Whale Watching in Hólmavík

Duration:

2+ hours

Guidance:

English

Season:

May – September (sometimes extending into October)

Pricing per person:

Adult ticket (16 +): 13,500 ISK
Youth (7 to 15 years): 6,750 ISK
Child (under 7 years): Free of charge

Clothing:

Warm clothing is essential, the Westfjords are cold even in summer All tours are subject to weather conditions and minimum booking numbers.

Location:

Departure point: Hafnarbraut 14, 510 Hólmavík.

Daily departures - 2026:

01. May to 14. June: 11:00

15. June to 31. August: 10:00 and 14:00

01. Sept. to 30. Sept: 11:00

Duration	2+ hours
Guidance	English
Season	May – September (sometimes extending into October).
Pricing per person	Adult ticket (16 +): 13,500 ISK Youth (7 to 15 years): 6,750 ISK Child (under 7 years): Free of charge
Clothing	Warm clothing is essential, the Westfjords can be cold even in summer All tours are subject to weather conditions and minimum booking numbers.
Location	Departure point: Hafnarbraut 14, 510 Hólmavík.
Daily departures	01. May to 31. May: 11:00 01. June to 15. July: 11:00 16. July to 31. August: !0:00 and 14:00 01. Sept. to 30. Sept: 11:00

Calm Waters · Feeding Grounds · Whales Without Waves

Step aboard from the quiet harbour of Hólmavík and sail into Steingrímsfjörður, one of Iceland’s most reliable and intimate whale‑watching locations. Sheltered by the surrounding mountains, this fjord offers exceptionally calm seas—an ideal setting for families, first‑time sailors, and anyone who prefers smooth, comfortable conditions.

Where the Whales Come to Feed

Hólmavík sits beside rich feeding grounds where humpback whales regularly gather just minutes from shore. Because the whales are so close, our tours spend less time sailing and more time with the animals themselves. It’s not unusual to find yourself as the only boat in the fjord, surrounded by humpbacks tail‑slapping, blowing, and feeding in the stillness of the Westfjords.

A Personal, Uncrowded Experience

Our tours are deliberately small and unhurried, offering a level of closeness and quiet that is rare in Icelandic whale watching. With short sailing distances and calm waters, the experience feels more like entering the whales’ world than watching from afar.

What You Can Expect

Minimal seasickness thanks to sheltered fjord conditions
More whale time with feeding humpbacks close to shore
Shorter sailing distances for a more environmentally friendly tour
A personal, uncrowded atmosphere far from the big‑boat crowds
A strong sighting record, with humpbacks seen on most departures
Sighting guarantee — if no whales appear, you’re welcome to rebook for free

Summer, Autumn, and the Magic Between

Summer brings humpback whales, minke whales, and playful white‑beaked dolphins into the fjord. As autumn arrives, the low Arctic sun paints the mountains gold while multiple humpbacks feed together in some of the most dramatic light of the year.

Whale Watching at Its Most Authentic

With rare weather cancellations and some of the calmest waters in Iceland, Hólmavík offers whale watching as it should be—close, quiet, and deeply connected to nature.

Join us in Hólmavík, where the fjord is calm, the whales are near, and every tour feels like a moment shared with the wild.

Important Information

If no whales or dolphins are sighted during your tour, you will receive a reschedule ticket valid for another day during the same season. Please refer to our terms and conditions for full details.

Please note:

Sightings are never guaranteed. We are dealing with nature
Some periods of the season offer more reliable sightings than others
Booking well in advance helps ensure tours operate
Tours may be cancelled up to 24 hours in advance if minimum numbers are not met
Late bookings are not recommended
Flexibility in your schedule improves your chances of joining a tour