Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise

Two Iceland highlights, one busy day. This Reykjavik combo joins a daytime cruise through Faxaflói Bay with an evening search for the Northern Lights. I like the chance to see minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises in open water, then return after dark for a very different kind of sea trip. I also like the practical backup: if weather or luck spoils one part, you can join again for free in case of no sightings. The main drawback is the price, $205 per person, and the long gap between cruises, which makes this a full-day commitment rather than a quick outing.

The whale trip earns the strongest praise, with sightings ranging from humpbacks and minke whales to dolphins and seals. Guides such as Rebekka, Lucas, and Daniel have been singled out for making the time on board more enjoyable with clear explanations and warm encouragement. Still, nature makes no promises. Rough seas can force a change of date, and bad weather can cancel the Northern Lights cruise.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate cruises make up the day: Expect a 2.5 to 3-hour whale-watching trip, a break of about five hours, and a 2 to 3-hour Northern Lights cruise.
• Faxaflói Bay offers real wildlife variety: Minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, seals, and birdlife are all possible.
• The Northern Lights depend on weather and darkness: You may see the lights quickly after leaving the harbor, or the evening trip may be cancelled.
• The free rebooking option matters: If you miss the lights or wildlife because of conditions, you may join again, subject to the operator’s arrangements.
• Warmth is handled well: Heated indoor cabins, toilets, warm flotation overalls, WiFi, and complimentary seasickness tablets are provided.
• The meeting point is easy to reach: Check in at the Special Tours office at Geirsgata 11, arriving 30 minutes early.

Starting at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik

The day begins at Geirsgata 11, at the corner office used for check-in. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the harbor.

This location is handy if you are staying near central Reykjavik. One person staying at Center Hotels Plaza described the walk as easy and noted that the meeting point is next to bus stop number 4. That gives you a useful reference if you are using public transport or staying in the old harbor area.

Bring clothing for changing Icelandic conditions. Even with warm flotation overalls available, you will want a proper base layer, a warm jacket, gloves, and a hat. The outdoor deck is where you get the best chance of seeing wildlife and stars, but the indoor bar gives you a sensible escape when wind and spray take over.

The boat is wheelchair accessible, though you should still confirm that the arrangements suit your needs when booking. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

Morning or daytime cruise across Faxaflói Bay

The whale-watching portion lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours. You sail into Faxaflói Bay, the broad body of water outside Reykjavik, with views back toward the city, mountains, islands, and seabirds.

This is not a zoo-style encounter. You are looking for animals in open water, so the experience depends on timing, weather, and luck. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it also explains why a sighting can be brief or distant.

The most likely targets named for this cruise are minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. Seals and feeding birds may also appear. Recent outings have included two humpbacks, playful dolphins, several whales, and a seal. One particularly lucky trip produced four different whales.

The strongest moments come when the crew spots an animal before you do. A guide points toward the water, everyone turns, and suddenly the sea is no longer empty. Humpbacks can make the trip memorable with their size and movement, while dolphins may bring a quicker, more playful sighting.

Several people have reported seeing humpbacks within minutes of leaving the harbor. That is a wonderful possibility, but you should not treat it as a promise. Wildlife moves freely, and a fast sighting still requires patience and sharp eyes.

What the guides add to the whale search

The guides do more than announce a fin. Commentary is provided in English, and the crew explains the animals and the conditions as the boat moves through the bay.

This human element has been one of the most praised parts of the experience. Rebekka was described as passionate and as excited as the people on board when dolphins and two humpbacks appeared. Lucas was praised for being entertaining and helpful, while Daniel received special credit for making a whale and seal outing enjoyable.

That enthusiasm matters because whale watching includes quiet stretches. A good guide keeps you involved when there is nothing obvious on the surface, points out birdlife and distant scenery, and helps you understand what you are seeing instead of leaving you to stare at gray water.

You may also hear nicknames for individual whales. One outing included sightings of whales called Apple and Banana, a small detail that gives the wildlife a more personal connection. You should still keep your camera ready rather than spend the entire time trying to identify an animal.

The five-hour break between the cruises

The combination does not run as one continuous six-hour ride. The two cruises are separated by a break of roughly five hours in Reykjavik. In practical terms, you should plan much of your day around this booking.

That gap can work well if you want time for lunch, coffee, a museum, or a walk around the harbor. Food and drinks are not included on the boats, though they can be purchased on board. I would still plan a proper meal during the break, since the second cruise begins after dark and can keep you outside or on the water for another two hours.

The break is also useful if the first cruise leaves you cold or seasick. You can return to your accommodation, warm up, charge your phone, and check the evening forecast before heading back to the meeting point.

The drawback is simple: this is not a neat half-day activity. If you have only one day in Reykjavik, the combo takes a large part of it. You should choose it because both wildlife and the Northern Lights are high on your list, not because you expect a quick harbor excursion.

The evening search for the Northern Lights

The second cruise lasts about two hours and heads away from Reykjavik’s city lights. The goal is to find darker water and a better view of the sky.

You can watch from the outdoor deck in the supplied warm overalls, or stay inside the heated bar. The indoor option is helpful, especially if wind rises or you need a break from the cold. Toilets are available on board, and complimentary seasickness tablets can be requested.

The Northern Lights are not a scheduled stage show. Clear skies and solar activity both matter, and the cruise may be cancelled because of bad weather. One outing had to cancel the evening trip, while another was rescheduled successfully for the following night. That flexibility is one of the best reasons to book early enough in your Iceland visit to allow a second attempt.

When conditions cooperate, the reward can come almost immediately. One October outing saw the lights just after leaving the dock, even though the crew said it was the first time anyone had been able to see them because of the weather. Another evening produced both a whale during the day and the lights at night.

You may see only faint bands, or you may get a bright display. Keep your expectations sensible. The boat takes you away from city glare and gives you a good setting, but it cannot control the sky.

How to handle rough water and missed sightings

Sea conditions are the main practical risk. One January trip was moved by a day because the water was very choppy. The change paid off: the group saw four playful whales and a seal on the calmer outing.

If you are prone to seasickness, use the available tablets and avoid arriving hungry. Warm layers help, but they do not stop the motion of the boat. Stay near the indoor cabin if you need a steadier place, and step outside in short periods rather than forcing yourself to remain on deck.

The free return ticket is important, but read it as a chance to try again, not a guarantee of a sighting. It is particularly useful for the Northern Lights, since weather may improve on a later night. One person missed the lights on the first attempt, rebooked easily, and saw them the following evening.

Bad weather can also cancel one part of the day. In that case, you may request a refund or reschedule the affected cruise, as happened when a Northern Lights outing was called off. The exact arrangement can depend on availability, so ask at the office before leaving Reykjavik.

Is $205 a fair price?

At $205 per person, this is expensive by ordinary sightseeing standards. Iceland is costly, and you are paying for two boat trips, crew, equipment, heated facilities, and the chance to try again if sightings fail.

The value improves if you already planned to book whale watching and a Northern Lights cruise separately. Combining them saves you from arranging two different operators and gives you one coordinated booking. It also places both experiences in the same bay, with the city break in between.

The value drops if you are interested in only one activity. For a whale-focused day, you may find the evening cruise unnecessary. For a Northern Lights trip, you might prefer a land-based option that can move inland when cloud covers the coast. This combo makes the most sense when you want the convenience of two sea excursions and accept that nature may deliver uneven results.

The ratings and individual experiences point to a high satisfaction level, but the praise is closely tied to luck. The best outings combined whales, dolphins, helpful guides, and clear skies. The weaker outcomes still seem worthwhile when rebooking was available, but the original price remains a serious consideration.

Tips for getting more from the six-hour experience

Charge your phone fully before leaving. One person saw the Northern Lights but lost most photo opportunities when the battery died. Cold weather can drain a phone quickly, so a portable charger is sensible if you have one.

Keep your camera ready during the whale cruise, but do not watch the entire trip through a screen. Whales surface without much warning, and you may miss the best moment while adjusting settings.

Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in. Wear weather-appropriate clothing even though overalls are supplied. The flotation suits add warmth and safety, but your hands, face, and feet still need protection.

Use the city break wisely. Buy food, warm up, charge devices, and check the timing for the return cruise. Since the activity does not include hotel transfers, leave enough time to get back to Geirsgata 11.

Book this on a night when you have flexibility afterward. If the Northern Lights trip is cancelled or the first attempt produces poor conditions, another night gives you a much better chance to use the rebooking option.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want two classic Iceland experiences and do not mind giving most of a day to the plan. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who value convenience, heated facilities, and a guide-led outing rather than arranging separate trips.

It is also a good fit for anyone who would be disappointed by missing one activity but pleased to have another chance. The combination of whale watching by day and sky watching by night creates a pleasing change of mood, from scanning the water for a blow to scanning the darkness for green light.

I would hesitate if you have a tight Reykjavik schedule, strongly dislike boat motion, or need a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The price is high, and neither whales nor Northern Lights can be promised.

Final verdict: book it for the two-part adventure

This is a strong choice when you want to put your time and money behind two of Iceland’s most famous natural experiences. The daytime cruise has the better record for memorable sightings, especially humpbacks and dolphins, while the evening trip offers a calm, atmospheric search beneath the night sky.

Book it if you can allow a second attempt and accept that weather controls the outcome. Skip it if you want a short activity or a guaranteed show. For the right schedule, the chance to see whales in Faxaflói Bay and Northern Lights over the same day is worth the gamble.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner and arrive 30 minutes early.

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 2 to 3 hours, with the stated cruise time being approximately two hours.

What wildlife might I see?

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

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should also bring weather-appropriate clothing.

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

You receive a free ticket to join again in case of no sightings. The Northern Lights cruise may also be cancelled because of bad weather, with the option to request a refund or reschedule for another night.