★★★★★
The classic Akureyri whale sailing
The forecast promised rain, but the fjord lay flat as a mirror and the mist lifted after an hour. Two whales came close to the boat.
Andy · United Kingdom · September 2026
Akureyri Tours Reviews
What people wrote after a day here: on a whale boat, on a day to the waterfalls and the lake, at the lagoon, on a food walk or out after the northern lights. Comparing Akureyri Iceland tickets? The operators’ own ratings and fares sit side by side below.
What travellers said afterwards
These are travellers’ own accounts, paraphrased, each tagged with the day it belongs to. The low scores stay in, because they are the useful ones. One RIB ride up the fjord was rough enough to hurt. One traveller drove two hours to Húsavík and found the boat cancelled for weather, and one day to Lake Mývatn felt hurried from stop to stop.
★★★★★
The classic Akureyri whale sailing
Four separate humpbacks, several times each. We booked on the strength of the reviews and the guide lived up to them.
Mark · Netherlands · September 2026
★★★★★
The classic Akureyri whale sailing
A gentle run out into the fjord with good commentary. The overalls they hand out are excellent.
Wolfgang · Germany · September 2026
★★★★★
The classic Akureyri whale sailing
We booked it for a birthday, the two of us, on friends' advice. Whales came up five times, and the guide on deck was fun and informative.
Anastasiia · Couple · Sweden · September 2026
★★★★★
The three-hour Akureyri whale sailing
At least eight humpbacks feeding, tails up again and again. One came within about twenty metres.
DeAnna M. · September 2026
★★★★★
The three-hour Akureyri whale sailing
A roomy boat with good views inside and out, and fairly priced hot drinks. We could download the whale photos afterwards.
Margaret G. · September 2026
★★★☆☆
The three-hour Akureyri whale sailing
An hour out, an hour with two humpbacks, an hour back. A standard whale trip.
Erica B. · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri harbour whale boat
They kept a respectful distance from the whales. On the way out the guide talked about the rest of the fjord's wildlife.
Serena F. · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri harbour whale boat
The whales were easy to see. If the deck is too cold, you can watch from inside.
Patrizia B. · August 2026
★★★☆☆
The Akureyri harbour whale boat
We saw minke whales, but never close. The guide was hard to follow.
Denise E. · June 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri whale sailing for cruise days
A last-minute booking that became a highlight. Three humpbacks, and our guide knew each one.
Anika · Germany · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri whale sailing for cruise days
The boat was half full, so there was room everywhere. We had a view from every side.
Charlotte · Switzerland · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri RIB whale run
Calm water, two humpbacks and a lovely guide. Arrive early, because suiting up takes time.
Isobel W. · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri RIB whale run
The RIB gets you close. That is the whole point of it.
Donna M. · July 2026
★☆☆☆☆
The Akureyri RIB whale run
A long, rough run up the fjord before we even looked for whales. The most uncomfortable ride I have had.
Lori R. · July 2026
★★★★☆
The Akureyri RIB whale run
A cold, windy day and a choppy, painful ride out, though our teenage girls laughed through it. Once the whales appeared it got easier, and the crew followed them well.
Corey B. · Family · July 2025
★★★★★
The village whale boat north of Akureyri
The captain took it slowly on a calm sea. Six humpbacks, one breaching, and warm flotation suits for everyone.
Teresa H. · September 2026
★★★★★
The village whale boat north of Akureyri
Hot chocolate and cinnamon buns on board. We saw porpoises as well as whales.
Emma F. · September 2026
★★★★☆
The village whale boat north of Akureyri
A beautiful fjord and a well-run trip. The guide was hard to hear.
Justin C. · September 2026
★★★★★
The village whale boat north of Akureyri
My wife and I booked on a whim and it paid off. We met a humpback the crew knew by name, with snacks and hot chocolate on board.
Joseph W. · Couple · July 2026
★★★★★
The whale and puffin RIB, an hour east
Whales, seals and puffins. The guide explained the whole bay.
Gary B. · September 2026
★★★★★
The whale and puffin RIB, an hour east
We went in late August knowing the puffins had left. The RIB was still a thrill.
Marilyn R. · August 2026
★☆☆☆☆
The whale and puffin RIB, an hour east
We drove two hours to get there. The trip was cancelled for weather half an hour before the start.
Mary G. · August 2025
★★★★★
The whale and puffin RIB, an hour east
The captain worked through unusually rough water to find whales for the whole family. The guide knew the local whales in depth.
Kurt E. · Family · August 2025
★★★★★
The whale and puffin RIB, an hour east
A friendly crew who knew their work and ran the trip efficiently. The boat was comfortable, and it was the first time I had ever seen whales.
Elo S. · First-timer · September 2025
★★★★★
The speedboat whale safari, an hour east
Our guide was a marine biologist. The captain found us dolphins as well as whales.
Aneicia H. · July 2026
★★★★★
The speedboat whale safari, an hour east
We picked the RIB because it gets closer. Two hours was the right length.
Erika R. · August 2026
★★★★★
The oak-boat whale trip, an hour east
The crew worked hard to find whales. They made sure everyone saw them.
Michael M. · August 2026
★★★★☆
The oak-boat whale trip, an hour east
Chilly, but the waterproof suits helped. Bring a hat and gloves.
Vicki L. · September 2026
★★★★★
The oak-boat whale trip, an hour east
We had car trouble on a five-hour drive to make the boat, and the office kept in touch and held it for us. Three whales, fine weather, and a guide who knew each one by name.
Lucy S. · Family · June 2026
★★★★☆
The lake and waterfall day from the Akureyri port
A quick overview of a lot of places. Exactly right if you are off the ship with one day in town.
Sean D. · September 2026
★★★★☆
The lake and waterfall day from the Akureyri port
Great views at every stop and along the road, and a funny, considerate driver-guide. Pack a net for the insects.
Deepanwita G. · September 2026
★★★★★
The lake and waterfall day from the Akureyri port
A knowledgeable guide with a sense of humour. My one regret was skipping the baths.
James N. · September 2026
★★☆☆☆
The lake and waterfall day from the Akureyri port
We felt hurried between stops. The commentary was hard to hear.
Emily E. · July 2026
★★★★☆
The lava-fields day from the Akureyri cruise terminal
It rained in the morning, so the guide reversed the stops. We reached the falls in sunshine.
Kirtand & Luana S. · September 2026
★★★★★
The lava-fields day from the Akureyri cruise terminal
Easy for cruise passengers: the bus was simple to spot. The guide was full of stories.
Karra F. · September 2026
★★★★★
The eight-seat lake day from Akureyri
An earlier start to beat the big coaches, and a comfortable minivan. The guide plainly loves the land.
Janet M. · August 2026
★★★★★
The eight-seat lake day from Akureyri
So many varied stops. A local restaurant served geysir bread if you wanted it.
Coreen J. · August 2026
★★★★★
The full lake day with Akureyri pickups
Lava fields, steam vents, the lake and the big waterfall. Plenty of walking, but time enough at each.
Gary N. · July 2026
★★★★★
The full lake day with Akureyri pickups
Midges at the lake and a lunch break at the lagoon café. The pickup from the port was smooth.
Grace B. · August 2026
★★☆☆☆
The full lake day with Akureyri pickups
Sold as eight hours, but the driver said it never runs past six. Every stop felt rushed.
Suzanne M. · August 2026
★★★★★
The two-waterfall day from Akureyri
A long day, but worth it to see the big sights in one go. The waterfalls outshone the lake.
Mike C. · September 2026
★★★★★
The two-waterfall day from Akureyri
The guide handed out spikes for the icy paths at both waterfalls. Nobody slipped.
Kremena K. · October 2025
★★★☆☆
The two-waterfall day from Akureyri
Too many stops for the hours. The walk to the second waterfall is long, and half the group came back late.
TuckMing K. · October 2024
★★★★★
The 4x4 waterfall day from Akureyri
Picked up at the hotel in a big jeep. The guide was careful on the icy approach to the falls.
KarlMichael S. · November 2021
★★★★★
The short waterfall run from the Akureyri port
A few hours, not the whole day, which was exactly the right amount. Coffee and doughnuts at the inn, too.
Caroline H. · September 2026
★★★☆☆
The short waterfall run from the Akureyri port
Mostly transport. A drive, an hour at the falls, a pastry, then back to the ship.
Cynthia M. · August 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri lagoon ticket
The free shuttle from the cruise terminal worked, and nobody put a time limit on our stay. Spotless, too.
Robert Paul · United Kingdom · August 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri lagoon ticket
Not crowded even in August, and in a lovely spot. Easy to switch off completely.
Miriam · Germany · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri lagoon ticket
Good value for Iceland, very clean, with great views. We preferred it to the lagoon at the lake.
Katja · Germany · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri lagoon ticket
An afternoon of doing nothing at all. The view did all the work.
Kimberly · Canada · September 2026
★★★★☆
The lagoon ticket, on the other listing
The lagoon is great. The free shuttle is not something to rely on: you can wait an hour.
Jim C. · September 2026
★★★★★
The lagoon ticket, on the other listing
Hot pools and a swim-up bar. The cold pool makes a bracing finish.
Joan S. · September 2026
★★★★★
The lagoon ticket, on the other listing
Relaxing, not very crowded, and the scenery makes the backdrop. Our whole family enjoyed it.
KA R. · Family · June 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri Food Walk
From a hot-dog stand to lamb at a fine restaurant. Eating with someone born here was the best part.
Kathy L. · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri Food Walk
Generous portions and a dry-humoured local guide. Take the morning walk and you still have the afternoon.
Claire B. · August 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri Food Walk, on the other listing
Four tastings, and one more would have been welcome. The walking was easy.
Maura · United States · July 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri Food Walk, on the other listing
Our guide clearly loves this town. The fresh cod was the star.
Sharon · Canada · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri town walk with food
An enthusiastic young guide. A real introduction to Icelandic food and culture.
Denize · United Kingdom · August 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri town walk with food
A long walk with a guide who had plenty to tell. The ice cream was superb.
Wolfgang Matthias · Germany · July 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri canyon zipline
Fun guides, and we made it back to the ship on time. The owner drove us to the terminal himself.
Karen · Australia · September 2026
★★★★★
The Akureyri canyon zipline
The guides slowed their English down for us. They explained everything twice.
Heike · Germany · September 2026
★★★★★
The northern lights hunt from Akureyri
They drove to three dark spots away from the town lights. We saw the aurora at each one.
Susan · United Kingdom · February 2026
★★★★★
The northern lights hunt from Akureyri
Our guide knew where to go. We were lucky enough to see the lights.
Puck · Netherlands · March 2026
★★★★★
The northern lights hunt from Akureyri
Our guide took photos of us under the lights. We have them to keep.
Mark · United Kingdom · January 2026
What travellers keep saying
The whales usually show
Humpbacks come up in most of the whale reviews, from the town boats and from the bay alike. When they do not, the town boats give you another sailing, which is why so few of those reviews are angry.
The drive to the bay is the catch
Húsavík draws the warmest praise for its guides and its puffins, and the sharpest complaints when the weather cancels a sailing after an hour’s drive. With a car and a spare day it is the pick; on a cruise call it is a gamble.
Lake days trade depth for coverage
The days to Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn get praise for the guides and the variety, and the low scores say the stops are short. The longer days that add Dettifoss make the same trade with a longer walk to the falls.
The lagoon is the easy win
Forest Lagoon collects some of the most relaxed reviews here: clean, uncrowded, a view across the fjord and no time limit. The one warning is its free shuttle, which can leave you waiting at busy times.
Operator ratings and review counts
These figures are the operators’ own, published on their booking pages and shown as they stand. They belong to the operators, not to us. The boats from Hauganes and the bay carry no transfer. Every day that stops at the Mývatn baths leaves the entry out. So the table says where each starts and what it leaves you.
| Tour | Where it starts | What it leaves you | Rating | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akureyri: 3-Hour Classic Whale Watching Tour by Ship | Boards at the town harbour | Getting to the start, on foot in town | 4.6 | 3,774 | From $105 per person |
| Whale Watching from Downtown Akureyri | Boards at the town harbour | Getting to the start, on foot in town | 4.6 | 1,096 | From $104 per person |
| Akureyri: Admission to Forest Lagoon with Towel and Drink | At the lagoon, across the fjord | Nothing: entry, towel, locker and a drink are in | 4.7 | 684 | From $80 per person |
| Akureyri: Whale Watching Shore Excursions | Boards at the town harbour | Getting to the start, on foot in town | 4.6 | 584 | From $103 per person |
| Lake Myvatn Day Tour and Godafoss Waterfall for Cruise Ships from Akureyri Port | Collected on your ship’s pier | Baths optional, entry extra | 4.5 | 546 | From $197 per person |
| Big Whales & Puffins RIB boat tour from Húsavík | Boards in Húsavík, 1 h east | Getting there is up to you | 4.9 | 527 | From $166 per person |
| Original Big Whale Safari & Puffins Speedboat Tour from Húsavík | Boards in Húsavík, 1 h east | Getting there is up to you | 4.8 | 491 | From $173 per person |
| Traditional Whale Watching from Húsavík by Local Family Company | Boards in Húsavík, 1 h east | Getting there is up to you | 4.4 | 445 | From $98 per person |
| Akureyri: Zipline Tour | Starts at its base in town | Getting to the start, on foot in town | 4.9 | 405 | From $95 per person |
| Goðafoss Waterfall from Akureyri Port | Collected at the cruise terminal | Food; the driving is in the fare | 4.8 | 325 | From $128 per person |
| 100% Whale Watching | Boards at Hauganes, 25 min north | Getting there is up to you | 4.8 | 309 | From $90 per person |
| Akureyri Express Whale Watching by RIB boat | Boards at the town harbour | Getting to the start, on foot in town | 4.7 | 195 | From $195 per person |
| Northern Lights Tour from Akureyri | Collected from town hotels | Food; the driving is in the fare | 4.4 | 127 | From $113 per person |
| Forest Lagoon Admission Ticket with Towel and One Drink included | At the lagoon, across the fjord | Nothing: entry, towel, locker and a drink are in | 4.6 | 117 | From $83 per person |
| Lake Myvatn and Godafoss Waterfall Day Tour from Akureyri | Town pickups at 9:00 | Mývatn baths entry extra | 4.7 | 92 | From $197 per person |
| Akureyri Food Walk With 4-5 Tastings and a Local Guide | Meets at Hof, in town | Nothing to eat: the food is the fare | 4.9 | 80 | From $140 per person |
| Whale Watching Tour from Akureyri City Central | Boards at the town harbour | Getting to the start, on foot in town | 4.7 | 58 | From $104 per person |
| Lake Mývatn and Powerful Dettifoss Day Tour from Akureyri | Hotel pickup in Akureyri | Food; the driving is in the fare | 4.8 | 50 | From $395 per person |
| Lake Myvatn, Dettifoss and Goddafoss Waterfalls Day Tour from Akureyri | Hotel pickup in Akureyri | Mývatn baths entry extra | 4.8 | 39 | From $302 per person (minimum 2) |
| Akureyri: Food Walk With 4-5 Tastings and Local Guide | Meets at Hof, in town | Nothing to eat: the food is the fare | 4.7 | 23 | From $140 per person |
| Akureyri Lake Myvatn Godafoss and Lava Fields Tour | Collected at the cruise terminal | Food; the driving is in the fare | 5.0 | 21 | From $180 per person |
| Akureyri to Lake Myvatn and Nature Baths Small Group Tour | Collected at the cruise terminal | Mývatn baths entry extra | 5.0 | 19 | From $215 per person (minimum 2) |
| Akureyri: City Walk with Local Food | Meets at Hof or the cruise port | Nothing to eat: the food is the fare | 5.0 | 9 | From $131 per person |
A listing with thousands of reviews and one with a handful are not a verdict on each other. The gap is mostly how long each has been on sale and how many seats it carries. The big boats from the town pier take far more people a day than a 12-seat RIB.
Read the practical detail in the visitor guide and check the FAQs. Then compare every tour on Akureyri Iceland Tours.