Iceland · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

Boat Trips in Iceland: The 15 Best Sailings

81 tours  ·  from $60

Whale bays, puffin stacks, iceberg lagoons and the odd sailing under the midnight sun. The 15 below range from an hour in the harbour to a full day on the water, each priced and clear about swell and cancellations.

Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise - Searching for whales with a trained guide
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Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise

1.Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9,838 reviews · 3 hours · from $87Our pick

Spend about three hours on Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavík, watching for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and seabirds. Guides such as Maria and Lucky explain animal behavior and point out sightings. The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and a café selling hot drinks and snacks.

“We did lots of activities in Iceland and this was by far the best! Maria was absolutely amazing in explaining all about the whales, aswell as seabirds/seals. It was a smooth sailing experience with a bar and indoor areas to ge warm. The boat wasn’t too full so everyone was able to see the whales and they came so close to us! It was amazing and I would recommend this trip to anyone and everyone!”

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Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht - The search for minke and humpback whales
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Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

2.Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,911 reviews · 3 hours · from $107

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor aboard the Amelia Rose for about three hours of whale watching in Faxaflói Bay. Guides such as Lucky and Roman point out minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, birds, and coastal sights. The yacht has three panoramic decks, a warm lounge, bar, WiFi, blankets, and optional hotel pickup.

“Our whale watching was a wonderful experience. We opted for the hotel pickup, and we were picked up by the captain! The Amelia Rose is a beautiful boat with indoor seating, a bar and gorgeous hand-carved wood throughout. A very nice place to sit, if you want to get out of the wind for a little. We were informed from the beginning that we may not see whales, but they would try their best. Well - their best was great. We were fortunate enough to see 2 humpback whale breach at the same time! Everyone on the boat was thrilled.”

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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour - The first half hour on Faxaflói Bay
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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

3.Northern Lights Yacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,253 reviews · 2 hours · from $93

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay on a two-hour aurora cruise. Guides such as Maria, Julian, and Lucky explain the lights, help with phone photography, and alert you when the sky changes. Three viewing decks, blankets, sea-sickness tablets, Wi-Fi, and an indoor bar make this a comfortable option, though sightings are never guaranteed.

“Overall good trip. We only faintly saw the lights for a couple minutes (still saw them!). However, they didn’t think it was good enough so they are allowing us to come back up to 3 years time which I think it’s very kind of them. The bar / overall boat was really good. Even the two hour cruise is pretty worth it”

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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour - What the puffin guarantee really means
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Reykjavik: Puffin Watching Boat Tour

4.Puffin Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,052 reviews · 1 hour · from $64

Join a one-hour puffin cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour aboard the wooden boat Skúlaskeið, known as Old Skuli. A guide such as Patrick, Joe, or Rebekka explains puffins and other seabirds as you cruise to Lundey and Akurey. Binoculars are supplied, and the boat holds up to 33 people.

“Fantastic! Both the guide (Joe) and the captain ((Anders?) were very knowledgeable, funny, kind, and helpful. Everything went smoothly and as advertised.”

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Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise - The first stretch across Faxafloi Bay
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

5.Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 707 reviews · 3 hours · from $106

Set out from Reykjavik Old Harbor aboard MY Harpa or MY Amelia Rose for three hours in Faxafloi Bay. Guides such as Lucky and Rebecca point out humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, seabirds, and summer puffins. You get indoor seating, outside decks, blankets, WiFi, a bar, and a return ticket if no wildlife appears.

“Everything was perfect but the parking instructions. We saw many whales and dolphins as well as puffins. We got the big yatch but was not too overcrowded so we could spot everything with no issues :)”

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Árskógssandur: Whale-Watching Boat Trip - What the 2.5-hour cruise feels like
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Árskógssandur: Whale-Watching Boat Trip

6.Árskógssandur: Whale-Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 695 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $96

Meet at Hotel Kaldi in Árskógssandur for a 2.5-hour whale-watching cruise with North Sailing. You will ride a traditional oak boat through sheltered Eyjafjörður, with warm overalls, English commentary, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun. Humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds may appear.

“Wonderful whale watching. You always question if you’d see anything on one of these tours and whether it was the same whales or different ones, we saw about 12 sitings. Excellent!”

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Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik - Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales
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Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik

7.Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 684 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour through Faxaflói Bay aboard a whale-watching yacht for about three hours. An onboard guide explains whale behavior while the crew searches for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and sometimes orcas. You also see Harpa, Engey, Lundey, and Viðey from the water. A free return cruise is offered if no whales appear.

“There wasn’t a bad view on the boat as it wasn’t too packed in. We got to see three humpback whales multiple times and the tour guide was full of great information and stories about whales and Iceland. Even though we were out on a milder winter day, spending hours on the viewing decks will require you to dress quite warmly. Lots of layers! And don’t forget your gloves like I did. Even if you forget something, there is a little bar with alcohol and non alcoholic warm beverages if you need. The inner cabin spaces are also cozy and warm.”

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Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik - Choosing between 2.5 and 3.5 hours
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Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik

8.Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 651 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $86

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, cruise Faxaflói Bay on a 2.5-hour express trip or a 3.5-hour classic tour. Your naturalist guide helps spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other sea life. Thermal coveralls, heated indoor seating, Wi-Fi, and a free return ticket if nothing appears make this a practical choice in Iceland’s changeable weather.

“They canceled it three days in a row can I please get a refund? The weather was too bad to do tour please give a refund”

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Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik - Why the puffin season matters so much
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Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

9.Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 636 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $63

Set out from Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik for a roughly one-hour cruise to Akurey Island. Your guide explains puffins, fulmars, gulls, Arctic terns, and black guillemots while the captain circles the island and pauses near nesting areas. Binoculars are included, and hotel pickup can be arranged for an extra fee.

“I was seeing the birds all through Iceland and this trip was perfect to get to see them up close! 10/10 would go again!”

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Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik - Searching Faxaflói Bay for the aurora
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Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

10.Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 610 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

Sail from downtown Reykjavik for about two hours with Elding Whale Watching, watching for the Northern Lights over Faxaflói Bay. You can use outdoor decks or a heated cabin with Wi-Fi, toilets, hot drinks, and snacks. Guides such as Mia explain the aurora and help with camera settings. If you see nothing, return free within two years.

“We were fortunate enough to see the northern lights on this tour after about an hour and a bit of waiting. Throughout it all, our guide was really entertaining and they played some nice music that added to the atmosphere. The hot chocolate was good too. We also went to the peace tower which was beautiful to see on the clear night. I recommend wrapping up warm, it can get quite chilly on the top deck, although the cafe is warm and there are also overalls you can wear to help with the chill. Also check the aurora forecast and weather before you go, if it’s heavy cloud cover you…”

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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík - A guide, a captain, and room to ask questions
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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

11.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $203Top rated

Set out from Húsavík on a two-hour RIB ride across Skjálfandi Bay. Your captain covers ground quickly while an expert guide, such as Austin, Alessandra, or Danny, explains the whales and seabirds. The boat carries no more than 12 people, with warm suits and life jackets provided. Puffins are seasonal, usually from mid-April to August 20.

“Overall fun experience even though we took the 9am tour which was the first tour of the day hoping to see Whales, but only saw a few fins, not that exciting. Very cold, wet and rough waters getting out there so expect to get wet! They provide great gear for all. Austin our guide was great, very informative. I will say the negative was that it was also suppose to be whales & puffins, but the puffins aspect of the tour was never addressed, so not sure if what happened with that (?) overall no regrets.”

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Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise - The search for whales, dolphins, and porpoises
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Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

12.Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 488 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor aboard Harpa or Amelia Rose for about three hours on Faxafloi Bay. An English-speaking guide, open observation decks, indoor seating, blankets, Wi-Fi, a bar, and free seasickness tablets make the trip comfortable. Watch for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and summer puffins.

“Excellent observation decks at multiple levels. The indoor decks and bar were appreciated for warming up”

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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour - Getting ready at the North Sailing office
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Húsavík: Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

13.Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 444 reviews · 3 hours · from $135

From Húsavík, cruise Skjálfandi Bay for roughly 3 to 3.5 hours aboard a traditional oak boat. An English-speaking guide explains whales and seabirds while you look for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and puffins near Puffin Island. Warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun help take the edge off the cold.

“The whale watching and puffin island trip was one of the highlights of our Iceland trip. The weather was favorable and we saw plenty of puffins at the puffin island. We were also fortunate to see a number of humpback whales and porpoises. But the biggest highlight of the trip has to be the blue whale spotting. It was such an once in a lifetime experience for us. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and shared a lot of interesting information with us. The hot chocolate at the end of the trip was just the cherry on top. Had the most amazing experience. Would recommend to everyone visiting Husavik.”

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Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour - Getting close to puffins on Old Skúli
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Reykjavik: Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

14.Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 442 reviews · from $148

You’ll take two separate cruises from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor: a close-range puffin trip on the shallow-draft Old Skúli, then a whale search aboard the spacious Andrea or a faster boat. Guides such as Patrick and Rebecca add humor and solid wildlife facts. Choose classic or express whale watching, and leave time for weather and sea conditions.

“The combination offered by Special Tours was a really good choice, especially choosing the faster tour for the whale watching. Less time travelling to the area, same amount of time to spot the whales, perfect! Going to watch puffins afterwards was great. Good explanations on both tours, a downloadable app with more info, binoculars to borrow for free to spot the puffins, everything was great! Also, despite the many tourists they have every day, they remembered me and gave me a discount for booking a second tour with them to go sea angling, lovely.Read more”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise - The first half hour: city lights fading behind you
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

15.Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 438 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Join an English-speaking guide for a two-hour Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You’ll leave the city lights behind, watch the mountains fade into the darkness, and search the sky from two observation decks. Blankets, indoor seating, Wi-Fi, and a bar make the wait easier, but the aurora is never guaranteed.

“We actually got to see the lights and the guide was very knowledgeable about how and why the lights appear”

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