Sightseeing Cruises

Árskógssandur: Whale Watching Boat Tour

Duration

2 hrs 30 mins

Open today

9:00am - 8:30pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

Guided by a whale watching expert, you’ll sail Eyjafjörður’s calm waters on a classic oak boat from Árskógssandur.

Spot playful humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and seabirds in their natural North Iceland habitat.

The beautiful village of Árskógssandur offers stunning fjord and mountain views before and after your cruise.

Warm up with hot chocolate and cinnamon buns as you listen to fascinating stories from your guide.

Cozy overalls and raincoats are provided, so you can focus on the wildlife, not the weather.

3-hour whale watching cruise from Árskógssandur in Eyjafjörður

Traditional oak whale watching boat

Expert whale watching guide

Hot chocolate & cinnamon cookies

Warm overalls & raincoats provided if needed

Hotel transfers

TOTAL DURATION2 hours 30 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERBoat
Timeline
Map
Start point
Árskógssandur
Get direction
30 min by boat
Passes By
Eyjafjörður
End point
Árskógssandur
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

124 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Alma V
Group
Verified booking
May 2026
We had so much fun. They gave us overalls so it was not cold, we also had an absolute best weather. Sun was shining and not too much wind. We saw the whales many times!! Beautiful. I loved that our captain and guide was so respectful for the animals, we looked the same whale a few times and then moved on. Loved it, respect the nature and wild life!! 100% recommend this one!! Big thanks!
Oct 2025
Took my mum for her birthday and it was NEXT LEVEL. The crew were super chill and honestly, I was worried about seasickness but they gave us all these big orange suits (looked a bit like minions but warm). Saw two whales and my mum cried a bit, haha. It felt like they really respected the animals—not chasing or anything, just waiting and letting them pop up near us. Bring gloves, your fingers WILL freeze if you’re holding your camera the whole time.
Oct 2025
Beautiful trip! The weather was wild though. Super windy and a bit rainy, so half the people were hiding inside the cabin. I toughed it out on deck and got a glimpse of a whale tail—totally worth the numb toes. Hot choc at the end was a lifesaver. Would’ve been 5 stars if it was a tad less crowded.
Oct 2025
Went with my gf & her little bro. It was his first time on a boat so he freaked a bit at the waves but the staff were cooool and helped him chill out. Saw 3 whales and a bunch of dolphins racing the boat. Heads up, you can’t bring your own snacks (they got rules, I guess). Super memorable day!
Oct 2025
Honestly, was expecting more whale action. Maybe I just got unlucky? We saw one, far away, mostly just water spouts. Staff were nice and gave lots of info though. Wish the boat had more covered space, got pretty soaked.

Spot whales and seabirds on a classic 2.5-hour boat tour from Árskógssandur, guided by local experts with warm refreshments included.

Getting started

Arrive at the Árskógssandur harbour, where your crew will greet you and provide warm overalls or raincoats if needed. After a short safety briefing and ticket check, step aboard the traditional oak boat to meet your whale watching guide.

What to expect

Eyjafjörður, Iceland’s longest fjord, is a renowned habitat for humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, and seabirds. This region offers one of the highest chances to spot humpbacks in North Iceland, especially during the summer months.

Features

Humpback whale sightings: Humpbacks frequently visit Eyjafjörður in summer, making them the star attraction on most tours.

Traditional oak boat: Sail in a classic Icelandic vessel designed for stability and comfort in the calm fjord waters.

Expert local guide: Gain insights into whale behaviour and fjord wildlife from a knowledgeable guide throughout the journey.

Refreshments on board: Enjoy hot chocolate and freshly baked cinnamon buns as you return to the harbour, warming up after your time on deck.

Scenic views: Take in panoramic vistas of Eyjafjörður’s mountains and coastline from the open deck, with opportunities to spot seabirds and marine life.

What to bring

Dress appropriately for the weather, as conditions can be cold and windy on the water.

Warm overalls and raincoats are provided, but it is recommended to wear layered clothing and sturdy shoes.

Bring a valid photo ID to match the name on your booking if requested at check-in.

What's not allowed

Large bags, suitcases, and oversized luggage are not permitted on board.

Pets are not allowed, except for registered service animals.

Accessibility

This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

Sightings of whales are not guaranteed, as this is a wild nature experience.

The tour duration is approximately 2.5 hours.

The experience operates from 1 February to 15 December.

Children under 7 years join for free but must be accompanied by an adult.

Please arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes before departure. Transfers (pick-up and drop-off) are not included.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.