Whale watching

Whale Watching Hauganes is Iceland's oldest whale watching tour operator, based in the heart of Eyjafjörður fjord from where the whales are usually just a few minutes away. We always see humpback whales in our tours but also minke whales, harbour porpoises and dolphins. With some luck you can see orca whales (killer whales) and blue whales.   It only takes you 25 minutes to drive to Hauganes from Akureyri.  We operate two classic Icelandic oak boats that are both spacious and extremely stable in the still fjord of Eyjafjörður fjord which is well sheltered from the open North Atlantic Ocean. Inluded in our Whale Watching & Sea Angling tours you can enjoy sea angling at the end of the tour where you can take the filleted fish with you to enjoy later on.   All our tours are carbon neutral as we plant one tree for each tour and blend the oil with bio-diesel made locally from frying oils from local restaurants.   Also in Hauganes you will find a lovely restaurant, Baccalá Bar, a campsite, and the extremely popular hot tubs down by the black beach of Sandvík. You will find the unique beer spas just 5 minutes north from us, the only one of their kind in North Europe.  Daily departures at 13:30 (1:30 pm) (if the minimum required isreached).  Sea angling at the end of the tour. Tour duration: 2,5 - 3 hours. Included: warm overalls (are also flotations suits), fishing rods, coffee and hot chocolate and pastries.  For more info call +354 867 0000, send an email to whales@whales.is or check out www.whales.is

The eco-friendly whale watching company Enjoy the great variety of marine life in the unique environment of Skjálfandaflói bay aboard North Sailing’s meticulously renovated oak boats. Since its founding in 1995, North Sailing has been a pioneer of sustainable tourism, as well as being the first company in Iceland to offer regular whale watching tours. Whale watching is a popular activity for visitors to Iceland, and the company’s operations have grown fast.  The fishing village of Húsavík is now renowned for its spectacular whale watching opportunities, and Skjálfandaflói bay is one of only a handful of places in the world where the blue whale, the largest mammal on earth, is known to visit regularly.  North Sailing’s whale watching tours have given Húsavík the reputation of being Europe’s whale watching capital. One of North Sailing’s most ambitious goals is to empower sustainable tourism, and the company has put a lot of care and skill into renovating and maintaining its fleet of old oak fishing-ships.  First company in the world to offer carbon-free whale watching   On July 12th, 2015, the renovated schooner Opal, with its uniquely designed electrical system, was launched. The launching marked a world-wide first: Offering carbon-free whale watching tours by using only wind and electricity for propulsion.  In 2016, North Sailing started offering carbon-free whale watching tours, called Silent Whale Watching allowing passengers to experience whale watching on a completely different level. A breathtaking aspect of the experience is listening to the whales.  North Sailing has received a number of awards and acknowledgements for its eco-friendly operations and innovative new designs, for example it received the Environmental Recognition of the Icelandic Tourist Board for the second time in 2015, as well as being awarded the silver prize at the coveted World Responsible Tourism Awards for “Best Innovation for Carbon Reduction”.  North Sailing offers a variety of exciting tours, such as whale watching tours in Hjalteyri/Árskógssandur in Eyjafjörður (approx. 15-minute drive from Akureyri), evening tours in Reykjavík onboard the amazing hybrid-electric Ópal, week-long expeditions in Scoresby Sund on the east coast of Greenland, and so much more.   Day Tours: Húsavík Original Whale Watching (1 March - 30 November)- Duration: 3 hrs Silent Whale Watching (1 May - 30 September) - Duration: 3 hrs Whales & Sails (1 June - 10 August)- Duration: 3 hrs Whales & Puffins (16 April - 19 August) - Duration: 3,5 hrs) Whale Watching from Eyjafjörður (1 June - 30 September) - Duration 2,5 hrs  Experience Greenland- Season: July 26th - September 13th 2023 Specially designed tours on request.

Gentle Giants is a family-run company which has been offering tours from Húsavík, the Whale Capital of Iceland, since 2002. We are proud of our strong roots in Skjálfandi Bay with more than 160 years of family history in the bay. Gentle Giants operates a fleet of traditional Icelandic oak boats, modern RIB speedboats, a fibreglass boat and sea kayaks. This gives us the unique opportunity to offer almost any kind of adventure at sea. Apart from the bestseller whale watching, other tours that we offer are e.g. sea angling, bird watching, kayak tours, yoga retreat, island visits with BBQ, and all kinds of high-end private and tailor-made adventures for individuals and groups of all sizes. The company’s aim is to create memorable experiences while raising awareness about the gentle giants of the ocean and their habitat. Whales are seen on up to 97-99% of our tours. Our staff consists of highly educated and fully qualified both local and international people with various backgrounds and experiences who all share a passion for the sea and work hard to make every passenger feel good. We can offer you: -Untamed and unpredictable nature -Bigger and smaller boats -More personal experience -Higher chances of finding whales -160 years of our family history in Skjálfandi Bay -Great respect to nature and minimum environmental impact -Good memories and natural happiness -Discounts for GG passengers by various local companies in Húsavík Welcome aboard!

At our family-run whale watching business, we believe that every tour should be an unforgettable experience. That's why we work tirelessly to ensure that our guests have the best possible whale watching experience. Our boat is equipped with the latest technology and safety equipment, and our knowledgeable guides will share their passion for the whales of Skjalfandi with you on your journey.

Húsavík Adventures offers a unique experience for tourists travelling in Iceland. We offer Big Whales and Puffins and Midnight Sun Whale Watching (the latter tour is available from 1st of june to 31st July). Húsavík is located in the northern part of Iceland on the eastern shore of Skjálfandi Bay. Húsavík is known as the Whale Capital of Iceland. Welcome to our ticket office at Hafnarstétt 11, Húsavík. Click here to view our introduction video!

Please contact for tours and booking information.

Keli SeaTours/Keliseatours.is Keli SeaTours is a small family-whale watching company in Akureyri. Three brothers named Egill-, Halldór- and Sævar Áskelssons bought in October 2015 a 40 year old and almost 30 tonn oak boat. The boat was scheduled for disassembly and to be sold for scraps.  Áskell Egilsson (Keli) was our father. He along with his his colleagues built this boat back in 1975 in Akureyri. In 2015 we got it back and renovated it after its 40 years of sailing and fishing all around Iceland.   We would love to take you out on our traditional oak boat for close encounters with the gentle giants that come to our beautiful Eyjafjordur. If you are looking for the authentic whale watching experience in Iceland. Scheduled tours for whale watching  from May to end of September and a possibility of private trips and sea-angling.  We have free coffee, hot chocolate and some biscuits on board for our customers.  We also have warm overalls (floating suits) for everyone on board to keep everbody warm and safe and ofcourse we have a toilette on board. Note, it is better to wear good walking shoes, and take gloves and hat with you.  Estimated time for a trip of whale watching is 3 hours. Be sure to check us out.   Tel. 546-7000

Arctic Sea Tours offers Arctic whale watching, Grímsey Arctic Island and Arctic Sea Angling tours from Dalvik close to Akureyri in North Iceland. Our location is 66°N close to the Arctic circle which lies just north of Iceland and through Grimsey island. We operate licensed oak passenger boats, equipped according to strict standards set by the Icelandic Maritime Administration.  We emphasize on personal service and small groups of passengers. We do our best to make your tour a special one and provide you with an unforgettable experience. Private charter available all around the year.   Arctic Whale Watching. A great adventure and unique experience for everyone. In Dalvík you have an exceptionally good chance to encounter the great humpback whale or 94% and often we spot white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, the small harbour porpoises and sometimes even the majestic blue whale. Overall we see whales in 98% of our tours. 3 hour whale watching tour. Warm overalls to secure your comfort on board. Hot drinks and local refreshments. 15 minutes sea angling at the end of the tour. Grill of freshly caught fish once back in Dalvík. Departure every day all around the year at 13:00, more departure times in summer. Whale watching schedule Morning departure 09:00 from 15th may - 30th september Midday departure 13:00 all around the year Afternoon departure 17:00 15th june - 10th august Evening departure 20:30 1st july Grímsey Arctic Island Have you ever wanted to cross the arctic circle? Well this is your chance! You will sail over to Grimsey island where you will be able to cross over the arctic circle and experience local culture and food! 10 hour day tour! Transfer to Grímsey island and back with the ferry Sæfari. Guided tour while on the island. A light lunch. A stop at one of the best bird watching areas in Iceland. Seeing the work of the locals. Meeting the locals for a light chat. Departure 3 times a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 09:00   Arctic Sea Angling. Fishing is fun for all ages! If you want to experience Icelandic culture this tour will give you exactly what you are looking for – with the fresh arctic air, fishing and a taste of the freshly caught catch, you will leave Iceland feeling like a true fisherman! 1-6 hour sea angling tour. No need for experience – we will teach you. Experienced fishermen on board. Fishing equipment & protective clothing. Taste of grilled fish at the harbour! Upon request all around the year.

Special Tours Wildlife Adventures – Whale Watching and Other Sea Tours! Special Tours was founded in 1996 as an operator for puffin watching tours for tourists, and for scientific trips for school children. The company has since steadily branched out by offering whale watching, sea angling, northern lights by boat, Reykjavík by sea and numerous incentive & group tours.   Whale Watching Join Special Tours for an informative and exciting whale watching tour! Our boats are located very close to the city centre in Reykjavík‘s famous Old Harbour. The most commonly spotted whales in Faxaflói Bay are minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, humpback whales and harbour porpoises. An experienced guide will share their extensive knowledge and fun facts about the wildlife we encounter at sea. While searching for the whales, enjoy the beautiful scenery all around you on our way out and back. Special Tours is proud to offer three types of whale watching tours! CLASSIC Whale Watching (3-3.5 hours) – Hop on board Andrea, one of the largest whale watching boats in Iceland, with plenty of space to view the whales both inside and outside! This tour operates year-round, and we are happy to be able to offer German guiding during the summer season. There is a special educational and interactive focus on board, with whale bones, teeth and baleen plates for passengers to see and touch. A cafe, souvenir shop and restrooms are all on board. Free Wi-Fi and warm overalls are also provided for everyone! EXPRESS Whale Watching (2-2.5 hours) – Offered from May – September, this express tour goes on a smaller and faster boat. It is perfect for those looking for a bit of adventure, or simply trying to fit in as much as possible during their vacation! In only 20-30 minutes you will have reached the feeding grounds, spending less time waiting. A snack bar and restrooms are on the boat, and free Wi-Fi and warm overalls are provided for everyone! RIB EXPRESS Whale Watching (2 hours) – We have two powerful RIB boats that allows us to get extra close to the whales in a way that is safe for both the animals and our lovely passengers. Available from April 15 – October 31st, this exciting express tour is extra-fast and has built in shock absorbing seats to make it more comfortable. During the summer months we also visit the islands that the puffins nest on during our way out to the feeding grounds. We provide warm overalls, life jackets, gloves and goggles for all passengers!   Please note that these tours are weather dependant and sightings of wildlife cannot be guaranteed. If you are not able to see the whales on your tour you will get a complimentary ticket to try again on the next available day! Puffin Express (1 hour) – During the summer Special Tours offers a quick 1 hour tour to see the famous puffins! The puffins are in Iceland for their nesting season (around May 1st – August 20th), and have breeding grounds on islands just off the coast of Reykjavík. In only 15 minutes you will be out watching these adorable little birds while getting amazing views of Reykjavík and the surrounding mountains. Our boats can get you extra close to the islands! We provide binoculars on board and recomend a good camera lens for close-up pictures. Puffin Express by RIB Speedboat (1 hour) – The Puffin Express by RIB Speedboat is the perfect option for an exciting, fast tour that presents the opportunity to get really close to the birds! The adventure starts at the Old Harbour of Reykjavík and only takes one hour. Sea Angling (2.5-3 hours) – Enjoy a real fishing experience and a BBQ on board during this sea angling tour, available from May 1st – September 15th. This tour is great for all ages and levels of experience, as our expert crew is happy to assist anyone who is not familiar with fishing. All necessary fishing equipment and protective clothing is provided. The catch is grilled on board for an exceptionally delicious fresh taste straight from the ocean! Northern Lights by Boat (2-3 hours) – Watching the northern lights from the ocean is an amazing experience you will not want to miss! Join us in search for the northern lights at sea, escaping the light pollution from the city. There is plenty of space on the outer viewing decks, and warm overalls are provided! There are also heated indoor seating areas, a special northern lights video and refreshments for sale. Your guide will explain the science behind the lights and share facts, stories and myths about the lights from cultures around the world. Please note that this tour is weather dependant and sightings of naturally occurring phenemona cannot be guaranteed. If you are not able to see the lights on your tour you will get a complimentary ticket to try again on the next available day! Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan (NON-REFUNDABLE) This Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan tour is a great choice for people who want a guaranteed adventure, even if the weather does not agree with us! If the Northern Lights tour is confirmed to sail, you will join the regularly scheduled tour. If the Northern Lights tour is not able to sail due to weather or cloud coverage you are automatically placed on another tour that has been set up in partnership with the Whales of Iceland museum. Enjoy a tour of the museum, a special Northern Lights video and a Q&A session with one of our expert Northern Lights guides and a complimentary drink! You will also receive a ticket to join the Northern Lights by Boat tour on the next available day. All of our boats are very comfortable and have great viewing areas. Our three largest boats, Andrea, Lilja and Rósin, have free wireless internet on board. Warm overalls are provided for all whale watching and northern lights tours, and protective clothing is provided for all sea angling tours. Andrea has a cafeteria and souvenir ship, three different indoor saloons and six restrooms. The outside view over the ocean is beautiful, with room for all – very family friendly! Our regular express boats have a snack bar, modern and comfortable indoor seating areas, restrooms and great viewing platforms outside. Our RIB express boat is fitted with comfortable shock absorbing seats and all necessary safety gear provided – a fun and exciting tour for all! Safety is Special Tours‘ number 1 priority and we follow IceWhale‘s code of conduct for responsible and sustainable whale watching. Special Tours also has an extensive environmental policy, and we are proud to be a certified gold member of Vakinn – Quality & Environmental Label of the Icelandic Tourist board, and to carry the Blue Flag since 2011. In 2016 Special Tours received the environmental awared of Faxaflóahafnir, Associated Icelandic Ports. Special Tours is conveniently located in Reykjavík‘s Old Harbour, only a 5 minute walk from the city center. Pick-up & drop-off services are offered for an additional fee from all hotels and guesthouses (or designated pick-up zones) in the greater Reykjavík area. “WE GO THE EXTRA MILE”