Whale Watching Ísafjörður

by Sjóferðir ehf · Whale watching · Westfjords

4.7· 45 Google reviews of the operator

Fine on your own
Couples
Eco-certified
Self-guided

from €103 per person

Next departure: Sat 24 Oct

Book Sat 24 Oct · €103 Other dates

Whale Watching Ísafjörður — Sjóferðir ehf

1 / 8

8 photos from Sjóferðir ehf. Tap any one for the full-size original.

Duration
3 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Season
All year
Starts in
Ísafjörður
Pickup
Meet at the start point
Departs
08:00, 08:30, 09:00, 09:30 …
Cancellation
Cancelling costs 10% of the price within 365 days of departure, rising to 50% within 14 days.

About this experience

Embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of Iceland's icy waters with a whale watching tour departing from the picturesque town of Isafjordur. Set against a backdrop of towering snow-capped mountains and glistening fjords, this adventure promises a mesmerizing encounter with some of the ocean's most magnificent inhabitants.

Sjóferðir ehf is a proud member of IceWhale association which promotes a code of conduct for whale watching ensuring the best possible encounter, both for animal welfare and passenger enjoyment.Sjóferðir also works in conjunction with the UK based charity Whale Wise, a team of conservationists, scientists and educators, working to understand and improve the relationship between whales and humans.

As you board the sturdy vessel, you'll feel the anticipation building in the crisp Arctic air. The captain, seasoned in the art of tracking marine wildlife, will greet you warmly, sharing their passion for these majestic creatures and the surrounding environment.

Leaving the harbor behind, the boat glides smoothly across the glassy surface of the fjord, offering panoramic views of the rugged coastline. Keep your eyes peeled as seabirds wheel overhead, signaling the presence of marine life below. In 2023 we had a 100% chance of seeing humpback whales. If we are lucky maybe the occasional minke whale, orca or dolphin.

Returning to Isafjordur harbor, you carry with you memories that will last a lifetime, a testament to the unparalleled beauty and biodiversity of Iceland's wild waters.

Due to the high number of people asking, we would like to clarify that there are toilets on all of our boats.

All passengers should arrive half an hour before the departure times.

Meeting point is the red harbour house with Sjoferdir´s sign on it.

Description from the operator, Sjóferðir ehf. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Good to know

Warm clothes

Kindly note that we need a minimum of 12 persons total for the tour to go ahead. We offer 100% refund if the tour does not go ahead due to minimum persons not being reached

It is important to have warm clothes so you can enjoy this amazing view outside on the boat, we do not provide overalls. All passengers should arrive half an hour before the departure times.

Cancellation for this tour

Cancelling costs 10% of the price within 365 days of departure, rising to 50% within 14 days. 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.

1Sjóferðir ehf 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 the cutoff shown above, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Why we list it

Sjóferðir ehf is one of 204 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 Sjóferðir ehf

Read all 45 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.7/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

Lynn Meehan
★★★★★ · a month ago
Had a first rate whale watching experience with Sjóferdir today. Saw many whales. Judith, the guide, was excellent- enthusiastic and informative. Very competent captain as well. Comfortable boat. Small group. Gorgeous scenery. Highly recommend!!
Grace Mitton
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
This was such a magical, spectacular day and I’m so glad I booked with this company. Our tour guide was fantastic, keeping us at a pace that wasn’t too rushed where we had plenty of time to take in all of the beautiful sights. And she was so knowledgeable about the area and wildlife, and we were lucky enough to even spot a family of Arctic foxes. By far this was the highlight of my trip thanks to our amazing tour guide. Such a beautiful area.
Rebecca Douglas
★★★★★ · 9 months ago
One of the absolute highlights of my year was spending time at sea with these guys. A beautifully guided trip where the whale encounters were shared with care and integrity. We went out in late September and early October and saw SO many whales, it was absolutely mind blowing. Thank you so much for all that you do!
Kevin Gent
★★★★★ · a year ago
Today we went on our trip to see the whales and other wildlife. We weren't disappointed. Within 20 mins we were surrounded by groups of 4 and 5 whales. Absolutely awesome trip can't fault it. The Captain was exceptional and the young man who throughout the trip filled us with information was brilliant. We stayed out at sea for approx 2 hrs and my phone battery was empty after taking so many photos. The Captain turned the engines off and as we drifted we could here the whales calling each other..truly emotional. Cannot recommend this company and crew highly enough. There was one toilet on board which was easily accessible. But I must say the amount of narrow walkways and steps on board makes it non accessible for wheelchair confined persons. The weather was bright and a gentle breeze which made for a great trip. If I ever return I will be booking again. Thankyou again for a once in a lifetime experience.

Reviews from Google · updated 21 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Ísafjörður tours: what to book, by time you haveThree hours in Ísafjörður: Vigur island. Half a day: Dynjandi or a whale boat. A full day: Hesteyri. Kayaking is for fit adults with eight hours.
Whale watching in the Westfjords: Ísafjörður or HólmavíkHólmavík if you're driving in, because it's on the way and the fjord is calm. Ísafjörður if you're already there, or off a cruise ship. Both are summer trips.

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for 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.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Ísafjörður, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site. Ourhotels is our sister company — the same people, a different business — so we list it first and say so.

All hotels in Westfjords →

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from

€103 per person

Sjóferðir ehf's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

The next departure we can see — change it if this tour is for another day.

Pick a date to check departures.

Departs08:0008:3009:0009:3010:0010:3010:4511:0011:3012:0012:3013:0013:1513:3014:0014:3014:3515:0015:3016:3020:00

Ísafjörður: light 08:57–17:37, 8 h 40 min of daylight.

· Cancelling costs 10% of the price within 365 days of departure, rising to 50% within 14 days.
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If Sjóferðir ehf cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: Sjóferðir ehf's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
✓ Vetted operator — the six checks every operator passes

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €6 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.