Reykjavik: Icelandic Horse Riding & Whale Watching Day Trip

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.

Step-by-step itinerary

Horse riding and whale watching tour

• 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.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (12 to 15 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “If you would like the optional hotel pick-up for an additional fee, Íshestar will pick you up starting at 8:45. If you are self-driving we kindly ask that you arrive to the stables no later than 9:30.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

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.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (12 to 15 years). Under 12: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

What's included in the tour?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, professional guides on both the riding and boat portions, helmet and warm gear for the ride, warm coveralls for the boat, hot drinks after the horse ride, onboard Wi-Fi, and a complimentary return ticket if no whales are spotted.

How long is the horse riding part?

Around 2.5 hours in the saddle, plus time for a safety briefing and photos along the trail.

What's the minimum age to ride?

Seven years old. Children 14 and older need written parental permission to ride alone.

Is there a weight limit for riding?

Yes, the maximum weight is 110 kg (240 lbs).

How long does the whale watching boat stay out?

The boat reaches the feeding grounds in Faxaflói Bay in 20 to 30 minutes and spends time there looking for whales and dolphins before returning to the harbour.

What if we don't see any whales?

You receive a complimentary ticket to try again on the next available day.

Is lunch included?

No. You have free time at Reykjavik Old Harbour to buy lunch on your own before boarding the boat.

Can I do just the horse riding or just the whale watching?

This tour combines both experiences in one day. They are not sold separately on this itinerary.

What should I wear?

Dress in layers. The tour provides a helmet, rubber boots, rainwear, and warm clothing for the ride, plus warm coveralls for the boat. The tour operates in all weather.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes, the tour is suitable for all riding abilities. Your guide will brief you on safety and the horses are accustomed to riders of varying experience.