Iceland
Whale and dolphin watching in Reykjavik and across Faxaflói Bay was, unfortunately, one of the worst experiences I have had in the industry. I worked there for a few months and was deeply disappointed by the lack of respect for marine life. While a voluntary code of conduct exists, it is not legally enforced, meaning that adherence varies greatly between companies. This lack of regulation results in frequent overcrowding, with one or two humpback whales sometimes being completely encircled by up to ten boats at once. Such conditions create an extremely stressful environment for the animals, disrupting their natural behavior and potentially leading to dangerous interactions.
In addition to overcrowding, many operators fail to respect distance guidelines, often getting far too close to the whales and dolphins. I personally witnessed boats positioning themselves directly over whales or cutting across their paths, ignoring basic principles of responsible wildlife viewing. This disregard for proper conduct led to several alarming situations. In just a few months, I observed at least three incidents where whales exhibited signs of distress or potential aggression, including sudden breaches just meters away from boats and powerful tail-slapping near vessels—both of which could pose serious risks to passengers and crew.
While some guides and captains strive to operate more responsibly, they cannot control the actions of other boats in the area. This creates an unpredictable and often harmful environment for both marine life and visitors hoping for an ethical whale-watching experience. For these reasons, I do not recommend Reykjavik for those who prioritise responsible wildlife tourism.
Instead, for a more respectful and well-managed experience in Iceland, I strongly recommend Ólafsvík. Unlike Reykjavik, where multiple companies compete for sightings at the expense of the animals, Ólafsvík has a single operator offering whale-watching tours (at least when i was there in 2022) focused on orcas and sperm whales. This company follows strict guidelines to minimise disturbance, allowing for more natural and sustainable interactions with these incredible marine mammals. If you are looking for an ethical whale-watching experience in Iceland, Ólafsvík is by far the better choice.
