
Reykjavík: Whale Watching Classic & Express Boat Tours
Pickup available · 3 hours 30 minutes
Join a small group of up to 12 passengers on a custom RIB boat for an exhilarating whale watching adventure from Reykjavík's Old Harbour. Running April through October, this 2-hour tour offers expert narration, puffin sightings, and panoramic coastal views.
Set out from Reykjavík's Old Harbour on a premium small-group whale watching experience aboard a custom-engineered RIB boat. With a maximum of 12 passengers per vessel, this 2-hour tour runs daily from April through October, guided by a certified RIB captain and a specially trained naturalist crew.
RIB boats are purpose-built for wildlife encounters — faster and more agile than larger vessels, they allow you to cover a wider search area and get closer to marine life on the water. Keep your eyes open for whales and dolphins, and from late April through mid-August, watch for puffins nesting along the coastline.
On the return journey, enjoy sweeping views of Reykjavík's iconic waterfront, including the Sun Voyager sculpture and the striking Harpa Concert Hall. High-quality suspension seats provide comfort and stability throughout the ride, and all safety equipment — including warm thermal overalls and goggles — is supplied on board.
This tour operates under a responsible whale watching Code of Conduct, ensuring every encounter respects the animals' natural behaviour. If no whales or dolphins are sighted, participants receive a complimentary ticket for the Classic Whale Watching tour, valid for two years.
Pickup or meeting details are confirmed during booking.
Make your own way to the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5c at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure for check-in and boarding. The full experience lasts 2 hours from start to finish.
Once on board, your certified RIB captain and expert naturalist will guide the group across Faxaflói Bay in search of whales, dolphins, and seabirds. The custom suspension seats keep you comfortable even at speed, and the boat's agility means you can reach wildlife areas that larger vessels cannot.
The tour requires a minimum of 4 passengers to operate. If this minimum is not met, you will be offered the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.
This tour stands out for its small-group format — with just 12 passengers per RIB boat, every participant gets an unobstructed view and personalised attention from the crew. The custom-engineered vessels are faster and more manoeuvrable than traditional whale watching boats, covering more ocean and increasing the likelihood of wildlife encounters.
The included Whale Guarantee means that if no whales or dolphins are spotted, you receive a complimentary ticket for the Classic Whale Watching tour, valid for two years — so your experience is never wasted. Operated by Elding Adventure at Sea, a sustainability-focused operator committed to responsible wildlife tourism, this tour combines genuine adventure with environmental care.
2-hour expertly narrated whale watching tour on a RIB boat. Small group — maximum 12 passengers with expert naturalist and certified captain. High-quality suspension seats for safety and comfort. Puffin sightings possible (late April to mid-August). Reykjavík coastal sightseeing with views of the Sun Voyager and Harpa Concert Hall. Whale Guarantee — complimentary Classic Whale Watching ticket if no whales or dolphins are sighted. Warm thermal overalls, goggles, and all necessary safety equipment provided.
Please dress according to weather and remember to bring a hat, gloves and sturdy footwear. You will be required to wear our thermal overalls (available up to size 3XL), as well as a life vest for the duration of the tour. You are welcome to bring your sunglasses, phone or camera on board, but do so at your own risk. Bags are not permitted on the RIB boat, so ensure that whatever you bring with you fits around your neck or in your pocket! You can store your belongings in our office while you are on the tour.
Make your own way to the Old Harbour for check-in at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. The tour lasts 2 hours from start to finish and requires a minimum of 4 passengers for the tour to proceed. If the minimum is not met, you will have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund. For safety reasons, participants must be at least 145 cm tall, weigh less than 140 kg and able to stand comfortably in our saddle-like seats. The tour may not be suitable during pregnancy and is not recommended for those with a history of back or knee injuries. Please consult with your doctor prior to booking this tour. Keep in mind that you are required to sign a safety waiver prior to departure, confirming that you are physically fit. We abide by a Code of Conduct for responsible whale watching, thus each encounter is on the animals' terms and distance may be kept to minimise disturbance. In the event that no whales or dolphins are seen, we do not issue refunds, but you will be offered a complimentary ticket valid on our Classic Whale Watching tour, for 2 years.
Thank you for booking your tour with Elding Adventure at Sea! Meet us at our ticket office , located at Ægisgarður 5c at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík, where you will receive your boarding ticket(s). Be sure to arrive no later than 30 minutes before scheduled departure, for check-in and boarding. If you arrive later than 10 minutes prior to departure, we cannot guarantee that you can join the tour. If you are arriving by car, please note that there is no parking allowed at the harbour. See here for more information. Please be informed that the tour has a height limit of 145 cm and weight limit of 140 kg . Additionally, participants need to sign a waiver to confirm that they are physically fit for departure. Note that it may not be advisable to join this tour during pregnancy or for individuals with a history of back or knee injuries. While we will provide protective overalls to wear during the tour, we always recommend dressing according to weather (thermal layers, sturdy shoes, hat, gloves etc.) to stay warm throughout the journey. Keep in mind that this is a wildlife excursion, and while our sighting success is high, we cannot guarantee sightings of any kind. The puffin season typically spans from May to mid-August, although sightings may occasionally occur outside of this period. Be aware that if we do not encounter any whales or dolphins during the tour, you will be offered a complimentary return ticket valid on our Classic Whale Watching tour from Reykjavík or Akureyri, allowing you to try again another day, free of charge. The weather in Iceland is unpredictable and therefore we urge you to dress accordingly and plan ahead. In case of unfavourable conditions, the itinerary may be altered or the tour could get cancelled on short notice. You will be notified of any changes as soon as possible, but we advise that you have a look at our website for updates. Keep in mind that this tour requires a minimum of 2 passengers to operate. In the event of your tour being cancelled, you will be offered the option to rebook, reschedule or receive a full refund. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need further information regarding your booking. Elding is an environmentally conscious tour operator, dedicated to sustainability and conservation. Please help us in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint by displaying this voucher on your device, rather than printing it out!

1 hour 30 minutes