Top Reykjavik Nature and Wildlife

Watch for minke whales, dolphins and humpbacks on a whale watching cruise from Reykjavik, and take in views of the coast from an open viewing platform or an enclosed cabin. Get the ultimate whale watching experience during the peak season from April through October, when over 20 kinds of whale flock to the North Atlantic. Cruise the harbor in comfort and style, enjoy access to an indoor saloon stocked with snacks and drinks (sold on board), and spot Iceland’s diverse aquatic species with help from the experienced crew.

Do more than just admire Iceland's beloved horses during your stay in the country—take one for a spin on this horseback riding tour with transportation from Reykjavik. Atop a sturdy, sure-footed Icelandic horse, you’ll take a beautiful ride in the countryside just outside the city. This tour is suitable for beginners and experts alike.

For a day out with horses and hot springs, look no further than this full-day tour from Reykjavik. After a horseback ride on a unique Icelandic horse, take an express tour of some key Golden Circle sights: Gullfoss waterfall, the Geysir hot spring area, UNESCO-listed Thingvellir, and the village of Hveragerdi. The ride is suitable for all levels of experience, and takes in the rugged countryside on the capital’s outskirts.

Get close to nature in the way of old Icelanders on this horseback riding experience from Reykjavik, dependent on transfer option. Hop on a small, sturdy, Icelandic horse, a breed originally brought here by the Vikings, and enjoy a relaxing ride through lava-laden scenery past mountains, lakes, and moors. Your ride is matched to your ability and led by an instructor. Hot drinks, riding equipment, and guidance is included.

Experience the magic of whale watching on a cruise from Reykjavik. With a knowledgeable guide, cruise the coastal curve of Iceland to marvel at humpback and orca whales in their natural habitat. Scour the sea for sightings of porpoises and dolphins as you listen to fascinating facts surrounding the majestic creatures that inhabit the Icelandic ocean. Heighten your chances of seeing whales on this tour, the success rates of which are 95% in summer and 80% in winter.

Cruise Faxaflói Bay in search of humpback and minke whales during this whale-watching tour from Reykjavik. A naturalist guide talks about the biology and behavior of these magnificent marine mammals while you look for signs of their presence. Stay warm and dry in provided thermal coveralls as you keep your eye out for whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. Choose from a 2.5-hour, high-speed express boat option or a full, 3.5-hour tour.

Saddle up for a day of horseback riding, great scenery and fun during this 7.5-hour excursion from Reykjavik. Novice and expert riders alike are sure to enjoy this journey to Laxnes Farm, located in the idyllic Mosfellsdalur Valley, spending the day riding amidst the local terrain of mountains and lush green meadows. In between rides you’ll stop by the farmhouse for a light lunch accompanied by tea and coffee. A guide, riding helmet and round-trip hotel transport are also covered.

Get off the beaten path and travel over Iceland’s volcanic fields, by horseback. On this special, small-group riding tour, you’ll enjoy around four miles (7 km) of natural riding paths along the Redhills or around scenic Lake Raudavatn. Tours are suitable for all levels, and include a complimentary coffee or tea plus free winter clothing rentals.

Cruise Faxaflói Bay in a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) on a 2-hour, small-group whale-watching expedition from Reykjavik. Board a speedy RIB at the Old Harbor, and skim alongside graceful seabirds as you pass seasonal puffin colonies. Watch for minke and humpback whales, porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins, and then return to the harbor along the Reykjavik shoreline. Pause alongside the Harpa Concert Hall and the Sun Voyager sculpture as you take in the city’s most distinctive sights from the water.

Experience the majesty of nature by sea and land on this full-day whale-spotting boat trip and express Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik. Look for whales and other marine life on a morning whale-watching cruise, and in the afternoon, visit Gulfoss, Geysir and Thingvellir National Park, the three iconic sites of Iceland’s Golden Circle. Admire the double waterfall at Gulfoss; see the geothermal pools and Strokkur waterspout at Geysir; and view the tectonic rift at Thingvellir as your guide explains the science and facts behind these natural wonders.

This tour in Hafnarfjörður offers more than the typical horse-riding excursions. You first spend time with the horses at the stables, helping to groom them and learning about the unique breed from staff. Afterward, you can take a ride around the paddock while taking in the dramatic landscape. A maximum group size of 15 ensures personal attention and you can upgrade to include round-trip transportation from your Reykjavik hotel.

Get out of Reykjavik for an exciting 2-day excursion to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, one of Iceland’s top attractions due to its stunning beauty. Explore the south coast of Iceland with a professional guide. Hike among waterfalls, walk on black sand beaches, experience the mysterious blue caves, learn to cross Iceland’s largest glacier, and even get a chance to hunt the elusive Northern Lights. This adventure will not soon be forgotten.

Ride an Icelandic horse across open moors and fields, then look for minkes, humpbacks, porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins on a whale-watching cruise from Reykjavik. This full-day experience takes in the best of the country’s wildlife and scenery, both on land and at sea. Practice Iceland’s unique tölt gait and learn how horses arrived in Iceland almost a millennium ago, then search the waters of Faxaflói Bay while enjoying sweeping views of the rugged coastline.

Hit the most important landmarks in Iceland during this Golden Circle tour from Reykjavik. With a local guide, visit the Gullfoss waterfall, the most impressive cascade in Iceland. Stop at the legendary Geysir geothermal area and explore Thingvelllir (Þingvellir) National Park's mossy expanses and deep fissures. Visit the Friðheimar greenhouse, where geothermal energy is harnessed to grow hothouse vegetables in the middle of the Scandinavian winter. Round-trip transportation from Reykjavik is included; transportation is by climate-controlled coach.

Iceland—the Land of Fire and Ice—boasts bubbling mud pools and frozen glaciers, and many of the most impressive natural attractions lie along the country’s southern shores. On this full-day sightseeing tour, travel in comfort by air-conditioned minivan to landmarks including Skógafoss waterfall and hike over the Sólheimajökull glacier. With round-trip travel from central Reykjavik included, find out exactly how Iceland earned its nickname.

Experience the splendors of the south shore of Iceland on this full-day trip from Reykjavik. With a guide, borad an air-conditioned mini-bus and explore some of the natural wonders of the country‘s southern landscapes, including volcanoes, waterfalls, glaciers and more. See the magical waterfalls of Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss, and check out the black sand beach and the basalt cliffs of the popular Reynisfjara beach. Pass through the foothills of Eyjafjallajokull and Hekla volcanoes and visit the great Solheimajokull glacier, a tongue of ice that dates back 700 years,  for a short glacier hike and exploration.

Ride horses on a small farm in the countryside outside of Reykjavik on this private excursion. Learn the history and folklore of Icelandic horses before saddling up and riding out to Lake Hafravatn. Enjoy the views of unique Icelandic scenery and ride at your own pace with your guide leading the way.

Make an adventurous descent inside the remains of Iceland’s dormant Thrihnukagigur volcano during this small-group excursion from Reykjavik. Traverse the surreal landscapes of Iceland’s countryside on your way to the Blue Mountains, hiking through the area’s craggy lava fields. Then follow your guide inside the geological site's immense subterranean interior, its walls still scalded from an eruption that took place 4,000 years ago. This small-group excursion, limited to 18 guests, also includes all necessary safety equipment and round-trip hotel transportation.

Leave the travel planning and driving to the experts on this 2-day tour of Iceland's south coast. On day one, leaving from Reykjavik, travel to the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss and the black-sand beach of Rejnisfjara. The next day, head into the Icelandic highlands in a Super Jeep to explore the blue ice caves of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Overnight accommodation and breakfast is included.

Enjoy unforgettable adventure in Iceland’s great outdoors on this 5.5-hour horse-riding and whale-watching tour from Reykjavik. Follow your guide through Iceland’s lava fields on horseback and gain insight into the country’s native horse breeds. Explore trails through the wild moorland and enjoy panoramic views over the rugged terrain. Afterward, hop aboard your high-speed boat and cruise out onto the waves. Watch the water for sightings of whales, porpoises and dolphins, and keep your eyes on the skies for birdlife. With your camera to hand, capture Iceland’s wildlife through your lens.

Mt. Úlfarsfell lies in the countryside outside Reykjavik, and its remote location makes it the perfect place for outdoor adventure in the Icelandic wilderness. On this tour, hop into the saddle and follow rugged trails around Mt. Úlfarsfell on horseback with your private guide. With refreshments and round-trip travel from central Reykjavik hotels included, escape the city and learn of Iceland’s rich horsemanship traditions.

Combine the highlights of Iceland's south coast with a horseback riding adventure on this combination tour from Reykjavik. The first part of your tour takes you to sites including Thingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and Geysir geothermal area. Afterward, you embark upon a scenic ride through the Icelandic countryside on a unique Icelandic horse, which lets you experience their special tölt gait. Includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Get the most from a day in Iceland on an 11-hour tour from Reykjavik that covers the Golden Circle, Kerid crater, and Blue Lagoon. View the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates at UNESCO-listed Thingvellir, see the geysers and pools at Geysir, and admire the Gulfoss Waterfall. In addition, visit the lake-filled Kerid volcanic crater, and finish by bathing in the warm Blue Lagoon (own expense). Hotel pickup and drop-off included.

Combine a snowmobile glacier ride with a bath in thermal hot springs on this full-day tour from Reykjavik. Traveling by super truck, pass the Geysir geothermal field en route to the Langjökull glacier, Europe’s second-largest. Zoom over the ice on a snowmobile ride, check out a natural ice cave, and then break for lunch and dip in a thermal hot spring.