Whale Watching

Meet humpbacks, minke whales and dolphins offshore.

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Giants of the northern seas

Iceland is one of the best places in Europe to watch whales, with feeding grounds rich in humpbacks, minke whales, white beaked dolphins and even the occasional blue whale.

Boats sail from several harbours around the country, with Husavik in the north famous as the whale watching capital.

Good to know

Trips run most of the year, with the widest variety from April to October. Husavik and Akureyri in the north have very high success rates, while Reykjavik offers year round sailings right from the city.

Best season: April to October for the widest variety
Where to do it: Husavik · Akureyri · Reykjavik · Dalvik · Olafsvik
Good for: Families, wildlife lovers, all ages
Booking: Local operators through Bókun
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Whale Watching

What to expect

Open water and ocean giants

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Husavik, the whale capital

Skjalfandi bay offers some of the highest sighting rates in the country.

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Sail from the city

Reykjavik runs whale watching year round straight from the old harbour.

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More than whales

Trips often add puffins, dolphins and seabirds, especially in summer.

Tours & activities

Whale Watching experiences with trusted local operators. Reserve in minutes once booking goes live.

We are bringing together whale watching operators from across Iceland through Bokun, so you can compare and book trusted experiences in a few clicks. Live pricing and instant booking arrive with our marketplace.

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Good to know

Quick answers for planning.

Where is the best whale watching in Iceland?

Husavik in the north is famous for it, with very high success rates in Skjalfandi bay. Akureyri, Dalvik, Olafsvik and Reykjavik are also excellent.

When is whale watching season?

Tours run for much of the year, with the broadest variety of species from April to October. Summer brings the calmest seas and the most sailings.

Will I get seasick?

Seas are usually gentle in summer. If you are sensitive, take precautions before sailing and choose a calm day or a larger boat.

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