One of the fastest ways to chase whales from Reykjavik.

This trip focuses on getting you to the right patch of Atlantic water in a short window, with guided eyes trained on minke whales, humpback whales, and dolphins. You also get Iceland’s coastal drama on the way, from bird-heavy coves like Kollafjöður to the wide-open Faxaflói Bay, with mountains and even Snaefellsjökull showing up on clear days.

I particularly like two things. First, the tour includes practical warmth: heated indoor cabins, flotation overalls, WiFi, and onboard seasickness tablets. Second, the guides actively work the hunt, using spotting skills (often helped by bird activity) and adjusting where the boat heads so you’re not just sitting and hoping.

The main drawback is also the honest one: whale watching is never guaranteed. If conditions are rough or sightings are slow that day, you may need to rely on the tour’s second-trip option when no sightings happen.

Quick Highlights Worth Your Time

• Faxaflói Bay time focused on dolphin and whale watching (about 2 hours on the water in the main area)
• Flotation overalls + heated cabins so cold wind on deck doesn’t ruin the experience
• Guides who stay sharp about where whales show up, not just generic narration
• Iceland views along the coast, including a clear-day shot at Snaefellsjökull
• A helpful backup: a complimentary second tour if you have no sightings
• Shared-boat reality at certain times, due to environmental limits (still aiming for fewer boats on the water)

Meeting at Geirsgata 11 and Why Timing Matters

Your trip starts in Reykjavik at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office. Plan to arrive about 30 minutes early. That buffer matters because it gives you time to get sorted, grab overalls if you want them, and get comfortable before you head out into the wind.

This is a half-day experience with a tight schedule, so you’ll feel the rhythm quickly: check in, a short guided welcome, and then off to sea. If you show up late, you’ll spend your first part of the tour rushing and freezing, instead of just settling in.

You’ll also appreciate that the whole setup is built for the real weather. The boat has heated indoor space and you can choose where you want to be—top deck for spotting, or inside when the sea gets choppy.

The Short Reykjavik Intro: What the 30 Minutes Sets Up

Before you get out of the harbor, there’s a guided portion lasting about 30 minutes. This is not just small talk. It’s the part where you learn what to look for and how the guides think about finding wildlife.

That matters because whale watching can feel confusing at first. Sea spouts are obvious only after you know what signals to watch for. The guides teach you how to scan for movement and how bird behavior can hint at what’s happening below the surface. Once you get that mental checklist, the whole cruise becomes more than waiting.

This is also when you’ll get your best practical cue: the cold is coming, whether the day looks calm from shore or not. You’ll be glad you’re prepared early.

Kollafjöður: The Calm Cove That Builds Anticipation

After you sail out of Reykjavik, the boat heads toward Kollafjöður. This is a quieter stop—more “look around” than “hunt hard.” It’s known for birds and a scenic coastal setting, plus there’s an island that adds character to the view.

What I like about this early segment is the way it resets your expectations. You’re not thrown straight into rough open-water scanning. Instead, you get a gentle entry: sea air, bird life, coastline views, and that feeling of being out near nature right away.

Even if your first whale sightings aren’t instant (which can happen), the early calm gives you something rewarding to look at while the crew positions you for the busier Faxaflói Bay search later.

Faxaflói Bay: Your Two-Hour Window for Dolphins and Whales

The main action takes place at Faxaflói Bay, where you’ll spend about 2 hours on dolphin and whale watching. This is the heart of the trip: open water, good spotting opportunities, and the kind of Atlantic setting where whales are possible.

You’re specifically looking for minke whales and humpback whales, plus dolphins. The guides will keep scanning and repositioning based on what they spot. If the sea state changes, they’ll adjust too, because visibility and comfort both affect how long you can stay focused on searching.

One important expectation: your viewing style is “from the boat,” not “swim with whales.” Several passengers in the experience report seeing whales from a close viewing position at moments, but you should still plan for a boat-based perspective. When whales surface, you’ll get a real show, but it’s still a wildlife encounter where you follow their timing.

And yes, you may also see other wildlife and birds along the way. People have reported everything from puffins to seals on different days. The bigger point: this area is alive even when the whales are quiet.

How the Guides Increase Your Chances (Names You Might Hear)

Whale watching isn’t just nature luck. The crew’s job is to stack odds. In the best moments, guides guide your eyes and help the captain choose routes when sightings are uncertain.

I love that the operation is very practical about it. Instead of passive watching, the team tends to do active searching—looking for signs, watching for surfacing behavior, and steering to the best area when whales are spotted. Some guides in this style include people like Lukas, and Patrick/Patrik (different spelling shows up depending on who’s leading that day). You’ll often hear a mix of facts and humor, with lots of attention on what’s happening right now around you.

You’ll also benefit from something simple: being ready to look where the guide points. You don’t need special gear beyond layers and a willingness to scan. The whole experience works better when you treat spotting like a team activity rather than a spectator sport.

What to Watch for: Signs That Whales Are Near

Your best tool on a whale tour is awareness. On days when whales show up, it can be fast—one moment you’re scanning a wide ocean, and then a spout or splash pattern gives the game away.

Here’s what you should keep an eye out for:

• Bird activity: flocks circling or feeding behavior can be a clue
• Water movement: quick changes on the surface can hint at something below
• Spouts and surfacing timing: once you see one sign, keep watching nearby
• Other passengers’ “eyes on” signals: in many sightings, the boat community helps spot faster

The guides help you read these signs, but you’ll get more out of the trip if you lean in yourself. Keep your face on the horizon for a few minutes at a time instead of staring at one spot. That small habit helps.

Deck vs. Indoor Cabins: Staying Comfortable Without Missing the Moment

This is one of those tours where comfort directly affects your wildlife success. If you’re too cold, you’ll retreat inside and miss the good stuff. Luckily, the boat is set up for your comfort.

Included features that make a difference:

• Heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities
• WiFi on board (nice for updates when the weather is lousy)
• Flotation overalls to keep wind off and warmth in
• Seasickness tablets provided

Several passengers mention that overalls really help, especially when the wind picks up. I also like the design logic here: you can go inside to warm up, then come back out to the deck when the crew calls movement.

When the sea is choppy, you’ll want to dress for motion as much as cold. Layers beat one bulky coat because you can adjust as you move from deck to cabin.

The Views: Mountain Rings and Snaefellsjökull on Clear Days

Even when wildlife is slow, the scenery can keep the trip feeling worth it.

As you cruise toward the main area, you’ll get a mountain ring on the horizon. It’s a distinctive Iceland look—horizon walls that make the water feel extra dramatic.

And on clear days, people can see Snaefellsjökull Glacier from among the peaks. It’s one of those rewards that makes the whole boat journey feel more like an Iceland nature outing than just a wildlife checkbox.

This matters for real decision-making: you’re paying for a short trip. If the whales are shy, the scenery and bird life still give you something to hold onto.

Seasickness, Cold, and What to Bring

You don’t need special technical gear, but you do need the right clothes. The tour asks you to bring weather-appropriate clothing, and that’s not a throwaway line.

My practical advice:

• Wear warm layers and keep a hat handy
• Bring gloves and something that covers your ears
• Use waterproof outerwear if you have it
• Expect wind on deck even on days that look mild from shore

Even with seasickness tablets offered, you should take motion seriously. Several people report that choppy water can still hit, so if you know you’re sensitive, plan to take the medication as advised and don’t wait until you feel sick.

Price and Value: Is $103 Worth a 3.5-Hour Hunt?

At about $103 per person for roughly 3.5 hours, you’re paying for two things: access and time on a wildlife-rich stretch of water.

What you’re getting that helps justify the price:

• Overalls and warm indoor space, so you’re not buying comfort elsewhere
• Guides who work the spotting and keep you oriented
• WiFi and onboard facilities
• A complimentary second tour ticket if there are no sightings

That last part is a big value lever. Whale watching can fail on a given day, and it’s the nature of it. The second-tour option changes the math from gamble into “still get your money’s worth if conditions don’t cooperate.”

What you don’t get included: snacks and drinks. You can buy them onboard. Hot drinks can be a nice comfort move when the deck feels like an icebox.

Environmental Limits: Why Sometimes You Share the Boat

There’s a note worth paying attention to: in certain times of year, trips may run on a shared boat with another activity partner due to environmental reasons, with the provider trying to keep fewer boats on the water.

In practice, this usually means you might share space with more people during busy periods. More bodies can mean tighter sightlines on deck, especially during the moments when a whale surfaces.

This is not a deal-breaker, but it’s part of the reality of doing whale watching in Iceland during peak seasons. If you want the most relaxed feel, aim for a time of year when you’re less likely to pack the water with boats.

Group Comfort and Deck Crowding: Manage Expectations

Even on a small-to-mid-size vessel, you’re going to share viewing space. Some passengers note that it can get crowded around the best viewing areas when whales surface.

So here’s how to handle it without stress:

• Pick a spotting spot early, then be flexible
• Move with the crew’s guidance rather than chasing the biggest crowd
• If the sea is rough, spend more time indoors so you can enjoy the whole ride, not just the first sighting

If you keep your balance and your expectations realistic, the crowd factor becomes part of the fun rather than an annoyance.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This whale watching trip from Reykjavik works well for:

• First-timers who want a short, guided outing with comfort built in
• Families who need warm cabins and an easy schedule (about half a day)
• Couples wanting a nature-focused activity close to town
• Wildlife lovers who don’t mind that sightings can be unpredictable

If you’re someone who hates cold or motion, plan to use the overalls and indoor cabin strategy. If you hate uncertainty, whale watching isn’t your thing anywhere on earth. But if you can handle the “hunt” part, this tour gives you strong odds plus real comfort.

Also: pets aren’t allowed, and smoking isn’t allowed on board. So keep the focus on people, wildlife, and staying warm.

Should You Book This Whale Watching Tour?

If your goal is to see whales and dolphins without committing to a full-day expedition, I think this is a solid choice. The biggest reasons are the practical inclusions—overalls, heated cabins, seasickness help—and the fairness factor of the second-tour ticket when there are no sightings.

Book it if:

• You’re flexible about wildlife timing
• You want a guided search rather than wandering on your own
• You’d enjoy a half-day adventure with strong Iceland scenery

Skip it (or change your plan) if:

• You expect guaranteed whale sightings
• You’re unwilling to dress for wind and water motion
• You’re sensitive to being on a boat without strong comfort support

In Iceland, the sea can be moody. This tour is designed so that even when whales don’t cooperate instantly, you still get a worthwhile outing.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching tour?

The tour lasts about 3.5 hours, including time for travel and guided parts.

Where is the meeting point in Reykjavik?

The meeting point is at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office.

Should I arrive early?

Yes. You should arrive about 30 minutes early.

What animals can you see on this tour?

The tour searches for minke whales, humpback whales, and dolphins, and you may also see other wildlife and birds.

Is there a guide on board?

Yes. There is a live tour guide, and the tour is offered in English.

Are warm clothes or gear provided?

You can use flotation overalls, which are included, plus there are heated indoor cabins onboard.

Is there WiFi and indoor space to wait out the weather?

Yes. WiFi on board is included, and there are heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities.

What about seasickness?

Seasickness tablets are provided, and you can use the warm indoor space if conditions get uncomfortable.

Are snacks and drinks included?

Snacks and drinks are not included, but you can purchase them on board.

What happens if you don’t see any whales or dolphins?

If there are no sightings, the tour includes a complimentary ticket for a second tour.

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