Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour combines some of Iceland's most popular attractions and activities, making it the perfect day tour for you. Enjoy watching playing whales and natural beauties of Iceland with us.
*Automatic 10% discount after showing the booking confirmation (received when booking this tour), valid only when buying refreshments, not at the gift shops
Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik
Your trip of the day (of life?) starts with a whale watching tour departing from Reykjavik, where you’ll get a chance to see whales and dolphins in their natural environment, swimming, chilling, and playing around Faxaflói bay.
The rich birdlife of Faxaflói Bay
The birdlife of Faxaflói bay is rich and diverse all year round. Largest flocks are seen in late winter, when Capelin migrates to the area, drawing in thousands of birds and whales to gorge on this life-giving nourishment. This is just a cherry on the top of your Golden Circle & Whale Watching tour experience!
Whales of Iceland Exhibition
After whale watching, you can visit the "Whales of Iceland Exhibition" which is the largest exhibition of its kind in Europe, featuring around twenty-five life-size specimens of whales that live in the waters around Iceland. It is a great show not only for the kids, and we recommend to see it.
Golden Circle Tour
After a great time during the whale watching part of the Golden Circle & Whale Watching tour, you'll head out on the Golden circle tour that covers Iceland's biggest natural attractions, including Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, and Geysir Geothermal Area.
Þingvellir National Park
Come with us to the Þingvellir National Park - a place full of history, culture, and geological elements to show you, why is Iceland so special, and why it is a great thing to visit it. Þingvellir National Park is located in a rift valley where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates meet. It is also the UNESCO world heritage and Þingvellir National Park is a place were Althing - Iceland's parliament was founded back in 930 AD. Þingvellit became the national park exactly 1000 years later, in 1930, and it is home to Iceland's largest lake, Þingvallvatn.
Gullfoss Waterfall
Gullfoss (Golden Falls) is a waterfall and gets its name from the golden color of its water as it churns up silt and sediment. The magnificent waterfalls lie in the Hvitá river and are fed by Langjökull, Iceland’s second-largest glacier. In total, Gullfoss is 32 meters high, falling two tiers that are 11 and 21 meters high, respectively. There is a lot of stories about how Gullfoss got its name, and our best guide will tell you about them everything. At Gullfoss, you will have extra time for a lunch break or just any break you will need at Gullfoss Café.
Geysir Geothermal Area
Before we begin the part of the tour at Geysir Geothermal Area, please, pay respect for nature around and signs. Geysir Geothermal Area will give back an amazing experience while watching the geyser Strökkur erupts. This is happening every 6-10 minutes. Only Strökkur geyser erupts, but on the other side, all area is covered by infamous hot springs, bubbling cauldrons, and steaming pools. The Geysir Geothermal Area is located in the Haukadalur valley. You will smell the smells, see the wide colors around, and before you go on this tour with us, you should know, that smells, colors, and eruptions are a window into all the geothermal activity happening across (and beneath) Iceland, making all those hot tubs, swimming pools, greenhouses, and geothermal energy possible.
Memories you won't forget
Your camera will be full of pictures and videos, and your mind will be always happy to come back to this day. The Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour is here for you, to make you day unforgettable. We hope that with our care, best guides, comfortable transport and everything else, you will coming back home just with the best memories. And don't forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook :-)
1. Where is the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour?
The Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour begins with the whale watching part. The boat is leaving from Reykjavik heading to Faxaflói Bay. After watching whales, dolphins, and birds, the Whale of Iceland exhibition is waiting for you, while still in Reykjavik. After this, the bus will take you for the Golden Circle part. The Golden Circle is approximately 260 kilometers both ways from Reykjavik.
2. How long does the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour take?
The Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour takes approximately 10 hours.
3. Can you do the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour for one day?
Yes! That's why it is a great combination of two popular tours just in one day. See nature, know the history, and explore life underwater.
4. What do the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour include?
The tour includes professional guiding on both tours, bus transport, tour in English, free WiFi in the bus, super comfortable coaches, whale & dolphins watching, birds watching, Whale of Iceland exhibition, visit the Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, Gullfoss Waterfall, and of course, the best memories!
5. Can you go for the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour if the weather is bad?
No. If the weather is really really bad, we don't do our tour, to protect our customers and employers. Although, it would be very dangerous to go on the sea for whale watching, and also to drive the bus for the Golden Circle part. Of course, if the Golden Circle & Whale Watching tour is canceled you can go for the tour some other day, or we will refund you your payment at a full price.
6. Is the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour suitable for kids and pregnant women?
The Golden Circle & Whale Watching tour is ok for the kids. When it comes to pregnant women, we recommend considering whether the whale watching part is ok for the woman & baby regarding their health condition and length of pregnancy. But the Golden Circle tour part is completely safe for pregnant women.
7. What do you recommend to wear during the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour?
Iceland has very unpredictable weather, and so even you are going for the tour in the summertime, we recommend to either wear or pack warm and waterproof clothes. During colder months it is essential to wear good thermal clothes, and again warm and waterproof clothes. And of course, it is better for you to wear a good stable shoes for your own safety.
8. Are there places to eat during the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour?
Yes! Please keep in mind that eating is prohibited in our coaches, but during the Golden Circle tour part, you can grab something to eat at Þingvellir National Park, Geysir Geothermal Area, and also at the Gullfoss waterfall where you can get 10% discount for your order showing the booking confirmation with Gray Line at the cashier.
9. Where are the pick-up locations for the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour?
We pick-up from all major hotels in the greater Reykjavik area where possible. In the city center where bus traffic is restricted we pick-up from designated bus stops. We also pick up from the cruise ports, and it is always possible to join the tour at our bus terminal in Klettagarðar.
10. Do I need to know something more about the Golden Circle & Whale Watching Tour?
If you have more questions in mind, contact us at iceland@grayline.is or call. If you are hungry for more information about the Golden Circle, please click here to find answers to what you would like to know.
Part of this tour is operated by our partners
Restrooms available at most of the tour stops
Not booked your hotel yet? Hotel not listed? Staying with a friend/family?
Don't worry, you can give us that information when you add this item to your cart.
Check the status of your tour, including live Northern Lights tour updates, at book.grayline.is.
Need some help? Our call center is open 24 hours every day of the year. 354 540 1313 or e-mail iceland@grayline.is
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