Elding Whale Watching · Old Harbour, Reykjavik
A three-hour cruise from the Old Harbour into Faxafloi Bay with Elding, looking for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins and porpoises, with warm overalls on loan and a free return ticket if you see none. It's the best thing to do with Iceland's whales: watch them.
Elding is a whale watching company based at the Old Harbour, a few minutes' walk from Harpa where the Food Walk starts. Its classic cruise heads out into Faxafloi Bay for about three hours. The operator names humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins and porpoises as the animals you are most likely to see, and the listing says whales or dolphins are seen on more than 90% of trips, summer and winter.
If you see nothing, you get a free ticket to come again. Overalls, raincoats and blankets are lent on board, and the ticket includes admission to the wildlife exhibition. Food and drinks are not included; guests mention snacks for sale on board. Elding's own price list shows 14,500 ISK for adults (about $118), more than the $105 Viator price, and children 0 to 6 go free.
Weather decides a lot. In bad conditions the trip is cancelled or moved to another harbour, which can add one to two hours, and guests describe rough, cold days. Wheelchair users can bring a light-weight chair on board the larger boats, but steep stairs and high thresholds limit access to the inside areas and toilets. And one word on food: none of the food tours on this site list whale, and IceWhale and IFAW ask visitors not to order it.
The ticket office at Aegisgardur 5c by the Old Harbour. Follow the red colour on the pier.
Borrow warm overalls or a raincoat before you board.
The crew and guide look for whales, dolphins, porpoises and seabirds and tell you which side to watch.
Your ticket includes admission to the wildlife exhibition.
★★★★★Our first trip was cancelled due to bad weather but it was easy to reschedule and we went out on 25th September. The staff were lovely, very knowledgeable and kind. We saw Minke whales, harbour porpoise and lots of humpback whales.
★★★★★The Biologist on board gave great background on the animals in the harbor and was expert at spotting them. [...] Wind/water proof overalls are available on loan in many sizes if needed for warmth.
★★★★★We got to see whales and dolphins up close as well as getting a chance to take in the stunning scenery in the bay. The guides are all marine biologists and so know what they’re talking about too. One thing, wrap up warm, it gets cold!
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About three hours on the listing; Elding gives 2.5 to 3.5 hours depending on where the animals are.
You get a free ticket to come again on another trip.
No. Food and drinks are excluded, and guests mention snacks for sale on board. Eat before or after: the street food walk starts a few steps away on Aegisgardur at 1 PM.
Not everyday food. IceWhale and IFAW say tourists eat most of the whale meat sold. See our Icelandic food guide.
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Humpbacks and minke whales from the Old Harbour, with warm overalls on board.
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