From spouting Geysir to the spouting Whales in a blink of an eye.
Golden Circle and Whale Watching Tour
FROM A SPOUTING GEYSER TO SPOUTING WHALES IN A BLINK OF AN EYE.
For an unforgettable action-packed day, take Iceland’s most iconic tour, the Golden Circle, and afterward head out to sea for some Whale Watching.
The Golden Circle is made up of three of Iceland´s most treasured natural wonders: The beautiful Þingvellir National Park, where the continental plates have been pulling apart and where the world´s first democratic parliament was established; the spectacular spouting geyser, Strokkur; and the powerful Gullfoss Waterfall that thunders 32 meters down into a deep canyon. This tour showcases some of Iceland´s most picturesque countryside and unspoiled nature. Departures for the Golden Circle Tour are at 08:00 and the tour lasts approx. 7,5 hours.
Departure for our whale-watching trip is at 17:00, which means that after the 08:00 Golden Circle Tour you will have around an hour before boarding the whale-watching ship. We drop you off by the pier and here's the perfect opportunity to explore the quaint old harbor with its design boutiques and coffee houses, or simply stroll around and take in all the action in the busy harbor.
On your return to Reykjavik, it´s off whale watching from Reykjavík harbor. In the bay can be found a large variety of whales, dolphins, and birds that happily enjoy the long days and bright nights of the Icelandic summer. The minke whales are playful and in large numbers, along with the quick and quirky white-beaked dolphins, the cute harbor porpoises, and the huge humpback whales.
We have more than 15 years experience of guiding and operating whale-watching tours in the Faxafói Bay, so you can be certain that we love and respect the whales and other wildlife in our native bay. Our trips always bear in mind the wellbeing of the whales and we are also active participants in the protection and research of whales.
All of our whale-watching tours start from our ticket office on the Ægisgarður pier at the Old Harbour in Reykjavík. Your whale-watching guide will meet you in our Whale Watching Centre located on board an old fishing vessel that is permanently moored at the pier.
Before or after the tour you can enjoy the onboard multimedia show that includes images and videos providing lots of fascinating facts about the whales and marine life in Icelandic waters.
Highlights
- Þingvellir: the rift valley and the site of the oldest modern parliament.
- Geysir: hot spring & geothermal area and home to Strokkur, the erupting geyser.
- Gullfoss Waterfall: the powerful glacial waterfall known as the 'Golden Waterfall' in English.
- Whale Watching with Elding: head out to sea and go searching for the whales of Iceland.
- GPS synced audio guide: will give you all the information you need for your journey.
Reykjavik Terminal
Tours depart from the Reykjavik Terminal located at Skógarhlíð 10. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to departure along with a printed or digital copy of your ticket/voucher.
If you have booked a hotel pickup with SmartBus™, please be at your chosen pickup location 30 minutes before the departure of the tour. Look for the Green SmartBus™ which will be outside your accommodation within 30 minutes of pickup.
Þingvellir National Park
Located on the northern shores of Þingvallavatn (Iceland's largest lake), Þingvellir (anglicized as 'Thingvellir') is the national pride of Iceland and our first National Park. It is, for one, a key location in Icelandic history as the oldest existing parliament in the world was first assembled there in 930 AD. For this reason, Þingvellir has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is, therefore, a protected national park due to its unique geology and natural features. From the viewing area, the Almannagjá canyon between two tectonic plates can be seen, a visual representation of continental drift.
As the first stop along the tour, you will have an opportunity to walk through the park and use the restroom if needed.
Geysir Geothermal Springs
A favorite stop along the Golden Circle is the highly active Geysir Hot Spring Area with boiling mud pits and the lively Strokkur which spouts water 30 meters (100 ft) into the air every few minutes. The area became active more than 1000 years ago and comprises more than a dozen hot spring holes. Although one can only see steam emerging from the surface of Geysir these days, its name was adopted to represent spouting hot springs all over the world.
Along the tour, the newly opened Geysir Center offers guests and travelers a chance to use the restroom and to catch some refreshments as well as lunch.
Gullfoss Waterfall
As one of the most popular attractions in all of Iceland, Gullfoss is a waterfall located in the canyon of Hvítá river in the southwest of the country. The beautiful Hvítá river rushes southward in three steps into a narrow canyon with a breathtaking roar and grandeur. Furthermore, on clear days the magnificent Langjökull glacier, Iceland's second largest glacier, can be seen in the distance.
Guests and Travelers may use the restroom and purchase food and refreshments at this location as well.
Whale Watching with Elding
After a full day of sightseeing, we will drop you off at the Elding Whale Watching office. After checking in and hopping on board, you will receive warm clothing if you feel it is needed and you will find several outdoor viewing platforms, a large indoor saloon with an on board café with light refreshments, and basic bathroom facilities. Once underway, an onboard guide will be there to commentate on the sights and views at hand through the intercom system on board and will be available to you and happy to answer any questions you may have throughout the tour.
