Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik combo is the change of mood between the two cruises. In daylight, you search the bay for humpback and minke whales. Later, you leave the harbor again, this time looking up for the Northern Lights from the water. I like the two separate excursions and the free return guarantee, which takes some pressure off uncertain wildlife and weather. The catch is simple: nature may give you dolphins instead of whales, or clouds instead of aurora.

I also like that warm overalls and blankets are supplied. That matters in Iceland, where a calm harbor can turn into a cold, wet outing quickly. The main drawback is the split schedule. If weather disrupts the evening cruise, sorting out a new departure may take time, and a five-hour package can become a longer commitment than it first appears.

Key points at a glance

• Two boat trips in one day: A three-hour whale watching cruise comes first, followed by a two-hour Northern Lights cruise in the evening.
• Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed: If the whale or aurora search comes up empty, you can return free of charge under the sighting policy.
• Warm gear is supplied: You can use insulated overalls and blankets, though you should still dress for cold, wind, and rain.
• The Northern Lights are viewed from the sea: The boat gives you a dark setting away from many city lights, but cloud cover remains out of anyone’s control.
• English commentary adds context: Your guide explains local wildlife and the aurora during the outings.
• Pickup costs extra: The meeting point is Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, close to Reykjavik’s harbor.

Two Reykjavik cruises, one long Icelandic evening

This experience combines two popular outings at a package price of $198 per person. You begin with the Classic Whale Watching cruise, which lasts about three hours. Later, you join a separate two-hour Northern Lights cruise.

That structure works well if you want to make one day about Iceland’s natural world. It also saves you from booking two unrelated excursions and comparing schedules yourself. I would think of it as a full afternoon and evening activity, not a quick add-on between sightseeing stops.

The cruises return to the same general meeting point at Reykjavik’s harbor. Pickup and drop-off around the Reykjavik area can be arranged directly with the operator for an extra fee, but the listed price does not include transport.

The group may include up to 150 people. That is a fairly large boat outing, so do not expect a private wildlife trip. The upside is space to move between the indoor lounge and outdoor viewing areas. The tradeoff is that you may need to share the best rail-side spots, especially when an animal appears close to the boat.

The afternoon whale watching cruise

The first three hours are spent looking for whales and other marine life in the waters around Reykjavik. The appeal is not only the possibility of seeing a whale. You also get a chance to watch the sea itself, with the guide explaining the animals you may encounter and how to read the water for signs of activity.

Humpback whales and minke whales have been seen on this outing. A humpback may feed near the surface, then show its back and tail before moving away. A minke whale can be less dramatic and harder to spot, but that does not make the sighting less worthwhile. Dolphins are another possible reward, and one outing produced a particularly memorable hour watching a whale surface and disappear again close to the harbor.

You need to keep expectations realistic. This is a search for wild animals, not a scheduled performance. One departure produced no whales but did include dolphins. That is not a failure of the crew, but it can feel disappointing if whales are the main reason you booked.

The guide’s commentary helps during quiet stretches. You may hear useful facts about local wildlife while scanning the water, which makes the trip more than three hours of waiting. Still, bring patience. A whale can appear for seconds, and the group may spend time moving toward a possible sighting that never develops.

The supplied warm overalls are especially useful here. You can wear them over your regular clothes, and blankets are available as well. Even so, I would wear warm layers, sturdy shoes, and waterproof outer clothing. The gear helps, but it does not turn an Icelandic boat into a heated indoor attraction.

What the boat setup means for your comfort

The boat has an indoor lounge and outdoor viewing areas. This is an important detail because you will want both options. Inside, you can warm up, rest, and listen to commentary. Outside, you have a better chance of spotting wildlife and taking photographs without glass between you and the sea.

The crew may take photographs if conditions allow. Treat these as a bonus, not as a promised personal photo service. You should keep your own camera or phone ready, but protect it from spray and cold.

A boat carrying up to 150 people can feel lively and busy. Families, couples, and solo visitors can all fit into the outing, and most people can participate. Children under 13 must wear life vests for the full duration of the tour, as required by Icelandic law.

Food and drinks are not included, though they are available to purchase on board. Since the two tours are separated by several hours, plan your meals around the schedule. The package is easier if you treat it as a day of planned activities rather than an outing you can fit around an open-ended dinner reservation.

Returning after dark for the aurora hunt

The second part lasts about two hours and takes place in the evening. Instead of standing on land and waiting for the sky to change, you go out by boat in search of the Northern Lights.

That setting has a real appeal. Once you move away from the harbor, the city’s lights may feel less intrusive, and the open horizon gives you a broad view of the sky. You can stay outside when the sky is active, then return indoors when the cold becomes too much.

The aurora is less predictable than a whale sighting. Clear weather helps, but even a clear sky does not guarantee a strong display. One outing produced only a single green streak, while another had an active show after a rescheduled departure. This is why the free return policy matters.

If the lights do not appear, you receive the chance to try again free of charge. A cancellation caused by poor weather is handled differently: you are offered another date or a full refund. Confirm the exact arrangements with the operator if the evening sailing changes, since a replacement departure may not fit neatly into your plans.

One practical warning comes from the split schedule. If bad weather cancels the evening cruise, you may be rebooked several hours later rather than refunded immediately. The operator’s policy allows a replacement date or a full refund when poor weather cancels the activity, but the available option and timing should be clarified at the desk.

The value of $198 per person

At $198, this is not a cheap harbor excursion. But you are paying for two separate cruises, about five hours of time on the water, live English commentary, warm overalls, blankets, access to the Wildlife Exhibition, and the sighting guarantee.

The value is strongest if you already want to do both whale watching and an aurora cruise. Booking the pair together gives you a simple plan and a possible second chance if nature does not cooperate. It also removes the need to spend another day arranging a return visit.

The value is weaker if you only care about whales or only want to see the Northern Lights. In that case, a standalone outing may suit your schedule better. The combo asks you to give up much of an afternoon and evening, and the weather can affect one part while the other still runs.

I would also factor in transport. The meeting point is at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, and pickup is not included. If you are staying near the center, public transportation is available in the area, but you should allow time to reach the harbor. If you prefer door-to-door service, add the operator’s pickup fee to your budget.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this package to you if you want two of Iceland’s best-known nature activities in one day and can accept that neither whales nor aurora can be ordered on demand.

It suits first-time visitors who want a guided introduction to marine wildlife and the Northern Lights. The English commentary is useful, especially during the long quiet periods when the crew is searching rather than pointing out an animal.

Families can also consider it, provided younger children are prepared for cold and for several hours on a boat. The life-vest rule for children under 13 is clear, and the indoor lounge offers a break from the weather.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold, wet conditions or have a tightly packed Reykjavik schedule. The experience is weather-dependent, and a rescheduled Northern Lights trip can alter your evening. I would also think twice if missing a whale sighting would ruin the day, since even good operators cannot control where wild animals swim.

How to prepare for the best chance of enjoying it

Dress in layers even though overalls and blankets are supplied. Warm socks, gloves, a hat, and waterproof footwear will make the outdoor viewing areas much easier to enjoy.

Keep your schedule flexible after the whale watching cruise. The tours are planned as an afternoon and evening combination, but weather can cancel or shift the aurora portion. Avoid booking a fixed dinner or another must-do activity immediately afterward.

Charge your phone and camera before leaving. The crew may take photographs, but your own equipment gives you the best chance of keeping a moment that matters to you. Store electronics safely when spray or rain picks up.

Use the indoor lounge without guilt. You do not need to remain outside for the entire cruise to have a good chance of seeing something. Move out when the crew spots activity, warm up when needed, and listen to the commentary during the search.

If you miss a whale or the aurora, ask clearly about the free return option before leaving. The guarantee is one of the better protections in the price, but you need to understand how and when the replacement trip can be used.

Cancellation and practical details

You receive confirmation when you book. The activity is offered in English, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

Because good weather is required, the operator may cancel the experience in poor conditions. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. The tour ends back at the harbor meeting point.

Should you book the whale and aurora combo?

Book it if you want a full nature-focused day, appreciate having indoor shelter and warm gear, and can handle uncertain results. The strongest reasons are the chance to see humpback or minke whales in the afternoon, the unusual experience of hunting for aurora from a boat, and the free return policy when sightings fail.

Skip it if your schedule is tight, you want a guaranteed spectacle, or you would rather choose one activity and leave the rest of the day open. At $198, the package offers fair value for two cruises, but its success depends on animals, clouds, wind, and your willingness to try again.

FAQ

How long does the full experience last?

The combined activity lasts about five hours, including a three-hour whale watching cruise and a two-hour Northern Lights cruise.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The experience ends back at the meeting point.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

Sightings are covered by a guarantee. If you do not see the expected wildlife, you can try again free of charge under the operator’s policy.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

The tour offers a free return option if the Northern Lights are not seen, but the aurora itself cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

You are offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area can be arranged directly with the operator for an additional fee.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board but are not included in the tour price.

What clothing is provided?

Warm overalls and blankets are provided for use during the cruises.

Do children need life vests?

Children under 13 years old are required by law to wear life vests for the entire tour.