Reykjavik: ATV Ride & Whale Watching Boat Tour

Reykjavik’s best views come from above the city, and its wildest moments may be waiting offshore. This eight-hour outing pairs a one-hour ATV ride to Reykjavik Peak with a three-hour whale-watching trip in Faxafloi Bay, so you get two very different sides of Iceland in one day.

I like that the ATV ride is built for beginners, with a safety briefing, protective gear, and a guide leading the way. I also like the change of pace at the old harbor: you can buy lunch, look across the bay, then board a boat with indoor seating and warm gear for the sea trip.

The main tradeoff is time. You spend much of the day moving between activities, and the whale sightings are never guaranteed. The boat trip can also be cold, even with overalls and blankets, so pack warm layers and think of the scenery and sea air as part of the outing, not just a chance to spot whales.

At a glance

• A beginner-friendly ATV route: Get a safety briefing and gear before a guided ride toward Reykjavik Peak.
• A five-minute summit pause: Take in views over the city, ocean, and surrounding mountains, with time for photos.
• A lunch break at the old harbor: Food is not included, but you can choose from cafes and restaurants by the water.
• Three hours on Faxafloi Bay: Look for Minke whales and other marine life, with no sightings promised.
• Warmth on the boat: Overalls and blankets are provided, and there is a heated indoor saloon.
• A full-day combination: Pickup, transport, both activities, and drop-off are included, but expect around eight hours away.

From Reykjavik pickup to the ATV base

The day starts with pickup from hotels around Reykjavik, with a morning window from 9:00 to 9:30. Be ready at your assigned point by 9:00. If your hotel is in a no-pickup zone, you will be directed to a nearby bus stop instead.

The drive to the quad biking base camp takes no more than about 15 minutes from your accommodation. That short transfer is useful: you do not lose half a morning crossing the region before the activity even begins.

The ATV portion starts with a safety briefing of about 30 minutes. Guides provide a helmet, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear, then explain how to operate the vehicle and what to expect on the route. No previous ATV experience is required, but every driver must bring a valid driver’s license.

The tour is operated by two partners, one for the ATV outing and one for whale watching. The handoff is part of the day’s design, so keep your personal items and timing in mind as you move from one activity to the next.

Riding up toward Reykjavik Peak

The ride lasts about an hour and leads toward Reykjavik Peak. The route includes different terrain, though one rider described part of the ride as following public roads in a small group of six ATVs. That is worth knowing if you imagine a long, isolated off-road expedition. This is a guided city-edge adventure, not a full day of technical trail riding.

I like the balance for a first-time driver. You get the excitement of handling an ATV, but the guide sets the pace and leads the group. Lisa, one guide praised for being friendly and well informed, has led this trip. Guides and conditions can vary, of course, so do not assume she will be leading on your date.

The ride can feel quite different depending on the season. In winter, snow may add a more thrilling feel under the wheels. In clear weather, the ride up is also a practical way to reach a high viewpoint without committing to a longer hike.

At the top, you get a short stop, around five minutes according to one participant, for photos and the view. From here, look across Reykjavik, the ocean, and the nearby mountains. The pause is brief, so have your camera ready and do not expect a long summit visit.

The ATV adventure is advertised as one hour, but the complete ATV segment takes longer once you include pickup, the briefing, gearing up, and transport. If you are chiefly interested in riding, note that one participant wished for more time on the ATVs. Think of this as a scenic introduction to quad biking rather than an extended ride.

Lunch beside the old harbor

After the ATV outing, a van takes you back toward Reykjavik harbor. The transfer is listed at about 30 minutes, followed by a lunch break at the old harbor before the whale-watching departure.

Lunch is not included in the $328 price. That gives you freedom to pick a cafe or restaurant, but it also means you should budget extra for food and drinks. The harbor has several small places to eat, and the tour guide can offer recommendations.

This break is more than a refueling stop. You have time to pause after the ATV ride, eat while looking out across the bay, and get ready for a very different kind of activity. Keep an eye on the schedule, though. The day is coordinated across two operators, and the boat departure is the next fixed part of the plan.

Three hours looking for whales in Faxafloi Bay

The whale-watching boat heads beyond the harbor into Faxafloi Bay for a guided trip of about three hours. Minke whales are among the animals you may look for, along with other marine life. Humpback whales have also been seen on this outing, but no animal encounter is guaranteed.

That uncertainty is the central caveat of the sea portion. A whale may surface nearby, or the trip may bring you sweeping views of the water, mountains, and Reykjavik from offshore without a close sighting. If seeing a whale is the only reason you would book, this is a gamble. If you also value a boat ride and the coastal views, the trip offers more than a wildlife checklist.

The boat has a heated indoor saloon, complimentary WiFi, and warm overalls and blankets. You can step inside when the wind or cold gets to you, then return outdoors when you want a better view. Even with the supplied gear, bring warm clothing and gloves. Winter conditions can make three hours on the water feel long.

There is also a wildlife exhibition included. The boat’s guide provides information about life at sea, adding context to the search as the vessel moves through the bay. This is a guided outing rather than a private charter, so expect to share the boat with other people.

The sea trip is often the more relaxed half of the day, but it is not a guaranteed payoff after the ATV ride. On one winter outing, the group saw three whales; another group saw both a humpback and a Minke. Those sightings show what is possible, not what you should count on.

What the $328 price covers

At $328 per person, this is a substantial day out. The value comes from bundling two different guided activities with Reykjavik pickup and drop-off, rather than from spending a long time on either one alone.

The price includes the one-hour ATV adventure, ATV safety equipment, the three-hour whale-watching tour, boat overalls and blankets, WiFi, access to the wildlife exhibition, and a professional guide. The combination can suit you if arranging separate transport and activities sounds like unnecessary work, or if you have only one day to fit both experiences into your plans.

Food and drinks are extra. You should also weigh the limited ATV riding time against the full-day length. Much of the eight hours includes preparation, transfers, the lunch break, and the boat trip, not continuous activity. If your top priority is a longer ATV ride, a dedicated quad biking tour may be a better fit. If you want both mountain views and a chance to see marine wildlife, the combination makes more sense.

Who will enjoy this day most

This outing fits you if you want variety and are comfortable spending a full day on organized activities. It is especially practical for a first ATV ride: the guides provide instructions and gear, and you do not need previous experience. Drivers do need a valid license; passengers do not.

Children must be at least eight years old. That makes the tour an option for families with older children, though the long schedule and cold boat conditions may not suit every child. Anyone joining should be comfortable with a morning pickup, a guided vehicle ride, and several hours on a boat.

You may prefer another option if you want a quiet, private experience, a long ATV ride, or a sure whale sighting. The group ride and shared boat make this a social, scheduled day rather than a tailored outing. And while warm gear is supplied for both activities, Icelandic weather can still make the outdoor parts feel brisk.

Small preparations that make the day easier

Bring your driver’s license if you plan to drive an ATV. Passengers do not need one. Sneakers or hiking boots are suggested, and practical warm layers are sensible even though protective ATV gear and boat overalls are provided.

Do not count on the tour to provide lunch. The old harbor has cafes and restaurants, but you will need to pay for your own meal and drinks. If you have dietary needs or a firm preference, plan to choose a place that works for you during the break.

Keep your phone or camera ready for the short photo stop at the peak, and dress for time outdoors on the boat. The indoor saloon gives you a warm place to sit, but the best views are outside. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed on the activity.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. Check the starting times when you book, since the listed pickup begins between 9:00 and 9:30.

Should you book the ATV and whale-watching combination?

I would book this if you want a neatly packaged day that mixes a beginner-friendly ATV ride, a high viewpoint, and a substantial boat trip. The strongest parts are the guided ride to the mountain views and the shift from land to sea, with warm equipment and an indoor place to retreat on the boat.

I would skip it if you want more time behind the ATV handlebars or need a guaranteed whale sighting. At $328, it is best value when you genuinely want both activities and appreciate the convenience of pickup, equipment, and coordinated transport. If that sounds like your kind of day, bring your license, dress for the cold, and leave room in the budget for lunch.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours, including pickup, the ATV activity, transport, a lunch break, and the whale-watching trip.

What time should I be ready for pickup?

Pickup starts between 9:00 and 9:30. Be ready at your assigned pickup location at 9:00.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from Reykjavik hotels. If your hotel is in a no-pickup zone, you will be assigned a bus stop.

Do I need ATV experience?

No. The guide gives you safety instructions and training before the ride.

Do I need a driver’s license?

Yes, if you will drive an ATV. Passengers do not need a license.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is eight years. Children under eight are not suitable for this activity.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy lunch at the old harbor during the break.

Are whales guaranteed?

No. The tour looks for Minke whales and other marine life in Faxafloi Bay, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What equipment is provided?

For the ATV ride, you receive a helmet, gloves, overalls, a ski mask, and rain gear. For whale watching, warm overalls and blankets are provided.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.