iceland north east husavik skjalfandi bay whale watch ns
Whale watching from Husavik

Iceland Whale Watching Holidays

We’re proud to have pioneered whale watching in Iceland back in 1993, when we became the first company to operate a whale-watching boat trip. It’s a truly spectacular destination for encountering these majestic, captivating creatures.

During summer, you can watch humpback whales breaching in the golden light of the midnight sun. And in winter you can see pods of orca hunting herring against a backdrop of snow-covered mountains. Over 20 species of cetacean are found in the seas around Iceland. The varieties most commonly seen range from the diminutive harbour porpoise and white-beaked dolphin to orcas, minke whales and gentle giants like the sperm, fin, humpback and blue whale.

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Winter Whale Watching Holidays in Iceland

Orcas and Aurora

from £1,866
excluding flights
4 nights Feb-Mar
Combine the excitement of seeing orca and the northern lights on this guided short break.
  • Northern Lights
  • Escorted
  • Short Break
  • Whale Watching
  • Wildlife
  • Winter Break

Best seller

Winter Wildlife and Aurora Self Drive

from £722
excluding flights
5 nights Feb-Mar
Combine orca and aurora watching with a stay in Reykjavik on this winter self drive holiday
  • Self Drive
  • Whale Watching
  • Wildlife
  • Northern Lights

Into the Blue – Whale Watching in Iceland

from £3,200
excluding flights
8 nights Jun
This 9-day small-group holiday is led by whale expert, Abbi Björgvinsson, and combines spectacular landscapes with three whale watching hot spots.
  • Wildlife
  • Escorted
  • Whale Watching

Summer Whale Watching Holidays in Iceland

Northern Highlights

from £1,162
excluding flights
7 nights May-Sep
Take an unforgettable fly drive from the East Fjords to Lake Myvatn and Husavik for world-class whale watching.
  • Self Drive
  • Whale Watching

Circle Iceland in a Week

from £1,128
excluding flights
7 nights May-Sep
Throw yourself into Iceland on this one week fly drive and pack all its wonders into one incredible trip
  • Self Drive

Into the Blue – Whale Watching in Iceland

from £3,200
excluding flights
8 nights Jun
This 9-day small-group holiday is led by whale expert, Abbi Björgvinsson, and combines spectacular landscapes with three whale watching hot spots.
  • Wildlife
  • Escorted
  • Whale Watching

Iceland Odyssey

from £2,177
excluding flights
15 nights May-Sep
Get to know the real Iceland at a relaxed pace on this circular self drive.
  • Self Drive

Year round opportunities

Peak season for whale watching is April to September when you stand a good chance of witnessing the acrobatic antics of humpback whales. Blue whales are also regular spring and summer visitors, particularly off the coast of North Iceland in top whale watching locations like Skjalfandi Bay and Eyjafjordur. Our new and exclusive Into the Blue small-group holiday encompasses Iceland’s top three whale-watching locations as you explore the country under the midnight sun with expert guide Cathy Harlow.

“I’m amazed at the number of whale species you can see in Iceland.  Some are resident, others migratory, arriving via a mid-Atlantic whale highway to where the cold East Greenland current and the warmer Gulf Stream meet.  The resulting upwelling of nutrient-rich water creates an open-all-hours snack bar for whales and dolphins and outstanding whale watching opportunities for us.”
Cathy Harlow, Iceland Guide

During winter whale watching in Iceland focuses on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in the west of the country where orcas gather to feed on large shoals of herring, typically between January and March. In the more southerly coastal waters, you can spot whales year round, with excursions operating from Reykjavik harbour. No matter, which season you choose to search for cetaceans, you’ll also be able to enjoy the added spectacle of large flocks of seabirds, stunning scenery and sublime, ever-changing Arctic light.

Ways to travel

Our close ties with the tourist industry in Iceland allows us to offer dedicated whale watching holidays led by expert teams of guides and naturalists. Our popular, Orcas & Aurora holiday lets you search for killer whales by day off the coast of Grundarfjordur and the northern lights by night.

Independent travellers can also enjoy whale encounters with excursions threaded into our diverse collection of summer self-drive holidays. At Husavik, ‘Europe’s Whale Watching Capital’, you have the added charm of setting out in a sailing schooner or a beautifully restored oak fishing boat, while from Reykjavik fast and fun RIB boats add an extra thrill!

25 Years of Whale Watching in Iceland
Read our blog
We saw more orcas than people and the northern lights were absolutely spectacular... we could not have wished for more.
Kim Savage & Lizz Whitehouse, Orcas and Aurora