Whale Watching in Ísafjörður | Family Friendly Tour

3 hoursGroup: Shared boatEasyBoatAll agesAll year

This whale watching tour leaves from Ísafjörður harbour in the Westfjords, one of Iceland's most reliable spots for humpback whales, with a live guide on board and a boat suited to families.

Ísafjörður harbourÍsafjarðardjúp fjord waters

Departs directly from Ísafjörður harbour in the Westfjords
One of Iceland's most consistent areas for humpback whale sightings
Live English-language guide on board
A sturdy boat with an onboard toilet, suited to families
Chance of minke whales, orcas and dolphins alongside humpbacks

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Departure from Ísafjörður harbourBoard the boat at the harbour in town.

The boat leaves from the harbour in Ísafjörður itself, so there is no long drive before the tour. The town is the largest in the Westfjords, built on a narrow sandspit with steep mountains behind it. Your guide speaks English live on board.

Read our Ísafjörður guide →

Ísafjarðardjúp fjordCruising the fjord in search of whales.

A large, sheltered fjord that has become known for regular humpback whale sightings. Your guide describes the whales and other wildlife as they appear. Humpbacks are the most common, and minke whales, orcas and dolphins are also seen at times. There is an onboard toilet, and the tour needs at least 12 guests to run.

Wildlife · humpback whales most common; also minke whales, orcas and dolphins

3Return to harbourThe boat returns to Ísafjörður at the end of the trip.

About the whale watching Ísafjörður

Ísafjörður sits on Ísafjarðardjúp, a large fjord in the Westfjords that has become known as one of the more reliable places in Iceland to see humpback whales, helped by local research projects that track the whales returning to the area each year. This tour leaves straight from the harbour, so there is no long drive beforehand.

Trips run for about 3 hours on a sturdy boat with an onboard toilet, with a live guide describing the whales and other wildlife you might see, including minke whales, orcas and dolphins alongside the more regular humpbacks. It is pitched as a family-friendly trip, so it suits most ages, though anyone prone to seasickness should keep that in mind before booking, as conditions on the open fjord can be choppy.

Tours run throughout the year, and the Westfjords' quieter waters mean sightings can happen in most seasons, though as with all whale watching nothing is ever guaranteed. Dress as warmly as you would for a winter day even in summer, since it is noticeably colder on the water.

Bring a camera, ideally with a waterproof option, and comfortable warm clothing rather than anything you would mind getting a little damp from sea spray.

Included

Whale watching boat trip
Live English-language guide

Not included

Food and drinks
Gratuities

What to bring

Warm, weatherproof clothing
Camera, ideally with a waterproof option

Good to know

Duration is about 3 hours
Family-friendly, suitable for all ages
Not recommended for anyone prone to seasickness
Runs all year
Onboard toilet available
No minimum age; infants 0 to 3 and children 4 to 11 have their own prices
The tour needs at least 12 guests to run; if it doesn't go ahead you get a full refund
Overalls are not provided, so bring warm clothes
Arrive 30 minutes before departure

Questions people ask

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No, sightings are never guaranteed on any whale watching tour, but Ísafjörður's waters are known as one of the more reliable areas in Iceland for humpback whales.

Is this trip suitable for children?

Yes, it is marketed as a family-friendly tour suitable for all ages.

What if I get seasick easily?

The operator notes it is not recommended for guests prone to seasickness, as the open fjord can be choppy.

Does the tour run in winter?

Yes, it runs all year, though sea conditions and daylight vary by season.

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From14,240 ISKPer person