Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

The sea keeps its secrets at Reykjavik’s harbor. I like the smart two-part design, with a three-hour whale cruise followed by a two-hour aurora hunt, and I like the free return option when sightings fail. The warm overalls and blankets are another welcome touch on Iceland’s cold water.

The main catch is weather. Whales may stay hidden, clouds can erase the aurora, and poor conditions may cancel or shift the evening cruise. You also need to pay close attention to the schedule, since a missed or rescheduled connection can spoil the neat combo plan.

Key points before you book

• Two boat trips in one day: You get a three-hour whale watching cruise and a separate two-hour Northern Lights cruise.
• Sightings come with a second chance: If you do not see whales or the aurora, you can return free of charge under the operator’s guarantee.
• Warm gear is supplied: Overalls and blankets help take the edge off Iceland’s winter cold.
• The harbor location is easy to reach: Both trips begin and end at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c.
• The tour can hold up to 150 people: This is a sizable boat outing, not a small private trip.
• Pickup costs extra: You can arrange Reykjavik-area pickup and drop-off directly with the operator for a fee.

Two Icelandic sightings trips for $198

At $198 per person, this is not a cheap harbor outing. It is a full five-hour package built from two separate excursions, and that changes how I judge the price.

Booked separately, two popular Reykjavik boat trips could add up quickly. Here, you get the whale cruise, the Northern Lights cruise, warm overalls, blankets, live commentary in English, access to a wildlife exhibition, and a sighting guarantee. If you use the free return option, the value improves further.

The price makes the most sense if you already want to try both activities. I would not book it simply because it sounds like a bargain. The tours run at different times, and the package takes up much of your day and evening. You are paying for the chance to see two very different parts of Iceland’s natural world, not for a guaranteed show.

The guarantee also needs a realistic reading. It gives you another opportunity, not a promise that the next outing will produce whales or bright green lights. Nature still sets the timetable.

Meeting the boats at Ægisgarður harbor

Both parts of the experience use the Elding Whale Watching base at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. The activity ends back at this meeting point.

The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Reykjavik and do not need a hotel transfer. Pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area are available for an extra charge, but they are not included in the listed price.

I would allow time to find the harbor and check in without rushing. The combo involves two departures, so clarity matters. One of the less positive experiences reported with this package involved confusion after bad weather canceled the evening cruise and a later departure was offered. If conditions change, ask the desk staff to confirm the new time and exactly how the whale and aurora portions fit together.

The package is offered in English. Live commentary covers local wildlife and the Northern Lights, giving the boat ride more substance than simply standing outside and waiting.

The three-hour whale watching cruise

The afternoon begins with the whale watching portion, which lasts about three hours. You leave Reykjavik harbor and spend time looking for marine life in its natural setting.

The strongest sightings can be memorable. Humpback whales have been seen feeding, and some outings have included minke whales. A humpback surfacing, showing its back, and lifting its tail can make the long stretches of watching worthwhile. On another outing, a whale stayed near the harbor for about an hour, surfacing repeatedly. Dolphins can also appear, giving you something to watch when the larger animals remain out of sight.

That last point is important. Whale watching is not a zoo visit. One outing produced dolphins but no whales, while another found a whale surprisingly close to the harbor. You might see a great deal, or you might spend much of the three hours scanning the water.

The guide’s commentary helps during the quiet periods. You can learn about local wildlife instead of simply staring at a gray sea. The trip is also a chance to see animals behaving freely, which is part of the appeal and part of the uncertainty.

I would bring patience and warm layers even though the operator supplies insulated overalls and blankets. Rain and wind can make the boat feel cold, especially when you are outside for a long stretch. The enclosed lounge gives you a place to warm up and watch through the windows, while the outdoor viewing area gives you a better chance of spotting a surfacing animal.

The boat is described as comfortable, with an inside lounge and ample outdoor viewing space. For the best experience, move between the two rather than staying outside the entire time. You need the viewing area when something appears, but the lounge is useful when the cold starts to distract you.

The evening Northern Lights cruise

After the whale trip, the second portion takes place in the evening and lasts about two hours. Instead of driving away from Reykjavik, you hunt for the aurora from the water.

That gives the experience a different feel from a land-based Northern Lights outing. You are not stopping at a roadside viewpoint or waiting beside a bus. The boat itself becomes your viewing platform, with open-air space, an indoor lounge, warm gear, and commentary about the aurora.

The result depends heavily on cloud cover and solar activity. One person saw only a single green streak but still received an offer to return. On another clear night, the lights were active and vivid. A third outing was canceled because of bad weather. These are not failures of the crew so much as the basic rules of aurora watching in Iceland.

The two-hour length gives the crew time to search, but it cannot create clear skies. I would treat the cruise as a chance to see the Northern Lights, not as the guaranteed centerpiece of your Iceland trip.

If the aurora does not appear, the sighting guarantee matters. You can try again free of charge, according to the tour terms. If bad weather cancels the cruise, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Ask about the replacement arrangement before leaving the harbor, especially if your stay in Reykjavik is short.

One practical warning: the combo is not always as simple as whale watching in the afternoon and aurora watching immediately afterward. Weather can change the evening plan, and the timing may be adjusted. Keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Warm overalls, blankets, and the indoor lounge

I like the practical comfort provided here. Warm overalls and blankets are included, and the boat has an indoor lounge. Those details matter more than they sound during a winter outing on open water.

You should still dress sensibly. The supplied gear works over your clothing, so wear layers underneath and use shoes suitable for a boat. Food and drinks are not included, although they are available for purchase onboard. A hot drink can be useful, but you should not expect the $198 price to cover meals or refreshments.

The ability to step indoors is especially helpful on the whale cruise, which lasts about three hours. You can warm up, listen to the commentary, and return outside when the crew spots activity. On the aurora cruise, the lounge also gives you a break while keeping you on the boat and ready to go back out.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour by law. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The boat can carry up to 150 people, so you should expect a shared group outing rather than a quiet, private cruise.

What the guarantee really adds

The sighting guarantee is one of the best reasons to consider this package. Whale watching and aurora cruises both involve nature, and the guarantee takes some financial sting out of an empty outing.

If you miss the whales, the Northern Lights, or both, you can try again free of charge under the operator’s terms. The exact arrangement matters, so keep your booking details and ask the staff how to use the return option.

This is most useful if you are staying in Reykjavik for several nights. A free return is less helpful if you fly home the next morning. I would book the combo earlier in your stay when possible, giving you room to return if weather or wildlife does not cooperate.

The guarantee does not erase the time cost. You still need to fit another cruise into your schedule, and a second attempt is subject to availability and conditions. Still, it makes the package feel fairer than a standard no-sighting boat ride.

Weather, cancellations, and the need for flexibility

Icelandic weather can alter this plan. The Northern Lights portion has been canceled because of poor conditions, and whale sightings can also be affected by rain, wind, and rough water.

If the operator cancels because of bad weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That is different from simply not seeing the aurora on a trip that runs. In that case, the return option is the benefit to use.

The cancellation policy is straightforward for your own plans: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff uses local time.

I would avoid placing this outing on your final evening in Iceland. That gives you no room for a rescheduled aurora trip and little protection if a cancellation interferes with your plans.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik combo

This package suits you if you want two classic Iceland experiences without arranging separate bookings. It works particularly well for a first Reykjavik visit, couples who want a full day with a strong evening finish, and families who are comfortable with cold weather and boat time.

It also fits anyone who prefers a boat-based aurora search. You may like the indoor lounge, outdoor viewing areas, and live English commentary more than standing on land in a dark field.

I would think twice if you dislike cold, motion, or uncertain schedules. Three hours on a whale boat followed by two hours on an evening cruise is a long stretch outdoors, even with warm overalls and blankets. A group of up to 150 people may also feel too busy if you want a small, quiet wildlife trip.

The combo is less suitable for a very short Reykjavik stay. You need time for a second attempt if the weather cancels one part, and the fixed meeting point means you must make your own way to the harbor unless you pay for a transfer.

My verdict on the $198 experience

I would book this tour if I had several nights in Reykjavik and wanted both whales and the aurora in one organized package. The best features are clear: a comfortable boat, useful winter gear, strong wildlife commentary, two distinct outings, and a free return option when nature refuses to cooperate.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed whale breach or a sky full of green light. The reviews include excellent humpback and minke sightings, dolphins when whales stayed away, a single green aurora streak, and a weather cancellation. That range is exactly what you should expect from nature-based tours.

The smart move is to schedule it early in your stay, keep the evening flexible, confirm any rescheduled departure at the harbor, and use the guarantee if conditions leave you empty-handed. For an all-in-one Reykjavik wildlife and aurora plan, $198 is reasonable, provided you value the second chance and accept that Iceland gets the final say.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the full experience last?

The package lasts about five hours in total, including a three-hour whale watching cruise and a two-hour Northern Lights cruise.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area can be arranged directly with the operator for an additional fee.

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

The tour includes a sighting guarantee. You can try again free of charge if the expected sighting does not happen.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is food included onboard?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard but are not included in the tour price.