Things to do in North Iceland

Glide away on a journey to discover the fantastic world of whales in their natural habitat on a whale-watching boat tour from Húsavík. Enjoy the warmth and welcome of a family-run business, learning about these fantastic mammals from experts and animal lovers. Begin your tour by heading West towards Kinnarfjöll mountain range, passing through the best whale-watching grounds of Skjálfandi Bay. Learn how the waters around Húsavik are home to several species of cetaceans, including the more common Humpback and Minke whales, and rarer visitors, such as Blue, Fin and Killer whales. Keep a lookout for White-beaked dolphins too. These magnificent creatures are a sight to behold. In addition to whale watching, marvel at breathtaking views of the dramatic Icelandic coastline and the chance to see other marine life, such as seals and sea birds. Atlantic Puffins can be spotted on a daily basis between May and mid August. Listen to your knowledgeable guide, who will offer a wealth of information about whales, their ecology and habitat, and other marine life.

Experience the majestic beauty of the Eyjafjord's humpback whales and other marine life in their natural habitat on this 2,5-3,5 hr. cruise from Akureyri. Listen to your guide's commentary and discover how the warmth of the summer sun brings vibrant life and plenty of food for the larger-than-life mammals.  Benefit from the services of specially-trained whale watching guides who are experts at spotting the animals. Listen as they tell you about the behavior of the whales and answer any questions you may have. Journey aboard the only specially-modified, high-speed whale watching ship in Iceland. Capable of carrying 200 people, it provides spectacular views from its cinema-style viewing platforms. Relax aboard the boat and enjoy the ample indoor and outdoor seating. Purchase drinks and snacks along the way from the onboard bar and cafeteria. Experience a pleasant and comfortable ride, even at speed, and share your adventure live on social media with free Wi-Fi.

Embark on a whale-watching cruise in Húsavík with live commentary. Marvel at the natural beauty of Skjálfandi Bay and get up close to whales, dolphins, and sea birds. Cruise by the north coast of Iceland on a traditional oak boat with light refreshments and warm overalls included. Observe the large diversity of marine animals in Skjálfandi. Enjoy a smooth, safe sailing adventure in an Icelandic oak ship and treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa and some cinnamon buns on the return trip. This round-trip tour is an authentic wildlife activity operated by the pioneers of whale watching in Iceland. With informative commentary from your guide, learn why Húsavík has turned into Iceland’s whale-watching capital.

Explore Myvatn Nature Baths, a traditionally designed complex with an admission ticket. Relax in the warm waters of the geothermal pools, have a light meal, enjoy a drink in the swim-up bar, and soak in the views of the surroundings. You can take a relaxing bath in the waters of a geothermal area where the sulfur steam rises up through holes in the floor. Explore the water of the Myvatn Nature Baths, drawn from a borehole that goes 2,500 meters into the ground.  Before or after bathing you can enjoy a light meal and drinks at a cafe in a beautiful setting with views of the stunning natural surroundings. You can also make use of the swim-up bar in the baths and enjoy a beer, wine, cider, soda, or glass of sparkling wine in the water. Spend a soothing day in the water which has a high concentration of minerals, is basic in nature, and is well suited for bathing.

Climb aboard a traditional Icelandic oak boat and experience a traditional whale watching tour from Europe's whale watching capital at Húsavík. Keep warm and dry with the use of high-quality safety overalls and rain jackets. Sail out into the bay and prepare to be captivated by the work of Mother Nature. Your specialized guide will give a safety demonstration on board the boat and then feed you live commentary on all the sights you will encounter. Skjálfandi Bay is known for its rich wildlife, including numerous types, shapes and sizes of whale. Keep a look out for the acrobatic humpback whales and giant blue whales. This is wild nature and therefore unpredictable, but your chances of seeing whales in their natural environment is very high. Sail back to Húsavík harbour and enjoy the stunning scenery.

Get your warm clothes and get ready for a real adventure! The tour begins with a sail to the beautiful Skjálfandi Bay. There are many whale species that are known to be accommodated in the area. For example, the Humpback whale, the Minke whale, White-beaked dolphins, porpoises… More than 10 different species visit Skjálfandi every year! The speedy RIB boats make it more likely to have a close encounter with the giants, being able to drive huge amounts of miles in the trip. Also, with only 12 passengers or fewer on board, the competition for the best view on board is certainly eliminated. Among the places, we will visit Lundey (Puffin Island)*, known for its great amount of the popular bird. Passengers will also see the Tjörnes peninsula, known for its fossil layers with the most ancient one being two million years old! An expert whale-watching guide, a captain on board, a warm water-resistant overall suit, and a life vest are included in this trip. Bring your hat and gloves with you – the bay can be pretty cold! So, when will you join us? *Puffin season is ca. 15th of April-20th August. Outside that time of the year, our tours are Big Whales exclusive!

At the Forest Lagoon we believe that to create unique experiences every detail matters. With views overlooking one of Iceland's longest fjords, Eyjafjörður, the spa's unique location surrounded by birch and pine trees truly sets it apart. During the visit to the Forest Lagoon guests will experience the view, the tranquility and the energy of Vaðlaskógur, the forest that surrounds the baths. There are two pools at the Forest Lagoon. The large pool is 530m2 and the temperature is kept around 37°C (98.6F), it has two swim-up bars and an indoor entry. The small pool is 53m2 and the temperature is kept around 40°C (104F). Our sauna harnesses the power of dry heat. Unlike steam rooms, also known as wet saunas, moisture and steam play no part in a Finnish dry sauna. The humidity is kept around 20% and the temperature is around 80°C. At our sauna, along with enjoying all the health benefits dry sauna brings, you will also experience a unique view over Eyjafjörður and the mountains surrounding it. Just remember to wear your swimsuits in there. Next to the dry sauna we have a cold pool and we highly recommend our guests to enjoy the health benefits combining those two can bring. The temperature of the cold pool is 11°C (51.8F) An important part of the experience at the Forest Lagoon is dining at Forest Bistro. If you are a person that likes to enjoy quality food in an exotic environment, the wood-cladded bistro area is something you will not want to miss. With the view over Eyjafjörður, the indoor fireplace the bistro has everything you need to top off the Forest Lagoon experience.

Embark on a guided whale watching tour to Puffin Island from Húsavík. Take in the views of this island on a speedboat ride and learn about the local marine life and puffins from an experienced guide. After you have been equipped with a warm safety overall and a life jacket, step aboard a modern RIB speedboat to begin your exciting adventure. Head out to the beautiful surroundings of Skjálfandi Bay while your specialized guide demonstrates safety on-board and gives you live commentary on the sights encountered along the way. Your first visit will be Puffin Island during the nesting period (April 15 – August 15 approximately), where you can observe thousands of colourfully-beaked puffins, often called "the Clowns of the Ocean." The high speeds of your boat will make it more likely you will spot some of the bigger whales, such as the majestic blue whales and acrobatic humpback whales. Watching whales in their natural environment from a RIB speedboat is a unique experience. Your RIB speedboat is more spacious than most others in the area thus offering higher comfort and a personal atmosphere for the maximum of 12 passengers on board.

The picturesque village of Árskógssandur is located on the western shore of Eyjafjörður, Iceland, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the tranquil waters of the fjord. Eyjafjörður is a favorable habitat for marine life, so favorable in fact that whales were spotted on all of these tours in 2016. On this whale-watching tour, you'll graciously glide through the calm seas of Eyjafjörður under the guidance and expertise of a qualified crew. This tour is approximately two-and-a-half hours long. This tour gives you the unique and exceptional opportunity to get in touch with the magnificent wildlife found in the north of Iceland, most notably the majestic whales and seabirds. The check in point is located in the reception of Hotel Kaldi.

Nature - Culture - History Highlights: - The Waterfall Godafoss (The Waterfall of the Gods) - Akureyri Countryside - The Valley Fnjoskadalur - The Old Mountain Road - The Eyjafjordur Bay - Photostop at the Akureyri Viewpoint If you are looking for a scenic and memorable excursion in Iceland, you might want to consider a 2 1/2 to 3 hours tour from the town of Akureyri to the majestic Godafoss Waterfall. This tour will take you through the beautiful countryside of northern Iceland, where you will see stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. But you will also learn about the history and culture of Iceland from your knowledgeable guide. The tour starts in Akureyri, the second largest urban area in Iceland and the capital of the north. You will board a bus that will take you to the Godafoss waterfall (Goðafoss in Icelandic), one of the most spectacular and historic waterfalls in Iceland. The name means the "waterfall of the gods". The waterfall is about 12 meters high (36 feet) and 30 meters wide (90 feet), and it forms a horseshoe shape that creates a stunning spectacle of water and mist. You will have about 45 minutes to explore the waterfall, take photos of this natural wonder and, if you like, grab a coffee at the Godafoss Coffee Shop. After admiring the waterfall, you will board the bus again and head back to Akureyri but not exactly the same way. You will drive through the beautiful Fnjoskadalur Valley, up to the mountains and down to the Eyjafordur Bay with astonishing view. The Eyjafjordur Bay is the longest in Iceland, and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Before you arrive to Akureyri the bus will stop at the Akureyri Viewpoint so you can enjoy the view over the town of Akureyri, the Bay and the mountains, and take pictures! This tour is a great way to experience some of the best sights and sounds of northern Iceland in a short time. It is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Book your spot today and get ready for an unforgettable adventure!