treat this part as dead time. The island and seabirds give your guide something to point out, and the coast begins to show the wider setting of the tour. You may want to stay outside if the weather is clear, but the cold can be sharp even when the harbor felt mild.

Kollafjörður also offers a useful reminder about this activity: whale watching is not a ride straight to a guaranteed show. You are moving through a living marine area, watching for clues such as bird activity, splashes, and blows on the horizon.

Faxaflói Bay is the main wildlife search

The boat then heads into Faxaflói Bay, the central part of the experience. The crew searches for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and other marine life. Seals and puffins have also appeared on some outings, along with a wide range of seabirds.

Humpback whales are the sightings most often described as memorable. You might see a back roll through the water, a blow, a tail, or a whale surfacing several times in the same area. A few outings have produced three humpbacks, while others have included one whale watched for a long stretch.

The boat crew works with the guide and captain to locate activity. Guides may ask everyone to watch for signs in different directions, which makes the whole group useful. A boat full of pairs of eyes has a better chance of spotting a distant blow than one guide working alone.

The captain may reposition the boat to improve the view, but this is still open-ocean wildlife watching. Some days produce several whales and dolphins. Other days bring only a distant sighting, a minke whale, or no confirmed whale at all.

That uncertainty is part of the bargain. The company does not pretend to control the animals, and the free return ticket gives you a practical backup if the bay is quiet. It also means you may want to book this early in your Reykjavik stay if seeing whales is a major goal. A second attempt is only useful if you still have time available.

The mountain views are part of the reward

Faxaflói is not only about what swims below the surface. The bay opens toward a broad ring of mountains, giving you a memorable setting while you scan the water.

On clear days, Snaefellsjökull Glacier may be visible among the distant peaks. The glacier is not guaranteed, since visibility depends on weather, but its appearance adds a strong sense of place to the cruise.

Rain, wind, mist, or low cloud can change the view quickly. Even when the mountains disappear, the trip still offers a different look at Iceland than you get from the road. The coast, islands, seabirds, and open Atlantic create a quiet contrast with Reykjavik’s streets.

The boat balances shelter and outdoor viewing

The included flotation overalls are one of the most useful features. They help block wind and keep you warmer while you stand outside, especially during the long search period. You should still wear weather-appropriate clothing underneath, with layers that you can adjust.

The boat has heated indoor cabins, toilets, and WiFi. That matters more than it may sound. If the wind rises or rain sets in, you can warm up indoors rather than spending the whole trip exposed on deck.

Hot drinks and snacks are available to buy onboard. Some outings have also offered hot waffles, which can be welcome on a cold day, but food and drinks are not included in the price. Bringing patience is just as important as bringing a camera.

The boat is large enough to provide an indoor retreat, but that also affects the viewing experience. When a whale appears, many people naturally move toward the best rail position. One person found the crowding made it harder to see, especially when people pushed toward the front or the side with the clearest view.

My advice is to move around when you can and not assume one viewing spot will remain best. The guide should direct attention to the animal’s position, while the boat may turn to give different sides a chance.

Guides make the waiting worthwhile

The guide’s role is much bigger than announcing a whale. You spend a good part of the trip searching, so clear commentary can make the quiet stretches feel useful rather than empty.

Guides named Patrick and Lukas have received especially warm praise for combining facts with humor. Patrick was also noted for taking photographs during the trip, allowing you to concentrate on the water rather than keeping your camera raised at every moment.

The commentary covers whales, birds, and the Icelandic coast. Some guides have used whale bones as part of their explanations, giving you a clearer idea of the animals’ scale and anatomy. A good guide also helps you understand why the crew is watching certain birds or water movements.

The style will depend on who leads your departure. You can expect English-language guiding, with time for questions and a lively presentation rather than a silent cruise.

Weather and seasickness deserve serious thought

The sea can be choppy, even when the weather in Reykjavik looks manageable. Several people have found the ride cold or uncomfortable, and one person became seasick despite enjoying the wildlife.

Seasickness tablets are available, and the indoor cabin gives you a place to sit away from the wind. If you already know that boats affect you, take the warning seriously and ask about the tablets before departure.

The flotation overalls help with cold but do not remove the need for layers. Wear practical outdoor clothing and shoes suitable for a wet deck. Rain can arrive quickly, and the trip may feel much colder once the boat leaves the harbor.

A useful tactic is to avoid treating the whole cruise like a deck-only activity. Go outside when the guide calls a sighting, then return indoors when the weather becomes unpleasant. You do not need to prove anything by staying exposed for three hours.

What happens when whales do not appear

A whale-watching tour cannot promise a sighting. On some trips, the crew has found humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, seals, and puffins. On others, poor visibility or quiet water has left people without a confirmed whale.

The important safeguard is the complimentary second ticket when no sightings occur. This does not guarantee success on the next trip, but it changes the value calculation. If your schedule allows another outing, you have a genuine second chance rather than simply absorbing the loss.

The crew may also stay out longer when animals are found late in the trip. One outing continued for about 40 extra minutes so people could spend more time with the whales. That extra time is not something you should assume on every departure, but it shows that the crew may avoid cutting the wildlife portion short when conditions are promising.

For the best odds of using the return option, schedule the cruise early enough in your visit. Booking it on your final afternoon leaves no room to try again.

Price and value at $103

At $103 per person, this is not a cheap harbor ride. You are paying for a boat, crew, guide, flotation overalls, heated indoor areas, toilets, WiFi, and a structured search across Faxaflói Bay.

The strongest value comes from the backup policy. A free second trip matters because the main risk is not poor service. It is nature refusing to cooperate. The policy gives you more protection than a tour that simply ends after a quiet three hours.

The price also makes sense for people who want comfort. A smaller boat might feel more exposed and offer less indoor room. This experience gives you a warm place to retreat, which is useful in Iceland’s wind and rain.

The tradeoff is that a larger boat can feel busy around a sighting, and you may not get the close, personal feeling associated with a small vessel. One earlier departure was praised for being faster and more personal, while another large-boat outing was appreciated for its comfortable cabin and weather protection.

I would consider the price fair if seeing whales is high on your list and you value the backup ticket. It is less compelling if you are mainly seeking a short scenic cruise or if your schedule leaves no time for a second attempt.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits families, first-time whale watchers, and anyone who wants shelter from Icelandic weather. Children can move between the outdoor viewing areas and the warm cabin, and WiFi may help during the quieter parts of the ride.

It also suits people who want more than one target. If whales remain hidden, dolphins, seabirds, seals, coastal views, and mountains can still give the trip purpose.

You should think twice if you dislike open-water motion, have very limited time in Reykjavik, or need a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The crew works hard, but nobody can order a humpback whale to surface on schedule.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the practical arrangements for your specific departure when booking. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

A few practical ways to improve your day

• Arrive at Geirsgata 11 30 minutes early.
• Wear layers under the provided flotation overalls.
• Bring weather-appropriate clothing even if Reykjavik looks calm.
• Ask for seasickness tablets before sailing if you are prone to motion sickness.
• Keep your schedule flexible in case the boat stays out longer around wildlife.
• Book early in your stay if you want time for a complimentary return trip.
• Move between the cabin and deck rather than staying outside in poor weather.
• Watch for birds and distant blows instead of focusing only on dramatic breaches.
• Do not rely on onboard snacks being included. They are available to purchase.

Should you book the Reykjavik whale-watching tour?

I would book this tour if you want a well-supported attempt at seeing whales without spending the entire outing exposed to Icelandic weather. The warm cabin, flotation overalls, lively guiding, and free second trip make it a sensible choice for families and first-time whale watchers.

I would skip it only if your schedule is too tight for a possible repeat outing or if rough water is likely to ruin the day for you. Go with realistic expectations, dress properly, and treat the mountains, birds, dolphins, and open bay as part of the experience, not just a consolation prize. At $103, the tour offers good value when you want comfort, solid wildlife-search time, and a fair safety net if the sea stays quiet.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

The meeting point is the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 3.5 hours, with approximately two hours spent watching for whales and dolphins in Faxaflói Bay.

Which animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, seals, puffins, and other seabirds and marine life.

Is a whale sighting guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but you receive a complimentary ticket for a second tour if no sightings occur.

What happens if the weather is cold?

Flotation overalls are provided, and the boat has heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities. You should also bring weather-appropriate clothing.

Are seasickness tablets available?

Yes. Seasickness tablets are included as an available onboard support.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and drinks can be purchased onboard.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.