Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

Two Iceland icons, one long day. This combined boat tour gives you a practical way to see Faxaflói Bay twice, first in daylight for whales, then after dark for the Northern Lights. I like the warm indoor seating and included overalls, and I like that the whale trip and evening cruise are handled by the same experienced operator. The main catch is simple: nature sets the schedule, so neither whales nor auroras can be promised.

The $212 price is not small, but it covers about seven hours of touring, two boat trips, guides, Wi-Fi, heated seating, and warm clothing. I also like the free chance to try again if the Northern Lights do not appear. Plan extra time to reach the Old Harbour, especially if you are driving, since parking is not available at the tour office.

Key points before you book

• Two separate cruises in one day: You leave Reykjavik during daylight for roughly three hours of whale watching, then return in the evening for the Northern Lights.
• Faxaflói Bay is the setting: The bay offers views of Reykjavik, nearby mountains, and, on a clear day, Snæfells Glacier far to the west.
• Likely wildlife targets: Keep watch for minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.
• Comfort matters here: Heated indoor seating and warm overalls, including children’s sizes, make the open-water portions easier to handle.
• The whale guide helps you scan: A guide points out sightings and explains marine life, which is useful when a whale surfaces only briefly.
• You get a safety net for the aurora: If no Northern Lights appear, a free ticket lets you try again.

A full day on Faxaflói Bay

This is not a quick harbor outing. The whale cruise lasts about three hours, and the full combined experience takes roughly seven hours once the evening Northern Lights trip is added.

That length works well if you have limited time in Reykjavik and want to pair two major Iceland experiences. It also means you should not treat this as a casual gap-filler between other plans. Your day is built around the sea, with a daytime departure, time back in the city, and a second departure after dark.

You meet at the Special Tours office beside Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Look for the large dark-grey building with blue signs showing the company name and logo. If you drive, allow at least 15 extra minutes to find parking nearby. There is no parking at the office itself.

The Old Harbour is a sensible starting point. You are close to central Reykjavik, yet the boat gets into open water quickly. From the deck, you can photograph the city from a different angle, along with the surrounding mountains and broad views across Faxaflói Bay.

The morning whale cruise from Reykjavik

The first trip takes you into Faxaflói Bay for around three hours. The whale-watching area is usually about 30 to 45 minutes from the harbour, so the opening part of the cruise is useful in its own right.

As the boat moves away from Reykjavik, your guide explains what you may see and helps you understand the waters around the capital. On a clear day, views can reach as far as Snæfells Glacier in western Iceland. That gives you a memorable sense of the bay’s scale before the wildlife search begins.

The guide is important because whale watching involves patience and sharp eyes. You are not simply handed a guaranteed sighting. A fin may appear for a few seconds, a blow may show in the distance, or a whale may surface closer to the boat. Having someone point out the position saves you from staring at empty water and wondering if you missed something.

The main species to watch for are minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Humpbacks are the dramatic possibility, with their larger bodies and more noticeable surfacing pattern. Minke whales can be less imposing but still rewarding, especially when one passes near the boat.

One of the strongest reports from this trip described close encounters with both humpback and minke whales. Another praised guide Rebekka for calling out each whale’s position and explaining ocean life clearly. That is exactly the kind of help you want on a whale cruise. The captain also received praise for reacting quickly to the whales’ movement, an important detail when an animal changes direction without warning.

Still, you should keep expectations sensible. Wildlife is wild. A trip may bring several humpback whales, as some departures have, or very little activity. The April experience that received a low rating had neither satisfying whale sightings nor Northern Lights. That is not a flaw unique to this company, but it is a real risk you should accept before paying for any whale trip in Iceland.

What the boat offers when the wind picks up

Iceland’s weather can make a boat ride feel much longer than it looks on a timetable. The included warm overalls are therefore more than a nice extra. They are available in children’s sizes, and they let you spend time outside without relying only on your own jacket and layers.

The boat also has heated indoor seating. You can move between the inside and outside areas, which gives you a practical choice: stay warm while listening to the guide, then step outside when a whale is spotted or when the view opens up.

Free onboard Wi-Fi is included on both parts of the experience. That is handy for sending a quick photo or staying connected during the long stretches between sightings. I would still treat it as a useful bonus rather than the reason to book. The real value is the chance to watch the bay and wildlife with an experienced guide.

There is also an always-open bar where you can buy drinks. The supplied details do not specify the menu, so plan on purchasing refreshments rather than assuming they are part of the $212 price.

The break before the Northern Lights

After the whale cruise, you return to Reykjavik before heading out again at night. The tour information does not set out a detailed meal plan or a fixed length for the break, so you should check the exact departure times when booking.

This gap matters. Seven hours is the overall duration, but it is not one continuous cruise. You need to return to the Old Harbour for the evening portion, and you should leave room for food, warming up, and checking the weather before the second departure.

The timing also makes this experience easier to fit into a Reykjavik stay than two unrelated tours. You have one meeting point and one operator to deal with, rather than arranging separate whale and aurora outings across the city.

Chasing the Northern Lights from the water

The evening cruise takes you out into Faxaflói Bay, just beyond the artificial lights of Reykjavik. That is the key reason to choose a boat for the aurora. Getting away from the city lighting gives you a darker setting and a better chance of seeing faint activity in the sky.

The Northern Lights may be visible during the winter months and can appear as early as September, depending on conditions. The words depending on conditions do a lot of work here. Clear skies, darkness, and aurora activity all matter, and a boat cannot control any of them.

The captain and crew may adjust the route in search of better viewing conditions. One especially enthusiastic account described the aurora suddenly becoming very active and credited the crew with choosing a strong viewing location. That kind of night can turn the second half of the tour into the highlight of your Iceland visit.

You can move around the boat, using the indoor heated area or heading outside to watch the sky. The warm overalls are especially useful here because aurora viewing often involves standing still for long periods. Even if the sky is quiet, the open-water setting and Reykjavik’s distant lights can make the outing feel distinct from simply stepping outside your hotel.

There is no guarantee of a display. The strongest practical feature is the free ticket to try again if nothing is seen. Check the conditions of that return ticket when booking, but it gives you more protection than a one-shot evening outing. If your schedule allows another attempt, this can soften the disappointment of a cloudy or inactive night.

What the $212 price really covers

At $212 per person, this is a major activity expense. I would not book it just because the phrase whale watching and Northern Lights sounds attractive. I would book it if I wanted both experiences and had enough time in Reykjavik to give the weather a fair chance.

The price includes the whale cruise, the evening aurora cruise, an experienced guide on both trips, warm overalls, heated indoor seating, and Wi-Fi. You are effectively buying two excursions in one booking, with one operator and one meeting point.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay for two separate outings. It also improves if the free Northern Lights retry can fit your schedule. On the other hand, the value drops if your visit is very short, if you dislike spending much of a day at sea, or if you need guaranteed wildlife and aurora sightings. No operator can provide that guarantee.

The rating supplied for this activity is 4.2 out of 5 from 55 ratings. That points to a generally strong experience, but not a perfect one. The praise is most consistent around the boat, the crew, and close whale sightings. The weak point is the natural uncertainty of the aurora and wildlife.

The guides and crew make a real difference

A good whale guide does more than list species. The guide watches the water, tells you where to look, and explains what you are seeing before the moment passes.

Rebekka received particularly strong praise for identifying whale positions and explaining ocean life. Other high marks focused on guides who gave clear, useful information, including one account that called the guide’s knowledge exceptional. I would value that help more than a loud or theatrical presentation. On open water, clear instructions are what get you looking in the right place.

The captain also matters. Whales do not follow the boat’s route, and a quick response can turn a distant sighting into a close one. The reports of a well-maintained boat and a captain reacting to whale movement suggest a solid operating standard, though conditions will still shape each departure.

Who will get the most from this tour

This suits you best if you want to cover two major Iceland experiences in one organized day. It is especially useful for a first visit to Reykjavik, when you want a straightforward plan without arranging separate transport or guides.

Families may appreciate the children’s overalls and heated seating. Wildlife fans will like the chance to search for several species, while photographers will find plenty of city, mountain, sea, and sky views to work with.

I would be more cautious if you get seasick, dislike cold weather, or have only one free evening. The trip involves time on open water, and you may spend long periods waiting for a whale or aurora that never appears. The indoor seating helps, but it does not turn the outing into a land-based activity.

You should also keep your schedule flexible. Since the Northern Lights depend on weather and solar conditions, an unsuccessful first night may call for a second attempt. The free retry is useful only if you still have time in Reykjavik.

Practical details worth knowing

The tour is conducted in English, with a live guide. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you make your own way to the Special Tours office by the Old Harbour.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the booking option allows you to reserve now and pay later. Check availability for the exact start time because the combined schedule can vary.

Wear warm layers even though overalls are supplied. Bring a camera, but do not spend the whole whale cruise looking at your screen. The guide may spot the animal before your camera is ready, and the best moment can last only a few seconds.

Should you book this Reykjavik boat tour?

I would book this tour if you want both whales and Northern Lights, prefer an organized outing, and can accept that nature may not cooperate. The strongest reasons are the comfortable boat, helpful guides, two distinct views of Faxaflói Bay, and the free chance to try the aurora again.

I would skip it if you need certainty or want to keep your day loose. At $212, a quiet wildlife cruise and cloudy aurora night would feel expensive, even though the retry policy offers some protection.

For most first-time visitors with a full day available, this is a sensible two-for-one choice. Go for the experience of searching the bay, not a guaranteed checklist. If the whales come close and the sky lights up, you may get one of Iceland’s great days. If they do not, the warm boat, clear guides, and retry option help make the gamble more reasonable.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at the Special Tours office beside 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 experience last?

The full experience lasts about seven hours. The daytime whale-watching cruise takes roughly three hours, followed by the evening Northern Lights boat trip.

What wildlife might I see?

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

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm overalls are provided, including children’s sizes. The boat also has heated indoor seating.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the Special Tours office at the Old Harbour.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You receive a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. The Northern Lights themselves depend on conditions and may appear during winter or as early as September.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, keeping your plans flexible.