Cold water, big stories, and marine life.

This Reykjavik shore excursion is interesting because you’re out on Faxaflói Bay with ongoing expert wildlife commentary, warm gear ready to go, and a real chance at humpback whales and dolphins. I especially love the onboard guide narration (clear enough that you don’t need to crane your neck) and the thermal overalls that keep you comfortable when the wind kicks up. One drawback to plan for: whales aren’t guaranteed, and on rougher days you may spend more time hunting than watching.

You’ve got two ways to do it: a longer leisurely cruise (about 3.5 hours) or a shorter high-speed run (about 2.5 hours). Either way, you’ll be scanning for porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and humpbacks, with the guide pointing out what you’re seeing and where to look next. If you’re prone to motion sickness, the good news is the cruise includes sea sickness tablets, plus waterproof coveralls so you can stay outside and actually look.

Key Things I’d Book This For

• Expert onboard commentary with speakers so you can follow the wildlife talk from most spots on the boat
• Faxaflói Bay wildlife variety, including porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and humpback whales
• Thermal waterproof overalls (including children’s sizes) so you’re not freezing while searching the water
• A free try-again ticket if nothing is seen, which lowers the risk of a no-show
• Special Tours Iceland app with text and audio in multiple languages (available before or during the tour)
• WiFi on board so you can stay connected while you wait for the next sighting

Skarfabakki Harbour To Faxaflói Bay: What the Cruise Is Like

The tour starts at Skarfabakki Harbour in Reykjavík. From there, you head out onto the bay, usually with the guide keeping the group oriented so you’re not just staring randomly at grey water (hard to spot anything when everyone is drifting in different directions). The boat itself is set up for sightseeing, with viewing space inside and out, plus installed speakers for the commentary.

Timing matters because this is a search-and-scan kind of outing. You don’t just pull away and instantly see whales like it’s a movie scene. You go out, slow down and look, then move when sightings happen. On calm days, it feels easy: you can walk around and watch from multiple angles. On choppier days, you’ll still get the viewing time, but you’ll want to hold onto your balance and pick where you stand so you’re not fighting the waves the whole time.

A helpful detail: the cruise ends back at the same meeting point. That makes it simpler if you’re doing other Reykjavík plans after—no complicated transfers into the unknown.

Species You’re Targeting (and What If You See Mostly Dolphins)

Let’s talk about what you’re actually here for: whales and the smaller cetaceans that often show up around the same waters. The cruise is built for spotting porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and humpback whales around Faxaflói Bay. In addition, you may see other seabirds (like puffins and diving birds) when the guide’s scanning turns up feeding activity near the surface.

Here’s the honest part: you’re not buying a guaranteed whale. Some days, whales are nearby and you get longer looks. Other days, you might get more dolphins than whales, or just a brief glimpse. The tour’s value comes from two things:

1) you’re out on the water long enough to have multiple chances at sightings, and

2) you get a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen.

That free try-again option is especially important in Iceland, where conditions can change quickly. If your first trip doesn’t deliver, you have a second shot without having to pay again.

Also, I like that the guide’s role isn’t just facts. When a target appears, the guide helps you locate it quickly. That turns the whale-watching into a better team sport and makes your time on deck less frustrating.

Two Cruise Lengths: 3.5 Hours vs 2.5 Hours (Which One Fits You?)

This excursion comes in two formats:

• a leisurely 3.5-hour cruise
• a 2.5-hour high-speed cruise

If you have time and you want the best odds of spotting whales, I lean toward the longer option. The extra hour gives the captain more flexibility to search and respond to sightings. It also helps if weather shifts and the boat needs to adjust plans.

If you’re short on time—maybe you’re juggling a tight cruise schedule or you’ve already booked other Reykjavík activities—go with the shorter high-speed cruise. It can still be a great wildlife outing, and you’ll spend less time on the water overall. The trade-off is fewer minutes to work through the natural “waiting for the next cue” rhythm of whale watching.

In both cases, you’re looking at the same bay and learning about the same types of whales and dolphins. Your decision is mostly about your tolerance for time at sea versus your appetite for maximizing search time.

Thermal Overalls, Sea Sickness Tablets, and the App That Keeps You in the Loop

One of the smartest parts of this tour is how they handle the cold. The cruise includes thermal overalls (with children’s sizes too). These aren’t just for comfort—they’re for staying outside long enough to actually spot wildlife. If you’re dressed only for a walk in town, you’ll feel the wind fast once you’re on open water.

They also include complimentary sea sickness tablets. You might still get queasy if you’re sensitive and the sea is rough, but having tablets ready lowers the stress load. I’d treat them as part of the safety kit, not a last resort.

Then there’s the Special Tours Iceland app. You can download it before or during the tour, and it offers both text and audio info about the tour, wildlife, and the surrounding nature. It’s available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. On a boat, audio helps because you don’t need to stop looking at the water to read.

And yes, there’s free WiFi. That’s not why you came to Iceland, but it’s useful when you want to post, check messages, or map your next stop in Reykjavík without scrambling.

Where Pickup and Viewing Go Right (and Where It Can Go Wrong)

Pickup is offered. If you choose pickup from the cruise terminal, pay attention to the timing details and how they communicate them. The tour requires you to be ready at Skarfabakki Harbour about 1 hour before departure if you selected pickup, and confirmation is received at booking time. This matters because whale-watching is time-sensitive. Boats don’t wait politely forever.

I also strongly suggest you plan your viewing like a strategy game:

• If the sea is choppy, find a spot where you can stay steady and still see the guide’s directions.
• When the captain adjusts course for a sighting, you may want to shift toward the best side of the boat as quickly as you can.

From what you can infer about how these cruises operate, visibility is best when you position yourself in the direction the boat faces during the search. If you end up far from the front and the sea is rough, it can be harder to see wildlife clearly.

One more practical point: the tour isn’t described as fully handicapped accessible. If mobility issues are part of your needs, it’s worth thinking ahead about where you’ll stand and how you’ll move if the boat shifts quickly.

Value in Plain Terms: Why $108.13 Can Make Sense

At $108.13 per person, the price isn’t cheap—but it can still be good value for Reykjavík whale watching when you look at what’s included. You’re getting:

• the cruise itself (about 2.5 or 3.5 hours depending on option),
• thermal waterproof overalls,
• sea sickness tablets,
• free WiFi,
• a free try-again ticket if nothing is seen.

Many whale tours sell you “a chance.” This one also throws in equipment and risk coverage that reduces the impact of a slow wildlife day. That’s the key value point. You’re not only paying for a boat ride; you’re paying for gear, guidance, and an extra attempt if luck isn’t on your side.

Food and drinks are not included (unless specified), so if you want snacks or hot drinks, plan on purchasing them separately if available. One review noted a snack bar aboard, but the tour info doesn’t promise included meals—so bring water planning in your day.

If you’re deciding between this and paying for something more basic, the thermal overalls alone can change your experience. Staying warm keeps your mood steady. Steady mood helps you notice wildlife instead of counting minutes until you can retreat inside.

Weather Reality: Good Days Feel Magical, Rough Days Test Your Patience

This is weather-dependent by design. The tour explicitly requires good weather, and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund if it’s canceled due to rough conditions.

When the weather is kind—calmer seas, better visibility—you get the best mix: whales close enough for detail, dolphins that pop up repeatedly, and birds that join the show when fish or feeding activity draws them in. On those days, even a short whale sighting feels worth the trip because the guide can help you track it, and everyone on board sees something.

On rougher days, your experience changes. You may still spot marine life, but you’ll spend more energy dealing with motion and less energy scanning. That’s also when it matters most to use the thermal gear and consider the sea sickness tablets early, not after you’re already uncomfortable.

My advice: treat this as an Iceland experience where the water can be moody. If you go in expecting a guaranteed whale breach photo every time, you’ll be set up for disappointment. If you go in expecting a guided hunt for wildlife with a strong chance of dolphins and birds, you’ll likely feel satisfied even when the big whales don’t cooperate.

Who Should Book This Shore Excursion?

This cruise fits best if you want:

• a guided whale-watching outing with clear commentary,
• warm gear that lets you stay outside,
• a backup plan through the free try-again ticket,
• and an option that matches your time window in Reykjavík.

It also works well for mixed groups, including families—because thermal overalls come in children’s sizes and there’s onboard tech (WiFi and the app) to keep things interesting if the sightings take a while.

If you’re the type who gets seasick easily or struggles standing on moving decks, plan your spot carefully and consider arriving with your best motion-sickness strategy. And if your priority is seeing whales only, understand you’re buying a probability, not a promise.

If you’re more flexible—happy with dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds as part of the wildlife day—this is the kind of tour that can be a highlight rather than a gamble.

Should You Book This Whale-Watching Cruise in Reykjavik?

I’d book it if you can handle two things: cold wind and uncertainty. The uncertainty is the ocean’s fault, not the tour’s. What makes this one worth your money is the combination of expert guidance, warm thermal overalls, onboard comfort options, and the free try-again ticket when sightings don’t happen.

Skip it only if you have a very rigid schedule where you can’t adjust to weather delays, or if you know you’ll refuse any sea time no matter how warm the overalls are. Whale watching is still whale watching—your best results come from having the mindset of a wildlife watcher, not a ticket scanner.

FAQ

How long is the whale-watching cruise?

You can choose two options: about 3.5 hours for the leisurely cruise or about 2.5 hours for the high-speed cruise.

Where does the tour start in Reykjavík?

The meeting point is Skarfabakki Harbour, 544P+F35, 104 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered. If you select pickup, you should be ready at the meeting point about 1 hour prior to departure time.

What species might you see?

The tour focuses on marine life around Faxaflói Bay, including porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, minke whales, and humpback whales.

Is WiFi included?

Yes, free WiFi is included.

Are thermal overalls provided?

Yes. Thermal waterproof overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available.

Are sea sickness tablets provided?

Yes, complimentary sea sickness tablets are included.

Is food included?

Food and drinks are not included unless specified.

Do you have a chance to try again if no wildlife is seen?

Yes. A free ticket to try again is included if nothing is seen on your tour.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.