Icelandic Horse Riding and Whale Watching Cruise from Reykjavík

A hardy Icelandic horse ride plus a Reykjavik whale cruise in one day.

This combo tour pairs a 1.5 to 2 hour ride through the rugged countryside near Hveragerði with a 3 hour whale watching cruise in Faxaflói Bay on Elding. It is a long, full-day dose of Iceland, but it is also very structured, so you are not left figuring things out alone.

What I like most is how much care goes into the horse riding safety and comfort, including basic training for first-timers and guidance on how to handle different paces. I also like the whale cruise format, especially the on-board guide who helps you spot wildlife, plus the practical touches like warm clothing, safety gear, and even free WiFi on the boat.

One consideration: whale sightings are never guaranteed, and if conditions are rough or you happen to be there outside prime timing, you may end up seeing fewer animals than you hoped.

Key highlights worth your attention

• Max 20 people, so the day feels personal instead of like a cattle herding session
• Warm clothing for both the horse part and the boat, plus safety equipment
• Icelandic horse basics included, with staff matching horses to your comfort level
• Faxaflói Bay whale watching, with a guide calling out likely spots for minke whales, humpbacks, and dolphins and porpoises
• Wildlife exhibition entry included, and snacks after the ride to keep energy up

Why this Reykjavik combo tour feels like a smart use of time

Eight hours is a lot, but Iceland rewards days when you stack big nature moments back-to-back. This one does that cleanly: you start with a grounded, hands-on experience on land, then you shift to open ocean wildlife time from the Reykjavik harbor area.

The pacing also helps. You get the “I am riding a real Icelandic horse” part early in the day, when your energy is highest and everyone is fresh from check-in. Then you move to the sea for a 3 hour cruise where the goal is sightings, not walking long distances.

And because the group stays small, you are more likely to get real attention during the horse briefing and more help from the whale guide when you are scanning the water.

Getting started: Hótel Eldhestar and the 9:00 am rhythm

Your morning begins at Hótel Eldhestar near Hveragerði, with departure at 9:00 am. If your tour includes pickup, it may involve a short walk to the nearest stop, so I would not plan to be rushing out the door at the last second.

Look for the meeting area close to the start time, then expect a straightforward flow:

• you check in,
• you get briefed,
• you head to the horse portion first.

If you prefer a calm start, aim to arrive early enough to settle in. This is especially true in Iceland when weather can change quickly and you want to be comfortable before you get suited up.

Stop 1 at Hótel Eldhestar: Riding Icelandic horses through lava country

The first highlight is the ride itself. Expect about 1.5 hours on horseback, with the tour description also referencing 1.5 to 2 hours depending on how things run that day. You ride through hardened lava fields around Hveragerði, a town known for hot springs, and you cross heathland and fields.

Why this matters: Icelandic horses are compact, hardy, and built for local terrain. The tour is designed so you are not thrown in cold. You get training on basics, and the staff match you to a horse based on your comfort level. That means beginners are not stuck behind someone else’s schedule, and more experienced riders are not bored by being forced into slow motion.

A few practical notes that come up again and again:

• Warm clothing is provided, which is key because wind can cut through fast.
• Staff help with route choices. On rainy days, guides can steer you away from the trickier rivers or paths.
• For more experienced riders, galloping can be allowed, but it is not forced on everyone. That balance matters if you want freedom without feeling pressured.

If you are picturing Icelandic horses as stiff and slow, reconsider. Several riders described a range of movement through the day’s gaits, including moments that can feel quick. One helpful tip that I would absolutely take seriously: protect your face. A face mask or something that covers your lower face helps a lot when cold wind meets horse speed and a dry, chilly air.

Also important: there is a weight limit of 240 lb (110 kg) for the horse riding portion. If you are right near that line, confirm before you go.

The wildlife exhibition stop: small add-on, useful context

Entry to a wildlife exhibition is included as part of the tour. Even if you only spend a little time in there, it can make the cruise more meaningful, because it gives you language and background for what you are scanning for once you are on the water.

Think of it as “getting your whale vocabulary sorted” so the on-board guide’s pointers land faster.

Stop 2 at Elding Whale Watching: Faxaflói Bay and the 3-hour cruise

After the ride and the snacks, you move to Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c by the Old Harbour district. The whale watching part runs about 3 hours.

From there, you are in the big Iceland whale game: you are looking in Faxaflói Bay or beyond for species like:

• minke whales
• humpback whales
• white-beaked dolphins
• porpoises

The tone of the cruise is active. The guide helps you spot what is most likely to show up, and the boat itself is sized to let you see whales comfortably rather than feeling like you are stacked in a cramped corridor. Add on the included free WiFi, and it is easier to share photos, check camera settings, and keep your group coordinated.

About sightings: nature runs the show. On some departures, you might get only one big moment. On others, you may see several animals. I have seen the same day described both ways, so my best advice is to treat this as a wildlife experience, not a guaranteed animal parade.

When you do get lucky, it can be memorable in a very specific way. One account described a humpback whale experience that included close following for about 30 minutes, with multiple surfacings for photos in the same area. That kind of sustained interaction is exactly what you hope for, and it is why you should not rush your scanning or assume you will see everything at once.

If you do not see much, the tour still includes a safety net: in cases of non-sighting, you receive a complimentary ticket to use on another boat ride.

What warm clothing and safety gear really do for you

This tour does not treat Iceland weather like a suggestion. Warm clothing is provided for both the horse ride and the whale cruise, and you get the necessary safety equipment.

Here is how that translates to real comfort:

• On the horse, wind + wet ground + movement can make cold feel sharper than it should.
• On the boat, the sea breeze can chill you quickly even when the sun briefly shows up.
• With gear included, you are less likely to arrive underprepared and then spend the whole day thinking about your comfort instead of the experience.

Also, the horse instruction is part of the safety story. Even if you have never ridden, you will get basic training, and the staff keep a close eye on how people are handling their horses and spacing.

Timing and what a full day means for your schedule

This is billed as about 8 hours total, and it is truly a full day in practice. You are out for the morning ride, then you move directly into the whale cruise after the snacks.

Because lunch is not included, think ahead. You can purchase light refreshments on the whale boat, but you should be ready to buy food if you get hungry. If you know you run low on energy, plan simple snacks on your own before you start, or bring something you are comfortable eating if that is allowed with your exact booking instructions.

One small scheduling reality: you will want a buffer for check-in time and boarding time. The meeting instructions emphasize arriving early enough to check in and board, and I agree. Iceland tours start when they are ready, not when everyone finally arrives.

Price and value: is $280 worth it?

At $280 per person, this is not cheap. But you are paying for two paid experiences and a lot of included “make it work” items that usually cost extra in other tours.

Here is the value logic I see:

• Two major activities in one day, not just a horse ride or just a cruise
• 3 hours of whale watching on a major bay with an on-board guide
• Warm clothing for both parts, plus safety equipment
• Wildlife exhibition entry
• Snacks after the horse portion
• Free WiFi on the boat, which is a genuinely helpful modern touch

What you do not get is lunch. That is the main trade-off in the price. If you budget for a meal on your own terms, the rest of the inclusions help bring the price into balance.

If you are visiting for a short time and want a high-impact day, this is the kind of package that helps you avoid choosing between land and sea highlights.

Who this Icelandic horse and whale combo fits best

This tour is a good match if you want:

• an active, outdoorsy day with both land and sea nature moments
• a beginner-friendly horse experience with instruction
• a whale cruise with guide support for spotting

It is also a solid choice if you want a small-group feel. With a maximum of 20 travelers, you are not lost in the shuffle.

Two other fit notes:

• You need to meet the minimum age of 12.
• You must meet the 110 kg (240 lb) weight limit for the horse riding portion.

If you are visiting in colder months, this tour can still work well because the gear is built for it, and multiple riders explicitly called out the importance of staying warm in months like April.

Best tips to make your day smoother

These are the practical moves that will help you get more out of the time you paid for.

• Dress like you expect wind, not like you expect weather to stay the same. Warm clothing is included, but your face and hands still matter.
• Arrive early so check-in and boarding do not cut into your experience.
• Bring your whale patience. Scan actively, follow the guide’s pointers, and do not assume you will see everything immediately.
• Expect variable sightings. Even on excellent tours, wildlife is under no one’s control.
• For food, plan around no lunch. Snacks come after the ride, but you may want more than snacks once the boat portion runs its course.

Should you book this tour?

I would book it if you want a day that mixes hands-on Icelandic character with a structured whale cruise, without wasting half your trip commuting between separate providers. The included warm clothing, small group size, safety-focused horse instruction, and on-board whale guidance all point to a tour built for real comfort and real outcomes.

I would think twice only if whale sightings are your only goal and you have a very rigid plan based on seeing specific species. Wildlife can be slow some days, and while you may get repeats and solid opportunities, you cannot force the ocean to cooperate.

If you are flexible, this is exactly the kind of Iceland day that feels efficient and memorable: ride the Icelandic countryside, then hunt whales from Reykjavik in one smooth run.

FAQ

How long is the Icelandic horse riding and whale watching tour?

The total duration is about 8 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:00 am.

Is lunch included?

No. Snacks are available after the horse riding, and you can purchase light refreshments on the whale watching boat.

What species might you see on the whale watching cruise?

You look for minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises in Faxaflói Bay or beyond.

Is there a weight limit for horse riding?

Yes. To take part in the horse riding element, travelers must weigh less than 240 pounds (110 kg).

What happens if there are no whale sightings or the weather is bad?

If there is a non-sighting experience, you get a complimentary ticket to use on another boat ride. If the tour is canceled due to bad weather, you are offered an alternative date or a full refund.