Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

Red-hot lava and whales make an unlikely pair. This Reykjavik combo gives you two very different Iceland experiences in one half-day: a three-hour boat trip into Faxaflói Bay and a 50-minute live lava show at Fiskislóð 73. I like the mix of wild nature and hands-on geology, and I like the practical onboard comforts, including heated cabins, warm flotation overalls, toilets, WiFi, and free seasickness tablets. The main catch is easy to miss: you arrange your own transport between the two activities, which take place at different locations.

The whale trip is strongest for anyone who wants a broad introduction to Iceland’s sea life rather than a guaranteed animal encounter. Minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and the occasional killer whale are possible, but nature keeps its own schedule. If you see nothing, you receive a free ticket to try again, though the lava portion still remains tied to the original date if the boat trip is canceled.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate Reykjavik attractions: The boat leaves from the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, while the lava show is at Fiskislóð 73.
• Three hours on Faxaflói Bay: You search for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and rare killer whales while viewing islands, mountains, and seabirds.
• Real molten lava indoors: The lava show brings red-hot lava into a safe showroom, where the host demonstrates its movement and explains Icelandic volcanism.
• Two schedule choices: You can book whale watching at 9:00 a.m. with the lava show at 2:00 p.m., or whale watching at 1:00 p.m. with the lava show at 6:00 p.m.
• Good backup comforts: Warm flotation suits, heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets make the boat ride easier in Icelandic weather.
• Moderate value at $154: The price makes sense if you want both experiences, but it is less appealing if you only want a short whale cruise or a quick geology presentation.

Two very different sides of Iceland in 4.5 hours

I like this pairing because it gives you both Iceland’s living world and its volcanic force. On the boat, you wait, watch, and read the water. At the lava show, you get a close, controlled look at material that normally belongs inside a volcano. The contrast helps the country make more sense.

The total experience lasts about 4.5 hours, although the schedule includes a one-hour break between activities. That break is useful, but it is not a guided transfer or a meal period arranged for you. You need to get from one venue to the other and handle any food yourself.

At $154 per person, this is not a budget add-on. Still, you are paying for two substantial activities, not just a short harbor ride. I see the value most clearly for a first visit to Reykjavik, especially if you have limited time and want a natural-history experience plus something that can run in poor weather.

The combined booking also has one awkward point. If the whale tour is canceled, the lava-show ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date and is nonrefundable. I would keep your schedule open and avoid booking this on a day when a cancellation would cause a serious problem.

Meeting the boat at Geirsgata 11

Your morning or afternoon begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival matters because the boat trip leaves from downtown Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area, and last-minute rushing is a poor start for a sea trip.

The boat ride itself is scheduled for three hours. The crew provides warm flotation overalls, which are especially useful when wind comes across the bay. You should still wear weather-appropriate clothing, since the outdoor viewing areas are exposed and Icelandic conditions can shift quickly.

If you prefer to stay inside, heated indoor cabins offer a comfortable fallback. Toilets are onboard, WiFi is free, and seasickness tablets are available at no extra cost. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them onboard.

The boat may be shared with another activity partner at certain times of year. This is part of the operator’s effort to put fewer boats on the water. For you, the practical effect is that the exact boat or group arrangement can vary, but the whale-watching service remains part of the booking.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The whale-watching portion is not a wildlife performance. You go out looking for animals in open water, and sightings are never guaranteed. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not book this solely because you expect a close view of a humpback.

The main targets are minke and humpback whales. You may also see dolphins and harbour porpoises, while killer whales are listed as a rare possibility. The guides explain the different species, helping you understand what you are looking at rather than simply pointing toward a distant splash.

That identification help matters. A minke whale may appear briefly, and a porpoise can be easy to miss. The experience becomes more rewarding when you know the difference between a whale’s blow, a fin, and a quick movement at the surface.

The bay also gives you more than wildlife. You can look toward the mountains and islands around Reykjavik, with seabirds adding another layer to the trip. Even when the animals keep their distance, the boat ride offers a useful view of the city’s surroundings from the water.

The operators provide a free ticket to join again if you have no sightings. This is a worthwhile safeguard, but you should check your own schedule before relying on it. A second attempt only helps if you have enough time in Reykjavik to use it.

The most praised part of the combination is the overall quality of both activities. One booking received strong marks for the whale trip and lava show together, and another specifically praised a guide named Joe. You may not have Joe as your guide, but the feedback points to the importance of the live explanation on the boat. This is not simply a ride out into the bay.

The one-hour gap between the activities

The schedule gives you one hour between the whale trip and the guided lava experience. This sounds generous until you account for returning from the harbor, finding the second venue, and getting settled.

The two activities are in different parts of Reykjavik. The whale departure point is Geirsgata 11, while the lava show takes place at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavik 101. You must provide your own transportation between them, and no transport guidance is included as part of the experience.

I would plan this carefully rather than assume the changeover will be effortless. If you are traveling with children, carrying bags, or dealing with poor weather, the gap may feel shorter than it looks. A simple route plan before departure will make the day calmer.

The break does give you time to buy food or a drink, though no meal is included. Since food is available for purchase onboard the boat, you could also eat before disembarking if the timing suits you.

The two schedule options are:

• Whale watching at 9:00 a.m., followed by the lava show at 2:00 p.m.
• Whale watching at 1:00 p.m., followed by the lava show at 6:00 p.m.

The first option leaves your evening free. The second may suit you if you want a slower morning, but the later boat and show could make for a long day in cold or unsettled weather.

Entering the live lava showroom at Fiskislóð 73

The lava show lasts 50 minutes and begins with a welcome from the host. You then watch a short educational video about Icelandic volcanism, including major eruptions in Icelandic history and the volcanic risks near the capital area.

The presentation becomes more memorable when molten lava enters the showroom. The host demonstrates how it moves and interacts with it at close range in a controlled setting. You see red-hot lava without the danger, distance, or uncertainty of approaching an active eruption.

This is the part I find most useful for understanding Iceland. A volcano is easy to treat as a scenic backdrop until you see the heat and motion of the material itself. The show connects the geology you see around the country with the forces that created it.

The presentation is educational, but it is also designed to entertain. One piece of feedback praised the show as very good while noting that it felt short. That is fair. At 50 minutes, it is a compact experience rather than a full museum visit. You should book it for a vivid demonstration, not for hours of detailed geology.

The host’s interaction with the lava is the main reason to choose this over a standard video or exhibit. You get a physical sense of how lava behaves, and the performance gives the science a clear focus. It is particularly useful early in an Iceland trip, since later volcanic sites may mean more to you after seeing molten rock up close.

What makes the $154 price reasonable

The price is best judged as a two-part purchase. A three-hour whale-watching excursion with outdoor decks, indoor heating, flotation clothing, a guide, and a chance to return after no sightings has real value. The lava show adds a second guided activity with a rare visual element.

I would call the price fair for visitors who genuinely want both. You are not paying for a standard city transfer or a basic harbor cruise. You are paying for time on the bay, wildlife interpretation, and a live volcanic demonstration.

The value drops if you are mainly interested in whales. Sightings are not assured, and the boat occupies much of the day. It also drops if you already have another volcanic experience planned and want only a brief taste of lava science.

The free repeat ticket helps reduce the risk of an empty whale trip, but it does not remove the time cost. You still need another available day or time slot. Also remember the cancellation condition: if the whale trip itself is canceled, the lava show remains fixed to the original booked date and cannot be refunded.

Who should book this Reykjavik combination?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want a strong introduction to Iceland’s wildlife and geology without leaving Reykjavik. Families, couples, and curious adults can all find something here, provided everyone is comfortable with a three-hour boat ride and an independent transfer across the city.

It suits you especially well if you like guided explanations, since both the whale trip and the lava show include interpretation. The boat’s indoor cabins and warm overalls also make it more practical than a bare-bones wildlife cruise.

I would think twice if you dislike uncertain wildlife outings, suffer badly from motion sickness, or have a tightly packed schedule. Seasickness tablets are available, but the trip still takes place on open water. I would also avoid booking it if you cannot manage the transfer between locations during the one-hour gap.

The experience is in English, with experienced professional guides. One booking particularly praised Joe, so a strong guide can add a personal touch to the day. Still, the core value comes from the combination of settings: open bay first, controlled lava theater second.

Final call: book it if you want contrast

I think this is a good Reykjavik choice when you want two distinct experiences rather than one narrowly focused tour. The whale watching gives you a chance to see minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, or porpoises in Faxaflói Bay, while the lava show gives you a much more certain and close-up encounter with Iceland’s volcanic side.

Book it if you can accept that wildlife sightings are never guaranteed and if you are willing to plan your own transfer between Geirsgata 11 and Fiskislóð 73. Skip it if you need door-to-door transport, a guaranteed whale sighting, or a longer geology program.

At $154, it earns its price through variety, helpful boat facilities, and the rare chance to watch real molten lava in a safe indoor setting. Just leave room in your schedule, arrive 30 minutes early, and treat the whale trip as a search rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

It begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik.

Where is the lava show held?

The lava show is held at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavik 101, Iceland.

How long is the whale-watching trip?

The whale-watching portion lasts about three hours.

How long is the lava show?

The live lava show lasts 50 minutes.

What animals might I see?

The trip searches for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and rarely killer whales.

Is transportation provided between the two activities?

No. The activities take place at different locations, and you must arrange your own transportation between them.

What are the available departure schedules?

You can choose whale watching at 9:00 a.m. with the lava show at 2:00 p.m., or whale watching at 1:00 p.m. with the lava show at 6:00 p.m.

What happens if no whales are seen?

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

What is included on the boat?

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

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the whale-watching trip is canceled, the lava-show ticket remains valid only on the original date and is nonrefundable.