From Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

This Reykjavik tour is interesting because it stacks two big Iceland nature moments into one day, Faxaflói Bay by daylight and the Northern Lights at night, all from the water. You get whale-spotting time in the morning and then a second cruise focused on seeing the aurora away from city glare. Add warm gear and a heated cabin, and the whole thing feels built for cold-weather comfort.

I particularly like the way the trip is guided for real wildlife viewing, not just sightseeing. In one of the best review stories, guide Rebekka helped point out whale locations and ocean life, and the boat crew stayed alert to whale movement while you’re out there.

One consideration: nature is nature. Whale and Northern Lights sightings depend on conditions, and there can be weather-driven schedule changes in the evening, so I’d book this with flexible expectations.

Key highlights worth clocking before you go

• Daytime whale watching in Faxaflói Bay, typically around 3 hours of time on the water
• Warm overalls plus heated indoor seating, including children’s sizes
• Spotting help from an experienced guide, with frequent scanning for species like minke whales and harbor porpoises
• Evening Northern Lights cruise, designed to be away from artificial lights
• Onboard Wi-Fi and free access to try again if nothing is seen on your tour

Why This Reykjavik Whales-and-Northern-Lights Combo Feels Smart

If you’re in Reykjavik for a short window, this is one of the more efficient ways to chase two star attractions without burning half your trip. The tour runs as a full 7-hour day, then it hands you a second chance at magic when the sky darkens.

I like the pacing. You start with daylight, when you can actually scan for movement and take clear photos of the bay and the Reykjavik coastline. Then you transition to the evening, when the focus shifts from finding whales to finding the right kind of darkness and sky conditions for aurora viewing.

It’s also a nice mindset shift. Whale watching is about patience and reading the water, while the Northern Lights portion is about staying ready and moving with the boat when conditions change.

Old Harbour Check-In and the Simple Things That Make Day 1 Easier

Your day begins at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The building is described as large and dark grey, with blue signs and the company name and logo, so give yourself a little buffer to locate it without stress.

No hotel pickup or drop-off is included, which means you’ll plan your own way to the meeting point and back. If you’re driving, the note about parking is worth respecting: plan an extra 15 minutes because parking isn’t available at the office itself.

What I think matters here is how it affects your energy. When you start the day on your own schedule, you’ll be less rushed for layering and taking your first photos from the harbor. And with Iceland weather doing Iceland-weather things, arriving early is not wasted time.

The Morning Whale Cruise in Faxaflói Bay (and How Guides Actually Help)

You sail from the Old Harbour for an approximately 3-hour whale watching cruise. The ride toward the whale watching area takes about 30 to 45 minutes, and during that time your guide fills in context about the bay and what to look for.

That travel time matters more than you might think. In many boat tours, the first part feels like waiting. Here, the onboard commentary turns it into part of the hunt, so you’re learning while you head out.

Once you reach the viewing zone, the guide’s job becomes much more hands-on: scanning, spotting movement, and guiding you toward what the boat has found. In reviews, people praised guides who could flag positions fast, which is exactly what you want in open water where whales can surface and disappear quickly.

What wildlife you might see

The tour is set up for a range of species in the area, including:

• Minke whales
• White-beaked dolphins
• Harbor porpoises
• Humpback whales

And yes, there’s always that “what if” factor. The whole point of going out is to increase your odds, but you still might see different wildlife on different days. When people report close encounters, it’s usually because the crew managed positioning well and the whales came curious, not because you forced it.

Daylight views that help with orientation

On a clear day, you might even get views extending as far as Snæfells Glacier to the west. Even if you don’t see that far, you’ll still get sweeping views of the bay, Reykjavik’s coastline, and surrounding mountains as you push out from the harbor. Iceland is generous like that when the weather cooperates.

Getting Through the Cold: Overalls, Heated Seating, and Real Comfort

This tour gets comfort right, and that’s not a small detail. Cold water wind can turn a fun boat ride into a mission, so I’m glad this one includes warm overalls for all passengers, and even children’s sizes.

Warm overalls are the big win because they protect the parts of you that usually get hit first, your legs and torso. When you’re properly covered, you can actually stay outside longer to scan for wildlife without constantly hunting for warmth.

Inside the boat, you’ll find heated indoor seating. That means you can rotate between going out to look and ducking in to recover. It sounds basic, but on a cold cruise it changes the whole experience from survival mode to enjoyment mode.

Add a free on-board Wi-Fi connection, and you also get a practical bonus: you can share photos or update loved ones while you still have signal. You’ll also likely appreciate the ability to check your own camera settings or map basics if you’re the type who likes to document as you go.

Evening Northern Lights Cruise: Why the Night Part Is Worth Keeping

After the morning, you return to the boat for the evening cruise focused on the Northern Lights. You’ll get outfitted in your warm overalls again, then go out to sea just outside the city center.

The goal is simple: more darkness. In Reykjavik, streetlights and harbor lighting can wash out faint aurora. Getting a little farther from artificial lights gives your eyes and your camera a better chance.

When you might see them

This tour notes that Northern Lights sightings can happen throughout the winter months, and even as early as September, depending on conditions. I like that honesty. It reminds you that aurora is not on a human schedule.

Staying flexible during the aurora hunt

I’ll be direct: even when a tour is well run, the sky decides. There can be nights where cloud cover blocks the view. And on at least one occasion, the Northern Lights portion was cancelled due to bad weather, with refund handled smoothly but rescheduling not always possible because of scheduling conflicts.

That doesn’t make the tour pointless. It makes it realistic. If you book, go in expecting a chance, not a guarantee, and you’ll enjoy the process more.

Food, Drinks, and the Little Comforts That Improve Your Odds

There’s an always-open bar you can use to buy drinks during the Northern Lights cruise. That’s not just about fun. When you’re out for hours in cold weather, a warm drink can help you stay in the viewing window long enough to catch a change in the sky.

You’ll also be able to move around the boat and spend time both inside and outside. That’s valuable because the best view of the lights can vary with position, and people react to darkness differently. Some do better with constant outside scanning, while others prefer breaks in heated space.

On wildlife days, reviewers also pointed out that the captain and crew were quick to react to whale movement. That kind of operational attention can make the difference between a “we saw something far away” day and a “wow, we were close enough to really appreciate it” day.

Price and Value: What $182 Buys You in Iceland Reality

At $182 per person, you’re paying for two things that are hard to combine on your own: time on a boat, and guided searching for wildlife and aurora. Boat time in Reykjavik costs money, and the guide’s work matters because spotting in open water is not instant.

Here’s where the value gets real:

• Warm overalls + heated seating reduce the odds you’ll spend the day miserable
• The guide helps you find wildlife faster once you’re in the right zone
• The evening cruise is designed specifically for aurora viewing, not just a general sunset ride
• On top of that, you get onboard Wi-Fi

One added safety net stands out: if nothing is seen on your tour, you get a free ticket to try again. That’s not a promise of results, but it’s a sign the operator understands the uncertainty of wildlife and sky conditions.

Also, consider the opportunity cost. If you tried to plan separate day whale watching and separate aurora trips, you’d likely spend extra time coordinating schedules, likely pay similar boat costs, and possibly end up with less convenient timing. One ticket for the full arc, from whales to lights, can feel like better use of your short Reykjavik window.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This combo tour fits best if you:

• Want two iconic Iceland experiences in one day
• Like guided wildlife viewing rather than vague self-searching
• Travel with a winter mindset and want comfort tools like overalls and heated seating
• Have a limited time window in Reykjavik and don’t want to split your planning into two separate days

It may not be your best match if:

• You hate being cold in general, even with overalls (boat decks can still feel sharp in wind)
• You need the evening to be guaranteed, because Northern Lights depend on conditions
• You’d rather choose a dedicated, more focused aurora trip on a night you pick yourself

The review score average around 4.1 out of 5 based on 54 ratings, which usually means solid performance with some variability, and that fits the nature of this kind of tour.

My Practical Tips for the Best Chance on Your Day Cruise and Night Cruise

Here’s the stuff that improves your experience, even when the weather changes.

Layer like you mean it

Even with overalls, wear warm layers underneath. Think heat retention, not just keeping dry. Bring gloves if you have them, and if you use a scarf, tuck it so wind doesn’t sneak in.

Plan for movement and time on deck

For whales, you’ll likely want to be outside when spotting happens, then rotate inside for heat. For aurora, same idea: check the sky often, then step in to warm back up.

Don’t ignore the guide’s scanning

When you hear the guide call out a position or behavior, move when they say. With wildlife, timing is everything. If the crew repositions quickly, you’ll miss the moment if you’re stuck filming from one spot.

Have your camera ready, not your memory

Have your phone or camera powered up before you go out. Northern Lights can change fast, and being ready saves you from frantic fiddling when the sky finally cooperates.

Go in with the right expectation

This is a chance to see whales and aurora from the water, not a blinking guarantee. Treat it like a well-run hunt, and you’ll enjoy more of the ride, even on unpredictable nights.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour?

I’d recommend booking if you want the most efficient way to do Reykjavik’s water-based nature highlights in one day, and if you’re comfortable with the fact that sightings depend on conditions.

It’s also a strong pick if comfort matters to you. The combination of warm overalls, heated seating, and a crew that actively helps you spot wildlife makes the experience feel practical, not just “brave tourists in the cold.”

I would not book it if you need certainty for the Northern Lights on a specific night. Even with good planning, the sky can be stubborn, and on at least one reported case the evening was cancelled due to bad weather.

If you’re flexible and excited by the idea of whales by day and aurora by night, this tour is a solid bet.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Reykjavik Old Harbour whale and Northern Lights tour?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What cold-weather gear is provided?

The tour includes warm overalls for passengers, and it notes that children’s sizes are available. Heated indoor seating is also included.

Is there Wi-Fi on the boat, and is there an app?

Yes, there is free on-board Wi-Fi. There is also an app available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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

The tour includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. Northern Lights sightings also depend on winter conditions, and the tour notes they can be seen throughout winter months and as early as September depending on the conditions.