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Reykjavik: Icelandic Horse Riding & Whale Watching Day Trip

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Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/15

Duration5h 30m

GroupUp to 5

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Ride Icelandic horses, then hunt whales in the same afternoon

You ride Icelandic horses through moorland and lava fields for 2.5 hours, return for hot drinks, then board a high-speed boat to hunt whales in Faxaflói Bay. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; lunch is on your own. If no whales appear, you get a free return ticket.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Pickup from Reykjavik hotel
Travel to stables outside city
Learn about Icelandic horses
Safety briefing and helmet on
Horse ride through moors and lava
Stop for photos of landscape
Return to stables after ride
Transfer to Reykjavik Old Harbour
Free time for lunch
Board high-speed whale watching boat
Put on coveralls and settle on deck
Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay
Enjoy onboard refreshments
Return to harbor and hotel drop-off

The Experience

What if you could spend your morning on the back of a horse bred for this exact terrain, and your afternoon scanning the ocean for whales? That's the shape of this day trip from Reykjavik — two separate tours, one pickup, one long and genuinely full day. The horse riding part comes first. A driver collects you from your hotel and takes you to the stables just outside the city, where you'll meet your guide and get fitted for a helmet, rubber boots, and warm gear. The Icelandic horses here are small, sturdy animals descended from stock brought over in the 10th century, and they move with a gait called a tölt — basically a four-beat rhythm that feels smoother than a regular trot even on rough ground.

You'll ride for around 2.5 hours through moorland and lava fields, stopping to photograph the landscape and listen to your guide point out the terrain. The route winds through remote country, and the horses know the trails. After you're back at the stables, there's a break for coffee, tea, or hot chocolate before the second part begins. A transfer takes you to Reykjavik Old Harbour, where you have free time to grab lunch on your own (the tour doesn't include a meal here, so budget for that). Then you board a high-speed boat designed for whale watching — fast enough to reach the feeding grounds in Faxaflói Bay in about 20 to 30 minutes. You'll pull on warm coveralls and either stay on deck with your camera or head inside to the heated cabin. The four species you're most likely to see are minke whales, humpback whales, harbour porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. The boat has onboard Wi-Fi and a café if you want coffee or snacks during the return journey.

One thing that matters: wildlife sightings aren't guaranteed, but if you don't spot anything, you get a complimentary ticket to try again on another day. The whole experience takes roughly 6 to 7 hours from pickup to drop-off, and you'll need to be comfortable in the saddle for 2.5 hours and on a moving boat for another couple. The tour operates in all weather, so dress in layers and bring a camera you don't mind getting salt spray on.

What’s included

Hotel pickup and drop-off.
professional guide on both the horse riding and whale watching portions.
riding helmet, rubber boots, rainwear and warm clothing for the horse tour.
hot drinks after the ride.
warm coveralls for the boat.
onboard Wi-Fi during the whale watching cruise.
access to the onboard café.
and a complimentary return ticket if no whales or dolphins are sighted.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Special Tours Iceland

Is this one for you?Book this if you want two distinct Icelandic experiences in one day without arranging separate transport, guides, or timing — the fixed itinerary handles the logistics and the free return ticket removes the sting if the whales don't show on your first try.