Frequently Asked Questions
When should I arrive for check-in?
​We kindly ask that you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to departure.
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Do I need to print my ticket?
​No, there is no need to print your ticket. Note that you will need to check in at our boat house prior to boarding the boat. At the boat house you will put on the warm floatable overall we provide.
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Where can I park my car?
​There is parking area at the harbor where you can park free of charge.
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What type of clothing is recommended?
There is no dress code but we always recommend dressing warm as it is a bit colder on the water than on land. On board everyone has to wear warm floatable overalls that we provide. Gloves, warm hats and sturdy shoes is always a good idea.
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Is there an age limit for the tours?
​Yes there is. You must be at least 8 years old & 130cm tall to join this tour.
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What languages do you offer on the tours?
Our tour guide and captain speak to our foreign guests in English.
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I‘m pregnant – can I join the tours?
​Unfortunately, no you can not. Our RIB boat can sail very fast and the "road" can be jumpy at times. It is important to be very careful when pregnant and we do not want to risk anything happening to the little unborn or the pregnancy.
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Can people with mobility issues join a tour?
Unfortunately people with mobility issues often find our tours to be to difficult. You have to be able to stand over your seat and hold tight. There is no wheelchair access on board the boat.
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Is there a toilet on board the boats?
On board the RIB speedboat there is no toilet. There is a temporary wc for our customers at the harbor area.
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What kind of whales will I see on my Whale Watching tour from Kópavogur?
​The most common whale species that we see on our whale watching tours are humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. We can never guarantee any sightings, or a specific type of sighting, on our tours. In case of no sightings on our tours you will be offered a free return ticket to try again.
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How close will I get to the whales?
​This depends on the tour, and the whales. We follow a strict code of conduct in accordance with IceWhale regarding how we approach and view the whales, so it is ultimately up to the whales. During some tours the whales are just next to the boat, and on other tours they are further away. If the sightings are not good because the whales are too far from the boat, we will offer a free return ticket to try again.
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When can I see Northern Lights?
​It is only possible to see Northern Lights when it gets dark at night, so roughly from the end of August until the middle of April. During other months, the daylight in Iceland is too strong to see them – even at night. We offer northern light tours during September, October and the first two weeks of April.
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How do you decide if you will sail or not for the Northern Lights?
​We make a careful decision each afternoon based on the most updated weather forecast, keeping in mind cloud coverage, sea conditions, Northern Lights activity and of course sea conditions. If the sea conditions are to rough we do not sail.
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What if I don‘t see anything on my tour?
​If nothing is seen on your Whale Watching or Northern Lights by Boat tour, you are entitled to join us for free on another tour – valid indefinitely! If this happens to you, please reach out to our reception team after your tour to rebook. Please note that there are no refunds available after you join a tour. See more about our terms and conditions here.
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What if my tour gets cancelled?
​If your tour is cancelled, you can always reschedule for another day. If you are not able to reschedule AND have not already been on the tour before, you are entitled to a full refund.
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My tour was cancelled – how long do I have to wait for a refund?
If you booked directly through us, we can process your refund right away. Depending on your bank and credit card company, the refund can take 3-7 business days to show back up on your card. If you booked the tour through a third party, please contact them to verify this information.
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My plans have changed – can I reschedule or cancel my tour?
​We are very flexible, so as long as we have availability it‘s never a problem to rebook your tour. Please contact our reception team to rebook your adventure.
We have a 24 hour cancellation policy – as long as you cancel at least 24 hours before your tour, you are entitled to a full refund. If you have booked through a third party, please contact them as their policies may differ.
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What is your refund policy?
We have a 24 hour cancellation policy – if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance you are eligible for a full refund. If you have booked through a third party, please contact them to ask about their refund policy as it may be different.
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Can I pay in another currency?
​You can pay with EUR, USD, GBP or ISK in cash before your tour. Please note that we can only give change back in ISK.
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Can I take a drone with on the tour?
Due to safety reasons and respect for wildlife, other passengers and boat traffic, drones are not allowed on our scheduled tours.