Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

The sea gives you two chances to look up. This combo tour pairs a three-hour whale-watching cruise in the afternoon with a two-hour Northern Lights cruise in the evening, making good use of one winter day in Reykjavik. You get warm overalls, blankets, live English commentary, and access to a wildlife exhibition before or after sailing.

I like the practical sighting guarantee, which lets you try again free if the expected sighting does not happen. I also like that you hunt for the aurora from a boat, where the open view can feel different from waiting on land. The main drawback is nature’s usual fine print: whales, clear skies, and calm enough weather are never fully under your control.

Key points before you book

• Two boat trips in one package: You spend about three hours looking for whales, then two hours searching for the aurora later in the day.
• Warm gear is supplied: Overalls and blankets matter in Iceland’s cold, damp winter weather.
• The whale-sighting promise adds value: If the expected sighting does not happen, you can return free of charge.
• Aurora plans can change: Bad weather may cancel or reschedule the evening cruise, as happened to some passengers.
• Expect a large boat group: The maximum is 150 people, so this is a shared excursion rather than a small private outing.
• Pickup costs extra: You meet at Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, and Reykjavik hotel transfers can be arranged for a fee.

Two Reykjavik cruises for $198

At $198 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. But it combines two separate excursions, with a listed total of about five hours on the water, and includes warm clothing, commentary, the wildlife exhibition, and the return-sighting policy.

The value depends on how you use your time in Reykjavik. If you already plan to book both a whale trip and an aurora outing, putting them together can simplify your schedule and reduce the risk of paying for two unrelated tours. If you only want a quick whale trip or a short evening aurora hunt, the package may feel like too much.

Keep in mind that the two cruises are not one continuous five-hour ride. The whale trip takes place in the afternoon, and the Northern Lights cruise is in the evening. You will have a break between them, so this works best on a day when you can keep your schedule flexible.

The package is offered in English. The tour operator is Elding Whale Watching, a Reykjavik company with a base at the Old Harbour area. You begin and finish at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik.

The afternoon whale-watching cruise

The first part lasts about three hours. You board for a search through the waters around Reykjavik, with the crew explaining local wildlife as you go.

Whale watching is a real wildlife outing, not a staged show. That means you may get a remarkable sighting, such as humpback whales feeding or surfacing, or you may see smaller sea life without finding a whale. One outing produced a close look at a whale not far from the harbour, with roughly an hour spent watching it surface and disappear again. Another produced dolphins when whales stayed out of sight.

That uncertainty is worth understanding before you book. The boat can take you to promising areas, but nobody can order a whale to appear on schedule. The guarantee helps soften that risk, especially if your Reykjavik visit gives you time to return.

The most praised sightings include humpback and minke whales. Humpbacks can provide the big moments, including feeding activity and dramatic tail displays. Minke whales are smaller, and sightings may be briefer, but they still offer a real look at wildlife in its own setting.

The crew provides live English commentary about the animals and the area. This is useful even when the wildlife is quiet. You are not simply staring at gray water, trying to guess whether a dark shape was a whale or a wave. The commentary gives the search some purpose and helps you understand what you are seeing.

The boat has an indoor lounge and outdoor viewing areas. That arrangement matters in winter. You can step outside when something is spotted, then return indoors when the wind or rain becomes too much. Warm overalls and blankets are provided, but dress in layers anyway. The supplied gear helps, yet it does not turn Icelandic weather into beach weather.

What the whale guarantee really means

The sighting guarantee is one of the strongest reasons to consider this package. If the expected sighting does not happen, you can try again free of charge. This is especially useful if your stay in Reykjavik lasts several days.

The guarantee should not be treated as a promise of perfect wildlife viewing on the first outing. A return trip still depends on available time and suitable conditions. But it gives you a second chance rather than leaving you with nothing but a cold boat ride and a photograph of the horizon.

The supplied information also describes a return option when the aurora does not appear. One passenger saw only a brief green streak and was still offered a free return. Another received a voucher after missing the aurora. Since the package includes two different types of sighting, ask the operator how the return applies to the specific part you missed.

This is a good example of why the guarantee has genuine value. The Northern Lights are especially hard to schedule. Cloud cover and weather can ruin an otherwise promising forecast, and a boat cannot change that.

The evening Northern Lights cruise

The second outing lasts about two hours. Instead of waiting beside a road or standing in an open field, you search from the water.

That setting has a clear appeal. A boat gives you a broad view in several directions, and being away from ordinary city activity can make the sky easier to watch. The crew also explains the aurora and helps you understand what conditions matter.

Still, a boat is not a magic answer. The Northern Lights may not appear, and the trip can be canceled when weather makes the outing unsuitable. In one case, the evening cruise was canceled because of bad weather and another departure was arranged later. In another, a passenger missed the first boat and was rebooked four hours afterward, but found the communication about the change unclear.

That last point is worth taking seriously. If weather affects one part of a combo tour, your day may need reshuffling. Ask the desk clearly what happens to the canceled portion, when the next departure is, and how the free return or voucher works. The operator has offered rescheduling and return options, but the timing can matter as much as the policy.

The aurora can appear as anything from a faint green streak to a stronger display. You should bring realistic expectations. A quick flash can still be memorable, but it may not resemble the broad curtains shown in Iceland photographs.

Warm overalls, blankets, and the onboard setup

The included clothing is a practical plus, not a decorative extra. Winter whale watching involves wind, spray, and long periods of waiting. The same applies to an evening aurora cruise, when sitting outside can become uncomfortable quickly.

You receive warm overalls and blankets, and the boat has an indoor lounge. You can use the outside viewing areas when conditions look promising, then retreat indoors to warm up. That flexibility is particularly useful if rain arrives during the whale trip, as it did for one passenger who still enjoyed being out on the water despite the cold and wet.

Food and drinks are not included. They are available for purchase on board, so budget for that separately if you want refreshments. You should also avoid assuming that the ticket covers hotel transfers. Pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area can be arranged directly with the operator for an additional fee.

The wildlife exhibition is included as well. It gives you another way to spend time with the subject of the trip, especially if weather interrupts the sailing schedule. The supplied details do not specify its size or exact displays, so treat it as an included extra rather than the main reason to book.

The group size and pace

The maximum group size is 150 people. That is a useful figure to know before paying $198. This will not feel like a quiet, private wildlife outing, and the best outside viewing places may become busy when something appears.

A larger boat can also be a comfort advantage. You have an indoor lounge, more than one viewing area, and a crew used to explaining the search to a mixed group. If you prefer a small boat with personal attention, this package may not be your first choice.

The pace is also shaped by the animals and the sky. There can be waiting between sightings. You will get more from the trip if you enjoy watching the sea, listening to explanations, and staying alert rather than expecting nonstop action.

The 150-person limit does provide a clear capacity ceiling. It also makes early planning sensible, particularly since the experience is booked an average of 22 days ahead. That is not a guarantee that every date sells out, but it suggests the tour is often planned well before the day of departure.

Weather, cancellations, and winter planning

This activity requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That protection is important in Iceland, where conditions can change fast.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The cutoff uses local Reykjavik time.

For a winter visit, I would avoid placing this combo on the day before an important flight if possible. A delayed or rescheduled evening cruise could affect your plans, especially if you need to leave Reykjavik early the next morning. The combination works better when you have room in your schedule for another attempt.

If the Northern Lights trip is canceled while the whale trip still operates, make sure you understand the replacement plan before leaving the desk. One passenger found the rebooking process unclear and would have preferred a refund. The operator’s response acknowledged that communication should have been clearer. That is useful advice: ask direct questions and note the new departure time.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would consider this package if you want two classic Reykjavik outings without arranging every detail separately. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a full day connected to Iceland’s sea life and winter sky.

It is also a reasonable fit if you appreciate a second-chance policy. Whale watching and aurora hunting both involve luck, so the free return can make the $198 price easier to justify.

Families should note that children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour under Icelandic law. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, though pickup can be added for a fee.

You may want to skip it if you dislike cold-weather boat trips, cannot spare an afternoon and evening, or need a fixed schedule. You should also think twice if the only acceptable outcome is a close whale encounter and a major aurora display. Nature may provide both, but the tour cannot promise that exact combination on your first attempt.

My practical verdict

I like the design of this experience. It links two strong Reykjavik activities, supplies the clothing you need, and gives you a return option when wildlife or weather refuses to cooperate. The best moments can be excellent: humpbacks feeding, minke whales appearing, dolphins near the boat, or even a single green streak overhead.

The weak point is not the boat or the idea. It is the uncertainty and the possibility of schedule confusion when bad weather cancels part of the package. You should keep your day open, confirm the evening arrangements at the meeting point, and accept that a successful outing may mean one good sighting rather than a full nature documentary.

At $198, I would book this tour if you want both experiences and have enough time in Reykjavik for a return attempt. I would not book it as a tightly timed, one-chance-only activity. The package is best for flexible visitors who value convenience, warm gear, and a fair second chance more than guaranteed drama.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The package includes a three-hour whale-watching tour and a two-hour Northern Lights cruise, for about five hours of touring time. The two trips take place separately, with a break between the afternoon and evening departures.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area are not included, but you can arrange them directly with the operator for an additional fee.

What happens if I do not see a whale?

The tour includes a sighting guarantee. If the expected sighting does not happen, you can try again free of charge.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

A free return or voucher may be offered when the aurora is not seen. The supplied tour details and examples show that return arrangements can apply, so confirm the exact option with the operator.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board but are not included in the ticket price.

What clothing is provided?

Warm overalls and blankets are provided. The boat also has an indoor lounge and outdoor viewing areas.

Can children and service animals join?

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Children under 13 are required by law to wear life vests for the full duration of the tour.