Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri

181 Reviews

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Akureyri, Iceland

From $89.00

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Number of travelers

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more

Safety measures

3 hours (approx.)

Mobile ticket

Offered in: English

Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

Maximize your chances of seeing humpback whales on this Eyjafjord whale watching cruise from Akureyri. Iceland’s longest fjord is known for attracting these massive mammals for summer feeding. Board a high-speed, specially adapted ship capable of covering all the likely viewing areas, and watch for whales from the viewing platforms and decks. Choose from several departures, including a late-night cruise (June to August), with use of thermal coveralls, raincoats, or blankets included.

Sail into Eyjafjord to look for summertime humpback whales
Watch for the humpbacks from cinema-style viewing platforms
Thermal coveralls, raincoats, and blankets provided
Indoor and outdoor seating, plus café and bar on board

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From $89.00

Lowest Price Guarantee

What's Included

Warm overalls, raincoats or blankets on board

Professional guide

Overalls and blankets available to lend

Food and drinks

Gratuities

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure & Return

Departure PointElding Whale Watching Akureyri , Oddeyrarbót 2, 600 Akureyri, Iceland

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Return DetailsThis activity will end right where it started.

What To Expect

Book your desired boat departure time, and make your own way to the harbor in downtown Akureyri.

Then, board your spacious ship, Iceland’s only high-speed, specially modified whale watching vessel, and make use of the provided thermal overalls, raincoats, or blankets. The ship accommodates up to 200 passengers and provides unobstructed views of the seas from cinema-style viewing platforms.

As your ship sails, admire the rugged coastline of Eyjafjord, Iceland’s longest fjord. Drink in the surrounding, snow-capped mountains, and chat to the whale watching guides to learn about the humpbacks that visit the area. The summer sun brings a cornucopia of marine food into the fjord, triggering a feeding frenzy from these larger-than-life mammals.

Learn about the lifecycles of the humpbacks as your ship uses its speed to reach far and deep parts of the fjord, leaving no likely viewing area unexplored.

Scan the seas for whales, and with luck, enjoy some sightings of the mammals as they swim and breach in the waters. You’ll find ample indoor and outdoor seating for viewing the sea in comfort, plus a bar and café for refreshments (own expense).

Your cruise ends when you disembark at Akureyri.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Please note that weather in Iceland is unpredictable and that the tour can be cancelled due to rough seas.
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 190 travelers
OPERATED BY Elding Whale Watching

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri?

A:The policy on face masks and attendee health is:

Face masks required for travelers in public areas

See all safety measures taken by Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri.

What is the policy on sanitization during Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized

See all safety measures taken by Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri.

What is the social distancing policy during Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri?

A:The policy on social distancing is:

Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

See all safety measures taken by Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri.

What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri?

A:The policy on staff health & safety is:

Guides required to regularly wash hands

See all safety measures taken by Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri.

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

"We saw a lot of whales and it was well worth it." See review

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Showing 1-10 of 181 reviews

Go to Husavik instead

Samantha_A

, Jun 2022

The company was good. But there were no whales. Had to photoshop a humpback into the picture I posted. Not a good viewing. Apparently the whale watching from Husavik is much better in terms of actually seeing whales. The day before they saw a blue whale. The crew on our boat was informative and nice. Would not recommend though.

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Response from Host , Jun 2022

Thank you for your honest review. The sightings from Akureyri and Húsavík are both great, and we have actually been seeing the same individual whales in both areas during different times.The blue whale you mentioned was actually spotted in our afternoon tour on the 9th of June. There is of course always a possibility of a none sightings tour, after all we are dealing with wildlife. We are happy that you enjoyed our crews company and hope you will join us again in Akureyri or Reykjavík with your complimentary ticket and have better luck that time!

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It was a warm day and we...

Cassie_B

, Jun 2022

It was a warm day and we got to see a humpback and minke whale! The only down side was everyone from the cruise ship next door also came on the tour.

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Underwhelmed

katedouglas50

, Jun 2022

Not the most exciting whale watching tour we have been on. Check-in was disorganised, boat had too many passengers to allow for good viewing. PA commentary was inaudible. For the price, not worth it.

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Perfect

Elisabeth_W

, May 2022

This was a really special tour. Super friendly stuff, well organised and punctual. We’ve seen 5-6 wales, it was incredible and fantastic.

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1 traveler found this review helpful

Excellent whale watching experience

Colin_H

, May 2022

The rib was an excellent experience and the marine biologist was very informative and pleasant. Mada.

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1 traveler found this review helpful

World Class Disappointed

Michael_V

, May 2022

We got up early, excited for a chance of a lifetime whale watching tour. You can see by the photos: nothing open, no boat, no body there. Cancelled, but of course we had no idea (because we are traveling)!!!! Guess what else. They happily took our $200, and... NO REFUND YET (5 days so far). They have plenty of excuses but run away if you're smart

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Lovely!

Sandra_H

, May 2022

Had an amazing trip down the fyord of Akureryi. Beautiful day, water like glass, lovely crew, and saw Minke whales and porpoise.

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1 traveler found this review helpful

Whale watching is a MUST!!!

Tricia_H

, Apr 2022

We saw Minke whales and a few dolphin pods. Even if we wouldn’t have seen anything, the scenery made it all worth it. It’s a 360 degree post card in fjord. Loved every minute of it! Highly recommend!

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1 traveler found this review helpful

We saw lots of whales

Mattia_S

, Apr 2022

The staff is very kind, the ship is modern. The tour lasted 3 hours as program and we saw lots of whales!! I highly recommend this tour. Thanks!!

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Nature is unpredictable ,but !

Zoe_A

, Apr 2022

We booked our trip for the first week in April. Looking at the site information it gave the impression that although wildlife is unpredictable there was a good chance of seeing a whale. We saw nothing at all except for a few sea birds. I can understand that it’s unpredictable but surely they can be more honest. When we spoke to the staff in our hotel they said that this often happens at this time of the year, and that you are very unlikely to see any whales it’s too early . You can see the harbour porpoises at times. As stated you get a coupon to have another trip for free but what good is that to most people, maybe 50% refund would be better. We are not going to come back in a months time ! A more honest company would give an approximate percentage of the chance of seeing whales .I suppose I should have done more research on whale migration but I also feel they should advertise it as a trip in April to see the fjord and maybe some porpoises. The staff were pleasant and the trip was on time.

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