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Reykjavík Premium Whale Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Sailing / Boat Tour
  • Whalewatching
  • Wildlife

Reykjavík Premium Whale Watching

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Encounter Iceland’s whales and puffins on this personal, small group tour with a specially trained wildlife naturalist and a certified RIB boat captain!

Tour type
Day Tour / Activity
Duration
2 hours
Difficulty
Moderate
Pickup service
No
Booking in advance
2 days
Availability
September, October
Minimum age
10 years

The experience

About this tour

Experience the thrill of our original RIB boat whale watching tour, designed for small groups with a maximum of 12 passengers per boat. Departing daily from the Old Harbour in Reykjavík, this premium adventure runs from April through October. With a specially trained crew and a certified RIB captain, you’ll be in expert hands as you explore the seas and search for wildlife.

Our custom-engineered RIB boats allow you to get closer and faster to the whales and puffins than larger vessels, enhancing your chances of witnessing these incredible animals up close. The stability and safety of these boats also allow us to cover a larger area, further increasing the likelihood of sightings. As you journey back to Reykjavík, enjoy a unique view of the city’s coastline, including landmarks such as the Sun Voyager sculpture and the stunning Harpa Concert Hall.

  • Eco Friendly
  • Family Friendly
  • Group Friendly
  • Couples
  • Outdoor

Itinerary

How it runs

3 stops

  1. 01

    Check-in and Boarding

    Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavík

    Please make your own way to our ticket office at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík at least 30 minutes prior to departure to check in and sign the required safety waiver. You will be provided with warm overalls, goggles and necessary safety equipment before we board our custom made 12 seater RIB boat, in front of our office. Our expert guide and captain will give a safety briefing and ensure you’re comfortably seated in our high-quality suspension seats before we head out into the bay.

  2. 02

    Whales, Dolphins & Puffins

    Faxaflói bay, 101 Reykjavik

    On this small group tour, with no more than 12 passengers, the potential sightings include various species of whales, dolphins, and seabirds. Our specially designed RIB boats are engineered to get you closer and faster to the wildlife and allow us to cover a wider area, significantly increasing your chances of spotting whales, dolphins, and diverse birdlife.

    *Your journey begins with a ride to one of three islands near the harbour, where you will get a chance to observe breeding puffins (*from late April until mid-August). Afterward, we venture further out into the open sea in search of whales and dolphins. The most common species seen on our tours are minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. The thrill of seeing these majestic creatures up close from our RIB boats is truly a unique experience!

  3. 03

    Return to the Old Harbour

    Ægisgarður 5d, 101 Reykjavík

    After exploring the sea and its wonderful inhabitants, we start sailing back towards Reykjavík. The return journey includes a ride along the city shoreline, offering unique views of Reykjavík’s iconic Hallgrímskirkja church, Sun Voyager sculpture and the incredible Harpa Concert Hall. Arrive back at the Old Harbour approximately 2 hours after departure.

What the price covers

Included
2 Hr. Expertly Narrated Whale Whale Watching Tour On A Rib Boat.Small Group - Only 12 Passengers With Expert Naturalist & Captain.
High Quality Suspension Seats For Extra Safety And Comfort.Puffins Are Also Seen On This Tour (from Late April Until Mid-august).
Reykjavík Sightseeing With Panoramic Views Of Sun Voyager & Harpa Concert Hall.Whale Guarantee! Or Try Again On The Classic Whale Watching Tour For Free!
We Supply Warm Overalls, Goggles And All Necessary Safety Equipment.
Not included
Pick Up / Drop Off (not Available For This Tour)Refreshments (not Available For This Tour)
Ticket types
  • Adults (16+)
  • Youth (10 - 15)

Where it starts

Meeting
Meet on location
Pickup
No
Location code
Reykjavík (REY, IS)

Good to know

  • Make Your Own Way To The Old Harbour For Check-in At Least 30 Minutes Before The Scheduled Departure. the Tour Lasts 2 Hours From Start To Finish And Requires A Minimum Of 4 Passengers For The Tour To Proceed. If The Minimum Is Not Met, You Will Have The Option To Reschedule Or Receive A Full Refund.
  • For Safety Reasons, Participants Must Be At Least 145 Cm Tall, Weigh Less Than 140 Kg And Able To Stand Comfortably In Our Saddle-like Seats. The Tour May Not Be Suitable During Pregnancy And Is Not Recommended For Those With A History Of Back Or Knee Injuries. Please Consult With Your Doctor Prior To Booking This Tour. keep In Mind That You Are Required To Sign A Safety Waiver Prior To Departure, Confirming That You Are Physically Fit.
  • We Abide By A Code Of Conduct For Responsible Whale Watching, Thus Each Encounter Is On The Animals' Terms And Distance May Be Kept To Minimise Disturbance. In The Event That No Whales Or Dolphins Are Seen, We Do Not Issue Refunds, But You Will Be Offered A Complimentary Ticket Valid On Our Classic Whale Watching Tour, For 2 Years.

Your ticket

Thank you for booking your tour with Elding Adventure at Sea!

Meet us at our ticket office, located at Ægisgarður 5c at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík, where you will receive your boarding ticket(s). Be sure to arrive no later than 30 minutes before scheduled departure, for check-in and boarding. If you arrive later than 10 minutes prior to departure, we cannot guarantee that you can join the tour. If you are arriving by car, please note that there is no parking allowed at the harbour. See here for more information.

Please be informed that the tour has a height limit of 145 cm and weight limit of 140 kg. Additionally, participants need to sign a waiver to confirm that they are physically fit for departure. Note that it may not be advisable to join this tour during pregnancy or for individuals with a history of back or knee injuries.

While we will provide protective overalls to wear during the tour, we always recommend dressing according to weather (thermal layers, sturdy shoes, hat, gloves etc.) to stay warm throughout the journey.

Keep in mind that this is a wildlife excursion, and while our sighting success is high, we cannot guarantee sightings of any kind. The puffin season typically spans from May to mid-August, although sightings may occasionally occur outside of this period. Be aware that if we do not encounter any whales or dolphins during the tour, you will be offered a complimentary return ticket valid on our Classic Whale Watching tour from Reykjavík or Akureyri, allowing you to try again another day, free of charge.

The weather in Iceland is unpredictable and therefore we urge you to dress accordingly and plan ahead. In case of unfavourable conditions, the itinerary may be altered or the tour could get cancelled on short notice. You will be notified of any changes as soon as possible, but we advise that you have a look at our website for updates.  Keep in mind that this tour requires a minimum of 2 passengers to operate. In the event of your tour being cancelled, you will be offered the option to rebook, reschedule or receive a full refund.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need further information regarding your booking.

Elding is an environmentally conscious tour operator, dedicated to sustainability and conservation. Please help us in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint by displaying this voucher on your device, rather than printing it out!

Type
Day Tour / Activity
Season
September, October
Requests confirmed within
2 days
Details updated
28 Aug 2026