Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

Red-hot lava is the star here, not a video or a museum model. At Reykjavik’s LAVA SHOW, molten rock flows into a safe showroom while the host explains Iceland’s eruptions and works the lava in front of you. I also like the whale trip’s mix of wildlife, mountain views, and birdlife, plus the comfort of heated cabins and warm flotation overalls.

I like the pairing because you get two very different sides of Iceland in one half-day plan: living nature at sea and volcanic geology indoors. The main catch is practical but important: the two activities are in different parts of Reykjavik, and you must arrange your own transport between them.

Key points

• Real molten lava indoors: Watch hot lava flow into the Reykjavik showroom during a 50-minute volcanic demonstration.
• Wildlife in Faxaflói Bay: Look for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and the occasional killer whale.
• Comfort at sea: Warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets are provided.
• Two possible schedules: Choose whale watching at 9:00 with the lava show at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 with the lava show at 18:00.
• No-whale backup: You receive a free ticket to join the whale watching again if the boat returns without a sighting.
• Plan the gap yourself: The activities do not include a transport bus, hotel pickup, or drop-off.

Two Iceland highlights in one half-day

This combo works because the two activities answer different questions. The boat trip asks what lives in the cold waters around Reykjavik. The lava show asks what forces shaped the island in the first place.

The whale watching portion lasts about three hours. It leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, with the meeting point at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11. The lava show lasts 50 minutes at Fiskislóð 73, a separate address in Reykjavik.

You should think of this as two booked activities placed on the same day, not one continuous tour with a transfer between stops. That distinction matters. Build in enough time to leave the harbour area, reach the lava venue, and find the entrance without rushing.

There are two listed combinations:

• Whale watching at 9:00, followed by the lava show at 14:00
• Whale watching at 13:00, followed by the lava show at 18:00

The first schedule gives you a longer midday break. The second lets you sleep later, but the lava show finishes in the evening. Check the available date and time before booking, since the total duration is advertised as 4.5 hours and exact availability can vary.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Arrive at Geirsgata 11 at least 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival is worth taking seriously, since you need time to check in and get ready before the boat leaves.

The harbour is the starting point for a proper trip into Faxaflói Bay, rather than a quick sightseeing circuit close to shore. The boat trip can bring views of mountains and islands around Reykjavik, along with seabirds and the changing shape of the coast.

Your guide explains the species you might encounter and helps you know what to watch for. The main targets are minke whales and humpback whales. Dolphins and harbour porpoises are also possible, while killer whales are listed as a rare sighting. The wording matters: this is wildlife, not a staged performance, so nobody can promise a whale on a particular departure.

That uncertainty is softened by the included free ticket to join again if no whales are seen. It does not make the first trip a guaranteed success, but it gives you a reasonable safety net if seeing whales is one of your main reasons for booking.

What three hours on the boat feels like

Three hours gives the crew time to search a wider part of Faxaflói Bay. It also means you should prepare for changing conditions, even if the day looks calm at the harbour.

The boat has heated indoor cabins and toilet facilities, so you do not need to remain outside for the entire trip. Free WiFi is available onboard, and food and drinks can be purchased if you need something during the sailing.

Warm flotation overalls are provided. Wear weather-appropriate clothing underneath, including layers that you can adjust. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the outer gear is useful protection, but it is not a reason to arrive in light clothing.

Complimentary seasickness tablets are available. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask for them before the boat heads out rather than waiting until you feel unwell. The ability to step inside, sit down, and use the heated cabin makes this a more forgiving trip than a small open boat excursion.

The boat may sometimes be shared with another activity partner. This is part of the operator’s effort to keep fewer boats on the water. For you, it means the exact onboard arrangement can vary, but the whale watching remains part of the booking.

The wildlife is worth the patience

Minke whales and humpback whales are the primary hopes for the trip, with dolphins and harbour porpoises adding variety. You might see only one type of animal, several species, or none on a particular outing.

Humpback whales are especially memorable because their larger size can make a sighting easier to notice from a distance. Minke whales can be less dramatic, but they are still a rewarding find when the sea is broad and open around you.

Dolphins and porpoises may appear more briefly, so keep watching rather than focusing on one section of the water. The guide’s commentary helps you understand what you are looking for, and the wide views of mountains and islands give you something worthwhile even during quiet stretches.

The rare possibility of a killer whale is best treated as a bonus, not an expectation. If you need guaranteed wildlife, no sea tour can provide that. If you enjoy the search, the sea air, and the chance of seeing animals in their natural setting, the three-hour format gives this outing a fair chance.

Seeing lava at Fiskislóð 73

The lava show begins with a welcome from the host and a short educational film about Icelandic volcanism. It covers major eruptions in Icelandic history and volcanic dangers around the capital area.

That introduction gives the hot rock some context. You are not simply watching a red substance pour into a room. You are learning why volcanoes matter in Iceland and why the area around Reykjavik is connected to active geological forces.

Then the lava starts flowing into the showroom. The host works with it directly, using the material as part demonstration and part performance. You see the heat and movement at close range while remaining in a controlled indoor setting.

The show lasts 50 minutes. One practical expectation is worth noting: this is a compact presentation, not a long museum visit. A short show can still make a strong impression, but you should not book it expecting several hours of exhibits and free exploration.

The experience also includes man-made whale models and information about different whale species as part of the broader wildlife learning element. That is useful if you want more than a simple boat ride, especially when weather or wildlife conditions limit what you see outside.

Why the lava and whale pairing works

I like the contrast between these activities. On the boat, you are looking for movement on the surface of the bay. At the show, the earth itself becomes the subject.

The pairing also gives you a better sense of Iceland as a place shaped by both sea and fire. The whale trip connects you with the waters around the capital, while the lava show explains the volcanic forces behind the country’s famous geology.

This is particularly useful if your time in Iceland is short and you want more than a standard city walk. You receive a guided wildlife outing, a geology presentation, and practical comfort features without having to book two unrelated activities on separate days.

Still, the combination does not remove the need for planning. You must get from the whale departure point to Fiskislóð 73 yourself. No hotel pickup, drop-off, or transport bus between activities is included, and there is no guidance on the transport bus.

Use the break between activities to eat, rest, and make the transfer. Food and drinks are available for purchase on the boat, but you should not assume that a meal is included in the package.

Price and value at $154 per person

At $154 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. Its value depends on how much you want both experiences.

The price is easier to justify if you would otherwise book a whale watching cruise and a separate lava attraction. You receive two tickets, professional guides, warm outer gear, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and the chance to rejoin the whale tour if no sightings occur.

The lava show is the more unusual part of the package. Iceland has plenty of volcanic displays, but this gives you a controlled look at actual molten lava rather than only photographs, models, or a film. That makes it a strong choice for anyone interested in volcanoes and geology.

The whale trip adds more uncertainty. You may see several species, but you may also spend much of the time searching. The free return ticket improves the value if no whales appear, although using it requires another suitable time in your schedule.

I would consider the price fair for someone who wants both activities and has enough time to manage the transfer. If you only want to see whales, book a dedicated boat trip. If volcanoes are your priority, the lava show alone may be the better choice.

Timing, transport, and small details that matter

The most important planning detail is the separation between the two venues. Whale watching begins at Geirsgata 11, while the lava show is at Fiskislóð 73. The booking does not provide transportation between them.

Arrive 30 minutes early at the whale watching meeting point. Bring weather-appropriate clothing even though warm flotation overalls are supplied. You will be more comfortable with layers, especially if you spend time outside watching for whales.

Smoking and pets are not allowed. English is the listed tour language, and the activities include live guides. One guide named Joe received especially warm notice for his work, so the quality of the live commentary can add a personal touch to the day.

The operator may use a shared boat with a partner during certain times of year. This is presented as an environmental choice, with fewer boats on the water. It may mean the boat arrangement is not identical on every date, but it supports the aim of reducing traffic in the bay.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. There is one important limitation: if the whale watching is canceled, the lava show ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable.

That rule makes the combination less flexible in poor weather or other cancellation situations. Read the date and timing carefully before you commit, especially if you have a tight Iceland itinerary.

Who should book this Reykjavik combo

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a wildlife outing and a volcanic demonstration on the same day. Families, first-time visitors, and anyone interested in Iceland’s natural forces should find plenty to enjoy.

It also suits you if you prefer some onboard comfort. The heated cabin, toilets, warm overalls, WiFi, and available seasickness tablets reduce the strain of a three-hour sea trip.

You may want to skip it if you dislike uncertain wildlife sightings or if you have no time to arrange the transfer between venues. The package is also less appealing if you already have a separate whale cruise and a volcanic attraction planned.

For the best chance of enjoying the day, keep your schedule open enough to handle the change from boat to city activity. Treat the whale sightings as a possibility, not a promise, and let the lava show provide the more dependable centerpiece.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want two strong, contrasting activities and can handle your own transport across Reykjavik. The live lava demonstration is the most distinctive part, while whale watching adds a chance to see minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, or porpoises in Faxaflói Bay.

The $154 price is reasonable when you value both tickets and the included boat comforts. It is less compelling if you want only one activity or if a missed whale sighting would spoil your day.

I would choose it for a first Iceland visit with a free half-day, especially if volcanoes and marine life are both on your list. Just leave room between venues, arrive early at Geirsgata 11, and dress for the sea.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour begin?

The whale watching tour begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik.

Where does the lava show take place?

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

How long is the full experience?

The advertised duration is 4.5 hours. The whale watching portion lasts about three hours, and the lava show lasts 50 minutes, with a break between the activities.

What animals might I see on the boat?

The tour searches for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and the rare possibility of killer whales. Sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale watching tour again if there are no sightings.

Is transportation between the two activities included?

No. The activities take place at different locations in Reykjavik, and you must arrange your own transportation between them. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included.

What is included onboard the whale watching boat?

The boat provides warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, free WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard.