Hauganes Whale Watching Iceland 2026: Prices, Tips, & Honest Review

Recommended Whale Watching in Iceland

Hauganes Whale Watching Tour

When you travel around Iceland,

you'll often be surprised by the high prices of tours.

From glacier hiking to ice cave tours and hot springs!

There's so much you'll want to try,

but the costs can really add up if the whole family goes along.

That's why today!

I want to introduce you to one of the tours

I experienced in Iceland that I found to be

excellent value for money:

Hauganes Whale Watching.

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Where to Go Whale Watching in Iceland?

In Iceland,

whale watching tours operate in several regions,

including Húsavík, Akureyri, Hauganes, and Reykjavík.

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As one of Iceland's premier whale watching destinations,

Húsavík immediately comes to mind.

While Húsavík is renowned for whale observation,

it requires nearly a 6-hour drive from Reykjavík.

If your itinerary is tight, the travel time might be a bit much.

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You can also join whale watching tours from

Akureyri.

Akureyri is an excellent city to use as a base

for exploring Northern Iceland.

You can join tours directly from the city,

making it convenient to fit into your Northern region travel plans.

Furthermore, you can go whale watching from

Reykjavík.

While it's great to combine with the city's attractions,

the chances of spotting whales are generally a bit lower

compared to other locations.

And then there's

Hauganes, where we went!

This tour departs from a charming little fishing village,

about a 25-30 minute drive from Akureyri.

You'll get to observe whales from a traditional wooden boat

in the Eyjafjörður Fjord, a known habitat for these magnificent creatures.

While there aren't many amenities or attractions directly around the village,

it's a fantastic stop during your Northern Iceland trip, and I highly recommend it for its

high satisfaction relative to the cost!

How to Book Your Hauganes Whale Watching Tour

The company I booked with is

Whale Watching Hauganes

① Standard Whale Watching

② Whale and Puffin Watching

③ Combo: Whale Watching and Sea Angling

(Duration may vary by approximately 30 minutes depending on daily conditions)

- Whale Sighting Guarantee: If you don't see whales, you can join another tour for free.

To choose a whale watching tour,

I compared so many companies.

Iceland Whale Watching Tours | Whale Watching Hauganeswhales.is

Among them, Hauganes Whale Watching.

Here are a few reasons why I picked them...

First, Hauganes is known as the optimal place

to encounter whales in their natural habitat.

On top of that, they provide winter suits for free,

and if you don't spot any whales,

you can join another tour for free

next time, which I really liked!

What truly convinced me was that the company boasts a 99% whale sighting rate

from May to December of '25...

Of course, since these are wild animals,

we can't guarantee you'll see a whale.

However, if you don't encounter one,

it's a great idea to **book with some flexibility in your itinerary**

so you can try again.

The price listed on the official website is **ISK 12,700 per person**.

And as of October 2026, for adults,

the costs after comparing various booking sites are as follows:

However, if you book online

through the official website, you can get a **10% discount**.

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Regular Price: ISK 12,700 per person

→ Online Booking Discount: 10%

→ Discounted Price: **ISK 11,430** per person

When I checked,

GetYourGuide had the cheapest price.

However, the most reliable way

is to book directly on the company's official website.

So, compare prices and book whichever way suits you best!

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Book Whale Watching Tickets on the Official Website

What to Prepare for Your Whale Watching Tour

Once you book, you'll receive a booking reference via email.

Just show this on-site on the day of your tour,

**I recommend arriving about 30 minutes before departure.**

The reason is that you'll need time to check your ticket

and put on the free winter suits.

The wind can feel quite chilly during the tour.

Fortunately, Hauganes

**provides warm winter suits for free**,

so you can wear them over your regular clothes.

Still, make sure to bring warm clothes to wear underneath.

I highly recommend bringing gloves and a hat.

If you plan to photograph the whales,

don't forget your camera and strap!

Let's Dive In! My Real Hauganes Whale Watching Review

I've actually been on a whale watching tour in New Zealand before.

But back then, the whales were so far away that

to be honest, I didn't feel like I got a proper look.

So I was a bit worried this time too, but guess what?!

As we set out to sea on the traditional boat,

humpback whales started appearing one by one.

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We observed more than five whales,

and some even swam right in front of our boat!

Absolutely mesmerizing—pure bliss!

What's More Important Than Choosing a Specific Company

What was interesting about this tour was that boats from different companies

shared the whales' locations with each other via radio.

Instead of just one company searching for whales,

they were all sharing information and looking for whales together.

Compared to my experience in New Zealand,

we were able to see whales much more frequently this time.

(It seems the region is more important than the specific company.)

Regionally, the most recommended spots are

Húsavík and Hauganes.

Our boat's captain seemed to be really well-connected,

constantly communicating with other boats via radio.

Even the Cold Was Blissful

As you're busy watching whales,

the cold wind out on the sea can make you feel a bit chilly.

And just then!

they provide unlimited cookies and hot chocolate!!!

Sipping on warm hot chocolate and enjoying sweet cookies –

that time was just so incredibly happy...!!

We stayed out at sea for a little over two hours.

Since there were so many whales, we were able to return relatively early.

On days when whales are scarce, they stay out at sea longer.

Highly Recommended for Families with Children!

This Hauganes whale watching tour

was an unparalleled experience, even for children and my 70-year-old mother.

Seeing a living, colossal whale right before your eyes

was truly on another level compared to seeing them in photos or videos.

Ah! If you're worried about motion sickness,

you can inquire with the company before the tour.

(Motion sickness medication is provided free of charge.)

Iceland Tour Recommendation

Hauganes Whale Watching Overall Review

Above all, Iceland has so many expensive tours.

Among them, the Hauganes whale watching tour

stood out as a highly recommended, cost-effective tour

because it can be enjoyed at a relatively reasonable price.

From the excitement of waiting for whales

to the joy of a warm cup of hot chocolate!

This is an experience I definitely recommend in North Iceland.

Iceland Whale Watching Tours | Whale Watching Hauganeswhales.is