Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

The sea sets the stage. This two-part boat trip gives you a whale-watching cruise across Faxaflói Bay by day, then sends you back onto the water after dark to search for the Northern Lights. It is a smart way to cover two major Iceland sights without adding separate transport arrangements.

I like the two cruises in one day, especially if your time in Reykjavik is short. I also like the heated indoor seating, warm overalls, free Wi-Fi, and the chance to look for minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises from the same Old Harbour base. The main drawback is simple: both wildlife and aurora sightings depend on nature, and one of the included highlights may not appear at all.

The whale cruise lasts about three hours, followed by an evening Northern Lights outing, for a total of roughly seven hours. The strongest praise goes to the guides and crew. Rebekka was singled out for spotting whales and explaining ocean life, while other guests praised the captain’s handling and the boat’s comfort. Still, the experience earned a mixed overall score of 4.2 from 55 ratings, largely because conditions can defeat even a well-run trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate boat outings from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: You leave in daylight for whales, then return at night for the Northern Lights.
• Faxaflói Bay is the main setting: On a clear day, views can reach toward Snæfells Glacier, with Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains close by.
• Whale species you may spot: Minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises are the main possibilities.
• Comfort is taken seriously: Heated indoor seating and warm overalls, including children’s sizes, help with Iceland’s cold and wind.
• A free retry applies if no Northern Lights appear: This softens the risk of booking an aurora cruise, though it cannot guarantee a sighting.
• Plan your own way to the harbour: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and parking near the meeting point can take extra time.

A full day on Faxaflói Bay

The tour begins at the Special Tours office near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Look for the large dark-grey building with blue signs and the company name and logo. You need to arrange your own transport, so leave extra time if you are driving. Parking is not available at the office, and the meeting information recommends allowing an additional 15 minutes to find a nearby space.

The first cruise lasts about three hours. You spend the opening 30 to 45 minutes heading toward the usual whale-watching area, with a guide explaining the bay and the wildlife you might see. This approach is part of the experience, not just dead time. It gives you a chance to photograph Reykjavik from the water, watch the city recede, and take in the mountains and open bay.

On a clear day, views may reach as far as Snæfells Glacier in western Iceland. That distant view is not guaranteed, but the bay still offers a different angle on Reykjavik than you get from the streets. Bring your camera outside, then step indoors when the cold begins to bite.

The boat has heated indoor seating, which matters on a three-hour cruise. You are not forced to choose between warmth and the chance to see wildlife. You can move around the boat, and the included overalls come in children’s sizes. Free Wi-Fi is also available, useful for sharing photos or staying in touch, though the main reason to keep your phone ready is to capture a sudden whale blow.

What you might see in the whale-watching area

Minke whales are among the expected sightings, along with harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins. Humpback whales are also possible, and they can provide the most dramatic moments when one surfaces near the boat.

The reports from this trip include close humpback and minke whale sightings. One particularly strong outing included both species, while another described getting very close to whales. Those moments are exciting, but you should treat them as fortunate encounters rather than a promise. Wildlife does not follow a schedule, and the bay may produce several sightings one day and very few the next.

Your guide helps by scanning the water and directing your attention. That support is important because a whale can surface for only a short time, often somewhere you were not looking. Rebekka received especially strong praise for flagging each whale’s position and explaining the sea life around you. A good guide changes the experience from staring at empty water into an active search.

The captain also affects the quality of the outing. One particularly positive account praised the captain’s quick response to the boat’s movement, a useful detail when the sea is shifting and several people are trying to watch the same animal. The boat itself has been described as well maintained and a good size, with enough room to move between the indoor and outdoor areas.

You should still prepare for a quiet wildlife day. The tour includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your whale cruise, according to the supplied details. That makes the policy useful, but you should check the exact terms when booking if a second attempt matters to your schedule.

Returning after dark for the Northern Lights

The second part takes place in the evening. You return to the boat, put on the supplied warm overalls, and head out from Reykjavik toward darker water in Faxaflói Bay. Getting away from the city’s artificial light gives the sky a better chance to show the aurora.

The boat lets you move between indoor and outdoor areas. You can warm up inside, then step outside when the sky looks promising. There is also a bar that remains open, with drinks available for purchase. The combination of warm seating, overalls, and the ability to move around is practical because Northern Lights watching can involve long stretches of waiting.

Aurora conditions require darkness and suitable weather. The activity is available through the winter months, and the lights may appear as early as September, but no exact sighting can be assured. One February outing produced a powerful display that became active suddenly, after a quiet start. That is a useful reminder to stay patient. A dull first hour does not always mean the night is finished.

The location on the water can help you avoid some of the glow from central Reykjavik. It does not guarantee clear skies or strong aurora activity, but it gives you a darker setting than a city street. If the Northern Lights do not appear, a free ticket to try again is included. That policy is valuable, especially because the aurora is the least predictable part of the day.

The retry ticket is not the same as a guaranteed second success. You need enough time in your Iceland schedule to use it, and the original tour itself still takes about seven hours. If you are leaving Reykjavik the next morning, the benefit may be limited.

Comfort, guides, and the boat itself

Comfort is one of the better reasons to consider this combined trip. The boat provides heated indoor seating, warm overalls, and children’s sizes. You can also purchase drinks from the onboard bar and use free Wi-Fi.

I would still dress for cold weather underneath the overalls. The provided clothing helps, but whale watching and aurora watching both involve time outdoors, often with wind coming across open water. Gloves, a hat, and sturdy footwear are sensible additions even though they are not listed among the included items.

The guide is another clear strength. The experience is offered with an English-speaking live guide, and the best accounts praise the staff’s ability to spot animals and explain what is happening. A guide who can point out a whale quickly is more useful than one who only delivers a prepared talk.

The captain also received praise for handling the boat well. That matters in practical terms. A steady, responsive crew helps you keep sight of animals and makes the ride more comfortable when the bay moves beneath you.

The boat is not presented as a luxury vessel, and you should not book it expecting a private or highly personal outing. What you get is a practical sightseeing boat with indoor warmth, outdoor viewing space, a bar, Wi-Fi, and staff who focus on finding wildlife and skies worth seeing.

Why the seven-hour schedule matters

Seven hours is a substantial part of your day. That can be an advantage if you want to group two major activities together, but it also means you should not place another tightly timed excursion immediately afterward.

The day is split between a daytime whale cruise and a nighttime Northern Lights cruise. The supplied information does not give a detailed break between the two, so check the starting time and schedule when you reserve. Since the tour includes both departures from the harbour, you should understand when you need to return to the meeting area.

This format works best for you if you want a single booking that covers two Iceland highlights. It is less suitable if you prefer flexible afternoons, dislike long periods on boats, or want to make separate decisions based on the weather forecast.

The Old Harbour location is convenient for anyone already in central Reykjavik, but hotel pickup is not included. You need to make your own way there for the first departure and return for the evening cruise. If you are driving, build in time to park elsewhere.

Is $212 a fair price?

At $212 per person, this is not a budget activity. The price covers two boat trips, an experienced guide on both, warm overalls, heated indoor seating, Wi-Fi, and the option to try again if no Northern Lights appear. Viewed as two separate major excursions bundled into one day, the cost can be reasonable.

The value depends on how much use you get from both parts. If you see whales during the day and the aurora at night, the package becomes a strong use of your sightseeing budget. Several highly positive outings included close whales, humpbacks, minke whales, and impressive Northern Lights.

The risk is that nature can provide only one highlight, or neither. One outing in April saw no Northern Lights and few whales. That is not necessarily a sign of poor organization. April can offer different conditions from the darkest winter months, and the tour cannot control animal movements or cloud cover. Still, you are paying for the search and the boat time, not a guaranteed show.

The retry policy improves the value for the Northern Lights portion. It is most useful if you have several nights in Reykjavik and can fit another cruise into your plans. If you have only one evening free, the price carries more risk.

Who should choose this combined cruise?

I would point this tour toward first-time visitors who want two iconic Iceland experiences without arranging separate operators. It is also a good fit for families, since children’s overalls are available and the heated indoor seating gives you a break from the cold.

You may also like it if photography matters to you. The boat offers city and mountain views during the day, possible whale encounters close to the vessel, and dark-water skies at night. Free Wi-Fi makes it easy to share images, though you should keep your attention on the water rather than your phone.

This is not the best match if you need firm results, dislike cold-weather waiting, or have a packed itinerary with little room for a seven-hour activity. It is also less attractive if you have already booked separate whale and aurora trips and want more control over timing.

The most praised elements are the guides, the well-maintained boat, the captain’s handling, and the close whale encounters. The biggest concern is the normal one for Iceland nature tours: sightings can be excellent, modest, or absent.

Practical details before you reserve

The meeting point is the Special Tours office by the Old Harbour. Find the dark-grey building with blue signs and the company logo. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The tour is conducted in English. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

The total duration is about seven hours. Warm overalls, heated indoor seating, Wi-Fi, and an experienced guide are included. Drinks from the bar cost extra.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an efficient two-for-one day and can accept nature’s terms. The strongest version of the experience includes close whales by day and a sudden burst of aurora activity at night, with a warm place to retreat between sightings.

Skip it if a guaranteed result matters more than the search, or if your schedule cannot support seven hours plus travel to the harbour. For most first-time Reykjavik visitors with enough time, the combination makes sense. Just treat the whales and Northern Lights as possibilities, not promises, and make the booking because you value the full outing, not only the perfect postcard moment.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. It is in a large dark-grey building with blue signs and the company name and logo.

How long does the tour last?

The combined experience lasts about seven hours. The daytime whale-watching cruise takes approximately three hours, followed by the evening Northern Lights cruise.

What whales and wildlife might I see?

The bay may offer minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Sightings depend on conditions and animal activity.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the Old Harbour meeting point, and hotel drop-off is not included.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm overalls are provided, including children’s sizes. The boat also has heated indoor seating.

Is Wi-Fi available on the boat?

Yes. Free onboard Wi-Fi is included on the boat.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

A free ticket to try again is included if nothing is seen on your tour. A sighting is still dependent on suitable conditions and aurora activity.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide service is in English.