Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

Real lava and wild whales, one Reykjavik day. This combo pairs a three-hour whale watch from the Old Harbour with a 50-minute volcanic show using red-hot lava. I like the warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and free repeat ticket if no whales appear. I also like the unusual science lesson at LAVA SHOW Reykjavik, where a host handles real molten rock. The main catch is practical: the two activities use different locations, and you must arrange your own transport during the break.

The day earns a strong 4.4 rating from 29 reviews, with especially warm praise for both activities and for guides such as Joe. The lava show is short, as one recent review points out, but it packs plenty into its 50 minutes. You will need to accept some uncertainty on the bay, a shared boat at certain times, and the possibility that a canceled whale tour leaves the lava ticket valid only for that date.

Key points at a glance

• Real molten lava in a showroom: The LAVA SHOW uses hot lava in a controlled setting, making Icelandic geology immediate rather than merely something you read about.
• Three hours in Faxaflói Bay: The boat searches for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and, rarely, killer whales.
• Warm facilities matter: Flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, a bar, and complimentary seasickness tablets make rough weather easier to manage.
• Two separate Reykjavik locations: Whale watching begins at Geirsgata 11, while the lava show is at Fiskislóð 73, so you must plan the hour between them.
• A useful no-sighting policy: If no whales are seen, you receive a free ticket to join again.
• Two timing choices: The available combinations are whale watching at 9:00 followed by lava at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 followed by lava at 18:00.

Why this Reykjavik combination works

I like this pairing because the two halves show Iceland from opposite angles. On the boat, nature sets the schedule. You may see a minke whale surface beside the vessel, or you may spend much of the outing scanning gray water while seabirds and distant mountains fill the view. At the lava show, the experience is controlled and guaranteed: molten rock will enter the room, and the host will explain what you are seeing.

That contrast gives the day a useful rhythm. The whale watch offers open space, fresh air, and the thrill of a possible sighting. The lava presentation gives you a close, physical look at a force that is normally far too dangerous to approach. If you are trying to understand why Iceland is called a country of ice and fire, these activities make a good pair.

The price is $154 per person. That is not a casual add-on, but the value is reasonable if you want both a boat trip and a distinctive geology experience. The ticket includes the whale cruise, the lava show, guides, warm protective clothing, indoor facilities, WiFi, and a repeat whale ticket if the search produces no sightings. Food and drinks cost extra, and hotel transfers are not included.

Starting at Geirsgata 11

Your whale-watching portion begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. This is important, not a polite suggestion, because the boat leaves from the Old Harbour and the activity does not include hotel pickup.

The schedule gives you two choices. The morning version leaves for the bay at 9:00 and places the lava show at 14:00. The afternoon version departs at 13:00 and schedules the lava show for 18:00. Both plans include about an hour between activities, but that hour is your responsibility. You must get from the harbour area to Fiskislóð 73 on your own.

That transfer is the detail most likely to catch you off guard. The activities are sold together, but they are not in one building and there is no transport bus with a guide between them. Before booking, check your route and allow enough time to find the second venue. The break may be useful for a meal, but food is not part of the price.

Three hours searching Faxaflói Bay

The whale boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, the broad body of water outside Reykjavik. The stated targets include minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and, as a rare possibility, killer whales. You will also have views toward the mountains and islands around Reykjavik, along with bird life.

I appreciate the honest range of possible sightings. Minke whales and dolphins are realistic hopes, while killer whales are explicitly treated as uncommon. No responsible whale tour can promise a wild animal appearance, and the three-hour length gives the crew time to search rather than turning back after a quick look.

The boat provides warm flotation overalls. Wear weather-appropriate clothing beneath them, since Icelandic conditions can change and the outer layers are not a substitute for all your clothing. You can also retreat to heated indoor cabins with toilets. A bar sells food and drinks, WiFi is free, and complimentary seasickness tablets are available onboard.

Those comforts have real value. You can step outside to watch the water, then warm up inside without ending the trip. If you are sensitive to motion, take advantage of the seasickness tablets offered by the crew, though the supplied information does not specify their ingredients or timing. Ask onboard if you need guidance.

At certain times of year, the operator may use a shared boat with another activity partner for environmental reasons. The stated aim is to keep fewer boats on the water and reduce pressure on the bay. That can mean your vessel is not branded exactly as you expected, but the reason is sensible: fewer boats can mean less disturbance for marine life.

What happens if the whales stay hidden

A no-sighting policy helps protect the value of the boat trip. If you see no whales, you receive a free ticket to join again. That does not guarantee a sighting on the second attempt, but it gives you another chance without paying for a second tour.

You should still treat the repeat ticket as a bonus rather than a sure fix. It may not help if your Iceland schedule is packed or if you leave Reykjavik soon after the outing. For that reason, I would place this activity early in your stay if seeing whales matters to you. The supplied information does not promise a specific rescheduling time, so ask the operator about available departures before relying on the policy.

The whale portion can also be canceled. If that happens, your lava ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable. This is an important weakness in the combo arrangement. The guaranteed part does not simply become a flexible standalone ticket if the sea portion fails.

Inside LAVA SHOW Reykjavik

The lava experience takes place at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101. It lasts 50 minutes and begins with a welcome from the host, followed by a short educational video about Icelandic volcanism.

The presentation covers major eruptions in Icelandic history and the volcanic hazards around the capital area. That local focus makes the show more useful than a general science display. You are not only watching glowing rock. You are learning why volcanic activity matters to the city and to the country you are visiting.

Then the lava enters the showroom. The host plays with the molten material in a safe, controlled setting, turning a geology lesson into live theater. The supplied details do not give the exact temperature, amount, or source of the lava, so do not expect a full laboratory lecture. Expect a short, visual demonstration built around the drama of seeing red-hot rock up close.

One review called the show very short but very good. That is a fair way to frame it. Fifty minutes is enough for a focused presentation, but not enough for a long museum visit or an all-day geology course. I think the length works well after a boat trip, especially if you want something memorable without another major time commitment.

The best part is how the show can change your view of Iceland’s volcanic sites. After seeing molten rock behave in front of you, a distant lava field or volcanic ridge may feel less like scenery and more like evidence of an active geological process. That added context is a strong reason to choose this over a standard indoor attraction.

The hour between the two activities

The break is not dead time, but it does require planning. The whale boat returns to the Reykjavik area, and the lava show begins later at Fiskislóð 73. Since transport between the sites is not provided, you must handle that part yourself.

You can use the hour to buy food or a drink, though neither is included. Keep an eye on the clock. A late meal, a long walk, or confusion about the second address could turn a comfortable connection into a rushed one.

The exact travel method is not specified in the activity details, so I would check the route before departure rather than assume the sites are next door. This is especially important for the 13:00 and 18:00 schedule, when you may be moving around Reykjavik later in the day.

Guides, boats, and the feel of the day

The tour is conducted in English with professional guides. Joe received specific praise for making one outing better, which suggests that a good guide can add real character to the whale search. On a wildlife tour, clear explanations and a calm approach matter because there may be long stretches without action.

The provider may operate with a partner boat at certain times. This environmental arrangement can affect the exact boat atmosphere, but the listed facilities remain central to the experience: warm overalls, indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and a bar. You are not signing up for a bare-bones ride in an open fishing boat.

The combination also works well for mixed interests. One person can enjoy marine life while another prefers geology, and both receive a substantial activity. Families, couples, and first-time Iceland visitors may find the variety appealing. People who dislike open-water motion or who want a guaranteed wildlife encounter should think carefully before booking.

Who will get the most from the $154 price

I would book this for someone with one full half-day who wants two very different Iceland experiences without arranging separate reservations. The price is easier to justify if you value comfort on the water and want the lava demonstration as more than a quick photo stop.

The cost is less attractive if you only want whale watching. You are paying for the lava show as part of the package, and there is no hotel pickup or included meal. It is also less suitable for a tightly planned day because the activities are separated by location and the connection is self-guided.

The strongest value comes from the combination of certainty and possibility. The lava show gives you a definite event. The whale watch gives you a chance at wild animals, a repeat ticket if luck fails, and views of the bay, mountains, islands, and birds even when whales remain out of sight.

Practical advice before you book

Arrive 30 minutes early at Geirsgata 11 for the whale departure. Bring clothing suited to the weather, even though flotation overalls are supplied.

Do not assume the combo includes transportation between activities. Check the route to Fiskislóð 73 before the day begins, and leave time for food if you need it. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible.

Pets and smoking are not allowed. If the whale trip is canceled, remember the unusual ticket rule: the lava show remains valid only on that original date and is non-refundable. That condition matters more than the attractive cancellation policy, so read it carefully when setting your plans.

Should you book this experience?

Book it if you want a practical mix of Icelandic wildlife and volcanic science, and if you can manage your own transfer across Reykjavik. I especially recommend it for first-time visitors who want one memorable boat outing plus the rare chance to see real molten lava in a safe indoor setting.

Skip it if your schedule cannot handle a fixed five-hour pattern, if you need hotel transportation, or if a whale sighting is your only goal. The best reason to choose this package is not that every moment is guaranteed. It is that the lava show is reliable, the boat offers strong onboard comfort, and the repeat ticket softens the risk of an empty bay.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

It begins at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Where is the lava show held?

The lava show is held at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101, Iceland.

How long is the whale-watching tour?

The whale-watching portion lasts about three hours.

How long is the lava show?

The lava show lasts 50 minutes.

What animals might I see in Faxaflói Bay?

The tour searches for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and, rarely, killer whales. The trip also includes views of nearby mountains and islands and opportunities to see bird life.

Are warm clothes provided on the boat?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing.

Is transportation provided between the whale watch and lava show?

No. The two activities take place at different locations, and you must arrange your own transportation during the break.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching tour again. If the whale tour is canceled, the lava ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable.