Are you passing through Reykjavik on your trip to Iceland? Discover the Whales of Iceland Museum near the capital’s harbour. Dedicated to the different species of whales, this fun and educational place fascinated us with its 23 life-size replicas of cetaceans visiting Icelandic waters! Whale song, subdued atmosphere, virtual headphones… The immersive museography is definitely a plus in our eyes. Whether you’re passionate about whales or simply curious, we highly recommend this must-see museum in Reykjavik.
In this article, you’ll find some useful tips to help you prepare for your visit and have a wonderful time!
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Content
Why visit the Whales of Iceland Museum in Reykjavik?
Is the museum worth it? Our opinion:
Yes, the Whales of Iceland Museum is definitely worth a visit in our opinion! We were impressed by the life-size replicas of the 23 species of cetacean that frequent Icelandic waters. Suspended from the ceiling of a huge warehouse, you can get up very (very) close to these creatures, making the experience quite unique, especially for those fascinated by these wonders.
In fact, it’s one of the best things to do in Reykjavik!
>> Book your ticket with audioguide included!
Why is the Icelandic Whale Museum famous?
Did you know that each cetacean model is hand-painted in this museum? These life-size replicas are directly inspired by real whales. We were even able to touch them and observe them in great detail. For us, the museum visit makes a real difference. When you’re on a boat, most of the time you can’t see much. You see a giant back, and perhaps a tail for a moment before the whale dives in. For this reason, the museum experience complements whale watching at sea, which remains an exceptional experience.
The museography is also highly immersive: our visit took place under blue lighting, with sound broadcasts of whale songs. You can even swim virtually alongside these magnificent sea creatures. If you’re passionate about these giants of the sea and their natural habitat, or just curious, add this place to your list!
Our favorite moments
You’ll discover the details of our visit experience later in this article, but we’re sharing our favorite moments with you right now:
- observation of the immense blue whale, 33m long (and 190 tons!)
- passing by the 10-metre-long orca and its calf
- the sperm whale with an open jaw and more than 20 pairs of conical teeth
- virtual swimming with cetaceans thanks to helmets
>> Book your ticket with audioguide included!
WHERE TO STAY IN Reykjavik
Option 1: In the center of town (Midborg)
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- Hotel 1 – See prices, photos and availability
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Option 2: Vesturbaer district
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See our complete selection of the best hotels in Reykjavik (coming soon)
History in brief
Located near Reykjavik harbor on the outskirts of the city center, the Whales of Iceland Museum is also known as the Whale Museum of Iceland. Founded in 2014 by cetacean lovers, this exhibition space has a primarily educational aim. The goal? Learn about the different species of whales, their natural habitat and the risks facing these unique creatures. We also found that the museum helps to raise public awareness of environmental issues. In particular, to promote the preservation of these species, still threatened by whaling in Iceland, Japan and Norway despite international measures.
How to find us: Whales of Iceland Museum, Reykjavik
Where is the museum?
- North of the Vesturbær district in the west of the city
- Fiskislóð Street
- Less than a 20-minute walk from Reykjavik harbour
- 10min walk from the Sagas Museum and 5min from the Reykjavik Maritime Museum
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How to get there?
To get to the Icelandic Whale Museum, head northwest. The museum is located in the port area near several warehouses, a 10-minute walk from the Sagas Museum and 5 minutes from the Reykjavik Maritime Museum.
From downtown, it’s about a 25-minute walk. You can also opt for bus routes 3, 13 or 14 for a journey time of just under 20 minutes.
The museum is one of many stops on Reykjavik’s Hop-On Hop-Off sightseeing bus – book your seat now!
Parking
If you have your own car, you can park in one of the surrounding streets. There’s also a small free parking lot on site which can accommodate a few cars, but spaces are scarce.
For added convenience, you can opt for paid parking and download one of the Parka (details here) or EasyPark (details here) apps, which allow you to pay for parking online later until midnight the same day!
VISIT Reykjavik
- Things to do in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best hotels in Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Best restaurants (coming soon)
- Best museums (coming soon)
- Excursions from Reykjavik (coming soon)
- Visit the cathedral (coming soon)
- Itineraries: 1 day – 2 days – 3 days – 5 days – 1 week (coming soon)
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
As the museum is open all year round at the same times except December 25, it is accessible every day to learn more about cetaceans in every season!
If you’re planning a whale-watching trip in Reykjavik, we highly recommend visiting the museum the day before or the day after. Immerse yourself in the natural habitat and atmosphere of these amazing marine creatures. As an added experience, you’ll also see them up close and personal!
In Iceland, the days get longer in summer, with more than 20 hours of sunshine a day. This makes it easier to get to the museum in the city’s port area.
In winter, the atmosphere in Reykjavik is quite different and magical, with far fewer crowds! The days are shorter, with only 4 to 7 hours of sunshine and low light levels. Temperatures are around 0 degrees, so snow and wind can make access to the museum a little more difficult near the port. In any case, Iceland in winter was a real coup de coeur for us!
Length of visit and main difficulties
Allow 45min to 1h to visit the 23 life-size replicas of different whale species, try out the virtual helmet and browse the exhibition. The museum has 3 rooms.
The official website indicates that the museum is accessible to people with reduced mobility.
Advice on how to visit
There’s no set direction, so you can wander as you please between the 3 rooms! We recommend that you start by observing the life-size cetaceans in the warehouse’s main room, with its soft lighting, a truly unique experience. We took our time to make out details we wouldn’t have seen from a boat, such as the sperm whale’s jaw or the subtlety of its flippers. Thefree audioguide is also a great help in learning more. We then headed to the projection room for a virtual immersion in the moving ocean!
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Visiting with children
If you’re in Reykjavik with the family, go for it! This modern museum has been designed to appeal to young and old alike. No doubt you’ll see the wonder in your children’s eyes at these mysterious giants of the sea. It welcomes people of all ages. We loved the interactive museography, making it a unique and fun place to visit with the whole family. And if you have young children, you’ll find it easy to get around in a stroller or baby carrier.
Schedules and rates
Schedules:
The museum is open all year round, daily from 10am to 5pm. Closed on December 25 only.
Rates:
- Full adult fare: ISK 4300 / Icelandic krona
- Children’s rate (7 to 15 years): ISK 2150 / Icelandic krona
- Free for children under 7
>> Book your ticket with audioguide included!
For more details, see the latest information on the official website here.
Guided tours
The tour includes an audioguide in several languages, which we found very useful, with detailed explanations of each of the 23 species hanging in the museum’s main hall.
Guided tours are also organized twice a day. Find out more on the official website here.
Catering
Inside the museum, the Whales of Iceland Cafe offers a gourmet break with hot and cold drinks and light snacks.
Life-size immersion among cetaceans
If, like us, you love immersive tours, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the Icelandic Whale Museum! Our tour began in the main hall of the warehouse that houses the museum. We were fascinated by the 23 life-size cetacean replicas hanging from the ceiling, ranging from blue whales to orcas, narwhals and belugas. In this section, we focus on our 3 favourite replicas!
Our favorite: the majestic blue whale
This replica of the blue whale amazed us. It was very impressive to be able to walk around it, under its side, and see the details of its fins and tail. What a sight for sore eyes! The one we saw was 33m long. Did you know that this specimen can weigh up to 190 tons and live to be almost 90 years old?
The fascinating and intelligent killer whale
A little further on, an orca and her calf gave us the impression of diving together to the bottom of the ocean. Also known as the killer whale, the orca is a cetacean that predates other species of whales as well as penguins, fish and various marine mammals. Thanks in part to the audio guide, we learned that its life expectancy can range from 60 to 90 years. The killer whale is also one of the most intelligent mammals, living and hunting in groups and demonstrating great social skills. It was fun to hear his sound emissions while watching his almost-real replica in front of us!
The sperm whale, the largest toothed cetacean
The last whale that particularly impressed us in this surprising museum: the sperm whale. Coming face to face with this 45-tonne behemoth was an unusual experience, to say the least. What intrigued us most was its jaw, which can contain between 20 and 30 pairs of conical teeth – impressive, isn’t it? We found it quite original that the replica was designed with the jaw open to allow us to get a very close look inside. It was fun and really educational because we probably wouldn’t have had the chance to see one so close! Did you know that only the very youngest and oldest sperm whales swim the coasts of Iceland?
An interactive, educational museum
Cetacean reproductions up close and personal
The museum’s main asset: its interactive and immersive dimension! We really enjoyed the main hall, which houses life-size replicas of 23 different whale species. They’re very close to the real thing, as their dimensions are based on living marine animals. Have fun going under, behind, in front of, tilting your heads into the jaws of these marine giants! You’ll be able to scrutinize them from every angle. If you go further into the room, you’ll see the colossal bones of these marine animals.
To further enhance the underwater atmosphere, the museum broadcasts whale song and dimmed lighting throughout the halls. We found it very soothing to enjoy this moment of almost total immersion in the depths of the ocean! In addition to the audioguide, which we believe is essential to fully enjoy the experience, there are several screens and explanation panels to help you understand the specific characteristics of each species.
The projection room
Then head to the projection room, where images of these incredible marine mammals are shown. The icing on the cake: the virtual headset caught our eye. It lets you virtually swim with whales. Ready to take the plunge?
Animal causes and whale habitat: the exhibition
Finally, the last part of our visit was devoted to an exhibition on the preservation of these cetaceans and the dangers that still threaten them. Noise pollution, a profusion of plastic in the oceans, whaling still practiced in some countries and the risk of collision with ships… These are all causes of the gradual disappearance of these species.
This educational tour taught us a lot about cetaceans, but also made us aware of the particularities of their natural habitat and the importance of preserving it. Last but not least, this visit was a chance to marvel up close, even if whale watching at sea remains a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So, are you ready for your visit?
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to go whale watching in Reykjavik?
The best whale-watching season in Reykjavik is from April to October. We learned that these majestic cetaceans migrate around the poles in summer to feed on tiny prey. In winter, whales tend to migrate around the equator for the breeding season.
Where can you see orcas and whales in Iceland?
Whales and orcas can be seen from several locations in Iceland. The north of the island state is a great place for whale-watching, as in Husavik for example. However, you can also embark on a sea excursion from Reykjavik and admire these wonders – see the programme and make a reservation.
What are the exhibitions at the Whales of Iceland Museum?
We enjoyed the interactive exhibits at the Whales of Iceland Museum. Audioguides, virtual headsets and a projection room are available, as well as life-size cetacean models. You can even touch them and see them up close! Exhibitions focus on the animal cause and the challenges of protecting whales and their environment (the effects of noise pollution, the threat of plastic, fishing…).
What kind of whales can you see at the Whales of Iceland Museum?
The Whales of Iceland Museum exhibits life-size replicas of 23 different species of cetaceans that visit Icelandic waters during migration. Here you can see blue whales, sperm whales, humpback whales and killer whales.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO iceland IN WINTER
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Ice caves
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Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 1 week – 10 days (to come)
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SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
