Iceland is one of the best destinations in Europe for whale watching. In the summer, you have a 90% chance of seeing whales, and in the winter, the chance is still 65%. If you’re crazy about wildlife, this is something you don’t want to miss. On our last day in Reykjavik, we did the whale watching tour, where you spend about 2 to 2.5 hours at sea searching for whales. Besides spotting a whale, we also saw groups of dolphins curiously swimming around the boat. If you find whale watching appealing, there are a few things that are nice to know beforehand, so here are our tips for whale watching in Reykjavik!
Take a Travel Pil Before You Go
Most of the negative reviews about whale watching are related to rough seas and seasickness. The roughness of the sea can vary greatly from day to day. They told us that the sea was quite rough that day, but in our opinion, it was actually very calm. It all depends on what you’re used to from other boat trips. Either way, it’s wise to take a pill beforehand if you tend to get seasick easily.
Wear Rain Suits
Except for sunny days in summer, it is advisable to wear the raincoats they have on the boat. Put it on as soon as you board because the weather in Iceland can change suddenly, and by the time you put on the suit, you could already be 10 minutes behind. It’s a shame to do this only when you’re already in the area where you might spot the whales. Additionally, the suits are also very effective in keeping you warm.
Do Not Make Too Many Pictures
Whale watching and concerts have something in common: everyone desperately holds their phone or camera in the air to capture the moment. You really have to be lucky to get a good photo of a whale since they often surface for only a few seconds. So, try not to look through your lens too much and enjoy the moment.
Stand on the Highest Floor of the Boat
Most whale watching boats have multiple decks where you can stand to spot the whales. The best spot is usually on the top deck as it offers almost a 360-degree view. So, don’t wait too long to go up there as it can get crowded quickly.
Check the Daily Diary in the Morning
We booked our whale watching tour here, and it was a great experience. We appreciated receiving a lot of information via email a few days before the tour. Additionally, we could check their ‘daily diary’ every day to see the weather conditions at sea for that day and whether the tours would proceed or not. If the tour gets canceled due to weather, you can get a refund or reschedule for another day to go whale watching. Whale watching is one of the most affordable tours you can take in Iceland, with prices starting from $45.
