I remember the first time I ever saw whales in their natural habitat. I was standing on a yacht in the Whitsundays off the North East coast of Queensland, Australia, enjoying the idyllic scenery and sunshine, when there were screams of delight from my fellow passengers.
It happened all so quickly, but in the near distance, I could see the whoosh of huge dorsal fins as they slapped the surface of the water. We were so lucky to then be treated to the humpback whales jumping in and out of the sea for several minutes.
As you can imagine, it was an ethereal moment, somewhat surreal but also ‘smack-in-your-chops’ amazing. I was buzzing for hours, heck, for days afterwards, because it was a complete surprise.
So when we went to ReykjavÃk, I wanted to recreate that experience and share it with our son. Of course, the conditions were completely different – instead of scorching heat, we had arctic winds and below-freezing temperatures, but we couldn’t have been in better hands…
Why we chose the Elding whale watching tour
With several whale watching companies situated in ReykjavÃk’s Old Harbour, we opted to go with Elding whale watching tour. Not only is Elding the original whale watching tour operator in ReykjavÃk since 2000, but its success has been built on over 25 years of experience and a proven track record for providing responsible whale watching with their strict code of conduct and close relationships with marine biologists and conservationists.
In fact, Elding is the first and only environmentally certified whale watching company in Iceland – a family-owned business that’s perfect for families who want to teach children about marine conservation while enjoying incredible wildlife experiences.
Our Elding whale watching tour experience
Would we see whales in Iceland?
On the day of our Elding whale watching tour, we awoke with trepidation about the weather. Luckily, it was clear blue skies – the perfect conditions to go sailing in the North Atlantic. When we arrived at the Old Harbour, we collected our tickets and boarded one of Elding’s five boats.
Once our son had been fitted with his life-jacket, he wanted to head to the upper deck, and there was plenty of space for us to mill about. Right on time, the boat’s engines revved to life, and we began our three-hour round trip across Faxaflói Bay in search of marine life.
What happens on an Elding whale watching tour?
We listened to the tour guide, Megan, explaining the safety instructions and how her previous trip resulted in no sightings. She reiterated how we were at the mercy of nature and that it was never a guarantee that we would spot whales or any other marine life. Luckily, the Elding whale watching tour provides another boat trip valid up to a year if this happens, but we all crossed our fingers that it didn’t!
We marvelled at the seascape and beautiful scenery as we sailed around the southern part of Faxaflói Bay. Looking back towards ReykjavÃk and pinpointing all the landmarks we’d already been to was a brilliant way to pass the time. Meanwhile, the majestic Mount Esja was never far from sight.
Marine wildlife encounters
About an hour into our Elding whale watching tour, not unlike my time in the Whitsundays, there was a flurry of excitement when the guide told us to look east – a pod of white-beaked dolphins were headed our way. Due to my lack of photography skills, I wasn’t able to capture them properly, but we spent some time following them as they travelled through the ocean. Our son was excited at first, but it was hard for him to see them properly, and he soon lost interest. It was brilliant to watch these majestic creatures, and at one count we spied 12 of them.
After a good 20 minutes, Megan explained that we should leave them be and not cause them any more stress. By this time, the biting wind was really getting to us, and we had to retire below deck and get ourselves a hot drink.
The captain’s helm experience
This was the most exciting part of the Elding whale watching tour for our son. Once we’d warmed ourselves up, our son spotted the entrance to the helm of the boat. Before I knew it, the friendly captain had moved a standing box over to the wheel for our son to ‘steer’ the ship. The guys were fabulous, even letting our son believe he was fully in control. He was in his element.
I, however, was still determined to see if I could spot a whale, so bracing myself for the chill factor, I went up on deck to resume my position. And it paid off… even though I didn’t get to share the moment with our son or husband, it was sublime to catch the last part of a dive from a minke whale. Unfortunately, it didn’t resurface again, but for me, it was enough that I saw a whale in Iceland.
Returning to harbour
Before I knew it, we were already approaching the harbour and our Elding whale watching tour was drawing to a close. I was astounded at how quickly time had passed. It was certainly a bracing experience – we were in awe of Megan, who had to stay outside on the deck the whole time. She was also so knowledgeable, not only about the marine life and seabirds but also about Reykjavik and its rich history.
Our son’s day was made after his ‘sailing’ skills were given the thumbs up by the crew – and even more so when we treated him to a model boat from the gift shop on our way out. Although my hopes for him to get wildly excited about seeing a whale didn’t quite pan out, our son still had a magical time. And, while I can imagine the trip being much more pleasant in the summer, I was still delighted to have caught a glimpse of these beautiful creatures.
Complete guide to Elding whale watching tours
What marine life can you expect to see?
Most common sightings:
- Humpback whales: Known for spectacular breaching and acrobatic displays
- Minke whales: Curious and often approach boats
- White-beaked dolphins: Playful pods that frequently ride bow waves
- Harbour porpoises: Smaller but delightful marine mammals
Occasional sightings:
- Orcas (killer whales): Especially around Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- Fin whales: Second-largest whale species in the world
- Blue whales: Rare but possible, particularly in early summer
Best time for Elding whale watching tours
Peak season (June – August):
- Highest whale activity and diversity
- Calmer seas and better weather conditions
- Longer daylight hours
- Opportunity for midnight sun whale watching
- Most expensive period
Shoulder season (April-May, September-October):
- Good wildlife sightings with fewer crowds
- More affordable pricing
- Variable weather conditions
- Excellent for photography
Winter season (November-March):
- Possible Northern Lights and whale watching combination
- Fewer crowds and lower prices
- White-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises year-round
- Weather-dependent cancellations are more likely
Our verdict on the Elding whale watching tour
Although my hopes for our son to get wildly excited about seeing a whale didn’t quite pan out, our Elding whale watching tour was still magical. The professional crew, educational commentary, and chance to see marine wildlife in their natural habitat made it a memorable family experience.
The three-hour duration was perfect for young children, with plenty of indoor space to warm up and engaging activities like steering the boat. Even in winter conditions, the tour provided incredible insights into Iceland’s marine ecosystem.
While I can imagine the experience being more comfortable in summer months, witnessing whales against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and arctic conditions created a uniquely Icelandic adventure.
Essential booking information for Elding whale watching tours
Location: Elding’s main office, ReykjavÃk’s Old Harbour (Ægisgarður 5c)
Current pricing (2025):
- Adults: £50 (8,300 ISK)
- Children (7-15 years): £25 (4,150 ISK)
- Children (0-6 years): FREE
What’s included:
- Life-jackets and warm overalls provided
- Expert naturalist guide
- Free entry to Whale Watching Centre
- Refreshments available onboard (additional cost)
- Guarantee policy – return trip if no sightings
Premium RIB whale watching:
- Small group tours (12 passengers maximum)
- Daily departures from 1 April – 31 October
- More intimate experience with specialised wildlife guide
Combination tours: The Elding whale watching tour can be combined with other activities, including Northern Lights cruises (winter), puffin watching (summer), and visits to Viðey Island.
Booking tips:
- Purchase tickets online or at the harbour office
- Hotel pickup available for an additional £23 (3,750 ISK)
- Weather cancellation policy applies
- Tours are subject to conditions and visibility
Important notes:
- Wrap up warm for winter, Elding whale watching tours – it’s extremely cold
- Tours operate year-round, but weather may cause cancellations
- Onboard refreshments include snacks, hot drinks and alcohol
- Cash and card payments accepted
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to Iceland, an Elding whale watching tour offers an unforgettable marine adventure that combines education, conservation, and the thrill of seeing some of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
We were guests of Elding Whale Watching, but as always, my thoughts and opinions are my own.
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