Elding Whale Watching

Elding is one of the longest-established boat tour companies in Reykjavik, a female-led, family-run business that has been taking visitors out to sea for more than 25 years. Its ticket office and departure point are at Ægisgarður 5c on the Old Harbour, a short walk from the city centre and Harpa concert hall, and its fleet of boats moors along the pier right outside.

The core product is whale watching in Faxaflói bay. The Reykjavík Classic is the standard trip, while the Reykjavík Premium tour uses fast RIB boats that carry a maximum of 12 passengers each, for a closer, more exhilarating ride. Elding also runs whale-watching tours from Akureyri in the north of Iceland. In season it offers puffin watching and sea angling trips where you can try catching your own fish. In winter, when conditions allow, the Northern Lights Cruise takes passengers out of the harbour away from the city lights to look for the aurora.

Elding operates the ferry to Viðey, the island just off Reykjavik, from Skarfabakki pier and from the Old Harbour, and it runs trips to the Imagine Peace Tower on the island when the tower is lit in autumn and early winter. The company presents itself as firmly against whaling, has its own research arm, and displays affiliations including the Blue Flag programme, IceWhale and the World Cetacean Alliance.

The tours suit families, couples and solo travellers alike, though the RIB trips are better for confident, mobile passengers than for small children. Whatever the season, dress for cold and wind: even on a sunny summer day it is much colder on the water than in town, so bring a hat, gloves and waterproof layers. Sailings depend on weather and sea conditions, so it is sensible to book early in your trip, which leaves time to rebook if a tour is cancelled. Anyone prone to seasickness should take precautions before sailing.

Sightings depend on nature, so no trip can promise exactly which animals you will see, and conditions vary by season. Check the tour description for duration, departure times and what is included before you book, and arrive at the harbour office in good time to check in, collect any warm gear on offer and find a good spot on deck.

Elding's office is on the Old Harbour, close to the harbourside restaurants. Many visitors combine a morning on the water with lunch at the harbour and a walk to Harpa or along the seafront.