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Whale Watching in Ísafjörður | Ísafjarðardjúp Boat Tour

About 2.5 hoursGroup: Shared boatEasyBoat from Ísafjörður harbourAge 4+Late May to mid-September
5.0(16 reviews)
Humpback whale breachingPassengers watching a whale diveWhale surfacing in ÍsafjarðardjúpPuffins on a rock
Passengers on deck in the fjord

Ísafjörður whale watching on Ísafjarðardjúp, the largest fjord in the Westfjords. You leave from Ísafjörður harbour on a small boat and look for humpback and minke whales, dolphins and seabirds among the mountains.

Ísafjörður harbourÍsafjarðardjúp fjordHumpback whalesVigur & Æðey islandsWestfjords mountains
  • Whale watching in a quiet Westfjords fjord, far from the crowds
  • Humpback and minke whales are the main species, with dolphins and porpoises
  • Puffins on the water near Vigur and Æðey islands in summer
  • Small boat with a warm cabin and open deck
  • Meet at Ísafjörður harbour, a short walk from the town centre

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.
1Meet at Ísafjörður harbourCheck in at the service centre on Mávagarður, 30 minutes before departure.
2Passengers on deck in the fjordOut into ÍsafjarðardjúpSail out of the harbour into the wide fjord while your guide looks for blows.
Passengers on deck in the fjordPassengers at the bow of the boat

The captain and guide scan the fjord for the spray of whales breathing at the surface as you sail out of the harbour. On the way you see the Westfjords' flat-topped mountains from the water. There is a warm cabin and an open deck. Sunglasses help you spot blows on bright days.

On board · warm cabin and open deckTip · sunglasses help you spot blows on bright days
3Humpback whale breachingWhale watchingTime with humpback and minke whales, dolphins and porpoises.
Humpback whale breachingPassengers watching a whale diveWhale surfacing in Ísafjarðardjúp

When whales are found, the boat slows down and you watch from the deck. Humpbacks often lift their tails as they dive, which is the moment to have your camera ready. Humpback and minke whales are the main species, with white-beaked dolphins and porpoises also seen.

Main species · humpback and minke whalesAlso seen · white-beaked dolphins, porpoises, occasionally orcasTip · photos of tail flukes help whale research
4Puffins on a rockSeabirds near Vigur & ÆðeyPuffins, guillemots and eider ducks on the water.
Puffins on a rockPuffins on the waterSeabirds on the water off Vigur

Puffins nest on the islands of Vigur and Æðey in summer, and you often see them fishing and floating near the boat, along with guillemots and eider ducks.

Puffins · in summer, when they nest on the islands
5Back to ÍsafjörðurReturn to the harbour in Ísafjörður.

About the Ísafjörður whale watching

Ísafjarðardjúp is a long, deep fjord that cuts into the Westfjords, with steep, flat-topped mountains on both sides. Humpback whales feed here, and the boat leaves straight from Ísafjörður harbour, so you are in whale territory soon after departure.

Humpback and minke whales are the ones you are most likely to see, along with white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. Orcas turn up now and then. Puffins, guillemots and eider ducks are common on the water, as puffins nest on the nearby islands of Vigur and Æðey. Whales are wild, so sightings are likely but never guaranteed.

The boat has a warm cabin, but the best views are from the deck, where it gets cold and windy even in summer. The operator does not supply overalls, so dress in warm layers with a waterproof jacket and trousers, a hat and gloves. If you take photos of humpback tail flukes, your guide can pass them on for whale identification research.

Included

  • Whale watching boat trip
  • Captain, crew and English-speaking guide

Not included

  • Overalls or extra warm clothing
  • Food and drinks

What to bring

  • Warm layers
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Hat and gloves
  • Sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Camera

Good to know

  • Duration is about 2.5 hours
  • Runs in summer; the 2026 season is 24 May to 19 September
  • Several departures from 10:00 (see the booking calendar for dates and times)
  • Arrive 30 minutes before departure at the service centre (white container) on Mávagarður, Ísafjörður harbour
  • Minimum age is 4, as there are no life jackets for infants
  • The boats have a warm cabin, but the operator does not lend overalls, so dress warmly
  • Limited wheelchair access: you need to manage 2–3 steps
  • Sightings are very common but can never be guaranteed
  • Tours need a minimum number of passengers to run
  • Free cancellation up to 7 days before the start. If you cancel between 7 days and 48 hours before, 30% is charged. No refund within 48 hours.

Questions people ask

Which whales will we see?

Mostly humpback and minke whales. White-beaked dolphins and porpoises are common, and orcas are seen now and then.

Do you provide warm overalls?

No. Bring your own warm, waterproof clothing, a hat and gloves.

Can we see puffins too?

Often, in summer. Puffins nest on Vigur and Æðey, and you see them on the water near the boat.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, from age 4. There are no life jackets for infants.

Where do we meet?

At the service centre, a white container on Mávagarður at Ísafjörður harbour, 30 minutes before departure.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.
5.0Based on 16 reviews
5 stars16
4 stars0
3 stars0
2 stars0
1 star0
Nature at Its Finest in Ísafjörður

Frábær ferð frá Ísafirði. Öll fjölskyldan naut sín. Við munum algjörlega koma aftur!

Sigrún G.
Magical Experience

2.5 hours of sea, whales, scenery, and great company. Our guide made it fun and educational. I loved hearing about their efforts in conservation and seeing puffins flying around. Felt very safe out on the fjord.

Marcus L.
Stunning Views & Expert Captain

The ride out of the harbor was gorgeous with fjords, cliffs, seabirds, and the crisp Icelandic air. Our captain was professional but also very informative about the local marine ecology. When we saw the whales, the guide helped everyone get great sightlines and photo opportunities without disturbing the animals. One of the highlights of our trip around Iceland.

Helen J.
Great for Families & Nature Lovers

We went with our two kids and had a wonderful trip from ISafjordur. We were traveling around Iceland by cruise and had a stop there on our third day. The boat was comfortable, and seeing dolphins and porpoises was a delight for the children. Our guide was patient, helpful, and knew exactly where to look. Even when the whales were a bit distant, the overall experience was more than enough.

Lucas P.
Unforgettable Fjord Wildlife Adventure

We booked the Isafjordur whale watching tour expecting just lovely views, but it turned into something truly special. The fjord was peaceful, the mountains around were dramatic, and the moment we saw the humpback whales breach. It took our breath away. The guide was excellent: knowledgeable about whale behavior, attentive to everyone on board, and really passionate. A perfect mix of adventure and learning. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the Westfjords!

Ingrid M.
Great whale watching tour in Isafjordur!

We had an absolutely fantastic time on this whale watching tour in Isafjordur - will always recommend this!

Kat · June 2025
From14,600 ISKPer person

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