Whale Watching Tours
Go on an unforgettable adventure with awe-inspiring water creatures!
Adventure awaits you on Iceland’s whale watching tours! You’ll have the opportunity to sail the polar waters in search of fantastic beasts and take in the country’s beautiful scenery. Our partners provide tours all over Iceland—from Reykjavík, Húsavík, Akureyri, and Snæfellsnes Peninsula.
Whale watching in Iceland will familiarize you with many different whale species and allow you to see them in person. These tours also allow visitors to see dolphins, porpoises, orcas, and other water creatures. During the summer months, even puffins can make an appearance!
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The Best Whale Watching Locations in Iceland
The capital city of Reykjavík is the most convenient location for visitors interested in whale watching in Iceland. With pickup from Old Harbor in the downtown area, you’ll sail out to Faxaflói Bay. From there, you can spot minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and humpback whales. Reykjavík whale watching is available all year round, with an over 90% success rate of spotting the water mammals.
Húsavík whale watching is the most popular whale-spotting experience in Iceland. Twelve species of whales inhabit the waters of the nearby Skjalfandi Bay. This is thanks to good water circulation, a natural shelter, and minimal variation in tides in the area. It’s also why the location has a 98% success rate. The town also features a whale museum, which you can visit before or after your Húsavík whale watching tour!
If you want gorgeous scenery to enhance your whale watching experience, Akureyri is the place for you. The waters here are populated with humpback and minke whales swimming along magnificent Icelandic fjords. You’ll go on a whale watching tour aboard comfortable cruise ships. Much like other tours, Akureyri whale watching has a success rate of over 90%. Pair that with stunning scenery, and you get an unforgettable experience.
Last but not least, Snæfellsnes Peninsula is home to some of Iceland's best whale watching tours. Departing from the small, picturesque village of Ólafsvík, your tour will take you on an Icelandic fishing boat. The peninsula is inhabited by sperm whales, the world's largest-toothed predators. You’ll also have the chance to see orcas and pilot whales. You may even get to spot puffins!
The Best Whale Watching Locations in Iceland
The capital city of Reykjavík is the most convenient location for visitors interested in whale watching in Iceland. With pickup from Old Harbor in the downtown area, you’ll sail out to Faxaflói Bay. From there, you can spot minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and humpback whales. Reykjavík whale watching is available all year round, with an over 90% success rate of spotting the water mammals.
Húsavík whale watching is the most popular whale-spotting experience in Iceland. Twelve species of whales inhabit the waters of the nearby Skjalfandi Bay. This is thanks to good water circulation, a natural shelter, and minimal variation in tides in the area. It’s also why the location has a 98% success rate. The town also features a whale museum, which you can visit before or after your Húsavík whale watching tour!
If you want gorgeous scenery to enhance your whale watching experience, Akureyri is the place for you. The waters here are populated with humpback and minke whales swimming along magnificent Icelandic fjords. You’ll go on a whale watching tour aboard comfortable cruise ships. Much like other tours, Akureyri whale watching has a success rate of over 90%. Pair that with stunning scenery, and you get an unforgettable experience.
Last but not least, Snæfellsnes Peninsula is home to some of Iceland's best whale watching tours. Departing from the small, picturesque village of Ólafsvík, your tour will take you on an Icelandic fishing boat. The peninsula is inhabited by sperm whales, the world's largest-toothed predators. You’ll also have the chance to see orcas and pilot whales. You may even get to spot puffins!
What to Expect on a Whale Watching Tour
Iceland whale watching tours are led by skilled guides familiar with the local water fauna. They will introduce you to whales and share all the interesting facts you’ll want to know! Should you need help, the guides will also help you spot the whales. These tours are held on comfortable, spacious boats designed to provide the most pleasant experience for all passengers.
The number one priority for tour guides is safety for both passengers and whales. Every person is provided with necessary safety equipment, such as life jackets and floatable overalls. They also take care to ensure responsible sightseeing of the water mammals. Captains take the boats as close as possible to the whales, but they let them approach the vessels themselves. This is to avoid disturbing their daily routine.
Humpback Whales
Humpbacks are the most frequent show-stoppers on the tours. They can grow as big as 17 meters (55 feet) long and weigh up to 30 tonnes. These glorious creatures can also develop speeds up to 27 km/h (16 mph). Humpback whales are known to be lively acrobats! They will jump, roll over, slap, and splash in the water to wow the spectators.
%20breaching%20near%20Husavik%20City%20in%20Iceland..jpeg&w=3840&q=75 "Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) breaching near Husavik City in Iceland.")
Blue Whales
If you get lucky, you can spot the largest mammal on Earth in Iceland. Blue whales are the true kings of the deep sea. They can grow up to 31.7 meters (104 feet) long, weigh up to 173 tonnes, and live up to 90 years. These creatures can even reach a speed of 31 mph (50 km/h)! Most often, blue whales are seen in the north of Iceland.
Orcas / Killer Whales
Orcas are the world’s largest dolphin species and powerful predators who hunt other whales, seals, great white sharks, and other large prey. However, their hostility stops there, as they can be sociable and friendly with tourists. These toothed whales often swim up close to the boat, occasionally showing their acrobatic skills. Orcas can also grow up to 8 meters (26 feet) long and weigh up to 8 tonnes.
Minke Whales
Minke whales are one of the most frequently seen whale species in Iceland. They can grow to a length of up to 8.5 meters (28 feet) long and weigh up to 8 tonnes. They’re also agile creatures, reaching speeds up to 38 km/h (24 mph). When they get curious, minke whales like to swim up close to the boats and show off their charm and tricks.
White-Beaked Dolphins
Alongside many species of whales, you can spot white-beaked dolphins swimming in Icelandic waters. These water beauties can grow up to 3.1 meters (10.2 feet) in length and weigh up to 354 kilograms (780 pounds). They typically travel in groups of 5; therefore, you’ll never see just one. White-beaked dolphins are also known to “surf” the waves created by boats, so expect these creatures to show off!
Harbor Porpoises
At first glance, harbor porpoises can be mistaken for dolphins, but they’re quite different. They are some of the smallest cetaceans worldwide and the tiniest swimming in Iceland. Compared to dolphins, these creatures have much smaller mouths and heads. Adults can grow up to 1.9 meters (6.3 feet) in length. Males can weigh around 61 kg (134 lbs), while females can reach up to 76 kg (134 lbs).
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Tips for a Great Whale Watching Experience
There are some things to remember before you head out on your whale watching tour. It’s essential that you dress warmly. Iceland is a cold country, and strong winds are prevalent out on the water. Make sure to wear a warm jacket, sweater, pants, and boots. You should also bring a camera to capture your tour memories. You won’t get to see magnificent whales swimming right next to you every day!
Lastly, remember that patience is key. Weather and sea conditions dictate how much you will be able to see on your tour. Iceland’s whale sightings are not an exact science, but boat captains will do everything they can to ensure you see these majestic creatures. Each tour has an over 90% success rate, and Iceland’s waters are populated with many different species of water mammals.
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