Akureyri Whale Watching: Discover Oceanic Marvels

by Reykjavik Sailors · Whale watching · cruise-excursion · North Iceland

4.30(215) · operator on Google
Akureyri Whale Watching: Discover Oceanic Marvels — Reykjavik Sailors

Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Reykjavik Sailors's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.

More photos of Akureyri Whale Watching: Discover Oceanic Marvels

Whale swimming close to the surface in Icelandic watersWhale tail diving into the ocean during a whale watching tour in IcelandWhale surfacing beside the ocean during a North Iceland whale tourWhale swimming beneath the surface during a whale watching tour in AkureyriWhale surfacing near a whale watching boat in North Iceland

10 photos from Reykjavik Sailors. Tap any one for the full-size original.

  • Duration

    2 hours and 30 minutes

  • Difficulty

    Very easy

  • Season

    All year

  • Starts in

    Akureyri

  • Meeting

    Meet on location

  • Languages

    EN

  • Departs

    09:00, 13:00, 14:00

  • Cancellation

    Free until 24h before

About this experience

Join us aboard the Lilja, operated by our partner Special Tours, for an up-close encounter with some of the world's most magnificent creatures. Prepare to marvel at humpback whales and minke whales in their natural playground, where they leap and frolic, showcasing their breathtaking elegance.

Our expert crew members are passionate about marine life and are committed to ensuring you have an unforgettable experience. They'll share fascinating insights into the biology and behavior of these incredible marine mammals, enriching your understanding of this unique ecosystem.

Set against Akureyri's stunning fjords, our whale-watching adventure provides the perfect backdrop for your outing. As we glide through the waters, you'll have plenty of opportunities to capture stunning photographs of Iceland's stunning landscapes.

The Lilja, our chosen vessel, is a swift cruiser that promises a comfortable and smooth journey for all passengers. With indoor and outdoor seating options, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the action while staying cozy in any weather.

We're deeply committed to preserving Akureyri's fragile marine ecosystem. Our tours adhere to sustainable practices to minimize our impact on the environment and show respect for nature.

Your safety is paramount to us. We provide all the necessary safety equipment and strictly adhere to safety protocols to ensure a worry-free excursion.

Don't miss out on this extraordinary adventure that connects you with the wonders of the sea. Whale Watching tour on the Lilja guarantees a memorable voyage where you'll witness nature's beauty in its purest form.

Secure your spot on the Lilja today and embark on an unforgettable whale watching adventure in Akureyri, Iceland. 

Join us as we delve into the mysteries of the deep blue and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Description from the operator, Reykjavik Sailors. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

  1. Special Tours Akureyri Ticket Office

Included

2-2.5 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

Not included

Snacks and beverages, available for purchase on board

Good to know

We recommend opting for sturdy footwear and dressing warmly to ensure coziness throughout the tour. 

Remember to pack your camera to seize stunning snapshots of your Whale Watching excursion. 

Prepare for an unforgettable journey and create enduring memories with these helpful hints.

Kindly join us directly at Akureyri 600, at the Special Tours ticket office, 30 minutes before departure.

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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 — €78 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

Reykjavik Sailors · €97Húsavík Whale Museum · €19
How long it runs2.5 hours1 hour
Changing your mindFree until 24 h beforeNot stated
How hard it isVery easyEasy

The €78 buys you 1.5 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.

  • K Reu

    ★★★★ · 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.

  • Anna Lis

    ★★★★★ · 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!

  • Ariel Macon

    ★★★★★ · 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.)

  • Luna

    ★★★★★ · 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

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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from

€97 per person

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