The 15 Best Akureyri Tours & Day Trips

Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship - The fast ride into Eyjafjörður

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3,000 reviews · 3 hours · from $108Our pick

Review of Akureyri’s 3-hour whale watching cruise, with fjord views, expert guides, thermal suits, onboard comforts, and practical tips.

“A great excursion! Everything was on time, and the guide was so informative, sharing lots of information about our cetacean friends. Even though it was the last day of November, we sighted humpback whales several times, and a more elusive minke whale! The boat was comfortable, and the free flowing hot chocolate was much appreciated. Recommended!”

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Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri

2.Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 971 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $104

Review of Akureyri whale watching with Elding: fjord views, humpbacks, warm gear, practical tips, value, wildlife ethics, and booking advice.

“Easy to find, down at the harbour, very friendly staff. Children have to wear a life jacket, which honestly made me feel better, even if child wasn't impressed. You can sit inside the boat and be warmer or step outside on to the dexk at either the front or back of the boat. We went out down the fjord and then stopped, one of the staff members, I didn't get their name, but was talking about the whale and other mammals that frequent the area. Also pointed out where to look when the whales came by. Such an amazing experience, absolutely loved seeing the whales. It is cold out in…”

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From Akureyri: Myvatn Lake, Craters, & Waterfall Tour

3.Myvatn Lake, Craters, & Waterfall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 793 reviews · 6 hours · from $187

Explore Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, Námaskarð, and Goðafoss on a well-paced six-hour tour from Akureyri with lunch included.

“Definitely the best way to spend a day seeing multiple cool landmarks right from the cruise port!”

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Árskógssandur: Whale-Watching Boat Trip

4.Árskógssandur: Whale-Watching Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 695 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $96

Sail Eyjafjörður from Árskógssandur on a traditional oak boat, with warm overalls, whale sightings, hot chocolate, and cinnamon buns.

“We saw many whales and the guide told us many interesting things about them.”

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Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

5.Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 501 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $203Top rated

Review of Húsavík’s Big Whales and Puffins RIB tour, with close wildlife encounters, practical tips, pricing, weather advice, and booking details.

“It was very good experience and guides are super friendly and helpful. We saw a few different whales during the trip.”

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2-Hour Experiences, Akureyri Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching, Whale Watching Tours in Akureyri

Akureyri: 2-Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB Speedboat

6.2-Hour Whale Watching Express by RIB Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 489 reviews · 2 hours · from $200

Review of Akureyri’s 2-hour RIB whale tour, with humpback sightings, practical tips, pricing, comfort details, and who should book.

“We absolutely loved this excursion. Our guide, Yoann, was fantastic. He was so kind and knowledgable. Having been on the little (but quick) rib boat, we were able to quickly catch up to the whales. We got to see minke whales and humpback whales. It was so much fun and we loved it so much. Thank you for the best time, Yoann!!”

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Lake Myvatn, Hot-Springs & Godafoss Waterfall Tour from Akureyri

7.Lake Myvatn, Hot-Springs & Godafoss Waterfall Tour from Akureyri

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 478 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $188

Review of BusTravel Iceland’s 6-hour Lake Mývatn tour from Akureyri, with Goðafoss, lava fields, hot springs, lunch, costs, and tips.

“Such beautiful scenery - and the sun came out! Beautiful farmland and the fall colours on the hillside were wonderful”

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Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port

8.Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 473 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $205

Review of Akureyri’s Lake Myvatn and Godafoss cruise tour, with lava fields, mud pools, port pickup, costs, timing, and practical tips.

“Had the thrill of getting a local man gives us a tour from the perspective of someone born and raised in the town.The tour itself was the best highlights of the area.”

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Iceland’s Top Grade 4 Rafting – Drysuit, Canyon & Adrenaline

9.Iceland’s Top Grade 4 Rafting – Drysuit, Canyon & Adrenaline

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 438 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $290

Review of Iceland’s Grade 4 East Glacial River rafting trip, with drysuits, canyon scenery, expert guides, logistics, food, and value.

“The guides (Amun, Tarzan, Ryan, and Suman) were fantastic, kept us laughing the whole time, river was a great time to raft, we had a family of 9, only a few had rafted before. Extra shoutout for another guide, he brought a jacket we had left there clear to Akureyri for us, saved a brother some pretty cold adventuring in the future. Thank you all so much, we had the best time!!”

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Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

10.Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $180

Review of Húsavík’s 2-hour RIB whale and puffin safari, with practical advice on wildlife, weather, price, safety, and booking.

“Personalised small group ! We saw lots of puffins, a minke whale and a few humpbacks and could get close to them . highly recommend !”

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Top-Rated Family Rafting-Warm Drysuits, Volcanic Canyon, Epic Fun

11.Top-Rated Family Rafting-Warm Drysuits, Volcanic Canyon, Epic Fun

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 411 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $187

Review of Viking Rafting in North Iceland, with warm drysuits, gentle rapids, hot-spring cocoa, canyon views, and family-friendly fun.

“This was a fantastic addition to the family Iceland trip. I can not say enough about the Viking Rafting experience, lodge, equipment, team, and value. The directions getting to location were spot on and not too far off the ring road (Highway 1). We were greeted upon arrival and they have a fun clubhouse to hang out, eat snacks and drinks that we brought and played darts and games available while we waited. The rafting guides gave a great presentation on what to expect for our 10 and 13 year olds who were first time on the river. The equipment was up to date and all safety for our family…”

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Traditional Whale Watching from Húsavík by Local Family Company

12.Traditional Whale Watching from Húsavík by Local Family Company

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 389 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102

Review of Húsavík’s 3-hour traditional oak-boat whale tour, with practical advice on sightings, comfort, price, weather, and booking.

“Excellent experience! We saw 2 types of whales. Nice explanation. The only thing ai would recommend is make it a little bit shorter, Intji knit was too much time waiting for the same whale to come out again and again.”

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Goðafoss Waterfall Tour from Akureyri Port

13.Goðafoss Waterfall Tour from Akureyri Port

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 383 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $123

Review of Saga Travel’s 2.5-hour Goðafoss tour from Akureyri Port, with fjord views, coffee, local history, and cruise-safe timing.

“Great tour! Our guide gave us lots of information about the area both on the way to and from the waterfall. We had plenty of time to explore Godafoss”

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Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik

14.Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 366 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $118

Review of North Sailing’s traditional oak ship whale watching tour from Husavik, with whale sightings, pricing, clothing tips, logistics, and honest advice.

“It was an awesome time! Saw several types of whales and puffins! And even got a treat of hot chocolate and a cinnamon bun at the end!”

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Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Tour

15.Akureyri Port: Lake Mývatn and Godafoss Waterfall Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 334 reviews · 6 hours · from $182

Review of Saga Travel’s 6-hour Akureyri shore excursion to Godafoss, Lake Mývatn, Dimmuborgir, and Hverir, with practical tips.

“The enitre excursion was great. We went to everything that was promised. Time spent was good, in each destination. Our guide, Michiel, Was wonderful, knowledgeable, humorous, from the beginning to the end. He explained everything and showed us where to go on each spot. Even though there were people who were not cooperative in showing up on time, he made a point in telling everyone the importance of doing so, and consequences of not being timely, without being overbearing. I totally enjoyed this tour and would recommend this company and Michiel!! He was wonderful! They also go us back on time, for our cruise with no concern. Driver was great.”

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