Riding And Whale Watching Combo

Icelandic Horse Riding and Whale Watching Tour from Reykjavik runs through Special Tours Iceland. Rated 4.7 across 50 reviews. Runs 5 hours 30 minutes. From $222.

Overview

This combo pairs two Icelandic experiences into one day: a horseback ride on Icelandic horses, followed by a whale watching cruise from Reykjavik. The whole outing runs about 5 hours 30 minutes, and it starts at the Ishestar Riding Centre, a roughly 20 minute drive from the city centre. Riders meet for a 10:00 start, with optional hotel pickup available for an extra fee if arranged with the operator directly.

On the ride, helmets, rubber boots and rainwear or warm clothing are provided, and coffee, tea or hot chocolate follows at the stables. Several travellers described the guides as patient with beginners while still giving confident riders a proper outing.

Afterwards the day shifts to the water. Warm overalls are supplied on the boat, which has onboard Wi-Fi, and a professional guide commentates on both tours. Whales are wild animals, so sightings cannot be guaranteed, but if nothing appears you get a free ticket to try again on the next available day. The tour suits most travellers who can ride, and the booking carries a maximum of 5 travellers.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the stablesArrive at Ishestar Horse Riding Centre, Sörlaskeið 26, Hafnarfjordur, no later than 9:30 if self-driving. The tour starts at 10:00.
2. Optional hotel pickupFor an additional fee arranged directly with the supplier, pickup starts at 8:45. Transfers are not included in the base tour.
3. Horse riding tourRiding gear and warm clothing are provided, with hot drinks served afterwards. The ride takes place with a professional guide.
4. Whale watching cruiseThe day continues with a boat tour from Reykjavik, with warm overalls supplied and a guide commentating onboard. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, and a free retry ticket applies if nothing is seen.
5. Return to startThe activity ends back at the original meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from what to wear to how the two halves of the tour differ in feel.

• Dress for weather. The tour runs in a variety of weather conditions, so dress appropriately. Rainwear, rubber boots and warm riding gear are supplied on land, and warm overalls on the boat.
• Riding pace. Reviewers praised the guides as attentive to nervous or first-time riders. One reviewer mentioned guides hand-walking a horse for a scared child.
• Time on the water. The whale watching half depends on weather and wildlife. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, but a free retry ticket is offered if nothing is seen.
• Bring your own food. Meals and drinks are not included beyond the hot drinks after the ride.
• Photo stops. One reviewer mentioned good photo opportunities during the ride, with a chance to photograph the horses and the landscape along the way.
• Logistics between tours. Allow time for the journey between the two parts of the day.

Common issues. Weather cancellations are the biggest downside: several reviewers had the whale watching leg cancelled, sometimes with poor communication about it, though the listing promises a different date or a full refund when the operator cancels for weather. Wildlife sightings are never certain, and one reviewer saw none at all, which is why the free retry ticket exists. One reviewer found the boat crowded and the speaker hard to hear. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, is not recommended for travellers with back problems or pregnancy, and riders must be at least 7 years old and under 110 kg/240 lbs. Hotel transfers cost extra and must be arranged with the supplier.

Picking A Ride