Elding Whale Watching Reykjavik
Reykjavík Whale Watching
Hvalaskoðun Reykjavik
Tel: +(354)555 3565 Fax: +(354)554 7420
info@elding.is
The whales are very friendly and are swimming quite close to the boat, letting the passengers on board take a good look at them. Humpback whales are usually the passengers' favourite and they are the biggest whale we commonly see on our whale watching tours. They don't live in Faxafloi bay but visit us quite often during the summertime and now it seems that they are staying around also during the winter time. Due to strong wind we went out from Grindavík today. From there they headed out on Hafsúlan and now we just got a call from the captain telling us that they just spotted a pod of Orca or Killer Whales. This is a very rare sighting for us and has definitely made our day. We will be sailing out from Grindavík again tomorrow in hope to spot the pod again.
The Killer whales are very beautiful and live in pods or families. They are the largest member of the dolphin family and can reach length between 6-10 meters and weigh between 3-9 tons.
Here below you can see pictures of Killer Whales and White beaked dolphins taken by Harpa Hrönn, one of our guides, on a tour last time we spotted the Killer Whale.
Dear friends, the Elding team wants to point out that you can find several videos on Elding's Youtube channel both from our crew members and our passengers. 
We have also posted beautiful videos from Iceland, our favourite music videos, commercials and more. If you have a video from one of our adventure, please let us know so we can post it into our favourites as well. Elding has also an account on Facebook where you can find recent photos, videos and news from the crew on board. When we are online, do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or just want to chat with us.
"Have a whale of a time!"
The Elding Team
Elding was a participant at the Mid-Atlantic Travel Seminar, were we met suppliers from Iceland, Scandinavia, USA and Canada. 
The seminar was a great success this year with about 500 participants. It started with a a welcome get-together at the Reykjavik City Hall where we met collaborators, friends and new potential collaborators. After a busy day with workshops and interesting seminars we all went out for dinner at the Hilton Nordica Hotel. The day after Elding offered participants to take part in a winter whale watching tour and some dolphins were spotted on the tour. Next scheduled travel seminars are: the Icelandic Day in Milan and the ITB Travel Show in Berlin.
To know more contact our marketing manager Eva Maria Thorarinsdottir eva@elding.is
The Elding team is proud to announce that now a hydrogen car has been added to the car fleet. Last week Icelandic New Energy and Brimborg, Ford retailer in Iceland, announced further steps in demonstrating hydrogen as fuel for transport; hydrogen which is made from water and renewable power from local resources. Ten Ford Focus FCV have now been integrated into the traffic in Reykjavik and Elding rents one of them. These are all used fuel cell vehicles and the goal of this project step is to further test customer acceptance and endurance of the fuel cell technology. For us at Elding, this is one step further towards a more eco-friendly transportation. Elding believes that making optimal use of environmental resources is a key element in tourism development to maintain essential ecological processes and help to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity. 
Elding’s goal is to operate on sustainability principles, which refer to the environmental, economic, and socio-cultural aspects of tourism development. A part of our environmental work is to use eco-friendlier transportation methods and for the last couple of years we have been participating in a demonstration project testing hydrogen fuelled vehicles and vessels called SMART H2 (Sustainable marine and road transport - hydrogen in Iceland).
More information on www.newenergy.is
Reykjavik Yacht Charter - where luxury and leisure go hand in hand. Our goal is to enhance your vacation through enriching cruises and style. We organize luxury cruises such as whale watching, bird watching, party cruises and exclusive adventures at sea on the luxurious yacht Regina del Mar.
During our cruises we offer a world class dining experience from the Gallery Restaurant of Holt Hotel in Reykjavík. The restaurant has been the benchmark for Icelandic culinary excellence every since it was opened in 1965. Chef de Cuisine, Mr. Friðgeir Ingi Eiríksson and his team, will guide you through a feast of the senses, aided by a wide selection of wine.
Regina is a luxurious 100-ton motor Princess 65 Yacht with a capacity up to 30 passengers. Equipped with two brand new engines, Regina is capable of reaching speeds of up to 25nmph.
Here are some photos of Regina del Mar:
Here are our most popular excursions:
Create Your Own
We offer tailor-made cruises for individuals and groups. We can provide excellent dinner on board, live music, guides in most languages and more. World class cuisine is prepared fresh daily with custom designed menus to reflect your particular taste and style. Whether you prefer a traditional Icelandic dinner, a luxurious buffet or a unique cocktail affair, each will complement the unique ambiance offered aboard our yacht.
Boarding on Regina del Mar is ideal for your wedding reception, an anniversary, a social or business occasion, a party or any function demanding an elegant distinctive touch.
Each tour is designed for special occasions, offering total comfort in a different atmosphere like you’ve never experienced before. The cruise can last from a couple of hours up to several days. There are sleeping places for 7 passengers, but the yacht takes up to 30 passengers. Let us help you create un unforgettable experience at sea!
Whales in the Midnight Sun
The midnight sun and the nature of the bay Faxafloi provide a unique wildlife experience. A trip out on the bay at night in midsummer is an unforgettable experience when the wildlife in the bay is at its highest peak. The mountains surrounding the bay get more effect in the colours’ of the midnight sun. We shut down the engines and enjoy the sound of the birds and the cetaceans. On the cruise we will serve you dinner from the Gallery Restaurant of Holt Hotel. Enjoy fresh Icelandic ingredients with a fantastic view over the city from sea.
Duration: 3-3,5 hours
Season: from mid May to mid July.
Wonders of Viðey
Viðey is an important historic site. Archaeological excavations have disclosed that the island was inhabited already in the 10th century. It was the location of an Augustine monastery from 1225 to 1539 and a centre for pilgrimage in the middle ages. Viðey is 1,6 km² in size and it is of volcanic origin and was formed about two million years ago. In Viðey Island you will find unspoiled nature, various birdlife, beautiful hiking trails and intriguing works of art. Delicious lunch or dinner is provided on board from the Gallery Restaurant of Holt Hotel.
Stunning scenery from above
We can arrange a helicopter to pick you up in Viðey Island and take you on a unforgettable tour over Reykjavík city or whale watching.
Imagine Peace Tour
The Imagine Peace Tower is a work of art conceived by the legendary artist, musician and peace advocate Yoko Ono as a beacon to world peace. The work is in the form of a wishing well from which a strong and tall tower of light emerges. The words “Imagine Peace” are inscribed on the wall in 24 world languages. We offer a guided tour onboard Regina del Mar to Viðey Island where history, nature and art are united in this unique site. On the tour we will observe the Imagine Peace Tower from sea and learn about how it gives light and power to the realization of World Peace, which was John Lennon's lifetime wish. We will then go on land in Viðey and take a closer look at the Imagine Peace Tower and the guide will tell you more about the surroundings. If you are lucky you might see the northern lights. On the tour you will be served dinner from the Gallery Restaurant of Holt Hotel.
Duration: 2-2,5 hours
Season: from October 9th to December 8th and occasionally when the IPT light is lit.
Exclusive Whale Watching
Take part in an adventure at sea with an unforgettable trip into the world of whales and sea birds. Conveniently located in Reykjavík’s old harbor, a three hour journey on Regina del Mar can bring you up close to whales in their natural habitat. The various types of whales commonly sighted include minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises and the popular humpback whales. We will be accompanied by sea birds such as gannets, puffins, guillemots, cormorants, gulls, kittiwakes, arctic terns, and many more. Our trips take us past several islands inhabited by colonies of puffin – a great photo opportunity! On the cruise we will serve you refreshments from the Gallery Restaurant of Holt Hotel. Enjoy fresh Icelandic ingredients with a fantastic view over the city from sea.
Season: all year round
Sea Lovers
On this tour we will take you to amazing places in out off Reykjavík and to the West of Iceland or to Hvalfjörður. The tour can last from one day up to several days and it is dedicated to nature and wildlife. On the cruise you will have the chance to spot whales, dolphins, seals, puffins and other sea birds. On the cruise we will serve you refreshments from the Gallery Restaurant of Holt Hotel. Enjoy fresh Icelandic ingredients with a fantastic view . We can provide a private cook on board and full dining service.
Season: All year round
Sea, Saga & Songs
Cruise on the blue channels at the coastline of Reykjavik. We sail between the islands in the area and tell you about the changes of our society and culture through the centuries. We´ll sing you songs and poems connected to the history of the area. The view of the city from sea is different and it’s easy to see the contrast between the civilisation and the wild. It’s almost like being between two zones. On the cruise we will serve you dinner from the Gallery Restaurant of Holt Hotel. Enjoy fresh Icelandic ingredients with a fantastic view over the city from sea.
Exclusive Puffin Cruise
During the breeding season, from mid May until mid August, we offer exclusive puffin tours from Reykjavík harbour. Watching these charismatic birds is a great experience and it only takes a few minutes to sail to the puffin islands, Akurey and Lundey. The yacht manage to get close, providing an excellent photo opportunity for you. Around the islands you might also spot other birds like eider ducks, black guillemots and cormorants. During the cruise the crew will tell you about the birdlife and the surroundings. On the tour we will serve fantastic refreshments from the Gallery Restaurant of Holt Hotel.
Duration: 1-1,5 hour
Season: from mid May to mid August
Spend your night at sea
Wedding Special
Imagine spending your wedding night on a floating luxurious penthouse. A romantic night at sea is a unique experience that will make your wedding night unforgettable. You will experience a world class dining experience and a romantic night on the yacht Regina del Mar. In the morning we will serve you breakfast on board from the Gallery Restaurant of Hotel Holt. Various cruises can be arranged for you, such as Cruise to Viðey Island, Whale Watching by helicopter and Cruise between the island.
Check out our video!
Dear friends and collaborators. We wish you a happy new year! The year was 2009 was our biggest year in whale watching yet with a lot of passengers and rich wildlife. We have been operating our winter tours lately with great success, sightings that we didn't even dare to dr
eam about! Dolphins, minke whales, orcas and humpback whale accompanied us during the coldest days at sea making our crew and our passengers happy. In January, February and March we will continue with the winter schedule hoping for a successful continuing of the winter season. As the tours are weather permitting we recommend to book in advance and of course dress well. On board we offer free warm overalls and ligth refreshments are sold for a reasonable price at the bar on board. Here is our winter schedule: whale watching tours at 13:00 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday if weather permits.
Photo by our guide Harpa
Our winter whale watching has been really good. We have been spotting lot of dolphins, some Minke Whales, Humpback Whales and last two weekend Killer Whales/Orcas.
From Nov 1st to March 31sth we have on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays scheduled whale watching trips at 13:00.
We cannot always depart due to the weather and sea conditions, but we always go if there is any possible at all. We do not cancel our trips due too few passengers if we cancel it is due to bad sea conditions
We recommend that you read our diary to read about what we are seeing from time to time,
Whale Watching Christmas Schedule
Friday Dec 18th - at 13:00
Saturday Dec 19th at13:00
Sunday Dec 20th at 13:00
Friday Dec 25th - Closed
Saturday Dec 26th at13:00
Sunday Dec 27th at 13:00
Tuesday Dec 29th at 13:00 extra tour
Friday Jan 1st - Closed
Saturday Jan 2nd at 13:00
Sunday Jan 3rd at 13:00
We manage to depart on all our trips this weekend. On Friday we had help from the Maritime Research Institute with finding a humpback whale that had been marked with GPS transmitterr on the 21. October in north of Iceland. (http://www.hafro.is/hvalamerki/60012.html)
The whale has been in the area for two weeks but due to bad sea condition we have not been able to spot the whale until now. On Saturday we found the whale again but this time the whale had a company, another humpback, in addition to this we also spotted lot of dolphins on both tours!
On Sunday the weather was worse than the other days and we consider cancelling the tour. We decide to depart from Hafnarfjörður the weather was better there and try our best to sail as far as we could possible do due to the sea conditions. It went better that we hoped for just few minutes away from Hafnarfjordur we spotted two nice minke whales and few minutes later group of dolphins.
Because there are fewer individuals in the area during the winter we only depart if the weather is reasonable good so the winter whale watching trips are weather permitted and we sometimes have to cancel our trip or reschedule. Therefore do not put your stake just on one day the trip could be cancelled due to bad sea conditions as the weather in Iceland is more unpredictable during the winter but that is also the beauty of this, this is the nature that we cannot control but do our best to enjoy when we can.
Pictures from November 20th. (crew member Arnar Freyr)
Pictures from November 21st (crew member Elva Sara)
Our Winter Schedule has started. From November 1st to March 31st we will go out on Whale Watching tours at 13:00 every Friday, Saturday and Sunday if weather permits.
