Midnight Sun Whale Watching from Reykjavik

The best thing about this boat trip is the timing. You leave Reykjavik at 9 p.m., when Iceland’s summer light still hangs over Faxaflói Bay, and spend about two and a half hours watching for whales, dolphins, and porpoises. I like the free return trip if nothing is seen, and I like that thermal overalls, heated seating, WiFi, and sea sickness tablets are provided.

The main drawback is that wildlife never follows a schedule. One trip had a crowded boat and cold, wet conditions when suits were not offered, while another had plenty of room and warm gear. You also need to arrive on time at the Old Harbour, as one late arrival was not accommodated.

Key points to know before you book

• The midnight sun changes the whole outing: You search for whales in bright late-evening light rather than darkness.
• Faxaflói Bay offers real wildlife variety: Sightings have included minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds.
• The free retry has real value: If the boat sees nothing, you can take the tour again without paying another fare.
• Thermal overalls are supplied: Children’s sizes are available, though one account reports that suits were not always offered.
• The boat holds up to 65 people: Group size may feel comfortable or crowded depending on the departure.
• The meeting point is easy to use: You start and finish at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at 9 p.m.

Your evening begins at Special Tours, at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. This is the Old Harbour departure point, a practical place for a boat trip because you can reach it by public transport and the tour returns to the same spot.

The boat leaves at 9 p.m. and runs for about two hours and 30 minutes. That timing makes this a useful fit for a summer day packed with sightseeing. You can spend the afternoon visiting museums, walking around central Reykjavik, or driving farther afield, then head to the harbour for a late outing.

The first few minutes are about getting settled. You can use the heated indoor seating areas, or put on the supplied thermal overalls and head outside. The trip includes WiFi and complimentary sea sickness tablets if you need them. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them on board.

You should arrive with enough time to check in and prepare. The late departure is part of the charm, but it also means you should not treat the start time casually. The company has not been flexible with passengers who arrived late, even when another tour ran behind schedule.

Crossing Faxaflói Bay beneath the summer light

Once the boat leaves the harbour, the city begins to recede and the view opens toward Faxaflói Bay. The point of heading out into the bay is simple: you have a better chance of finding marine life away from the busy harbour waters.

The midnight sun is not a separate stop or a staged show. It is the natural light of an Icelandic summer evening. Depending on conditions, you may see a low golden sun, a glowing horizon, or a bright sky that never seems ready for night. This light gives the trip its special character, even during quiet stretches when no animals appear.

Your guide keeps watch and explains what you are seeing. The commentary covers marine mammal behavior as well as the waters and areas around Reykjavik. Several guides have made a strong impression, including Daniel, who pointed out animals and helped passengers get a fair chance to see them, Sophie, who combined friendly direction with clear explanations, and Tom, whose humor made the information easier to follow.

You should expect the guide to direct attention from one side of the boat to the other. Whales surface quickly, and a guide who spots the animal first can make the difference between seeing a back or missing it altogether.

What you might see in the bay

The wildlife list is broad, but the animals do not appear on demand. Sightings have included minke whales and humpback whales, along with dolphins and porpoises. One outing also produced puffins and large numbers of seabirds.

Dolphins can be especially entertaining because they may stay near the boat for several moments. One sighting involved dolphins playing close to the vessel, with one surfacing in apparent curiosity. That kind of encounter is never promised, but it shows why the trip can feel more varied than a simple search for one species.

Minke whales may offer brief appearances, while humpbacks can make a larger impression when they surface. You may see only a back, fin, or spout. Bring patience and keep watching after the first sighting, since the animal may reappear nearby.

The operator offers a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your departure. This is a useful policy, but it is not the same as a guarantee of whales, dolphins, or a particular species. You still need enough time in your schedule to take a second outing, and later trips can also be affected by weather or availability.

Thermal suits, indoor seating, and the question of comfort

I like that thermal overalls are included and that children’s sizes are available. At sea, even a mild evening in Reykjavik can feel much colder, especially when the boat is moving. The suits let you spend more time outside without relying only on several layers of clothing.

Still, you should ask about the suit before leaving the harbour if warmth is important to you. One passenger reported being neither given nor offered an overall, then getting cold and wet during the trip. That account also described a full boat, making it harder to find a good viewing position.

The covered heated areas give you a reliable place to warm up. You can move inside between sightings rather than forcing yourself to stay on deck for the entire trip. The tradeoff is that indoor seating may not offer the same view as an outside position, especially when an animal surfaces suddenly.

Bring waterproof clothing and sensible footwear even if you plan to use the supplied suit. Weather can change, and sea spray is part of the setting. The tour is not a luxury cruise, but the practical comfort features are useful when they work as intended.

A group of up to 65 and how that affects viewing

The maximum group size is 65 people. That is not an enormous boat crowd, but it is large enough to affect your view when several people move toward the same rail.

On a quiet departure, the boat may feel spacious. One outing had a very small group, which made it easy to stay on the upper deck and watch for animals. On a fuller departure, you may need to move quickly when the guide calls out a sighting.

You do not need expert wildlife skills. The guide and crew watch for movement and point out animals. Your part is to stay alert, keep your camera ready, and avoid blocking the view of others.

The trip is offered in English. The new Special Tours App is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, which may help you follow practical information or tour details. The supplied information does not specify the full content of the app, so I would treat it as an added aid rather than the main source of guiding.

The strongest sightings and the luck factor

The best departures have produced a lively mix of wildlife. Some have included two kinds of whales and dolphins, while another included minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and puffins. A humpback sighting can make the trip memorable, but you should not book on the assumption that one will appear.

The less successful side of the experience is just as important. A boat can spend much of the time searching, and poor weather can cancel a departure altogether. Even when animals are present, they may surface far away or only for a few seconds.

That uncertainty is normal for wildlife trips, not a defect unique to this one. The free retry softens the risk, particularly if you are in Reykjavik for several days. If you have only one evening available, the value depends more heavily on your tolerance for chance.

I would schedule this early enough in your Iceland visit to leave room for a second attempt. That is practical advice, not a promise that another outing will be available at the exact time you want.

Is $109.34 a fair price?

At $109.34 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Reykjavik. You are paying for a 2.5-hour boat trip, a marine wildlife search, a guide, thermal gear, heated indoor space, WiFi, and the chance to return without paying again if nothing is seen.

The free retry is the biggest part of the value. If you see nothing, the first fare still buys you another chance. If you see several kinds of animals on the first outing, the combination of wildlife and midnight-sun scenery makes the price easier to justify.

The value drops if you dislike group activities, get cold easily, or have no spare time for a second departure. It also depends on how the boat is managed on your date. A smaller group can make the experience easier, while a busy boat may limit your view.

I would compare this with the cost of a separate evening activity. Here, you get both the unusual summer light and a proper trip into Faxaflói Bay. For a first visit to Iceland, that combination gives the outing a clear purpose beyond simply filling an evening.

Special Tours, the crew, and the overall feel

The crew has an important job because wildlife trips can become frustrating when passengers do not know where to look. Daniel and the captains received particular praise for spotting animals and directing attention so more people had a chance to see them.

Sophie’s approach suited passengers who wanted a friendly guide with clear information. Tom brought a more playful style, which may appeal to you if you prefer facts delivered with humor rather than a formal lecture.

The quality of the trip is therefore tied to both the guide and the conditions. The company can provide the boat, gear, and search area, but it cannot control animal behavior, wind, rain, or the number of people on a departure.

One account involved a last-minute change from the regular boat to a RIB tour. That passenger saw puffins, minke whales, humpbacks, and dolphins, but also noted that the RIB could feel rough, especially toward the front, and advised anyone with back or knee concerns to sit at the rear. Since the regular trip described here is not the same as a RIB outing, you should not assume that change will happen, but it is worth noting that an alternative vessel may handle differently if offered.

Who should book this evening trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a straightforward way to combine Reykjavik sightseeing with a chance to see Icelandic wildlife. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who like having a guide point out animals rather than searching alone.

Families may appreciate the children’s thermal overalls and the heated indoor seating. The 9 p.m. departure may be late for very young children, though the bright sky makes the hour feel less like nighttime in summer.

This also suits photographers who want unusual light, but you should not expect a controlled wildlife shoot. Animals may surface far from the boat, and a crowded rail can make clean photographs difficult.

I would be more cautious if you have a tight itinerary, strong motion sickness, or little patience for waiting. Sea sickness tablets are available, but the trip still takes place on open water and can feel cold or wet. If you need a guaranteed animal encounter, no wildlife boat can honestly provide that.

Booking and cancellation details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9 p.m. start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.

The trip requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If the company cancels for poor weather or because too few people book, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.

The activity is confirmed at booking, begins and ends at the same Reykjavik meeting point, and is open to most people. The maximum group size is 65.

Should you book Midnight Sun Whale Watching from Reykjavik?

I would book it if you have at least one flexible evening and want more than a standard harbour cruise. The midnight sun, the open water, and the chance to see whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds create a distinctly Icelandic outing.

The strongest reason to choose this particular trip is the free retry if the first search comes up empty. Book early enough in your stay to use that option, arrive well before 9 p.m., and confirm that thermal overalls are available when you check in.

Skip it if your schedule allows only one narrow time slot or if cold, wind, and uncertain sightings would spoil the evening. For everyone else, the $109.34 fare is reasonable when you treat the trip as both a wildlife search and a late-sun boat ride, not as a guaranteed whale show.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, near the Old Harbour. It ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour leave?

The listed start time is 9 p.m. The outing lasts about two hours and 30 minutes.

What animals might I see?

The search focuses on whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Sightings have included minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, puffins, and other seabirds.

What happens if nothing is seen?

You receive a free ticket to try the tour again if no wildlife is seen during your trip. This policy does not guarantee a specific animal on the second outing.

Are thermal clothes included?

Thermal overalls are provided, including children’s sizes. Heated indoor seating is also available, though you should confirm the overalls at check-in because they were not offered on at least one reported departure.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to another date, another experience, or a full refund.