Located on the shores of Eyjafjordur, the Icelandic town of Akureyri is an amazing whale watching destination thanks to regular humpback whale sightings. Whale watching tours run from Akureyri all year round, and it’s known as one of the best whale watching destinations in Europe! It’s possible to see a number of whale species in the area, including humpbacks, minke whales, blue whales, and more. We were fortunate enough to enjoy 2 whale watching trips in Akureyri during our time in Iceland, and it’s undeniably a special experience. This guide covers everything you need to know about whale watching in Akureyri, including how to book tours, what species of whales live there, and more!
If you want more chances to see whales in the wild, make sure to read our guide to whale and dolphin watching in Madeira, as well as our guide to seeing blue whales in Mirissa, Sri Lanka!
Whale Species in Akureyri
Akureyri is famous for its brilliant whale watching due to the variety of species that can be seen in Eyjafjordur. Humpback whales can be seen in the fjord all year round, which is one of the main reasons Akureyri is one of the best whale watching destinations in Iceland, along with Husavik and Reykjavik.
Several other whale species can be seen in Akureyri, including minke whales, blue whales, northern bottlenose whales, long-finned pilot whales, sei whales, sperm whales, and fin whales. The time of year you visit will influence what species you can see, and the list below covers the best time to see each species.
Humpback whales – All year round.
Minke whales – Common sightings in the summer months.
Blue whales – Occasional sightings during summer, peaking between mid-June and mid-July.
Northern bottlenose whales – Sporadic sightings in winter and summer.
Long-finned pilot whales – Occasional sightings.
Sei, sperm, and fin whales – Rarely seen but sightings are possible.
The reason humpback whales can be seen here all year round is because they come into the fjord to feed. This means there is a good success rate for humpback whale sightings when whale watching in Akureyri.
We personally took two trips here and were fortunate enough to see three humpback whales! Not only that, but we were lucky enough to see a pod of 20-25 long-finned pilot whales and 2 northern bottlenose whales as well. Of course with any wildlife encounters it is a matter of luck when it comes to sightings, but this gives you some indication of how great whale watching here can be!
Other species in Akureyri
Whale watching tours in Akureyri sometimes encounter other marine species, including orcas, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and seals. Porpoises are mainly seen during the summer months, with dolphin sightings possible during winter and summer. Orca sightings are fairly uncommon, but mainly occur in winter or spring.
Bird sightings are reasonably common whilst whale watching in Akureyri, with possible species including gannets, norther fulmars, and Arctic terns.
Whale Watching Tours in Akureyri, Iceland
There are two main choices when it comes to whale watching trips in Akureyri, either a standard whale watching tour on a large boat or an express tour on a RIB speedboat. Both types of tour offer great chances to see whales up close, and are offered by the best operator in the area – Whale Watching Akureyri.
It’s best to book tours in advance to secure your preferred dates, and you can easily do this online via the Get Your Guide website. Conveniently Get Your Guide offer free cancellation if you do have to change your plans, so there is no risk in booking today to secure your spot!
Standard Whale Watching Tour
A standard whale watching tour in Akureyri offers an amazing three-hour trip for just €86 per person. Tours are run by knowledgeable and experienced guides and crew, giving you the best possible chance to spot humpback whales and more!
There are both indoor and outdoor seating areas on the boat, which has a capacity of up to 200 people. Warm overalls are available free of charge on request to protect against the cold – so you can stay warm during this amazing whale watching experience!
Click here to book an unforgettable whale watching trip on the Get Your Guide website!
RIB Speedboat Express Whale Watching Tour in Akureyri
The RIB speedboat express whale watching tours are a brilliant alternative for anyone looking for an up-close whale encounter in Akureyri. These smaller boats have a capacity of just 12 passengers, and get you closer to the wildlife than any other boat can!
RIB speedboats are much faster than the standard boats, so you can cover a bigger area in search of whales. Not only that but the high speeds make for a thrilling trip whilst searching for wildlife!
These two-hour tours are more expensive, costing €150 per person – but it’s worth it for the incredible close-up encounters they provide!
Click here to book an amazing RIB speedboat whale watching tour through Get Your Guide!
Whale Watching Season in Akureyri
There is no specific whale watching season in Akureyri, as whales can be spotted in Eyjafjordur all year round. The number of whales does vary each year depending on the food supply in the fjord.
While there is no exact whale watching season, the summer months are usually the best time to go whale watching here. Summer generally sees a wider variety of whale species in Eyjafjordur, alongside the ever-present humpback whales.
The weather in Akureyri tends to be best for whale watching between April and October, as the water is less choppy than the winter months. In cases of bad weather tours can be cancelled, which is more likely to happen during winter.
RIB speedboat tours only run from April to October, whereas the standard whale watching tours run all year round. If you intend to take a RIB speedboat tour then you will need to visit between these months.
Of course whale sightings can’t be guaranteed no matter what time of year you visit as it depends on the luck of the day. Whale Watching Akureyri do have high success rates in spotting whales, but even still there are some trips where you won’t see any – but thankfully they offer another tour free of charge if no dolphins or whales are spotted!
If you also want to see the northern lights then the best time to visit is between September and April, which gives you the chance to see whales and the aurora in one trip. We recommend checking our this guide to the best place to see the Northern Lights in Akureyri to give yourself the best chance of success!
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