Whale Watching On Board A Traditional Oak Boat From Árskógssandur

We were lucky to spot many whales Combined with sunny weather

Amazing experience… I can highly recommend it.👍

No whale watching trip is a guarantee, but we got lucky and saw a few different humpbacks. The crew was very friendly and the hot chocolate was delicious. Very glad we drove north from Akureyri to go on this adventure.

We saw two different humpback whales, several pods of white beaked dolphins, and what may or may not have been a porpoise. It was there and gone again without anyone getting a good enough look at it. You have to be quick but it was an amazing time!!

We had an amazing whale watching tour! Our guide Mark was funny and very knowledgeable. He told fascinating stories about the whales and was able to spot them from a great distance, We were lucky enough to see four whales during the tour. The captain (who had a really difficult Icelandic name starting with an R) did a fantastic job as well, making sure we got close enough to the whales to see them clearly while also respecting the animals. It was an unforgettable experience, and I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Iceland!

Lovely trip to see a few whales. Guide was very helpful with insights on whales and the landscape. It was a lovely day so we felt very lucky. And we loved the hot drink and cakes.

We only saw one whale, but we followed it up the channel after the other boats turned around allowing us to see it two more times. It was a sperm whale and the guide said she had not seen one in over three years.

Highly recommend for a three hours tour. The sea is rich of animals and staff is very helpful. Thanks to Mark, such a good speaker! Also capitan bravo to follow and catch the wheels!

An outstanding experience. Very well organised with friendly and professional staff and crew. We found two Humpback whales and enjoyed their company for a while before heading back to port with hot chocolate and pastry in hand. I would highly recommend this excursion.

This is worth every single cent you pay for it!!! Been on this ride before (a year ago) and had to come again and bring my son. Pure bliss! Very experienced and careful skipper. The way they get the boat into the direction of the whales and really close to where thy come up after diving, steering softly, only as much machine power as needed, taking really care not to bother the animals - impressive. The whales come really close! Excellent tour guide! Visitors get all information on the whales (they keep record and work together with the university). You get to know how long snd how many years the whales are in the bay already, what name they have (fluke ID and funny name - like "Fluke Reed"). You learn about all kinds of environmental aspects, behavior and more. Excellent. Safe and secure Security and participant preparation are very good, and everyone gets his own (warm ad dry!) onboard-suit before the tour. And yes! Hot chocolate and cinnamon rolles are served at half tme of the tour! It shows that they love their job and they do have something to offer! An experience for life you'll love and never forget. If you have the opportunity to book this tour from Arskogssandur, don't miss it. You'll be part of something wonderful

We saw 3 whales :D Enjoyable experience on a nice boat. Captain knew what het was doing and we spotted our first whale pretty fast after leaving. There was enough room on the boat so everyone could see. Would book this again.

We had a great experience!! On shore we got an isolating suit and a very big raincoat, to make sure we would not freeze to death on the ocean. 😅 (Make sure to be there 30 minutes before departure for this.) After half an hour we saw our first humpback from far away. When we got closer to it you could really see it's whole back and tail. Very impressive sights. We also got really lucky with the clear weather/skies. Rough sea though, be prepared to get splashed of you like to stand on the front of the boat. 💦 (Maybe wear water resistant walking shoes) Alas we only saw one whale, but that's something you can never predict ofcourse. On our way back we got delicious hot chocolate and cinnamon cookies, which were very welcome in the cold wind. After 2,5 hours we were back on shore. The staff was very kind, we forgot the name of the blonde haired guy, but he did an amazing job! 5 stars🌟

Since my Husavik tours were cancelled I did two tours in Eyjafjörður, both with some rain around. The skipper knew where the humpback whales were and he did a really excellent job of getting the boat in the right position for good photos. The humpback sightings were not as productive in the early evening trip as the whales dived before we could get close, but the white-beaked dolphins bow riding was excellent. A vry professional set up.

We saw 2 whales! Was a great experience! The staff were amazing, and the boat was great! Had an old school vibe. Would go back in a heartbeat! The weather was cool and over cast but still a great day on the water!

It was such an amazing experience. The tour lasted even longer than it was supposed to because we were too busy watching the whales. The personnel were true Islandic sailors, experienced in what they do, and it was so great to get to experience the authenticity of it all. The tour was informative and fascinating. Also the surroundings were incredibly beautiful to watch in the middle of mountains while sailing to the sea.

There were pros and cons. Pros The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. When the trip was postponed because of the weather they were informative and it was easy to rebook. The boat was beautiful, and it was great to be on the sea and see the whales even though it was stormy. Cons The boat was just way too full. We could just about see the whales, but it was really packed and jostling, and it wasn't a fun experience as a result. There were not enough seats for everyone to sit. I wasn't sure whether having the boats that close to the whales was ok for them. It took an hour to ride out to see the whales, and an hour back, so the actual part where we could see them was pretty short. It wasn't really easy to find where we should go to check in. (We got rebooked to Arskogssandur because of the weather, I think Husavik would have been better for this).

We were very fortunate to get lots of sightings of the same humpback whale only a few minutes from port. May was a great time to go as there weren’t too many people so everyone could get good views. This is a very scenic location to start a tour as it is only 30 minutes’ drive from Akureyri but it feels very remote.

Our whale watching tour with North Sailing was hands down the highlight of our trip! From start to finish, the entire experience left us speechless in the face of nature’s grandeur. Originally, we planned to depart from Húsavík, but the team advised us to go from Árskógssandur instead, as there was increased whale activity in that area. And they were absolutely right! Thanks to their expert knowledge, we had the most incredible sightings, including the magnificent Forrest Hump, which is quite rare to spot in March! A special shoutout to our spotter, who was absolutely fantastic. His passion for what he does was truly inspiring, and his excitement was contagious! You could tell he genuinely loves his job, and his dedication made the experience even more unforgettable. If you're considering whale watching in Iceland, look no further. North Sailing delivers an unforgettable adventure that will stay with you forever. A solid 10/10 – highly recommended!

We had originally booked a whale watching tour in Húsavík, but two days before the tour, the North Sailing team reached out to let us know that there was a chance we might not see any whales up there. They kindly suggested that we consider a tour from Árskógssandur instead. Trusting their expertise, we decided to switch locations—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made! From start to finish, the experience was absolutely unforgettable. The staff were incredible—friendly, helpful, and accommodating. Our captain and crew were not only knowledgeable but also hilarious, which made the trip even more enjoyable. The highlight of the tour was, of course, seeing the whale—it was spectacular! Sailing through the longest fjord in Iceland, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, was an experience we will cherish forever. The combination of the stunning views, the fantastic crew, and the magical moment of seeing the whale made this tour one of the most memorable things we've ever done. A huge thank you to the North Sailing team for such a fantastic experience. We can’t recommend it enough!

A thoroughly enjoyable couple of tours which were well organised with a knowledgeable guide and lots of space on a lovely vessel in a particularly beautiful bay with numerous whale sightings.

It was a great experience - weather and fiord views were terrific and we did get to see several whales! Highly recommended but, obviously weather dependent.

Really fun experience, saw a bunch of whales, staff were great, would totally recommend! They give you a big insulated overalls but you need gloves, hat and sunglasses for sure. They also serve hot chocolate and a pastry on the boat on your way back.

Our Whale watch from Arskogssandur with North Sailing was one of the highlights of our 18 day trip to Iceland. Our original plan was to go from Huskavik but since we were traveling around the Troll Peninsula we decided to do the whale watch from Arskogssandur, and it was fantastic. Such a relaxed atmosphere, it seemed like we had the entire fjord all to ourself, we saw 5 Humpback whales and even if we didn't see any whales the scenery would have been worth it, it helped that we had perfect weather.

We had booked to go on a trip from Husavik. However, when we got to the check in desk, we were informed that the weather out at sea was very poor. It was raining, the sea was very rough and it was foggy making it difficult to spot the whales. We were given the option of still going on the trip or moving our trip to an afternoon sailing from Árskógssandur in the more sheltered Eyjafjörður fjord. Being very keen whale watchers, we were torn between sheltered seas with the chance to only see humpbacks or the rougher seas with the chance to see more species. After much debate we took the check in assistant's advice and went to Árskógssandur. We were not disappointed! The meeting place is in a hotel where you check in and then are taken to a room under the hotel to get kitted out with a warm all in one suit. Once on board there was plenty of space to move about or sit down. The crew are informative and do a great job at spotting the whales. We were lucky to see white-beaked dolphins which are rare visitors to the fjord and also several humpback whales. One humpback breached right near our boat and several others were spotted breaching in the distance. On the return trip the crew gave out hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls which were delicious. Thankfully the sea was a lot calmer than up in Husavik making the trip a more pleasant experience. All in all an excellent trip and I would highly recommend North Sailing. We hope to return one day to be able to take a trip from Husavik with the chance to see more species of whales.

It was an amazing experience. We saw many whales. Guides were great and hot chocolate was much needed as it was a frost but beautiful day. I would recommend it to anyone. We were also told that thanks to our experience being in the fiord we had nice and calm sea unlike those watching from Husavik so this is surely something to consider when choosing location.

Originally booked a trip out of Húsavik. Received an email advising that the weather would be unfavorable from Húsavik. The email also gave alternate options. We had to adjust our plans a bit and were rewarded with a wonderful boat trip on calm waters from Árskógssandur. We saw multiple humpbacks!

The entire whale watching experience was very well organised and professional. The team both on the boat and on land were friendly and organised, and the equipment was excellent. It’s a gorgeous spot, and very convenient.

We have gotten unlucky in August 2022 with bad weather in Husavik... in 2024 we returned again in August, exactly for the reason of trying again to do the Whale Watching with North Sailing from Husavik.... it got cancelled once again due to weather reasons - understandably of course as the weather was awful both times! What we did better in 2024 is we gave ourselves 2 days in Husavik... both got cancelled but we took advantage of the rescheduling on Day 2 from North Sailing's 2nd location and that's how we did it from Árskógssandur :) you do get the option to reschedule or simply receive a full refund just FYI The tour is great - they give warm overalls and rain jackets but you need definitely waterproof shoes as the water does get on the boat and there is nothing to protect your feet (mine were freezing in pain by the end of the tour in August... I can only imagine other colder months.....). The boat is spacious and I want to say there was about 30-40 of us? Everybody had room to comfortably sit or stand with plenty of personal space. The boat didn't have to leave to the open ocean as there are whales (we saw Humpbacks, 3 different ones, plenty of times!) inside the fjords deep water feeding - it was definitely a pleasant happy ending to third 3rd attempt of doing whale watching in Iceland :) 3rd is the charm! The hot chocolate at the end with a cinnamon roll was a pleasant accent as well but for some reason a lot of people got sea sick afterwards :) I think, depending on the weather/ocean, eating/drinking anything may not be the greatest idea while on the boat if you are prone to being sea sick :)

While it got chilly we had protective outerwear that helped. I highly recommend bringing gloves. We were able to see 5 whales and our guides were amazing!

Really special experience. We saw four whales and the crew really took their time so we could take a lot of pictures. The crew was very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable! Would recommend!

We have enjoyed this trip very much. Meeting point is easily accessible and the crew was welcoming and nice. Since the weather forecast was not in our favor since it was supposed to be raining it wasn’t like that at all. There was no rain and we saw two whales 🐳. The trip was enjoyable and very well guided.

Great experience. Worth spending every single penny. We were amazed by the experience and staff approach. Even though the weather was not the best, we had great time and saw 3 different whales🐳🐋

We had a great afternoon out on the fjord's water with the NorthSails Crew today aboard the Saeborg vessel they run. It's clearly a family run business which had a very nice vibe to it. We spent time with 6 humpback whales feeding which was a fantastic experience for first-time whale watchers. We are a family of 5 and decided the day before that a whale watching trip would make a nice change from all the hiking and sight-seeing we've done on land as we journey the N1 ring road on this 9-day trip. This is a highly recommended set-up if you've got a car and prepared to make a little drive away from the crowds at Akureyri where the vibe is much more touristy. We were just a trip of 3 small groups; I think 11 of us in total. We saw lots of other whale-watching trips with 20++ people aboard so this all felt very exclusive by comparison. Our guide, Romaine, was a delightful French marine-biologist doing research and hospitality work in Iceland. Her passion for the creatures was evident and she gave some really interesting commentary and interpretation for us about the lives and migratory patterns of the humpbacks. Highly recommended.

It was a great day for sailing, the sun was shining and the sea was calm. We got kitted out in overalls to keep us warm at sea. We loved that our boat wasn’t crowded (like others). Plenty of room to move around, sit and see/photograph the hump back whales in the bay. The cinnamon roll and hot chocolate on our return was a really nice touch. Kudos to North Sailing for a fabulous morning on the sea.

The directions were NOT correct and we almost missed the boat, literally. The instructions say "before you go pick up your boarding card at North Sailing's ticket office in Hjalteyri 30 minutes prior to departure." And also to redeem at Hotel Kaldi in Árskógssandur (neither of which were in our car's GPS, in naviation app on phone, or on the hand held map we brought). We were in Hjalteryi 30 minutes prior and the directions on the QR code at the old pick up place do NOT lead to the harbor in Árskógssandur. Locals said "you need to go up one town" but there is a village in between and we made it last second before the boat left. Thankfully they knew we were coming and the tickets were pre-paid. The trip itself was FABULOUS! The crew was lovely, we got to see a few humpback whales and a minke whale in the distance. It was awe inspiring to be out on the Fjord and the hot coca they gave us in the cool wind hit the spot. I definitely recommend for families, friends, and couples!

Great experience, Laura was great! Very knowledgeable and taught us a lot about how to spot the whales and the habits.

Slow A tte thé beginning but after 30 min. we had a dighe and then severa l’onestà with 3 times the tail in the air to dive.

Our guide was a marine biologist and she was fabulous. This was my first time booking on trip advisor and I was amazed how quickly and easily I cook m could book such a great expedition.

Wonderful trip, managed to see some whales. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Would definitely recommend.

We enjoyed a nice trip out in the fjord looking for whales. We saw 3 humpback whales and observed them for a few minutes. They were not super active that day, so it was kind of a mediocre experience where the whales were concerned. Of course North Sailing has no control over that part! The scenery was beautiful though, and it was nice to get out on the water anyway. The company and staff on board were great. The naturalist guide/first mate was helpful and informative without talking incessantly over the loudspeaker the whole trip as I have had on other whale watches. The boat is mostly set up for outdoor seating, so dress warmly. North sailing provides a very warm flotation suit (think full snowmobile suit that floats) and foul weather gear, so that was excellent. Bring a warm hat and gloves however. The bathroom on board is super small and very awkward while wearing all that gear, so plan accordingly! On the way back to port, they served snudel (cinnamon buns) and hot chocolate which were the best we found anywhere in Iceland.

The weather was chilly but clear. Few clouds. We did get to see whales, including humpbacks. The vessel wasn't crowded. Worth the time and money for the experience.

Thanks for having us, we were on watching tour on May 16, 2022, had a lovely weather, and spottet also the whales many times. Bonus on top: hot beverage on board :)

We saw pilot and humpback whales. The boat is not too crowded due to the small size, and the hot chocolate and cinnamon bun was a great addition to the trip.

All very well. Good and warm overalls and coats. Personel was very friendly. And last but not least: humpback was spotted😍

We had a wonderful time with North Sailing in Hjalteyri. We were supposed to go to Husavik but the company contacted us saying there was bad weather and if we were interested in another location where they operated. Luckly it was close to where we where staying and the Hjalteyri harbour was very secluded. We were able to see several whales during the trip, boarding was fast and the staff very helpful. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Overall a great experience.

Whalewatching was a must for me. I am glad to chose this one. It was funny, comfy and they did their best to see and follow whales and to educate us.

Good trip great assistance from the customer service and commentary during the boat ride. Thanks a lot

C19 and bad weather we’re against planning a trip so we booked 2 to give us flexibility in 2 different locations . The shelter of the bay made it excellent and whales were easy to spot and the guide most informative and all on a lovely traditional fishing boat

Our tour from Husavik got moved to Hjalteyri because of weather. It was an amazing experience! Small group size with very knowledgeable staff. The size of the boat makes it feel like you’re right on the water and can reach out and touch the whales. We also did a tour with another company in Reykjavik; it didn’t compare to our tour with North Sailing. When we come back to Iceland, we’ll be booking this tour again!!!