Wildlife Tours in Iceland

What our customers ask about Wildlife Tours in Iceland

• What types of wildlife can I expect to see on an Iceland tour?

  Iceland's landscape teems with wildlife across its varied terrains. At Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon seals glide between icebergs while the Westfjords region showcases millions of seabirds at Látrabjarg cliffs. Near Hotel Búdir in Snæfellsnes Arctic foxes roam freely in the surrounding area. The waters host whales seals puffins and various seabirds. As shared by a TourRadar traveler: "The highlight was seeing pods of humpback whales in Húsavík and adorable puffins nesting at Reynisfjara's black sand beach."

• Which locations are best for whale watching in Iceland?

  Húsavík stands out as Europe's whale watching capital with Eyjafjördur fjord near Akureyri following close behind. The coastal waters near Reykjavík regularly welcome minke whales humpbacks and dolphins. Visitors can base themselves at Fosshotel Húsavík or Hotel Kea Akureyri for easy access to daily tours. According to a TourRadar traveler review: "Our whale watching experience from Húsavík was phenomenal - we saw multiple humpback whales breaching and even a rare blue whale in the distance."

• What's the best time to see puffins in Iceland?

  The puffin watching season runs from mid-May to mid-August reaching its peak in June and July. Key viewing spots include the towering Látrabjarg cliffs Reynisfjara beach near Vík and Dyrhólaey peninsula. Hotel Kría in Vík and Hotel Látrabjarg offer convenient bases for early morning puffin observation. As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "Watching thousands of puffins at Látrabjarg cliffs during sunset was magical - they were so close we could almost touch them!"

• Are specific wildlife photography tours available in Iceland?

  Dedicated photography tours take advantage of Iceland's prime wildlife locations. These include Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon for seal watching Látrabjarg for bird photography and Snæfellsnes Peninsula for Arctic fox encounters. Strategic accommodation options like Hotel Höfn and Hotel Búdir place photographers in ideal positions for optimal shooting conditions. A TourRadar traveler shared: "The photography opportunities were endless - our guide knew exactly where and when to position us for the best wildlife shots."

• What wildlife can I see during winter in Iceland?

  Winter reveals a different side of Iceland's wildlife particularly around the Snæfellsnes Peninsula where Arctic foxes display their white winter coats. The Diamond Beach area near Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon offers regular sightings of seals among ice formations. The Snæfellsnes waters become a prime spot for killer whale watching. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "Seeing Arctic foxes in their pristine white winter coats against the snowy landscape was a highlight of our December tour."

• Are there opportunities to see reindeer in Iceland?

  East Iceland particularly around Egilsstaðir and the East Fjords hosts the country's reindeer population with October through April offering the best viewing chances. Lake Hotel Egilsstaðir and Fosshotel Eastfjords serve as convenient bases for reindeer spotting excursions. According to a TourRadar traveler: "We were fortunate to encounter a herd of wild reindeer while driving through the East Fjords - an unexpected highlight of our wildlife tour."