Whale Watching Tour From Ólafsvík
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Availability
April - October
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DURATION
2 - 3 ½ Hours
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Difficulty
Very Easy
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Pickup
No
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Minimum Age
None
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Price
ISK 12.500
Tour Highlights:
- Whale Watching from Snæfellsnes
- Orca Whales
- Sperm Whales
- Pilot Whales
Included:
- Guided tour in English and German
The Whale Watching Ólafsvík Tour
The Whale Watching Ólafsvík tour is your best chance to see wild Orcas in Iceland. Other species that are commonly spotted here include Sperm whales and Pilot whales. Sail along the beautiful coastline of the Snæfellsnes peninsula and enjoy viewing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. This tour is an excellent addition to any self-drive holiday on the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
Departing from the fishing village of Ólafsvík on the Snæfellsnes peninsula, you will sail out to sea with your experienced captain and guide. The dramatic landscape of the peninsula offers the perfect backdrop for a boat tour in this stunning area.
This area offers the best chance to see Orcas, Killer Whales in the wild. The highest Orca sighting rate is in the spring and early summer, from April to early July. However, there is also a chance to see them throughout the summer. Male Sperm whales are most often spotted between April and June. From July to the fall, the possibility of seeing large pods of pilot whales increases. These are often seen in pods that count hundreds of whales. Other species that can be spotted in this area include Humpback whales and minke whales. White-beaked dolphins also regularly make an appearance.
During the tour, your expert captain will get as close as possible to the whales without disturbing them. Once back on dry land, you can enjoy a delicious lunch in Ólafsvík and continue your exploration of the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, this is a meet on location tour only. If you do not have a rental car it is possible to include this whale watching tour on a private tour of the Snæfellsnes peninsula.
The meeting point for this tour is at the harbor in Ólafsvík. By the harbor you’ll see a big blue bus with a whale on it, that is the meeting point.
It takes up to 3 hours to drive directly from Reykjavík to Ólafsvík. Please keep in mind that you need to be on location at least 15 minutes before the start of the tour.
Yes, a whale watching tour is a great activity that the whole family can enjoy. There is no age limit on this tour.
You should wear warm clothes as your first layer, and we recommend bringing a waterproof outer layer in case of rain. Keep in mind that it can get colder out at sea than it is on land. It is not recommended to wear sandals on this tour.
In winter, several layers of clothes are recommended along with gloves, a scarf, hat and winter shoes. You should also dress warmly in summer.
No, lunch and refreshments are not included in this tour.
No, smoking is not allowed on the boat.
As whales are wild animals it can be hard to predict when sightings are possible. Orcas can swim up to 120 km per day, so they can leave the area quickly if they so wish. They can also appear quickly is they want to do that!
December and March are usually good months for sightings in the winter time, and in the summertime, they are often spotted in April, May and June. However, this can always change.
As the Orcas are wild there is no way to predict if it’s more likely to see them in the morning or in the afternoon.
Reservations can be canceled 24 hours prior to departure without penalty. Cancellations received less than 24 hours prior to departure are non-refundable.
Cancellations must be submitted in writing to info@iat.is.
Please be mindful of possible time zone differences. Iceland is in the GMT time zone and cancellations must be submitted at least 24 hours before departure in Icelandic local time (GMT).
If you do need to cancel your tour, we recommend that you contact us as soon as possible.
The meeting point for this tour is at the harbor in Ólafsvík, on the Snæfellsnes peninsula. It takes about 2.5 hours to drive directly from Reykjavík to Ólafsvík in perfect conditions.
Please keep in mind that you need to be on location at least 15 minutes before the start of your tour.
