Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise

A whale surfacing in Faxaflói Bay, followed hours later by green light moving across a dark Icelandic sky, is a fine way to spend a Reykjavik day. This combo gives you two very different chances at nature, without arranging separate bookings or transport between them.

I like the return-trip option if sightings fail, and I like the practical comforts: heated cabins, warm flotation overalls, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets. The main catch is simple: you are paying $205 for two wildlife events that depend on weather, water, darkness, and luck.

Key points at a glance

• Two cruises in one day: Search for whales during a 2.5 to 3-hour daytime sailing, then return for a two-hour northern lights outing.
• Faxaflói Bay scenery: Look toward the mountains, islands, seabirds, and open Atlantic waters around Reykjavik.
• Common sightings: Minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises are possible.
• A useful safety net: If the northern lights or whales are not seen, you receive a free ticket to try again.
• Comfort in rough weather: Heated indoor cabins, toilets, warm flotation overalls, and complimentary seasickness tablets are available.
• A long but rewarding day: The whale cruise and evening cruise are separated by about five hours, giving you time in Reykjavik.

Two natural shows, one carefully packed day

This tour is built around Iceland’s two most famous outdoor hopes: marine life and the aurora. You are not watching animals in a tank or viewing northern lights through a hotel window. You are out on the water, looking for signs that can appear at any moment.

The daytime sailing lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours. The evening trip lasts about two hours. Between them, you have roughly five hours in Reykjavik. That pause matters. You can eat, warm up, rest, or explore the center instead of spending six straight hours at sea.

The tradeoff is that this is a full commitment to the weather. Choppy water can affect comfort and may lead to a change of day. That is not a flaw in the tour so much as a fact of sailing in Iceland. A January departure was moved because the sea was too rough, and the following day brought playful whales and a seal.

Setting out from Geirsgata 11

You meet at Geirsgata 11, where check-in takes place at the Special Tours office on the corner. Arrive 30 minutes early. That gives you time to find the office, check in, and get ready without rushing to the boat.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. For many people staying in central Reykjavik, this is manageable on foot. One booking from Center Hotels Plaza described the meeting point as an easy walk and noted its closeness to bus stop number 4.

The location is useful for a day plan because you can remain in central Reykjavik during the break. You do not need to carry a lunch or hotel transfer plan around the bay. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard, but they are not included, so I would still plan where you want to eat during the five-hour gap.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The first sailing heads into Faxaflói Bay, the broad body of water outside Reykjavik. Your guide gives commentary as the crew searches for movement on the surface. The work is patient: a blow, fin, splash, or cluster of birds can point toward marine life below.

The animals you might see include minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. Seals have also appeared on some outings. The experience is strongest when the animals behave naturally, which means sightings can range from a distant glimpse to a close and active encounter.

Humpback whales have been a particular highlight. Some outings have produced two humpbacks, while another saw four whales on a day when the water had settled. One report describes whales arriving within five minutes, but you should treat that as good luck rather than a normal schedule.

The guides add useful context as you search. Rebekka was praised for her excitement when dolphins and two humpback whales appeared. Lucas was described as entertaining and helpful, while Daniel received special credit for his work during a whale and seal outing. Guide quality matters here because a quiet stretch of sea feels much shorter when someone explains what you are looking for and why the boat is slowing or changing direction.

You should bring weather-appropriate clothing even though warm overalls are supplied. Wear layers, protect your hands, and expect the deck to feel colder than Reykjavik. The outdoor view is usually the point of the trip, but the heated indoor cabin gives you a sensible place to warm up.

What you see beyond the whales

Faxaflói Bay is not only about large mammals. The route offers views toward mountains and islands around Reykjavik, along with seabirds moving across the water. That wider setting helps fill the time when a whale is not visible.

This is also where your expectations should be realistic. The tour offers a chance to see wildlife, not a guarantee of a close encounter. Whales breathe on their own schedule, and northern lights depend on conditions that no guide can control. The free ticket to join again is therefore important, especially if you have several nights in Reykjavik.

The same practical point applies to photos. Keep your phone fully charged before leaving. One January outing included northern lights, but a phone battery died after only a few pictures. Cold air can be hard on batteries, and you may want to use your camera often when a whale appears.

The five-hour break in Reykjavik

After the daytime boat returns, you have about five hours before the northern lights cruise. This is not dead time. It is a built-in chance to step ashore and reset.

You can use the break to eat, warm up, charge your phone, and check the evening forecast. Since food and drinks are not included onboard, this is the easiest part of the day for a proper meal. It also gives you a buffer if the first boat runs late or the sea has left you tired.

I would avoid filling every minute with another paid activity. The second cruise begins after dark, and you will enjoy it more if you have time to rest. The long pause also makes this combo easier to manage than two separate tours booked close together.

Chasing the northern lights from the bay

The evening cruise lasts about two hours and heads away from Reykjavik’s city lights in search of clearer skies. You can watch from the outdoor deck in the provided warm overalls or stay in the heated indoor bar and look out from there.

The northern lights are never guaranteed. Cloud, weather, aurora activity, and the timing of the trip all matter. On one outing, the lights appeared almost immediately after the boat left the dock. On another, bad weather cancelled the evening cruise, with the choice to reschedule or request a refund.

That uncertainty is why the free repeat ticket has real value. If you have another night available, you can try again. One successful outing came after a first attempt failed, and the second night produced the lights. The option is useful, but it only helps if your schedule includes room for another departure.

The boat setting adds a sense of distance from the city. You are not promised a dramatic display, but moving into darker water can improve your view when the sky cooperates. The heated bar is also important. You can step outside when activity appears, then return indoors before the cold becomes unpleasant.

Comfort, seasickness, and access

This is a boat tour, so comfort depends partly on your tolerance for motion. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available onboard, and you can ask for them if needed. The heated cabin and toilets make the experience easier, especially during the long combined day.

Warm flotation overalls are included. They are useful for the open deck, but they do not replace sensible clothing. Bring layers suited to Icelandic weather rather than relying on the provided gear alone.

The activity is wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed, and smoking is prohibited. WiFi is available onboard, although I would still charge your phone before departure and bring a portable battery if you have one.

The group size is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a small private boat. During certain times of year, environmental measures may mean the trip operates on a shared boat with one of the supplier’s partners. The purpose is to keep fewer boats on the water and reduce pressure on the bay.

Is $205 a fair price?

At $205 per person, this is expensive. Iceland is costly in general, but that does not automatically make every high price good value. The right question is how much you value convenience and the second chance built into the package.

You receive two guided boat trips, warm flotation overalls, heated indoor areas, toilets, WiFi, and access to seasickness tablets. You also avoid booking a separate whale tour and northern lights tour, and the five-hour pause keeps the day organized around one harbor location.

The price is harder to justify if you have only one free night and would be disappointed by an all-cloudy sky or an empty sea. It becomes more reasonable if you have enough time to use the repeat ticket, care about seeing wildlife in its natural setting, and want a single company to coordinate both outings.

I would also factor in food and transport. Hotel transfers are not included, and meals must be bought separately. Central Reykjavik is convenient for reaching the meeting point, but you still need to plan the walk or bus ride.

Who should book this Reykjavik combo?

I would choose this for someone with a short Reykjavik stay who wants two major Iceland experiences in one organized day. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who prefer guides and onboard facilities rather than arranging separate outings.

It is also a good fit if you can keep a second evening free. The rebooking option has more value when your schedule is flexible. You may need that flexibility for rough seas, cloud cover, or a cancelled northern lights sailing.

I would hesitate if you get seasick easily, dislike long waits between activities, or need a guaranteed sighting. The tour can produce wonderful moments, including humpbacks, dolphins, seals, and aurora, but nature remains in charge.

Practical ways to improve your odds

• Arrive at Geirsgata 11 at least 30 minutes early.
• Charge your phone fully before leaving, especially if you plan to photograph the sky.
• Wear layers and bring weather-ready clothing, even with warm overalls supplied.
• Use the Reykjavik break for food, rest, and phone charging.
• Keep your evening schedule flexible in case the northern lights trip is delayed, cancelled, or repeated.
• Spend time outside when conditions allow, but use the heated cabin to stay comfortable.
• Ask for the complimentary seasickness tablets before motion becomes a problem.

The tour has a 4.4 rating from 127 ratings, and the most consistent praise goes to the guides, the whale sightings, and the chance to try the northern lights again. The strongest outings combine good weather with active animals and a clear sky. Those ingredients cannot be ordered, but the tour does a sensible job of giving you two opportunities in one day.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a well-organized chance at both whales and northern lights, and you can accept that neither sighting is promised. The whale cruise can deliver humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, porpoises, and seals, while the evening trip gives you a darker setting and warm indoor refuge.

Skip it if $205 feels too high for a weather-dependent experience or if you have no spare night for a repeat attempt. For the right schedule, though, the combination of two cruises, experienced guides, useful onboard comforts, and a free return option makes this a practical way to spend a long Reykjavik day.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in.

How long does the full experience last?

The total duration is about six hours, including a daytime whale-watching trip, a break in Reykjavik, and an evening northern lights cruise.

How long is the whale-watching cruise?

The whale-watching portion lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours.

How long is the northern lights cruise?

The northern lights portion lasts about two hours.

What animals might I see?

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

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing and dress in layers.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard, but they are not included in the tour price.

What happens if I do not see whales or northern lights?

You receive a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings. If bad weather cancels the northern lights cruise, you can request a refund or reschedule for another night.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to Geirsgata 11.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I bring a pet or smoke onboard?

Pets are not allowed, and smoking is prohibited.