Whale Watching And Fly Over Iceland Guided Tour

Winter coats matter for whale watching.

If you’re trying to pack the best of Reykjavik into one day, this combo makes it easy: you start with a Faxafloi Bay whale hunt and then move straight into FlyOver Iceland’s 360 simulated ride. I especially like the flotation overalls and heated indoor cabins, which help you stay outside and keep your eyes on the water even when the weather turns.

One consideration is logistics and timing. There is no pickup, so you’ll need to get to the departure point on your own, and whale sightings are weather-dependent, so you should be ready for a plan B if conditions are rough.

Key Highlights That Make This Combo Work

• Faxafloi Bay first, with a 2 to 3.5 hour whale-watching window focused on humpbacks and dolphins
• Warmth built in, including flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, and restrooms
• Free onboard Wi-Fi, so you can send photos while you still have signal on the water
• Included seasickness tablets, handy if the ocean gets choppy
• FlyOver Iceland’s 360 setup uses a spherical screen to recreate Iceland via motion, winds, and scents

Faxafloi Bay and FlyOver Iceland in One Easy Reykjavik Day

Reykjavik days can get squeezed fast. This is one of the smarter ways to do two big-ticket Iceland experiences without spending your whole day hopping around town.

You’ll get the real world first, out on the bay in search of whales and dolphins. Then you’ll switch gears to FlyOver Iceland, where the experience is all about motion, sound, wind effects, and even scents, so you get that Iceland-wide sense of scale and variety in about an hour.

For me, the value is in the sequencing. You get a wet, cold, exciting whale-watching block where gear matters, then you switch into something controlled and warm indoors at FlyOver, so the day still feels full even if the sea is rough.

Departure Times, How the Day Sits Together, and What to Plan

This combo is built around two departure schedules. You’ll either do whale watching at 09:00 with FlyOver Iceland at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 with FlyOver Iceland at 18:00.

The whale-watching part runs about 2 to 3.5 hours, and FlyOver is 1 hour. In practice, you should plan for a full chunk of the day plus time to check in, use restrooms, and get settled before the boat leaves.

A key tip: schedule your arrival at the departure point at least 30 minutes early. Also, check your email before the tour because important daily information is sent there. This matters in Iceland, where conditions can change quickly and operators keep updates timely.

Getting Comfortable on the Boat: Overalls, Indoor Cabins, Wi-Fi, and Restrooms

Whale watching on the water is one of those activities where comfort affects everything. If you’re cold, you stop scanning. If you’re tense, you miss the details. That’s why I like that this tour’s boat setup focuses on keeping you warm and functional.

You’ll have flotation overalls included. These are designed to keep you snug enough to be out on the deck when the wind bites. There are also indoor cabins for shelter, with restroom facilities, so you’re not trapped outside if it starts raining sideways.

It’s also practical that there’s free onboard Wi-Fi. Iceland trip photos often want instant sending, and having connectivity on the water lets you share right away without waiting until you’re back in town.

One small realism check: the tour can hold up to 198 travelers. That doesn’t automatically ruin the experience, but it can mean more noise and more movement onboard. Go in with the mindset that your job is to look for spouts and movement, not to have a silent, private viewing.

Whale Watching on Faxafloi Bay: What You’re Actually Looking For

Faxafloi Bay is the star here, and this tour targets that zone where humpbacks and dolphins are expected. The excursion is 2 to 3.5 hours, which is a decent amount of time for multiple scanning passes rather than one quick loop.

On the water, your “job” is simple but constant. You’ll watch for surfacing, breathing (visible blows), tail movement, and the moments when whales shift direction or break the surface. Dolphins are quicker, so you’ll often need to follow where they dart rather than waiting for a slow, obvious appearance.

A good sign to know ahead of time is how people handle rough weather on this tour. The flotation overalls are specifically helpful when conditions are wet and choppy, allowing you to stay outside and keep watching instead of retreating immediately to the warmth.

Also, the tour provides seasickness tablets at no extra cost. If you’re someone who gets motion sickness, don’t treat this as an optional “maybe.” Take the tablets as directed so you can stay focused on spotting behavior, not just on coping.

What to Bring for Better Sighting Time

Even with gear provided, your best sightings come when you can stay outside comfortably. Bring warm layers underneath the overalls, and use good footwear so you can move safely around the boat deck.

Don’t forget your camera. The best moments on whale trips are fast, and having your device ready helps you capture the action without fumbling for it after you’ve already missed the first surface.

If No Whales Are Spotted: How the Tour Handles It

This is one of the most reassuring parts of the whale-watching portion. If no marine mammals appear, you get your money back for the whale watching part, and the tour includes a complimentary trip if no sightings occur.

That does not mean you’ll be guaranteed whales on every departure, since wildlife depends on the day and conditions. But it does mean the operator is taking some responsibility for your experience rather than leaving you with a fixed ticket and a shrug.

One more nuance matters if you’re thinking about plan changes. This is a combo booking, and if the whale-watching portion is canceled, the FlyOver Iceland ticket remains valid only for the originally booked date and is non-refundable. So if you want flexibility, make sure you understand the two-part nature of the ticket before you gamble on changing travel dates.

FlyOver Iceland: The 360 Spherical Screen Ride and Why It Feels Like More Than a Movie

After the boat, FlyOver Iceland shifts the vibe immediately. You’ll sit before a 360 square meter spherical screen, and the film whisks you through Iceland in a simulated flight.

What makes FlyOver worth doing is that it isn’t just visual. The setup is designed to create sensation, including winds and scents, so your brain reads it as movement through a place rather than a flat screen presentation.

The ride is 1 hour. That timing is ideal after whale watching because you can reset without losing too much of your day. You also get a break from wind and water, which is a big deal when the weather has been cold and rainy.

If you’re trying to see lots of Iceland variety quickly, FlyOver is a smart add-on. It doesn’t replace real drives or hikes, but it does give you a broad sense of waterfalls and other highlights in one go. The experience includes the rush of soaring over cascading waterfalls on the virtual flight.

Price and Value: Why This Combo Can Be a Good Use of Your Time

At $146 per person, this combo is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Reykjavik. But it’s priced in a way that makes sense if you want two signature activities and you value not managing separate bookings and timing yourself.

Here’s what you’re actually getting for the money, beyond just “admission”:

• Whale watching includes flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, restrooms, and seasickness tablets
• FlyOver Iceland includes entry into the 360 screen experience
• You also get free onboard Wi-Fi, which is surprisingly useful when you want to share photos fast

The complimentary trip option for no sightings adds another layer of value. Even if you don’t get whales on a specific day, you’re not left with only the FlyOver part as consolation.

The tradeoff is that you’re tying your success to two separate conditions. Whale watching depends on marine life and weather. FlyOver is scheduled on your booked time, and the combo structure means you can’t treat the pieces as fully independent if you have to rearrange dates.

In short: I’d call this a good value if your goal is efficiency and comfort. If you’re only willing to do one activity and you’re very weather-averse, it might feel like a gamble.

Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Might Think Twice)

This is best for people who want a packed, guided Iceland day without complicated planning.

It’s ideal if:

• You’re doing Reykjavik for a short time and want both whales and FlyOver
• You appreciate comfort upgrades like flotation overalls and indoor shelter
• You want an operator that provides seasickness support and free Wi-Fi

It might not be the right fit if:

• You hate group settings, since the tour caps at 198 travelers
• You need a day with zero uncertainty, since whale sightings depend on conditions
• You strongly need hotel pickup, because this tour does not include pickup

The best way to think about it is: this is built to keep you watching. If you come prepared for cold and movement, you’ll get a lot out of it.

Should You Book This Whale Watching and FlyOver Iceland Combo?

I’d book it if you’re aiming for a high-value, one-day Reykjavik plan that balances real wildlife time with a warm, sensory indoor show. The warm overalls plus heated indoor cabins are a big reason to feel confident, and the FlyOver 360 experience is a great “even if the sea is rough” backup.

Skip it only if you’re traveling in a way that makes on-the-day timing hard, or if you absolutely cannot handle the idea that whales might not show up. If you can show up 30 minutes early, dress for cold, and roll with Iceland weather, this combo is the kind of day that tends to leave people happy for the right reasons, not just because they checked a box.

FAQ

How long is the Whale Watching and Fly Over Iceland guided tour?

The duration is about 3 hours 30 minutes.

Where is the tour located?

The tour is based in Reykjavik, Iceland.

What time do the whale-watching and FlyOver Iceland parts run?

There are two departure options listed: whale watching at 09:00 with FlyOver Iceland at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 with FlyOver Iceland at 18:00.

Is pickup included?

No, pickup is not included.

What happens if no marine mammals are spotted during whale watching?

The whale-watching part includes a complimentary trip if no sightings occur, and you get your money back for the whale watching if no marine mammals appear.

What is FlyOver Iceland like?

You sit in front of a 360 square meter spherical screen and watch a simulated flight that includes winds and scents. The FlyOver part lasts 1 hour.

Are flotation overalls and seasickness tablets included?

Yes. Flotation overalls are included, and seasickness tablets are provided at no extra cost.

Is there Wi-Fi onboard?

Yes. Free onboard Wi-Fi is included.

If I cancel, do I get a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.