Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise

The best part of this Reykjavik outing is the change of mood: whale watching by daylight, then a quiet search for the northern lights after dark. In Faxaflói Bay, you might see minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, harbor porpoises, seals, and seabirds with Reykjavik and the mountains behind you.

I like the built-in second chance if bad weather cancels the aurora cruise, and I like the practical setup: heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and warm flotation overalls. The catch is time. The two cruises are separated by a long break, and neither food nor hotel transport is included.

Key points to know before booking

• Two very different cruises in one day: Watch marine life in daylight, then sail again after dark for the aurora.
• Faxaflói Bay brings the main scenery: Expect views toward Reykjavik, nearby islands, mountains, and busy birdlife.
• Warmth is handled well: Heated indoor cabins and provided flotation overalls help when the wind picks up.
• Sightings are never guaranteed: Whales and northern lights depend on nature, but a free repeat ticket helps.
• The guides add real value: Guides such as Rebekka, Lucas, and Daniel have been singled out for their enthusiasm and clear explanations.
• Plan around the long gap: You return to Reykjavik between cruises, so treat this as a full-day-and-evening plan rather than one continuous boat ride.

Two Iceland highlights, linked by the sea

At $205 per person, this is not a cheap boat trip. Iceland rarely is. The value comes from combining two popular outings without booking two separate tours, while also giving you access to indoor shelter, warm gear, and professional guides.

You should see the price as payment for two chances at nature, not a guarantee of two perfect spectacles. Some outings have produced humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, seals, and northern lights on the same day. Other departures have had to cancel the aurora cruise because of bad weather.

That uncertainty is the central fact here. You are paying for the search, the setting, and the chance of a memorable sighting. If you need a fixed, guaranteed result, no whale or aurora cruise can honestly offer that.

I think this pairing works best for a first visit to Reykjavik, especially if you have limited time and want to put two major Iceland experiences on the same booking. It also suits families and mixed groups, since you can warm up indoors and buy food or drinks onboard.

Starting at Geirsgata 11

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours office on the corner. You are asked to arrive 30 minutes early, which is sensible for check-in and getting settled before departure.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the harbor, so check your route in advance. One useful detail from the experience reports is that Center Hotels Plaza is an easy walk away, with bus stop number 4 nearby.

The location makes this simple if you are staying near central Reykjavik. It is less convenient if you are based well outside the center, since the tour does not collect you from your accommodation.

The tour is offered in English with a live guide. It is also listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should still confirm any specific mobility needs when booking.

Daylight on Faxaflói Bay

The first cruise lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours. You head into Faxaflói Bay, the broad stretch of water outside Reykjavik, and look for whales and other marine life in their natural surroundings.

The possible sightings include:

• Minke whales
• Humpback whales
• White-beaked dolphins
• Harbor porpoises
• Seals
• Seabirds

The bay also gives you a fine view back toward Reykjavik, along with mountains and islands around the city. This matters because the outing is not only about waiting for a whale to surface. Even during a quiet spell, you have open water, changing weather, birdlife, and a wide view of Iceland’s coast.

The guides provide commentary throughout the cruise. Good guidance matters on a whale trip because a distant back or brief blow can be easy to miss. The crew can point out what to watch for and explain the animals and their surroundings.

Past departures have included fast results. One January outing saw humpback whales within five minutes. Another produced two humpbacks and playful dolphins. Such moments can make the cost feel worthwhile very quickly, but you should not use those quick sightings as a promise for your own departure.

Some whales are identified by nicknames, including Apple and Banana. That small detail gives the search a more personal feel, especially if the crew knows individual animals in the bay.

What the boat setup means in cold weather

Cold weather is part of the experience, but you are not expected to remain outside for three hours. The boat has heated indoor cabins, toilets, WiFi, and an indoor bar where you can purchase food and drinks.

Warm flotation overalls are provided. They are useful when you want to step onto the outdoor deck, where the view is better and the air feels sharper. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing, including layers and suitable footwear. The overalls help, but they do not replace sensible clothing for an Icelandic day at sea.

Complimentary seasickness tablets are available onboard. If you know you are prone to motion sickness, ask the crew early rather than waiting until the water becomes rough. One booking was moved to the following day because conditions were very choppy, and the change led to a much better outing with four whales and a seal.

That is a good example of why flexibility matters. A rough sea can make it harder to enjoy the boat, even if the wildlife is active. If staff suggest moving the trip because of conditions, consider taking the better-weather option if your schedule allows.

The long break in Reykjavik

After the first cruise, you have a break before returning for the northern lights trip. The schedule shows about five hours in Reykjavik. The overall activity is advertised as six hours, while the two boat portions together take roughly five to six hours, so check the exact timing offered for your date.

This gap is not a flaw if you plan for it. It gives you time to eat, warm up, rest, and charge your phone. It is a problem only if you expected one continuous cruise or have other fixed plans that evening.

Food and drinks are not included, though you can buy them onboard. During the break, you may prefer to eat in town rather than rely on the boat bar. You should also charge your phone and camera fully. One successful northern lights outing was cut short for a passenger when a phone battery died after only a few photographs.

If you are traveling during winter, darkness arrives early, so the break may feel less like a normal afternoon and more like a pause between two night-based activities. Plan your energy accordingly. This is a long day, particularly if you have arrived in Reykjavik after an overnight flight.

Returning after dark for the northern lights

The second cruise lasts about two hours and heads back into Faxaflói Bay after dark. The aim is to get away from the city lights and find a clearer, darker place to watch the sky.

You can stay in the heated indoor bar or put on the supplied warm flotation overalls and use the outdoor deck. The choice is useful. You can watch from outside when the sky looks promising, then return indoors when the wind becomes uncomfortable.

The northern lights depend on cloud, solar activity, and darkness. Even a strong forecast cannot guarantee a display at the exact time of your cruise. On one outing, bad weather forced cancellation, while another evening produced the lights almost immediately after leaving the dock.

The free repeat ticket is one of the most valuable parts of the arrangement. If the lights do not appear, or if bad weather prevents the cruise, you can join again when space is available. You may also request a refund or reschedule after a cancellation, according to the booking terms.

That policy does not remove the need for flexibility. You need another suitable evening in Reykjavik, and a repeat trip depends on availability. If your visit is only one night long, the second chance may not help. If you have several nights, it gives you a more reasonable shot.

Guides can shape the whole day

The crew is not just there to point at animals. The commentary helps you understand what you are seeing and keeps the search engaging when the water is quiet.

Rebekka has been praised for her enthusiasm around dolphins and humpback whales. Lucas was described as entertaining and helpful during a day when both a whale and the northern lights appeared. Daniel also made a strong impression on a whale-watching outing.

Those names do not mean you will have the same guides on your departure. They do show the sort of personal energy you might find onboard. When a guide is excited by a sighting, that excitement can spread through the boat without turning the experience into a loud show.

I also like that the guides explain rather than simply announce. On a wildlife trip, clear timing and useful information help you make sense of a quick sighting. A whale may surface only briefly, and a dolphin fin may appear far from the boat.

How reliable are the sightings?

The answer depends entirely on conditions. Several winter outings saw humpbacks, sometimes within minutes. Other trips included minke whales, dolphins, seals, and feeding activity. One successful day combined four whales and a seal with northern lights that evening.

But nature does not follow the schedule. A northern lights cruise has been cancelled because of bad weather, and another whale trip faced choppy water. These are not signs of a poor operation. They are the basic risk of wildlife and sky watching in Iceland.

The free repeat option improves the odds, particularly for the aurora. Still, you need to leave room in your itinerary. Do not book the combo on your last possible evening if seeing the northern lights is a top priority.

For whale watching, keep your expectations broad. A humpback breaching beside the boat would be extraordinary, but a distant back, blow, dolphin, or porpoise is still a genuine sighting. The guides may help you appreciate the smaller moments.

Price, timing, and who gets the best value

At $205, the combo makes the most sense for someone who wants both activities and would otherwise pay for them separately. You receive the whale cruise, the aurora cruise, professional guides, warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and the chance to return if sightings fail.

The price feels less attractive if you only care about whales, especially since the boat ride is weather-dependent. It also may not suit a visitor with a tight schedule, since you have a lengthy break between departures and must arrange your own meals and transport.

I would book it if:

• You want both whale watching and northern lights in one plan.
• You have at least one extra evening for a possible repeat.
• You value indoor warmth and basic onboard facilities.
• You are comfortable paying for a nature-based experience with no guaranteed result.
• You are staying close enough to central Reykjavik to reach Geirsgata 11 easily.

I would look at a whale-only or aurora-only option if one part matters much more than the other. You may also prefer separate bookings if you want to choose the best weather day for each cruise.

Small details that make the outing easier

Arrive 30 minutes early. Bring layers even if the forecast looks mild. Charge every device before leaving the harbor, and bring more battery capacity if you have it.

The boat has a heated interior, but the outdoor deck is where you will want to be when a whale surfaces or the aurora begins. Wear clothing that lets you move between both spaces without fuss.

Smoking and pets are not allowed. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard, but they are not part of the price. Free WiFi is available, though your own phone battery remains your responsibility.

Environmental arrangements may also change. At certain times of year, the operator may share a boat with a partner to reduce the number of vessels on the water. That can mean a different boat setup, but it supports the stated aim of keeping the bay cleaner and quieter.

Should you book the Reykjavik combo cruise?

Book this if you want a full Iceland day built around two uncertain but memorable natural events. The strongest case is the combination of excellent whale sightings, a well-equipped boat, enthusiastic guides, and a free chance to try the aurora cruise again.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed humpback breach or a sky full of green lights. Book it because the odds are worth pursuing, the crew can make quiet stretches interesting, and the practical comforts take some sting out of cold weather and rough water.

For most first-time visitors with enough time to reschedule, I think the $205 price is reasonable. Just protect your evening, charge your phone, and keep your expectations open.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in.

How long is the whale-watching cruise?

The whale-watching portion lasts about 2.5 to 3 hours.

How long is the northern lights cruise?

The northern lights portion lasts about 2 hours.

What animals might I see?

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

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but you can purchase them onboard.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You receive a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings. If bad weather causes a cancellation, you can request a refund or reschedule for another night.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. It is offered with a live English-speaking guide.