Whale watching tour in Iceland’s north and west

Begin your Iceland travel adventure in Borgarfjörður, where volcanic landscapes meet the rich waters of Breiðafjörður Bay. As the first chapter of your whale watching tour in Iceland, today introduces the coastal ecosystems that support marine life along the country’s western shores.

Explore the lava fields around Grábrók crater and visit Glanni waterfall before continuing to the cascading Hraunfossar and Barnafoss. Feel the geothermal energy at Deildartunguhver, then end the day in Reykholt and Borgarnes, where Iceland’s early settlement history connects land and sea.

Active travelers may add the canyon trail to the Glymur waterfall for expansive views over the fjord landscape.

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula, often called Iceland in miniature, combines glacier-capped peaks with nutrient-rich coastal waters where orcas are often seen in season near Grundarfjörður.

Photograph Kirkjufell mountain and its nearby waterfall, then continue to Djúpalónssandur for black-sand beaches and dramatic rock formations shaped by the Atlantic Ocean.

Follow the coastal path through Hellnar and Arnarstapi, cross the striking Berserkjahraun and Budahraun lava fields, and finish at the iconic black church at Budir, a scenic section you could also weave into a wider Iceland Ring Road tour.

Visit Goðafoss, the picture-perfect waterfall, before continuing to Akureyri for its compact harbor, cultural sites, and the Lystigarðurinn botanical gardens, a trio that ranks among the best places to visit in Iceland in the north.

Set along Eyjafjörður fjord, Akureyri also serves as one of Iceland’s key whale watching harbors, where humpbacks are frequently seen in the sheltered waters.

Follow the Tröllaskagi coast to the colorful fishing village of Siglufjörður for dramatic fjord views. Add tailor-made detours on the Vatnsnes peninsula to see the Hvitserkur sea stack, the ancient Borgarvirki fortress, and the Seal Center, with seals often spotted along the shore, a combination you might also adapt when planning a North and West Iceland trip.

Explore the volcanic landscapes of Lake Mývatn, where bubbling geothermal fields at Hverir and Leirhnjúkur contrast with the dramatic lava formations of Dimmuborgir and the surreal Skútustaðagígar pseudo craters.

Step into the atmospheric Grjótagjá lava cave and hot spring, made famous by Game of Thrones. This inland chapter of your whale watching tour in Iceland adds geological depth to the journey before returning to the rich coastal waters of North Iceland.

Follow the Diamond Circle, a standout on any Iceland itinerary. Stand beside Dettifoss, Europe’s most powerful waterfall, then continue through the Jökulsárgljúfur canyon to Vesturdalur valley for the striking Hljóðaklettar basalt formations and the colorful Rauðhólar hills.

Visit the horseshoe-shaped Ásbyrgi canyon with its turquoise Botnstjörn pond and tranquil birch woodland before arriving in Húsavík, widely regarded as the whale watching capital of Iceland.

Head out into Skjálfandi Bay in search of humpback whales, minkes, and white-beaked dolphins, with blue whales sometimes seen in peak season. End the day with a relaxing soak at the GeoSea sea baths overlooking the very waters where whales surface.

Continue your whale watching tour in Iceland from Akureyri, where departures into Eyjafjörður offer some of the country’s most reliable humpback sightings in calm fjord waters. Morning or afternoon sailings allow time to observe whales, dolphins, and seabirds against a dramatic mountain backdrop.

After time on the water, unwind at Forest Lagoon or choose a more active option such as horse riding or sea kayaking. With flexible scheduling and local expertise, the day can be shaped around both marine wildlife encounters and relaxed North Iceland experiences.

Spend time in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital and a lively harbor city shaped by the North Atlantic. Wander Laugavegur and the surrounding town squares, visit Hallgrímskirkja for panoramic views, and stroll around Tjörnin before heading toward the Old Harbour.

Along the waterfront, Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture offer sweeping coastal views across Faxaflói Bay, where optional whale watching departures operate from the harbor. It’s a relaxed finale before departure, balancing marine heritage with modern Icelandic culture.

Enjoy a relaxed final morning in Reykjavík with breakfast and coffee, perhaps followed by a short waterfront walk near the Old Harbour. Pick up a few Icelandic treats or small design finds before preparing for your journey home.

As your whale watching tour in Iceland comes to a close, transfer to the airport feeling refreshed, with memories of humpbacks, fjords, and dramatic coastal landscapes accompanying you home.