Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

The striking part of this Reykjavik combo is the change of scale: you search a wide bay for whales, then watch real molten lava flow in a controlled showroom. It brings two very different sides of Iceland’s nature into one day.

I like the heated cabin and warm flotation overalls on the boat, and the lava show’s mix of science and live demonstration. The main catch is practical: the activities take place at different addresses, and you arrange the trip between them yourself.

• Two distinct stops: A three-hour boat trip from the Old Harbour, followed by a live lava demonstration at Fiskislóð 73.
• Wildlife is never guaranteed: Minke and humpback whales are the main targets; dolphins and porpoises are also possible, while killer whales are rare.
• A useful no-sighting provision: If no whales are spotted, you receive a free ticket to join another trip.
• A more comfortable boat setup: Warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets are included.
• Plan for the transfer: The whale trip meets at Geirsgata 11; the lava show is at Fiskislóð 73, and transport between them is not included.
• Timing needs a close look: The advertised duration is 4.5 hours, but the listed schedules place the show five hours after the whale departure.

Two Icelandic forces in one outing

This combination links two experiences that feel very different but suit each other well. On the water, you have to be patient and alert: whales surface when they choose, and the bay offers no guarantee of a sighting. At the lava show, the central event is carefully staged, with real molten lava brought into the showroom for a host to demonstrate at close range.

That contrast is the appeal. The whale watch gives you open-air scenery and the possibility of seeing wild animals in their natural setting. The lava show gives you a closer, more explained look at one of Iceland’s defining natural forces, without asking you to approach an active volcano.

The listed price is $154 per person for both activities. That can be reasonable if you want a boat trip and a distinctive indoor attraction in one booking, especially with warm overalls and indoor facilities included on the boat. It is less convenient if you expect a guided transfer between venues or a fully joined-up tour: you need to manage that part yourself.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The whale-watching trip leaves from the Old Harbour, with the meeting point at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. That extra time matters because the boat is not waiting at the lava-show venue, and the two activities have separate locations and schedules.

Once on board, the boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, with the crew searching for minke and humpback whales. Dolphins and harbour porpoises are also among the possible sightings. Killer whales can appear, but they are described as rare, so treat them as a lucky bonus rather than a likely part of the trip.

There is more to look at than the water. The tour also offers views of the mountains and islands around Reykjavik, plus birdlife. On a day when whales keep their distance, those surroundings give you something to watch, though they are not a substitute for a sighting if that is your main reason for going.

Three hours on the bay, with a warm place to retreat

The boat portion lasts about three hours. That is enough time to search the bay rather than make a quick pass, but it also means you should dress for changing weather. The operator provides warm flotation overalls, and the boat has heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and a bar where you can buy food and drink.

I like that the indoor space gives you a choice. You can head outside to watch the water, then step back into a heated cabin when you need a break. The overalls help, but they do not replace weather-appropriate clothing, which is specifically recommended.

Complimentary seasickness tablets are available on board. If you are prone to motion sickness, it is useful to know they are offered, but the information does not say how far in advance to take them or whether you need to request them before boarding. Food and drinks are not included, so bring what you need or expect to pay for purchases on board.

The experience depends on wildlife behaving like wildlife. The crew is searching, not directing whales toward the boat, and no sighting can be promised. If the trip turns up no whales, the included free ticket lets you join again. That is a welcome safeguard, though it does not guarantee that a second outing will fit your schedule or produce a sighting.

The hour between activities is yours to manage

After the boat trip, the plan includes a break before the lava show. That gap is useful, but it is not a guided connection between attractions. The whale tour starts at Geirsgata 11, while LAVA SHOW Reykjavik is at Fiskislóð 73. You need to arrange your own transport between them.

Do not assume that booking the pair means someone will take you from the harbour to the show. The transfer is not included, and guidance on a transport bus is also excluded. Check the addresses and your chosen show time before booking, then decide how you will get from one to the other.

The listed schedules pair a 09:00 whale departure with a 14:00 lava show, or a 13:00 whale departure with an 18:00 show. The experience is also described as lasting 4.5 hours, while the listed activity breakdown gives three hours for whale watching, a one-hour break, and a one-hour guided show. Those figures do not match exactly: the scheduled time from boat departure to show start is five hours, and the show itself lasts 50 minutes. Allow room in your day rather than planning a tight connection.

Real molten lava, brought into a Reykjavik showroom

The lava show begins with a welcome from the host and a short educational video about Icelandic volcanism. It covers nearby volcanoes, major eruptions in Iceland’s history, and volcanic dangers around the capital area. That context gives you a useful frame before the main event.

Then real lava is brought into the showroom, and the host demonstrates it up close in a controlled environment. The host is described as literally playing with the lava, which makes the show more than a lecture or a film. You get a direct look at the material itself while hearing about the forces that shape it.

The show lasts 50 minutes. One useful expectation to set is that it is short, not a half-day museum visit. If you are fascinated by volcanoes and geology, that concentrated format can be a strong fit. If you want a long, detailed geology course, this is better viewed as an introduction paired with a vivid demonstration.

It is also presented as the only live lava show in the world. That makes it a singular stop, but its value is not just the novelty. Seeing molten lava in a safe setting can give you a clearer sense of why volcanic activity matters in Iceland, and why the country’s scenery is tied to forces that are still active.

What the combo costs, and where the value lies

At $154 per person, the package asks you to pay for two different attractions rather than one continuous guided tour. The strongest value comes if both are already on your Reykjavik wish list: you get a substantial boat trip with practical onboard comforts, plus a live geological demonstration.

The whale-watch free return ticket also helps balance the uncertainty of wildlife viewing. It is not the same as a guaranteed sighting or a refund, but it gives you another chance if the trip sees no whales. Keep in mind that the lava-show ticket remains valid only on the date originally booked if the whale trip is cancelled, and it is non-refundable in that situation.

The main extra cost to consider is your own transport between the venues, along with any food or drink you buy. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. The activities are in Reykjavik, but the separate addresses still make it worth checking your timing and transport plan before you commit.

The booking offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and a reserve-now, pay-later option. Those terms give you some flexibility when plans are still taking shape. The tour is conducted in English, and pets and smoking are not allowed.

Who should choose this Reykjavik pairing

This suits you if you want two contrasting nature experiences and have room in your day for a boat trip, a break, and a separate venue visit. It is especially appealing if the idea of seeing whales excites you but you also want an attraction that does not depend on wildlife appearing.

Families and first-time visitors may appreciate the mix of outdoor searching and an indoor demonstration, though the three-hour boat ride and the self-managed transfer require some planning. If you are short on time, dislike schedule gaps, or want transport handled for you, booking the activities separately or choosing a more connected outing may be simpler.

Guide Joe has been praised for his work, but guide assignments can vary. The broader setup includes professional guides, a live host at the show, and English-language delivery.

Should you book it?

Book this combo if you value variety and are comfortable arranging your own transfer between the harbour and Fiskislóð 73. The heated cabin, flotation overalls, and free return trip if no whales are seen make the boat portion easier to manage, while the live lava demonstration adds something genuinely different from a standard city visit.

Think twice if you need a tightly timed, door-to-door package or have only a small window in Reykjavik. Check the departure and show times, allow for the mismatch between the stated duration and schedule, and plan your transport before you pay. If those details work for you, this is a practical way to pair wildlife watching with a close, safe look at Icelandic volcanic power.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour meet?

Meet at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours ticket office. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

Where is the lava show held?

LAVA SHOW Reykjavik is at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101. It is a different location from the whale-watching meeting point.

Is transport between the activities included?

No. You arrange your own transport between the whale-watching tour and the lava show. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included.

What wildlife might I see in Faxaflói Bay?

The tour searches for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and harbour porpoises. Killer whales are possible but rare, and sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if no whales are spotted?

You receive a free ticket to join another whale-watching trip. The information does not promise a sighting on the return trip.

What is included on the boat?

The tour includes warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities, free WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets. Food and drink are available to buy on board.