Epic Whale Watching in Iceland: Your Top 10 Tips, Tours, and More!

Did you know that whale watching in Iceland is one of the most popular tours in the country?

Whether you’re visiting the stunning shores of Húsavík or the vibrant capital city of Reykjavík, Iceland is the perfect place to witness some of the world’s most impressive marine life!

If you’re considering adding whale watching to your itinerary, then you’re in luck!

Discover the prime locations for seeing whales and learn more about the best whale-watching tours in Iceland.

I’m sharing helpful information based on my personal experiences with the tours I’ve taken. Plus, I’ve got extra tips you need for a successful whale-watching tour, no matter where in Iceland you decide to take an excursion. 

Put on your lifejacket and… 

Let’s get into it!

Table of Contents:

• Is Whale Watching in Iceland Worth It? 
• Tips & What to Expect for Whale Watching in Iceland
  • The Best Time to See Whales in Iceland
  • The Best Places for Whale Watching in Iceland
  • Choose a Reliable Tour Company
  • Consider Boat Options
  • Prepare for the Tour
  • Dress Appropriately
  • What to Expect: Gentle Giants Húsavík Tour
  • Camera: What Do You Need?
  • Set Realistic Expectations
  • Visit A Whale Museum in Iceland
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Guidebooks and Maps

Is Whale Watching in Iceland Worth It?

If you love wildlife and the idea of seeing these animals in their natural habitat, then yes, it’s totally worth it!  

I’ve been on a few whale-watching tours. Some are more successful than others, but either way, it’s a fun experience because it’s just SO beautiful out there on the water. Even if you don’t see many whales, it’s still an amazing experience.

Tips & What to Expect for Whale Watching in Iceland

Here are a few things to remember if you plan on whale watching in Iceland.

1. The Best Time to See Whales in Iceland

Whale watching tours in Iceland typically run between April and October because of the cold Arctic waters.

The best time to see whales in Iceland is between June and August.

However, some tour companies have been known to start whale watching in Iceland from March through to October and even November.

2. The Best Places for Whale Watching in Iceland

If you have your heart set on seeing these impressive creatures, knowing the best places for whale-watching trips in Iceland is a must.

Whale Watching in Húsavík 

Did you know that the charming town of Húsavik is one of the best places to whale watch in Iceland?  In fact, it’s even known as the whale-watching capital of the country!

There are a number of Húsavík whale watching tours available or you can combine it with a puffin tour like the one below. 👇

➡️ TAKE A TOUR: GG2 Big Whale Safari & Puffins

Whale Watching in Reykjavík

The upside of opting for a tour in Reykjavík is that tours are running year-round, and it’s one of the few places you can spot a killer whale in Iceland. There are a number of combo tours available like whale watching AND the chasing the Northern Lights. Check out this Whale watching tour in Reykjavík. 👇

➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Whales & Auroras

Whale Watching in Akureyri, Iceland

If you want to visit the North region in Iceland’s whale seasonit’s a great place to see the Eyjafjörður Humpbacks. The ship can carry up to 200 people and the viewing platform allows you to capture spectacular views!

➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Akureyri Classic Whale Watching

Whale Watching: Dalvík, Iceland

Explore the coastline of Eyjafjörður Fjörd and witness whales up close when visiting Dalvík in north Iceland. Beautiful oak fishing boats are used, and there’s a high chance of spotting whales on this tour. Find out more about it here.👇

➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Private Arctic Coastline & Whale Watching

Ólafsvík Whale Watching

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula coastline is another excellent area to view whales in Iceland. You’ll have the opportunity to spot Orcas, Sperm, Humpback, and Minke whales to name a few,  as well as other marine life like dolphins and porpoises.

➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Whale Watching Ólafsvík

3. Choose a Reliable Tour Company

If you plan on seeing whales in Húsavík, I would highly recommend going with Gentle Giants, one of the oldest whale-watching companies in the country. They have 150 years of family legacy in Húsavík and a long-standing history in the industry.

Their tours receive rave reviews, their guides are knowledgeable, they pay close attention to safety measures for their tours, and they are committed to protecting the environment. 

They offer one of the best whale-watching tours in Iceland and have a large fleet of ships. These include the old traditional wooden boats and the faster RIB-style boats. 

When we were planning our honeymoon trip to Iceland along the Ring Road, we specifically chose Gentle Giants because of the great offer that they have.

Gentle Giants is such an amazing company for many reasons:

• They’re committed to sustainable tourism
• The success for sighting whales is between 97-99%
• Their staff are committed to providing the best possible experience for their customers.

Plus, they do more than just whale tours. They have puffin tours, fishing trips, sea kayaking tours, and even yoga retreats!

I’m super picky about the companies I work with, and it’s important to me to give you the resources for the best experiences in Iceland. That’s why I’m proud to be working with Gentle Giants. I know that you’ll have an amazing experience!

You can check out their prices and availability here 👉 Gentle Giants Whale-Watching Tours

🚨Be sure to use my code WHALESWITHAVIEW for a 10% discount on your tour!

4. Consider Boat Options

When choosing your boat for the tour, there are a couple of things to consider.

There are traditional wooden boats and RIB boats. I’ve tried both, and they each have their perks.

The traditional boat gives you that authentic, old-world vibe, but it’s bigger and slower, meaning more people on the tour with you and the boat isn’t able to go as fast.

On the other hand, the RIB boat is faster and smaller, so you can reach distant sightings quickly. 

Of course, this option is more expensive but I highly recommend a RIB boat for whale watching in Iceland. It’s an incredible experience!

5. Prepare for the Tour 

Here’s what you can expect if you opt to do whale watching in Húsavík.

When you pull into Húsavík, you’ll notice it’s a tiny village, so it’s easy to spot the Gentle Giants office overlooking the beautiful harbor. 

After you check in at reception, they’ll guide you to the area where you’ll prepare for the tour.

Here, you’ll be suited up with nice overalls provided by the company. These suits are great to have on the tour because the weather in northern Iceland is unpredictable. It’ll keep you protected from the wind and colder temperatures.

Oh, and they even provided goggles, which really come in handy to block out the wind and spray from the boat!

Once you’re all geared up, there’ll be a quick briefing from the tour guide. You’ll be able to ask questions or voice any concerns. 

They’ll also tell you about the latest whale sightings and what kinds of whales you might spot.

Next, you’ll walk across the street, hop on the boat, and head out to sea. 

Easy peasy!

6. Dress Appropriately

Make sure that you’re dressed warmly for whale watching in Iceland. 

These tours take a few hours, and nobody likes to be out in the cold and possibly wet!

Like I said, they do provide coveralls, which are insulated, water and wind-resistant. 

However, you’ll still want some warm base layers. I always travel with my lopapeysa, and I also wear a thermal underneath for double insulation, along with wool socks.

Don’t forget water-resistant hiking boots. Don’t bring tennis shoes because they let a lot of air through. 

You’ll also need a hat, gloves, and sunglasses in case it’s extra sunny.

The term ‘dress for success’ has never been more true than it is for Iceland. The weather here can be crazy and you don’t want to be left out in the cold – literally!

My 👉 FREE Ultimate Iceland Packing Guide is filled with useful weather insights, packing lists for every season, a clothing layering guide, recommended items, and printable checklists to make sure you don’t forget anything. 

Download the FREE PDF here.👇

7. What to Expect: Gentle Giants Húsavík Tour

Every Gentle Giant tour comes with an English-speaking tour guide, and they’re super helpful and knowledgeable about the whales. 

Between sightings, while you’re waiting for the whales to surface, the guide will share fascinating insights about their mating habits, migration, and more.

I had some follow-up questions, and they were very helpful, so I learned a lot about whales on our tour. 

After waiting patiently, the whales appeared! It was incredibly exciting.

Experiencing these majestic creatures up close as they float in the bay is truly amazing. 

Sometimes they have babies with them, or they’re with their partners. They may even give a big splash with their tail or leap out of the water. 

Every encounter is unique. 

Don’t forget to use this code WHALESWITHAVIEW for a 10% discount on your whale-watching tour! 🙌

8. Camera: What Do You Need?

I don’t think that anyone would go on a whale-watching tour in Iceland without bringing some sort of camera!

However, it’s important to remember that you’re not always getting very close to the whales themselves.

If you’re a photography lover, having a camera with interchangeable lenses that allows you to put on a zoom lens, will really come in handy. This way, you can capture some up-close shots of the whales. 

However, for the average person just looking to snap a few shots of the whales, a smartphone should be just fine!

If you’re excited about capturing epic photographs in Iceland and curious about what equipment you need, then this post is for you!👇

➡️ READ: Photography in Iceland: Gear & Tips on How to Capture Stunning Photos

9. Set Realistic Expectations

We might wake up in the morning, with a solid plan, and expectations about what we’re going to see.

But, Mother Nature always has the final say!

Even though the captain knows exactly where the whales can be found, these are animals in the wild and it’s never guaranteed that you see whales. 

10. Visit A Whale Museum in Iceland

To get the most out of your experience, why not combine your whale-watching tour with a museum visit for in-depth insights? 

Visit the Húsavík Whale Museum or Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavík, where you can see full-scale models of these incredible creatures! It’s an awesome family-friendly activity to compliment your tour.

➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Whale Watching & Whales of Iceland Museum

FAQ’s

What kind of whales can I expect to see around Iceland? If you’re whale watching in Iceland the most common breeds are humpbacks and minke. However, you could spot sperm whales, killer whales, fin whales, and blue whales in Iceland’s whale season. 

Are whale-watching tours in Iceland suitable for children and families? Whale-watching tours are generally considered great for families and most tour operators will allow young children to join. However, I always advise checking with them beforehand as some only allow children from a certain age. 

How long do whale-watching tours typically last in Iceland? Most whale-watching tours last between two and three hours. However, if you’re taking a combo tour that includes more sights around the area, it’ll be longer. 

Do They Eat Whale in Iceland? This is no doubt a very controversial topic! Eating whale in Iceland is a long-standing cultural practice that Icelanders historically relied on for survival. Nonetheless, whale meat, both raw and cooked, can still be found at certain restaurants in Iceland. This isn’t a typical meal choice for locals, however you will find it available at certain establishments.

Guidebooks and Maps

Planning a whale-watching tour is just one aspect of organizing an entire trip to Iceland.

If you’re tired of searching for all the information you need for a seamless vacation, give me your hand, and I’ll show you a better way…

I know how frustrating it can be trying to piece together every aspect of your trip, including practical details like where to find the grocery store, health clinic, or closest playground for your kids.

That’s why I created my 👉 Iceland Guidebooks + Maps as a super practical guide to help you with your planning.

You’ll get a digital map with over 500 pinned locations including the must-see sights, local pools, and hidden gems nobody else talks about.  

If you have your heart set on activities like whale watching, glacier hiking, northern lights… 

Whatever it may be… the Iceland Ring Road Map + Guide is essential.

It not only suggests activities and attractions in an area (like whale watching in Húsavik) but also my preferred partners for tours, transport, and accommodations.

You’ll also get planning worksheets to help you map out your itinerary and a whole lot more!

Here’s to having a whale of a time in Iceland! 😉

Happy Planning!

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