Midnight Sun Whale Watching from Reykjavik

Night turns bright over Faxaflói Bay. This 2.5-hour cruise pairs midnight sun views with a search for whales, dolphins, and porpoises, which is a fine way to use Iceland’s long summer evenings. I like the free return ticket if nothing appears, and I like that thermal overalls, indoor seating, WiFi, and sea sickness tablets are included. The main drawback is that wildlife and weather remain unpredictable, and one boat can feel crowded or wet if you are not properly dressed.

You meet at 9:00 pm near Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, at Geirsgata 11, then head out toward Faxaflói Bay with an English-speaking guide. The experience suits you best if you want a simple evening outing without a full-day commitment, but arrive on time: the company has a firm late-arrival policy, and one delayed group was not allowed to join.

Key points at a glance

• Midnight sun setting: The late departure gives you bright evening light, sea views, and a distinctly Icelandic summer experience.
• Wildlife possibilities: The search may include humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and large numbers of seabirds.
• Free second attempt: If you see nothing, you receive a ticket to try again at no extra cost.
• Warmth on board: Thermal overalls come in children’s sizes, with heated indoor seating available too.
• Small maximum group: The boat is limited to 65 people, though the experience may still feel busy when everyone moves outside.
• Guide-led spotting: Guides such as Daniel, Sophie, and Tom have been praised for pointing out animals and explaining their behavior in an entertaining way.

Why the midnight sun makes this cruise different

Whale watching from Reykjavík is already an appealing half-day activity. Adding the midnight sun changes the mood. You leave at 9:00 pm, yet Iceland’s summer light can make the evening feel much earlier. Instead of heading back to your hotel after dinner, you are out on Faxaflói Bay watching the coastline fade into the distance while keeping an eye on the water.

I like this timing because it lets you fit the cruise around a day of sightseeing. You do not need to surrender an entire morning or afternoon. The trade-off is that the late hour may not suit every family or anyone who has spent the day on the road. Still, the bright summer sky makes the departure feel less like a night outing and more like a long, unusual evening.

The midnight sun is not a guarantee of a clear sunset. Weather in Iceland can change quickly, and clouds may soften or hide the best colors. Even so, the combination of late light and open water gives the trip a character you will not get on a standard daytime cruise.

Leaving Geirsgata 11 for Faxaflói Bay

The practical starting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, close to the Old Harbour and public transportation. The trip begins from the harbour area, where the city gives way to open water. You are responsible for reaching the meeting point because hotel transfers are not included.

The published route lists the Old Harbour first, followed by Special Tours. In practical terms, you check in at the operator’s meeting point, board there, and return to the same place when the cruise ends. The total outing lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes, so you should plan on being back around 11:30 pm, subject to sea conditions and the time spent watching wildlife.

The maximum group size is 65 people. That is smaller than a large sightseeing bus, but it is not a private boat. If several whales surface at once, people may gather along the rails and upper deck. One outing was described as packed, with limited room to see the animals at times. Your best move is to listen to crew directions and shift position when possible rather than staying fixed in one spot.

Searching for whales in the bay

Once the boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, the guide takes over the lookout. You will be watching for blows, fins, backs, and sudden movement at the surface. The animals do not follow a schedule, so the trip is part wildlife search and part patience test.

The sightings can be impressive. Specific encounters have included humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and many seabirds. One outing saw a humpback along with dolphins and another type of whale. Another included minke whales and a fine sunset. A particularly fortunate trip reported puffins, minke whales, humpback whales, and dolphins close to the boat.

That variety is a major reason I consider the cruise worthwhile. You are not paying only for one promised species. You are going out into a marine area where the guide may help you identify several kinds of wildlife, even if the largest whales stay away.

A sighting is never certain. The company’s guarantee is practical rather than magical: if you see nothing, you receive a free ticket to try again. It does not promise a humpback, a close approach, or a particular number of animals. If your schedule allows a second outing, this takes some pressure off the first trip.

The guides make the difference

A good wildlife guide does more than point and shout. The guide helps you understand what you are seeing, where to look, and how marine mammals behave. The strongest feedback about this experience centers on the crew’s ability to keep watch and explain the action.

Daniel has been praised for working with the captains to spot animals and point them out so everyone has a chance to see. Sophie has been described as friendly and well informed, with clear explanations during a small-group outing. Tom received special praise for mixing humor with useful information, which can make a long wait between sightings easier.

The guides speak English on this tour. The Special Tours app is also available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. That can be useful if you want extra information in one of those languages, though the live tour itself is listed as English.

A guide cannot make a whale appear. What the guide can do is turn a quiet stretch of sea into a more worthwhile hour by explaining the animals, the bay, and the surrounding area. That educational side matters if you are bringing children or if you want more than a quick photograph.

Staying warm, dry, and steady

The boat provides thermal overalls, including children’s sizes. That is one of the better practical features of the trip. Even in summer, the temperature on open water can feel much colder than it does on Reykjavík’s streets, especially when the boat is moving.

Heated indoor seating is available, so you can warm up during the journey or wait inside between sightings. Free WiFi and complimentary sea sickness tablets are also offered. Food and drinks are not included, although you can buy them on board.

There is one important caution: check that you receive or are offered the protective clothing before settling outside. One passenger reported being cold and soaked without an overall, despite wearing several layers. That account also described a boat crowded enough to make wildlife viewing difficult. Conditions may vary by vessel or departure, but it is sensible to ask the crew about the suit as soon as you board.

Wear sturdy shoes and bring layers even when the forecast looks mild. The supplied overalls help with cold and spray, but they are not a reason to treat the bay like a warm-weather cruise. If you feel unwell at sea, take advantage of the tablets and use the heated indoor area.

The standard boat and the possible RIB alternative

The regular trip uses a boat with indoor seating and outdoor viewing areas. That format gives you a choice: stay under cover when the wind picks up, then step outside when the crew calls out a sighting.

On one occasion, a customer was contacted because the regular midnight boat was unavailable and was offered a RIB tour instead. That alternative produced close dolphin views, puffins, minke whales, and humpbacks, but the ride was described as similar to a roller coaster. If you are on a RIB and have a bad back or knees, sitting at the rear was advised. The front was more thrilling but also rougher.

Do not assume that every departure will be a RIB. It was an alternative offered for one unavailable sailing, not a standard feature of this booking. If boat type matters to you, confirm it before setting out.

The RIB account also shows the range of possible experiences. You might have a calm search from a larger vessel, or you might be offered a faster, bumpier ride. The wildlife is never controlled, but the boat itself can shape your comfort as much as the weather does.

Is $109.34 a fair price?

At $109.34 per person, this is not a throwaway activity. I think the value depends on how much you want the midnight sun setting and how useful the free retry would be to your plans.

The price covers about two and a half hours on the water, an English-speaking guide, thermal overalls, indoor heated seating, WiFi, and sea sickness tablets. It also includes a second chance if the first cruise produces no sightings. That last point matters more than it might seem. Whale watching always carries a risk of a quiet trip, and a free return lowers that risk if you have another evening available.

The value is weaker if you have only one night in Reykjavík or cannot return. In that case, you are paying for the chance to see wildlife, not a guaranteed show. If you do see humpbacks, dolphins, or several species, the price can feel reasonable. If the boat is crowded, the sea is rough, and the animals stay distant, it may feel expensive.

I would compare this with the cost of another evening activity and ask yourself what you want from the night. If the idea of open water, bright late light, and uncertain wildlife appeals to you, the package is sensible. If you need a guaranteed attraction at a fixed time, choose something on land.

Timing, cancellation, and the late-arrival warning

You can cancel without a charge up to 24 hours before the 9:00 pm start time. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

Weather can cancel the cruise. If that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with the choice of another date, another experience, or a refund.

The late-arrival rule deserves special attention. This is not a tour to squeeze between two activities with no buffer. One customer arrived about 20 minutes late after another excursion ran over, and the company did not allow them to join. Even if another operator has been flexible with you earlier in the day, do not count on the same treatment here. I would leave plenty of time after your previous activity and reach the harbour early.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A short evening cruise rather than a full-day excursion
• A chance to see several kinds of marine life
• A memorable way to experience Iceland’s summer light
• A guided outing with equipment included
• A backup option if your first attempt produces no sightings
• An activity that can work for families, since children’s thermal overalls are available

I would think twice if you dislike uncertain wildlife trips, get uncomfortable on boats, or have no spare evening for a retry. You should also consider another activity if you need hotel pickup, since transfers are not included.

The experience can suit most people, and the information states that most participants can take part. Still, boat conditions, cold, spray, and late timing are real parts of the outing. Bring the right expectations, and the trip is more likely to feel like an adventure rather than a failed attempt to order nature on demand.

Should you book the midnight sun whale watch?

Yes, if you have room in your Reykjavík schedule and want an evening that combines scenery, wildlife, and a distinctly Icelandic season. The free second attempt, warm clothing, indoor seating, and active guides give the trip useful protection against the usual uncertainty of whale watching.

I would book it with a time cushion before departure and enough flexibility to return if the bay is quiet. Ask about thermal overalls as you board, dress for cold spray, and do not expect a particular species. If you can accept those limits, the chance of seeing dolphins beside the boat, a humpback in the bay, or whales under late golden light makes this a strong addition to a Reykjavík stay.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour start?

It starts at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, near the Old Harbour.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 pm.

How long does the tour last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

What animals might I see?

You may see whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Recorded sightings have included humpback whales, minke whales, puffins, and seabirds.

Is a whale sighting guaranteed?

No particular animal is guaranteed. If nothing is seen during your tour, you receive a free ticket to try again.

Are thermal overalls provided?

Yes. Thermal overalls are available, including children’s sizes.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they can be purchased on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.