Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

Mixing a morning or early afternoon on the water with a live volcanic spectacle inside Reykjavík is what makes this combo such a smart Iceland pick. I love the Faxaflói Bay whale watching angle because you’re chasing real animals right off the harbor, with warm gear and heated indoor space waiting when the wind turns. I also love the live lava show because you get close to red-hot lava in a controlled, safe setting, then walk away thinking about Iceland’s volcanism in a more personal way.

One heads-up: the whale tour and the lava show happen at different addresses, and you’re not given transport between them. The tour includes a break, but you’ll want to plan how you’ll get from the boat area to Fiskislóð 73.

If you’re lucky enough to get a guide like Joe, the science side lands well. It’s not lectures for the sake of it, it’s built around what you’re seeing, from whale species to what volcanoes near the capital area mean for day-to-day life.

Key points before you go

• A true two-part Reykjavík day: whale watching at sea plus a live lava performance indoors
• Heated cabins and warm overalls on the boat, plus free WiFi and toilet facilities
• Real search for minke and humpbacks, with dolphins and harbor porpoises also possible
• You’re taught as you watch: you’ll learn species differences and see man-made models close up
• The lava show is specifically about Icelandic volcanism, including major historical eruptions near the capital region
• If no whales are spotted, you get a free return ticket, so you are not locked into one shot

Why This Reykjavik Combo Works: Whales at Sea and Lava Indoors

This is the kind of tour that fits Iceland travel reality. The weather can be wild, the water can be cold, and you might not get a guarantee on wildlife. What you do get here is balance. You spend time actively searching for whales in Faxaflói Bay, then you switch gears to a geology experience you can count on, because it’s indoors.

The value also comes from how the two halves complement each other. Whale watching makes the bay feel alive, and the lava show gives you a different kind of “alive,” the kind powered by heat under the ground. Together, they help you understand why Reykjavík can feel so calm and still be surrounded by real volcanic danger.

Also, this combo is designed to be practical. The boat includes warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, onboard toilets, and a bar. You’re not dressed for misery, which matters on the North Atlantic.

Meeting at Geirsgata 11, Then Heads Out From Old Harbour

Your day starts at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office. You’ll want to be there early, at least 30 minutes before departure, because check-in and getting everyone organized takes time.

From there, you’ll head to Old Harbour in downtown Reykjavík for the whale watching portion. Old Harbour is the natural launchpad for sea tours, so the logistics feel simple once you’re in the right area.

Timing is important with this combo. There are two main schedule patterns:

• Whale watching at 09:00, lava show at 14:00
• Whale watching at 13:00, lava show at 18:00

That means you’re not just doing one long activity. You’re doing two, and the break between them is part of the plan.

The 3-Hour Whale Search in Faxaflói Bay

Once the boat leaves Old Harbour, your main job is to look. The tour sails into Faxaflói Bay in search of minke whales and humpback whales, plus the chance of seeing dolphins and harbor porpoises. A killer whale sighting is listed as rare, but it’s part of the search plan.

What I like about this approach is that it’s honest about possibility. Whale watching is never a theme-park guarantee. Instead, this tour focuses on increasing your odds with a real search route around Reykjavík and trained guides that know where to scan.

You also get more than just wildlife time. The bay area includes views of mountains and islands around Reykjavík, and there’s bird life to watch while you cruise. Even if sightings are light, the water and the coastline setting do something for your mood.

Don’t Underestimate Comfort: Overalls, Heated Cabins, WiFi, and More

Cold water and cold wind are not optional in Reykjavík. The tour meets that reality with real comfort features, which is why this doesn’t feel like a bare-bones wildlife outing.

On board you get:

• Warm flotation overalls
• Heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities
• A bar for food and drinks you can purchase
• Free WiFi
• Complimentary seasickness tablets

The combination matters. Heated cabins and overalls let you stay outside long enough to scan the water without turning it into a survival test. The free seasickness tablets are a nice touch if you know you’re sensitive, and the onboard toilets remove one of the biggest frustrations on boat days.

My practical advice: dress in layers anyway. Overalls help, but wind can still reach you when you move between outside viewing and warm cabins.

What You’ll Learn While You Look for Whales

A big reason this tour earns a strong rating is that it treats whale watching as an education, not just a scan for spouts. You’ll learn about the different species of whales and you’ll even see man-made models up close.

That sounds small, but it changes your experience. When you understand what you’re likely looking for, you spend less time guessing and more time enjoying. With minke versus humpback, for example, even simple information about size and behavior can make the sightings feel clearer and more meaningful when they happen.

Guides also matter here. One review specifically calls out Joe as a great guide, so it’s worth knowing that the human side of the tour is not an afterthought.

The Break and the Key Logistics: You Handle Getting to the Lava Show

Here’s the part you need to plan yourself. This is a combo booking, but the whale tour and the lava show are in different locations. The whale portion centers around the Reykjavík harbor area, while the lava show address is Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101.

The schedule gives you a break, plus a guided component time block on the back end. But you should plan on using your own transport between the two stops. The tour does not include guidance on any transport bus.

So, do a quick reality check before you book or before you arrive:

• Know that you will need to get from the boat area to Fiskislóð 73
• Build a buffer for walking time or short transit, especially if weather is nasty

This is one of those tours where a little preparation saves stress.

Inside the Live LAVA SHOW at Fiskislóð 73 (About 50 Minutes)

The lava show is the other headline act: a live, indoor experience focused on Iceland’s volcanism. The tour describes it as the only live lava show in the world, and it’s designed to answer a simple question: what does molten lava actually look like, up close, in a safe environment?

The show begins with:

• A short welcome by the host
• A short educational video about Icelandic volcanism
• Information about nearby volcanoes, with special emphasis on the largest eruptions in Icelandic history and the volcanic dangers surrounding the capital area

Then the experience shifts from watching to doing. The host starts playing with the lava once it’s flowing into the showroom. It’s described as entertaining and educational, and that combo is exactly why it works for people who want excitement without losing the science.

The show itself is listed as 50 minutes, and the overall guided time block on the itinerary is longer, so expect a little extra time for the full experience around the main performance.

Why the Lava Education Feels Worth It

Plenty of volcanic content online is either totally abstract or totally sensational. This show seems built to do both without melting your brain.

Because you’re learning about eruptions in Icelandic history and the risk to the Reykjavík area, you get a sense of scale. You’re also learning geology in the context of where you actually are, not geology in a faraway textbook.

After the show, the tour framing suggests you start seeing Iceland differently, and that makes sense. When you’ve watched molten lava in real time and tied it to the ideas of volcanic danger near the capital, Iceland stops being just scenery. It becomes a living system.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

At $154 per person for a 4.5-hour combo, the value is not just “two attractions.” It’s the specific mix of:

• A boat day with heated indoor cabins, toilets, overalls, and guided interpretation
• A live, indoor geology show built around real molten lava

Also, there’s risk-management baked in. Whale sightings are not controllable, but the tour includes a free ticket to join again in case of no sightings. That matters in a country where wildlife can be unpredictable and weather can be moody.

You still have to budget for food and drink, because it’s not included. The bar onboard sells what you need, but it’s not part of the base price.

Bottom line: you’re paying for comfort plus two experiences that don’t just rely on luck. The lava show is reliable, and the whale portion has a safety net if sightings don’t happen.

Best for Who: Science Fans, First-Timers, and Cold-Weather Realists

This combo is a good fit if you:

• Want Reykjavík whale watching without sacrificing comfort
• Like hands-on learning, not just scenic cruising
• Want to see Iceland’s volcanism explained in a way that feels immediate
• Are traveling in English and want an English-speaking guide

It’s also good for people who get seasick easily, because seasickness tablets are available and the heated cabin option is built into the boat design.

On the other hand, if you hate managing your own between-location transport, this may feel like extra work. The tour does not include a transport bus, and you have to move from the whale portion to the lava show address.

Quick Practical Tips Before You Book

• Bring weather-appropriate clothing even if you plan to use the overalls
• Plan your time so you arrive early at Geirsgata 11
• Pick the schedule that matches your broader Reykjavík plan, morning or early afternoon
• If you’re sensitive to motion, use the onboard seasickness help and stay inside when needed
• Remember you cannot bring pets, and smoking is not allowed

Should You Book This Reykjavik Whale Watching and Lava Show Combo?

I’d book it if you want a Reykjavík day that mixes real nature with real science, without turning it into a long travel slog. The boat side gives you comfort and support, not just cold decks and luck. The lava show gives you an indoor anchor that feels like Iceland’s geology in a firsthand way.

I would think twice if you dislike splitting time between two locations in the same city. This combo expects you to handle your own movement between the whale portion and Fiskislóð 73. Also, if whale sightings are the whole reason you’re here, remember that sightings depend on conditions. The free return ticket helps, but it still means you might have to plan follow-up time.

If you want an efficient, high-energy Iceland experience with a good chance of learning something meaningful, this combo is a strong choice.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office.

How early should I arrive?

Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long is the total experience?

The combo is listed as about 4.5 hours.

What time do the whale watching and lava show happen?

There are two schedule options: whale watching at 09:00 with the lava show at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 with the lava show at 18:00.

What animals might I see on the whale watching tour?

The tour is set up to look for minke whales and humpback whales, and it also includes chances for dolphins and harbor porpoises. Killer whales are mentioned as a rare sighting.

Where is the live lava show located?

The lava show takes place at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101, Iceland.

What is included on the boat for comfort?

The boat includes warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities, free WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets.

Is food included?

No. Food and drink are not included, but you can purchase them onboard.

What happens if the whale watching tour has no sightings?

If there are no sightings, you get a free ticket to join again.

Do I get transport between the whale tour and the lava show?

No. The tour does not include hotel pickup and drop-off, and there is no guidance on a transport bus, so you should plan to get yourself between the two locations.