Special Tours vs Elding
Two whale watching operators in Reykjavík, Iceland. Special Tours starts at ISK 12,998 and Elding at ISK 14,500. Here is how their options line up on length, group size, age rules and cancellation.
Special Tours
- Classic tour runs year-round; one 13:00 departure December to February
- Whale Watching Express (ISK 12,490, 2 to 2.5 hours, boats Lilja or Rósin) runs mid-June to August
- RIB Express not recommended for pregnancy, back problems or severe heart conditions
- Valid ID required at check-in
Whale Watching Reykjavík
- From
- ISK 12,998 per adult
- Length
- 2.5 to 3.5 hours
- Min age
- All ages; 0 to 6 free
- Cancellation
- Full refund if cancelled 24 hours before departure; weather cancellations get rebooking or a full refund.
RIB Express
- From
- ISK 23,800 per adult
- Length
- 2 hours
- Min age
- Not recommended under 10 years or under 140 cm
- Weight
- Must fit an overall (sizes up to 3XL)
- Cancellation
- Full refund if cancelled 24 hours before; minimum 4 passengers or rebooking or refund offered.
Elding
- Classic tour runs all year (13:00 departure every month), with up to six departures a day in summer
- Premium RIB tour runs 1 April to 31 October and is operated by sister company Whale Safari
- Also sails from Oddeyrarbót harbour in Akureyri
- Combo tours pair whale watching with puffins, northern lights, Lava Show or FlyOver Iceland
Reykjavík Classic Whale Watching
- From
- ISK 14,500 per adult
- Length
- 2 to 3.5 hours
- Min age
- All ages; under 13 must be with an adult and wear a life vest
- Cancellation
- 100% fee if cancelled within 24 hours; weather cancellations by Elding get a full refund or a new date.
Reykjavík Premium Whale Watching
- From
- ISK 24,900 per adult
- Length
- 2 hours
- Group
- 12 people per boat
- Min age
- Child price listed for ages 10 to 15; no younger band listed
- Cancellation
- 100% fee if cancelled within 24 hours; weather cancellations by Elding get a full refund or a new date.
Both checked against the operators' own pages on 2026-10-21. See every operator in Reykjavík, Iceland.