Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik
Overview
Two ways to see Faxaflói Bay: a leisurely 3.5-hour cruise or a 2.5-hour high-speed RIB — same whales, different ride. Both depart from Reykjavík's Old Harbour, where your guide kits you out in warm overalls and sets the scene before you leave the dock.
Out on the bay, you're scanning for minke and humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises — with up to 90% sighting success. Your guide narrates every encounter live, mixing marine biology with the kind of old sea stories that only make sense when you're actually out there. Camera out from the moment you clear the harbour mouth.
If the cold gets to you, the heated indoor lounge has coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. If the whales don't show — unlikely, but it happens — your next trip is complimentary.
What's Included
- Free onboard Wi-Fi
- Heated indoor lounge with hot drinks available on board
- Complimentary seasickness tablets on request
- Whale sightings guarantee — up to 90% success rate; no whales spotted? Free try again ticket.
- Warm, floatable thermal overalls — adult and children's sizes provided
- Food and drinks (available to purchase on board)
- Hotel transfers (available as a paid add-on at checkout)
Meeting Location
Geirsgata 11
101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Choose from a leisurely 3.5-hour cruise or an express 2.5-hour high-speed boat version, and then make your own way to Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, where you’ll board your luxurious, whale-watching boat.
Find a comfortable spot on deck and pull on a pair of provided coveralls to keep you warm. Remember to also bring a hat, scarf and gloves with you to keep you extra toasty. Then, listen as your guide explains what species of marine life you can expect to see, and hear interesting facts and old sea stories about these magnificent mammals.
As your boat slips away from the harbor, scan the water for porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales and humpbacks whales. Make sure you have your camera ready — with up to 90% whale-spotting success, this Faxaflói Bay cruise provides a fantastic chance to see whales. In the unlikely event that you don’t spot a whale, you will receive a complimentary ticket for another boat ride.
If you feel cold during your cruise, warm yourself up inside the cozy viewing area, where coffee, tea, hot chocolate and light refreshments (own expense) are available.
After 2.5 or 3.5 hours, your experience ends with a drop-off back at your hotel (if booked directly with the supplier)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- German guidance available on Classic tours from May 1st - September 30th.
- Operates in a variety of weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- If cancelled due to unsuitable sailing conditions, you will be give the option of an alternative date or a full refund.
- Wheelchair accessible for the 3 - 3.5 hours trip
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 190 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Q: Do we get to swim with or touch the dolphins?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-5477WHALE
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.26 out of 5 stars based on 644 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (10)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
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As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat.
Dec 2022If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (GMT).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Free onboard Wi-Fi.
- Heated indoor lounge with hot drinks available on board.
- Complimentary seasickness tablets on request.
- Whale sightings guarantee — up to 90% success rate; no whales spotted? Free try again ticket.
- Warm, floatable thermal overalls — adult and children's sizes provided.
- Food and drinks (available to purchase on board).
- Hotel transfers (available as a paid add-on at checkout).
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Free onboard Wi-Fi
- Heated indoor lounge with hot drinks available on board
- Complimentary seasickness tablets on request
- Whale sightings guarantee — up to 90% success rate; no whales spotted? Free try again ticket.
- Warm, floatable thermal overalls — adult and children's sizes provided
- Food and drinks (available to purchase on board)
- Hotel transfers (available as a paid add-on at checkout)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- German guidance available on Classic tours from May 1st - September 30th.
- Operates in a variety of weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- If cancelled due to unsuitable sailing conditions, you will be give the option of an alternative date or a full refund.
- Hotel pick up: Available to book directly with supplier (extra fees apply).
- Wheelchair accessible for the 3 - 3.5 hours trip
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 190 travelers
