Whale Watching Tours in Iceland
Compare whale watching tours by the place that fits your Iceland route. Start with Reykjavík for a convenient city departure, continue to Akureyri for an easy Eyjafjörður experience, or choose Húsavík and other North Iceland harbours for dramatic bay and fjord scenery.
Why book from this page? The selection brings together distinct, currently bookable classic cruises, RIB adventures, yacht sailings and wildlife combinations without repeating the same tour.
Whale watching tour quick guide
- Best for a Reykjavík stay: Choose from classic, RIB and yacht departures, or combine whale watching with puffins, sea angling or the Whales of Iceland museum.
- Best for an Akureyri stay: Compare a classic cruise, a faster express option and a tour with transfer in mountain-framed Eyjafjörður.
- Best for Húsavík and North Iceland: Sail from Húsavík, Hauganes, Árskógssandur or Dalvík, with classic, quieter and RIB experiences available.
- Best for two wildlife highlights: Choose a seasonal whale-and-puffin tour from Reykjavík or Húsavík.
Whale watching from Reykjavík
Reykjavík offers the broadest choice without leaving the capital. Pick a spacious classic cruise, a faster RIB, a yacht experience or a combination that adds puffins, sea angling or the Whales of Iceland museum.
Sail from Reykjavík into wildlife-rich Faxaflói Bay and watch for whales, dolphins and seabirds beneath a spectacular panorama o...
Race into Faxaflói Bay on a nimble RIB built for just 12 guests, combining an exhilarating ride with close wildlife encounters, ...
Sail from Reykjavík Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay and search for whales, dolphins and seabirds amid the capital coastline, Faxafló...
Meet Reykjavík’s most charismatic summer wildlife on two unforgettable cruises, pairing a close puffin-island encounter with a wha...
Meet Iceland’s whales from two unforgettable angles: search for living wildlife across Faxaflói Bay, then stand beneath 23 life-...
Pair the excitement of spotting whales with the satisfaction of catching your own fish on a flexible Reykjavík sea adventure, co...
- Reykjavík Classic Whale Watching is the straightforward traditional cruise for a city-based itinerary.
- Reykjavík Premium RIB Whale Watching suits travellers who prefer a faster, smaller-boat experience and meet its participant requirements.
- Reykjavík Whale Watching Yacht Cruise offers a different vessel style from the capital.
- Whales and Puffins from Reykjavík combines two seasonal wildlife experiences.
- Whale Watching and Whales of Iceland Museum adds an indoor whale-focused visit to the day.
- Whale Watching and Sea Angling from Reykjavík pairs the wildlife search with time for fishing.
Whale watching from Akureyri
Akureyri makes whale watching easy to add to a North Iceland stay. These three options let you compare a classic cruise, a faster express outing and a departure with transfer while keeping Eyjafjörður at the centre of the experience.
Sail into magnificent Eyjafjörður from the heart of Akureyri and search for humpback whales among towering mountains, peaceful f...
Speed into the calm waters of Eyjafjörður on an intimate RIB safari, bringing you close to humpback whale country and the soarin...
Set out from Akureyri and search Eyjafjörður from Hauganes for whales, dolphins and seabirds, surrounded by a beautiful coastal ...
- Akureyri Classic Whale Watching is the traditional cruise option from the town.
- Akureyri Express Whale Watching in Eyjafjörður offers a shorter, faster format.
- Whale Watching from Akureyri with Transfer includes the transport arrangement shown on its booking page.
Húsavík and North Iceland whale watching
North Iceland gives you several genuinely different harbours and seascapes. Choose Húsavík for Skjálfandi Bay, or sail into Eyjafjörður from Hauganes, Árskógssandur or Dalvík beneath steep northern mountains.
Set out from Húsavík harbour and search Skjálfandi Bay for whales, dolphins and seabirds, surrounded by a vast mountain-framed b...
Sail from Húsavík harbour into Skjálfandi Bay and search for whales, dolphins and seabirds amid snow-capped mountains, open northe...
Set out from Húsavík harbour and search Skjálfandi Bay for whales, dolphins and seabirds, surrounded by towering North Iceland mou...
Sail from Hauganes on a traditional Icelandic oak boat for a 2.5-hour whale-watching cruise in Eyjafjordur, with a local guide, wa...
Set out from Árskógssandur and search Eyjafjörður for whales, dolphins and seabirds, surrounded by high northern mountains, quie...
Sail from Dalvík harbour into Eyjafjörður and search for whales, dolphins and seabirds amid the spectacular Tröllaskagi mountain...
- Húsavík Original Whale Watching is a classic introduction to Skjálfandi Bay.
- Húsavík Silent Carbon-Neutral Whale Watching pairs the wildlife search with a quieter sailing concept.
- Húsavík RIB Whale Safari and Puffins is the seasonal small-boat choice for travellers interested in both whales and seabirds.
- Hauganes 100% Whale Watching departs from a traditional fishing village on Eyjafjörður.
- Eyjafjörður Whale Watching from Árskógssandur starts from the fjord’s western shore.
- Classic Whale Watching from Dalvík adds another North Iceland harbour to the comparison.
How to choose your Iceland whale watching tour
Begin with where the tour fits into your itinerary, then decide how you want to experience the water.
- Choose Reykjavík for the widest variety within a capital-based day.
- Choose Akureyri for an easy departure into Eyjafjörður from North Iceland’s main town.
- Choose Húsavík when Skjálfandi Bay and the town’s whale-watching identity are central to your plans.
- Choose Hauganes, Árskógssandur or Dalvík for smaller-harbour departures and sweeping Eyjafjörður scenery.
- Choose a classic vessel when deck space and a traditional cruise format are priorities.
- Choose a RIB when you prefer a faster ride and meet the tour’s participant requirements.
- Choose a combination when puffins, sea angling or a museum visit are also important to you.
When to go whale watching
Several classic departures run across a broad season, while RIB, puffin and other combination tours often have narrower schedules. Summer brings the widest selection on this page. Always use the live calendar on the individual tour page as the final availability check for your date.
Wildlife and scenery
Depending on location, season and conditions, a cruise may encounter whales, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds. The animals move freely, so sightings and routes vary. Each departure area also adds its own setting, from Reykjavík and Faxaflói Bay to Skjálfandi Bay and the long mountain corridor of Eyjafjörður.
Good to know before booking
- Check the exact departure point: Reykjavík, Akureyri, Húsavík, Hauganes, Árskógssandur and Dalvík are separate starting locations.
- Dress for the sea: Bring warm layers, windproof outerwear, a hat, gloves and footwear with good grip.
- Compare participant rules: Classic cruises, yachts and RIB tours can have different age and suitability requirements.
- Use the live calendar: Seasonal dates, departure times and remaining places are shown on each tour page.
- Allow for conditions: Operators may adjust the route, timing or departure when weather or sea conditions require it.
Whale Watching Tours FAQ
Choose Reykjavík when you are staying in the capital, Akureyri for an easy town-based Eyjafjörður departure, Húsavík for Skjálfandi Bay, or Hauganes, Árskógssandur and Dalvík for smaller North Iceland harbours.
The Reykjavík selection includes a classic cruise, premium RIB, yacht sailing and combinations with puffins, sea angling or the Whales of Iceland museum.
Akureyri places you directly beside Eyjafjörður and offers classic, express and transfer-based choices. It is especially convenient when the town is already part of your North Iceland itinerary.
Húsavík tours explore Skjálfandi Bay, while Hauganes, Árskógssandur and Dalvík offer different gateways into mountain-framed Eyjafjörður. The region combines established wildlife cruises with striking northern scenery.
Choose a classic vessel or yacht for a traditional cruise with more room to move around. Choose a RIB for a faster, smaller-boat adventure. RIB tours have specific participant requirements, so review the exact tour before booking.
Puffin combinations are seasonal. Compare Whales and Puffins from Reykjavík with the Húsavík RIB Whale Safari and Puffins, then use the live calendar for dates available during your trip.
Wear warm layers with windproof outerwear, a hat, gloves and secure footwear. It can feel colder on the water than on shore. Check the selected tour’s inclusions to see whether warm overalls or other equipment are provided.
Classic cruises are a useful first comparison for families because they follow a traditional boat format. Faster RIB tours have stricter tour-specific participant requirements. Compare the age choices, duration and current conditions on the exact tour page before deciding.