Elding Whale Watching Iceland Discount Code + Our Review 2026

Looking for the most reliable whale watching operator in Reykjavik and Akureyri? Then we can confidently point you to Elding Adventure at Sea. And on top of that, you can save 10% on any of their tours and ferries with our Elding Iceland discount code that you can find in our newsletter.

Whale watching is one of the top tours you should take in Iceland, and there are quite a few operators to choose from. We’ve tried several over the years, and Elding is still our go-to. They’re the oldest Reykjavik whale watching operator (since 2000), they’re family-owned, and they take responsible whale watching seriously, not just as a marketing line.

In this guide, we share why we keep coming back to them, how to use our promo code, and what tours we recommend from both Reykjavik and Akureyri.

Why Elding Whale Watching

There are several whale watching companies operating from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, and a few from Akureyri too. So why pick Elding? Here are four reasons that matter to us.

All-Year-Round

Elding operates year-round from both Reykjavik and Akureyri. Yes, you can see whales and marine wildlife in all seasons in Iceland!

They have a fleet of large boats and small RIB boats so that you can choose based on your budget, preferences, and shakiness tolerance 🙂

The Eyjafjörður fjord is famous for its resident humpback whales, while Faxaflói bay sees more variety: humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and porpoises. So depending on your route, you can choose your spot, or, do both 🙂

High Success Rate

While there’s no official ranking, Elding’s whale-spotting success rate is consistently among the highest in Reykjavik and Akureyri. 90-91% annually, with 94% in winter and 90% in summer.

Elding launched the very first whale watching tour from Reykjavik back in 2000. They’ve been at it for more than 25 years, which means their crew has seen pretty much everything the Faxaflói bay can throw at them.

This kind of experience matters when you’re heading out into the North Atlantic. The captains know where the whales tend to feed depending on season, water temperature, and time of day.

Free Tickets

If you don’t see whales or dolphins, you’ll get a free ticket. Period.

Whales are wild animals. No company can guarantee a sighting. But Elding goes one step further: if you don’t see any whales or dolphins on your trip, they hand out complimentary tickets to try again. And those tickets are valid in either Reykjavik or Akureyri for 2 years! This is great if you’re moving between regions.

Truly Responsible Whale Watching

This is a big one for us. Elding is the first environmentally certified whale watching company in Iceland, and currently the only Earth Check Gold Certified whale watching operator in the world.

They’re also active members of IceWhale, the World Cetacean Alliance, and they hold a Blue Flag certification. They take a strong anti-whaling stance, which is sadly still a relevant topic in Iceland.

If responsible tourism matters to you, Elding is one of the easiest “yes” decisions you’ll make on your trip.

Free Photos

Elding’s guides carry DSLR cameras and capture photos of the whales throughout the tour. This way, you can relax and fully enjoy the experience without missing any encounters.

After the tour, you’ll get these photos free of charge, so that these beautiful memories of your journey can stay with you forever.

Elding Tour Comparison

Don’t forget you’ll slash these prices by 10% with our Elding Iceland coupon code you can find in our newsletter!

Reykjavik Whale Watching Tours

Reykjavik is the easiest base to go whale watching in Iceland. Tours leave directly from the Old Harbour, about 10 minutes walking from downtown.

Elding offers two main options here:

Reykjavík Classic Whale Watching is the flagship tour and the most popular option:

• It runs year-round
• Takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours
• Uses bigger boats with indoor seating, an outdoor deck, and a cafe on board
• We recommend this one to first-timers and families
• Children under 7 years are free of charge
• Cheapest option

Reykjavík Premium Whale Watching is a small-group RIB boat tour, best for fast-paced adventurous exploration:

• Max 12 people, with a wildlife guide and certified RIB captain
• Faster, more adventurous, and gets you closer to the action
• Available April 1 – October 31
• 2 hours long
• Minimum age is 10 years, and it’s not recommended for pregnant or people with back problems
• More expensive

If you want bigger comfort and a relaxed atmosphere, go Classic. If you want the wind in your face and a more intimate experience, the Premium RIB tour is your call.

Akureyri Whale Watching Tours

The Akureyri tours are one of our personal favorites. The Eyjafjörður fjord is calm, sheltered, and packed with humpback whales feeding right next to the boat. The fjord setting alone, with steep mountains on both sides, is a gorgeous backdrop.

Akureyri Classic Whale Watching runs year-round, lasts 2.5 to 3.5 hours, and operates from downtown Akureyri.

Akureyri Express Whales & Eyjafjord is the RIB boat option, available April to October. It’s 1.5 to 2.5 hours and packs more adrenaline. Note that passengers must be at least 10 years old or 145 cm tall.

If you’re already heading north, this is a no-brainer. The sighting success rate in Eyjafjörður is exceptional thanks to the resident humpback population.

Puffin Tours

Puffins are one of the most charming things you’ll see in Iceland, and Reykjavik is one of the easiest places to spot them. Elding runs puffin tours to the small islands just outside the city (Akurey, Lundey, and Engey) where they nest in big colonies during summer.

Reykjavík Classic Puffin Watching is a 1-hour tour from the Old Harbour, available April 20 to August 20. This is the cheapest and most family-friendly puffin option.

Reykjavík Premium Puffin Watching is a small-group RIB tour, max 12 people, available April 20 to August 15.  This one gets you closer to the cliffs for much better photos.

We always tell people: if you only have time for one bird-related activity in Reykjavik, the puffin tour is a great pick. The puffins are often there in the hundreds and they’re surprisingly fast little flyers 🙂

Elding Whale Watching Discount Code

Since we have known Elding for years and really believe they are among the best Iceland has to offer, we decided to partner with them.

Our exclusive Elding Whale Watching discount code gives you 10% off all Elding tours. The best part: this Elding promo code stacks on top of any other discount that Elding may be running, so you can often save even more during their seasonal offers.

The Elding coupon code works on every tour, in both Reykjavik and Akureyri, and there’s no limit on how many times you can use it. Booking for two separate tours? Use it twice.

How to Use the Elding Whale Watching Discount Code

Using the code is straightforward:

1. Go to elding.is and pick your tour.
2. Choose your date and number of passengers.
3. At the checkout page, look for the promo code field.
4. Enter the code and click apply.
5. You’ll see the 10% discount reflected in the final price before you pay.

That’s it. The code is active year-round, so whether you’re booking a winter whale watching tour or a summer puffin tour, the code works.

Reviews

Elding has built a strong reputation over 25 years. They have a 4.5-star rating on TripAdvisor and Google with over 8,000 reviews.

What guests highlight most often: the knowledgeable guides, the comfortable boats with cafe and warm overalls provided, and the company’s clear commitment to ethical whale watching. The complimentary “come back” tickets when no whales are spotted also get mentioned a lot in positive reviews.

The negative reviews mostly mention rough seas (which, well, it’s the North Atlantic) or unsuccessful sightings. The latter is solved by the complimentary ticket policy.

Our Experience with Elding

We’ve been on Elding tours both from Reykjavik and Akureyri, and friends of ours have done multiple trips with them too. Here’s what stood out for us:

Akureyri was the highlight. If we have to pick one, the Eyjafjörður tour from Akureyri left the strongest impression. The mountains, the calm fjord, and the close-up humpback encounters were just unbeatable. We’d take this one again any day.

Knowledgeable guides. This isn’t just someone reading a script. The guides we had genuinely knew their whales, their bird species, and the history of the bay. They also took time to answer individual questions, which we appreciated.

Reliable departures. When tours are scheduled, they sail unless conditions are genuinely unsafe. We’ve had a couple of weather-related reschedules and Elding handled them quickly and without fuss.

Great onboard experience. The bigger boats have a warm indoor area, a small cafe, and free overalls and blankets. This makes a huge difference when you’re standing on deck for two hours in Icelandic wind.

One honest note: the Premium RIB tours are not for people prone to seasickness. They’re fast, bumpy, and you’re exposed to the elements. Take the Classic if you want comfort.

For more ideas on what to combine your whale watching tour with, check our guide to the best day trips from Reykjavik or the best summer tours in Iceland.

Elding FAQ

What is the Elding Whale Watching discount code?

Our Elding Whale Watching discount code published in our newsletter gives you 10% off all Elding tours. The code stacks on top of any other discounts Elding is running.

How do I use the Elding Iceland promo code?

Enter the code in the promo code field at checkout on elding.is. The 10% discount will be applied to your total before payment. The code works year-round and on every major tour.

What is the best time of year to go whale watching in Iceland?

The peak season is June to August, when sighting rates are highest, Icelandic weather cooperates the best, and there are more departures.

That said, both Classic Whale Watching tours (Reykjavik and Akureyri) run year-round. Winter trips are colder but often very rewarding, especially in Akureyri’s Eyjafjörður fjord.

If your absolute priority is the highest possible success rate, then you might consider going for the North Iceland instead, where the chances are highest.

Can I see the whales in Reykjavik?

Yes of course! While the chances are lower compared to north Iceland, you can see whales and many other sealife species as well! 🙂

The most common sightings in Faxaflói bay are humpback whales and minke whales, plus white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. Orcas are very rare in this area. Elding publishes a Whale Diary on their website with recent sightings – a great way to check what has been spotted before you book.

What whales can I see with Elding?

In Faxaflói bay (Reykjavik) you’re most likely to see minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbour porpoises.

In Eyjafjörður (Akureyri), humpback whales are the stars, and they’re often very close to the boats.

What happens if we don’t see any whales?

Elding gives you a complimentary ticket to come back and try again. The ticket is valid in either Reykjavik or Akureyri, which is a really nice touch if you’re traveling around the country.

Do I need to book my whale watching tour in advance?

We always recommend booking in advance to secure your spot. You can reschedule for free up to 24 hours before the departure. The tours are often fully booked, especially in summer (June to August). In shoulder season and winter, you can often book just a few days in advance, but availability is never guaranteed.

Is Elding suitable for kids?

Yes, the Classic tours welcome all ages and kids under 7 sail for free. The Premium RIB tours have a minimum age of 10 years old (or 145 cm tall). Free overalls and blankets are provided on board.

How shall I dress for whale watching in Iceland?

Dress warmly! Even in July, the ocean can be cold and windy. The good news is that Elding provides free thermal overalls and rain gear for all passengers. Still dress in layers underneath – especially on the RIB tours, which are more exposed to the elements.