From Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

A humpback whale breaking the surface by day and green auroras spreading across the sky at night make this a big Iceland day. You sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour twice, first into Faxaflói Bay for about three hours, then back out after dark for the Northern Lights.

I like the two-attractions-in-one-day plan, especially if your time in Reykjavik is short. I also like the warm indoor seating, provided overalls, free Wi-Fi, and the free ticket to try the Northern Lights cruise again if the sky stays empty.

The catch is simple: wildlife and auroras follow nature’s schedule, not yours. The boat ride can be rough, and bad weather can cancel the evening trip or spoil an otherwise strong day.

Key points before you book

• Two boat trips from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: Whale watching takes place in daylight, followed by a separate evening cruise for the Northern Lights.
• Possible wildlife sightings: Keep watch for minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.
• Warmth is built in: Heated indoor seating and warm overalls, including children’s sizes, help with the cold and wet conditions.
• A useful backup for the auroras: If no Northern Lights appear, you receive a free ticket to try that cruise again.
• English-speaking guidance: Guides explain the ocean life and help point out whale movements. Rebekka is one guide praised for spotting activity and explaining marine life clearly.
• Allow a full day: The experience lasts about seven hours, with a gap between the daytime and evening departures.

Why this paired boat tour works in Reykjavik

I like this tour because it fits two very different Iceland experiences into one booking. During the day, Faxaflói Bay gives you open water, mountain views, and a chance to watch marine life. At night, the same bay becomes a dark platform for sky watching.

That pairing also gives the day a good rhythm. Whale watching is active and alert. You scan the water, follow the guide’s calls, and watch for a fin or blow. The Northern Lights cruise is quieter. You move away from Reykjavik’s artificial lights and wait for the sky to change.

The price is $182 per person. That is not a casual add-on, but it can be fair value if you want both activities and would otherwise book two separate excursions. You also get warm overalls, heated indoor seating, guides on both cruises, Wi-Fi, and a free attempt to see the auroras again if your first evening produces nothing.

The value is less certain if you already have several chances to see whales or the Northern Lights elsewhere in Iceland. You are paying for convenience and for a long, carefully arranged day rather than a guaranteed wildlife show or guaranteed aurora display.

Starting at the Old Harbour

You meet at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Look for the large dark-gray building with blue signs and the Special Tours name and logo.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to reach the harbour yourself. If you drive, allow an extra 15 minutes to find parking. Parking is not available at the operator’s premises.

The harbour departure gives you an immediate sense of place. As the boat pulls away, you can photograph Reykjavik, the surrounding mountains, and Faxaflói Bay. On a clear day, views may stretch as far as Snæfells Glacier to the west.

Keep your camera ready at the start, even if whales are your main goal. The city-to-sea transition is one of the pleasant parts of the trip, and the views help make the journey worthwhile before the search begins.

Three hours among the whales of Faxaflói Bay

The daytime cruise lasts about three hours. It takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes to reach the main whale-watching area, and the guide uses that time to explain the bay and the animals you may see.

The possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Each animal offers a different kind of encounter. A porpoise may appear only briefly. Dolphins can move quickly and unpredictably. A humpback whale can make the whole boat stop and watch when it surfaces close by.

That last point matters. You should not expect a staged performance. The crew can search likely areas and track movement, but no one can promise how close an animal will come or how long it will remain at the surface.

A strong guide makes a real difference here. You need someone who can read the water, direct your attention, and explain what you just saw rather than simply announce that a whale is nearby. Rebekka received particular praise for calling out each whale’s position and explaining ocean life. That kind of guidance can turn a quick glimpse into a much clearer experience.

The captain’s handling also matters. One especially positive account described the captain reacting well to the boat’s movement while whales were nearby. That is useful because sightings can happen quickly, and the boat may need to adjust position without wasting time.

What the boat ride feels like

The bay can be rough. One account described a choppy ride, though sea-sickness tablets were offered before departure. If you are sensitive to motion, treat that as a practical warning rather than a minor detail.

The provided overalls help with cold spray and wind, but you should still wear warm layers underneath. The boat has heated indoor seating, so you can warm up between sightings. You can also move around between indoor and outdoor areas, which gives you a better chance of finding a comfortable viewing position.

The best approach is to stay flexible. Outdoor viewing gives you a clearer angle and better photographs, but it can be cold and wet. Indoor seating is warmer, though windows may not give the same open view. You will likely move back and forth as conditions change.

Free Wi-Fi is included. That is handy for sharing photographs or checking messages, though the main reason to keep your phone ready is to record a sudden whale sighting. The boat also has a bar that remains open, with drinks available for purchase.

Returning after dark for the Northern Lights

The evening cruise takes you back out onto Faxaflói Bay. The goal is to leave the strongest city lights behind and give you darker conditions for aurora watching.

The Northern Lights can appear during the winter months and may be visible as early as September, but the timing depends on conditions. That means the cruise is a search rather than a promise. You may see nothing, a faint glow, or a dramatic display. A spectacular aurora can develop suddenly, as one successful outing showed when the lights became very active after an uncertain start.

The boat gives you room to move between indoor and outdoor areas. Use the warm interior when you need it, then step outside when the sky looks promising. The provided overalls are especially useful at night, when standing still while looking upward makes the cold feel sharper.

The free retry is an important part of the value. If no Northern Lights are seen on your cruise, you receive a free ticket to try again. That does not remove the need for clear skies and suitable conditions, but it gives you another chance without paying the full price again.

You should also keep your schedule open if the aurora is a priority. Bad weather can cancel the evening cruise, and rescheduling may not work if you have a tight timetable. One canceled outing was followed by a quick refund, but you should not build your entire trip around one fixed departure.

The gap between day and night

The experience lasts about seven hours, but it is not one continuous cruise. You take the whale-watching trip during the day and return for the evening boat.

That gap can be useful. You can eat, rest, warm up, or spend a little time around central Reykjavik before heading back to the harbour. It can also make for a long day, especially if the sea is rough or the evening cruise runs late.

Check the available starting times before you pay. The exact schedule changes with availability, and the daylight hours shift sharply across Iceland’s seasons. A tour that fits neatly into your plan in one month may need more careful timing in another.

Because hotel transport is not included, plan your route to and from the Old Harbour twice. The meeting point is central, but you still need to account for walking, parking, or local transport.

How much value do you get for $182?

At $182 per person, this is best viewed as a paired experience rather than a cheap whale trip. You are paying for two cruises, two guided outings, the boat facilities, warm clothing, and a second chance at the auroras if the first cruise fails to produce a sighting.

The price makes the most sense for you if:

• You have limited time in Reykjavik.
• You want both whale watching and an aurora cruise.
• You prefer one booking instead of coordinating two companies.
• You value a free retry for an unsuccessful Northern Lights attempt.
• You are comfortable paying for a nature-based activity with uncertain results.

The price is harder to justify if you only care about one of the two activities. A whale-only or aurora-only trip may suit your budget and schedule better. You should also think twice if a long day at sea sounds tiring or if you have no spare evening for a possible weather change.

The strongest value comes when conditions cooperate and you see both whales and auroras. That is possible, but it is not guaranteed. The operator can provide boats, guides, warm clothing, and a good viewing area. It cannot control the animals or the sky.

Who will enjoy this most

This tour suits first-time visitors who want two classic Iceland experiences without leaving Reykjavik for a full-day land excursion. It also works well for couples, families, and small groups who want a shared day with a clear plan.

Families benefit from children’s-size overalls, heated seating, and the chance to move indoors when the weather turns cold. The long duration and rough water may still be tiring for young children or anyone prone to sea sickness.

It is also a good fit for photographers who want changing subjects. You can photograph Reykjavik and the mountains in daylight, then try night-sky photographs from the bay. The boat’s movement and Iceland’s weather can make aurora photography difficult, so you should treat the camera as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.

You should be comfortable with uncertainty. If you need a guaranteed attraction at a fixed time, this is the wrong kind of outing. If you enjoy watching nature unfold and can accept a missed sighting, the structure gives you two strong chances in one day.

Practical advice for a better day

Arrive at the Special Tours office with time to spare, especially if you are driving. The building is at the Old Harbour, but parking is not at the office.

Dress in layers even though overalls are supplied. Warm clothing helps you enjoy the outdoor viewing areas instead of retreating indoors every few minutes.

If you are prone to sea sickness, ask about the tablets offered before the whale cruise. Keep your first meal sensible and use the heated seating when you need a break.

Do not spend the entire whale cruise staring at one spot. Listen for the guide’s directions and scan a wide area. A whale may surface behind the place where everyone was looking a moment earlier.

For the Northern Lights, keep your expectations measured. A faint display can become strong, but a cloudy or stormy night may end the outing before you see anything. The free retry helps, but only if your schedule allows another attempt.

The live guide speaks English. The onboard app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, which can be useful for extra information during the trip.

Should you book this combined cruise?

Book it if you want the convenience of pairing whale watching and Northern Lights viewing from Reykjavik, and you have a full day plus a flexible evening. The best reasons are the two very different cruises, the warm facilities, the helpful wildlife guidance, and the free aurora retry.

Skip it if you want a short outing, dislike rough water, or have no room in your schedule for weather changes. You should also avoid treating the $182 price as payment for two guaranteed spectacles. It buys access, equipment, guidance, and a well-planned chance.

For many first visits to Iceland, that chance is worthwhile. Just dress warmly, leave room for nature to make the final decision, and keep the next evening open if the Northern Lights are your main goal.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The building is large and dark gray, with blue signs showing the company name and logo.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the Old Harbour meeting point, and the tour ends there as well.

How long does the experience last?

The combined experience lasts about seven hours. The whale-watching cruise takes about three hours, with the Northern Lights cruise taking place later in the evening.

Which animals might I see?

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

Can I see the Northern Lights as early as September?

Yes. The Northern Lights may be visible as early as September, as well as during the winter months. Sightings depend on weather and other conditions.

What happens if no Northern Lights appear?

You receive a free ticket to try the Northern Lights cruise again if nothing is seen during your tour.

Are warm clothes provided?

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

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide conducts the tour in English. The onboard app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.