This Iceland whale watching tour package for 9 days is designed for whale enthusiasts interested to join a variety of whale watching tours in different areas of Iceland. You will also see some amazing natural sights Iceland is famous for, such as glaciers, beautiful beaches, waterfalls, endless lava fields and more.
This itinerary can be offered throughout the year (some adjustments might be required depending on travel dates).
Welcome to your Iceland whale watching holiday. Once you have arrived and made it through customs at Keflavik International airport, you will be transferred to your accommodation in the heart of Reykjavik. We highly recommend starting your Iceland whale watching holiday by visiting the Whales of Iceland Museum (entrance included). There you will see life-size models of all 23 whale species that live in the Icelandic waters. In the evening, we recommend a cosy dinner in one of the city’s whale friendly restaurants to celebrate the start of your Iceland whale watching holiday. Overnight in Reykjavík.
Today, your Iceland whale watching adventure starts as you receive your rental car in the morning. Drive to the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the West of Iceland where you will join a whale watching tour from the town of Ólafsvík. Snaefellsnes is a very special place for whale watching. Nowhere else in Iceland is there a better chance to see orcas also called killer whales. Chances to see those black and white beauties are especially good in early summer but they are also regular visitors of this area later in summer. Another rare whale species that visit this area mainly in June are sperm whales. Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales and one of the deepest diving whales in general. Other whales regularly spotted in this area are minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. After your whale watching tour, you will explore the natural highlights Snaefellsnes has to offer. Visit the small pebble stone beach Djupalonsandur, walk along the cliffs in the small fishing village Arnarstapi and stop by the picturesque old church in Budir. You should also have a look at the famous stratovolcano Snaefellsjökull with a glacier covering its summit. You stay for the night in this area.
Today you visit Vatnsnes Peninsula in the North of Iceland. This is an often overlooked corner of Iceland since it is a small detour from the main ring road. Vatnsnes peninsula is famous for its large colonies of seals, birds and beautiful landscapes. It has the most accessible seal sanctuary in Iceland and you have the chance to get very close to the animals. Especially on the eastern side of the peninsula, you will find several observations huts, where you can watch the seals without having to disturb the animals. It is also recommended to visit the small seal museum in Hvammstangi. As you drive along the Vatnsnes peninsula also you will also witness the extraordinary rock formation of Hvitserkur. This is a 15 meter (49 ft) tall cliff jutting out straight from the sea. It has a unique shape and looks like an animal of some sort, an elephant or a rhino – or even a dinosaur drinking from the ocean. The legend goes that Hvitserkur is a petrified troll who forgot to retreat from the light and was turned to stone in the sunrise. You will stay for the night in this area.
Today you will explore the North of Iceland further and drive all around the Tröllaskagi peninsula. Once you reach the village of Hofsós, we recommend that you make a stop and dip into the beautiful geothermal infinity pool that offers great views out to the ocean. Further on you will reach the town of Siglufjörður. This charming town offers great harbour views and fantastic restaurants where you can enjoy a nice lunch. In the afternoon, you will join a whale watching tour from Dalvík. The tour takes place on a traditional oak boat and in the past years, in 98% of all tours, whales or dolphins have been spotted. The most common whales seen in this area are humpback whales. They are the most acrobatic of all the great whales. If you are lucky, you might see them breaching or tail slapping. At the end of the tour, you can also try sea angling for approximately 15 minutes and the freshly caught fish will be barbecued for you at the harbour (tours without fishing are also available). You stay for the night in the area of Akureyri.
Today you will visit Husavik, also known as Europe’s whale watching capital. There you will join a whale watching tour by RIB boat. On this tour, the focus is mostly on the bigger whales. The RIB boat allows you to get closer to the whales and wildlife than other boats can offer. Furthermore, it is possible to cover a larger area and you are able to go further out of the bay where the bigger whales are often to be found. The most common whales in this bay are humpback whales, white beaked dolphins and minke whales. If you are lucky, you might even get the chance to see blue and fin whales (the best chances are in June). After the tour, we recommend visiting the Whale Museum in Husavík (optional) and in the afternoon you can explore the highlights around Ásbyrgi. Ásbyrgi is a huge canyon in the shape of a horse shoe where you can go on some very nice hikes. Along the way, we recommend a short stop at Tungulending Café. There you can enjoy the view over Skjálfandi Bay while drinking a nice cup of coffee. This place is also one of Iceland’s only fossil beaches. You stay for the night in the area.
In the morning it would be possible to join another whale watching tour from Husavík (optional) and the rest of the day is reserved to explore the wonderful natural attractions around Myvatn. Myvatn is an active volcanic area and we highly recommend visiting the lava fields around Krafla volcano. The last time it erupted was back in 1984 and the huge lava fields with their interesting formations have their own special way of beauty. Another place, not to be missed, is the geothermal area of Námafjall. There, you will see many solfataras and boiling mud pots, surrounded by sulfur crystals of many different colours. Other interesting places around Myvatn are the Dimmuborgir Lava park and the pseudo craters in Skutustadir. You will stay for the night in the area of Myvatn / Akureyri.
Today you will drive back to Reykjavik and you will visit the natural highlights of West Iceland. Stop at Grábrók crater and go on an easy hike all the way to the top of the crater (approximately 20 minutes walk). The crater is the largest of three and was formed about 3400 years ago in a fissure eruption. From the top, you have an amazing view over the area and can also have a look at her two crater sisters. We also recommend visiting the Reykholt area with its interesting waterfalls and more. There, you should definitely visit the Hraunfossar waterfalls. They are actually a series of small waterfalls coming out of a huge lava field. Close by you will then find another waterfall named Barnafoss. Barnafoss supposedly takes its name from two children who fell into the waterfall centuries ago (Icelandic folk mythology), and translates to “the waterfall of the children”. You can also visit the hot spring Deildartunguhver, which has the highest flow of any hot spring in Europe. The water temperature is 97 degrees Celsius and the flow rate is over 180 litres per second. You can also stop at the historic site of Reykholt to visit Snorralaug pool, the home of Snorri Sturluson who is the author of many of the Icelandic sagas.
The schedule for today is very flexible and you can, for example, visit the Golden Circle with its three main highlights; Thingvellir National Park, Geysir spouting spring and Gullfoss waterfall. It would also be possible to explore the volcanic active area of the Reykjanes peninsula. There, we recommend visiting the geothermal areas Krysuvik and Gunnuhver, the impressive cliffs at the end of the peninsula (from there, with some luck, you can also spot some whales) and the lighthouse in Gardur. It would be also possible to end your Iceland whale watching holiday with a relaxing soak in the famous Blue Lagoon. Last but not least, you can simply enjoy a free day in Reykjavik and to visit e.g. the picturesque lighthouse Grotta, have a walk in the old harbour area or enjoy the view from Perlan combined with a visit of the glacier exhibition. Drop off your car in the evening and enjoy your last dinner in one of the whale-friendly restaurants in Reykjavik.
All good adventures must come to an end, and so does this wonderful Iceland whale watching holiday. You will be transferred to Keflavik International Airport in good time for your departure. Thank you for travelling with Iceland Unlimited. We wish you a safe and enjoyable journey back home!
8 nights accommodation (budget/comfort/quality) with breakfast
Rental car of your choice for 7 days with unlimited mileage, CDW & VAT
1 extra driver for each rental car
WiFi hotspot in your rental car for easy internet access
Transfer from Keflavík Airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik
Private information meeting with our travel consultant in Reykjavik before your tour starts
Big, handwritten, detailed map with route, recommendations and accommodations highlighted
Entrance to the Whales of Iceland museum
Transfer with pickup at your accommodation in Reykjavik upon departure
1. Whale watching tour from Snæfellsnes Peninsula
2. Whale watching tour with sea angling from Dalvík
3. Whale watching tour by RIB boat from Husavik
24-hour emergency service
Taxes and service fee
Flights to/from Iceland
Meals and drinks at restaurants and entrance fees (unless otherwise agreed upon)
Personal travel insurance
Gasoline
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Experience a higher level of comfort with our carefully selected comfort accommodations, each offering private facilities including a shower and toilet for your convenience and privacy. These lodges fall under the 3-star hotel category, providing a perfect blend of quality and value. Most properties boast an on-site restaurant where you can enjoy a variety of meals without needing to venture far. In Reykjavik, all comfort accommodations are ideally situated in central locations, giving you easy access to the city’s main attractions, shopping districts, and vibrant cultural spots. This category represents a significant upgrade in both comfort and service compared to budget options, making it an excellent choice for travelers seeking a cozy yet affordable stay. To make your mornings hassle-free, a delicious breakfast is included with your stay.
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Prepare for your adventure with these essential tips and information for a smooth journey.
When you have submitted your booking and personal details through icelandunlimited.is a travel consultant will view the booking. They will crosscheck your booking and send you confirmation within 48 hours. Your credit card will be charged with a 20% deposit at that time. If our travel consultant is unable to obtain confirmation then an alternative will be offered. If you do not accept the alternative or Iceland Unlimited is not able to offer you an alternative, no charge will be made on your credit card. When your booking has been confirmed and your credit card has been charged, Iceland Unlimited will issue vouchers for your travel arrangements. Travel documents will not be delivered until full payment has been made. It’s optional whether we post your travel documents or arrange for you to pick them up on arrival to your holiday destination.
All travel arrangements should be booked at least 48 hours in advance. For holiday packages and custom-made tours, we strongly recommend you book with a few weeks/months notice. For larger groups we recommend you book with a few months’ notice.
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