Icelandic Horse Riding and Whale Watching Cruise from Reykjavík

The appeal here is the sharp change of pace: a quiet ride through old lava fields in the morning, followed by a wide-open search for whales on Faxaflói Bay. You get two classic Iceland experiences in one long day, with transport help, safety gear, and warm clothing included.

I like the gentle introduction for new riders and the chance for confident riders to use faster gaits. I also like Elding’s sensible wildlife policy: if no whales appear, you receive a complimentary boat ticket for another ride. The main drawback is simple: wildlife follows its own schedule, and poor weather or the wrong season can leave you with few sightings.

Key points to know before booking

• The horse ride takes place near Hveragerði, among hardened lava fields, heathland, and open countryside.
• First-time riders are welcome, with basic instruction and horses matched to your experience.
• Experienced riders have more freedom, including the possibility of faster riding on a different route.
• The whale cruise lasts three hours, with possible sightings of minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises.
• The full day costs $280 per person, a fair deal if you want both activities and would otherwise book them separately.
• The horse-riding weight limit is 240 pounds, or 110 kilograms, and the minimum age is 12.

Two Iceland classics in one eight-hour day

This is a smart choice if your time in Reykjavík is limited and you want more than city sights. The day links a countryside horse ride with a marine wildlife cruise, two activities that feel very different but fit well together.

The horse portion is based at Hótel Eldhestar near Hveragerði, a town known for hot springs. You ride for about 1.5 hours, sometimes listed as up to two hours when the full stop is counted. Later, you join Elding Whale Watching at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour for a three-hour cruise.

The advertised start time is 9 a.m. The end point is the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5c, and the day can bring you back to Reykjavík around early evening. One useful detail: hotel pickup may involve walking to a nearby bus stop, so check your voucher rather than assuming the vehicle will pull up outside your hotel.

The group is limited to a maximum of 20 people. That matters here. Horse riding needs individual attention, and a smaller group makes it easier for the guides to help with mounting, confidence, and horse control.

Riding an Icelandic horse near Hveragerði

The morning ride is not a polished ranch experience. It is a chance to see Iceland from the back of a small, sturdy native horse, crossing hardened lava fields, heathland, and fields near Hveragerði.

Icelandic horses are famous for being compact and hardy. This makes them a practical match for the rough volcanic ground, but do not mistake their size for sluggishness. One rider found that the horses could move quickly enough for a cold breeze to sting the face, so a face covering is a useful addition in chilly weather.

You receive basic instruction before setting out. That is enough for many first-time riders, based on the way the ride is organized, and horses are matched to your experience. You do not need to arrive as an accomplished rider. At the same time, the outing is not limited to walking. More experienced riders may be offered a different route and the chance to use faster gaits, including a gallop when conditions and ability allow.

That range is one of the tour’s best features. A nervous beginner can remain at a comfortable pace, while an experienced rider need not feel trapped in a slow procession. No one is forced to gallop, which is especially important if you are older, cautious, or simply want to enjoy the views without proving anything.

The guides also pay attention to conditions. In wet weather, they can advise you which paths and rivers to avoid. That is more than a minor comfort in Iceland, where rain can change the footing and turn an ordinary trail into a slick one.

You receive the necessary safety equipment and warm clothing for the riding section. The provided overalls are particularly useful in steady rain. Still, wear warm layers underneath and bring gloves if you have them. Icelandic weather can make a 1.5-hour ride feel much longer when your hands, neck, or face are exposed.

There is time for photographs, and snacks are available after the ride. Do not count on this as lunch. The tour does not include a full meal, so pack something substantial if you tend to get hungry during a long day.

What makes the horse ride special

I like this part because it gives you a direct connection to Iceland’s volcanic countryside. You are not simply looking out a bus window at lava fields. You are moving through them slowly, with the sound and rhythm of the horse beneath you.

The scenery is surreal without needing a dramatic viewpoint or a long hike. Heathland and open fields spread around the dark volcanic ground, and the small Icelandic horse feels suited to the setting. It is a more personal way to see South Iceland than a quick roadside stop.

The ride also works well for mixed-age groups. The minimum age is 12, and the experience can suit a family group with different levels of riding ability. One particularly useful point for older riders is that no one has to take the faster option.

There are limits. You must weigh less than 240 pounds, or 110 kilograms, to take part in the horse riding. If you are close to that limit, confirm the requirement before booking. Also, this is an outdoor activity, not a guaranteed dry one. The clothing helps, but rain can still affect comfort and the feel of the ride.

From lava fields to Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

After the riding portion, the day shifts from inland countryside to the waterfront. The whale-watching section departs from Elding’s ticket office at Ægisgarður 5c in the Old Harbour district.

Look for the red color at the pier, and arrive early enough to check in and board. The precise transfer arrangement between Hveragerði and Reykjavík is important to confirm on your voucher, especially if you are managing your own schedule.

The boat trip lasts about three hours and heads into Faxaflói Bay or farther out when conditions and wildlife call for it. You have free WiFi onboard, warm clothing, and access to a wildlife exhibition. Light refreshments can be purchased on the boat, but lunch is not included.

I appreciate that the boat is described as a comfortable size for watching whales. A smaller boat can feel close to the water, but larger vessels often give you more room to move around and change viewing positions. The most useful place to be will depend on the weather and the crew’s instructions, so listen for updates rather than settling in one spot for the whole trip.

Whales are possible, not promised

The likely targets include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises. You could see several species, a single whale, or nothing at all. That uncertainty is not a flaw in the crew’s effort. It is the nature of whale watching.

Some outings have produced repeated views of a humpback surfacing nearby, with enough time to see it five or six times and take photographs. Other days have brought humpback and minke whales in good numbers. On less fortunate trips, the only sightings have been one whale and one dolphin, or no wildlife at all.

Weather can make the difference. One outing began well before deteriorating conditions limited the search, although the crew continued providing information and keeping the atmosphere pleasant. Rough or wet weather can also make photography difficult, so bring a waterproof phone case or protect your camera carefully.

Timing matters too. One disappointed rider learned during the trip that the season was not ideal for whale watching. The supplied information does not name specific best months, so I would not book this solely for a guaranteed whale sighting. If whales are the main purpose of your Iceland trip, check current seasonal conditions with the operator before paying.

The non-sighting policy helps soften the risk. If the boat does not find whales, you receive a complimentary ticket for another boat ride. That is useful only if you have enough time left in Reykjavík, so the policy has more value for a flexible schedule than for someone flying out the next morning.

The onboard guide helps you make sense of the search. You are told where to look and what you might see, and the crew may take and share photographs if you miss a surfacing animal. That matters because a whale can appear for seconds and vanish before you raise your camera.

Is $280 a good value?

At $280 per person, this is not a cheap half-day outing. It is an eight-hour combination experience with two admission-included activities, experienced guides, safety equipment, warm clothing for both sections, WiFi on the boat, and entry to a wildlife exhibition.

I see the value if you planned to book horse riding and whale watching separately. You save the trouble of arranging two operators, and the package fills a full day without requiring you to design your own transport plan. A maximum group size of 20 also gives the day a more personal feel than a large coach-and-boat package.

The value is weaker if you care deeply about only one activity. A dedicated horse ride may suit you better if the Icelandic horse is your main reason for booking. Likewise, a standalone whale cruise gives you more freedom to pick a date based on current sea conditions and your own weather tolerance.

The missing lunch is worth factoring into your budget. You receive snacks after riding, and you can buy light refreshments onboard, but you should bring your own meal or plan for food before or after the cruise.

Clothing, age, and practical limits

Dress warmly for both activities, even if the Reykjavík forecast looks mild. The bay can feel colder than the city, and the ride exposes you to wind and rain for a sustained period. Warm layers, gloves, and protection for your face are sensible. The supplied outer clothing helps, but it should supplement rather than replace proper Iceland gear.

The minimum age is 12. Most people can participate, but horse riding requires the weight limit of 240 pounds, or 110 kilograms. The experience includes safety equipment, yet you should still be comfortable with an outdoor activity and a long day.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The whale cruise carries a useful second chance if there is no sighting, but bad weather is handled differently. The operator may cancel for safety and offer a new date or full refund.

Who should book this combination?

I would recommend it to you if you want two very different Iceland activities in one organized day. It is especially well suited to first-time riders, families with children aged 12 or older, couples, and mixed groups where one person rides regularly and another has never been on a horse.

It also suits you if you are happy to accept uncertainty. The horse ride is a planned activity, but the whales are not. You can count on a boat trip and expert searching, not on a particular species appearing beside the boat.

I would pause before booking if your schedule is tight, you dislike cold or wet outdoor activities, or you need a guaranteed meal during the day. I would also check the whale season carefully if marine wildlife is your top priority.

Should you book the horse riding and whale cruise?

Book it if you want a full day that combines Iceland’s volcanic countryside with its open sea, and you value simple organization over choosing each activity separately. The strongest part is the balance: beginners get patient instruction, experienced riders may get more speed, and the whale guide gives you a better chance of spotting quick-moving wildlife.

Go in prepared for wind, rain, and an empty stretch of ocean. Pack food, dress for the cold, protect your face on horseback, and leave enough time for a possible return whale cruise if your first outing finds nothing. With those expectations, the $280 price can be good value for a two-part Iceland day that feels varied rather than repetitive.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. The horse riding takes about 1.5 to two hours, and the whale-watching cruise lasts three hours.

Where does the horse riding take place?

The riding takes place at Hótel Eldhestar near Hveragerði, in South Iceland. You ride through hardened lava fields, heathland, and nearby fields.

Where does the whale cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour district. The red color at the pier helps you find the ticket office and boarding area.

Is the tour suitable for a first-time rider?

Yes. Basic instruction is provided, and horses are matched to your experience. More experienced riders may be offered a route with faster riding, while beginners are not required to gallop.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a complimentary ticket to use on another boat ride. This is most useful if you have enough time in Reykjavík for a second attempt.

Is lunch included?

No. Snacks are available after the horse riding, and you can purchase light refreshments on the whale-watching boat. You may also pack your own food.

What are the age and weight requirements?

The minimum age is 12. To take part in the horse riding, you must weigh less than 240 pounds, or 110 kilograms.