Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise

The best part of this Reykjavik combo cruise is the change of mood: daylight brings whales, dolphins, mountain views, and birdlife, while the second outing sends you into the dark sea beneath the sky. I like that you get two distinct nature trips for one booking, and that the crew provides warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets.

I also like the free chance to join again if the Northern Lights do not appear. The main caution is weather. Choppy water can affect the whale trip, clouds can spoil the lights, and the published schedule includes a long break in Reykjavik, so check the exact departure times before you build the rest of your day.

Key points at a glance

• Two sea trips in one day: Spend about three hours whale watching, then return for a two-hour Northern Lights search.
• Faxaflói Bay wildlife: Look for minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.
• Warmth is built in: Heated indoor cabins, outdoor viewing, provided flotation overalls, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets make the boat practical in Icelandic weather.
• Weather backup matters: If the Northern Lights cruise is canceled or the lights do not show, you may be able to reschedule or use the free repeat option.
• Guides add to the outing: Guides including Rebekka, Lucas, and Daniel have been praised for clear, friendly commentary and enthusiasm when animals appear.
• Central starting point: Meet at the Special Tours office at Geirsgata 11, close to Reykjavik’s harbor area, 30 minutes before departure.

Why this combo works in Reykjavik

I like this tour because it joins two very different Iceland experiences without asking you to arrange separate bookings. The whale trip gives you open water and daylight. The evening cruise gives you darkness, stars, and a chance to see the Northern Lights away from many city lights.

That pairing also makes sense for a short stay. If you have only a few nights in Reykjavik, you can put two popular activities into one flexible plan. You are still dependent on nature, though. Whales are wild animals, and the Northern Lights need the right mix of darkness, clear skies, and solar activity.

The experience costs $205 per person. That is a serious amount, especially since food and drinks are extra and hotel pickup is not included. Iceland is expensive, but the price has a practical advantage: it covers both a 2.5 to 3-hour whale-watching trip and a 2 to 3-hour Northern Lights cruise, along with warm gear and the option to try again when conditions do not cooperate.

I would see the value as strongest for someone who already wants both activities. If you only want to see whales, a whale-only trip may be a better match. If you are staying several nights and can book a separate Northern Lights outing on a clearer night, compare the total prices first.

Meeting at Geirsgata 11

You check in at the Special Tours office at the corner of Geirsgata 11. Arrive 30 minutes early. That gives you time to find the office, check in without rushing, and prepare for the first boat ride.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your route to the harbor area. One useful detail is that the meeting point is an easy walk from Center Hotels Plaza and near bus stop number 4. The central location makes the tour simple to reach if you are staying in central Reykjavik.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm any personal access needs when booking. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

The daylight 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 off Reykjavik, with views back toward the city, nearby islands, and mountains.

The crew looks for several species. Your possible sightings include:

• Minke whales
• Humpback whales
• White-beaked dolphins
• Harbor porpoises
• Seals
• Birdlife around the bay

Humpback whales are the dramatic prize. They can appear close enough to create a memorable splash or show feeding behavior, but sightings are never controlled by the crew. Minke whales are smaller and can be quicker to miss. Dolphins and porpoises may move fast through the water, so keep watching rather than waiting for one large, obvious appearance.

The guides provide live commentary in English. This matters more than it may sound. A good guide helps you understand what you are looking at, where to watch, and how to read the water. Rebekka has been singled out for her excitement and warmth, while Lucas and Daniel have also been praised for keeping the outing helpful and entertaining.

Some of the strongest animal encounters have included humpback whales seen within minutes of leaving the harbor, playful dolphins, four whales in one outing, and seals. Another memorable detail is the use of informal names such as Apple and Banana for two whales. Names like these can make a sighting feel more personal, though the central pleasure is still seeing the animals behaving naturally in the Atlantic.

Bring a fully charged phone or camera. One person had a phone battery die after photographing whales and the Northern Lights, leaving only a few light images. Cold weather can drain batteries quickly, so carry a power bank if you have one. This is practical advice, not just a photo tip: the best moments may arrive with little warning.

Staying comfortable on the whale boat

I appreciate that this is not a bare-bones boat ride. You have heated indoor cabins, toilets, free WiFi, and warm flotation overalls. You can watch from outside when the weather allows, then step inside to warm up.

The overalls are particularly useful because ordinary warm clothing may not be enough on open water. Still, bring weather-appropriate layers. Wear clothing that lets you add or remove insulation, and do not rely on the provided gear as your only protection.

Seasickness tablets are available at no extra cost. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the issue seriously before departure and ask the crew for help. Choppy seas were a reason one trip was moved to the following day, and that decision led to a much better whale encounter. A flexible attitude is part of the experience.

The gap between the two cruises

The schedule includes a break in Reykjavik between the whale-watching trip and the evening Northern Lights cruise. The published itinerary lists a five-hour break, although the overall activity is also described as six hours and the exact start times depend on availability.

That mismatch is worth checking before you book. The two boat outings together account for roughly five to six hours on the water, but the full period from first check-in to final return can be longer if the gap is several hours. Ask for the exact timing on your chosen date so you can plan lunch, dinner, or a hotel rest.

This pause can work in your favor. After a cold boat ride, you can warm up, eat, charge your phone, and collect extra layers before returning to the harbor. It can be less convenient if you hoped to combine the tour with another timed activity.

Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them onboard. During the break, I would plan a proper meal in Reykjavik rather than depend entirely on boat snacks.

Searching for the Northern Lights at sea

The evening trip lasts about two hours. The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay to get away from some of Reykjavik’s city glow and search for a better view of the night sky.

You can stay in the heated indoor bar or wear the supplied warm flotation overalls and watch from the outdoor deck. The indoor space is the sensible choice when wind or cold becomes uncomfortable. The deck gives you a better view of the sky, but you will need patience and warm clothing.

The Northern Lights do not appear on demand. One cruise saw the lights almost immediately after leaving the dock. Another had to be canceled because of bad weather, while a later rescheduled outing succeeded. That is why the free repeat option has real value. If the lights do not appear, you may be able to join again, and a weather-related cancellation may allow a refund or a new date.

Keep your phone charged for this part of the outing as well. Northern Lights photos use plenty of battery, and the best display may last only a short time. The crew will guide you toward the clearest available viewing area, but no guide can promise a display.

Guides, commentary, and the feel onboard

The guides are an important part of the experience because long stretches at sea can be quiet. You may spend time scanning the horizon, waiting for a blow, fin, or flash of movement. Clear commentary gives that waiting a purpose and helps you understand the bay and its wildlife.

The strongest guide feedback has focused on friendly delivery, useful information, and genuine excitement when animals appear. Rebekka, Lucas, and Daniel are names associated with especially positive outings. Crew quality can vary from one departure to another, but the tour is designed around an English-speaking live guide.

Do not expect a private wildlife expedition. The environmental policy allows the operator to share a boat with a partner company during certain times of year so fewer boats are on the water. That can mean a different boat or operating partner than expected, but the reason is to reduce the number of vessels in the bay.

Weather, sightings, and realistic expectations

This is a nature tour, not a staged show. The crew can choose promising areas and keep watch, but it cannot summon a whale or clear the clouds.

The whale portion has produced humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and feeding activity. That is a good range of possible wildlife, but you should still board with an open mind. A quiet trip is possible, especially when the sea is rough or visibility is poor.

The Northern Lights are even more dependent on conditions. Darkness is required, and clouds or bad weather can end the outing before you get a proper view. The repeat policy softens that risk, particularly if you have another night free in Reykjavik.

I would avoid placing this tour on the final night of your Iceland trip. Give yourself another evening for a rescheduled Northern Lights cruise. The same advice applies to the whale trip if the sea forecast looks poor.

Who should book this experience

This is a strong choice for you if:

• You want both whales and the Northern Lights.
• You have enough time in Reykjavik for a long break between boat trips.
• You appreciate having heated indoor space and warm outerwear available.
• You are comfortable with nature deciding how much you see.
• You want one booking instead of organizing two separate excursions.
• You can keep another evening open in case the Northern Lights outing needs to move.

Families and couples can both enjoy it, though young children may find the cold, waiting, and long day tiring. Anyone sensitive to motion should prepare carefully, even with seasickness tablets available.

It is less suitable if you have only a fixed few hours, dislike open-water motion, or need a guaranteed schedule. The lack of hotel pickup also means you must arrange your own way to Geirsgata 11.

Small details that make the day easier

Charge your phone fully before leaving. Bring a power bank if you have one, along with warm layers suitable for wind and cold.

Arrive 30 minutes early at the Special Tours office. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your clothing practical rather than relying only on the provided overalls.

Use the break to eat, warm up, and recharge. If the Northern Lights are your top priority, keep your schedule flexible for a possible repeat trip.

Finally, do not judge the value only by the number of species seen. The crew, time on the water, warm facilities, second-chance policy, and access to two separate outings all affect what you receive for the $205 price.

Should you book the whale and Northern Lights combo?

Book this tour if you want a full nature day and can accept uncertainty. The combination gives you two very different views of Iceland, from whales feeding in Faxaflói Bay to a dark sea beneath the northern sky. The repeated reports of humpback whales, dolphins, seals, and successful Northern Lights sightings show the potential for a remarkable day.

I would skip it if your schedule is tight or if you need a guaranteed sighting. For everyone else, the free repeat option, warm onboard facilities, and central meeting point make the price easier to justify. Just leave room in your itinerary for weather, and keep your phone charged.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner and arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long are the two boat trips?

The whale-watching trip lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours. The Northern Lights cruise lasts about 2 to 3 hours.

What animals might I see?

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

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them onboard. You also have a break in Reykjavik between the two cruises.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You receive a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings. A Northern Lights trip canceled because of bad weather may also be rescheduled or refunded.

What is provided to keep me warm?

The boat has heated indoor cabins and toilets. Warm flotation overalls are provided, and you should also bring weather-appropriate clothing.