Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

The most unusual part of this Reykjavik outing is the pairing: real lava indoors and whale watching offshore, all in one booking. You first search Faxaflói Bay for minke and humpback whales, then watch molten rock flow through a showroom at the Lava Show.

I like the heated cabins and warm flotation overalls, which matter on a chilly Icelandic sea. I also like the clear educational angle, from whale models and marine-life explanations to the volcano film before the lava appears. The main drawback is practical: the two activities are in different parts of Reykjavik, and you must arrange your own transport between them.

Key points

• Red-hot lava in a safe showroom: The 50-minute Lava Show uses real molten lava and explains Iceland’s major eruptions and volcanic risks.
• Three hours on Faxaflói Bay: The boat searches for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and the rare possibility of killer whales.
• Two separate Reykjavik locations: Meet for the boat at Geirsgata 11, then go to Fiskislóð 73 for the lava experience.
• Useful cold-weather comforts: Warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets are provided.
• A flexible but weather-dependent plan: If there are no whale sightings, you receive a free ticket to join again, but a canceled whale trip does not make the lava ticket refundable.
• Two schedule choices: You can book whale watching at 9:00 with lava at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 with lava at 18:00.

Why this pairing works in Reykjavik

I like this combo because the two halves show Iceland from opposite angles. The boat puts you in the open air, watching for living creatures in Faxaflói Bay. The lava show brings Iceland’s volcanic force indoors, close enough to see glowing rock move in front of you.

That contrast gives the day a useful shape. Whale watching is active and uncertain. You scan the water, wait for a fin or blow, and accept that nature sets the schedule. The lava show is more controlled. You know you will see molten lava, hear an explanation of Icelandic eruptions, and watch the host work with the hot material.

At $154 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price makes more sense if you want both experiences and would otherwise book them separately. You are paying for a three-hour boat trip, a 50-minute volcanic presentation, guides, protective gear, indoor facilities, and the convenience of one reservation.

The value drops if you mainly want guaranteed wildlife. No whale tour can promise sightings, although this one provides a free return ticket if no whales are seen. It also drops if you dislike arranging your own transfers, since the boat and lava show are not at the same address.

Starting at Geirsgata 11 for the boat

Your day begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival is not wasted time, since you need to check in, find the right departure point, and get ready for weather on the bay.

The boat portion lasts about three hours. You travel into Faxaflói Bay while guides explain the marine life you may encounter. The main targets are minke and humpback whales, but the possible list also includes dolphins, harbour porpoises, and, more rarely, killer whales.

I would treat this as a search rather than a guaranteed whale performance. The boat may spend time looking across open water before anything appears. That uncertainty is part of the experience, but it is also why the free return ticket matters. If the crew finds no whales, you can join again without paying another fare.

The views are part of the trip even when the animals stay hidden. You can see mountains and islands around Reykjavik, along with bird life. The bay gives you a different view of the capital than you get from its streets, and the boat ride itself adds a strong sense of place.

What the boat provides on a cold Icelandic day

Icelandic weather can change quickly, so the onboard equipment is important. The operator supplies warm flotation overalls, which add insulation and also provide safety support on the water. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing, including layers that can handle wind and cold.

If the outside deck becomes uncomfortable, you can use the heated indoor cabins. Toilets are available, and free WiFi is provided. A bar sells food and drinks, though these are not included in the price.

Complimentary seasickness tablets are also available. If you know you are sensitive to motion, ask about them early rather than waiting until the boat is already moving. The information provided does not specify the boat’s size or group capacity, so you should not expect a small private outing. During some periods, the trip may operate on a shared boat with another partner to reduce the number of vessels on the water.

That shared-boat arrangement is worth understanding. It may mean the exact vessel or crew differs from what you pictured, but the environmental reason is sensible. Fewer boats can mean less pressure on the bay and its wildlife.

The one-hour gap between sea and show

The two experiences are separate. After the whale tour, you need to get from the harbour area to Fiskislóð 73, the Lava Show address. No transport bus or guided transfer is included, and guidance on the transport bus is not part of the package.

Build your own plan for this changeover. The morning schedule has whale watching at 9:00 and the lava show at 14:00. The later option starts whale watching at 13:00 and places the lava show at 18:00. That leaves time between activities, but you are responsible for using it well.

You may want that pause. A three-hour boat trip deserves a chance to warm up, eat, and reset before the next activity. Food and drinks can be bought onboard, but the package does not include a meal. The key point is not to assume that a guide will lead you from one venue to the other.

The advertised duration is 4.5 hours, while the two listed start times create a five-hour span from the start of the boat outing to the start of the lava show. Add the 50-minute presentation and your total day may feel longer than the headline duration. Check the exact schedule when booking and leave room for the transfer.

Entering the Lava Show at Fiskislóð 73

The Lava Show begins with a welcome from the host and a short educational film. The film covers Icelandic volcanism, nearby volcanoes, major eruptions in Icelandic history, and volcanic dangers around the capital area.

That introduction gives the molten rock a useful setting. You are not simply watching a special effect. You learn why Iceland has so many volcanoes and why volcanic activity is a real concern around Reykjavik and elsewhere in the country.

Then the lava enters the showroom. The host handles the molten material and demonstrates what it can do. The show is designed to be entertaining, but the educational purpose remains clear. You see red-hot lava at close range without standing near an active eruption.

The presentation lasts 50 minutes. That is long enough to offer more than a quick photo stop, but short enough to fit into a busy Reykjavik day. One useful expectation-setting point is that the show is compact. A five-star rating does not mean you should expect a full afternoon at the venue. One visitor described it as short but very good, which is a fair way to think about the format.

The Lava Show is also the part of the combo with the greatest certainty. Whale sightings depend on conditions and animal movement. The show has a fixed program, a clear start, and a guaranteed central feature: flowing lava.

Guides, explanations, and the human touch

The tour is conducted in English with live guides. The whale-watching crew explains the different species you may encounter, and the lava host connects the demonstration to Iceland’s geology and volcanic hazards.

A guide named Joe received special praise for his work, so if he is leading your departure, you can expect an engaging presence. Since guide assignments can vary, do not book on the assumption that Joe will be there. The broader strength of the format is that both activities give you context rather than leaving you to identify a whale or watch lava without explanation.

The whale portion also includes man-made whale models up close. These help you understand the size and features of the animals before or during the search. That is especially useful if you are not familiar with the difference between a minke whale, a humpback whale, a dolphin, and a harbour porpoise.

What the whale sightings are really worth

A whale tour is always a gamble. You may see a minke or humpback whale, or you may spend much of the trip scanning the water. Dolphins and harbour porpoises are also possible, while killer whales are listed as a rare sighting.

The operator offers a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings. That policy softens the risk, but it does not solve every scheduling problem. You need enough time in Reykjavik to return, and the second outing may not fit your itinerary.

I would choose the morning boat if you want the rest of the day available after the lava show. The later boat and evening lava show may suit you better if you prefer a slower morning. In either case, arrive 30 minutes early and dress for the sea, not just for the city streets.

The bird life and views also help make the outing worthwhile when whales are elusive. You are not buying a guaranteed animal encounter. You are buying a guided search in a scenic bay, with the chance of seeing several marine species.

Who will get the most from this combo

This experience suits you if you want two major Iceland themes in a single day: wildlife and volcanic geology. Families, first-time visitors, and anyone with only a short stay in Reykjavik may appreciate the efficient pairing.

It also works well for people who want some indoor comfort built into a cold-weather outing. The boat has heated cabins and warm overalls, while the Lava Show takes place indoors. You still need proper clothing, but you are not committed to standing outside for the full experience.

The combo is less suitable if you want a quiet, private boat trip, because shared-boat operation may occur at certain times. It is also not ideal if you need a fully escorted day with door-to-door transport. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the transfer between venues is yours to arrange.

If your main goal is a long whale-watching expedition, you may prefer to book a boat trip on its own. If your main goal is geology, the Lava Show alone may be enough. The combo earns its price when you genuinely want both.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

The important exception concerns a canceled whale-watching trip. The Lava Show ticket remains valid only on the original booked date and is non-refundable. That means you should not assume you can move the lava visit to another day if weather or operating conditions cancel the boat.

Pets and smoking are not allowed. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard, but they are not included. English is the stated tour language.

The meeting point for the boat is Geirsgata 11. The lava venue is Fiskislóð 73. Keep both addresses saved on your phone, and plan the transfer before you set out.

Is the Reykjavik whale and lava combo worth booking?

I would book this at $154 if you want a well-rounded Reykjavik day and are comfortable with the logistics. The whale trip gives you a chance to see minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, porpoises, or the rare killer whale, while the Lava Show guarantees a close look at molten rock and explains the forces behind Iceland’s volcanoes.

I would skip it if you need one continuous guided tour, guaranteed wildlife, or a low-cost activity. The separate locations, self-arranged transfer, uncertain whale sightings, and non-refundable lava ticket after a boat cancellation all deserve attention.

For most visitors, the strongest plan is to treat the boat as a nature outing and the lava show as the sure thing. Bring warm clothing, arrive early at Geirsgata 11, allow time to cross Reykjavik between venues, and book only if both halves appeal to you. That is when this unusual combination offers solid value.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

The boat tour begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Where is the Lava Show held?

The Lava Show is held at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavik 101, Iceland. It is a separate location from the whale-watching meeting point.

How long is the whale-watching trip?

The whale-watching portion lasts about three hours. The boat searches Faxaflói Bay for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and rare killer whales.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching tour again if there are no sightings. The details provided do not promise that the return trip can be taken on any date, so check with the operator.

Is transportation between the two activities included?

No. The whale tour and Lava Show take place at different addresses, and you must arrange your own transportation between them. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included.

What is included on the whale-watching boat?

The tour includes warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, free WiFi, experienced guides, and complimentary seasickness tablets. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard but are not included.