Whale Watching And Fly Over Iceland Guided Tour

Whales first, then a flight over Iceland. The mix of Faxafloi Bay whale watching and FlyOver Iceland’s simulated sky ride makes this a smart use of limited time in Reykjavik. I love how the boat setup helps you stay outside and watching, even when the weather gets moody, with flotation overalls and heated indoor cabins.

My second favorite thing is the value built into the experience. You get free onboard Wi-Fi to share photos, plus seasickness tablets, and there is a money-back style guarantee if no marine mammals show up. The one drawback to plan around is timing and logistics: there’s no pickup, and you need to be at the departure point early since the whale and FlyOver parts run at specific times.

Quick hit highlights

• Warm, watch-from-the-deck gear: flotation overalls plus heated indoor cabins with restroom access
• Photo sharing made easy: free onboard Wi-Fi while you’re out on the water
• Better value if wildlife is quiet: whale watching part is refunded if no marine mammals appear
• A true senses-based simulator: winds and scents during FlyOver Iceland on a 360 spherical screen
• Two big activities in one day: roughly 2 to 3.5 hours on the water, then about 1 hour in the FlyOver theater
• Small-ish group on the whale boat: maximum of 198 travelers for this activity

A two-part day that fits real Reykjavik time

If you’re trying to pack Iceland highlights into a half-day window, this combo is built for that. You start with a boat trip in Faxafloi Bay, then you shift into a high-tech 360 experience indoors with FlyOver Iceland. It’s the kind of plan that works well when you want both real nature and an easy, weather-proof wow moment.

What I like is that the whale portion is long enough to feel like an actual outing, not a quick loop. The FlyOver portion then gives you a dense overview of Iceland from the air, with those added effects that make it more than just a film.

Whale watching in Faxafloi Bay: warm overalls and serious chances

The whale watching outing focuses on spotting humpbacks and dolphins around Faxafloi Bay, a well-known area for marine life. You’ll be on a boat designed for comfort in Iceland weather, with indoor seating and outdoor viewing areas. On a rougher day, this matters. I like the practical idea of having both: you can watch from outside when conditions allow, then warm up fast inside.

Here’s how the boat experience works for your comfort:

• Flotation overalls are included, so you can stay warmer and drier than you would with normal layers alone.
• Heated indoor cabins are part of the setup, and they include restroom facilities.
• Seasickness tablets are provided for free, which takes the guesswork out of what to bring.

And yes, you can keep your phone working. The trip includes free onboard Wi-Fi, which is a big deal when you want to send snaps right away rather than wait until you’re back on land.

What you might see (and why it feels different)

You go looking for humpbacks and dolphins, and the action can be constant when the animals are active near the boat. Even if the weather is gray and wet, the overalls and heated spaces make it easier to keep watching long enough to catch the good moments, like surfacing breaths, tail flashes, and group activity.

One of the best parts of the experience is that the company builds in a wildlife-quiet fallback: you get a complimentary trip if no sightings occur, and the whale-watching portion is the part that’s refunded if no marine mammals appear. That guarantee turns whale watching from a pure gamble into a plan with safety rails.

When weather turns: staying comfortable on a wet, windy day

Iceland weather can change fast. This tour basically assumes that reality and gives you tools to handle it. The included overalls mean you’re not just relying on your jacket and hope. The heated indoor cabins matter too, because they let you reset quickly between longer stretches outside.

If you want to make the most of the day, wear good footwear and warm clothing. You’ll be more stable on a moving deck, and you’ll actually enjoy the time outside rather than just enduring it. Bring your camera, since the scenery and wildlife moments are the kind you’ll want to capture.

The main consideration is that this whale portion is dependent on conditions and marine activity. There is a weather factor, and the tour uses good weather requirements. If the whale watching is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund, but the combo booking has a specific rule for FlyOver, described later.

FlyOver Iceland at 360 degrees: winds and scents included

After the sea time, you’ll switch gears to FlyOver Iceland. This is an indoor simulated flight using a 360 square meter spherical screen, where you sit with your feet dangling in front of the big dome.

What makes it fun is the full sensory effect. This isn’t just “watch a video.” The simulated flight includes winds and scents, meant to give you a fuller sense of Iceland’s many wonders. You also get that sense of motion as the film sweeps you across different sights from above.

The pacing is straightforward: about 1 hour in the theater with your seat ready for the show. It’s a good pairing with whale watching because it gives you:

• a break from cold wind
• a predictable schedule after an unpredictable boat outing
• a “big picture” view of Iceland that’s hard to get in one short trip

How the fixed departure times shape your day

This combo runs at set times, so you can’t treat it like a flexible add-on. There are two schedules:

• Whale watching at 09:00, then FlyOver Iceland at 14:00
• Whale watching at 13:00, then FlyOver Iceland at 18:00

Also, pickup is not included, so you’ll need to get yourself to the departure point. The good news is that the meeting spot is near public transportation.

Plan to arrive early. You should be at the departure point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time. That buffer helps you check in, get your overalls sorted, and settle before you head out. Iceland days move fast once they start.

Price and what you really get for $146

At $146 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend half a day. Still, I think it can be good value if you want two major experiences in one ticket and you care about comfort.

Here’s why the price can make sense:

• Whale watching is a real outing with included comfort gear: overalls, heated indoor cabins, restroom access, and seasickness tablets.
• You also get FlyOver Iceland admission included, which turns your day into a “nature plus wow show” combo.
• The deal improves if wildlife is quiet: the whale-watching portion is refunded if no marine mammals appear, and you can get a complimentary trip when there are no sightings.

The biggest reason this combo works for many budgets is time. If you’re short on days in Reykjavik, buying one packaged slot for both activities often costs less than arranging them separately, and it reduces the coordination stress.

Who this combo suits best (and who should think twice)

This plan is a strong fit if you:

• want a half-day itinerary with two headline experiences
• like the idea of staying warm and watching from indoor and outdoor spaces
• want a backup value element if marine animals do not show up
• appreciate indoor effects when the weather is not cooperating

You might want to think twice if:

• you dislike fixed timing, since the tour has set departure windows
• you don’t want to manage getting to the departure point yourself, because pickup is not included
• you’re extremely sensitive to motion, even with provided seasickness tablets (tablets help, but they don’t eliminate everyone’s discomfort)

The boat limits the size of the activity to a maximum of 198 people, which is a big group number, but it’s also not the kind of mass crowd you’d expect from a stadium event. You’ll still feel like you’re part of a larger operation, not a private outing.

Should you book this whale-and-fly combo?

I’d book it if your priority is a high-coverage Reykjavik day: real whales in Faxafloi Bay, then a cinematic 360 flight over Iceland indoors. The included flotation overalls, heated cabins, and free Wi-Fi make the whale portion feel less like a gamble and more like a comfortable mission. Add the wildlife-quiet guarantee on the whale watching part, and the value gets easier to justify.

Skip it only if fixed times and no pickup are dealbreakers for you, or if your schedule is too tight to arrive early. If you can plan around that 30-minute early check-in and bring warm layers, this combo is one of the more efficient ways to experience Iceland’s nature and its “from the sky” storytelling in the same day.

FAQ

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

The total duration is about 3 hours 30 minutes. Whale watching runs about 2 to 3.5 hours, and FlyOver Iceland is about 1 hour.

How much does the tour cost?

It costs $146.00 per person.

What time does whale watching start?

There are two departure options: whale watching at 09:00 or whale watching at 13:00.

When does FlyOver Iceland start?

FlyOver Iceland runs at 14:00 if your whale watching departs at 09:00, or at 18:00 if your whale watching departs at 13:00.

Is pickup included?

No, pickup is not included.

What is included for comfort on the whale watching boat?

You get flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins with restroom facilities, seasickness tablets, and free onboard Wi-Fi.

What happens if no marine mammals are spotted?

You receive a complimentary trip if no sightings occur, and the whale watching part is refunded if no marine mammals appear.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Coffee and fresh baked pastries can be purchased at the coffee shop, and snacks and beverages are sold on board.

What is FlyOver Iceland like?

You sit in front of a 360 square meter spherical screen while a film simulates flight, including winds and scents.

If the whale watching portion is canceled, what happens to the FlyOver ticket?

If whale watching is canceled, the whale watching price portion is handled through the cancellation terms, but FlyOver Iceland remains valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable.