




Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
See Iceland’s gentle giants from our spectacular and fast speedboats which are brand new and equipped with 12 suspension seats to enhance your comfort, security and level of enjoyment. The guide to client ratio (12 per guide) creates the special feeling of a small group experience where the guide provides you with various information on the whales and other wildlife at Faxa bay.
Hop on board on this two hour amazing nature experience!
Check availability by choosing a date.
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dress warmly
A minimum of 1 adult per booking is required
Katla Whale Watching is the perfect way to experience the amazing wild life found in Faxaflói Bay, on whose southern shore the capital Reykjavik is located. Many species of whales, dolphins and even seals are to be found in these waters. In addition, the bay is home to millions of sea birds of various species, including the beautiful puffin.
Option 1: 2 hours whale watching trip in Faxaflói bay on a speedboat.
Lifejacket
Up to 2 hour of breathtaking nature experience on a 12 seat luxury Rib boat
Full guidance (English) with various information on the whales, wildlife and the city
A warm waterproof overall, gloves and googles
Hotel pickup and drop-off
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
244 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Michael G,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
Great experience, saw a lot of whales up close, small boat is definitely the way to do this type of excursion.
Michael H,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
My family saw many whales, and the puffins were a great addition to the sightseeing. The best part (for my teenage kids) was the boat itself. The RIB boat was really fast yet comfortable. Our guide (Selena) was very helpful in spotting the whales for us.
Melissa G,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Great 2-hour experience! We saw 3 humpback whales and a minky, plus several dolphins and a bunch of puffins! Christine was our guide and she was knowledgeable and wonderful. I got seasick (not my first time—I should have known better), but the experience was unforgettable.
Jennifer F,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
Amazing chance to see whales. We saw 3 humpback, a minke, and several dolphins. The last 15 minutes before returning we saw a humpback and dolphins interacting. Yoda and Cristina did a great job.
benmormizrahi,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Out of this world! I've been on wildlife tours before, but this was something truly special. We joined the Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavík and were fortunate to have Alessandro (Alex) and Captain Ollie leading the experience. Alex was exceptional, not only sharing fascinating information about the puffins, whales, and local environment, but also working tirelessly to position us in the best possible locations for sightings. What followed felt almost unreal. We saw puffins and at least five humpback whales. The highlight was spending nearly half an hour with three humpbacks that lingered calmly near our boat, surfacing again and again as if they were putting on a private show. Even the guides on neighbouring boats seemed astonished by how rare and fortunate the encounter was. The combination of Alex's knowledge, Captain Ollie's skill, and an unforgettable day on the water made this one of the highlights of our trip to Iceland. If you're considering a whale-watching excursion, don't hesitate as this experience exceeded every expectation.






lisakU314MO,Jun 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
Simply magical! Boat captain and guide made the trip personal and the whales and dolphins were abundant! A group of 4 whales swam under our small boat multiple times and we saw the eye of one of the whales! Fins were slapping the water, tails were emerging...just perfect! Felt safe and never rushed.
Dream08817133512,Jun 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
It was an amazing trip. The speed boat was so much fun. We saw at least three different humpback whales and a whole bunch dolphins.. The dolphins definitely put on a show for us. The driver sped the speedboat around to cause a lot of wake and then the dolphins all started jumping high up in the air.

dhallberg11,Jun 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
Wonderful! We saw whales and puffins, boat seats are comfortable. Perfect temp. Guide and captain were great!



Kathy S,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
Highly recommend a small boat whale watching experience if you are in Reykjavik. We saw two Hump Back whales while we were out and were able to get very close to them. The boat is a bit bumpy but our captain, Yoda, kept us on track. Definity worth the extra money versus a large boat!
William S,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
Surreal once in a lifetime experience. We had a humpback whale break surface less than 2 meters from our boat and everyone was in shock.
Operated by Katla Whale Watching ehf