cloudy

8°C

Ísafjörður

cloudy

8°C

Hornbjargsviti

New

Whale Watching in Ísafjarðardjúp

A boat cruise into Ísafjarðardjúp, in search of whales and wildlife.

Travel into the the feeding grounds of the biodiverse subarctic and experience a trip around the largest fjord in the Westfjords. This is where majestic giants of the sea await. Led by our knowledgeable guides, our excursion seeks thrilling natural encounters. Humpback and minke whales, as well as white beaked dolphins and porpoises are common as well as rare sightings of orcas. Learn about the wildlife you can potentially identify by reading some local research here. Immerse yourself in the wonders of Iceland’s rich marine life and create lifelong memories on this experience with Borea Adventures.

Contents of this tour

Tour overview

Description

Join us on our fully fitted boat, where we depart from Ísafjörður and journey out into the surrounding Ísafjarðardjúp fjord. Here we will look out for the blows of distant whales, and our expert captain will take you as close as possible without causing any disturbance. The fjord is bursting with life, and there is the possibility of seeing humpback and minke whales, as well as dolphins and porpoises.
We will search for the humpback, as they are one of the few species of whale which flashes you their tail on a dive, an incredible sight to see! You are also likely to see the many puffins in the water which nest on nearby Vigur and Æðey islands.
On very rare occasions, orcas will also pass through the area. On our trip will be our experienced boat crew, and a guide to share with you their extensive knowledge of the local wildlife and area.
 
We will use our trips as an opportunity to add to the ongoing research on the whale population in the area, and guests are therefore encouraged to contribute to this by taking photos of the whales flukes (tails) for identification. 
 

We have a very high rate of sightings within the area, however, as we are observing wild animals, we cannot guarantee we will see whales on every tour.

Meeting point: Our Service Center (white container), Ísafjörður harbour.

Departure: 10:00 AM. Be there half an hour before departure time.

Minimum age: 4 years.

Group size: We need a minimum number of 15 participants to operate the tour. Maximum group size is 40.

Trip Difficulty: Easy

Duration of trip: 2.5 hours.

Photos

Itinerary

The journey begins at our boat, located opposite our gear storage on Mávagarður, where you will find our Borea logo and guide waiting to greet you. We board the boat, and enjoy approximately 2 hours in Ísafjarðardjúp, looking for whales, birds, and enjoying our time at sea. We will then return back to our base in Ísafjörður. 

What to bring

We do not supply overalls or extra clothing for this trip, so please come equipped for cold Icelandic weather with the following:
  • Warm outdoor clothing. Our boats, Sif and Íris, are fully fitted, and have a warm interior. However, the best place for spotting whales will be standing outside, and therefore we suggest to bring layers to keep you warm!
  • Waterproof jacket, and trousers if you have them.
  • Hat and gloves.
  • Sun glasses.
  • Sunscreen. 
  • Don’t forget your camera!

FAQ

No, Borea does not supply any clothing on this tour.
Yes, the age limit is 4 years as Borea does not have life jackets for infants.
Whale sitings are very common in the area although this is a wild environment so we can never give guarantees.
No, we do not have wheelchair access on our boats. We can accommodate people with limited mobility if they are able to go up and down 2-3 steps.

Map

We had an amazing experience going on a Borea Adventures whale watching tour. We got to see dozens of whales, including several that came very close to the boat, and our guide Ben was friendly and informative. Ben is a graduate student who studies whale migration, and was able to answer all of our questions in great detail! Thank you to Ben and Borea! We will definitely be booking again with you again when we return to Isafjordur.

Book

Related Tours

NEW!
Popular
New
A full-day trip, perfect for all nature lovers who want to experience the Icelandic wildlife from a different angle. The ‘silent’ nature of the kayak seamlessly blends in to the environment to experience the wildlife at it’s best.
May 23, 2025
September 22, 2025
Popular
This six-day backpacking and camping trip in the Hornstrandir Nature Reserve is a perfect chance to experience the isolation of this special and unique are while watching wildlife and enjoying the untouched nature of the Westfjords of Iceland.
June 27, 2025
August 22, 2025
Popular
A three-day nature and wildlife exploration at Kvíar Lodge. The valley of Kvíar and the coastline around is teeming with life in the summer and the area is also perfect for all sorts of outdoor activities.
June 8, 2025
August 31, 2025
Popular
A full-day tour in the famous Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, a haven for wildlife, featuring rugged landscapes and diverse flora. This tour is perfect for families, and those looking for a more relaxed hiking experience in the nature surrounding Hesteyri.
June 2, 2025
September 3, 2025
Popular
The Arctic fox has survived in Iceland for thousands of years and its stark beauty really appeals to wildlife photography. The best place to take photos of them is in Hornstrandir Nature Reserve of Iceland.
January 27, 2025