Old Harbor Whale

Capital Region

Reykjavík's Old Harbour is the departure point for the capital's whale watching tours. Several operators run trips into Faxaflói bay, where minke whales and humpbacks are most common; dolphins and harbor porpoises turn up regularly too. Tours run around three hours year-round, though summer brings the best odds — operators report success on more than 90% of summer departures. Midnight sun tours sell out, so book ahead. Between tours the harbor area offers a full afternoon. The Reykjavik Maritime Museum is right on the dock. A short walk into the Grandi district brings you to the Whales of Iceland exhibition and the Saga Museum. Working fishing boats moored among the tour vessels keep the area grittier than downtown, and a stretch of seafood restaurants lines the waterfront. Puffin island cruises to Akurey and Lundey also leave from here in summer, roughly May through August. The harbor looks across Faxaflói toward Mount Esja, and on clear days the ice cap of Snæfellsjökull is visible across the bay. Harpa concert hall is a five-minute walk east along the shore.

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