Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

Reykjavik’s best wildlife plus best sky show combo sounds almost too good, but this whale-watching and Northern Lights boat tour is built around exactly that two-part magic. You get Faxaflói Bay in daylight and then the same water again after dark, when the lights can appear. Two things I really like: the tour takes you out far enough from city lights for better aurora viewing, and you’re given warm overalls plus heated seating so cold is less of a deal-breaker.

On the whale side, you’re not just drifting. You’re guided to the whale area after a short run from Old Harbour, and the goal is sightings like minke whales, harbor porpoises, and even humpbacks. A possible drawback is that wildlife and auroras depend on conditions, and there is a real chance of seeing less than you hoped on any given night.

One more bonus angle: it is a single 7-hour experience, so you can check off both iconic Iceland moments without building two separate half-days. And if luck really does not cooperate, there is a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen.

Key things to know before you go

• Two tours in one day: about 3 hours of whale watching, then an evening Northern Lights cruise from the water.
• Comfort gear included: warm overalls (including children’s sizes) and heated indoor seating.
• Photo-friendly views: on a clear day, you can get sights toward Snæfells Glacier during the morning run.
• Guides work the hunt: strong spotting support, including examples like guide Rebekka tracking whales’ positions.
• Try again if nothing is seen: a free ticket for another outing if the trip is blank.
• Share the moment instantly: free on-board Wi-Fi to post while you are still out at sea.

Faxaflói Bay by Day, Northern Lights by Night: How the 7-Hour Flow Works

This tour is designed like a one-day double feature. You start in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area, cruise out onto Faxaflói Bay, spend roughly 3 hours looking for whales, then return for the second act: a night cruise aimed at the Northern Lights.

What makes this structure work is that it respects how both experiences actually behave. Whale watching is mostly about where the animals are that day, and your morning block gives time to reach the viewing area and then scan once you get there. Auroras are more about darkness, timing, and sky conditions, and your evening portion is set up to get you away from artificial lights.

The total length is 7 hours. In practice, that means you are committing to a proper day out on the water rather than a quick, rushed trip. You also get time to warm up between parts of the day since there is heated indoor seating, and the guide stays active on both legs.

Getting There at Old Harbour: Meeting Point and What to Do Before You Board

Your start point is the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The building is described as a large, dark grey structure with blue signs and the company name and logo. If you are driving, plan for extra time because there is not parking at the office itself.

Why I think this matters: when you arrive in Iceland winter weather, you want minimal stress. Old Harbour is an easy landmark to orient around, but the office is not tiny. Showing up a bit early means you can get your bearings, double-check you are in the right place, and get ready to gear up.

You also should plan for cold and wet conditions even before you leave the dock. The tour provides warm overalls, but you still benefit from arriving prepared to bundle up for a short walk, waiting time, and boarding.

Whale Watching Cruise in Faxaflói Bay: What You Can Spot and How to Position Yourself

The whale segment runs for about 3 hours. You depart from Old Harbour and spend around 30 to 45 minutes reaching the whale watching area. During that travel time, you are not just sitting there. The guide provides explanations along the way, so the “getting there” time becomes part of the experience.

If the day is clear, you can also enjoy broad scenery as you head out. There is a chance to see views that extend as far as Snæfells Glacier in the west. That detail is underrated, because even if whales take a bit to show up, you still get Iceland’s dramatic coast-and-mountains look from the water.

Once you reach the whale zone, the tour goal is sightings such as:

• Minke whales
• Harbor porpoises
• White-beaked dolphins
• The great humpback whale

The best-case scenario is when a curious whale comes close to the boat. That proximity is exactly what people celebrate in their reviews, and it is what turns a normal sighting into a memory you replay later.

How to make your own odds better

The guide is key here, and you should use them. Keep your eyes on where the crew and guide are looking, since they help pinpoint activity. Also, be ready to shift between sides of the boat if the guide asks you to. Whale watching is rarely a “one spot and done” game.

One more practical tip: if you get pulled in by a distant splash, do not rush away from the guide’s scan. Many sightings happen with brief surfacing, then silence again. Patience is part of the job.

A Warm Boat and Real Night Gear: Overalls, Heated Seating, and Comfort Plans

Cold in Reykjavik is not a theoretical problem. On this tour, the comfort plan is built in.

You get warm overalls, and the tour notes that children’s sizes are included. You also have heated indoor seating available on board, which matters because you are spending long stretches outside during spotting and photography, then you need a place to warm up again.

This comfort setup is a big reason the experience works as a combined day. If you have ever done winter boat tours without proper gear, you know how fast the whole thing can turn into suffering. Here, the tour gives you the main gear solution up front, so your focus stays on seeing wildlife and lights instead of managing discomfort.

And yes, the comfort extends to the second half of the day. The evening portion includes outfitting in warm overalls again so you stay prepared as darkness arrives.

Northern Lights Night Cruise from the Water: Getting Away From City Lights

The Northern Lights part is not an abstract “look at the sky” activity. You return to the boat in the evening, get outfitted in warm overalls, and then cruise out just outside Reykjavik city center.

Why that is smart: the tour explicitly aims to be away from artificial lights, which is what helps your eyes and cameras catch faint aurora detail. You also have the freedom to move around the boat, inside and outside. That matters because auroras can shift, and standing in one exact spot for hours can make you miss a better patch of sky.

Timing and expectations

The Northern Lights are possible across the winter months, and they can even start showing as early as September, depending on conditions. So you should treat your date like a target, not a guarantee.

That reality shows up in the review mix. Many guests describe nights that went wild with auroras, while at least one person had a disappointing night with no auroras. This is not unique to this operator. It is just how auroras work. Your best move is to dress for the long wait and keep your expectations flexible.

Photo Window, Wi-Fi, and the Always-Open Bar: How to Enjoy It Without Rushing

On the water, your photos come in layers. Daytime shots are often about sweeping scenery, the coastline, and the dramatic mountains behind Reykjavik. Night shots are different. They are about watching the aurora shift and grabbing the right moment before the sky changes again.

The tour also gives you free on-board Wi-Fi. That is a real perk for people who want to share quickly while the experience still feels fresh. It also helps if you are navigating with friends or trying to coordinate plans after the tour.

Food and drinks are handled in a straightforward way. The tour notes an always-open bar where you can purchase drinks. That means you are not stuck in a single mood of hot cocoa only. It is a nice option if you want a warm drink or a mood lift while you wait for the aurora.

The key is to manage your time. For the whale part, you should be ready to step outside and scan during peak spotting. For the aurora part, you should balance outside time with warm-ups inside so you do not get stuck going numb.

Price and Value for a Two-In-One Boat Day at Sea

At $212 per person for a 7-hour experience, you should judge value by what you get, not just by the number. Here’s where the pricing makes sense.

First, you are paying for two separate goals in one day: whale watching and Northern Lights viewing from the water. Many Iceland trips require two different tours at different times, which adds cost and scheduling headaches.

Second, comfort gear and comfort space are included. Warm overalls plus heated seating reduce the need to buy or improvise winter gear on the spot. Heated seating also prevents the tour from becoming a miserable endurance test.

Third, there is guide support on both parts. That is crucial because whale sightings depend on guidance, and aurora nights depend on getting to the right viewing conditions away from the brightest lights.

Fourth, there is a built-in safety net: a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. That does not fix the disappointment of a blank day, but it is a meaningful “you are not completely on your own” element.

So is it expensive? It is not cheap. But for Reykjavik, it is a value-leaning way to see two top attractions in one powered, guided format, with equipment that genuinely makes a difference.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Backup Plan)

This tour is a strong match if:

• You want a single day in Reykjavik that covers both whales and the Northern Lights.
• You are traveling in winter and care about comfort, especially warm overalls and heated seating.
• You like guided wildlife spotting, because the hunt improves when someone is actively flagging activity.

It is also a good fit for couples and small groups who want maximum use of one day. The pace is structured but not rushed. You get the morning cruise, then a night cruise aimed at better aurora conditions.

Who should consider a backup plan:

• If seeing whales and the auroras are both must-haves and you have only one night in Reykjavik, you should understand that conditions can still ruin the best-laid plans.
• If you are only emotionally prepared for one perfect aurora display, then treat the tour as a chance, not an appointment.

A practical way to think about it: you are buying time and good odds. The ocean and sky decide what they deliver.

My Verdict: Should You Book This Reykjavik Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour?

I’d book this if you want a well-rounded Reykjavik winter day that takes you out on Faxaflói Bay twice, once for wildlife and once for the aurora. The included warm overalls, heated seating, and free Wi-Fi make it easier to enjoy the full 7 hours instead of bouncing out early. And the guided format matters, especially with whale spotting help that can put you on the right side of the boat at the right moment.

One caution I would not ignore: auroras and whale sightings are not guaranteed. If your trip schedule is tight, consider whether you have flexibility for a second attempt, or choose dates with more realistic winter odds. Still, the free ticket to try again if nothing is seen is a comforting feature.

If your heart is set on Iceland’s “two icons in one boat day” plan, this is a sensible way to do it.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Whales and Northern Lights boat tour?

The tour duration is about 7 hours total.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The building is large and dark grey, with blue signs and the company name and logo.

What time do the whale watching and Northern Lights parts happen?

You depart in the morning for an approximately 3-hour whale watching cruise, then return in the evening for a night Northern Lights cruise.

What wildlife might I see during the whale watching cruise?

You are looking for minke whales, harbor porpoises, and other wildlife in the bay such as white-beaked dolphins, and possibly the great humpback whale.

Are warm overalls provided?

Yes. Warm overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available.

Is there heated seating on the boat?

Yes. The tour includes heated indoor seating.

Is Wi-Fi available during the tour?

Yes. Free on-board Wi-Fi is included.

Are drinks available on board?

There is always-open bar service, and you can purchase drinks.

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

The tour includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour.

Does the price include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.