Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

Faxaflói Bay gives you two very different views of Iceland in one day: whales in the pale coastal light, then northern lights over dark water. The whale cruise can bring you close to minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and harbor porpoises, while the night boat gets away from Reykjavik’s streetlights.

I like the efficient pairing of two major Iceland experiences, and I like the practical comfort: heated indoor seating, warm overalls in children’s sizes, an onboard bar, and free Wi-Fi. The main drawback is nature’s refusal to follow a timetable. You could see several whales and a spectacular aurora, or have a quiet bay and cloudy sky. A free retry applies if the northern lights are not seen, but your schedule still needs room for another attempt.

Key points at a glance

• Two cruises in one day: Spend roughly three hours whale watching, then return for an evening northern lights cruise.
• Good wildlife range: Keep watch for minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.
• Comfort in cold weather: Warm overalls and heated indoor seating make the time on the water easier, especially in winter.
• Strong guide support: Guides explain the bay and help you spot quick surfacing whales, with Rebekka receiving especially high praise for her sharp eye.
• Big coastal views: On a clear day, you may see Reykjavik, surrounding mountains, and even Snæfells Glacier.
• A sensible weather safety net: If the northern lights do not appear, you receive a free ticket to try again.

Why pair whales with the northern lights?

This tour solves a common Reykjavik planning problem. Whale watching works in daylight, while the aurora needs darkness, so the two activities naturally fit into one long day. You do not need to arrange separate transport or spend another day fitting both into your trip.

The contrast is part of the appeal. In the afternoon, you scan moving water for a blow, a fin, or the rounded back of a humpback. Later, you look upward into a dark sky, hoping for green light. The first experience depends on marine life and patient searching. The second depends on cloud cover, darkness, and solar activity.

That uncertainty matters. The combined tour gives you two chances at memorable nature, but it does not guarantee either sighting. The boat crew can choose useful viewing areas and explain what to watch for, but nobody can call a whale or command an aurora into view.

The overall rating is 4.2 from 55 reviews, which fits the nature of this experience: strong outings can be extraordinary, while poor weather or quiet wildlife can change the day completely.

Starting at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your meeting point is the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Look for the large dark-grey building with blue signs carrying the company name and logo. This is central and useful if you are already exploring the waterfront, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

If you drive, allow an extra 15 minutes to find parking nearby. Parking is not available at the tour office itself. That small detail can make a difference when you have a fixed departure, especially in winter when walking from a parking spot takes longer than expected.

The tour lasts about seven hours, though the exact starting time depends on availability. Plan the day around it rather than trying to squeeze in another fixed appointment. The whale cruise takes about three hours, and the northern lights portion returns later in the evening.

The guide speaks English. Wi-Fi is available onboard, so you can share photos or messages without relying only on your mobile connection. Still, keep your phone away at times. The bay is better enjoyed with your eyes than through a screen.

The three-hour whale watch in Faxaflói Bay

The boat heads out from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay. For the first 30 to 45 minutes, the journey itself is part of the tour. You get views back toward Reykjavik and out across the surrounding coast, with mountains forming the backdrop.

On a clear day, views may stretch as far as Snæfells Glacier in western Iceland. You will not get that wide view every time. Clouds and changing weather are part of the setting, but even a shorter view across the bay gives you a useful sense of Reykjavik’s coastal position.

Once the boat reaches the whale watching area, the pace changes. Your guide explains the animals and helps you scan the water. This is not a zoo visit with guaranteed appearances. You may spend time watching an empty patch of sea before a whale surfaces for only a few seconds.

Keep your eyes moving. A minke whale can appear with little warning, while a humpback may give you a larger back, a blow, or a tail movement. White-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises are also possible. The guide’s role is important here because a trained eye can notice a distant disturbance before you do.

Rebekka received especially warm praise for pointing out each whale’s position and explaining ocean life. That kind of help is valuable on a boat, where the most exciting moment may last only a breath or two.

What the wildlife sightings can really be like

The best whale trips offer close views, but you should set your expectations correctly. A quiet outing is possible, as shown by the low-rated experience in which neither the aurora nor the whales delivered much. That is not a flaw the operator can fully remove. It is the basic risk of wildlife watching.

On stronger days, the experience can be remarkable. Several outings produced both humpback and minke sightings, and one group described getting very close to the whales. Humpbacks tend to make the biggest impression because of their size and slower, more dramatic movements. Minke whales can be less predictable, which makes spotting them a test of patience.

The crew and captain affect the experience. A responsive captain can adjust the boat’s position as animals move, while a clear guide keeps everyone focused on the right part of the water. The boat has been described as comfortable, well maintained, and a good size, which matters when you are spending hours outside Reykjavik.

You can move between indoor and outdoor areas. For the clearest photographs, you will likely want to be outside when a whale appears, but the heated interior gives you a place to warm up between sightings. That option is especially helpful for children or anyone who finds a long period in cold wind tiring.

The long pause between daylight and darkness

The tour combines two outings, but the supplied details do not specify exactly how the time between them is handled. Treat the day as a long activity and check the exact schedule before booking. You may need to plan food and personal time around the gap.

The bar is open during the night cruise, and drinks can be purchased onboard. That is convenient, but it is not a substitute for planning your meal. Since hotel transportation is not included, you also need to arrange your own way back to your accommodation after the evening sailing.

This schedule suits you if you want to devote one day to the sea and sky. It may feel less suitable if you prefer short activities with plenty of downtime. The seven-hour commitment is a real part of the price and should be weighed alongside the ticket cost.

Chasing the aurora from the bay

For the evening portion, you return to the boat and head out from the city center onto Faxaflói Bay. The reason to go by boat is simple: moving away from artificial light can improve the darkness around you. Reykjavik remains close, but the water gives you a broader horizon and fewer immediate streetlights.

The crew provides warm overalls, including children’s sizes. Use them. Even if the evening begins calmly, wind on open water can make the cold sharper than it feels on land. Heated indoor seating is available when you need a break, while outdoor areas offer the best chance to see the sky without reflections through glass.

Northern lights conditions vary. The lights can be seen through the winter months and may appear as early as September, but the tour cannot promise a display on any particular night. Clouds, darkness, and solar activity all matter. A clear sky is useful, but clear weather alone does not guarantee an aurora.

When the lights do appear, the setting can be excellent. One particularly strong outing featured a sudden burst of aurora activity, with the boat in a good position on the bay. That possibility is why the night cruise is worth considering even if you have already tried to see the lights from land.

The crew’s job is to watch conditions and position the boat sensibly. Your job is to remain patient and keep looking. The lights may begin as a faint pale glow rather than the bright green curtains shown in photographs.

Comfort, equipment, and the practical details

The comfort features are more useful than they may first sound. A whale watch involves standing, waiting, and turning from one side of the boat to the other. An aurora cruise adds darkness and cold. Heated indoor seating means you can recover between sightings instead of ending the tour simply because you are chilled.

Warm overalls are included, with children’s sizes available. You should still dress sensibly underneath, but the supplied outer layer reduces the need to bring bulky specialist clothing.

Free Wi-Fi is also included. It is handy for sending a quick photo or checking messages, though reception and attention should not be your main concerns on the water. The onboard bar sells drinks during the evening cruise, adding a simple comfort option.

The English-speaking guide is included on both tours. This is important because the guide does more than provide facts. During whale watching, the guide helps you find animals. At night, the crew helps you understand what conditions may mean and where to look.

Is $212 a fair price?

At $212 per person, this is not a cheap Reykjavik activity. The value depends on how much you want to accomplish in one day and how much flexibility you have in your schedule.

You are paying for two boat outings, about seven hours of activity, a guide on each tour, heated indoor seating, warm overalls, Wi-Fi, and a free retry if the northern lights are not visible. Booking two separate activities could cost more, though the supplied information does not give separate prices for comparison.

The main value is convenience. You get one booking for whale watching and an aurora cruise, both leaving from the same general harbour area. If you are in Reykjavik for a short stay, that can make the price easier to justify.

The main risk is also clear. A combined ticket does not protect you from nature. You could have an excellent whale trip and no aurora, or the reverse. The free retry helps with the northern lights, but it does not change the fact that you must have another evening available and return to the harbour.

I would consider the price reasonable for a short Iceland visit, particularly if you want both experiences and do not want to organize them separately. If you are staying longer, compare the cost with separate bookings and leave a spare night for the aurora.

Who will get the most from this tour?

This suits you best if you want a full nature-focused day and can handle uncertainty. It is a good match for first-time visitors who want to see two famous Iceland experiences without arranging multiple operators.

Families may appreciate the children’s overalls and heated indoor seating. Wildlife fans will value the chance to see several species, while photographers will like the city, mountain, and open-water views. The onboard bar and Wi-Fi add comfort for a long day.

You should think twice if you dislike cold weather, long periods of waiting, or fixed schedules. The boat is comfortable, but comfort does not remove the motion, wind, or need to stand outside when an animal appears.

You should also avoid booking the tour on a night when you have an important dinner, show, or early departure the next morning. The seven-hour duration and evening finish leave little room for a packed schedule.

Booking advice before you commit

Use the free cancellation option if your plans may change. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your money available until your plans are firmer.

Build in time to reach the Old Harbour. Drivers need extra time for parking, and there is no parking at the office itself. Bring layers even though overalls are provided, and keep your camera ready during the first 30 to 45 minutes, when the city and coastal views can be especially appealing.

Most important, leave room for a second northern lights attempt if the aurora is your priority. The free retry is useful only if your itinerary allows it.

Should you book the Reykjavik whale and northern lights boat tour?

Book it if you want one long, efficient day devoted to Iceland’s sea and sky, and you accept that sightings cannot be guaranteed. The combination is its strongest feature, and the practical gear makes the cold more manageable.

I would choose this tour for a short Reykjavik stay, families wanting a guided outing, and anyone who prefers a boat-based aurora search. I would skip it if you need a tightly timed day, dislike waiting in cold conditions, or cannot spare another evening for the free retry.

The best reason to book is the chance to experience a close humpback sighting by day and a sudden aurora burst by night. The honest reason to hesitate is that nature may offer only one of those gifts.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The building is large and dark grey, with blue signs showing the company name and logo.

How long does the combined tour last?

The complete experience lasts about seven hours. The daytime whale watching cruise takes approximately three hours, followed by the evening northern lights cruise.

What animals might I see?

You may see minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises in Faxaflói Bay.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to and from the Old Harbour.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide speaks English.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm overalls are included, with children’s sizes available. 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?

You receive a free ticket to try the northern lights tour again if nothing is seen on your outing. You need to have enough time in your schedule for another attempt.