Horses by lava, whales by speedboat. This Reykjavik combo pairs a guided ride on Icelandic horses, famous for the smooth tölt gait, with hi-tech whale watching in Faxaflói Bay.

I love how the riding team matches you to the right horse and keeps the start calm, even if you are nervous. I also love the whale-watching built-in comfort, like warm overalls, onboard Wi-Fi, and a complimentary ticket to try again if you see nothing.

One thing to plan for: wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and fog or rough conditions can make whale time frustrating, even when the captain tries hard.

Key things I’d bet on

• Max 5 travelers for a calmer, more hands-on day.
• Tölt gait helps make the ride feel steady over rugged ground.
• Local stables near Reykjavik means less wasted time in transit.
• Faxaflói Bay variety includes minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins.
• Warm gear included so you do not have to gamble on what to wear.
• Try-again whale ticket if your cruise does not deliver sightings.

Reykjavik to Ishestar Stables: what your morning feels like

Your day starts with a hotel pickup in Reykjavik (if you booked that option) and a drive to Íshestar Horse Riding Centre, just outside the city. The schedule is timed for a 10:00 am start at the stables address: Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður.

Once you arrive, you shift from city mode to Icelandic country mode fast. The group meets in a stables setting, gets helmets and rubber boots, and then you get ready for the ride. Reviews consistently praise how the staff help riders settle in first, including time to meet your horse before you head out.

This is a great format if you want to see beyond Reykjavik without committing to a full-day tour. You still get your morning in the open air, and you do not lose the afternoon to long drives.

Icelandic horses and that tölt gait: smoother than you think

If you only know Icelandic horses from photos, the tölt is the big surprise. Tölt is a four-beat gait, and it is known for feeling smoother than the movement you might expect from small horses on uneven ground.

Here is the practical part for your body: after a quick safety briefing, you start at a steady walk, then the ride breaks into groups. One group stays steadier while the other moves faster, based on experience and comfort. If you are brand new, this structure is a relief because you can choose the pace that matches your confidence.

One riding guide named Sarah gets specific praise for helping first-timers feel at ease. And in multiple reviews, nervous riders mention that the guides were patient, attentive, and clear about what to do next. If you feel even slightly shaky with horses, tell the team right away. You will likely get placed where you feel safer.

Also, keep your expectations realistic. A few riders love the experience so much they want more time in the saddle. Others say the ride can feel different if you end up in the faster group. So choose your comfort level early.

The lava fields: photo stops that actually make sense

You ride trails that wind through remote moorland and fields, with stops for photos along the way. One reason I like this part of the route is that it matches Iceland’s real textures: the ground looks volcanic and rugged, but the pace and breaks make it enjoyable instead of exhausting.

The photos here are not just a quick snap. You get time to stop, look around, and frame the lava-covered terrain with your horse and guide nearby. That matters because a lot of Iceland riding options are so rushed that you barely catch the moment.

Plan for weather even if the morning looks fine. The tour runs in varied conditions, and you are also outside. Layers help. While rainwear and warm clothing are provided for the ride, your hands and feet still matter, and Iceland weather can flip quickly.

Back to Reykjavik Old Harbor: how the lunch break works

After about 2.5 hours riding, you head back to the stables. From there, you transfer to Reykjavik Old Harbor, where you shift from saddle time to sea time.

You also get free time for lunch, which is own expense. This is the smart kind of gap, because it lets you find something warm and quick without the tour forcing a set restaurant. I treat this as your chance to eat before you go out on the water, since you are wearing warm overalls later and you will want to feel fueled.

Then you board a high-speed boat for the whale-watching portion. The transfer plus boarding is part of why this tour works as a combo instead of two separate bookings.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay: what you’re chasing

The boat ride is designed to get you to the feeding grounds fast. Expect the trip out to take about 20 to 30 minutes. Once you are aboard, you put on the coveralls and settle in either on deck or inside the indoor cabin.

This is where the tour’s value gets real: a fast, comfortable vessel plus a guide/captain who works the area makes it far easier to spend your time actively scanning water. The most common species listed for Faxaflói Bay are minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins.

From the reviews, humpback sightings can be the highlight, with some riders reporting close encounters like whales surfacing near the boat and even breaching. Other days are less intense, and fog can reduce visibility or make the whale cruise less productive.

The captain also gives commentary, and at least one review notes a more education-focused approach, including talk about whale size and how to behave around wildlife. I like this angle because it reminds you the goal is spotting without stressing the animals.

If you are lucky, you will hear the excitement from the crew when something appears. If you are not, you still get the experience of being out on the bay in winter-cooled coastal air with professional help running the watch.

Warm gear, onboard comforts, and what to bring anyway

This tour tries hard to remove friction, especially for weather. For the horse part, you get a helmet, rubber boots, and rainwear or warm clothing. After the ride, you also get coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, which is a simple comfort after time outside.

For the whale portion, you get warm overalls, so you are not stuck trying to layer perfectly on your own. Reviews also mention the onboard cafe, where you can refuel with refreshments while you wait for sightings.

On top of that, the boat includes onboard Wi-Fi. That will not replace the real reason you are there, but it is useful if you want to update people or check maps without fighting your phone battery.

What you should still bring:

• A jacket layer you trust for wind
• Gloves you can work with camera controls
• A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch, because sea spray happens
• Sunglasses or eyewear if glare hits, even when it feels cold

And yes, you will still need to dress for cold hands and cold wind. The gear helps, but Iceland air does what it wants.

Timing, group size, and weather: the practical reality

This is about a 5.5-hour experience from start to finish, with pickup and drop-off options depending on how you booked. The tour runs with a maximum of 5 travelers, which changes the feel immediately. Small groups mean you are not fighting for attention with a big crowd, and you get more personal instruction when you mount and steer.

The other major factor is weather. The experience operates in a variety of weather conditions, and that sounds encouraging until you remember whale sightings cannot be guaranteed. Fog is a repeat theme in the feedback, including cases where whale watching was canceled or you simply did not see whales.

Here is how I would manage that risk:

• Dress for the worst weather you think you might get
• Bring a backup mindset for wildlife
• If you care a lot about whale sightings, consider booking your trip earlier in your Reykjavik stay, so you have more room to rebook if needed

There is also a nice safety net built into the whale portion: if you do not spot whales or dolphins, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again on another available day. If you are leaving soon, that benefit is only useful if the new date lines up with your schedule, so plan your overall trip with flexibility.

Price and value: what you get for $233.08

At about $233.08 per person, this is not a budget excursion. But it is also not just one activity with a whale-shaped add-on.

You are paying for:

• Guided horse riding with full safety gear
• Helmet and rubber boots, plus weather-ready clothing
• Hot drinks right after riding
• A fast boat ride out to Faxaflói Bay
• Warm overalls for the whale portion
• Onboard Wi-Fi and a cafe onboard
• A try-again whale option if your cruise has no sightings

In Iceland, where almost everything costs more than you expect, the biggest value play is the gear. If you are already paying for rentals or specialty clothing separately, the math gets complicated fast. This tour keeps you moving and reduces the number of things you need to buy or figure out on your own.

The other value angle is time. Doing this as a combo saves you the back-and-forth of planning two separate days and transferring between different operators. You still get a break for lunch, but the tour keeps the schedule tight enough to feel like a real Iceland highlight, not two half-boring errands.

Who should book this, and who might prefer separate days

This tour fits best if you want a true Iceland mix without cramming your day with multiple long transfers. The small group size makes it ideal for:

• First-time riders who want a gentle entry to Icelandic horses
• People who want a smooth day paced by guides, not by stress
• Travelers who value professional wildlife spotting, but understand sightings are not guaranteed
• Couples and small families who prefer fewer people around them

If you are an experienced rider who wants a very specific horse rhythm, you might feel the split between steady and faster groups is either perfect or limiting. The reviews show both sides. In one case, the slower ride is described as less stressful and better for enjoying photos.

If whale watching is your top goal, I would think carefully. The whale portion can be canceled due to fog, and even when it runs, conditions may reduce sightings. The try-again ticket helps, but only if your travel dates allow it. Some people are happier booking whale-focused trips separately, where they can dedicate more time to the sea.

Should you book the Iceland horse and whale combo?

I would book it if you want one of the best “two worlds in a single day” experiences in Reykjavik: riding Icelandic horses through lava country, then heading out on the water to look for whales in Faxaflói Bay. The small group size, the tölt-style riding setup, and the included warm gear make it feel far more manageable than trying to DIY either part.

I would hesitate only if your schedule is tight and you cannot handle the possibility of fog affecting whale sightings or whale cruise output. If that is your situation, plan a backup day later, or consider splitting the activities into separate bookings so you can chase the one you care about most.

If you have a little flexibility and you like being outside in changing weather, this combo can turn into a very memorable Iceland day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Íshestar Horse Riding Centre, Sörlaskeið 26, 220 Hafnarfjörður, Iceland. It ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 am.

About how long is the tour?

The duration is listed as approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.

What is included for the horse riding portion?

You get a professional guide, riding helmet, rubber boots, and rainwear or warm clothing. You also receive coffee, tea, and hot chocolate after the horse riding tour.

What is included for the whale watching portion?

You get a professional guide, warm overalls during the boat tour, and onboard Wi-Fi. If no whales or dolphins are seen, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again.

How likely are you to see whales?

Sightings are not guaranteed. The bay commonly has minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins, but you can still have a no-sighting day.

What are the age and weight limits for riding?

The minimum age to ride is 7 years old. Riders must be under 110 kg / 240 lbs. Children aged 14 years or older need written parental permission to ride alone.

What happens if weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.