Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

Faxaflói Bay gives you two very different Icelandic experiences in one outing: wildlife on open water and red-hot lava inside a showroom. The cruise looks for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and the occasional orca, while the Lava Show brings real molten rock close enough to see and feel its heat safely.

I like the practical pairing of a three-hour boat trip with a compact, 50-minute geology show. You also get warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, WiFi, toilets, and a free return whale-watching ticket if no whales appear. The main catch is easy to miss: the two activities are in different parts of Reykjavik, and you must arrange your own transport between them.

Key points at a glance

• Real molten lava indoors: Watch hot lava flow into the showroom during a live volcanic demonstration at Fiskislóð 73.
• Three hours on Faxaflói Bay: Search for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and rare killer whales.
• Two useful departure pairings: Whale watching at 9 a.m. with lava at 2 p.m., or whale watching at 1 p.m. with lava at 6 p.m.
• Comfort on a cold sea: Warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets are provided.
• Plan the city transfer yourself: The cruise begins at Geirsgata 11, while the Lava Show is at Fiskislóð 73.
• A fair wildlife safeguard: If no whales are spotted, you receive a free ticket to join the whale tour again.

Why this Reykjavik pairing works

I like this combo because the two parts explain Iceland from opposite directions. On the boat, you watch living creatures in their natural setting and see how much of Reykjavik’s character is tied to the sea. At the show, you see the force that built Iceland in the first place.

The change of pace is useful. Whale watching can be quiet and patient, with long stretches of sea, sky, and bird life before anything large appears. The Lava Show is more controlled and compact. It gives you a clear story, a host, a video, and the memorable sight of glowing lava flowing into the room.

The total price is $154 per person. That is not a cheap add-on, but it covers two paid attractions, a three-hour cruise, professional guides, warm gear, and the indoor lava presentation. I consider it reasonable if you already want to do both activities. It is less appealing if you are interested in only one of them, or if your schedule cannot handle a long gap between appointments.

One important point: the advertised duration is 4.5 hours, but the published pairings run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. or from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The whale tour itself lasts about three hours, and the show lasts 50 minutes. With the break and transfer between venues, you should allow roughly five hours for the full plan.

Setting out from Geirsgata 11

Your day begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That extra time matters because the boat leaves on schedule, and you still need to check in, find the departure area, and put on suitable clothing.

The harbour is a fitting starting point. Reykjavik is not simply a capital with a waterfront attached. Fishing, shipping, seabirds, and the open bay are part of the city’s daily identity. From the port, you move quickly from streets and cafés to broad views across Faxaflói Bay.

The operator may use a shared boat with another activity partner at certain times of year. This is done to keep fewer boats on the water, which is a sensible environmental choice. It also means the exact boat arrangement can vary, so do not assume every departure will look identical.

Wear weather-appropriate clothing even though warm flotation overalls are supplied. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the outer deck is colder and windier than the sheltered harbour. The indoor cabins are heated, but you will want proper layers if you hope to spend time outside watching the sea.

Three hours searching Faxaflói Bay

The whale-watching portion heads into Faxaflói Bay for about three hours. The main targets are minke whales and humpback whales, with dolphins and harbour porpoises also possible. Killer whales are listed as a rare sighting, so treat an orca encounter as a bonus rather than a realistic expectation.

This kind of trip rewards patience. A whale may surface only briefly, and a porpoise can disappear almost as quickly as it appears. The crew’s role is to help you understand what you are looking at and where to watch, not to manufacture a guaranteed show.

I appreciate the free ticket to join again if no sightings occur. That policy does not make the first cruise a success, of course, and it cannot fix a short visit to Iceland. But it does reduce the risk if the bay is unusually quiet. If you have only one day in Reykjavik, you may not be able to use that benefit, so keep the policy in mind when judging its value.

The bay offers more than whales. You can see mountains and islands around Reykjavik, along with bird life that gives the trip a wider sense of place. Even when marine life stays out of sight, the cruise provides a view of Iceland from the water, a useful contrast to road trips and city walks.

The boat has heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, free WiFi, and a bar where you can buy food and drinks. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available. These details matter more than they may sound. Three hours at sea is long enough for comfort to shape your whole impression of the outing.

You can move between the indoor and outdoor areas as conditions allow. The heated cabin gives you a retreat from the wind, while the outer deck offers the best chance of spotting something and taking in the bay. Keep your expectations realistic: wildlife is never fully on schedule.

What the whale-watching guides add

The guides explain the different whale species and help put the sightings in context. The experience also includes man-made whale models, which are useful for comparing body shapes and sizes up close. That can make a quick glimpse at sea easier to understand.

The guiding is in English. A guide named Joe received specific praise on one departure, but staff can vary from trip to trip. The important point is that you have an experienced crew rather than being left to scan the water without help.

I would listen closely during the quieter parts of the cruise. The species list is broad, but a good guide also helps you understand why some animals are easier to spot than others, why the boat pauses, and how to distinguish a whale blow from a wave or seabird.

There is a practical balance here. You get a guided wildlife outing, not a private naturalist expedition. The tour is designed to serve a broad mix of people, with indoor facilities and a bar as well as viewing areas. Families, first-time whale watchers, and visitors who want a comfortable introduction to Iceland’s marine life should find that arrangement useful.

The break between sea and fire

The break is not a guided transfer. You are responsible for getting from the whale-watching area to the Lava Show at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavik 101. This is the detail I would plan first, because the two events do not happen at the same location.

The schedule gives you time between activities, but do not treat that gap as completely free unless you have checked your route. The whale tour may return later than expected, and you will need to allow time for walking, local transport, or a taxi. Food is not included, though you can buy snacks and drinks on the boat.

The morning combination is whale watching at 9 a.m. and the Lava Show at 2 p.m. The later option pairs a 1 p.m. whale departure with a 6 p.m. show. The later pairing may suit people who prefer a slower morning, while the early departure leaves the rest of the evening open after the show.

Because the transfer is not bundled, this combo works best for people comfortable navigating Reykjavik on their own. I would save both addresses in your phone before leaving the hotel and check the route in advance. That small bit of planning removes the main source of stress.

Inside the 50-minute Lava Show

At Fiskislóð 73, the Lava Show begins with a welcome from the host and a short educational video. The presentation explains Icelandic volcanism, nearby volcanoes, major eruptions in Iceland’s history, and volcanic dangers around the capital area.

The show then changes from classroom lesson to live demonstration. Molten lava flows into the showroom, and the host works with it in front of you. You see real red-hot lava in a controlled setting rather than a filmed eruption or a static geological display.

The attraction is unusual because it makes geology physical. Iceland’s volcanoes can feel abstract when you encounter them as distant cones, lava fields, or names on a map. Here, heat, movement, color, and texture give you a direct sense of what molten rock does as it cools.

The show lasts 50 minutes. One booking described it as short but very good, which is a fair way to view the format. You are not signing up for a half-day museum visit. You get a focused presentation that fits neatly into a sightseeing day.

The host literally plays with the lava as part of the demonstration. That adds entertainment without losing the educational purpose. You learn about volcanic forces, but you also get a clear visual moment that younger visitors and adults are likely to remember.

The show is indoors, making it a useful counterpoint to the boat. If the weather is cold, wet, or windy, you know that at least one part of the day takes place in a controlled environment. It also gives you a better framework for the rest of your time in Iceland. After seeing molten rock up close, volcanic ground and black lava fields can look less like scenery and more like evidence of an active planet.

The real value of the $154 price

At $154, this is best judged as a two-activity package rather than a single tour. The whale cruise is the larger part of the day, with three hours on the bay and several onboard comforts. The Lava Show adds a distinct indoor attraction that is not simply another view from a bus or boat.

I see three reasons the price can make sense:

• You want both whale watching and a volcano experience.
• You value included warm gear and indoor facilities on the boat.
• You prefer booking the two main activities together instead of arranging them separately.

The value drops if you dislike fixed schedules or want a completely self-directed day. You still need to handle the transfer, and the wildlife portion cannot promise sightings. The free repeat ticket helps, but it is most useful if you have extra time in Reykjavik.

There is also a specific cancellation risk. If the whale tour is canceled, the Lava Show ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable. That makes it important to understand the terms before choosing this combo over separate reservations.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this for a first visit to Reykjavik when you want two signature Iceland themes in one day: marine life and volcanoes. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who want a guided introduction rather than arranging every detail themselves.

It is also a good fit if you have limited time in the capital. The tour brings you out on the bay, shows you the surrounding mountains and islands, and gives you an indoor geology experience without requiring a full-day excursion outside the city.

You should think twice if you are highly sensitive to motion, though seasickness tablets are available and the boat has heated cabins. You should also think twice if your schedule is tight. The whale cruise can be quiet, the transfer is your responsibility, and the full outing takes most of a morning or afternoon.

Wildlife photographers may find the open water rewarding, but the tour does not promise close encounters or ideal conditions. The strongest reason to book is the combination itself, not a guarantee of a particular whale species.

Practical details before you reserve

Book a departure that leaves enough time for the transfer to Fiskislóð 73. The two published combinations are 9 a.m. whale watching with a 2 p.m. Lava Show, and 1 p.m. whale watching with a 6 p.m. Lava Show.

Arrive at Geirsgata 11 at least 30 minutes early. Bring warm, weather-appropriate clothing, even with flotation overalls provided. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

Food and drinks are not included in the package, but purchases are available onboard. The boat provides free WiFi, heated cabins, toilets, and complimentary seasickness tablets.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reservation option allows you to pay later. Those terms give you some flexibility, but remember the special rule for a whale-tour cancellation: the Lava Show ticket stays tied to that original date and cannot be refunded.

Should you book this Reykjavik combo?

Book it if you want a well-rounded Reykjavik day and can accept that whale watching is wildlife viewing, not a guaranteed performance. The live lava is the more certain highlight, while the bay cruise supplies the possibility of whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, and wide coastal views.

I especially like the free repeat whale ticket, the warm onboard setup, and the unusual chance to see real molten lava indoors. Just plan the transfer between Geirsgata 11 and Fiskislóð 73 yourself, and leave enough time for the day to run at Icelandic sea pace.

FAQ

Where does the experience begin?

The meeting point is the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled whale-watching departure.

How long is the whale-watching cruise?

The whale-watching portion lasts about three hours.

Which animals might I see?

The tour searches for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and occasionally killer whales. Killer whale sightings are rare.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching tour again in case of no sightings.

Where does the Lava Show take place?

The Lava Show takes place at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavik 101, Iceland.

Are the whale tour and Lava Show in the same location?

No. The whale tour begins at Geirsgata 11, and the Lava Show is at Fiskislóð 73. You must arrange your own transport between the activities.

What is included on the boat?

The boat provides warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, free WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard.