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Whale Watching & The Golden Circle

The ultimate combo - Whales and Iceland's most popular sights

Product-ID: AA-WWG

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whale breaching high above the water in Iceland

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About Tour

This tour is a must-do if you want an easy, spectacular way to experience Iceland in a single day. You’ll start with a whale watching trip just off the Reykjavik coast, then head out to see geysers, waterfalls, volcanic craters, and tectonic rifts on the classic Golden Circle route. It’s a well-paced, scenic highlight experience—with minimal effort required and maximum wow-factor.

Highlights

Thingvellir National Park
Gullfoss waterfall
Geysir Hot Springs
Kerið Volcanic Crater Lake
Whale Watching Boat Tour

Included

Pick-up and drop-off in Reykjavik
Certified English-speaking guides
Whale watching boat tour
Guided Golden Circle tour
Warm overalls for whale watching

What to bring

Warm outdoor clothes
Sturdy hiking shoes
Shoe Spike Grips (Oct-Apr)

Tour Snapshot

Availability March - Nov

Duration ~11 hours

Departs From Reykjavik

Minimum age 6 years

Difficulty Easy Suitable for most people in fair condition.

Pick Up Yes

Meet on Location No

From

178

Per

Adult

Get the best value for money by booking a combo tour for up to 10% less!

Expert Guides
Combo deal
Free Wi-Fi
No Booking Fees
Fast & Secure Payment
Best Price Guarantee

From 207 USD

178

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Itinerary

Start your day with a convenient whale watching tour from Reykjavik, with optional hotel pick-up or an easy walk to the harbor if you’re staying downtown. After spotting whales and enjoying the fresh sea air, the adventure continues on a comfortable minibus to the Golden Circle, where you’ll visit Thingvellir National Park, erupting geysers, Gullfoss waterfall, and the stunning Kerið crater.

Whale Watching

Seeing a whale in the wild is a truly special and unforgettable experience—there’s nothing quite like the moment a massive tail breaks the surface or a spout appears on the horizon. You’ll head out into Faxaflói Bay with experienced whale-watching guides who provide plenty of insight into the marine life along the way. Weather and sea conditions help determine the route, always aiming for the best possible chance to see whales—typically within 15 km (about 9 miles) of Reykjavik’s harbor.

Minke and humpback whales are most commonly spotted, along with dolphins, porpoises, and other sea life, with sightings on over 90% of tours. On rare occasions, departures may take place from nearby harbors if needed to improve the viewing experience. Insulated overalls are provided for comfort, and the onboard café offers hot drinks and snacks to enjoy while you take in the views.

Golden Circle Sightseeing

a view of walking path in Thingvellir national park

This classic Golden Circle route takes you to four of Iceland’s most iconic natural attractions: Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir geothermal area, Þingvellir National Park, and the volcanic crater lake Kerið.

Þingvellir National Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Þingvellir is one of Iceland’s most significant historical and geological locations. Visitors can walk through the dramatic rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates are slowly pulling apart. It’s also the site of the world’s first parliament, founded in 930 AD, making it a destination of both natural beauty and deep cultural importance.

Geysir Geothermal Area

This geothermal valley is known for its bubbling hot springs and erupting geysers. Strokkur, the area’s most active geyser, erupts every few minutes, shooting hot water 20–30 meters (65–100 feet) into the air—an impressive and completely natural spectacle.

Gullfoss Waterfall – The Golden Waterfall

Gullfoss is a powerful, two-tiered waterfall fed by glacial waters from Langjökull glacier. Walkways allow you to get close enough to feel the spray as the river crashes into the canyon below. It’s one of Iceland’s most photogenic and unforgettable sights.

Kerið Volcanic Crater

Kerið is a striking volcanic crater with steep, iron-rich red slopes surrounding a vivid blue lake. Visitors can walk around the rim or follow a path down to the water’s edge for a unique view of this surreal landscape. It’s a colorful and dramatic final stop on the Golden Circle route.

Please note

Pick-up for this adventure comes with an additional cost of 2800kr per adult and 1400kr per child. Please be ready for pick up at 8:00 am and look out for a Special Tours company minibus. If you prefer to meet on location, please arrive at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík at 8:30 am.
This is a combination of two separate tours. If one of the tours is canceled, you will still be able to join the other part.

FAQs

How to book tours and what personal information are needed?

You can book almost all of our trips here on our website. You will find a booking window on each tour page and the best and safest way is to book and pay is directly through our website.

How do I pay for a tour?

1. You can pay directly through our website. That is the easiest, safest and fastest way to reserve and pay for your adventure. If you choose this way then you will receive a voucher as a confirmation via email. Which you will need to bring with you on your trip.

2. You can pay via phone, our phone number is +354 562 7000. Please be noted, however you pay, you will always get a voucher. It is important to have your voucher ready for your tour so please remember to print it out or make sure that you can show it through your electronic device.

Do you offer private departure for all of your tours?

We can arrange private departures as per customer request. Almost all of the tours that we offer can be arranged as a private tour. If you prefer to have a private tour arranged than you may feel free to contact us through email info@adventures.com

Is there a waiting list for tours?

Unfortunately, we don’t have any waiting list for our tours. Availability is found on our website in the availability sheet where all updates will automatically be made to the sheet listed in each tour description. We have a variety of different adventure tours around Iceland so there is a big chance that you find a similar version of the tour that you were originally looking for.

How is the refunding process when we cancel a tour?

If your tour that you have booked is canceled on our behalf than you will receive a 100% refund. The refund process is different depending on the way you booked the tour.

If you booked the tour through our website then we will start the refund process as soon as we know if you will not be rescheduling and you will receive a separate email with a confirmation about that your refund has been processed.

If you booked the tour via booking agent than you will need to contact them directly to receive the refund. We will confirm with them about your canceled tour and then the refund process will start on their end. Extreme Iceland only receives the payment when the tour has finished, that means that your payment still remains with the booking agent and therefore, the refund can only be processed directly from their end.

Will I need crampons for this tour?

If you’re visiting between mid-October and mid-April, it’s highly recommended to use lightweight crampons, also known as ice spikes. These small traction devices attach to your shoes and help prevent slips on icy paths, making sightseeing safer and more comfortable. You can purchase them during the booking process to ensure you’re prepared for winter conditions. They are yours to keep after the tour ends!