iceland yacht tour

WELCOME TO HARPA YACHTS

Comfortable yacht cruises from reykjavik, scheduled tours.

Here you’ll find the closest tours on date.

Whale Watching Yacht cruise

• 2,5-3 Hours
• 9:15* & 13:15

Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

• Sept. - April
• 1.5-2.5 Hours
• 21:00 / 22:00*

Harbour Cruise & Three Course Dinner

Why book with us.

We don’t like to brag, but people love our tours.

Free cancelation

97% of travelers recommend, reserve now & pay later, lots of reviews about us to read, the gallery.

Find here some imagery of our tours.

Don't believe us?

Check our clients reviews. Look good right?

THE 10 BEST Iceland Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in iceland.

• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Scuba & Snorkeling
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• Speed Boats Tours
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Water Sports
• Boat Rentals
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• Stand-Up Paddleboarding
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Parasailing & Paragliding
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Special Tours
• Harpa Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre
• Elding Whale Watching
• Old Harbour
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. The Original Classic Whale Watching from Reykjavik

2. Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík

3. Whale Watching in Húsavík with Friends of Moby Dick

4. Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Kerid Crater Tour from Reykjavik

5. Speedboat Whale Watching Small-Group Tour in Reykjavik

6. Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

7. Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri

8. Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

9. Puffin and Volcano Boat Tour

10. Whale Watching Tour with Professional Guide from Reykjavik

11. Express Whale Watching by RIB boat from Akureyri

12. Whale Safari and Puffins RIB Boat Tour from Húsavík

13. RIB Boat Tour

14. Whales and Puffins Tour from Husavik

15. Wildlife Whale Watching and Puffin Tour in Reykjavik

16. Whale-Watching Boat Tour with Expert Guide from Reykjavik

17. RIB Whale Watching Small-Group Boat Tour from Reykjavik

18. Traditional Whale Watching Tour from Húsavík

19. Icelandic Horse Riding and Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

20. Wildlife, scenery and cave exploring tour!

21. Reykjavik's Finest Catch: Guided Sea Angling Tour

22. Traditional Oak Ship Whale Watching Tour From Husavik

23. Reykjavik Premium Puffin tour | Close Up and Personal

24. Puffin Cruise with Expert Tour Guide from Reykjavik

25. Magical Whales in the Midnight Sun | from Reykjavik

26. Whale Watching and Northern Lights Half-Day Combo Tour

27. Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik

28. Whale Watching and Marine Life Tour in Reykjavik

29. Classic Puffin Watching Cruise from Down Town Reykjavík

30. Premium Small-Group Puffin & Bird Watching tour from Reykjavík

What travelers are saying.

WE WELCOME YOU

ZODIAC TOURS

On the Zodiac we are able to cover large areas of the glacier lagoon and get closer to the icebergs than on the amphibian. When possible the Zodiac goes almost all the way up to the glacier (as close as safe).

AMPHIBIAN BOAT TOURS

We offer exciting boat trips on the glacier lagoon in one of our four amphibian boats. During the excursion you sail among the huge icebergs in the picturesque scenery of Jökulsárlón.

ICE CAVE TOURS

Join us on an exciting two and a half-hour adventure exploring the wonders of Vatnajökull Glacier. Our luxurious Iceland tours will take you to the largest glacier in Europe.

The Best Boat Trip Tours in Iceland

No journey through Iceland is complete without a boat trip tour. Some of the best boat trip tours in Iceland get you up close and personal to icebergs, glaciers, and majestic wildlife like whales, puffins, and dolphins.

Boat trip tours will range in price from $40 to $200 depending on how long the tour lasts, how luxurious the boat is, and the time of year the tour is booked. The summer season in Iceland is busier than other seasons, and tours become competitive and sell out quickly. You will pay a premium for a spot on a boat trip tour during the summer. Boat tours are generally safe, but there are some dangers to be aware of. Iceland gets a lot of precipitation during the year, even during the summer, so you should keep up to date on weather patterns as they roll in.

Boat tours will start at tour stations that are near major cities or significant natural landmarks like glaciers. The capital of Iceland, Reyjavik, will have several boat tours available, but northeast towns also provide many Northern Light and whale watching tours for Iceland.

The best boat trip tours in Iceland are listed below.

1. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour (Jökulsárlón, Iceland, May-November)

The Jokulsarlon Glacier boat tour is a small boat tour of a glacier’s towering icebergs for those who want a chance to get up close and personal to these beautiful ice formations. 

The tour costs $44 and lasts for 35 minutes. There is no minimum age requirement for this tour, and it is easy to traverse. These facts make the tour perfect for families, couples, and anyone who wants a breathtaking view of these otherworldly icebergs. The whole tour package includes boat tickets, a life jacket, and an experienced guide that will know their way around the water. 

The guide will also provide knowledgeable insights into the area’s surrounding history, traditions, and culture. You will want to bring a camera to ensure you can capture all beautiful natural sights in high-quality resolution. The tour is only available in English. You will need to arrange travel separately from the tour because airport transfer and travel perks are not part of this tour package.

The tour starts as you begin heading to the cafe in Jökulsárlón, Iceland, at least twenty minutes before you are scheduled to depart. You will exchange your printed vouchers for actual tickets, and once it is time, you will begin boarding an amphibious vehicle that starts on land and then drives into the water. After entering the water, the vessel will navigate further into the lagoon, getting as close as possible to blue icebergs and the glacier’s tongue. The glacier is nearly 1000 years old, and despite the changing conditions of Iceland and the surrounding regions, it remains a fixture of Iceland.

While on tour, you will likely encounter various forms of wildlife. Seals like to make their home on the Jökulsárlón glacier. You will often see them playing in the water by the boat or laying out on floating icebergs. If you are lucky, a seal might get close enough to get a good picture of them. They are used to seeing human tour groups and don’t have a natural fear of humans that would make them hide from your camera. After the tour, you could also visit the nearby Diamond Beach , where you can see a different view of the seals and icebergs from afar.

This tour package can offer you a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled time. The tour requires you to pass a COVID-19 test to ensure that you are healthy before taking your flight to Iceland. In the event that you fail a COVID-19 test, you will also be offered a full refund. In the event of a weather condition that cancels the event, you will also receive a full refund on the tour package

If you love icebergs, this tour is one of the best ways to get close to them. Many other boat tours in Iceland will keep a fair bit of distance from them, but because of the unique way the icebergs form, this tour can get you closer than many others. One thing to note is that this tour will not get you close to the glacier edge, so if you are trying to get further out into the sea, you will need to look for a more extended tour. Don’t forget to bring weather-appropriate clothing and gloves to keep your hands warm. Even though this tour takes place in the summer, It can still get chilly out on the water.

2. Whale Watching From Dalvik Tour (Dalvik, February-December)

The Whale Watching from Dalvik Tour is a winter boat tour where visitors experience different types of whales up close and personal. In addition to whales, guests will also see different kinds of birds and beautiful natural scenery.

This tour costs $73 and lasts for three hours. It is offered from February to December, which puts it squarely in the winter season of Iceland. The tour price does not include any airport transfers or other hotel pick-ups. You will need to meet the tour boat on location when you book this tour. This whale watching tour consists of the full whale-watching tour and a bird-watching segment, the tour where bird enthusiasts will have a chance to get great photographs of Icelandic birds. It also includes hot chocolate and other hot drinks as refreshments for passengers as they bundle together to stay warm to watch the natural splendor out on the water. This tour has no age restriction, so this is an excellent experience for families with smaller children. It is also pretty safe, so it is a leisurely tour for most people. Many reviews of this tour pointed out how much of an excellent family experience this is and how well all family members enjoyed it.

The tour starts at the ticket office in Dalvik. This ticket office is called Hafnarbraut and is located just above the harbor next to a gas station. You will see a big whale-watching sign that you cannot miss. After you exchange your voucher for a ticket, you will be led onto the boat when your meeting time arrives. 

As the ship goes out to the water, you will hopefully be greeted by humpback whales, minke whales, or white-beaked dolphins. It is also possible to see porpoises and blue whales. It is not guaranteed to meet aquatic wildlife on tour, but this tour boasts a 98% success rate of seeing a whale or a dolphin. Some types of whales, like blue whales, only have a 2-5% chance of being seen while on tour. Count yourself as extremely lucky if you meet a majestic blue whale on this tour. There are over 24 species of whales found in Iceland, so you never know what you might find until you are already out on the water. 

The tour provides a whale-watching guide that tells you everything you need to know about the wildlife. You also have a good chance of seeing many species of local birds, as the tour takes you by the beach and mountains of the nearby coast. 

Be sure to pack sufficiently warm clothes and gloves for this trip. Iceland, in the winter, can get quite cold, and frequent icy weather conditions are expected. This tour package provides guests with a winter jumpsuit to help insulate them from the cold. Iceland gets a large amount of precipitation every month of the year, and that precipitation is more likely during the winter. You will also need to provide your own meals, as even though this tour lasts for several hours, meals are not provided on this tour.

3. Zodiac Boat Tour of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon (Jokulsarlon, May-October)

The Zodiac Boat Tour of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is a small boat tour that takes guests on an exploration of massive icebergs. The tour keeps the group size small so that everyone can get a more intimate experience with these beautiful blue icebergs.

Going on this tour costs $80 per person and lasts one hour. The difficulty level of going on this tour is relatively low, so most age ranges and mobility restricted people should be able to partake in this tour. However, this tour has a minimum age requirement of ten years. So if you are looking for family-friendly boat tours in Iceland, this one might not make the list depending on how old your children are. 

The tour is provided in English, but there are no other language options available. This boat tour is a summer one between May and October. A summer tour generally has more favorable weather and temperatures, but Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable. For this reason, you should still prepare adequate clothes, and possible adverse weather conditions could make the boat trip more difficult. The tour does not offer hotel pickups or airport transfers, so it will be up to you to make it to the check-in area 30 minutes before departure.

After you, or your group has made it to the check-in area, the tour will commence. You should arrive at the check-in area at least 30 minutes early because the tour will provide flotation suits and life jackets. This tour wants everyone ready and suited up before they get on the boat, so you should get there early to change into the proper safety equipment. You may also want to pack warm clothes and sunglasses in case the sun has a glare, or the weather turns for the worst.

After everyone is suited up, you will be led to a small Zodiac boat that is low to the ground. Zodiac boats are inflatable boats that are small and low enough to navigate through obstacles, and their design allows you to go ashore if necessary. During the tour, you will navigate through cracks in ancient ice and between floating icebergs that are a magnificent shade of blue. The Zodiac boats will power through the waters at high speeds and get as close as possible to the giant floating ice. Also, during the tour, you will see seagulls and seals playing on the ice if the weather is nice enough. You should also bring a camera if interested in capturing these fantastic wildlife scenes. The nearby black sand or Diamond Beach also makes for a great photo opportunity. Sometimes you can even catch a rare event like a relaxing walrus or other large creature.

During the tour, you will hear facts about the area from your tour guide. You will learn about how the glacier lagoon has been expanding since the 1970s because of the effects of global warming on the coastline. The tours in this area started after a James Bond film in the 1980s used this location to film its opening scene.

4. Reykjavik Puffin Tour (Reykjavik, May-August)

The Reykjavik Puffin Tour is a boat-watching tour that features the adorable Puffin. These cute birds are nicknamed sea parrots for their likeness to parrots and other similar birds. They also resemble penguins because of their black and white color and love of fish.

This tour costs $46 and lasts for one hour. A great thing about this boat trip is that they can guarantee a 100% chance for their passengers to encounter a puffin. This is a fantastic perk because many wildlife tours cannot offer the same guarantee. Many tours have found ways to boost the percentage, but there is also a chance with other tours, you could miss out on the animal you saw because of nature’s unpredictability. This tour also includes an expert captain that can navigate safely through Iceland’s waters without issue. In addition to the captain, the tour also provides a knowledgeable guide that is happy to answer questions about the surrounding area and is an expert on puffins. The guide will provide commentary and insight during the tour to get the most out of your experience. This tour also provides guests with binoculars to see beautiful natural sights in the distance.

The Reykjavik Puffin Tour begins once you arrive at the meeting spot at Reykjavik harbor. You will then board your expert vessel that has been doing these tours for over seventeen years and is designed to get close to puffins safely. From there you will decide which of the two islands you will go to. Puffins live on two islands just off the coast of Reykjavik. These islands, Lundey and Akurey, act as homes for the puffins and are just a short 15-minute boat ride away. The island you visit will depend on the current weather conditions, but you are not missing out either way. Both islands look very similar and have beautiful picturesque vistas filled with small hills, rocky shores, and thousands of cute puffins. Each of these islands also has other animal species that make for great sightseeing. You may encounter arctic terns, guillemots, or fulmar. These islands are uninhabited by humans, making them the perfect place to see unique wildlife.

The captain of your boat will work hard to get you as close as possible without disturbing the puffins. Thankfully, puffins have become accustomed to humans watching them on tours and do not scare easily. While you will not get close enough to touch them, you will get more intimate than you think, and the binoculars will help you feel even closer. You will hear the tour commentary on the speakers of the ship as you observe the natural scene of wildlife living harmoniously with nature. After spending around a half-hour on one of the islands, the tour will end, and the boat will begin its 15-minute journey back to Reykjavik harbor.

This tour does not offer hotel pickups or airport transfers, so you must arrange travel to the meeting spot yourself. If something comes up and the tour needs to be postponed or canceled, the tour group is very flexible and will help you with more options without charging additional fees.

5. Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour & Glacier Hike (Vatnajökull, May-October)

The Glacier Lagoon Boat Tour & Glacier Hike combines the relaxing fun of watching the glacial landscape with a hike of the Falljökull glacier. On this tour, you will take a zodiac boat that can zip around the iceberg-filled lagoon of Jökulsárlón.

This tour costs $117 per person and lasts for nine hours. It is available from May to October so that you will benefit from the extended summer sun hours. You get several nice perks for the price, like an expert and knowledgeable guide, a small tourist-to-guide ratio, and a cancellation guarantee. This tour does have a minimum age of eight years, so not every person will be able to go on the tour. If you are trying to schedule a family trip with younger family members, this tour might not be the best one to pick. You will have to go to this meeting spot to start the tour, and the tour does not offer any pickup options from a hotel or airport, so you will be on your own. This tour is considered easy to traverse and not too dangerous, so it will not require too much effort to enjoy. You should remember that since this is a nine-hour tour, you will need to provide your own meals and manage your fatigue throughout the more extended tour.

The tour begins on location at the Glacier Lagoon parking lot in Jökulsarlon. You will start the boat ride and venture deeper into the deep water that the glacier has retreated from. This lagoon is an extraordinary experience because it is connected to the ocean. You will be able to see many icebergs and surrounding water that is bluer and saltier than many other Iceland lagoons. You will be provided with a flotation vet before boarding the vessel for safety. On your zodiac boat, you will see shiny icebergs and ride to the center of the lagoon, where you can get the closest to ancient floating blocks of ice that feels like you have been transported to another world.

After the boat tour, you will still be left with time for a glacier hike at the Skaftafell Nature Reserve. This will be about a 50-minute drive away from the boat tour area. You will arrive in a beautiful oasis surrounded by black sand beaches, volcanoes, and other glaciers. Guests will make their way up the icy slope on the glacier’s edge and watch as hundreds of meters of ice continuously fall off the melting glacier there. The glacier hike is about 1.5 miles long, not too far. It can be a strenuous trek if you are not in the best shape physically, but the view is definitely worth it. The tour guides take things slow enough for everyone to be comfortable, no matter their fitness levels.

While this tour does provide safety equipment, it doesn’t provide everything. You will want to bring warm outdoor clothing, waterproof clothing, something to cover your head, gloves, and hiking boots that are suitable for walking on ice. The tour will provide you with glacier hiking gear for the hiking portion and life vests for the boat trip portion. You will also keep in mind that the tour can get delayed due to rain or other weather conditions, which may reduce the amount of time for activities during the day. This tour will work with you if you need to postpone the tour due to the weather or other factors influencing your ability to hike or ride a boat. You can cancel 24 hours ahead of your scheduled time and reschedule your boat tour to another day.

6. Luxurious 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour with a Bar & Cafe (Reykjavik, Year-Round)

The Luxurious Whale Watching Boat Tour is a premium boat tour available from Iceland’s capital city of Reykjavík. It is a great way to get close to majestic natural creatures like whales while having the creature comforts of a candy climate -controlled yacht.

This tour costs $101 per person and lasts for 3.5 hours. This tour is available all year round, so the price may increase or decrease a bit depending on the season you want to visit. This tour is great for families because there is no minimum age requirement. Any children you may have brought with you on your Iceland trip will be free to participate.

This luxury tour includes guidance from an expert and knowledgeable tour guide, a triple observation deck, wifi, medicine, warm blankets, a luxury climate-controlled inside area, and a bar and cafe. The stand-out feature of this tour is the bar and cafe, which serves refreshments and small food items to keep your energy high as you excitedly explore the coastal regions where whales roam. The viewing area also has a panoramic view, so you can see whales in any direction of the boat, no matter where they happen to be.

The tour starts as soon as you arrive at the meeting point in the Old Harbor district of Reykjavik. You will want to arrive at least 20 minutes before your scheduled tour so that the travelers all have time to organize and put on their flotation devices. From there, you will journey to several small islands that dot the Faxaflói Bay and a good portion of the Reykjavík coast.

Your tour will be located on a luxurious vessel called the Amelia rose. This yacht is designed to be an offshore vessel so that you will have a smooth ride free from the effects of the turbulent waves of the coast surrounding Iceland. If you are someone who gets seasick, you will have a much easier time enduring the weather. If you want to ensure you go out on this luxury vessel, the tour group needs to have at least 12 passengers. If the tour gets less than 12 passengers, the tour will be aboard the Axel Rose, a smaller yacht.

You will want to bring warm clothes, outdoor footwear, and a camera if you’re going to capture photos of different minke or humpback whales. You have a chance to see dolphins, porpoises and blue whales as well. Seeing a whale is not guaranteed, as the tour cannot predict where they will be. Keep that in mind if you are set on seeing a specific type of animal during this tour. Since the tour is over 3 hours long, you should be able to have a decently good chance of seeing that animal you were hoping for. If you often get seasick, you should ensure you don’t eat a huge breakfast and lay down ahead of time to lessen any potential symptoms.

7. Classic 3-Hour Sea Fishing Trip on an Oak Boat Tour (Reykjavik, May-September)

The Classic Sea Fishing Trip Tour is a fishing journey on an oak boat from Iceland’s capital. Rather than just seeing and taking pictures of wildlife, this tour aims to catch your own Icelandic fish and have it served to you as a meal. This tour has a cool concept that lets you enjoy the fruits of your labor at the end of the tour. Don’t be scared if you don’t have a lot of fishing experience, you will have plenty of opportunities to learn, have fun, and engage with nature regardless.

This tour costs $109 per person and lasts for a total of three hours. It is available from May through September. Being a summer tour, you will see calmer and less frequent weather and more daylight hours to schedule your tour. This boat tour provides fishing equipment and protective clothing, so you don’t need to buy any of those beforehand. Also, this tour comes with a fishing boat stocked with a group and captain knowledgeable about the surrounding Iceland coastal waters.

As mentioned, you get to keep anything you catch on the boat trip, and then your catch is served as a meal with a side of sauce and potatoes. If you assign up for the tour in May through August, there will also be a puffin-watching segment of the tour added as a part of its itinerary. The tour doesn’t offer much in the way of refreshments, but they do have fresh, clean water on hand to wash your meal down. There are no age restrictions on this tour, so that you can bring family members of any age on this trip. This tour is great for families because you get to spend a quiet and peaceful time catching fish and engaging in conversation.

Your journey begins as you go to the meeting spot in Reykjavik harbor. Be sure to arrive early, so your group has time to equip their vests before you set off. On a traditional oak boat, you will be setting out to the open seas. Your captain will tell you all of the tricks to quickly catching Icelandic fish, so you will be equipped with the knowledge of how to cast your line, set your bait, and get the big catch. During the tour, you will see beautiful mountains and scenic islands and meet different Icelandic wildlife. You get to experience these exciting sights and top off the experience with a meal that you helped prepare. Your trip will end as you are dropped back off at the Viking Maritime Museum.

8. Jokulsarlon Amphibian Boat Tour (South East Iceland, May-October)

The Jokulsarlon Amphibian Boat Tour is a scenic exploration of the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. This natural wonder is a hugely popular tourist spot, with thousands of people visiting it yearly. It makes for a great photo shoot and a surreal Iceland boat tour experience. The tour also participates in a carbon offsetting program called the Kolviður Fund. This fund ensures that a portion of the cost of your tour goes towards planting a tree in the first of Iceland to help offset the effects of global warming.

This tour costs $44 per person and lasts for 35 minutes. If you are looking for a great family adventure, you will be delighted to hear that this tour has no age restriction. No airport transfers or hotel pickups are offered as a part of this tour, so you will need to head to the meeting location on your own. The tour is considered easy to traverse, so there will not be too many people who will be physically limited from participating. This boat trip includes an English-speaking guide that will give you advanced insight into the surrounding area’s history and the environmental conditions of the glacier lagoon.

All the necessary equipment for the boat tour will also be provided, including any flotation devices. The tour will also provide power outlets and charger plugs if you need to charge any of your devices while participating in the tour.

Your tour starts after making it to Vatnajokull National Park , which photographers of the world term the “photographer’s paradise.” You will head to the Jökulsárlón boat launch point at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. During the tour, your vessel will navigate close to and around floating icebergs, blue glaciers, and gorgeous scenic views of the nearby mountains.

While this tour does provide some essentials, you will want to bring your own layers of warm clothes. Even though this tour takes place during the summer months, a weather event is still likely to occur that may need headwear, gloves, or scarves for you to remain comfortable. Be aware that this tour will need to be rescheduled if a severe weather event occurs, at which point you can get a refund or reschedule your tour for another time.

9. White Water Rafting Day Trip Tour (Hafgrímsstaðir, May-June)

The White Water Rafting Day Trip Tour has you trading in a big boat for a series of small rafts for tackling challenging rapid with a group of up to 42 people. You will travel into the Austurdalur wilderness and test your rafting skills against a six-hour white water rafting adventure on a grade 4 river .

This tour costs $191 per person and lasts six hours. This tour is considered challenging and should only be attempted by people with rafting experience and physically fit individuals. The tour only accepts adults as participants. The minimum age to participate in this tour is 18 years old. Because of the intensity and age restrictions, this tour is not recommended for families or couples. This tour is best done with a group of experienced rafters.

The tour includes all the necessary rafting equipment you will need. You will be equipped with a helmet, boots, gloves, and drysuit in your challenge against the rapid. Professional raft guides and safety kayakers will be on-site to protect anyone who falls off of their craft. Food is also provided during the tour, including freshly baked waffles and homemade hot chocolate refreshments.

Your journey will begin once you get to the meeting spot at Viking Rafting in the town of Varmahlíð. From there, you will go to the east glacial river gorge and experience an intense rafting day tour filled with deep canyon greenery and rapid white water waves. After an unforgettable journey through the Icelandic wilderness, you will return to your start point at Viking Rafting.

Thrill-seekers will love this tour; many reviewers say that this tour is not for the faint of heart. This tour is one of the best summer white rafting tours in Iceland and is a much book for adrenaline enthusiasts and lovers of wilderness scenery.

10. Family Rafting Day Trip from Hafgrímsstaðir Tour (Hafgrímsstaðir, May-September)

The Family Rafting Day Trip from Hafgrímsstaðir is a great alternative option for a rafting boat tour for people who aren’t experienced rafters. This tour is recommended for families and has a maximum group size of 60 people.

This tour costs $126 per person and lasts for 3.5 hours. You will be able to book this tour between the months of May and September. The tour includes all the essential equipment for rafting, like a drysuit, boots, gloves, and headwear. They also provide safety instructors and professional rafting guides to keep you safe during your river adventure.

The minimum age for this tour is six years old, so while this is billed for families, some families with smaller children might have to miss out. Airport transfer and hotel pick-up are not included in this your, so you will need to arrange a way for you to make it to the meeting point on your own. Even though this tour is safer than the expert tour, it can still be dangerous as it involves rafting over a moving river. Care should be taken to learn the proper safety rules from your instructors and maintain the safety equipment they give you.

Your journey starts with you making your way to Viking Rafting in the town of Varmahlíð. Your tour group will travel to a grade two river called the West Glacial River. From there, you will participate in a 10km descent on gentle rapids, where you will encounter some resistance from the river rapids. Still, it will be a primarily peaceful river ride through spectacular scenery and hot springs. After descending the river, you will be treated to hot chocolate made from the river’s hot spring . After taking some time to relax, the tour group will head back to the starting point.

You will want to bring your own food for this tour, as there will be no meals provided as part of the cost. You should also bring thermal underwear, a sweater, and a change of socks. After getting wet on your river tour, you will want some fresh clothes to change into. This tour is not recommended for anyone with heart problems or any serious medical illnesses.

What to know for Best Boat Trip Tours in Iceland

Before you book a boat trip tour, there are a few considerations you will want to know about. Some of the crucial considerations for the best boat tour trips are listed below:

Airport Transfer Arrival/Departure: There are a few boat tours that will pick you up from your hotel. However, the majority of boat tours require you to navigate to the meeting spot yourself. This also applies to any airport shuttles or transfer services.

Accommodation Cost: Individual boat tours will not cover accommodations for staying the night. You must book a tour package that explicitly covers accommodations.

Personal Travel Agent: Although boat tours provide knowledgeable guides and captains, none of these guides can serve as your personal travel agent. Before landing in Iceland, you must contact a personal travel agent to reduce the stress, not knowing if your plans will fall through or not.

Price Range: Boat tours range in price from $40 to $200.

Price Factors: The factors that influence the price of boat tours are listed below:

• Duration of tour
• The luxury of the boat
• Month the tour is booked

Popularity: Boat tours in Iceland are some of the most popular tours. Many people make the trek to Iceland just for a slight chance to catch a glimpse of a majestic whale or other rare animals. Your experience of Iceland is incomplete until you are out on the water looking back at the beautiful landscape.

COVID-19 Precautions: Iceland has relaxed many of its previous COVID restrictions. You no longer have to prove your vaccination status to travel to Iceland. However, many tour groups will require you to take a PCR COVID-19 test before you arrive in Iceland. You will also have to follow any social distancing or mask policies that any tours still uphold.

Which regions of Iceland are better for Boat Trip Tours?

Certain regions of Iceland are better for boat trip tours when compared to other areas. Some of the best regions for the best boat trip tours in Iceland are listed below:

• Western Region: The western region is better for boat trip tours because they get you closer to the natural habitats of certain animals like whales and puffins. The western region also contains Iceland’s capital Reykjavik, which has more tourism opportunities because of its size.
• Southern Region: Similar to the western region, the southern region has more attractions and more opportunities for boat trip tours because of its popularity. You also have some unique options for glacier boat tours that some of the other regions lack.

What are the Most Famous Boat Trip Tours of Iceland?

When researching boat trip tours, finding the most famous ones is a good place to start. The most famous boat trip tours of Iceland include the following:

• Luxurious 3-Hour Whale Watching Boat Tour with a Bar & Cafe: A boat tour famous for its luxurious yacht, comfy surroundings, and full-service bar and cafe.
• Classic 3-Hour Sea Fishing Trip on an Oak Boat: This tour is famous for appealing to the angler’s heart. Based out of Reykjavík, this tour is popular for being convenient and for its lunch service, which uses the fish you catch to prepare a meal.

What are the Best Boat Trip Tours for Families?

Not all boat trip tours are safe for everyone of all ages. The best boat trip tours in Iceland for families are listed below:

• Magical 2-Hour Northern Lights Boat Cruise: This tour has no minimum age requirement and is one of the best ways to show family members of all ages the Northern Lights.
• 2-Hour Whale Watching & Sea Fishing Boat Trip: A tour that boasts having the oldest whale watching tour operator in Iceland. This extra experience makes it safer for family members.
• Puffin Watching Tour on Breiðafjordur Bay: This tour is great for families because it gives the little ones the most time possible with puffins and uses smaller boats to get closer.
• Midnight Sun Whale Watching Boat Tour: A tour that takes full advantage of the midnight sun to produce a scenic whale watching experience for all ages. It is excellent for families because of all the safety precautions like its thermal overalls.

What are the Best Boat Trip Tours for Couples?

Boat trip tours for couples can be tricky to book because couples often want privacy to view things romantically with their partner. Some of the best boat trip tours for couples include the following:

• Ice Lagoon Zodiac Boat Tours: This tour uses Zodiac boats, which are small, agile, and only have enough room for two people and the driver. These boats make the tour perfect for couples.
• Fjallsárlón Iceberg Lagoon: A tour popular with couples because it can be customized into a private tour for couples who want some privacy.

What is the Most Common type of boat used in Iceland Boat Tours?

Many different types of boats are used in Iceland boat tours. A few of the common types are listed below:

• Zodiac Boats: These boats are popular for iceberg and glacier boat trip tours because they are agile and can maneuver around the floating ice.
• Yachts: A type of boat that is the most common in luxury boat trips. They are widely popular because they offer enough space for comfort and luxury and are often used in extended whale watching tours.

What is the Most Unusual type of boat used in Iceland Boat Tours

The Banana boat is the most unusual type of boat used in Iceland boat tours. This boat usually has a three to ten-seat capacity and is used to transport cargo. These boats are used in tours where water exploration is casual and laid back.

What are the Most luxurious Iceland Boat Trip Tours?

There are many luxurious boat trip tours for Iceland. One of the most expensive boat tours is the Northern Lights Luxury Yacht Tour in Reykjavik. It can cost over $200 per person during the summer and is costly because it offers a hotel pick-up option, amenities, wifi, drinks, food, and souvenirs.

What is the Price Range for Iceland Boat Trip Tours?

The average price range for Iceland boat trip tours is between $40 and $100. Some boat tours can break that scale and be more expensive, but this is the average price range. The price will differ based on the location, tour duration, and the amenities offered. Also, boat tours in the busy summer months tend to cost more than winter boat tours.

What is the Cheapest Boat Trip Tour in Iceland?

When looking to save money, you could try some of the cheapest boat trip tours. Some of the least expensive boat trip tours are listed below:

• Reykjavik Puffin Tour: This tour costs $43 and is cheaper because you only spend 30 minutes with the puffins before heading back.
• Affordable Boat Tour of Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: A similar tour only spends 35 minutes on the water that costs $44.

What are the Rules for Iceland Boat Trip Tours?

There are three rules to follow if you want to go on boat trip tours. These rules are for guest and staff safety, as well as for the safety of animals and the environment of Iceland. These rules include the following:

• Get to the meeting spot ahead of time: Boat tours often have to outfit you with safety devices before you get on the boat. It is essential that you show up early enough for everyone on tour to get equipped.
• Bring Sunglasses: Iceland’s sun can glare at you brightly over the water, so sunglasses are essential to ensure you can get a clear view of the tour.
• Dress Warm: Even during the summer sun, Iceland can still get cold when you are out over the water.

Is taking Photographs allowed for Boat Trip Tours?

Yes, taking photographs is allowed on boat trip tours. Many tours are set up so you can get unique and beautiful pictures.

Do Tour Packages offer Photography for Boat Trip Tours?

Yes, tour packages do offer photo opportunities on boat trip tours. You will have to provide your own camera for most boat trip tours.

Are Iceland Boat Trip Tours safe from COVID-19?

Yes, many tourists must pass a COVID test to enter Iceland, and many boat tour companies still practice COVID safe operation policies for their employees and guests.

Are Boat Trips in Iceland alone allowed?

Yes, private boat trips can be booked to have as small of a group as you want. However, many public tours do require a minimum number of guests.

Are you allowed to bring Food to the Iceland Boat Trip Tours?

Yes, you are allowed to bring food on Iceland boat trip tours. Some boat tours will provide beverages or food, but many will leave lunch or dinner up to you to provide.

What are the Best Sessions for Iceland Boat Trip Tours by Month?

Some of the best sessions for Iceland boat trip tours include:

• May-August: These months are great sessions for boat tours in Iceland because you get the maximum amount of sunlight. Some boat tours also offer special midnight sun tours to see the unique and breathtaking sky.
• November-January: Winter boat tours are better than some others because you can get a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Tours during the winter also tend to cost less because these months aren’t as busy.

What is the Average Duration of Iceland Boat Trip Tours?

Iceland boat tours last an average of 30 minutes to an hour, with some of the more expensive and luxurious boat rides lasting two to three hours.

The shorter boat rides have a better average price but often lack amenities and features. Depending on your budget and interest, scheduling many cheap boat tours or one extensive, all-encompassing boat tour is better.

Where do the Iceland Boat Trip Tours start?

When looking for boat tours, they will typically start near the shore. These places include the following:

• Reykjavik Harbor: One of the biggest harbors in the highest populated cities in Iceland. Many boat tours will originate from this point.
• Glacier Parks: Many boat tours explore icebergs and glaciers, and they usually originate from the shore closest to the glacier.

Are Iceland Boat Trip Tours hard to Finish?

No, Iceland boat trip tours are not hard to finish. Some of the tours can be difficult for your constitution, so some boat trips are not recommended for small children. There are a few boat tours with a minimum age of six or more.

What to know about Boat Trips in Iceland?

There are a few interesting facts to know about the boats in Iceland. Many of the tours that are popular today have only been going since the 1970s or 1980s. These tours owe their success to Hollywood movies filmed in these locations that inspired foreign tourists to come and experience them. The oldest steel boat in Iceland was built in 1912 and is called Garðar.

How many Boat Trips does Iceland have?

Iceland hosts many boat trips throughout all its regions. Every year in Iceland, at least 250,000 people go on boat trip tours. The estimated numbers divided by each region are listed below:

• North Region: 100,000 tourists go on the water to look for whales
• South Region: 50,000 tourists
• West Region: 75,000 tourists
• East Region:  25,000 tourists

What are the different types of boats in Iceland?

Iceland harbors use many different types of boats for their tours. Some of the popular choices are listed below.

• Zodiac boats: These small inflatable boats are maneuverable, speedy, and capable of going ashore.
• Fishing Boat: These boats come in different shapes and sizes but are made at high speed, so you can get out to deep waters and find fish to catch.

What are the other Activities for Iceland Tours?

People who travel to Iceland come for many different attractions. Some other activities you can sign up for in Iceland include:

• Bird Watching: Many people focus on the animals in the water, but many beautiful species of birds can be observed from a ship’s deck as well.
• Fishing: These fishing tours are great activities because some allow you to cook your catch and eat it with a meal.
• Relaxing ferry rides: Some ferry rides across Iceland can be several hours. These rides allow you to slow down and absorb the salty sea air.
• Whale Watching: Many people come to Iceland just to get as close as possible to sperm and blue whales.
• Island Tour : There are several islands off the coasts of Iceland that can be toured as a part of a boat tour.
• Boat Cafe: Some of the luxurious boat tours serve food and beer at a cafe during the trip that is worth the tour by itself.

Related Posts

Iceland Tours: Seasonal, Self-drive or Group Tours for Iceland Glaciers, Cities, and Nature

The Best Cultural Activity Tours in Iceland

The Best Self-Drive Tours in Iceland

The Best Airplane Tours in Iceland 

The Best ATV Tours in Iceland

The Best Skiing Tours in Iceland

The Best Motorbiking Tours in Iceland

The Best Biking Tours in Iceland 

Best Yacht Tours in Iceland

Northern Lights Iceland Luxury Yacht Tour from Reykjavik

Experience the beauty of the northern lights in style on board a luxury yacht. See this natural wonder from three panoramic deck areas, or relax in the comfortable bar and lounge area. The experience crew will offer you a friendly, personalized service.

• Add to Favourites

Add to Collection

© 2023 - Iceland Tours

Privacy Overview

With social network:, or with username:.

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

Don't have an account? Register

Forgot password?

Enter your account data and we will send you a link to reset your password.

Your password reset link appears to be invalid or expired.

Privacy policy.

To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website.

Public collection title

Private collection title

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.

Hey Traveller!! Before You Go…

Get the best Iceland tours straight into your inbox before everyone else!

Email address:

Don't worry, we don't spam

Jökulsárlón

• Zodiac Boat Tour

Book a tour

Explore more - the ultimate adventure, the longest zodiac boat tour within the vatnajökull national park, book a tour with us, why choose us, live instagram gallery, follow us on instagram as we post awesome experiences regularly, images and videos, icelagoonadventuretours.

Book your Zodiac Adventure Tour Now

• 781 Hornafjörður
• Tel: + 354 860 9996
• [email protected]

Privacy Policy Terms and conditions

Here we are

Vefsíðugerð og hýsing | Allra Átta

• tripadvisor
• Private Tour

May - Sept.

Your multi adventure starts with a calm boat ride on Fjallsarlon glacier lagoon. Following the boat ride, you’ll land at the foot of Fjallsjokull glacier, a place we have secluded access to. After the glacier hike, you will walk to a jeep for a fun 15-20 min. return drive.

Boat Tour Classic

Apr. - Oct.

Sail with us in a Zodiac boat, amongst floating icebergs on the majestic Fjallsarlon Glacier Lagoon. This adventure tour will allow you to connect with the Icelandic nature in a way you have never experienced before. Come, have fun and cruise with us!

155.000 ISK

Immerse yourself in the spectacular Icelandic wilderness and spend a memorable night on the lagoon. The magnificent view over the glacier lagoon towards Vatnajökull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe is sure to impress even the most experienced traveler!

101.000 ISK

On this private tour you can decide along with your captain how your cruise evolves. Cruise among icebergs and sail beside the glacier wall in your own style! This tour is popular with couples, friends & families who want to share an adventure in a private and personal way.

255.000 ISK

Cruise to a secret island located close to the edge of the glacier in the lagoon. Set foot on land that only few have entered! Sip champagne and take in the magnificent view towards Vatnajokull Glacier, the largest glacier in Europe. Create memories that will last a lifetime.

Vatnajökull Premium Ice Cave

3,5-4,5 hours

Explore the Icelandic wilderness on our way to a blue ice cave located in Breidarmerkurjokull glacier outlet. Ice caves are a natural wonder that every adventurer should behold.

BLUE ICE GLACIER HIKE

Nov. - Mar.

Encounter the extraordinary by joining our exclusive glacier hike! This trip is tailored for those who seek adventure, are physically fit, and have a deep desire to explore the untouched, rugged attraction of Fjallsjökull glacier.

Your vacation is about good times

Based on millions of reviews from travelers from around the world, Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award recognises the very best tourism establishments in terms of service, quality and customer satisfaction.

What makes Fjallsárlón so unique?

Stimulate the senses

Feel the elements

Booking is easy and so is checking in, customer reviews, you could be this happy too.

This reasonably priced and well equipped boat tour was awesome. You are given a super warm long jacket and life vest before setting out on the zodiac type boat – about 8-10 people/boat. The excellent guide takes you close to lots of icebergs – small to gigantic, and also hangs out in front of the glacier’s snout. Lots of photo ops.. unhurried pace, uncrowded and magical. So much better than the completely touristed out larger lagoon tour at Jokulsarlon. This place is a treasure. Super helpful and friendly staff.   – Tripadvisor member from USA  

I’m writing this about 1.5 weeks after we did this tour, and now at the end of our trip, I can say this was one of the highlights. I read about Fjallsarlon as the quieter and smaller brother of Jokulsarlon, so we decided to do the zodiac tour here. We had been close to glaciers before, but never on a boat on a glacial lake. I can now say that that experience is VERY different from looking at it from the shore. It was amazing to float in the zodiac in between the icebergs and quite close to the glacier.   – Tripadvisor member from the Netherlands  

Yes, Jokulsarlon is better known but it looks like an amusement park with tons of people and multiple vendors offering tours by raft, amphibious vehicle, and kayak. But Fjallsarlon is quiet and peaceful. There are just 2-3 rafts on the lake at a time with friendly, knowledgeable guides. The lake is small enough to see and get close to the glacier that is calving the floating icebergs. After stopping at Jokulsarlon and seeing the zoo there, we’re really glad we reserved our raft trip at Fjallsarlon.   – Tripadvisor member from USA  

Fjallsarlon Iceberg Boat Tour Iceland

This will close in 0 seconds

Northern Lights by Boat

Children 7-15 years: 6,495 ISK

Children 0-6 years: FREE

The original Northern Lights by Boat tour in Iceland!

Hunting the northern lights from the ocean is an amazing experience; sailing away from the coastline of Reykjavik and seeing the aurora borealis out on the North-Atlantic ocean with beautiful mountains and the city in the background is something you won’t forget!

Tour description

We sail out from the Old Harbour in Reykjavik and in only 15-20 minutes we will be in a prime location away from the city lights, perfect for viewing the auroras! The guide will share with you facts on the science behind the magical phenomenon of the Northern Lights, and tell you about their stories & myths from different cultures around the world. The tour takes about 2-3 hours depending on how early/late the lights might appear.

We recommend putting on our  free overalls on-board (overalls also available in children’s sizes!) that will keep you nice and warm out on the deck, listening to what the guide has to say about the lovely colours dancing in the sky.

Throughout the tour we show our very own original  Northern Lights video , full of interesting facts and folklore! If you are cold you can grab a drink at the bar and cozy up inside watching the video or just simply enjoy the view of the city lights in the distance with your friends/family.

Special Tours Iceland app with 5 languages (English, German, French, Spanish and simplified Chinese) available for Android and Apple. It is available for all clients to download before or during the tour, with both text and audio information. The app is as close to an audio guided wildlife adventure as possible.

Useful tip:  We always have a crew member taking pictures throughout the night so instead of taking a long time figuring out the right settings for your camera, enjoy the moment and check our daily diary to see the photos! (If you are eager to learn we can also assist you in getting the settings right)

What's included

• Guided boat tour
• Warm overalls (overalls also available in children’s sizes!)
• Wireless internet on board
• Café/Bar & Souvenir shop
• Our very own Northern Lights video
• WCs on board!

Tour details

Information

If you dont see the northern lights you get a FREE ticket to try again!

*22:00 From 15th March - 15th April

Additional information

These tours are subject to correct weather conditions and sightings cannot be guaranteed. We reserve the right to cancel the tour due to unfavorable weather conditions if need be. Take a look at our terms & conditions for further information.

If the northern lights boat tour is cancelled, but aurora conditions are favorable, we offer a replacement northern lights tour by bus, plus a chance to join the boat tour the next available day (even if you see the lights on the bus).

If the tour does not operate at all (boat or bus) during your stay due to unfavorable weather conditions, you can exchange your ticket/voucher with one of the following options*:

• A Whale Watching Tour
• The chance to join a night of fun at the Whales of Iceland Exhibition (while keeping your boat ticket!)
• Or a full refund. (*All options have a value greater than or equal to the cost of your northern lights by boat ticket).

If you join the tour (boat or bus) and there are no sightings you will get another ticket to join us on the next available day . This ticket is valid indefinitely – so if you don’t have another chance this time around we welcome you back when you visit Iceland again!

Please note that the starting point for this tour is the Special Tours Ticket Office, located at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík.

You will be asked to show a valid form of ID upon arrival for check-in.

Please note: Pick-up starts 60 minutes before the departure of the tour.

Important information

We always try our best to give our passengers the best possible chance to see the Northern Lights – however, it is important to know that we can never guarantee sightings as this is a hunt for a natural phenomenon.

We use the weather forecast to find out the cloud cover on the night & the strength of the lights. We will always sail out when there is a chance of visibility as we do not want our passengers missing out on a chance to see the auroras.

We kindly ask you to be positive, embrace your patience and keep your fingers crossed!

Dress tip:  Dress according to Icelandic weather and don’t forget your hats & gloves. Our staff always does their best to keep the boat decks clear of ice/snow – but we do recommend wearing good shoes on the tour as the weather can change quickly.

BOOKING - Northern Lights by Boat

Icelandic wildlife,   , {animal.title.rendered}.

Whale Watching Akureyri

Whale watching reykjavík, rib express, puffin express.

Duration: 1 hour

Geirsgata 11 Reykjavik's Old Harbour

101 Reykjavik

• About Special Tours
• Terms & Conditions
• Environmental Policy
• Responsible Whale Watching
• Pickup Locations

Join Our Newsletter

Authorized by the Icelandic Tourist Board

Iceland tourism's official quality label

SPECIAL TOURS SUPPORTS THE LOCAL CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL

Chase the Midnight Sun: Iceland and Canada tours available now!

Iceland Boat Tours

Behold europe's largest ice cap on a glacier boat tour in iceland., popular boat tours, when do boat tours take place, where do boat tours take place, whale watching tours, types of boat.

Take a boat tour in Iceland and get a different perspective. We offer whale watching in Reykjavik and North Iceland, kayaking tours, glacier lagoon tours and more. Ship ahoy!

Dalvik Whale Watching Tour

Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik

Jökulsárlón Zodiac Boat Ride & Glacier Hike

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon - Zodiac Boat Tour

Glacier Lagoon - Jökulsárlon Boat Tour

Puffin Watching from Reykjavik

Whale Watching Rib Boat Tour

Fjallsárlón Glacier Lagoon - Zodiac Boat

Whale Watching Rib Boat Tour from Reykjavik

Northern Lights by Boat from Reykjavik

Westman Islands Rib Boat Tour

Viking Sushi Boat Tour in Stykkisholmur

Our Iceland boat tours take place throughout the year, although there are some limitations on when specific tours are available. The time of year that you choose may also affect what you see. For example, you’re more likely to see orcas in winter and early summer, while humpbacks tend to be more common from early summer to the beginning of winter.

Look at each tour page for more information on what you’ll see during your tour and the best time to visit, depending on whether you’re on the lookout for glaciers or whales!

Reykjavik  

Reykjavik’s waters teem with fascinating marine life throughout the year, making it an ideal spot for  whale watching . Our tours depart from Old Reykjavik Harbor and usually don’t have to travel much further than 15 miles to find humpbacks, minke whales, and possibly other species. 

Many of our tours also stop at the small islands located just off the Reykjavik coast, which are home to a multitude of incredible seabirds like  puffins  and arctic terns. You can also see  the Northern Lights dance above Reykjavik  while out at sea or  go kayaking in a peaceful fjord.  

South Iceland

No trip to Iceland would be complete without a visit to Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, but why stand on the shore, when you can explore it in an  amphibian boat tour  or get thrillingly close to the huge icebergs in a  Zodiac boat tour ? Adventurous souls should check out this adrenaline-pumping  jetboat ride in the Gullfoss Canyon . While families or those looking for a peaceful day out should look at this easy  kayaking tour in Stokkseyri . 

North Iceland  

Our boat tours in northern Iceland take place in the Eyjafjordur fjord, renowned for being one of the best whale-watching destinations in all of Iceland. Try out this tried and true  Dalvik whale-watching tour ! Check off two bucket list experiences in just one day with this  whale-watching and Northern Lights combo . Or cross the Arctic Circle and see some adorable puffins during this  Grimsey Island adventure.

West Iceland and the Westfjords

We offer a bundle of different boat rides in West Iceland, allowing you to see this unique and untouched landscape in all of its heavenly glory. Head to the picturesque village of Olafsvik, for  the chance to see orcas and other types of whales frolic up out of the deep on   Olafsvik Whale Watching tour .  Enjoy some delicious  Viking sushi and see some lovable puffins on this family-friendly  Viking sushi tour .

We operate whale watching tours from various locations across Iceland. Whales are commonly spotted in each area, and you’re likely to see at least one species of whale during the tour. However, Iceland’s whales are wild, meaning that we cannot totally guarantee that you will see them during your exact outing.

Our captains are local experts who will do everything that they can to ensure that you do see whales. They use prevailing local knowledge, gather up-to-date information, and monitor current weather conditions in order to provide you the best chance of seeing whales. Most of our whale-watching tours have a success rate above 90%, virtually guaranteeing that you will see something. The success rate for each tour is clearly displayed in the tour description.

The Safety of the Wildlife

Extreme Iceland is passionately committed to showing Iceland’s incredible marine life in its natural habitat. We take the safety and well-being of the creatures that we are watching very seriously and we will never seek to put a wild creature in any discomfort. 

Our expert captains will take you as close as possible to the whales and other species without invading their personal space. We believe that this gives you a more authentic experience while also affording future generations the opportunity to observe wild animals in their natural environments. 

Best Time to See Whales in Iceland

Whales visit Iceland’s waters throughout the year, although different species appear more frequently at particular times. Below is a rough guide to the best time to see specific whales in Iceland. 

Orcas/Killer Whales (November – June)   – Orcas visit Iceland's waters throughout the year, however, sightings are more frequent in the winter and early summer. Orca watching is especially fun in the winter because you can see them hunt herring. 

Humpbacks (April – October)   – Humpbacks tend to be spotted during the summer months, though they’re increasingly being spotted well into the winter. 

Blue Whales (April – October)   – Blue whale sightings are rare because they usually prefer deeper waters. However, there is a slight chance of seeing the largest creature to ever exist during the summer months. 

Fin Whales (April – October)   – Fin whale sightings are also rare, but they’re more common during the summer than they are in the winter. 

Minke Whales (Year – Round)   – Minke whales are spotted in Iceland’s waters throughout the year. 

The boat that we use has the potential to enhance or diminish your enjoyment of the tour. We carefully select the type of boats that we use so that you get the most out of your time on Iceland’s waters. Below is a brief description of each boat that we use and the advantages of using them.

A rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RIB) is a lightweight, seaworthy boat, known for its high performance, speed, and maneuverability. They’re also one of the safest boats available because the inflatable ring around it acts like a life jacket, rendering them all but unsinkable. RIB boats are perfectly designed for things such as whale watching and bird watching because their low-slung design allows them to get up close and personal with the animals. 

A Zodiac is a type of inflatable boat that combines rigidity, comfort, and safety with maneuverability and speed. They're ideal for water-based sightseeing because they're small size and agile allowing, them to get close to land, icebergs and whatever else you want to see. Our Zodiac Boat Tours in Iceland are one of the best ways to explore Jokulsarlon. 

A jet boat is a hydro-powered boat that propels itself forward by firing water out of a nozzle at the rear of the boat. This creates an exciting, white-knuckle ride that is perfect for exploring rivers and lakes. Jetboats have no rotating external parts meaning that they do not damage marine life in any way. 

Amphibian Boat

Amphibian boats are equally adept on land as they are at sea, making them perfect for exploring places that have interesting attractions on both. 

The kayak is a narrow, pointed boat, which is pushed forward using a double-bladed oar. They are agile and small, allowing them to get up close and cozy with anything and everything. 

Traditional Boats

Traditional Icelandic boats are powered by some combination of a sail and a motor. They’re all seaworthy and often began life as fishing vessels. This allows them to go further out to sea and reach lesser-seen, amazing marine life that visits Iceland’s waters. 

Get exclusive deals and a taste of Iceland, Canada, Scandinavia & Baltic States straight to your inbox

Whale Watching Cruise from Reykjavík

Passengers will receive a complimentary beer or drink voucher at our favorite restaurant, Bryggjan Brewery & Restaurant, located by the

Whale & Puffin Watching from Downtown Reykjavik by RIB Speedboat

Come aboard an exciting RIB speedboat and see the incredible wealth of marine wildlife that lives in the waters just

Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavík

Out on the North Atlantic ocean the coastline of Reykjavík is one of the best places on Earth to view

Reykjavik’s Finest Catch: Guided Sea Angling Tour

This fun and friendly fishing tour is for everyone. Departing from the old Reykjavík harbour, these tours take you on

New Year’s Eve Reykjavík Cruise

Join Sea Trips for an amazing evening yacht cruise on the Amelia Rose to celebrate the New Year and say

Whale & Marine Adventure Tour

In Reykjavík’s gorgeous Old Harbor, on our specially equipped whale-viewing vessel, experience the excitement of whale watching.

Our Vessels

Arctic Rose

Arctic Rose is a state-of-the-art vessel that offers an unforgettable experience of whale watching and Northern Lights spotting in the

Amelia Rose

Experience the best of sailing with Amelia Rose, as you explore the seas around Reykjavík in comfort and style. This

Tsunami RIB Speedboat

Tsunami is a thrilling RIB (rigid inflatable boat) that offers an exciting whale watching experience in the Reykjavík bay. This

Recent stories

Daily Diary – May 17 2024

A slightly complicated day, with waves and a westerly wind that didn’t make for easy viewing. Luckily, a Minke Whale

Daily Diary – May 16 2024

During the morning, we sailed through aboard our RIB boat with light rain and wind, yet with the sea calm

Daily Diary – May 15 2024

Today once again gifted us with a spectacular glimpse into the marine world along our shores. Much like the day

Capture and share your experience with us! Tag #seatripsreykjavik

Whale Watching at 09:15 – ON 13:15 – ON Whale Watching by RIB Speedboat at 09:30 – ON

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.

Iceland is open for travel: check volcano updates here

• Language/Currency EN Language EN English DE German CN Chinese $ USD ISK ISK $ USD € EUR CA$ CAD £ GBP

Boat tours in Iceland

Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Zodiac Boat Tour

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Zodiac Boat Tour

Sail between icebergs on this sensational boat cruise.

Enjoy an unforgettable Zodiac boat tour on the world-famous Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon! This is a sensational boat cruise where you come face to face with giant icebergs floating in a breathtaking glacial lagoon! This Jökulsárlón raft tour will take you to unspoiled and peaceful locations that most tourists will never have the joy of witnessing . Take in the incredible serenity and spectacular glacial views .

For those lucky enough to absorb the majestic sight of Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon from onboard a Zodiac boat, this tour makes for a memorable day. From the small-group experience to the professional, friendly, and knowledgeable guides and the intense beauty of the lagoon, there are few Icelandic experiences that can compare to this one. And, if you’re lucky, you might even glimpse seals playing in the lagoon or relaxing on the ice!

• Small Group Experience
• Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
• Zodiac Boat Tour
• Cruising between Giant Icebergs
• Spectacular Glacial Scenery
• 1 hour Boat Trip
• All Necessary Safety Equipment
• A Guided Tour with an Authorized Guide

What to bring

• Warm layers
• Waterproof top layer
• Sturdy shoes

Tour Snapshot

• Expert Guides
• No Booking Fees
• Fast & Secure Payment
• Operated by our trusted partner

Your friendly Zodiac guide will meet you at the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking lot by the big blue pickup truck at least 30 minutes before your departure time. There is a short bus ride to the dock. At this point, you’ll fasten your flotation suit or life vest and prepare for an incredible Icelandic glacier tour, taking you to Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier and the deep serenity of the lagoon.

This tour allows a full 60 minutes of cruising on Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in the Zodiac boat , exploring the majestic sights and seeing the wildlife. In addition to seals, you’re likely to see a variety of bird species. During the summer, you are likely to see Arctic Terns as they migrate. Your guide will also point out graceful Arctic Skuas nesting along the lake’s edge, as well as mighty seagulls.

Drifting between these looming, curiously shaped icebergs on a Jökulsárlón Zodiac boat tour is an enchanting and otherworldly experience, enjoyed by photographers and adventurers alike. On the surface of the icebergs, you will see vibrant blue tones and gray veins, which were formed from ash residue as a result of various volcanic eruptions. Make sure to keep your camera ready at all times so that you’re able to catch the crystal-clear reflections of the icebergs on the surface of the water, as well as the humbling glacier scenery.

Over time, the appearance of the lagoon and surrounding areas could change drastically if the icebergs melt. So, if you’re planning to enjoy a Zodiac boat tour at the lagoon, we recommend making the best of your time here and exploring the area. Take the time to make the short walk to the nearby Diamond Beach. This black sand beach, officially called Breiðamerkursandur, is a truly hypnotic sight. Pieces of the icebergs at Jökulsárlón break off and float to this beach, resting and glistening against the black sand.

Please note

Warm layers, a waterproof top layer, headwear, gloves, scarves, and sturdy shoes.

What does meet on location entail?

Meet on location means traveling to the location of the tour yourself and then meeting our tour guides rather than being picked up and taken to the location.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A PICK-UP FOR A TOUR WITH ARCTIC ADVENTURES?

This is a great question. We ask all participants to be ready from the start of the pickup time indicated. This is because you may well be the first pick-up of the day. Please be at your assigned location at the start time that you chose when booking the tour.

Here you should wait for your guide.

Have your email and phone number listed with us so we can contact you if we run into any trouble finding you.

View our pick-up locations in Reykjavík.

Can I drink alcohol before or during Arctic Adventures tours?

Before and during activities on the multi-day tours, the consumption of alcohol is prohibited. If we suspect that a participant is intoxicated, we will prohibit them from joining the activity.

After the activities of the day are finished, you are welcome to have a drink and relax.

DO YOU OFFER ANY FAMILY-FRIENDLY TOURS FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN?

Yes, we do. Langjökull Ice Cave is a magical experience, the tour has no minimum age and is a wonderful option for the whole family. Whale Watching with our partner company Elding has been a favorite with families traveling with young children, these guys have a great success rate in seeing whales (upwards of 98% in the summertime).

Another option would be the Landmannalaugar Safari on this tour you get to explore parts of the Icelandic highlands and bathe in natural hot springs. Most of our super jeep tours are also suitable for children over the age of 6 years old. If you would like a nice and relaxing experience we would also recommend the Golden Circle & Secret Lagoon tour .

Can the itinerary for the tour change?

Your safety is our number one priority! Keeping this in mind, Arctic Adventures reserves the right to adjust the itinerary and/or take different routes depending on conditions. Please read more information in our cancellation policy .

Is there a guide on each Arctic Adventures tour?

Yes, there is a specially trained and certified guide on each of our tours. The only exception to this is for our self-drive tours .

All of our tours are guided in English.

Can the guide advise if I am eligible for rescheduling the tour and/or a refund?

No, for all your questions and concerns you would need to contact our customer service.

How are the tours rated in terms of difficulty?

Our tours are split into four different categories that help participants to understand what to expect from the tour. The categories are Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Demanding. Each tour is rated making it easier to find tours that suit you.

For further information about the difficulty ratings and descriptions.

How does carbon offsetting work?

We’ve partnered with the Kolviður Fund in a new carbon offsetting program, which passengers can select to participate in at the time of booking.

The Kolviður Fund is the oldest, most respected carbon offsetting program in Iceland. With your support, one tree will be planted in special Kolviður forests in Iceland to carbon offset your tour with us.

Kolviður forests are strategically planted to absorb the maximum amount of CO2 and the forests are protected for a minimum of 60 years. During their lifetime the trees absorb carbon and store it in their root system, trunk, and branches. Trees also prevent soil erosion and maintain the storage of carbon in the soil.

Similar tours that people also viewed

Jökulsárlón Amphibian Boat Tour

Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Kayak Tour

Puffin Watching tour from Reykjavík

Contact us for more information about this tour.

Arctic Adventures offers pick up service from selected Reykjavík pick up points. Note that you can always update your pick-up / drop-off location through our customer portal: https://my.adventures.is You can press the login button in your confirmation email for an easy login to the customer portal. If you experience an error with logging into the customer portal or can't find your booking, please contact us on Facebook Messenger, or send us a message here below. Chat with us on Facebook Messenger

Filter Tours

By locations, jökulsarlón glacier lagoon & south coast tour with boat ride.

• South Coast

Quick Links

• Lagoons in Iceland
• Golden Circle Iceland Tours
• Visit Westman Islands
• Visit Vík í Mýrdal
• Visit Húsavík Iceland
• Tours from Keflavík Airport

Useful Links

• Accomodation
• Golden Circle Tours

Visit Vík is operated by eTravel ehf which is a licensed tour operator founded in 2014

• Concierge Service in Iceland
• Reykjavik Tours
• Golden Circle
• South Coast
• Blue Lagoon
• Akureyri Shore Excursions
• Djúpivogur Shore Excursions
• Ísafjördur shore excursions
• Grundarfjörður Shore Excursions
• Heimaey Shore Excursions
• Reykjavik Shore Excursions
• Seydisfjordur Shore Excursions
• Highlands tours
• Northern Lights
• Snowmobile tours
• Volcano tours
• Helicopter tours
• Glacier Tours
• Private groups
• Shared Group Tours
• Holiday tours
• Transfer services
• Small group multi day tours
• Iceland Destinations
• Concierge services
• Self Drive Tours
• Travel Tips

Contact Info

Úlfarsbraut 113, Reykjavík

• Email: [email protected]

Northern Lights Boat tour from Reykjavik

Experience the magic: unforgettable northern lights boat tour from reykjavik.

Ready for an otherworldly adventure that will leave you breathless? Step aboard our Northern Lights boat tour and plunge into the mystical darkness of Iceland’s winter nights. As the city’s lights fade into the distance, the cosmic dance of the Northern Lights begins to paint the sky, creating an awe-inspiring spectacle that can only be fully appreciated away from the city’s light pollution.

This unforgettable journey runs from September to mid-April, the prime viewing time for the Aurora Borealis, due to Iceland’s clear, dark winter nights.

Why Choose Our Boat Tour to Experience the Northern Lights in Iceland?

What makes our Northern Lights boat tour truly special? We have an expert team of Northern Lights enthusiasts who meticulously study the weather and aurora forecasts. Their dedication ensures you have the best chance possible of witnessing the mesmerizing light display that the Aurora Borealis is famed for.

Journey with us 30 minutes into the serene expanse of Faxaflói Bay. Far from the city’s light pollution, your view of the sky becomes unobstructed, allowing the Northern Lights to reveal their full grandeur. Each burst of color across the sky will have you mesmerized, making this one experience you won’t want to miss.

Tour Departure Schedule 

• 1st September – 30th September at 22:00 (10 PM)
• 1st October – 14th March at 21:00 (9 PM)
• 15th March – 15th April at 22:00 (9 PM)

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

• As enchanting as they are, the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, our experienced team will do their utmost to put you in the best possible viewing location.
• Anticipate late nights. Return times can vary, and you’ll likely get back to your hotel past midnight, full of unforgettable memories.
• It’s crucial to come prepared for the chill of Iceland’s winter nights. Be sure to bundle up in thermals, a warm hat, a scarf, and gloves.
• We offer a more intimate experience by operating our Northern Lights boat tour in small groups. Our season runs from early October to mid-April.

Are you ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime? To witness the extraordinary wonder of the Northern Lights by boat from Reykjavik? Don’t miss out on this remarkable opportunity to see nature’s most stunning light show! Book your place now and immerse yourself in the magical spectacle of the Northern Lights. We promise it will be a highlight of your visit to Iceland and a memory you’ll treasure forever.

Frequently Ask Questions

What is the cancellation policy for this tour.

• We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if the booking is canceled 1 day or less before the event
• We will charge a cancellation fee of 3.5% (Merchant Fee) if the booking is canceled 1000 days or less before the event.

When is this tour available?

We operate between September and March. The presence of clouds, for example, might affect the northern lights, a natural occurrence. 

Where is the meeting point?

To pick up your ticket(s), come to the Elding office in the Old Harbour no later than 15 minutes before the tour departs.

Do you offer pick up?

Yes, we do pick up from hotels in downtown area for an extra cost. You may choose a pick up location upon check out. Pick up starts 45 minutes before the tour departs.

Do I need to bring my ticket?

Yes, kindly bring your ticket. You can print it out or have it on your phone or tablet. Ensure that the QR barcode is readable and visible.

Important Information

Since the northern lights are a natural occurrence that can happen at any time, make sure to be positive and bring your patience with you. You will receive a free ticket that is good for two years if you fail to see the northern lights during your tour. The northern lights cruises are greatly influenced by the weather, thus we could have to postpone the excursion.

• Departure Reykjavik
• Departure Time 21:00
• Return Time 23:30 (estimated)
• Included Access to Visitor Centre Profesional Guide Use of warm overalls Assistance with photography Free WiFi onboard Northern Lights guarantee (or try again for free) Pictures taken by crew (if any)
• Not Included Food & drinks

Got a question?

Similar tours.

4 Nights 5 Days Iceland Multi Day Tour | Winter

4 nights 5 days multi day tour Iceland | Winter package

RIB-boat Ísafjörður Whale Watching Safari

#19040 wt-ribos

5 Days Tour Land of Northern Lights

Clean and Safe, terms and conditions

Clean and Safe Checklist

B2B Inquiries

Cancellation Policy  

Manage booking

Bus Rental Iceland

Affiliate Program 

Opening hours

Monday to Friday

9:00 – 18:00 (9 AM – 6 PM)

Saturday – Sunday

10:00 – 16:00   (10 AM – 4 PM)

Iceland Highlights Travel Agency

VAT: 129034 Phone:  +354 415 0263 Email:  [email protected]

Privacy Overview

I paid $1,700 to visit Iceland. Horrible weather meant I couldn't see the Northern Lights, but I found 5 other ways to have a good time.

• I traveled from Baltimore to Iceland to see the Northern Lights.
• I spent about $1,700 on flights, hotels, and activities like whale-watching and snorkeling.
• I didn't see the Northern Lights, but I had a great time and would return to Iceland in a heartbeat.

Seeing the Northern Lights in person has always been on my bucket list. So, when I learned that 2024 is one of the best years to see them , I knew I had to take a trip to Iceland as soon as possible.

I booked a Northern Lights tour through Gray Line Iceland and paid $66 for a ticket that was valid for several days. But unfortunately, due to inclement weather, the scheduled tours were canceled each day I was in Iceland.

Although I was disappointed after spending $1,700 on hotels, flights, a rental car, and activities, I was still able to have a great time.

Here are five activities that made my trip to Iceland worth it.

My first stop was the Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa.

My first stop was the Blue Lagoon , a famous geothermal spa with temperatures ranging from 98 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Getting in a bathing suit and swimming in freezing weather might sound horrible, but the water was quite comfortable. I paid about $95 for this experience.

I took a virtual tour of the country through FlyOver Iceland.

My next stop was FlyOver Iceland, an attraction I learned about through an advertisement I saw at the airport. The $42 experience started with lectures and videos about the history of Iceland, mythology, and the land.

Next, we were led to a theater full of chairs with handlebars along the side, similar to the seats on a roller coaster. When everyone was seated, the chairs lifted, suspending each person in the air.

A screen at the front of the room displayed vivid videos of Iceland's beautiful natural landmarks . The seats moved as we watched the videos, and wind and scents to match the projected scenes blew around the theater. Mist hit my face as I saw videos of waterfalls, making it seem like we really were flying over Iceland.

This was a great alternative to physically seeing parts of the country I couldn't drive to because of the inclement weather.

The next day, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision to go whale-watching.

While in Iceland, I wanted to find an excursion that didn't require me to get on the road, so I spent about $120 to go whale-watching . I booked the last-minute adventure at a brick-and-mortar Gray Line Iceland location in downtown Reykjavík.

The mountain views , beautiful ocean, and the whales putting on a show were amazing. The boat had plenty of space, and the staff served coffee and hot chocolate.

After I got off the boat, I headed to the Geysir hot-spring area.

The weather lightened up during the three-hour whale-watching expedition, so I made the spur-of-the-moment decision to drive to the Geysir hot-spring area. The geothermal area was free to the public and featured geysers that could shoot water over 100 feet in the air .

Most geysers I encountered were inactive, but I saw a fountain-like hot spring, Strokkur, erupt twice.

Next, I headed to Thingvellir National Park for a snorkeling adventure.

Though it was freezing, I was excited to go snorkeling between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates. I paid $150 to go snorkeling and $30 for a diver to snap photos with a company called Dive.IS .

Once I got in my wetsuit, which was surprisingly warm, the instructor taught me about how the tectonic plates shifted. Then, we set out on the 30-minute snorkeling journey.

The buoyancy of the wetsuit made it easy to stay afloat, and I fully enjoyed the clear, refreshing water.

Even though I didn't see the Northern Lights, the trip was worth the money.

Overall, I still think the $1,700 I paid to travel to and explore Iceland was well spent.

Due to the snowy, cloudy weather, I never went on the Northern Lights tour I'd booked. Though my heart was set on seeing the streaks of blue, green, and purple flash across the sky, my stay showed me plenty of things to see and do in Iceland.

I got out of my comfort zone by whale-watching and snorkeling and had an amazing time learning about the country's rich history.

Gray Line Iceland, the company I booked the $66 Northern Lights tour through, offered customers who didn't see the lights the option of getting a refund or a ticket to use in the future. I opted for the ticket.

I'll definitely return to Iceland to try to see the lights again soon.

• Main content

Luxury 3-Hour Whale Watching and Wildlife Yacht Tour with Transfer from Reykjavik

Description

Come aboard a yacht and see the incredible wealth of marine wildlife that lives in the waters just off the shores of Reykjavik City. Nature lovers looking to see some of Iceland's majestic whales, dolphins, and porpoises but who wish to do so in a small group should grab this chance now.

The ship sets sails from Reykjavik's Old Harbour, and during your journey, you'll sail among the small islands in the Faxafloi Bay, as well as along the coast of Reykjavik, providing you with a fantastic view of the city as you search for the wildlife in the water.

The most common sights are minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. However, there is always a chance to spot a few orcas (also known as killer whales) as well as a wealth of other species. The professional team onboard is very experienced in spotting whales and is dedicated to making sure their passengers leave with a smile! 

This tour is conducted on a beautiful yacht known as the Amelia Rose. With three panoramic deck areas, the vessel provides every passenger with a good view of the surrounding area as well as an excellent opportunity to capture some amazing pictures.

The decks are partially covered, providing some shelter from wind and rain, and you can easily circle them to enjoy the best views.

Amelia Rose is designed as an offshore vessel, making it better adapted to take on the turbulent waves of Iceland's waters, ensuring a smoother sail with less probability of passengers experiencing nausea or seasickness. 

If that's not enough, on this tour, you don't have to worry about overcrowding or not getting the right spot to see the whales. You'll be sailing on Faxafloi in a small group which will make your experience personal, meaningful, and memorable! 

If you are not lucky and don't see any whales, dolphins, or porpoises, you will get another ticket to join again, valid for three years.

So don't hesitate! Book now to enjoy whale watching in both style and comfort on this small-group whale-watching tour. Check availability now by choosing a date.

Attractions

What to bring

Verified reviews

Similar tours.

Download Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place

Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket. Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link.

Top things to do in Iceland

Book your complete trip with the best companies only

Explore an Ice Cave

Visit a Live Volcano

Find the Northern Lights

Visit the Blue Lagoon

Go on a Road Trip

Do the Golden Circle

See the Glacier Lagoon

South Coast Tours

Sailing and boat tours in Greenport, Oyster Bay, Oakdale and Montauk

Passengers take in the views on the Waterfront Center’s oyster sloop Christeen sunset cruise in Oyster Bay. Credit: Marisol Diaz

On sailboat cruises from Oyster Bay to Montauk, you can relax on deck, cooled by sea spray and a glass of wine. Or you can get up off your cushion and join the hands on deck in Oakdale. 

Here's how to get a taste of cruising on Long Island's waters, whether destined for a swimming hole or merely a photo-worthy sunset.

Travel aboard the sailboat Layla, of Layla Sailing in Greenport. Credit: Randee Daddona

SAIL NEAR SHELTER ISLAND

ABOARD Layla, a 45-foot sailboat docked in Greenport

WHEN  May 27 to Sept. 2

INFO 631-319-0161, laylasailing.com

Capt. Liz Gillooly leads private sails from Greenport that explore the waters around Shelter Island. Options include shorter morning and sunset sails (from $750 for a private charter up to six passengers) and traditional half-day charters. Guests may bring their own snacks and drinks, catering options available.

The sloop Christeen is available for cruises at the Waterfront Center on West End Avenue in Oyster Bay. Credit: Jeff Bachner

SAIL WITH A SUNSET

ABOARD Christeen, a restored oyster sloop from The WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay

WHEN | WHERE  6 p.m. most days through Labor Day ($75 a person) from 1 West End Ave., Oyster Bay, reserve online. The center offers other sailing experiences, including a two-hour harbor tour ($55 a person), marine ecology cruises ($50 a person). Private charters available (starting at $1,275).

INFO 516-922-7245, sailchristeen.org

The view includes Gold Coast mansions lining tony Centre Island on cruises aboard the 40-foot sailboat. A U.S. Coast Guard-certified captain helms the ride through Oyster Bay Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor. You’ll learn about the history of Christeen, built in 1883 in Glenwood Landing and a National Historic Landmark since 1992.

Explore the seas of the East End on a sailing trip with Montauk's Catamaran Mon Tiki. Credit: Sailing MTK

SAIL WITH A SWIM

ABOARD  The Mon Tiki fleet of catamarans in Montauk 

INFO 631-668-2826, sailingmontauk.com  

The 65-foot Mon Tiki Largo, the 40-foot Mon Tiki and the 26-foot Mon Tiki Mini — all catamarans — are playfully named after explorer Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki. Amelia Ryan, who owns and operates the line with her husband, Capt. David Ryan, says the cruises explore a world beyond the chic resort community. “All of that falls away when you are out on the water with the sounds of the wind, the waves and the natural beauty,” which occasionally includes dolphin sightings, Ryan says. Passengers can bring their own lunch and beverages on a two- to three-hour private sail (starting $250) through early October, and there's plenty of time to take a plunge into the water from the vessel's swim ramp and paddleboards (life jackets provided).

The Priscilla oyster sloop, sailed by Capt. Robert Campbell in the Great South Bay. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin

SAIL AND SIGHTSEE

ABOARD Priscilla, a restored 1888 oyster sloop from the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville

WHEN | WHERE 4 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, $45 ($20 kids) or dinner sail 4 p.m. Fridays, 1 and 4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays ($75 includes $30 food voucher), reserve online. Arrive 30 minutes before sail time at the dock behind The Snapper Inn restaurant, 500 Shore Dr., Oakdale .

INFO 631-854-4974,  sailpriscilla.org

The Long Island Maritime Museum's historic oyster sloop Priscilla hosts two-hour cruises on the Great South Bay. Some sails have included options for lunch or dinner at The Snapper Inn restaurant in Oakdale. Sails include plenty of narration that covers the ship's history among a 500-boat fleet that plied the South Shore bays for oysters. The vessel was retired in the 1960s and restored in 2002. It became a National Historic Landmark in 2006.

Most Popular

Unlimited Digital Access Only 25¢ for 5 months