Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

Red-hot lava is the star here. At Reykjavik’s LAVA SHOW, molten rock flows into a safe showroom while the host explains Iceland’s volcanoes and plays with the glowing material. You then head out from the Old Harbour to search Faxaflói Bay for whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds.

I like the pairing of two very different Iceland experiences, and I like the practical boat comforts: warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and free seasickness tablets. The main catch is important: the two activities are in different parts of Reykjavik, and you must arrange your own transport between them. The lava ticket also remains valid only for its original date if the whale trip is canceled.

Key points to know before booking

• Red-hot lava in a Reykjavik showroom: The 50-minute presentation uses real molten lava in a controlled setting, with a short film and live narration.
• Whale watching from the Old Harbour: The three-hour boat trip searches Faxaflói Bay for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and, rarely, killer whales.
• Two separate locations: Meet for the boat at Geirsgata 11, then make your own way to LAVA SHOW at Fiskislóð 73.
• Two departure patterns: Choose whale watching at 9:00 with the lava show at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 with the lava show at 18:00.
• Useful onboard comforts: Warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilets, free WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets are provided.
• No-sighting protection: If no whales are seen, you receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching trip again.

Why this Reykjavik pairing works

I like this combination because it gives you two ways to understand Iceland’s nature. On the boat, you are watching for living wildlife in Faxaflói Bay. At the show, you are looking at the force that helped shape the country in the first place.

The experiences also have different rhythms. Whale watching takes about three hours and depends on weather, sea conditions, and animal behavior. The lava presentation is a fixed, 50-minute indoor event. That makes the show a useful anchor for the day, while the boat trip provides the open-air adventure.

At $154 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The value depends on whether you want both activities. Bought separately, you would need to compare current prices, but this package saves you the trouble of arranging two bookings and puts them into one plan. You still need to handle the short transfer between locations, and food and drinks cost extra.

The overall rating is 4.4 from 29 reviews, with especially strong praise for the quality of both activities. One practical complaint was that the separate locations and self-arranged transport were not clear enough. Take that seriously when planning your day.

Starting at Geirsgata 11 for the whale trip

Your day begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That is not the time to stroll in casually with a coffee in hand. You need to check in, get organized, and be ready to board.

The boat leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and heads into Faxaflói Bay. The bay gives you views of the mountains and islands around Reykjavik as you search for marine life. The tour is led in English, and the guides explain the animals you may encounter as the trip unfolds.

The advertised species include minke whales and humpback whales, along with dolphins and harbour porpoises. Killer whales are possible but rare, so treat them as a lucky extra, not as the reason to book. No wildlife tour can promise a sighting, and the company offers a free ticket to join again if no whales are seen.

That repeat ticket is a useful safeguard, especially if seeing whales is central to your Iceland plans. Still, you need enough time in Reykjavik to use it. A free return trip has little value if you are leaving town the next morning.

What three hours on Faxaflói Bay feels like

The boat portion lasts about three hours. That is long enough to give the crew time to search different parts of the bay, but it also means you should prepare for changing conditions.

You receive warm flotation overalls, which are helpful in Iceland’s cold weather. You can also step inside to heated cabins with toilet facilities. The boat has free WiFi, and food and drinks can be bought onboard. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available, though you may prefer to take precautions before the boat leaves if you know you are sensitive at sea.

I like that the trip does not make you choose between staying outside and staying comfortable. You can watch from the deck when conditions are good, then warm up indoors. The mountain and island views give you something to look at even during the quiet stretches when wildlife is not visible.

The guides also bring attention to bird life. That matters because the trip is not only a whale checklist. Faxaflói Bay is part of the wider natural setting around Reykjavik, and the boat lets you see the city from the water while learning about the animals that live nearby.

At certain times of year, the operator may use a shared boat with another partner. This is described as an environmental choice, with fewer boats operating on the water. It can mean the boat arrangement is not always identical, but the reason is straightforward: reduce the number of vessels in the bay.

The one-hour gap is your responsibility

The schedule includes a one-hour break between the whale-watching portion and the lava presentation. Do not read that as organized transportation or a guided transfer. You must get from one activity to the other yourself, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off.

The whale trip begins and ends at Geirsgata 11. The lava show is at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101. Both are in Reykjavik, but they are separate locations. Check the route before you book, especially if you have children, mobility concerns, luggage, or a tight evening plan.

You will also need to decide how to use the break. Food and drinks are not included, so this is your chance to eat if needed. The supplied details do not specify a restaurant arrangement or transportation method, so allow enough time to find your way and arrive at the lava venue before the show starts.

The two timing combinations are:

• Whale watching at 9:00, followed by the lava show at 14:00
• Whale watching at 13:00, followed by the lava show at 18:00

The first option gives you an afternoon show. The second places the lava show in the evening. Select based on your wider Reykjavik plans, but keep the transfer in mind rather than assuming the combo operates as one continuous tour.

Inside the 50-minute LAVA SHOW

The lava show begins with a welcome from the host and a short educational film. The presentation covers Icelandic volcanism, nearby volcanoes, major eruptions in Icelandic history, and volcanic dangers around the capital area.

Then the main event starts. Molten lava flows into the showroom, and the host works directly with it during the presentation. You see the material at close range from a controlled, safe environment rather than from a volcano hike or a distant viewing point.

That combination of explanation and demonstration is what makes the show more than a simple spectacle. You learn why volcanic activity matters in Iceland, then see the material itself glowing and moving. The supplied description calls it the only live lava show in the world, and the real selling point is simple: you get to see red-hot lava indoors without standing beside an active eruption.

The show lasts 50 minutes, so keep your expectations sensible. One review praised it while also noting that it was very short. That is fair. This is a compact presentation, not a half-day geology class. If you already have a strong interest in volcanoes, you may want more detail. If you want a memorable introduction that fits neatly into a busy Reykjavik day, the length works well.

The show can also change how you look at the rest of Iceland. After seeing molten rock up close, lava fields, volcanic mountains, and black ground around the country carry more meaning. You are not simply looking at unusual scenery. You have seen a piece of the force that made it.

Guides, teaching, and the human side

The whale trip includes experienced professional guides, with English as the tour language. One guide named Joe received specific praise for doing a great job. Since guides can vary by departure, Joe should not be assumed to lead every sailing, but the mention gives you a useful sense of the personal touch the trip can have.

The teaching is spread across both activities. On the boat, you learn to recognize the possible whales, dolphins, and porpoises while scanning the bay. At LAVA SHOW, the host explains volcanoes, eruptions, and local volcanic risks before handling the lava.

I like that neither activity depends only on looking. You are given context for what you see. That is particularly helpful on a whale trip, where a brief sighting can be hard to interpret without guidance.

At the same time, this is not a private, custom-designed excursion. You are joining a scheduled boat trip and a scheduled show. During parts of the day, the pace is set by the operator, and the shared-boat arrangement may apply during some seasons.

Who will get the most from this tour

This combo suits you if you want two major Iceland themes in one Reykjavik day: whales and volcanoes. It is also a good fit if you have limited time and prefer a planned pair of activities instead of arranging each one separately.

Families may appreciate the mix of outdoor excitement and indoor warmth, though the boat lasts three hours and sea conditions can affect comfort. Children and adults who like volcanoes should find the live lava especially memorable, while the short show length keeps the indoor portion manageable.

It also works well for first-time visitors who want more than city sightseeing. You see Reykjavik from the water, learn about local wildlife, and then get close to lava without leaving town.

I would be more cautious if you have a very tight schedule, dislike boats, or want an all-inclusive day with transport between every stop. The self-arranged transfer is the main practical weakness. You should also think carefully before booking if a whale sighting is your single top priority, since wildlife cannot be guaranteed even with the free repeat option.

Price, cancellation, and small practical details

The listed price is $154 per person. That is a reasonable value only if you genuinely want both the boat trip and the lava show. You are paying for two distinct attractions, guides, boat facilities, warm overalls, and the convenience of one booking, but not for meals, hotel transport, or the transfer between venues.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Those terms help if your Reykjavik schedule is still moving around.

There are a few firm rules. Pets and smoking are not allowed. Bring clothing suited to the weather, even with the flotation overalls and heated indoor cabins. Icelandic conditions can change, and you will still spend part of the day outside on or around the boat.

The biggest booking warning concerns cancellation of the whale trip. If the whale-watching tour is canceled, the lava ticket stays valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable. In practical terms, do not assume you can shift the lava show to another day if the sea portion is called off.

Should you book the whale watching and lava show?

Book this if you want a two-part Reykjavik day that combines wildlife and geology, and you are comfortable arranging your own transfer between Geirsgata 11 and Fiskislóð 73.

The strongest reasons to go are the live molten lava, the chance to see minke or humpback whales, the excellent onboard heating and flotation gear, and the free return ticket if no whales appear. The main reasons to hesitate are the $154 price, the separate locations, the one-hour self-managed break, and the fact that the lava show is brief.

My advice is to treat the whale trip as a search, not a guarantee, and the lava show as the dependable centerpiece. If that balance sounds right, this pairing gives you a lively look at two sides of Iceland without leaving Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour begin?

It begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Where is the LAVA SHOW held?

The show takes place at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavík 101, Iceland.

How long does the full activity last?

The combined experience lasts about 4.5 hours. The whale-watching portion takes about three hours, followed by a break and a lava presentation lasting about 50 minutes.

What whale and marine species might I see?

The tour searches for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and, more rarely, killer whales. Bird life is also part of the experience.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching tour again in case of no sightings.

Does the tour include transportation between the boat and lava show?

No. The activities take place at different locations, and you must arrange your own transportation between them.

What are the available departure times?

You can choose whale watching at 9:00 with the lava show at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 with the lava show at 18:00.

What is included on the boat?

The trip includes warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, free WiFi, experienced professional guides, and complimentary seasickness tablets. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the whale-watching tour is canceled, the lava ticket remains valid only on the original booked date and is non-refundable.