FAQ
When is the best time to see orcas with you?
Orcas can be encountered on our whale-watching tours from Ólafsvík from mid-February to June. Based on our experience and past sightings, March, April and May are generally the most reliable months, with April and May historically offering the highest chances. Sightings can continue into June, although they tend to become less predictable as the season progresses. By August, sightings are less likely, and they are very uncommon in September.
As we work with wild animals in their natural environment, we cannot predict sightings for a specific date or guarantee that orcas will be present. They can travel long distances, sometimes moving up to 120 km in a day, so their presence in the area can change quickly. They may disappear unexpectedly or appear when we least expect them.
If seeing orcas is the main purpose of your trip to Iceland, we recommend allowing several days in the Snæfellsnes area and keeping your plans flexible. Joining more than one tour can also give you additional opportunities to encounter them. Even during the best months, we do not see orcas on every departure, and sightings can vary considerably from day to day and from year to year.
When is the best time to see sperm whales with you?
As we work with wild animals in their natural environment, sperm whale sightings cannot be predicted or guaranteed. Based on our experience, late spring and early summer, particularly April to June, generally offer the best opportunities to encounter sperm whales on our tours from Ólafsvík. They have also been spotted in late winter and occasionally in July.
Sperm whales spend much of their time in the deeper waters of Breiðafjörður, so sightings can be particularly dependent on weather and sea conditions, which determine how far we can safely travel into the fjord.
Can we see blue whales on your trips?
We have encountered blue whales a handful of times during our summer whale watching tours from Ólafsvík over the last five years.
What other whales or dolphins can be seen on your tours?
In addition to orcas and sperm whales, several other whale and dolphin species can be frecuently encountered on our tours.
Humpback whales: In recent years, spring and summer months, including April, and July to September, have offered good opportunities for humpback sightings.
White-beaked dolphins and minke whales can be encountered from Ólafsvík throughout the whale-watching season. They tend to be among the main species seen in late summer and early autumn, particularly in August and September.
Long-finned pilot whales were seen quite regularly from Ólafsvík during summer and early autumn, especially from July to September. Sadly, sightings have been less frequent in recent years.
These are general seasonal patterns based on our experience, rather than guarantees. We work with wild animals in their natural environment, so their presence and distribution can change from year to year. Every tour is different, and you never know exactly what you might encounter.
For more information about the species we can see on our tours in Snæfellsnes, visit our Whales we see and Sightings Statistics pages for detailed information.
How close you will get is up to the animals?
How close we get to the animals is entirely up to them. We never force a close encounter and always follow responsible whale-watching guidelines (Code of Conduct) as part of our commitment to eco-friendly and respectful wildlife tourism.
When we encounter whales or dolphins, we may slow down considerably or switch off the engines completely, depending on the situation. We keep a respectful distance, give the animals plenty of space, and approach from the side where possible, travelling parallel to them to avoid interfering with their natural behaviour.
Ultimately, every encounter is on the animals’ terms. Sometimes they may choose to come closer to the boat, while at other times they may prefer to keep their distance — and we respect that.
How to get to Ólafsvík
To get to Ólafvík from Keflavik airport, follow directions for Reykjavik. Once in Reykjavik, follow the signs for Akureyri and Borgarnes out of Reykjavík (road 1, Vesturlandsvegur). Drive through Borgarnes following signs for Akureyri. Just outside of Borgarnes, you will come across a roundabout, go three-quarters around onto road 54 (signs say Stykkishólmur, Ólafsvík). Follow this road (54) until you get to Vegamót. Turn right at Vegamót onto road 56. Drive over the mountain until you come to a T-junction. Turn left at the junction onto road 54 (again). You will stay at road 54, through Grundarfjörður and keep on going west until you end up in ÓlafsvíkThis road will lead you to us.
On reaching Ólafsvík, stay on the main road until you see the harbor. At the harbour, you will see two blue containers with our Láki Tours logo on them. That’s us!
The road is tarred all the way from Keflavík airport and it takes about 4 hours to get to us from the airport and 3 hours from Reykjavík.
Do you run tours all year round?
No. Our tours operate seasonally, as there is a period of the year when whale activity in the area is generally lower.
Our whale-watching season runs from mid-February to the beginning of October, while our puffin tours run from June to mid-August.
Outside these periods, we do not operate regular tours. We recommend planning your visit within the relevant season if you would like to join us on a whale-watching or puffin tour.
When is the better time to spot orcas and other wildlife, on the morning or the afternoon tour?
We do get this question a lot, and, again, the answer is – this is nature, anything is possible! There is no way we can foresee sightings possibilities, and surely not for a certain time during the day. You might see a lot of wildlife on our tours, but sometimes you might also see no whales or dolphins at all – no two tours are the same. So come and try your luck!
Can you predict the weather forecast before we book, so we can be sure our tour will go ahead?
Unfortunately, we cannot predict the weather that far in advance. Weather conditions in Iceland can change very quickly, and in some cases, we may only have a reliable idea of the conditions on the morning of the tour.
We always keep a close eye on the forecast and sea conditions and will make an operational decision based on the conditions closer to departure.
We understand that you may want to know what to expect, but please keep in mind that we cannot provide a reliable weather forecast weeks or months in advance.
Do you offer whale watching tours from Grundarfjörður?
No. We no longer operate whale-watching tours from Grundarfjörður. Our whale-watching tours depart from Ólafsvík.
During the summer, however, we offer puffin tours from Grundarfjörður, giving you the chance to visit the area around Melrakkaey Island and see puffins and other seabirds.
Please make sure you travel to the correct departure town for your tour. Your whale watching or puffin tour departure location is clearly stated on your booking confirmation.
Do you offer pickup service from Reykjavik?
No, we do not. You have the option to rent your own car in Reykjavík or take the bus but bus timetables in the rural parts of Iceland can make this option difficult. Please ensure you can get to us before you book a ticket!
I was late for the tour and did not make it in time – do I get a refund?
No. If you cancel your booking up to 24 hours before the tour, you will get a refund. If you arrive late for the tour, we can sometimes offer you to come on another trip (weather and passenger number permitting), but it is your responsibility to be at the meeting point in time, so there will be no refund.
Do you offer sea angling tours?
At the moment, we do not offer sea-angling tours. We currently focus on whale watching tours from Ólafsvík and puffin tours from Grundarfjörður. For more information about our tour options, please visit Tours.
What clothes should I wear for the tour?
Dress warmly for all our tours, even during the summer months. We strongly recommend wearing several warm layers, along with a hat, gloves, and sturdy, comfortable shoes. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also recommended.
For our whale watching tours from Ólafsvík, we provide warm, water-resistant overalls to wear over your clothes. However, these are an extra layer and do not replace warm clothing underneath. We currently do not provide overalls for Puffin tours.
Icelandic weather and sea conditions can feel cold, even in summer, so dressing appropriately is an important part of preparing for your tour. Being well dressed will help you stay comfortable and enjoy the experience to the fullest.
Do you have toilet facilities on board?
Yes, we do. On all our boats.
Do you sell snacks and drinks on board?
No. Please bring your own drinks and snacks if needed. You can also purchase water, soft drinks, and hot drinks at our ticket office before or after your tour.
Can I smoke on the boat?
No. Smoking is not allowed on any of our boats. This is Icelandic law and includes e-cigarettes, vapes, etc.
I get seasick easily. What can I do?
If you are prone to seasickness, there are a few things you can do to make your experience more comfortable.
Our whale watching tours from Ólafsvík take place in a relatively large and open fjord, so some movement can be expected depending on the sea conditions. If you feel uncomfortable, we recommend staying outside in the fresh air, looking towards the horizon, and standing where you can naturally balance with the movement of the boat. The back of the boat is generally a good place to stay, as there is usually less movement there.
If you use seasickness medication, remember that it generally needs to be taken before the tour, so please follow the instructions for the medication you choose and allow enough time for it to take effect. We do not provide seasickness medication onboard.
If you are particularly concerned about seasickness, our partner company in Hólmavík may also be worth considering, as their tours operate in a more sheltered fjord and can offer a different experience.
Can I fly a drone from the boat?
No. Drones are not permitted to be flown from our boats due to safety reasons.
We encourage you to bring your own camera and binoculars instead, so you can capture and enjoy the beautiful moments and wildlife you encounter during the tour.
If you would like to fly a drone from shore while in Iceland, please make sure you are familiar with Icelandic laws, regulations, and local guidelines regarding drone use, including where and when flying is permitted. Always respect wildlife, other visitors, and protected areas.