Whale Watching in Reykjavik 2025
Observe gentle giants in their natural environment all year round
Best time: April–October (all year)
Iceland has a well-deserved reputation as the premier whale watching destination in Europe. Therefore, whale watching has become a must for any trip to Iceland. Minke, humpback, killer whales, harbour porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins can be spotted near the coast of Iceland all year round. The peak of whale watching coincides with the high tourist season from April to October, due to warmer temperatures and generally more pleasant weather. In the summer, whale-watching tours are often combined with puffin watching.
In Reykjavík, whale-watching tours depart daily from the Old Harbour in downtown. There are several operators to choose from. Boats depart at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. Many boats offer WiFi, warm drinks and snacks. Tourists can see over 20 species of Cetacea around Reykjavík including the orca, minke, humpback, and blue whales.
Other whale-watching locations around Iceland include Ólafsvík, Akureyri, Hauganes, and Húsavík.
