Guide Job Posting for Summer 2025

Special Tours Wildlife Adventures, a long-running boat tour operator in Reykjavík and Akureyri, Iceland, is searching for full-time guides for Summer 2025! Our guides lead passengers primarily on whale watching tours, but there may also be opportunities to guide puffin watching cruises and sea angling tours.

The estimated net salary (after taxes) is approximately 400,000 – 500,000 ISK per month. The approximate dates of the contract are May/June through August/September, and high-performing guides may be invited to stay longer into the winter season. Special Tours operates on a “2-2-3” shift schedule and work hours can be up to 10-12 hours per day.

Applicants must be fluent in English, and preference will be given to those who are multilingual, especially in German, although those who speak French, Spanish, or Mandarin Chinese are also encouraged to apply.

Please note that in order for foreign nationals to live and work in Iceland, you must have a passport from an EEA member country or an Icelandic residence permit. Due to government restrictions, it is unfortunately not possible to sponsor applicants from outside the EEA for a residence permit.

The following STCW maritime safety courses are required. Applicants are not required to possess these certifications at the time of application, but those who already do will be given preference. At least one of the courses must be taken before starting with us. STCW courses in Iceland are generally offered in Icelandic and English.

• STCW10 A-VI/1: Basic Safety Training
• STCW10 A-V/2: Crowd & Crisis Management

Desirable Traits for Applicants:

• Educational background, or strong interest in, biology or environmental/marine science
• Knowledge of cetaceans, seabirds, and other marine life
• Comfort and confidence speaking to groups of up to 200 people
• Hardworking, outgoing, a positive attitude, and quick to try and learn new things
• Highly adaptable, especially in the case of last-minute changes of plans!
• Not susceptible to seasickness
• Overall good physical health
• Willingness to work outside for long hours, including in poor weather
• Willingness to help clean up following each tour
• Experience with digital photography and computers
• Tour guiding experience and maritime experience are pluses, but not required!

Applicants are requested to watch the following introductory video before applying:

Please also note that successful applicants are responsible for securing their own accommodation during their work contract, as we do not have any to provide. New staff members are provided with a list of resources (websites and Facebook groups) to aid in their search for housing.

For more information and to apply, please send your CV along with 2-3 references to the Head Guide, Alice Lehir, at alice@specialtours.is. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions have been filled, so it is better to apply sooner rather than later.