Scandinavia · WHALE WATCHING

The 15 Best Whale Watching Tours in Scandinavia

36 tours  ·  from $34 a head

Humpbacks and orca follow the herring, which is why the season moves between Húsavík, Reykjavík, Akureyri and Tromsø. These 15 are priced and clear about the months, the boat and what happens if nothing surfaces.

Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise - Getting to the harbor and checking in
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Reykjavík: Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise

1.Whale Watching and Marine Life Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 9,838 reviews · 3 hours · from $87Our pick

Cruise Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavík with trained guides who help you spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and seabirds. The trip includes indoor and outdoor seating, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and a café. Guides such as Maria, Lucky, and Gunther have been praised for their clear wildlife commentary and patient spotting.

“This was one of the best experiences I’ve ever done on holiday. Getting to see two humpback whales in their natural habitat was absolutely phenomenal. The boat was comfortable with many vantage points, and it had a fully stocked bar with loads of snacks and a variety of drinks to choose from. The staff were friendly and informative.”

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Tromsø: Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Boat - Why Skjervøy matters for whale watching
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Tromsø: Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Boat

2.Whale Watching Tour by Hybrid-Electric Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,217 reviews · from $195

Leave Tromsø for the herring-rich fjords near Skjervøy aboard Brim Explorer’s hybrid-electric catamaran. Your English-speaking guides, including crew members such as Bee, Adrian, Ivan, or Connor, explain the whales and Arctic coast as you travel. Expect heated lounges, panoramic windows, outdoor decks, onboard drinks, and a long but rewarding day at sea.

“Fantastic day out in the fjords looking for whales! We were really lucky with some great humpback sightings that were really close to our boat. The boat itself was super quiet, which was the main reason I chose Brim. The sailing out to where the whales were was very smooth with just one small rough patch for about 30 mins. The staff/guides on board were fantastic, I loved hearing all the information about the different whales we might see and it was great to hear their enthusiasm. I would definitely tour with them again if I make it back to Tromsø, this time hopefully to see some orcas!Read more”

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Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship - Searching for humpbacks in the feeding areas
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Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship

3.3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,000 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Sail from Akureyri into Eyjafjörður for 2.5 to 3.5 hours aboard Iceland’s specially modified high-speed whale-watching ship. Your English-speaking guide, perhaps Gisella, Johan, Jacob, or David, explains whale behavior while the crew searches for humpbacks and other wildlife. Thermal overalls, indoor seating, Wi-Fi, and crew photographs are included.

“What a great experience! We spent 3 hours out on the boat and saw 2 humpback whales, even in the middle of November! Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable, the captain was great, the views were fantastic and we had access to free hot chocolate and coffee on board. Would highly recommend, thank you!”

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Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht - What the Amelia Rose feels like on the water
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Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

4.Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,911 reviews · 3 hours · from $107

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor for up to three hours aboard the Amelia Rose, an offshore yacht with three viewing decks, a warm lounge, bar, WiFi, and blankets. Guides such as Lucky and Roman help you spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Hotel pickup is optional, and a return ticket is offered if no wildlife appears.

“We really loved our time whale watching on the Amelia Rose Yacht! We were lucky with good weather in the morning and saw a few Humpback whales and many Minke whales. The guide was very helpful teaching us how to spot the first signs of whales coming to the surface. The wind on the deck of the boat does get cold so bundle up! And there is a nice seating area inside with a bar and a bathroom if needed. We also enjoyed the smaller crowd on this boat and were able to see most of the whales spotted between the three levels of decks available.”

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Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide - Meeting the boat in Húsavík
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Húsavík: Whale Watching Tour with Guide

5.Whale Watching Tour with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,761 reviews · 3 hours · from $115

Spend three hours on Skjálfandi Bay with North Sailing, watching for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, puffins, and other seabirds. Guides such as Laura, Sophie, Alice, and Christian have shared lively facts about marine life, while warm overalls, hot chocolate, and a cinnamon bun help take the edge off Iceland’s cold sea air.

“We saw lots of whales and even saw a whale breaching. just incredible.”

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The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik - Faxaflói Bay and the Search for Whales
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The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

6.The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,626 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $105

Sail from Reykjavik with Elding Whale Watching for about three hours across Faxaflói Bay. A live guide such as Pedro or Kylie may explain the marine life, while the crew provides warm overalls, raincoats, blankets, WiFi, and access to a wildlife exhibition. Humpback whales and minke whales are the main targets.

“Great tour - tour guide was knowledgable and all the staff were friendly. Sea sickness tablets were provided incase anyone needed them, and we saw whales! A great experience”

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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide - The ride into Faxaflói Bay
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

7.Whale Watching Tour with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 2,307 reviews · from $90

Cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour aboard Andrea, Iceland’s largest whale-watching ship, with guides such as Patrick sharing facts about minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and more. You get indoor seating, heated areas, WiFi, warm overalls, a café, and a free return ticket if no whales or dolphins appear.

“Saw two humpback whales and a couple of seals up close. Food was affordable and good, the tour guide was very knowledgeable and also taught us a lot about the animals. Very easy ride, the sea wasn’t rough at all!”

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Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Gabriele - From Nerstrandkaia to the whale grounds
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Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Gabriele

8.Tromsø Whale Safari with MS Gabriele

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,937 reviews · 6 hours · from $207

Cruise from Tromsø toward Skjervøy aboard the warm, fast catamaran MS Gabriele, searching for orcas and humpback whales that follow the herring. Guides including Lorenzo and Raúl explain whale behavior in English. You can watch through large windows or from three outdoor decks, with a bar serving drinks, snacks, and light meals.

“Everything was wonderful during the trip! The crew was very experienced in locating the whales. We successfully saw tons of Orcas playing around and few humpback whales nearby. Highly recommend!”

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Húsavík: Traditional Whale Watching by Local Family Company - Three hours in Skjálfandi Bay
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Húsavík: Traditional Whale Watching by Local Family Company

9.Traditional Whale Watching by Local Family Company

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,735 reviews · from $91

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a three-hour whale watch aboard a traditional Icelandic oak boat. An English-speaking guide provides a safety briefing and live commentary while you search Skjálfandi Bay for humpback, minke, blue, and other whales, plus dolphins and puffins. Warm safety overalls and rain jackets are available, but bring layers.

“Whale watching was so much fun! The guide Matteo gave us a great explanation of the marine wildlife in the area. We reached straight to where the humpback whale was, so no time was wasted chasing and looking around. Great experience, just be sure to wear warm clothes.”

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From Tromsø: All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari - A boat built for a long Arctic day
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From Tromsø: All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari

10.All-Inclusive Whale & Orca Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,221 reviews · from $186

Set out from Tromsø at 8 AM on Polar Adventures’ heated boat for the 2.5-hour run to Skjervøy. Guides such as Juan, Raul, Pedro, and Holly have led trips with lively whale facts and patient help. Expect orcas, humpbacks, seabirds, fjord views, thermal suits, lunch, and a long ride that can be rough.

“We made such nice friends while witnessing one of this earth’s wonders.”

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Silent Whale Watching by Hybrid-Electric Boat from Tromsø - Skjervøy and the search for whales
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Silent Whale Watching by Hybrid-Electric Boat from Tromsø

11.Silent Whale Watching by Hybrid-Electric Boat from Tromsø

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,017 reviews · 7 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $214

Cruise from Tromsø toward Skjervøy aboard Brim Explorer’s quiet hybrid-electric boat. Watch for humpback whales and orcas near the herring grounds, hear short talks about Arctic wildlife, and enjoy fjord views along the way. Plan for 7 to 9 hours, rough seas, paid food, and no guarantee of sightings.

“This was a really great day trip for us. It’s a very long trip out and back, but the boat is comfortable and the views along the way are stunning. We were fortunate enough to see some whales, and it is evident this company prioritises respecting the whales in their natural environment which was nice to see. The staff were engaging and shared lots of educational insights along the journey. The coffee and small food items on the boat were also quite yummy, although I’d recommend taking your own snacks as well.”

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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour - Leaving Húsavík and getting ready for the bay
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Húsavík: Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

12.Big Whales and Puffin Island Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 979 reviews · 2 hours · from $198Top rated

Join a captain and English-speaking guide for a two-hour RIB tour across Skjálfandi Bay. With up to 12 passengers, you can reach whale sightings quickly and visit Lundey Island for puffins from April 15 to August 20. Guides such as Austin, Iñaki, and Sofie add lively facts about whales, seabirds, and ocean safety.

“we saw lots of puffins, hump back whales and dolphins. this was a lot of fun and educational. a great experience.”

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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat - Starting at the Gentle Giants ticket center
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Húsavík: Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

13.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 973 reviews · from $159

Join Gentle Giants in Húsavík for a two-hour RIB speedboat trip across Skjálfandi Bay. You will visit Puffin Island in season, then search for whales and dolphins with guides such as Matteo, Serena, Rui, and Sarah. The boat carries no more than 12 people, with warm overalls and live English commentary included.

“The tour guide was great. I would certainly recommend going with the speed boat as when a whale came up we were able to get to it quickly. We saw Humpback whales and were lucky to see a Fun whale too”

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Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri - Watching humpbacks from the ship
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Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri

14.Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 971 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $104

From Akureyri’s downtown harbor, you’ll cruise into Eyjafjord on a spacious whale-watching ship for about three hours. Use the supplied thermal overalls, raincoats, or blankets, then watch from large windows or outdoor platforms while the captain searches for humpback whales, minke whales, orcas, and porpoises. Hot drinks and snacks are available onboard.

“Great trip! A few whale sightings. Appreciate the pictures taken by staff which were made available after the trip!”

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Reykjavik: the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour - Into Faxaflói bay with a marine biologist
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Reykjavik: the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

15.the Original 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 908 reviews · 3 hours · from $108

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói bay with Elding Adventure at Sea. A marine biologist guide explains the wildlife while you watch for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and seabirds. Warm overalls, onboard WiFi, professional photos, and a free return trip if you see nothing are included.

“Saw two beautiful humpback whales on my tour. The best part of this tour is the company being aware of the whales and not distrusting them too much. Allowing them their space and not using sonar! Do this tour if you want to go on a tour that is respectful of the environment and animals. P.s their hot chocolate is fantastic!!!!!!! And it’s cheap”

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New in Whale Watching

★ 4.6Whale Watching in the Midnight SunFrom $10175 reviews
★ 4.8Whale Watching in Reykjavik by SpeedboatFrom $20077 reviews
★ 4.6Whale and Seabird CruiseFrom $220136 reviews
★ 4.6Midnight Sun Whale Watching TourFrom $111286 reviews
★ 4.5Traditional Whale Watching from Húsavík by Local Family CompanyFrom $102389 reviews
★ 4.7Whale Watching Tour by RIB BoatFrom $194393 reviews
★ 5.0Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from HúsavíkFrom $180417 reviews
★ 4.3Whales and Puffins Express Cruise Combo TourFrom $148442 reviews
★ 4.5Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht CruiseFrom $108488 reviews
★ 4.6Whale-Watching Cruise and Puffins Guided TourFrom $135444 reviews
★ 4.82-Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB SpeedboatFrom $200489 reviews
★ 4.4Whales of Iceland Museum Entrance TicketFrom $34493 reviews
★ 5.0Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from HúsavíkFrom $203501 reviews
★ 4.7Whale Watching by RIB SpeedboatFrom $200621 reviews
★ 4.0Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from ReykjavikFrom $86651 reviews

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