Reykjavik: Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay & Live Lava Show

Faxaflói Bay gives you two very different Icelandic experiences in one booking: wildlife at sea and real molten rock indoors. You might spot minke or humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and, with luck, a killer whale. Later, the Lava Show brings red-hot lava close enough to see clearly while a host explains Iceland’s volcanoes and plays with the flowing rock.

I like the useful mix of a three-hour boat trip with a focused 50-minute geology show. I also like the practical onboard comforts, including warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and free seasickness tablets. The main catch is important: the two activities happen in different parts of Reykjavik, and you must arrange your own transport between them.

Key points to know before booking

• Real lava in a safe showroom: Watch molten lava flow into the room during a live volcanic demonstration.
• Three hours on Faxaflói Bay: Search for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and the rare possibility of killer whales.
• Two separate Reykjavik locations: The boat leaves from Geirsgata 11, while the Lava Show is at Fiskislóð 73.
• Two timing choices: Choose whale watching at 9:00 with the Lava Show at 14:00, or whale watching at 13:00 with the show at 18:00.
• Good foul-weather protection: Warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets are included.
• No-sighting protection: You receive a free ticket to join the whale watch again if no whales are seen.

A rare chance to see Iceland’s two great forces

Iceland is often described through ice and fire, but this outing lets you experience both ideas in a practical way. The whale trip takes you into Faxaflói Bay, where the sea is the setting for a patient search. The Lava Show then moves the action indoors, where the subject is not a distant volcano but a stream of actual red-hot lava.

That contrast is the best reason to book this combination. The whale watch gives you open water, birds, islands, and mountain views around Reykjavik. The lava experience gives you close-up geology with no need to wait for an eruption or depend on clear weather.

The combination costs $154 per person. That is not a small add-on, but you are paying for two separate activities, a three-hour boat trip, professional guides, protective clothing, indoor facilities, and the unusual chance to see real molten lava. I consider it a sensible choice if you already want both experiences and have enough time to handle the transfer between them.

From Geirsgata 11 into Faxaflói Bay

Your day begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11. Arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival matters because the boat leaves on schedule, and you do not want to begin a three-hour outing by rushing down the harbour.

The whale-watching boat heads out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay. The trip is not a short sightseeing cruise. You are given time to search a broad area for marine life, and sightings can never be guaranteed. Minke and humpback whales are the main hoped-for species, while dolphins and harbour porpoises are also possible. Killer whales are listed as a rare sighting, so treat them as a lucky bonus rather than a likely part of the day.

The guides explain the different whale species and the marine life around the bay. The scenery adds value even when the animals stay out of sight. You can look back toward Reykjavik, watch the mountains and islands around the city, and keep an eye out for bird life.

What three hours on the boat feels like

Three hours is long enough to give the crew a fair chance to find whales, but it also means you need to prepare for changing conditions. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, even though warm flotation overalls are supplied. Icelandic weather can make an open-water trip feel much colder than a walk through the city.

The boat has heated indoor cabins with toilets, so you are not forced to stay outside for the whole trip. You can warm up, use the facilities, and return outside when the crew has something to point out. Free WiFi is available onboard, and food and drinks can be bought rather than included.

Complimentary seasickness tablets are available. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask for them early, dress warmly, and use the indoor cabin when needed. The boat is designed to make the trip more comfortable, but no sea excursion can remove the movement of the water.

One useful feature is the free ticket to join again if no sightings occur. That makes the booking less risky for people with several days in Reykjavik. It is less useful if you are leaving the city right away, so check your schedule before counting this as a major benefit.

The one-hour gap you must plan carefully

This is a combo booking, but it is not one continuous guided tour. The whale watch and Lava Show take place at separate addresses. The whale departure point is Geirsgata 11, while the Lava Show is at Fiskislóð 73 in Reykjavik 101.

The advertised pairings 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

There is time between the activities, but you are responsible for getting from one to the other. No hotel pickup or drop-off is included, and guidance on the transport bus is not included either. One of the most important practical points is to check the route between the two locations before you set off.

Use the gap for lunch or a short rest, but do not assume every minute is spare. The boat may return at a slightly different point in the schedule, and you will need time to leave the harbour and reach the show. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard, but the package itself does not include meals.

Entering the Lava Show at Fiskislóð 73

The Lava Show lasts about 50 minutes. It begins with a welcome from the host and a short educational video about Icelandic volcanism. The presentation covers major eruptions in Icelandic history and the volcanic dangers around the capital area.

That introduction gives the live demonstration a useful setting. You are not simply watching hot material pour into a room. You first learn why volcanoes matter in Iceland and why the area around Reykjavik is not separate from that story.

Then the lava begins flowing into the showroom. The host works with the lava during the demonstration, showing how it behaves while keeping you at a safe distance. The close view is what makes this different from seeing a black lava field on a road trip. You see the material as it moves, cools, and changes in front of you.

The show is educational, but it is also meant to entertain. The reported running time is short, and one comment specifically described it as very short but very good. That is fair warning for anyone expecting a long museum visit. The format is compact, so the value comes from the unusual demonstration rather than from spending hours at the venue.

Why the lava demonstration adds more than a photo

I like this part because it gives you a better way to read Iceland after the tour. A road crossing a broad lava field can look stark and mysterious. After seeing molten rock close up, you have a clearer sense of how quickly moving lava can become the rough, solid ground beneath a future road, town, or hiking route.

The show also makes geology easier to grasp for children and adults who do not usually choose science exhibits. The models and educational material help explain different volcanoes, while the live lava provides the memorable part.

You should not confuse this with a trip to an active volcano. It is a controlled indoor reenactment using real lava, not a hike to a current eruption. That distinction is useful when deciding what you want. If your goal is a safe, close view of molten rock, this fits. If you want a remote volcanic hike, this is a different kind of experience.

Guides, models, and the human side of the tour

The whale trip includes experienced English-speaking guides who explain the species and the bay. The host at the Lava Show leads the volcanic presentation. One booking specifically praised Joe as a great guide, so you may encounter him on the whale-watching side, depending on the operating schedule.

You will also see man-made whale models up close as part of the educational side of the experience. These models help you compare species before or after looking for animals at sea. That is useful because a whale surfacing for a few seconds can be difficult to identify, especially in poor weather or from a moving boat.

During some periods of the year, the boat may be shared with another activity partner. This is part of the operator’s effort to put fewer boats on the water. It may mean a different onboard arrangement than you expected, but it also supports a less crowded approach to marine excursions.

Who will get the most from this combination

I would recommend this for a first visit to Reykjavik if you want two strong, distinctly Icelandic subjects without leaving the city. It suits families, couples, and solo visitors who enjoy a mix of wildlife and science.

It is especially useful when you have limited time and do not plan a longer whale-watching trip elsewhere in Iceland. The boat leaves from central Reykjavik, and the Lava Show stays within the city as well. You can build the experience into a day without arranging a separate excursion into the countryside.

You should think twice if you dislike uncertain wildlife sightings. The boat may find whales, dolphins, or porpoises, but no operator can promise an animal appearance. The free return ticket helps, but only if your schedule allows another trip.

This pairing may also feel rushed if you want an unplanned Reykjavik day. The two fixed start times shape your schedule, and the transfer between locations is your responsibility. Check the addresses, allow extra time, and do not book a tight restaurant reservation immediately after the boat.

Is $154 a fair price?

At $154, the value depends on whether you would book both activities separately. The boat tour alone gives you three hours on Faxaflói Bay, protective overalls, indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, guides, and the chance to return free of charge if no sightings occur. The Lava Show adds a separate 50-minute presentation with real lava and volcanic education.

That is a reasonable package for someone who wants both. You are not paying only for a brief lava performance, and you are not relying on a single short boat ride to carry the whole day.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want to see whales and are treating the Lava Show as an unwanted extra. It is also less convenient if you have not planned the transfer between the addresses. The experience offers good variety, but you need to manage the day yourself between the two scheduled events.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity and a reserve-now, pay-later option make planning easier. Keep one warning in mind: if the whale trip is canceled, the Lava Show ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable.

Should you book this Reykjavik experience?

Book it if you want an efficient day built around whale watching and real lava, and if you are willing to organize your own transport between the harbour and Fiskislóð 73. The warm boat facilities and free return option soften the uncertainty of wildlife viewing, while the Lava Show gives you a memorable close look at Iceland’s volcanic forces.

Skip it if you want a fully escorted day with transfers included, or if you need flexibility to change plans at the last minute. For everyone else, this is a smart Reykjavik pairing: one activity asks you to wait for nature, and the other puts Iceland’s fire right in front of you.

FAQ

Where does the experience begin?

It begins at Geirsgata 11, the Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long is the whale-watching tour?

The whale-watching portion lasts about three hours.

Which animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbour porpoises, and, rarely, killer whales.

Where is the Lava Show held?

The Lava Show is at Fiskislóð 73, Reykjavik 101, Iceland.

How long is the Lava Show?

The show lasts about 50 minutes.

What time combinations are available?

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.

Is transportation between the two activities included?

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

What is included on the boat?

The boat provides warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, free WiFi, experienced guides, and complimentary seasickness tablets.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale-watching tour again if there are no sightings.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they can be purchased onboard.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide and activity information are in English.