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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Faxaflói Bay & Minke Whales

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/16

Duration3h

GroupUp to 198

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

You board at Old Harbour and sail straight into Faxaflói Bay to hunt whales

You board a heated boat at Reykjavik's Old Harbour and sail into Faxaflói Bay for 2.5 to 3.5 hours hunting Minke and Humpback whales, dolphins and porpoises. The boat has indoor cabins, a bar, and flotation overalls included; if no whales show, you get a free return ticket. You see Mount Esja and Harpa on the way out and back, and the tour ends where it started.

Step-by-step itinerary

Board whale watching boat at Old Harbour
Sail into Faxaflói Bay
Enjoy panoramic city and mountain views
Learn about marine wildlife from crew
View Harpa concert hall from boat
Admire Mount Esja and Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Return to Old Harbour
Warm up with overalls and hot drink

The Experience

You show up at Reykjavik's Old Harbour thirty minutes before departure, and the crew hands you a pair of thick, heated flotation overalls. The boat leaves the dock and turns toward Faxaflói Bay, where Minke whales, Humpback whales, dolphins and harbour porpoises move through the water. The tour runs 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on sightings and conditions. Mount Esja rises behind the city as you pull away, and on clear days you can see the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in the distance.

The boat itself is built for this — snug indoor cabins with heating, a bar, and toilet facilities mean you're not standing on deck in the cold the whole time. The crew shares what they know about Iceland's marine life as you move through the bay. If the sea gets rough, complimentary seasickness tablets are available. You'll pass Harpa, the glass concert hall, on the way back in; its shimmering façade catches the light off the water and photographs well if you brought a camera.

One thing that matters: if you don't see whales, you get a free ticket to join again. It's not a guarantee, but it takes the sting out of a quiet day. The tour wraps back at Old Harbour, and you warm up with a hot drink on board before heading back into the city. Wear good footwear and layers — the wind off the bay is real, and the overalls help but aren't a substitute for dressing for the cold.

What’s included

Heated flotation overalls.
heated indoor cabin with toilet facilities.
complimentary seasickness tablets.
experienced guide.
free WiFi on board.
hot drink on return.
free return ticket if no whales are sighted.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Reykjavik Sailors

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see whales from Reykjavik without arranging your own boat or spending the day uncertain about timing — the fixed schedule and included gear mean you show up warm and ready, and the free re-ride if sightings are poor removes the gamble.