Whale Watching

Rib boats are much better for this as they can move quicker to follow the whales. The big boats just cannot maneuver fast. We have done this in the north, but not out of Reykjavik.

Take a look at Elding as they are very good. My husband used them for a fishing trip and had a great time. They are right in the harbor there in Reykjavik, so super easy to find, and they have a great reputation.

As for places outside of Reykjavik, but an hour out, I don't know any personally. Now if you don't mind going further and heading to Westmann Islands, you could get lucky. We have used Rib Boat Safari ride there and while that particular tour was not a whale watching one, we had an entire pod of Orcas come right up to us. The captain said that was not unusual, FWIW.

We did a rib tour with Whale Safari Iceland in Reykjavik. It was phenomenal. Saw several whales - got close to and they were respectful of their space. Saw loads of puffins and lots of dolphins. Next time we go back we want to do it again!

Uh, Iceland hunts whales. Starting again this year after moratorium. Like Japan, Norway, others? I'd have a problem with Whale watching there, other people may not.

"Iceland issues permits allowing whale hunting until 2029"

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ced896w96w3o

In June 2025, I took the whale watching tour with Mr. Puffin.

https://puffintours.is/tours/reykjavik-classic-whale-watching

I was based in Reykjavik and had a great trip! My trip report might give you some ideas:

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/6-nights-in-reykjavik-a-trip-report

Robert H - thank you for pointing this out! I’m so saddened to hear this has resumed! I can understand boycotting while this is going on.

Thank you for your replies, and you have given me something extra to think about for sure.

I am a whale watching fan and very much against whale hunting, but my perspective is that by supporting whale watching in countries that allow whale hunting, we're providing a SUSTAINABLE alternative for those folks to pursue.

If a country's or region's economy is dependent on whale hunting to "survive", they'll stick with that and even double down on it. If an alternative option comes in - like whale watching and nature tourism - and starts to offer a better and more regular source of income for folks, many will pursue it instead. It's been true with safaris and other "barbaric" sorts of things, but it takes time and it takes folks rewarding the positive work (whale watching tours or nature photography or similar). By putting tourism dollars in the hands of the locals preserving their natural wonders, it also puts pressure on locals working against those efforts. Over time, whale watching becomes a much better - more income, safer, and sustainable - alternative to whale hunting.

It doesn't seem like "survive" is in question here. Profitable business, yes. If you have reasons otherwise I would be interested.

It doesn't seem like "survive" is in question here. Profitable business, yes. If you have reasons otherwise I would be interested.

@roberth - maybe you're missing my point, but maybe you're not.

My point is you REWARD the alternative, and not punish the non-offenders nor the non- supporters/active challengers of whale hunting. You suggested the OP not do a whale watching tour in Iceland due to the country's whale hunting, but why would you want to dissuade folks from whale watching when that's a relatively healthy and sustainable alternative for coastal folks to make a living as opposed to whale hunting? And, the more businesses thriving from whale watching put additional pressure on any whale hunting to be limited or altogether banned.

Since I don't see you actively telling folks in the other Iceland (or Norway) threads to not visit at all, I'm not sure what your original post about Iceland's whale hunting nor your follow up to my comment have at all to do with whale watching. A visit to the Blue Lagoon, or a trip to Reykjavik, or a whale watching tour in Iceland don't support whale hunting, so maybe I'm just confused why the whale hunting topic popped up in a whale watching thread.

"...why would you want to dissuade folks from whale watching when that's a relatively healthy and sustainable alternative for coastal folks to make a living as opposed to whale hunting? "

Because, I believe, there won't be "pressure" on the whale hunting. Those people will keep doing their profitable business and ignore the people who think it's a bad idea. Once again, I believe, those two are largely disconnected. And only joined with the overall people in those places choosing to suppress the hunting. If they do.

I don't mention Norway, Japan, etc because whale watching in those countries haven't come up. That I saw.

I wanted to report back. We did our whale watching with Elding on one of the big boats. It was fun and got to see a couple of humpback whales doing cool stuff. We saw the RIB boats in the water as well and they were getting closer but we had the height advantage, but we pretty much saw the same whales. I'm sure that is not the case every time. I do recommend putting on the warm outfits they provide as it does get cold and windy out on the water (and we had really good weather). Anyway, the tour guide did mention the situation with the whale hunting, and thanked us for participating in an activity that was not harmful to the whales and really went on about how it was such an awful situation and not supported by the people of Iceland.

Maryam--Thank you for sharing how things went. It is always good to hear the experiences of other travelers, and it is nice to know how someone's trip panned out.