Best places to see whales in Iceland
Unveiling the best places to see whales in Iceland! The summer season is great for whale watching, as the wildlife in the bay is at its highest peak. This is the time when the minke whales are at their most abundant, along with the white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and humpback whales.
The best part of travelling to Iceland during summer is that you will have the best of the activities you can do here. And particularly speaking of whale watching, the summer season is the best because whales can be seen in many parts of Iceland.
Before going on a tour you have to understand that bad weather conditions can reschedule or cancel the tour. Also, as you go watching marine life, you have to understand that everything happens in the natural environment of the whales and is not guaranteed that you will see many whales. Sometimes happens to not see any whales, but those cases are rare.
There are eight areas in Iceland from where you can join a whale-watching tour so you can plan your trip without worrying you need to stay in a certain place to be able to go on a whale-watching tour.
Reykjavik
This is probably the most accessible place from where you can go whale watching. Everyone stops to visit Reykjavik and the best part is that you don’t have to limit only to visit the city as there are so many other interesting activities you can do.
From Reykjavik, you have also many combo whale-watching tours that combine two exciting activities. This way you can get the best of Reykjavik in only one tour. You can pair whale watching with puffin watching, midnight sun watching, Whale museum visiting, ATV tour, scuba diving, buggy tour, and Videy island exploring.
We have selected some of the best whale watching and combo tours for you and the best part of going on a tour from Reykjavik is that there is only one meeting point and that is the area of Old Harbour.
Check the tours down below.
Ólafsvík
If you are visiting the Snaefellsnes peninsula, add some adventure and go on a whale-watching tour in Ólafsvík. The landscape is breathtaking over the bay of Breiðafjörður and the Snaefellsjökull glacier.
Nowhere else in Iceland is there a better chance to see the biggest whales of the ocean, than along the Snæfellsnes Peninsula coastline: Orcas, Sperm, Humpback, Minke and Pilot whales plus dolphins and porpoises.
Hólmavík
If you are an adventurous one and decide to connect with nature by travelling to the Westfjords, Hólmavík town will get your attention with its exciting whale-watching tour. The calmness of the place and the views over the fjords will make your experience memorable.
The fjord outside Hólmavík is known to host a lot of humpback whales in the summer and these species of whales are the most acrobatic curious ones. The departure for this tour is from Hafnarbraut 14, 510 Hólmavík.
The North part of Iceland is famous for whale-watching tours. You have many options to choose from with high chances to see whales on the tour. These whale-watching tours in the north are operated with traditional ships.
Akureyri
“The Capital of the North” has many adventures ready for you. Whale watching is the most popular activity in summer. Eyjafjord is the place where many whale-watching tours are organised. Our friends from Elding and Akureyri Whale Watching have some of the best whale-watching tours.
Akureyri is among the best places to see Whales in Iceland.
Hauganes
Our friends from Whale Watching Hauganes can take you on an amazing whale-watching tour in Eyjafjord. The calm waters of the fjord are the perfect place for marine life to come from the ocean for the end of the gestation period during summer.
The whale-watching tours are almost 100 % successful in the Eyjafjörður area. You can meet them in Hafnargata 2, 621 Hauganes, Iceland and go on an unforgettable adventure.
Dalvik
In Dalvík, you have an exceptionally good chance to encounter the great humpback whale and often we spot white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, the small harbour porpoises and sometimes even the majestic blue whale, fin whales or killer whales.
Our friends from Arctic Sea Tours are operating tours from Dalvik and you can meet them at Hafnarbraut 22, 620 Dalvík, Iceland.
Hjalteyri
Another place from where you can go on a whale-watching tour around the scenic Eyjafjörður is Hjalteyri. Hjalteyri is a well-kept secret in the heart of North Iceland. Step aboard a traditional wooden vessel and sail in the calm waters of the fjord.
Our friends from North Sailing will take care of you and will offer you warm overalls, homemade hot chocolate and freshly baked cinnamon buns on board. Meet them at the ticket office in Hjalteyrarvegur, 604 Hjalteyri, Iceland.
Húsavík
Last but not least, the most famous place in Iceland for whale-watching tours is Húsavík. The famous town “Where the whales can live ‘cause they’re gentle people” awaits you for some memorable adventures.
Húsavík is the place with the highest rate of success when it comes to whale-watching tours.
Husavik is the best place to see Whales in Iceland.
Our friends from North Sailing and Gentle Giants will take you on the adventure of your life in the beautiful surroundings of Skjálfandi Bay.
You can meet them at the Gentle Giants ticket office in Hafnarstétt 7, 640 Húsavík, Iceland and also at the Whale Watching Centre – Ticket Office, Hafnarstétt 9, 640 Húsavík, Iceland.
Do not miss such memorable activities while you are in Iceland. It is a rare opportunity to see whales so close so if you come to Iceland during summer, check those places and go on an adventure.
Don’t forget to share your experience with us on social media.
