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wildlife · Reykjavik

Whale Watching: Zodiac Speedboat Safari from the Old Harbour

Skim Faxaflói Bay at speed on a rigid inflatable Zodiac for an exhilarating close-encounter whale-watching safari — minke whales, humpbacks, and white-beaked dolphins are the prize.

What to expect

Kitted out in a full flotation survival suit, you board the sleek Zodiac at the Old Harbour and race out into Faxaflói Bay. The guide — a marine biologist or trained naturalist — scans for blows and dorsal fins, positioning the boat for intimate observations without disturbing the animals. Minke whales are sighted on roughly 90% of summer sailings; humpbacks appear with increasing frequency. The return sprint back across the bay in the Arctic wind is a genuine adrenaline finale.

Book it with
Special Tours Iceland (official)
ISK 16,990–19,990 per person (~USD 120–145) for Express Zodiac tours
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Good to know

Tours depart multiple times daily and last approximately 2.5 hours — ideal for cruise schedules. The Old Harbour departure point is a 10-minute walk from the main cruise terminal. Pre-book online at specialtours.is to secure a Zodiac slot, which fills quickly in summer. The survival suits make this comfortable even in cold or wet weather.

Sail there

Luxury cruises that call at Reykjavik — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.

Oceania · Oceania Insignia
12 nights · round-trip from Reykjavik, Iceland
from $2,820
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Azamara · Azamara Journey
14 nights · round-trip from Reykjavik, Iceland
from $3,759
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Oceania · Oceania Marina
12 nights · round-trip from Reykjavik, Iceland
from $4,040
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Oceania · Oceania Vista
10 nights · round-trip from Reykjavik, Iceland
from $4,060
View sailing →
See all cruises to Reykjavik →
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