Midnight Sun Whale Watching from Reykjavik

The best part of this boat trip is the strange Icelandic light. You leave Reykjavik at 9:00 pm, head across Faxaflói Bay, and search for whales while the sky still glows as if evening has barely begun. The midnight sun gives the outing a rare sense of place, even before a fin breaks the water.

I like two things here: the free retry if you see nothing, and the supplied thermal overalls, including children’s sizes. The guide adds useful detail about whale and dolphin behavior, and the boat has heated indoor seating when the North Atlantic turns rough or cold.

The main caution is that comfort and viewing space may vary. One account describes a crowded boat, cold spray, and no suit being offered, while others stayed warm on deck in thermal gear. Arrive early, confirm your overalls, and do not treat any whale trip as a sure sighting.

Key points at a glance

• Midnight departure: You leave the Old Harbour at 9:00 pm, when Iceland’s summer sky can still be bright.
• Faxaflói Bay search: The boat heads away from Reykjavik to improve your chances of finding whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
• Free second attempt: If no cetaceans appear, you receive a ticket to try again without paying another tour fare.
• Warmth is built in: Thermal overalls, heated indoor seats, and complimentary sea sickness tablets are available.
• Wildlife variety: Sightings have included minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, puffins, and large whale activity.
• Small enough to manage: The boat carries a maximum of 65 people, though the exact feel depends on the departure.

Leaving Reykjavik at 9:00 pm

Your meeting point is Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, beside Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The activity begins and ends there, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back across town.

The late start is the heart of the experience. In Iceland’s brighter months, 9:00 pm is not truly dark. You may watch the harbor slip away beneath a low golden sky, with the light changing slowly as the boat reaches open water. This makes the trip more than a standard wildlife outing. You are pairing two very Icelandic experiences in one evening.

There is no hotel transfer, so you need to make your own way to the harbor. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the return to the same place makes the plan simple. I would leave extra time to find the exact office and get settled before departure.

The scheduled outing lasts about two and a half hours. That is long enough to reach the bay and spend meaningful time looking, but short enough to fit around a day of sightseeing in Reykjavik. You may still feel the length if the water is choppy or the wildlife stays hidden. Whale watching requires patience, not a quick scenic cruise.

Crossing Faxaflói Bay beneath the midnight sun

Once the boat clears the harbor, the city views give way to open water. Your guide points out marine activity and explains the behavior of the animals you are trying to find. The aim is to scan carefully for blows, dorsal fins, splashes, and groups of birds that may signal feeding below.

The bay is used as the main search area because heading farther from the harbor can improve your chances. It also means conditions can change. The sea may feel calm and smooth, or the boat may move enough to make standing at the rail tiring. The crew’s job is to keep watch and position the boat responsibly, but nature sets the schedule.

The experience works best when you accept the search as part of the outing. A whale may surface only briefly, and several people may see it at different times. Stay alert, keep your camera ready, and listen for the guide calling out a direction. A sighting is often more exciting when you have been watching the water yourself instead of treating the trip like a guaranteed show.

The midnight sun helps here. Even when the boat returns late, you are not searching in complete darkness. That gives you better views of the water and makes the ride more pleasant for anyone who dislikes night sailing.

What you might see in the bay

The target list includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Past outings have produced minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and puffins, with some groups seeing two kinds of whales in one trip. One especially memorable account describes dolphins swimming close to the boat, including one that lifted its head near the surface.

That range is part of the appeal. You are not waiting for one named species to appear. A quick dolphin encounter, a whale blow in the distance, or a flock of seabirds can all become the highlight of the night.

Large whale sightings have also been reported, but you should keep expectations sensible. The wildlife is free to move, and no operator can control where it surfaces. The free retry softens that uncertainty. If you see nothing on the first trip, you can use another ticket at no added cost, subject to the company’s arrangements and available departures.

The retry policy is especially useful if your stay in Reykjavik lasts several days. It has less value if you are in town for one night only, so check your schedule before booking. A second attempt requires time and another suitable departure.

Guides who make the waiting worthwhile

The guide is important because much of the trip involves watching, waiting, and trying to interpret small movements on a large sea. Daniel has been praised for pointing out animals and helping everyone get a fair chance to see them. Sophie has been described as friendly and clear while explaining what was happening. Tom is known for a funny, entertaining style paired with plenty of information.

The guide’s delivery can shape the whole evening. A good explanation gives you something to do during quiet stretches and helps you understand why the boat is moving or pausing. You are not simply standing at the rail hoping for luck.

The commentary also adds context about the bay and marine mammals. You may learn how animals behave near the surface, why dolphins move quickly around boats, or what signs to watch for before a whale appears. The specific guide is not fixed in the tour details, so you should not book expecting one particular person.

English is the listed tour language. The Special Tours App is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, which may help you follow basic information in another language. The live tour itself is offered in English.

Staying warm on deck

Thermal overalls are included and come in children’s sizes. This is a valuable feature, because the temperature on the water can feel much lower than it does on land, especially when the boat is moving. The suits should make it easier for you to stay outside and watch rather than retreat indoors after a few minutes.

Bring sensible layers anyway. One account describes staying warm on the upper deck for the entire trip in the supplied clothing, while another describes feeling cold and getting soaked without a suit. That difference is worth taking seriously. Confirm where and when the thermal gear is issued, and ask the crew if you are unsure.

Heated indoor seating gives you a fallback. You can warm up, look through the windows, and return outside when the guide spots activity. Free WiFi is also available, though the main reason to bring your phone is to take photos and receive the app’s information, not to spend the whole trip online.

Sea sickness tablets are offered at no charge if needed. If you know you are sensitive to motion, ask for them before the crossing becomes uncomfortable. The supplied tablets are a helpful extra, but they do not replace your usual preparation.

The boat, group size, and view

The maximum group size is 65 people. That is not an intimate private cruise, but it is far smaller than many large sightseeing boats. The actual feel depends on how full your departure is and where people gather once wildlife appears.

One outing was described as a very small group, which allowed people to spread out and remain on the top deck. Another felt packed, making it harder to see whales at times. This is the most important practical contrast in the experience. A whale may surface on one side, and a crowded rail can turn a good sighting into a glimpse between shoulders.

Try to move around rather than staying fixed in one place. Listen to crew instructions and avoid blocking others with a phone or camera. If the boat has multiple viewing areas, use them during quiet periods so you have options when activity begins.

The supplied information refers to thermal overalls and heated indoor areas for the regular outing. One account also describes a RIB boat offered as an alternative when the regular boat was unavailable. That faster craft delivered close dolphin and whale views, but the front felt like a roller coaster. If you are offered a RIB instead, sit toward the back if you have a bad back or knees. The RIB option is not the standard promise of this booking, so treat it as a possible change rather than something to expect.

Is $109.34 a fair price?

At $109.34 per person, this is not a cheap way to spend two and a half hours. The value depends on what you want from the evening.

You are paying for a boat trip from central Reykjavik, a guide who explains the wildlife, thermal overalls, indoor heated seating, WiFi, sea sickness tablets, and a free return attempt if the first outing produces no sightings. The retry policy gives the price more weight than a simple one-shot cruise, especially if you have enough time in Iceland to use it.

The value drops if you have only one evening available or if you mainly want a guaranteed view. No whale watching company can promise animals will appear, and the free second ticket does not help if your itinerary ends the next morning. You also need to pay separately for any food or drinks bought on board, and hotel transfers are not included.

I see this as a fair midrange choice for someone who wants both wildlife and the midnight sun without arranging transport outside Reykjavik. It is less compelling for a visitor focused only on photography, since crowding and weather can limit your view.

Food, timing, and simple preparation

Food and drinks are available to buy on board, but they are not included. Eat beforehand if you want to avoid relying on onboard purchases. The late departure can fall between dinner and sleep, so a small meal before reaching the harbor is practical.

Wear layers even if the city feels mild. Use the thermal suit, keep your hands warm, and protect cameras and phones from spray. The water can change your comfort level quickly.

Plan around the full time, not just the departure. The boat returns to the Old Harbour after about two and a half hours, and delays can happen when conditions require a slower route or extra search time. Do not place a tight reservation immediately afterward.

The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather cancels the departure, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum is not met, the company offers another date or activity, or a full refund. For your own booking, free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:00 pm start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would choose this trip if you want a distinctly Icelandic evening rather than a basic boat ride. Couples, families, and first-time visitors can all find something here, especially with children’s thermal sizes and indoor seating.

It suits you particularly well if:

• You have at least one spare evening for a possible second attempt.
• You want a guided introduction to whales and dolphins.
• You like the idea of staying on deck beneath a bright summer sky.
• You are comfortable with some waiting and uncertain wildlife.
• You are staying near central Reykjavik and can reach the Old Harbour on your own.

You may want to reconsider if you get badly seasick, need a guaranteed animal encounter, or cannot tolerate cold and spray. The heated cabin helps, but you will see more if you can spend time outside. If you have limited mobility or joint problems and are offered a RIB replacement, request a safer seat toward the rear and ask the crew for guidance.

Should you book Midnight Sun Whale Watching?

Yes, if you want the combination of wildlife search and Icelandic summer light, and your schedule allows a second attempt. The strongest reasons to book are the return-ticket policy, warm gear, central meeting point, and the chance to see more than one kind of animal. The best outings have included minke and humpback whales, dolphins close to the boat, puffins, and guides such as Daniel, Sophie, and Tom who kept the trip lively.

Book with realistic expectations. You might see several whales, or you might spend the evening scanning an empty stretch of sea. The group can feel crowded, and you should confirm that thermal overalls are available when you board. For the right visitor, this is a memorable way to meet Iceland’s marine life under a sky that refuses to go dark.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching tour start?

It starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, at the Old Harbour.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The trip lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the same meeting point at the Old Harbour.

What animals might I see?

The tour searches for whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Sightings can include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and puffins.

What happens if I see nothing?

You receive a free ticket to try the tour again if no wildlife is seen on your outing.

Are thermal clothes included?

Yes. Thermal overalls are available, including children’s sizes.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them on board.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you must reach the Old Harbour meeting point yourself.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.