Whale Watching & Lava Show Reykjavik: Nature's Breathtaking Spectacle
by Reykjavik Sailors · Whale watching · Volcanoes & lava · cruise-excursion · Reykjavík
- Fine on your own
- Couples
- Works in the rain
- Good with teenagers
- Eco-certified
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Duration
4 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty
Very easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Reykjavík
Meeting
Meet on location
Languages
EN
Departs
09:00, 13:00
Cancellation
Free until 24h before
About this experience
Whale Watching departure at 09:00 & Lava Show at 14:00
Whale Watching departure at 13:00 & Lava Show at 18:00
1. Whale Watching Tour
Experience the best Iceland has to offer with spectacular Whale Watching opportunities.
Our tours offer a unique experience and we do our best to make this a lifetime experience for you.
A Whale Watching adventure departing from Old harbour in downtown Reykjavik. We sail into Faxaflói bay in search of Minke and Humpback whales, Dolphins, Harbour porpoises and Killer whales (a rare sighting). On this tour, you will also experience the spectacular views of the mountains and islands around Reykjavik as well as the wonderful bird life. On board we have warm overalls, heated spacious indoor cabins, a nice bar and free WiFi.
NOTE: You should schedule to be at our departure point at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure.
Please be aware that due to environmental reasons during certain times of the year our trips may be delivered on a shared boat with one of our partners. At Reykjavik Sailors, we are committed to ensuring the environment is kept pristine by making sure fewer boats are on the water.
Please note: Whale Watching is a natural activity governed by the laws of the weather. If the trip is cancelled due to bad weather, the Whale Watching ticket is refunded if the following tour was not joined before or you can change your reservation to the next available day.
Please, check our DAILY DIARY before you come for the tour. All the important daily information of all our tours will be notified on our website.
If you don't see a whale, you have the option to take the tour again for free.
Disclaimer for pick-ups
Pick-ups must be booked with a minimum of one hour before the tour departure time, all pick-ups booked after that will be discarded.
Pickup service (round trip) fee applies to first boat tour, if due to lack of sightings tour is joined for free again, pickup service must be added and paid again.
Discover our passion for adventure and travel.
2. Lava Show - 50 minutes
The only live LAVA SHOW in the world.
Are you fascinated with lava, volcanoes, and geology? Would you like to see red-hot lava up close in a safe environment? Are you embarking on a journey through Iceland, the land of ice and fire? If the answer is YES, you need to experience LAVA SHOW Reykjavik. It is the only live lava show in the world and has become one of the must-see experiences in Iceland. Just look at the incredible reviews.
The address is Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101, Iceland
Phone number +354 553 0005.
An incredible and unique experience
In order to recreate a miniature volcano eruption, they superheat real lava from the 1918 Katla eruption and once molten, pour it into a showroom full of people. It is an incredible, unforgettable experience. In an instant, the showroom heats up to a toasty temperature. And as the audience sits safe in their seats yet only a few feet away from the flowing lava, it is mesmerizing to see, hear, smell and feel the incredible heat that radiates from it. It truly is a sensational experience.
The show begins with a short welcome by the host and then a short educational video about Icelandic volcanism, the volcanoes close by - with special emphasis on the largest volcano eruptions in Icelandic history and the volcanic dangers surrounding the capital area
Once the lava starts flowing into the showroom, the host literally starts PLAYING WITH THE LAVA. It is an entertaining, unique, and educational experience, completely different from everything else you've ever experienced. And after the show, you truly see the rest of Iceland with different eyes and a newfound appreciation for nature. It really is a must see experience.
Explore Iceland with our expert partners.
ADDRESS
We start at Geirsgata 11 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/DatKA6eiZ5sXyxTW7)
Get there 30 minutes early to join the excitement.
Stay updated with the latest travel trends and stories.
Got a question? Contact us today.
See you soon.
Please note that in case of cancellation of the whale watching tour, the price of the entire ticket will not be refunded, only the whale watching part. This is a combo booking; however, please note that if the whale-watching tour is canceled, the Lava Show ticket will remain valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable.
Your questions answered—check out our FAQ.
Description from the operator, Reykjavik Sailors. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Whale Watching tour from Reykjavik
- Lava Show Reykjavík
Included
Whale Watching:
2.5-3.5 hours Whale Watching tour
Expert and professional guides
Complimentary ticket for a second tour if no sightings occur
Warm flotation overalls
Enjoy free WiFi on board
Relax in heated indoor cabins featuring convenient toilet facilities
Complimentary seasickness tablets available
Lava Show:
Safety first. Everybody gets goggles. It gets hot.
~50 minutes Lava Show
Experience being close to REAL molten lava
See, smell, hear and feel the intense heat
Learn about Icelandic Volcanism
Watch as the Lava Master plays with flowing lava
Experience the only live Lava Show in the world
Not included
Whale Watching
Snacks and beverages, available for purchase on board and pickup service, offered at an extra charge.
Lava Show
Backstage Tour: 990 ISK (additional ~10 minutes after the show)
Snack and drinks in the cafe
Good to know
For Whale Watching tour:
Here's a friendly recommendation for your comfort and enjoyment:
We suggest wearing sturdy footwear and warm clothing to stay cozy during the tour.
Don't forget to bring your camera to capture amazing photos of your Whale Watching adventure.
Prepare for an unforgettable experience and make lasting memories with these handy tips.
For Lava Show:
Your good mood, eagerness to learn and willingness to ask questions. The show is always the most fun when people interact with the host. And if you booked your tickets online, it's enough to show the electronic tickets at the counter, no need to print them out.
Whale Watching:
Some of our boats are wheelchair accessible, but please contact our team in advance for more information and assistance.
Before your arrival, kindly check the tour status on our homepage in the Daily Diary.
Please meet us directly at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik Old Harbour pier, 30 minutes before departure.
Lava Show:
We always start our shows on time. Therefore, we strongly suggest that people to get there at least 15 minutes before the show starts, get their bearings, take in the beautiful lava-related interior, check out our gift shop, and perhaps buy a drink before the show.
It gets HOT in the showroom when the lava pours in so people are advised to remove some layers of clothing before the show starts. The show is a safe experience and the heat should not be an issue but pregnant women, people with infants, and people with cardiovascular diseases are recommended to sit in the back and/or close to the exits just to be on the safe side.
Everyone is advised to to keep their safety goggles on at all times during the show when there is lava in the showroom - also and especially when it is cooling down and solidifying.
Cancellation for this tour
Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.
If the weather cancels this tour
Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is sea state — the skipper decides an hour or two before departure; in winter this happens often. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.
- 1Reykjavik Sailors decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
- 2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
- 3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.
What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.
Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →
Why this one and not the cheaper one?
The nearest cheaper Húsavík Whale Museum Ticket from Húsavík Whale Museum is €19 — €121 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Reykjavik Sailors · €140 | Húsavík Whale Museum · €19 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 4.5 hours | 1 hour |
| Changing your mind | Free until 24 h before | Not stated |
| How hard it is | Very easy | Easy |
The €121 buys you 3.5 more hours out and free cancellation up to 24 h before. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Why we list it
Reykjavik Sailors is one of 154 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →
What travellers say about Reykjavik Sailors
Read all 215 reviews on Google →Operator rating 4.3/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.
★★★★ · 2 months ago
We booked the whale watching and puffin watching tour package (whale watching boat followed by puffin watching boat) through Get Your Guide in late May. We did not see a single whale which isn't the fault of the tour guide, just something to consider when choosing tours late May. However, we saw more puffins on the puffin tour portion than we saw the entire time in Iceland. It was great. If going late May you'll definitely want your waterproof layers to stay warm. The company provides you with seasickness tablets if needed.
★★★★★ · 7 months ago
We went whale watching in Reykjavik and had such a fantastic time! The guide was absolutely hilarious — the perfect mix of informative and funny, which made the whole trip even more enjoyable. And yes… “Banana” and “Apple” showed up so many times! 🐋🐳 It was so exciting every time we spotted them again. Seeing the whales surface so close to the boat was unforgettable, and the crew made sure everyone had a great view. The whole experience was well organized, fun, and memorable. If you’re in Reykjavik, don’t miss whale watching — especially if you get a guide like ours!
★★★★★ · 7 months ago
Seeing humpback whales in Iceland was an unforgettable experience. I cried from joy. Since we went in December, we knew the chances could be slim, but that made it even more special when we spotted them. The tour wasn’t overcrowded, which made the experience feel more personal. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and even knew details about the individual whales, explaining how biologists study and track them. Warm oversuits were provided, which made the cold completely manageable, and they also offered anti-nausea medicine for anyone worried about seasickness. Even beyond the whales, the scenery was stunning. Between the views, the expertise of the guide, and the overall care taken by the crew, the tour was absolutely worth the cost. I can’t recommend it enough. (Mobile photos included. DSLR cameras allowed.)
★★★★★ · a month ago
We went whale watching, our guide was super helpful and friendly. We were super lucky we saw the humpback whales and dolphins and the dolphins decided to swim with the boat
Reviews from Google · updated 13 Sept 2026
Read before you book
- Your arrival afternoon in Reykjavík is for one thing, and it might be a napFood walk, whale watching or bed on the afternoon you land — which one survives a red-eye, which one wastes the day, and the combo we'd actually book.
- Six hours in port is enough for one thing done well, not three done badlyShore excursions for cruise days in Reykjavík, Akureyri and Grundarfjörður — what fits inside a six-hour call and what to leave for another trip.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
No reviews yet from our travellers on this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.
Whale watching — questions people ask
When is the best time for whale watching in Iceland?
April to October, with June to August the most reliable. Humpbacks and minke whales feed in Faxaflói off Reykjavík and in the northern fjords all summer, and white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises turn up on most trips. Winter boats still sail from Reykjavík, but sightings drop and the sea is rougher. If whales are the point of your trip, come in summer and book an early departure; seas are usually calmer in the morning.
Can you see whales from Reykjavík in December?
Sometimes. Boats run from the Old Harbour all year, and winter trips do find whales, mostly humpbacks and the occasional orca. But December means short daylight, cold wind and a higher chance the operator cancels for weather. Sightings are noticeably less frequent than in summer. If you are here in winter, go anyway, but treat it as a sea trip with a chance of whales rather than a whale trip. Most operators offer a free second trip if nothing shows.
Is Húsavík or Reykjavík better for whale watching?
Húsavík, if you can get there. Skjálfandi Bay in the north sees humpbacks close to shore from May to September, and the small family-run boats like Friends of Moby Dick (/experience/752602/) keep group sizes down. Reykjavík is more convenient: boats leave the Old Harbour five minutes from most hotels and run all year. Akureyri and Dalvík in Eyjafjörður are also strong. If you are only in Reykjavík, go from Reykjavík and do not feel short-changed.
Will I get seasick on a whale watching tour?
You might. Faxaflói is open sea and the boats roll, especially in wind. Take a tablet an hour before departure, stay on deck in fresh air and watch the horizon rather than your phone. Morning trips tend to be calmer than afternoon ones. If you know you suffer badly, a two-hour RIB trip (/experience/155331/) is faster and bumpier but shorter, or pick a northern fjord like Eyjafjörður, which is more sheltered than the bay off Reykjavík.
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