Reykjavík: Express Whale Watching — Faxaflói Bay

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this works

★ 4.5(284 reviews)

GetYourGuide

Reykjavík: Express Whale Watching — Faxaflói Bay

• Guide works in English
• Duration per the operator: 2 hours

from $96

Check availability

Two hours on Faxaflói Bay

This tour leaves from Reykjavik’s old harbour and spends two hours on Faxaflói Bay, the wide stretch of water between the city and the Snæfellsnes peninsula to the north. The boat is built for speed, which matters here: the bay is large, and the operator wants to reach the feeding grounds where whales are most likely to be found rather than drift slowly through empty water. You will be with an English-speaking guide for the whole trip, and the commentary is aimed at spotting and identifying whatever surfaces, whether that is a humpback, a minke whale, or a pod of white-beaked dolphins. The tour runs year-round, and the two-hour format suits travellers who want a genuine whale-watching outing without giving up half a day. It is a practical choice for a first visit to Reykjavik, especially if your schedule is tight or the weather looks changeable. The boat departs from the city centre, so you can walk from most downtown hotels and guesthouses. Dress for the wind; the bay is open water, and the boat moves quickly even on calm days.

Photographs from Special Tours Iceland's listing. They show the tour, not necessarily your day.

What the fare covers

The price, from 98 USD, puts this among the cheapest whale-watching options in Reykjavik, and the fare covers the essentials: the two-hour trip, the guide’s commentary in English, and the boat ride itself. No admission or parking fees apply at any point, so the price you see is the price you pay for the core experience. The operator sells hotel pickup as an extra, which means you make your own way to the harbour. That is straightforward in central Reykjavik, where most visitors stay within walking distance of the old harbour. The operator offers free cancellation, though no deadline is given, so you can book with some flexibility if your plans are not yet fixed. What the fare does not include is any mention of meals or drinks on board, and the tour is not wheelchair accessible, so bear that in mind if mobility is a concern.

What the score says

The tour holds a 4.5 rating, but that score comes from 284 reviews, a modest sample next to the larger operators in Reykjavik’s whale-watching scene. The comparable three-hour cruises in the same category carry ratings from 1,133 to over 11,000 reviews, so the 4.5 here is less firmly established. It is a good sign, but it is not a statistical bedrock. In the broader whale-watching category of 36 listings, this tour ranks 14th by the number of reviews, which places it in the middle of the pack for public attention. The price, however, is a stronger point: at 98 USD it ranks 5th cheapest in the category, putting it in the least expensive 14 percent of the group, which ranges from 33 to 348 USD. In short, you are paying a low price for a solid rating, but the rating is based on fewer voices than the market leaders.

When the bay is at its best

The tour runs all year, and the two-hour length is a real advantage in winter. From November through February, daylight in Reykjavik lasts only about five to six hours, so a shorter trip fits comfortably within the usable daylight. The average high in those months hovers around 3 degrees Celsius, with lows near minus 2, so the cold is manageable but real. Spring brings a noticeable shift: by May the average high reaches 10 degrees, and the light stretches well into the evening. Summer is the warmest window, with July and August averaging 14 to 15 degrees Celsius, and the low sun angle means the bay can feel almost mild. Autumn cools quickly, and by October the average high drops back to 8 degrees. The practical point is that the two-hour format works in any season, but the best balance of daylight and temperature falls between May and September. Mornings tend to be calmer on the water, though the operator runs trips through the day.

At the harbour

You meet the boat at Reykjavik’s old harbour, a short walk from the city centre. The departure point is a working harbour, so you will find other whale-watching and tour boats alongside, and the area has a handful of buildings housing ticket offices and small cafes. The boat itself is the focus: a rigid-hulled craft designed for speed, which means a drier ride than a slower vessel but still a wet and windy one when the bay kicks up. The guide is on board from the start, giving a safety briefing before you leave the dock. Once under way, the guide keeps watch and directs the boat toward sightings. The open deck is where you will spend most of the trip, and there is no sheltered indoor cabin mentioned, so dress accordingly. The two-hour return brings you back to the same harbour, and you can be back in your hotel within fifteen minutes of docking.

Who this fits

This tour is for the traveller who wants to see whales but does not want to commit a whole morning or afternoon to it. It is a strong match for families with older children, for solo travellers, and for anyone on a short Reykjavik stay who wants to fit wildlife viewing around other plans. The lower price also makes it a sensible first whale-watching experience: if the sea does not cooperate, you have not spent a large share of your budget. It is not for those who need a longer, more leisurely cruise with more time on the water. If that sounds like you, consider the three-hour Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise, which runs longer and has a far larger base of reviews, or the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour if you prefer a more established operation. This express version is also not suitable for wheelchair users, so those with mobility needs should look at the longer cruises, which may offer better access. For everyone else, this is a direct, affordable way to get out on Faxaflói Bay and see what swims beneath it.

★★★★★

GetYourGuide

Reykjavík: Express Whale Watching — Faxaflói Bay

★ 4.5 · 284 reviews

Dates, remaining places and the current version of what is included are at the operator. This page reflects the partner catalogue as exported in August 2026.

from $96

Check availabilityFree cancellation