Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

Two icons in one boat day. I like how this Reykjavik tour pairs Faxaflói Bay whale watching with an evening Northern Lights cruise, then adds the practical comfort of warm overalls so you can stay outside longer. One consideration: sightings of both whales and auroras depend on conditions, and on a bad night you may get less than you hoped.

In practice, it is a full day at sea, split into a morning whale cruise and an evening night cruise. The guides I noticed in feedback, including Rebekka, seem to work hard on spot-finding, and the captain and crew are praised for making responsive moves when there is wildlife action or cloud breaks for the aurora.

Quick hits: what you will remember

• Faxaflói Bay time by day for whale watching, plus a night cruise for auroras
• Warmer-than-you-expect gear with heated indoor seating and overalls for adults and kids
• Guide-led spotting for minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and humpback whales
• Away-from-town viewing to give the Northern Lights a better chance
• Onboard Wi-Fi so you can share photos quickly, even when the day goes long

Whales and Northern Lights in one Reykjavik day

This is the kind of Iceland tour that saves you time and stress. Instead of splitting your schedule into separate bookings, you stack two big nature moments into one smooth rhythm: cruise for whales, then cruise again after dark for the sky show.

I especially like the logic of the format. Daytime on the water helps you get your bearings in Faxaflói Bay. Then, when evening comes, you are already set up for the night cruise, already dressed for cold weather, and already in the mood to look up. If you are spending limited time in Reykjavik, it is a smart way to maximize daylight and dark sky.

The value is also in what you are not fighting. You get heated indoor seating and warm overalls, so you are not stuck rotating between being outside for a minute and then freezing your way back in.

From Old Harbour to Faxaflói Bay: the whale watching cruise

The tour starts at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik Old Harbour. You sail from there on an approximately 3-hour whale watching cruise in Faxaflói Bay. Before you even reach the best spotting area, you have time to settle in and watch the city and surrounding mountains slide past.

You will spend about 30 to 45 minutes traveling to the whale watching zone. During that run-out, the guide talks, and you get a chance to take photos of the Reykjavik waterfront and the distant coastline. On a clear day, the view can stretch as far as Snæfells Glacier in the west, which is a nice bonus if the visibility gods are in a good mood.

One practical note. The meeting point area is a real harbor district, so you will want to arrive early enough to find the office marked with blue signs. If you are driving, parking is not available at the office premises, so build in extra time to park nearby and walk back.

What whales you might see, and how spotting usually works

This is not a guarantee tour, and the ocean is always the ocean. Still, the tour is built around realistic targets in Faxaflói Bay. Your guide helps you scan, and that guidance is one of the most praised parts of the experience.

Here are the animals the cruise looks for:

• minke whales
• harbor porpoises
• white-beaked dolphins
• humpback whales

What tends to make the difference is how the boat positions itself and how quickly the crew responds. In feedback, people mention being close to whales at times, and also highlight how reactive the captain was to movement. That matters because whale sightings can be quick, and the best viewing often comes from being in the right place at the right moment.

Also, your guide is not just reading a script. One review specifically called out Rebekka for flagging whale locations and knowing where to look. Even when you cannot predict where a whale will surface, having someone who can translate what you are seeing into next steps can turn a slow moment into a productive one.

Northern Lights cruise: watching from the water instead of the shore

After the whale cruise, the tour shifts gears for the evening. You return to the boat and look for the Northern Lights on a night cruise out at sea just outside Reykjavik city center.

This positioning is a big deal. Being away from artificial lights gives the aurora a better chance to be visible. It also changes the vibe. From the water, the lights can feel like they have more room to move, especially when you can see dark sky around you instead of a glow behind every building.

Timing-wise, the tour says auroras can happen throughout winter months, and even as early as September. As always, conditions matter. Cloud cover, wind, and how active the sky is all decide what you can see. That is why I like that this tour includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. You are not totally stuck with a one-shot roll of the dice.

When the lights do show up, the boat setup helps. You can feel free to move around, inside and outside, instead of being trapped in one tiny viewing spot. That flexibility makes it easier to find the best angle for your eyes, and it helps if the aurora intensifies in one part of the sky.

Comfort in Iceland weather: overalls and heated seating

Cold weather can turn an otherwise great tour into a miserable one. This is why I pay attention to the comfort package.

You get warm overalls included, with children’s sizes too. You also get heated indoor seating and the chance to move between inside and outside. The tour is designed around the idea that you will want to spend time outside for photos and views, but you will also want a warm reset when your hands and face start to protest.

In feedback, people described the boat as comfortable and well maintained. That is not just fluff. A good boat matters when you are out for hours, the wind has opinions, and everyone is trying to watch the same small slice of sky and water at the same time.

My tip: treat the overalls like your primary layer for the trip. You will be more willing to stand outside longer, which directly improves your odds of seeing something special.

Onboard Wi-Fi, drinks, and the real rhythm of the day

The boat experience here is not just about wildlife and sky. It is also about having a calm, usable space while you wait for Mother Nature to do her thing.

You get free on-board Wi-Fi, which is handy for sharing photos right away, and it can also help you stay oriented with weather and timing apps on your phone while the boat moves. When you are cold, you do not want to rush through everything. A little time-saving tech can make the waiting feel less like waiting.

There is also an always-open bar. That means you can buy drinks during the cruise. It is a small thing, but it changes the comfort level when you are out there longer than a typical city tour.

And there is a nice practical rhythm to the whole day. You start with a daytime cruise when it is easier to take clear photos. You then transition to evening, where you switch from scenic camera work to slower, patient looking. You will likely spend more time outside during the aurora portion, since you can’t force the sky to perform.

Price and value: what you get for $212

At $212 per person for a 7-hour tour, it is not a budget throw-in. The value comes from bundling.

You are paying for:

• a whale watching cruise of about 3 hours
• a separate evening night cruise for the Northern Lights
• warm overalls (including kids sizes)
• heated indoor seating
• an experienced guide on both tours
• free on-board Wi-Fi
• a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen

The rebooking perk is one of the key value drivers. In aurora season, the sky can be unpredictable. A “no show” night can happen, and whales can be hit or miss too. Having a try-again option reduces the risk that you waste your time window in Iceland.

The one cost you should factor in is logistics. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. That means you need to plan how you get to the Old Harbour meeting area and back. For many visitors, this is not a problem, but it is worth budgeting into your day.

When this tour is a great fit, and when to adjust

This is a great fit if you want two top-tier Iceland experiences in one day and you do not want to spend half your trip hopping between tour operators.

It also works well for people who dislike the “wait and shiver” style of some outdoor aurora plans. Warm overalls, heated seating, and the ability to move around help you stay comfortable while still being outside for the best moments.

You might want to adjust expectations if you are traveling during a period when weather is often unstable, or if your priority is guaranteed wildlife viewing. Even with the best guide and crew, the sea controls visibility, movement, and where animals choose to show up.

A balanced reality check from a low-rated experience: there was at least one instance where the Northern Lights were not seen at all, and whales were not especially impressive. That is a reminder that this is nature viewing, not a curated show with lights on a schedule.

Who will love it most (and who might not)

I would book this if you are:

• in Reykjavik for a short time and want maximum nature per hour
• excited about whale species like humpback whales, minke whales, and porpoises
• willing to dress for cold so you can actually stay outside for the aurora
• the type who likes a guide leading the spotting instead of wandering alone

You might skip it or pick a different format if:

• you strongly prefer guaranteed land viewing with fewer variables
• you do not want a long day that includes both daytime and evening hours
• you do not like the idea of weather-dependent outcomes

Should you book the Reykjavik Whales and Northern Lights boat tour?

If your goal is to see whales and chase auroras without juggling multiple days, I think this tour earns its place. The standout strengths are the practical comfort setup (overalls, heated seating) and the guided spotting that helps you make sense of what you see on the water. Add the praised responsiveness from the captain and crew when conditions change, plus the rebooking option, and it becomes a strong value for active nature lovers.

My final advice is simple. Book it if you can dress for cold and you are okay with the reality that the ocean and the sky decide the final score. Bring patience for the scanning moments. When the boat finds the right area, this tour is exactly the kind of Reykjavik experience that feels like Iceland got personal with you.

FAQ

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

The tour duration is 7 hours.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik Old Harbour.

How much time is spent whale watching?

You get an approximately 3-hour whale watching cruise in Faxaflói Bay.

How long does it take to reach the whale watching area?

It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the whale watching area from the start.

What wildlife does the tour look for?

The tour looks for minke whales, harbor porpoise, and other wildlife such as white-beaked dolphins and humpback whales.

What about the Northern Lights, when can they be seen?

Northern Lights are possible throughout the winter months, and the tour notes they may even be visible as early as September, depending on conditions.

What comfort items are included for cold weather?

Warm overalls are included, and the boat also has heated indoor seating.

Is Wi-Fi available during the cruise?

Yes, the tour includes free on-board Wi-Fi.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Is there anything included if you do not see whales or Northern Lights?

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