Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

Seeing red-hot lava poured into a showroom is the unusual heart of this Reykjavik combo. The 50-minute Lava Show explains Icelandic eruptions, then lets you watch molten rock being moved and shaped from a safe distance. The whale trip adds three hours on Faxaflói Bay, with minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, and rare killer whales on the watch list.

I like the practical boat setup, especially the heated indoor cabins, warm flotation overalls, toilets, WiFi, and free repeat ticket if no whales appear. I also like the pairing: one activity explains Iceland beneath your feet, while the other shows you life in the waters around the capital.

The main catch is easy to miss: these are separate activities in different parts of Reykjavik. You must arrange your own transport between them, and if the whale trip is canceled, the Lava Show ticket remains valid only on the booked date and cannot be refunded.

Key points to know before booking

• Real molten lava in Reykjavik: The Lava Show brings red-hot lava into the room and demonstrates how it behaves.
• Three hours in Faxaflói Bay: Watch for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and, rarely, killer whales.
• Two possible schedules: Choose whale watching at 9:00 with lava at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 with lava at 18:00.
• Separate locations: Whale watching begins at Geirsgata 11, while the Lava Show is at Fiskislóð 73.
• Useful boat comforts: Warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, a bar, and complimentary seasickness tablets are provided.
• No whale sighting means another chance: You receive a free ticket to join the whale watch again if the boat sees nothing.

Why this Reykjavik pairing works

I like this combo because it covers two very different parts of Iceland without sending you far from the capital. The whale trip takes you out onto Faxaflói Bay, where mountains, islands, and seabirds form the setting. The Lava Show brings Iceland’s volcanic force indoors, giving you a close look at molten rock without a long drive to an active volcanic area.

The activities also balance each other well. Whale watching depends on nature and luck. The lava presentation gives you a guaranteed central event, with a clear story and a dramatic physical demonstration. That makes the package more dependable than a whale tour alone.

At $154 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to do both activities anyway. You are paying for roughly 4.5 hours of scheduled experiences, guides, equipment, and boat facilities. It is less attractive if you prefer to keep your day loose, since the two fixed start times and the transfer between venues require careful planning.

The most important point is that this is not one continuous tour with a bus moving you from the harbour to the show. You check in for whale watching at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, then make your own way to Fiskislóð 73 for the lava presentation. Leave enough time for that transfer and for finding the second venue.

Sailing from Geirsgata 11 into Faxaflói Bay

The day starts at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office in central Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That is not the time to aim for a last-minute arrival, since the boat leaves from the Old Harbour area and boarding takes time.

The whale-watching portion lasts about three hours. The crew searches Faxaflói Bay for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and the occasional killer whale. The last is a rare sighting, so treat it as a bonus rather than a realistic promise.

The bay gives you more than a wildlife search. You also get views toward the mountains and islands around Reykjavik, along with bird life on and above the water. In poor weather, the scenery may be harder to appreciate, but the enclosed cabin gives you somewhere warm to watch from between trips outside.

This is a proper search for wild animals, not a staged display. You might see several species, or you might see very little. The free return ticket helps soften that risk, though it only has value if you have another day available in Reykjavik.

Staying warm when the Icelandic weather shifts

The boat’s equipment matters more than it may sound. Warm flotation overalls are included, and heated indoor cabins provide shelter when wind or spray makes the outside deck uncomfortable. Toilets and free WiFi are also available, while food and drinks can be bought onboard.

You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing. The overalls are an extra layer, not a replacement for warm clothes, and you will want sensible footwear and protection from wind. The crew also offers complimentary seasickness tablets, a useful touch for anyone unsure about spending three hours on open water.

You can choose how much time to spend outside. The deck offers the best chance for clear views, while the cabin is the sensible place to warm up. Since wildlife can appear with little warning, keep your attention on the water rather than assuming the best sightings will happen at one particular point.

At certain times of year, the operator may share a boat with another activity partner for environmental reasons. The stated aim is to keep fewer boats on the water. That can mean the vessel arrangement is not always identical, but the reason is practical: less traffic on the bay.

The one-hour gap requires your attention

The published schedules are straightforward:

• Whale watching at 9:00, followed by the Lava Show at 14:00
• Whale watching at 13:00, followed by the Lava Show at 18:00

The schedule leaves time between the activities, but that gap is not a guided transfer. You are responsible for getting from the harbour area to Fiskislóð 73. One person who booked the combo found this separation unclear, so plan for it before you arrive.

The pause can work in your favor. You have time to eat, warm up, and get across town instead of rushing straight from a boat into a theatre. Food and drinks are available onboard, but you should not count on the boat as your only meal plan during the gap.

The afternoon whale departure paired with the evening show may suit you best if you prefer a slower morning. The early whale departure and 14:00 lava show leave the evening free. Check the available schedule for your date, since the start times offered can vary.

Entering the Lava Show at Fiskislóð 73

The Lava Show lasts 50 minutes and begins with a welcome from the host. A short educational film explains Icelandic volcanism, with attention to major eruptions in Iceland’s past and volcanic risks around the capital area.

That introduction gives the demonstration useful context. You are not simply watching a bright stream of molten rock. You learn why Iceland has so much volcanic activity and why the ground beneath Reykjavik matters to the city’s safety.

Then the lava enters the showroom. The host handles it and demonstrates how the material moves, cools, and reacts. The presentation is designed to be entertaining as well as educational, with the unusual sight of red-hot lava being played with in a controlled setting.

This is the part that makes the show valuable for a short Reykjavik visit. You can see genuine molten lava close up without planning a full-day trip, waiting for an eruption, or hiking across volcanic terrain. The setting is safe and controlled, but the material itself is the real thing.

The show is short. One visitor found it very good but brief, and that is a fair way to think about it. If you want a long geology lecture, 50 minutes may feel limited. If you want a sharp, memorable look at Iceland’s volcanic character, the length works well.

What makes the teaching worth your time

The whale boat gives you a chance to learn about marine life while searching for it. The Lava Show gives you models, film, explanation, and a live demonstration. Together, they help you understand Iceland as more than a collection of dramatic views.

The show’s man-made whale models are also part of the educational side of the outing. You can learn about different species and see their scale up close before or alongside the water-based search. That context helps you distinguish the animals you are looking for, even when a real sighting is brief.

The two guides serve different purposes. On the boat, the crew explains the species and conditions as the search unfolds. At the lava venue, the host controls the pace and demonstration. Guide Joe received specific praise for his work, so if he is leading your departure, you can expect a guide who has made a strong impression on past participants.

The English-language format keeps things simple for most international visitors. The tour includes experienced professional guides, but transport between locations and food are not part of the package.

Who gets the best value from the $154 price

I would consider this a good buy if you have a half-day available and want two major Iceland themes in one booking. Families, first-time visitors, and anyone staying in Reykjavik without a car can all get something useful from it.

The combo is especially good for you if:

• You want a whale search but also need a guaranteed activity in the same booking.
• You like nature with explanation, not just sightseeing.
• You prefer a short volcanic presentation to a full day spent reaching a volcano.
• You value warm indoor facilities and a boat with toilets.
• You can handle a fixed schedule and arrange your own city transport.

I would hesitate if your budget is tight or if you already have a separate whale trip and a volcanic excursion planned. Paying $154 for repeated themes may not make sense. I would also think twice if a missed whale sighting would ruin your day, since wildlife cannot be guaranteed even with a return ticket.

The no-sighting policy is helpful, but read it realistically. It gives you a free chance to join again, not a guarantee that whales will appear on the second outing. A flexible Reykjavik schedule makes that benefit much more useful.

Small details that improve the day

Arrive at Geirsgata 11 at least 30 minutes before your boat departure. Bring warm, weather-ready clothing even though flotation overalls and heated cabins are supplied.

Do not assume the combo includes hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, or a transport bus between activities. It does not. You also need to budget separately for food and drinks, although purchases are available onboard.

Smoking and pets are not permitted. English is the tour language. If you are prone to seasickness, use the complimentary tablets offered onboard and choose the indoor cabin when needed.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. The special cancellation rule is the one to remember: if whale watching is canceled, the Lava Show ticket remains valid only for the original date and is non-refundable.

Should you book this Reykjavik tour?

Book it if you want one wildlife outing and one volcanic demonstration without leaving Reykjavik, and you are comfortable managing the transfer between two venues. The Lava Show is the more certain part of the day, while the whale trip supplies the excitement and the possibility of a memorable sighting.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the real molten lava, the well-equipped boat, and the free return ticket if the search produces no whales. The main weakness is the split arrangement. Check the two addresses, allow time to move between them, and choose the schedule that fits your day.

For a first visit to Iceland, this is a sensible pairing. You get the sea, the birds, the possibility of whales, and a clear look at the fire beneath Iceland’s surface. Just remember that the ocean controls its own schedule, and you control the transfer.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

It starts at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Where is the Lava Show held?

The Lava Show is held at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101, Iceland. It is a separate venue from the whale-watching departure point.

How long is the whale-watching trip?

The whale-watching portion lasts about three hours. The full combo takes about 4.5 hours, including the scheduled break and Lava Show.

What animals might I see?

The crew searches for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and killer whales. Killer whale sightings are rare, and no wildlife sighting is guaranteed.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching tour again in case of no sightings. The return option is most useful if you have another suitable day or time in your Reykjavik schedule.

Is transport between the whale tour and Lava Show included?

No. The activities take place at different locations in Reykjavik, and you must arrange your own transport between them. Food and drinks are also not included, though they can be purchased onboard.