Icelandic Horse Riding and Whale Watching Cruise from Reykjavík

Two Iceland classics, one long day. This combination pairs a 1.5-hour Icelandic horse ride near Hveragerði with a three-hour whale-watching cruise from Reykjavík. I like the strong contrast between inland lava fields and open sea, and I like that beginners receive basic instruction while experienced riders can take a faster route. The main drawback is simple: whale sightings depend on nature, and some departures may see little or no wildlife.

You’ll spend about eight hours on the outing, with warm clothing and safety gear provided for both activities. The $280 price is fair if you want two major Iceland experiences without arranging separate bookings, but this is a full day with only snacks included. Bring lunch, dress for wind and rain, and check the season if whales are your main goal.

Key points before you book

• Ride a sturdy Icelandic horse across lava fields: The route near Hveragerði crosses heathland, fields, and hardened lava in the countryside around Iceland’s hot-spring town.
• Beginners are welcome: You receive basic riding instruction, and horses are matched to your experience level.
• Experienced riders get some freedom: Riders with more experience may be offered a faster route, including the chance to gallop, while cautious riders are not pushed to do so.
• Search Faxaflói Bay for whales: The three-hour cruise looks for minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises.
• Warm clothing is supplied: Overalls and other clothing help in wet weather, though you should still wear warm layers and protect your face from the wind.
• A missed sighting earns another chance: If no wildlife is seen, Elding provides a complimentary ticket for another boat ride.

Why this pairing works so well

I like tours that give you two different views of Iceland in one day. Here, the morning is quiet and earthy, with a small horse carrying you over volcanic ground. Later, you are on a larger boat in Faxaflói Bay, watching the water and horizon for a fin or a blow.

The contrast keeps the day from feeling repetitive. Horse riding is active and close to the ground. Whale watching is slower and more dependent on timing, weather, and luck. If the ocean is quiet, the horse ride still gives you a solid Iceland experience.

The group size is limited to a maximum of 20 people. That matters on a riding tour, where too many riders can make the pace slow and the instruction thin. It also helps on the boat, where you have a better chance of getting a clear view rather than spending the whole trip behind a crowd.

The total price is $280 per person. That is not a bargain in absolute terms, but it covers a 1.5 to 2-hour riding activity, a three-hour whale cruise, guides, warm clothing, safety equipment, onboard WiFi, and entry to a wildlife exhibition. If you would otherwise book both activities separately, the package offers practical value and saves you from managing two unrelated reservations.

Hveragerði’s lava fields on an Icelandic horse

The riding portion takes place at Hótel Eldhestar near Hveragerði, about a two-hour activity block that includes preparation and the ride itself. Hveragerði is known as a town of hot springs, and the surrounding countryside gives you a quick lesson in Iceland’s volcanic character.

The ride passes over hardened lava fields, heathland, and open fields. This is not a polished park trail. The ground and scenery reflect Iceland’s rough volcanic setting, and the small Icelandic horse is particularly well suited to it.

Icelandic horses are famous for their compact build and sure-footed nature. During the introduction, you learn about the breed and receive basic instructions before setting out. The horses are matched to riders according to experience, which helps first-time riders settle in.

You do not need to be an experienced equestrian to take part. One first-time rider described the basic training as enough to feel comfortable, while another older riding group appreciated that nobody was forced to gallop. That is an important detail. The activity can suit a mixed group, but you should be clear about your comfort level before the ride begins.

More experienced riders are not simply parked behind beginners. They may be offered a different route and faster riding, including a gallop when conditions and ability allow. Ask the guides what options are available rather than assuming every rider will follow the same pace.

The weather can change the feel of this part of the day. Rain is not unusual, and provided overalls helped keep one rider dry through a wet outing. The guides also adjusted route choices around rivers and paths affected by the weather. You still need warm base layers, gloves, and sturdy shoes. A face covering or buff is a smart extra, since a fast-moving horse and cold wind can make your cheeks and nose uncomfortable.

A short photo stop is built into the experience. That gives you time to take pictures without trying to handle a phone while riding. Keep your camera secure, and listen closely when the guide explains how to sit, steer, and stop.

The horse ride lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours, though the stop is listed as roughly two hours to allow for preparation and instruction. It is long enough to feel like a real outing, but not so long that a beginner is likely to be worn out before the boat trip.

The long transfer from saddle to sea

This is a combined day, not two activities at one location. The horse ride begins at Hótel Eldhestar in the Ölfus area, while the whale cruise ends at Elding’s ticket office at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour.

Pickup is offered, but your hotel pickup point may involve a walk to a nearby bus stop. Read the voucher carefully, especially if you are staying outside the central pickup area. The stated start time is 9:00 a.m., and the full day lasts about eight hours. One outing finished back in Reykjavík around 6:30 p.m., showing that you should keep the evening fairly open.

The order and transport details matter. You are not simply walking from the riding stable to the harbor. Confirm the exact pickup instructions and meeting arrangements before the morning of the tour. At the harbor, look for the ELDING ticket office at Ægisgarður 5c and follow the red color signs to the departure point. Arrive early enough to check in and board without rushing.

Because lunch is not included, pack something substantial. Snacks are available after the riding portion, and light refreshments can be purchased on the boat, but those options may not replace a proper meal after a morning outdoors.

Three hours watching Faxaflói Bay

The whale-watching cruise lasts about three hours and travels into Iceland’s biggest bay. The boat ride adds a broad ocean view to the volcanic scenery from the morning, and the onboard guide helps you understand where to look and what you might see.

The species listed for the trip include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and porpoises. A sighting can be brief, so the guide’s role is important. You may need help spotting a small dorsal fin, a blow, or a whale surfacing farther from the boat.

A successful encounter can be thrilling even when it involves only one animal. One departure followed a humpback for about 30 minutes and saw it surface five or six times close enough for good photographs. Another saw both humpback and minke whales. These are the days when the three-hour cruise feels like excellent value.

Other departures have been much quieter. Some saw one whale and one dolphin, while others saw no wildlife at all. That is not a flaw in the boat operation, but it is a real part of whale watching. You are buying time on the water and expert searching, not a guaranteed animal encounter.

Weather can also change the experience. Wind and rain may limit visibility and make the boat feel cold, though warm clothing is provided. The crew continues to offer explanations and help with spotting when conditions turn poor. Still, if you dislike rough or exposed conditions, the ocean portion may test your patience.

Elding offers a complimentary ticket for another boat ride after a non-sighting tour. That is useful if you have another day in Reykjavík, but it is less helpful if your schedule is packed or you leave Iceland soon after. Ask the crew how the replacement ticket works before you depart.

Whale numbers also vary by time of year. Some months are better than others because of migration patterns, so check current seasonal conditions if whales are the main reason you are booking. A horse ride plus whale watching is safer than a whale-only booking because the day still has real value if the bay is empty.

What the guides add to the day

The strongest part of the tour is the human care. Riding guides help with horse selection, comfort, safety, and route decisions. They keep an eye on weather and can adjust the outing when rain affects rivers or paths.

That support is especially useful for beginners and older riders. The supplied experiences include riders with little or no previous riding experience, as well as people in their seventies. The important point is not that every person will find the ride effortless, but that the guides do not treat all riders as if they have the same ability.

On the whale boat, the guide explains the animals and points out possible sightings. Crew members may also take and share photographs, which can help if you miss a surfacing whale while reaching for your camera. You get both interpretation and practical help, rather than simply being left to stare at the sea.

The service has earned mixed overall feedback, with an average rating of 4 out of 5 from 14 ratings. The lower scores largely reflect rough weather or empty water, while the most consistent praise goes to safety, organization, comfort, and the quality of the riding instruction.

Who should book this full-day outing

I would recommend this tour to couples, families with children aged 12 and older, and mixed-ability groups that want two distinctly Icelandic activities. It is particularly useful if you have only one free day in Reykjavík and do not want to spend time arranging a horse ride and cruise separately.

It suits first-time riders because the ride includes instruction and horse matching. It also works for capable riders who want more speed, though you should ask what faster options are available on your date.

The package is less suitable if you need a relaxed schedule. Eight hours outdoors, with a morning ride followed by a boat cruise, can be tiring. It is also not a good choice if your only goal is a guaranteed whale sighting, since no responsible operator can promise that.

The horse-riding portion has a weight limit of less than 240 pounds, or 110 kilograms. The minimum age is 12. Most people can participate, but the activity requires you to follow safety directions and be comfortable riding in open countryside.

Practical details that can make or break the day

Dress for two kinds of cold. The horse ride can expose you to rain and wind across open ground, while the boat adds more wind even when the weather looks mild in Reykjavík. Warm clothing is supplied, but take warm layers, gloves, and a face covering.

Bring lunch or a filling packed meal. Snacks are available after the ride, and the boat sells light refreshments, but neither option is presented as a full lunch.

Keep your phone and camera protected from rain. The horse ride includes a photo break, and the whale cruise can provide excellent picture opportunities, but the best moment may last only a few seconds.

Plan to arrive early at the harbor. The ELDING office is at Ægisgarður 5c in the Old Harbour, and the red signs make it easier to find once you are at the pier. For hotel pickup, check whether you must walk to a bus stop.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted. If bad weather cancels the tour, you receive an alternative date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a busy, varied day and like the idea of pairing a gentle ride across volcanic ground with a real wildlife search at sea. The horse portion is the dependable half, with supportive instruction, suitable horses, and options for both nervous beginners and confident riders.

Book it with realistic whale-watching expectations. You might see several whales and dolphins, follow a humpback for repeated surfacings, or spend three hours scanning an empty bay. If you can accept that uncertainty, the included replacement ticket helps reduce the risk.

For the best value, pack lunch, dress very warmly, and choose a time of year when whale sightings are more favorable. For a one-day introduction to Iceland’s horses, volcanic countryside, and marine life, this is a well-organized choice, provided you are ready for a long day and weather that may not cooperate.

FAQ

How long does the Icelandic horse riding and whale watching tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours in total. The horse riding takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, and the whale-watching cruise lasts three hours.

What is the minimum age for this tour?

The minimum age is 12 years.

Is there a weight limit for the horse riding?

Yes. To take part in the riding portion, you must weigh less than 240 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

Is lunch included?

No. Snacks are available after the horse ride, and light refreshments can be purchased on the boat. You can also bring your own lunch.

What happens if no whales are seen?

Elding provides a complimentary ticket for another boat ride after a non-sighting tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered an alternative date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.