Whale Watching Cruise: Reykjavik Marine Life Adventure

Embark on an exciting whale-watching cruise from Reykjavik and encounter minke whales, humpbacks, and more. Choose from a Classic or Express cruise and capture Reykjavik’s native marine life in the wild.

Duration:
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights

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)

Points of Interest

  • Geirsgata 11
What's Included
  • Access to Free WiFi
  • Complimentary Sea Sickness Tablets
  • Thermal Overalls Available for Use
  • Heated Indoor Seating Areas
  • Downloadable Special Tours App (Multiple Languages)
  • Sightings Guarantee with Free Return Ticket
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drink (can be purchased on board)
  • Hotel transfers (can be added for an additional fee)
Additional Information

Embark on a whale-watching voyage from Reykjavik in search of minke whales, humpbacks, and more. Dress up in the coveralls provided, and keep an eye out for harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and whales while you navigate the tranquil waters of Faxaflói Bay. During your voyage, your knowledgeable guide will provide informative commentary about Reykjavik’s native marine wildlife. Don’t forget to have your camera on standby to catch sight of these creatures in their natural habitat. Opt for the 3-3.5-hour Classic voyage, or if you’re pressed for time, the 2-2.5-hour Express Cruise on a speedier vessel might be your best option. Please be informed that the Classic cruise departs at 9:00, 13:00, and 17:00 while the Express Cruise is scheduled for 10:00, 14:00, and 21:00. Bear in mind that sailing times are subject to changes depending on the season.

  • 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
Location
Geirsgata 11
Geirsgata
Please make your way to the Special Tours Ticket Office, located at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.0
(546 Ratings)
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Catherine
Sep 23, 2024
Great - Had a great time on this trip, would recommend going right to the bow as this is where I saw the most (loads of minke whales and 3 humpbacks). The guide was really nice and helpful, doing the tour in both English and German and saying the type of whale in any other languages on board (about 10 or so in total, what a legend). Dress warm and don’t worry about taking photos of the whales as the guide will probably be taking them anyway and uploading them to a google drive afterwards.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Veggiedyke
Jul 30, 2024
Hugely exciting and fun - This was money well spent. The guide, Patrick, was fantastic -- funny, knowledgeable, personable, excited. We saw so many whales and Patrick was just as pleased as those of us on the tour, though he must see them all the time. He gave us loads of info about them too. My only complaint was that it was hard for the kids to see because adults pushed to the front (of both the windows and on the decks), and I think children, being smaller, should be given priority, as adults can see above them anyway.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shellylynndavison
May 26, 2024
Awesome crew! - We had a wonderful time, seeing minke whales, lots of dolphins, and puffins on our three hour tour. Joel was an awesome guide! We will do this again, next time we are in Reykjavík!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gatorsina
Sep 19, 2024
Whale watching in rough conditions - Tour guides and staff were friendly and accommodating. We were offered overalls in case you didn’t bring waterproof pants and jackets. Our tour was considered “rough” due to 20-30min winds and gusts up to 40mph. I pregamed with a meclizine 24 hours prior to the trip and then again 3 hours prior and did not get sea sick. They do offer the pills there free of charge but it won’t do much since it takes 30-60min min to work in my opinion. So if the weather forecast is looking rough, pregame with meclizine ahead of time. We saw some porpoises but no whales. Disappointing but not the captains fault. Overall good trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Blondevoyage94
Aug 4, 2024
Whale Watching - Our initial schedule was whale watching in Husavik but due to a thunderstorm the schedule was blown. So we decided that we would not give up whales but simply move the tour to Reykjavik. We parked at the port and went to their headquarters and chose the classic tour (not the dinghy one). The guide was great fun and entertained us until we started seeing whales. The tour costs a bit but it's worth it, those lucky enough could also see them up close. There are also seats inside, but I recommend staying outside.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kris
Jul 21, 2024
Saw whales! - We did a whale watching tour with them and had a great experience. At first they cancelled our initial date due to “operational issues” and rebooked us for the next day (thankfully we had days to spare) We were able to see a bunch of whales and even saw two of them jumping! It was a great sight. The guide seemed just as surprised as us which felt so genuine. They offer some suits there if you get too cold or if it’s raining. They were on time and really made sure we got as close to the whales as possible!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_l
Jun 23, 2024
Nice trip in the bay - Very well organized trip. Very knowledgeable guide. Weather was not great and we still saw a couple of pods of dolphins and a lolling humpback.
Review provided by Viator
Landonmn
Jun 24, 2024
Disappointed - Boat was clean and staff was friendly, but it was a large boat and the captain and guide only made whales visible to those who were in the very bow of the boat. Whenever a whale would surface, the captain would quickly turn the boat so the activity was directly in front of the bow leaving those without a viewing position directly on the bow out of luck. Disappointing experience and would recommend you book with another tour provider, but if you do book with Special Tours make sure you get there early and brave the cold to get a spot on the bow.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Detlefl873
Jun 25, 2024
Dispensable excursion in such weather. - The weather was bad and only a few dolphins were seen. Photos useless because of the murky weather. Actually, you couldn't have done the ride, but Icelanders seem to have a strong business sense after all
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ckk757
Jun 22, 2024
Never again. 2 hrs in stead of 3 and no whales. - Never again. Moved to other, smaller and less comfy boat. Paid for 3 hrs but backnin 2 hrs. Just spotted a few dolphins for 1 minute an NO whales. Rediculous arguments at reception upon our claim.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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September 2024
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