Whale Watching from Árskógssandur: Traditional Oak Boat

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/8

Duration2h 30m

GroupUp to 65

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sail a traditional oak boat to spot humpbacks in Eyjafjörður

You’ll step onto a traditional oak boat in Árskógssandur for whale watching across Eyjafjörður’s calm waters with a local guide. Expect close-up moments with humpbacks, warm overalls against the chill, simple refreshments onboard, and discounts for soaking at the Beer Spa or grabbing lunch nearby. It’s quietly memorable—especially when all you hear is a whale surfacing beside you.

2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching and relaxation in Árskógssandur

Board traditional Icelandic oak boat
Sail and explore Eyjafjörður seas
Observe whales and seabirds
Visit Beer Spa in Árskógssandur
Relax in outdoor tub
Dine at seaside-view restaurant

The Experience

I’ll admit it — I almost missed the boat (literally) because I couldn’t figure out which dock was “the” dock in Árskógssandur. The crew just waved me over with a grin, no judgment, and helped me into this sturdy old oak boat that smelled faintly of salt and wood oil. There were only a handful of us, bundled up like marshmallows in the warm overalls they handed out. Our guide, Halla, had this way of pointing things out quietly — not the megaphone type at all. I liked that.

The water in Eyjafjörður was glassy, except for the little ripples from our wake and the odd seabird skimming past. We waited maybe twenty minutes before someone spotted a humpback’s back arching out of nowhere. Halla just nodded like she’d been expecting it all along. The whale exhaled — you could actually hear it, like a soft whoosh above everything else — and then it disappeared again. I didn’t expect to feel so small out there, but in a good way. There was coffee passed around (not fancy, but warm), and someone shared dried fish — honestly not my thing but apparently very Icelandic.

Afterwards, we got these discount cards for the Beer Spa and Kaldi Brewery nearby. I wasn’t sure about soaking in beer at first (is that weird?), but after an hour on chilly water it sounded pretty great. The spa itself is right by the sea; you can sit outside in a tub while your hair steams in the wind. I tried to order something at Ströndin Bistro using my best attempt at Icelandic — the waitress laughed kindly and switched to English before I could embarrass myself further.

I still think about that moment when everything went quiet except for the sound of the whale breathing and a bit of wind on my face. If you’re looking for polished or flashy, this isn’t it — but if you want to feel like you’re part of Eyjafjörður for an afternoon (with some bonus beer perks), well… maybe don’t miss your boat.

What’s included

Your day includes sailing on a traditional Icelandic oak boat from Árskógssandur with professional local guides, warm overalls to keep out the chill, light refreshments onboard (think hot drinks and snacks), plus discount cards for Ströndin Bistro meals, Kaldi Brewery beers, and entry to the seaside Beer Spa—so you can unwind after spotting whales across Eyjafjörður’s waters.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessiblePets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by North Sailing

Is this one for you?Built for travelers who want to see whales without the speed and noise of a RIB—the oak boat's quiet pace is what lets you watch humpbacks up close and linger on the water.