Whale Watching in Iceland: the Best Time

If you’re thinking about visiting Iceland, you should definitely consider going whale watching! Iceland is in fact one of the best places in the world to spot more than 30 species of whales. Whales, much like birds, follow established migration routes, so it is possible to know in advance where they are likely to be at certain times of the year.

In Iceland, whale watching makes it easy to spot whales and can be done practically all year round. However, depending on the season, the experience can be completely different! Here are the main differences to help you understand the best time to go whale watching in Iceland and where to do it.
 

Where to go Whale Watching in Iceland: the best places

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is one of the best places for whale watching in Iceland and especially for spotting orcas, also known as killer whales. Whale watching here is always a great balance between a successful sighting and the unpredictability of nature.
 
In this area during the summer months, sperm whales—the largest predators in the sea—are regularly spotted, along with minke whales, fin whales, orcas, and less frequently humpback whales and blue whales. White-beaked dolphins, which are native to these waters, can be seen all year round, both in summer and in winter.
Other places where you can go whale watching include Reykjavik, Húsavík, Dalvík, Akureyri, Siglufjörður, and Ólafsvík.
 

Photo by Andrea Quartarone

Whale Watching in Iceland: when is the best time to go?

The great thing about whale watching in Iceland is the abundance of cetaceans that can be spotted regularly, regardless of the season. Whale watching is usually more successful in summer, thanks to the greater number of cetaceans passing through these waters. Many cetaceans tend to spend the winter near the equator to breed and the summer closer to the poles to feed. So, between April and October, you can expect to see some of the largest creatures in the world, such as fin whales, humpback whales, or even the occasional basking shark.

That said, there are several advantages to going whale watching in winter as well. 

First of all, it’s worth mentioning that winter whale-watching tours by boat or RIB are less crowded: with fewer people on board, sightings are easier to manage, and when you do come across a whale, you won’t have to climb over everyone else just to see it or take a photo. 
During the winter season, it is also easier to spot porpoises and dolphins, but it is not unusual for large whales to remain in Iceland during winter too. Minke whales have been seen several times, and humpback whales make occasional appearances as well.

This is especially true in Breiðafjörður fjord, which separates the Westfjords from the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. In winter, there are huge shoals of herring here—a natural buffet that attracts large predators to the area, such as orcas and humpback whales.

Another advantage of winter whale watching is that it allows you to experience extraordinary nature, regardless of the sightings. Searching for whales surrounded by snow-covered mountains makes the whole experience even more spectacular.

If you want not only an incredible whale-watching experience in Iceland, but also an amazing tour of the south of the island, check out our ICELAND TRIP.