Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise

Two Icelandic spectacles share one long day. This six-hour combo cruise pairs whale watching in Faxaflói Bay with a nighttime search for the Northern Lights, giving you two very different views of Iceland from the water. I like the smart use of time, especially if your Reykjavik schedule is tight, and I like the chance to see whales, dolphins, seals, mountains, islands, and winter skies in one outing.

The guides add real value with live commentary, and the warm flotation overalls make the open deck possible even in cold weather. The catch is simple: neither whales nor auroras follow a timetable. At $205 per person, this is a serious spend if nature keeps its curtain closed, though the free return option for missed sightings softens that risk.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate cruises in one day: Spend about three hours whale watching, then return for a two-hour Northern Lights cruise after a break in Reykjavik.
• Faxaflói Bay is the main stage: You may see minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, seals, and seabirds.
• Sightings can be excellent: Past trips have included playful dolphins, several humpback whales, minke whales, and whales seen within minutes of leaving the harbor.
• Weather controls the day: Rough water can lead to a date change, and poor evening weather can cancel the aurora cruise.
• You stay warm: Heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, warm flotation overalls, and complimentary seasickness tablets are provided.
• The central meeting point helps: Check in at the Special Tours office at Geirsgata 11, close to central Reykjavik and within an easy walk from Center Hotels Plaza.

One ticket, two very different Iceland experiences

The appeal here is variety. In daylight, you are scanning the sea for a blow, fin, or sudden splash. After dark, the boat leaves city lights behind and points toward a sky that may turn green, white, or faintly purple.

The two outings are not back-to-back. The usual plan gives you a five-hour break in Reykjavik between the whale cruise and the evening Northern Lights trip. That makes the day easier on your body and gives you time for lunch, a warm drink, or a rest at your hotel.

You meet at Geirsgata 11 and should arrive 30 minutes before departure. The check-in office is on the corner. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the harbor yourself. That is less of a problem if you are staying in central Reykjavik, but it matters if your accommodation is farther out.

The experience is offered in English with live guides. It is wheelchair accessible, and pets and smoking are not allowed. Food and drinks are not included, though you can buy them on board.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay for up to three hours

The first cruise lasts about two and a half to three hours. You sail into Faxaflói Bay, the broad stretch of water outside Reykjavik, with views toward mountains and offshore islands.

This is not a zoo visit or a staged animal encounter. The whales are in open water, and the crew has to read the conditions and search for signs of life. That uncertainty is part of the experience, but it also means you should keep your expectations sensible.

The main species named for this trip are minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. Seals and birdlife may also appear. A whale might surface close to the boat, or you may spend time watching a distant blow through binoculars and camera lenses.

The best moments can arrive without warning. One recent outing produced two humpback whales within five minutes. Other successful trips included playful dolphins, several whales, and a seal that was easy to miss. This is why I suggest staying alert even during quiet stretches. The sea can look empty until a back breaks the surface.

Humpback whales are usually the headline act. Their size and slow, deliberate movements make them easier to follow than smaller species, and a feeding whale can hold everyone’s attention for several minutes. Minke whales are more compact and quicker, so sightings may be shorter. Dolphins can be even harder to track, but their movement around the boat can make for a lively few minutes.

The guides provide commentary about the animals and the area. Names from past trips include Rebekka, Lucas, Daniel, and others praised for their warmth, energy, and clear explanations. A good guide matters here because you need help knowing where to look and what you are seeing.

Mountains, islands, and birdlife beyond Reykjavik

The boat gives you a fresh angle on the capital. Instead of looking out over the harbor, you look back toward Reykjavik from the bay, with mountains and islands around the city.

The birdlife adds another layer to the cruise. You may find that the trip is not only about waiting for a whale. The open water, distant shore, and changing light give the outing a sense of place that a quick land-based wildlife stop cannot provide.

Still, remember that the route and animal activity can vary. The supplied details do not promise a particular island, bird species, or exact whale location. The crew searches the bay based on conditions, so each outing can unfold differently.

For photography, bring a fully charged phone or camera. One passenger lost most of an aurora photo opportunity when a phone battery died, and cold conditions can be hard on batteries. A power bank is a sensible addition, though it is not listed as part of the tour equipment.

Your five-hour break in Reykjavik

The long break is one of the practical strengths of this combo. You are not trapped on a boat all day. After the whale cruise, you return to Reykjavik with several hours before the evening departure.

Use the pause wisely. Get food, warm up, check your camera battery, and add layers before heading back to the harbor. Food and drinks can be purchased on board, but you will have more choice during your time in the city.

This break also gives you an easy escape if the morning cruise leaves you tired or seasick. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available on board, but you should still dress carefully and pay attention to how you feel. The bay may be calm, or it may be choppy. A date change was offered on one outing because of rough water, and the guests accepted it and had a much better day.

That flexibility is useful, but it can affect your wider Iceland plans. If you have a fixed airport transfer, a short stopover, or another evening booking, check the timing carefully before committing.

The two-hour Northern Lights cruise after dark

The second boat trip lasts about two hours. Its goal is different from the whale cruise: get away from Reykjavik’s city lights and find a darker patch of sky.

You can watch from the heated indoor bar or use the provided warm overalls to spend time outside on deck. I would use both. Start inside when you need to warm your hands, then go outside when the guide points out a possible glow or the sky begins to change.

The Northern Lights are never guaranteed. Cloud cover, weather, darkness, and aurora activity all have to cooperate. On one successful evening, the lights appeared soon after the boat left the dock. On another outing, bad weather forced cancellation, with the choice to request a refund or move the Northern Lights trip to another night.

That ability to reschedule is important. One passenger missed the lights on the first night but rebooked and saw them the following evening. Another trip found clear auroras after the daytime whale outing, making the whole day feel like a rare double win.

You should treat the evening cruise as a search rather than a scheduled performance. Even a faint glow can be rewarding, especially when you are standing on a dark deck with Reykjavik behind you. But you should not buy this tour expecting a guaranteed green sky.

Warm clothing and onboard comfort

Iceland’s weather can change quickly, and the boat experience is colder than a walk through Reykjavik. Bring weather-appropriate clothing, even though warm flotation overalls are supplied.

Wear layers, sturdy shoes, gloves, and a hat if you have them. The overalls are helpful, but they do not replace a warm base layer. You will spend time moving between the heated cabin and the outdoor deck, so clothing that is easy to adjust works best.

The heated indoor cabins are a major comfort point. You also get toilets and free WiFi on board. The WiFi is useful for checking plans or sharing a quick message, but the real reason to keep your phone ready is photography.

Seasickness tablets are available at no extra charge. That does not guarantee a smooth ride, so anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare before departure and choose the indoor cabin when the sea turns rough.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, which makes the experience possible for more visitors. For detailed questions about individual mobility needs, confirm the arrangements at booking.

Is $205 a fair price for the combo?

At $205 per person, this is not a casual harbor cruise. Iceland is expensive, and combining two guided boat trips pushes the price higher. The value depends on how much you want to see and how much time you have.

You are paying for roughly three hours of whale watching, another two hours at sea after dark, professional guides, warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and a return opportunity if sightings do not work out. You also avoid arranging two separate tours and moving between different operators.

The free repeat ticket matters most for the Northern Lights. Aurora conditions are unreliable, and a second chance can make the difference between an ordinary evening and one of your strongest Iceland memories. The whale side also carries uncertainty, so the promise of joining again after no sightings gives the price some protection.

I would consider the cost reasonable if you have limited time in Reykjavik and want a full nature day without renting a car. I would hesitate if your budget is tight, you already have another Northern Lights outing planned, or you would be unhappy paying for a cruise that produces no animal or aurora sightings.

One practical caution: the trip may sometimes operate on a shared boat with a partner company for environmental reasons. The stated aim is to reduce the number of boats on the water. That may mean a different vessel or crew arrangement, but the shared approach is intended to limit pressure on the bay.

Who will enjoy this combo most?

I think this tour suits first-time visitors who want two classic Iceland experiences in one organized day. It is also a good fit for couples, families with older children, and anyone staying in central Reykjavik without a car.

The experience works especially well for people who enjoy patient wildlife watching. You need to accept stretches of waiting and keep your eyes moving. The best sighting might be a humpback whale, or it might be a quick dolphin fin that disappears before your camera is ready.

Photography fans should bring extra battery power and dress for cold hands. Nature lovers will appreciate the open-water setting and the chance to see several species rather than just one target animal.

I would be more careful recommending it to anyone with a packed schedule. The total time is listed as six hours, but the split between daytime and evening means the outing shapes much of your day. Weather can also change the plan.

Booking details that affect your day

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, with check-in at the Special Tours office on the corner. Arrive 30 minutes early. Since transport from your hotel is not included, allow enough time to walk or make your own way to the harbor.

The activity allows free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland dates are still shifting.

English is the listed tour language. Warm overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets are included. Food and drink cost extra.

If the whale cruise faces unsafe or very choppy conditions, the operator may offer another date. If the Northern Lights cruise is canceled because of bad weather, you may be offered a refund or a chance to reschedule. These policies cannot control the weather, but they reduce the sting of a missed outing.

Should you book this Reykjavik cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient, full day built around Iceland’s most famous natural sights and you can accept that nature makes the final decision. The strongest possible version of the day includes humpback whales or dolphins in the afternoon and Northern Lights after dark. Several trips have delivered exactly that.

The tour is less suitable if you need guaranteed results or want the lowest-cost way to see either whales or auroras. At $205, you are paying for convenience, two guided outings, onboard warmth, and another chance when conditions fail.

My advice is to keep your schedule flexible, charge every camera battery, wear more layers than you think you need, and treat sightings as a bonus rather than a promise. If you do that, this whale watching and Northern Lights combo gives you a memorable way to experience Faxaflói Bay by day and night.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner and arrive 30 minutes early.

How long does the full experience last?

The combined activity lasts about six hours. The whale watching portion takes about two and a half to three hours, followed by a break in Reykjavik and a two-hour Northern Lights cruise.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, seals, and birdlife in Faxaflói Bay.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can purchase them on board.

What happens if I do not see whales or the Northern Lights?

You receive a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings. If the Northern Lights trip is canceled because of bad weather, you can request a refund or reschedule for another night.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm flotation overalls are provided, and the boat has heated indoor cabins. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing for the Icelandic conditions.