Reykjavik: the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, this three-hour whale-watching cruise heads into Faxafloi Bay, where humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and seabirds may appear within a few minutes or after a longer search. Whales are seen on more than 90 percent of departures, but this is still wildlife, not a stage show.

I like the company’s careful approach to the animals, including its responsible-watching code and decision not to use sonar. I also like the sighting guarantee: if your boat finds no whales, you can try again free. The main catch is simple: the sea can be cold, sightings can be brief, and the best view may require standing outside for much of the trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Whales are found year-round: Humpbacks and minke whales are the main stars, with dolphins and harbour porpoises also common possibilities.
• The guides make the trip: Specially trained marine biologists explain animal behavior and help direct you to the right side of the boat.
• Warm gear is provided: Thermal overalls and rainwear help, though you should still expect Icelandic wind and cold.
• The boat uses local teamwork: The crew shares sighting information with other boats to improve everyone’s chance of finding wildlife.
• The viewing position matters: Arrive early if you want a choice of places, since the front and upper decks offer strong views but can be cold.
• A missed sighting is not the end: The free retry takes some pressure off a no-whale departure, provided your schedule allows another outing.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your tour begins at the red Elding ticket office in the Old Harbour. Allow time to check in, then take a look around the Whale Watching Centre before boarding. You can watch short films, examine whale skeletons, read the information boards, and browse the small shop.

That pre-cruise center is useful, especially if you are new to whale watching. It gives you a quick lesson in the animals you may see and helps pass the time if you arrive early. Hotel pickup is arranged only from accommodations in the Reykjavik Greater Area, so you should not count on a transfer from outside the city.

Once aboard, you can use the warm indoor area, move among several viewing levels, or head outside with the crew. WiFi is available on board, and food, coffee, hot chocolate, and other drinks can be purchased. Sea-sickness tablets have also been handed out free on some trips, though you should not treat that as a replacement for your own preparation.

The first stretch across Faxafloi Bay

The boat heads into the southern part of Faxafloi Bay, off Reykjavik’s coast. The bay is shaped by ocean currents that bring food into the area, which helps explain why whales and dolphins can be found relatively close to the city.

The early part of the cruise gives you a chance to settle into the rhythm of the boat. Keep your eyes moving rather than staring at one fixed patch of water. A whale may show only a back, blow, fin, or quick tail before disappearing again.

This is where the guide’s role becomes important. Guides such as Emily, Sam, Pedro, Mila, and Lasse have been praised for clear explanations, good humor, and quick directions when an animal appears. You may hear which side of the boat to watch, then need to move fast. The crew works with passengers as a team, helping you scan the water instead of leaving you to guess what counts as a sighting.

The commentary covers more than species names. You learn about marine life in Iceland, animal behavior, and the conditions that make this part of the bay productive. The best guides know when to talk and when to let everyone listen for the next call from the deck.

What you might see from the boat

Humpback whales are the most memorable possibility. They may surface repeatedly, feed near the boat, roll, breach, or show a broad back before sounding. Several departures have produced sightings of two or three humpbacks, while unusually active trips have found many more.

Minke whales are smaller and often less dramatic, but they can appear in good numbers. They may surface quickly and vanish before you have time to raise your camera. That makes the guide’s warning especially useful.

White-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises add movement to the trip. Dolphins may travel in groups and appear near the boat, while porpoises are often harder to spot because they surface with less fuss. Seals and seabirds are also possible, and puffins have been seen on some summer outings.

You should keep expectations sensible. One departure may bring humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals. Another may produce dolphins but no whales. Some trips have found nothing large at all, although the bay, coastline, and sea birds still give the cruise value.

Orcas have also been seen, but they are not a standard promise of this tour. Treat them as a rare bonus, not as a reason to book on their own.

The best places to watch

The boat has several levels and viewing areas, which gives you more options than a single enclosed cabin. The upper and front decks can offer excellent sight lines, but they are also the coldest spots.

If you want the strongest chance of seeing an animal before the crowd shifts, arrive early and choose carefully. One useful approach is to begin outside, stay alert during the search, and move inside when you need to warm up. You do not need to remain on the front deck for the entire three hours to have a good outing.

There is a tradeoff. When the boat turns toward a whale, people at the front may get the first view, while those at the side or rear can struggle. One particularly useful piece of advice is to be prepared to stand for much of the trip if you want a prime position. That may not suit everyone, especially in winter or on a rough day.

The boat may also angle itself to protect the whales and keep a respectful distance. That is good for the animals, but it can mean that a whale is not perfectly placed for every passenger. Bring patience, and do not expect every appearance to line up with your camera.

Warm clothing, weather, and comfort

Elding provides warm thermal overalls and rain jackets. These are a major help, especially when the boat is moving and the wind cuts through ordinary city clothing. Put the gear on early rather than waiting until you feel cold.

Even with the supplied clothing, winter trips can be bitter on the open deck. Recent departures in January and February produced memorable humpback sightings, but passengers still needed to go inside from time to time. Hot chocolate is available to buy, and it has become a popular way to warm up between sightings.

The indoor area matters more than you might expect. It gives you a place to thaw out, buy a hot drink or snack, and still return outside when the guide calls out an animal. Families may appreciate the flexibility, since children can watch from outside for a while, then warm up indoors.

Sea conditions vary. Some departures have calm water and an easy ride, while others may feel more active. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask about the complimentary tablets available on board and consider bringing your usual remedy. A whale sighting is not much fun if you spend the entire cruise feeling ill.

Why the environmental policy matters

Elding is described as Iceland’s only environmentally certified whale-watching company. The company follows a responsible-watching code designed to reduce disturbance to the animals and contributes to summer research projects, responsible tourism, and organizations that protect wildlife.

The crew does not use sonar, according to the information supplied for the tour. Instead, guides and crew members watch the sea and share reports with other boats. That approach makes the search feel more like careful observation than a loud chase.

You may notice that the boat does not always move as close as you expect. That can be frustrating if you want a perfect photograph, but it is the right limit for a wild animal. The boat may pause long enough for people to watch, then move on rather than crowding the same whale for too long.

This balance is one of the strongest reasons to choose the trip. You get a real chance to see animals at close range, while the operating style gives them room to behave naturally. The sightings can still feel exciting without turning the bay into a race among boats.

A three-hour schedule with room for luck

The advertised duration is three hours. That is long enough to travel beyond the harbor, search useful areas of the bay, pause for sightings, and return without taking an entire day from your Reykjavik plans.

The exact pattern depends on the wildlife. You could see a whale within five minutes, as happened on one winter departure, or spend a longer period searching before finding anything. A guide may direct you from one side of the boat to the other, and the captain may adjust course after a report from another vessel.

Summer gives you long daylight. In July, an evening departure can still have bright conditions late at night, with the low sun over the ocean adding a memorable backdrop. Late July and early August can also be appealing if you want a chance at seabirds such as puffins, though no species is guaranteed.

Winter has its own appeal. The bay may be quieter, the light can be dramatic, and whales are still being seen. You should simply book with more tolerance for cold and changing conditions.

The sighting guarantee and the value at $108

At $108 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, especially for a family. The value rests on three things: the three-hour length, the quality of the guiding, and the chance to try again if no whales are found.

Warm overalls are included, which saves you from buying or packing specialist outerwear for the boat. You also receive access to the Whale Watching Centre and WiFi on board. Food and drinks cost extra, but the prices for hot chocolate and snacks have been described as reasonable.

The free retry is the most useful part of the guarantee. A no-whale trip can happen even when the company does everything correctly, so the chance to return changes the risk. It is most valuable if you have at least one spare day in Reykjavik. If you are flying out immediately or moving on to another part of Iceland, the guarantee may have little practical value.

The trip also includes a photo link after some departures, with professional images and a short report about the outing. This is a welcome extra because wildlife photography from a moving boat is difficult, particularly when the animal surfaces for only a few seconds.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a real chance to see Icelandic marine life without committing to a full-day excursion. The Old Harbour meeting point is convenient for a Reykjavik stay, and the three-hour length fits neatly around museums, food stops, or an evening walk.

It works well for families, too. Children can look for animals, see the harbor from the water, examine the skeletons at the center, and warm up indoors. Life jackets are prepared for children, and the boat has enough room to spread out among different viewing areas.

Nature-minded visitors will appreciate the responsible policy. If you want close contact at any cost, this may feel restrained. The crew will not crowd a whale simply to give you a better photograph.

Photographers should bring patience rather than expect perfect conditions. The professional photos can help, but you still need to be ready to react quickly. A waterproof phone case or camera cover is sensible, since the deck can be wet even when the sky looks clear.

This is less suitable if you dislike cold, motion, or waiting. You may find the sea uncomfortable, and a successful trip still involves stretches with no visible wildlife.

Small details that improve the day

Check the online Whale Diary before you go. It helps you see what has been appearing in the area and gives you a better sense of recent conditions, though it cannot predict exactly what your boat will find.

Arrive early if deck position matters to you. Wear the supplied overalls before the boat gets underway, keep a warm layer underneath, and bring gloves and a hat if you have them.

Do not spend the whole time looking through your camera. Watch first, then take a few photographs. A humpback’s back may break the surface only briefly, and the best moment can pass while you are trying to frame it.

Listen for the guide’s directions. The boat may shift position, and an animal can surface on the opposite side from where you were watching. The people who treat the search as a group effort tend to get more from the outing.

For families, use the indoor area as part of the plan rather than as a fallback. A short warm-up can keep everyone comfortable enough to enjoy the next sighting.

Should you book Elding’s original whale tour?

Yes, if you want a well-organized three-hour cruise with a strong chance of whales, trained marine biologist guides, warm gear, and a responsible operating policy. The repeated strengths are clear: good explanations, friendly crews, useful sighting calls, roomy viewing areas, and frequent humpback encounters.

Book it with realistic expectations. Wildlife is unpredictable, the front deck can be cold, and not every passenger will get the same view when the boat turns. The $108 price makes the retry guarantee and included overalls important to the value calculation.

I would choose this tour if I had a spare day for a second attempt and cared about how the animals were treated. Arrive early, dress for wind, keep your eyes on the water, and let the crew do the searching. That gives you the best chance of turning a three-hour boat ride into one of your strongest Iceland memories.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour meet?

Check in at the red Elding ticket office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long is the tour?

The cruise lasts three hours.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, seals, seabirds, and sometimes puffins. Orcas have also been seen, but they are not guaranteed.

Are whales seen all year?

The tour operates throughout the year, and whales are seen on more than 90 percent of departures according to the operator’s stated sighting rate.

What clothing is provided?

Warm thermal overalls and rain jackets are available for use on the boat.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are not included, but snacks, coffee, and hot chocolate can be purchased on board.

What happens if I see no whales?

You receive a free chance to try the tour again. This is most useful if your Reykjavik schedule gives you another day.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup is arranged only from hotels and accommodations in the Reykjavik Greater Area. Transfers are not included as a standard part of the tour.