Whale Watching in Iceland
Are you soon heading on a trip to Iceland? In this beautiful country, there is truly no shortage of amazing things to discover! If you're not sure what to do during your visit to the Land of Fire and Ice, you can go on a hunt for northern lights in Iceland, explore the volcanoes of Iceland, and another must-do activity is undoubtedly whale watching Seeing these huge marine animals thrive in their natural environment will surely be a memorable moment, leaving you with an unforgettable memory.
In this post, I provide you with all the answers to help you make the most of this experience. Where to go to see whales in Iceland? When to go? What species of whales can be observed in Iceland? How to prepare well and observe them better? In short, whale watching excursions in Iceland will have no secrets for you
When to See Whales in Iceland?
Knowing when to go to Iceland to see whales is crucial, because even though it is completely possible (and even very likely) to see cetaceans at any time of the year off the coast of Iceland, some seasons are indeed more favorable than others. So, it's best to stack the odds in your favor to see the maximum number!
Iceland is one of the few countries in the world where the chances of seeing whales are close to 100% in every season. This is also why many companies offer to refund tickets (or provide another free ticket) in cases where no cetacean is sighted.
However, seeing one whale or seeing dozens is not the same thing, and there is indeed a whale season in Iceland. It runs from May to September, which is from late spring to the very beginning of autumn. It is at the heart of the summer in Iceland that the animals can be seen in greater numbers. During this season, migratory species inhabit Icelandic waters, so the quantity of whales is considerably higher.
Unless your trip is entirely dedicated to cetaceans, keep in mind that whales can be seen year-round, and factor in everything else you want to do before choosing when to go to Iceland.
Where to See Whales in Iceland?
The first thing to know is, of course, where to go to see whales in Iceland. Whale watching excursions are mainly offered from two major cities in Iceland: the capital Reykjavik and Húsavík, a northern town considered the European capital of cetacean observation. It is also possible to take whale watching trips from other less frequented ports like Akureyri and Dalvik.
Reykjavik
The Icelandic capital is undoubtedly an unmissable city, and going to see whales is part of the myriad of beautiful things possible if you're looking to what to do in Iceland.
Reykjavik is a great choice for taking a whale watching excursion outside of the northern part of the country. From several ports, boats leave for Faxaflói bay, an area known for the presence of Minke whales, several species of dolphins, and porpoises, and you might even have the chance to see other whales, especially during the season.
The choice of whale watching cruises here is really extensive; some are made on trawlers or larger group yachts, or on zodiac boats or semi-rigid outboard boats in smaller groups, it's all a matter of preference.
My favorite whale watching excursion ❤️
If you want to quickly find an excellent option for whale watching in Iceland, I recommend heading to Reykjavik, where you will find the most offers. In the meantime, here's my favorite! You will embark on a 3-hour whale watching excursion and can observe humpback whales, Minke whales, porpoises, dolphins, and other marine animals in the Reykjavík area. You will be accompanied by a guide who will be very skilled at spotting the animals. Plus, you can take a break and enjoy the heated interior space. Expect to pay €81 for this activity
Húsavík
Húsavík is located in the north of the country in the Norðurland eystra region, about 40 km from Route 1, the famous ring road that circles the island. It is a small village of 2,300 inhabitants, yet it is an extremely popular tourist destination, and you already know why.
It is the most popular departure point outside of the capital for heading out to sea to observe cetaceans. If seeing cetaceans is truly one of your top priorities and you're visiting during the peak whale season, this is undoubtedly where you should go. The village is deserted by tourists during winter; that's why companies generally offer sea excursions only from May to November.
Excursions from Húsavík allow you to go into Skjálfandi bay, where the concentration of whales is quite exceptional. You can see Minke whales of course, but also humpback whales and dolphins, and sometimes blue whales, orcas, and all the species observable near Icelandic coasts.
Here too, several types of cruises are offered: by fishing boat, zodiac, and even on a traditional sailing vessel. The providers are fewer than in the capital, but the visitors are many, so it's best to book well in advance.
Whale Watching in Akureyri and Dalvik
There are also two alternatives that can be just as interesting for heading out to sea in Eyjafjörður fjord, from a less touristy departure port:
Akureyri, the second largest city in the country, less known than Húsavík, but also more easily accessible, where whale watching excursions are organized year-round. If you're taking a winter road trip in Iceland, this is probably the place to prioritize.
Dalvik, about a half-hour drive from Akureyri, is an excellent choice for a much quieter excursion than in Húsavík, between May and November.
- Akureyri, the second largest city in the country, less known than Húsavík, but also more easily accessible, where whale watching excursions are organized year-round. If you're taking a winter road trip in Iceland, this is probably the place to prioritize.
- Dalvik, about a half-hour drive from Akureyri, is an excellent choice for a much quieter excursion than in Húsavík, between May and November.
The Different Species of Cetaceans in Iceland
More than twenty species of whales can be observed in Icelandic waters. Some of them live here year-round, while others are only passing through during the summer months when the waters are most plentiful. Here are the main species of whales you can see during a whale watching excursion in Iceland:
In fact, contrary to common belief, the sperm whale is not a whale. You can also see other species of cetaceans and marine mammals off the Icelandic coast, such as the white-beaked dolphin, the orca, and the common porpoise.
- The Minke whale, it is the most common in Iceland, reaching up to 10 meters in length and can be seen year-round. It likes to follow boats! It's the one seen in the first photo above.
- The humpback whale, a sea giant over 15 meters long, known for its impressive jumps out of the water. This whale is present during the warmer months, particularly off the northern coast of the country.
- The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), the largest animal in the world, can exceed 30 meters and can sometimes be seen in the northern fjords in summer; it's the whale in the photo just to the right of the Minke whale.
- The common rorqual, the second-largest animal in the world, can reach 25 meters in length. They can generally be seen during the summer months.
- The great sperm whale, the largest species of toothed whale. It is quite difficult to spot as it is an excellent diver that prefers deep waters.
Tips for Whale Watching in Iceland
We have reached the end of this article! I hope you enjoyed it and that you now know how to organize your whale watching excursion in Iceland Want more tips for traveling in Iceland? Don't hesitate to check out other blog articles, where you will even find advice for a 3-day road trip in Iceland!
- Dress warmly, even if the weather is really nice. It rarely gets very hot in Iceland, and temperatures are cooler at sea, especially near the water. If you're taking an excursion between October and April, dress very warmly.
- You are likely to get splashed, but wearing waterproof clothing is not necessarily a requirement, as companies provide protection.
- To take good photos, use the shutter priority mode on your camera and avoid zooming in too much (you can crop the picture later). Since it's impossible to predict how far away the whales will appear, using a versatile lens (or bringing several lenses) is advised
- Whales must come to the surface regularly to breathe; they often resurface several times at short intervals in the same area. If you miss the first sighting, just keep watching the same spot.
- Zodiac excursions allow you to get closer to the animals while being nearer to the water. This type of outing is recommended for more thrilling experiences or to take the most impressive photos.
- If you're prone to seasickness, or just as a precaution if you're afraid of it, it's important to eat before boarding the boat, stay hydrated, avoid moving around as much as possible on board, and prefer to sit at the back. Medications like Mercalm, NausiCalm, or Cocculine can also have a preventive and curative effect against seasickness.
- The weather does not affect the number of animals present in Icelandic waters. However, the weather does indeed influence visibility. So, it's better to check the weather conditions; the experience will be more enjoyable in clear weather.
- Animals generally show up more willingly in the morning.
- Departing from a less busy port like that of Dalvik often enables you to be on a less crowded boat and pay slightly less for the excursion.
- You will very likely see whales during your excursion, but it's best not to take any risks. Since you will probably receive a free ticket if you don't get to see any cetaceans, plan to do this excursion relatively early during your stay, so you have time to try again if you are unlucky on your first outing.