Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik outing is the change of mood. In the afternoon, you head into Faxaflói Bay looking for humpback and minke whales. Later, you return to the harbor and sail again under the dark Icelandic sky, hunting for the Northern Lights from the water. I like the warm coveralls and blankets, and I like that a missed sighting can earn you a free return trip. The main drawback is simple: both wildlife and auroras follow nature’s schedule, not yours.

I also like the practical package format. You get two separate tours for $198, rather than arranging two bookings yourself, and the boat has an indoor lounge for breaks from the cold. But the gap between trips can be awkward, and unclear rebooking arrangements caused frustration for one customer when bad weather canceled the evening cruise.

Key points to know before you book

• Two outings in one day: The package includes a roughly three-hour whale-watching cruise in the afternoon and a two-hour Northern Lights cruise in the evening.
• Humpback and minke whales are possible: Past sightings have included both species, along with dolphins, but no wildlife tour can promise a busy bay every time.
• Warm clothing is supplied: You can use insulated overalls and blankets, with an indoor lounge available when the wind picks up.
• Bad weather can change the plan: The aurora cruise may be canceled or rescheduled, and you can receive a different date or a full refund if the operator cancels for poor weather.
• The return guarantee matters: If you do not get the promised sighting, you can try again free of charge, subject to the operator’s arrangements and availability.
• Hotel transfers are optional: Pickup and drop-off around Reykjavik can be arranged for an added fee, but the standard meeting point is at Ægisgarður 5c.

Two Reykjavik cruises, one long Icelandic day

This experience is designed for people who want two of Reykjavik’s most popular boat outings without booking them separately. You begin with the Classic Whale Watching tour, then return in the evening for the Northern Lights Cruise.

The official tour times allow about three hours for whale watching and two hours for the aurora hunt. That makes the full experience about five hours on the water, though the day may feel longer once you include the break between departures.

The schedule is the first thing I would check before booking. The whale cruise runs in the afternoon, while the aurora trip takes place later, after darkness arrives. You will need to handle the time between them on your own unless the operator gives you specific instructions. That is not a problem if you are happy to walk around Reykjavik, eat a meal, or return to your accommodation, but it does require planning.

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. Both portions begin and end at the meeting point, so the arrangement is straightforward once you arrive at the harbor.

Looking for whales in Faxaflói Bay

The afternoon cruise is the more active wildlife portion of the day. The boat heads out from Reykjavik and searches for whales in their natural setting. Sightings may include humpback whales and minke whales, and dolphins can also appear.

A humpback feeding near the boat can make the trip special. You might see the animal surface repeatedly before showing its tail and heading below the surface again. Minke whales are smaller and can be harder to spot, so your guide’s help matters. The crew provides live commentary in English, explaining the animals and helping you understand what you are looking at.

One customer had about an hour watching a whale surface near the harbor. That is a useful reminder that you do not always need to travel far for a worthwhile sighting. Another person saw humpbacks and minke whales on the same tour. Still, the experience can also produce only dolphins, birds, or open water. One customer saw no whales at all, despite enjoying the guide’s explanations and the time at sea.

That uncertainty is part of the bargain. You are not visiting an aquarium with a scheduled animal appearance. A whale-watching boat gives you a chance to see wild animals where they live, but the result depends on weather, sea conditions, and animal movements.

The sighting guarantee helps reduce the risk. If you do not get the promised sighting, you can come again free of charge. Before booking, I would ask exactly how the guarantee applies to your dates and which part of the package it covers, especially if you have only one or two nights in Reykjavik.

A warm boat helps, but Iceland is still Iceland

The boat has an indoor lounge, which gives you a place to warm up between periods outside. Warm overalls and blankets are supplied, a major advantage on a cold afternoon when you are standing still and watching the sea.

You should still dress for the conditions. The supplied clothing is an extra layer, not a replacement for warm clothes, sturdy footwear, gloves, and a hat. One customer described a cold and rainy outing but still enjoyed being on the water. That tells you what to expect: the trip can be pleasant in rough weather, but comfort depends heavily on how well you prepare.

The boat can carry up to 150 people. That is a moderate-to-large group, not a small private expedition. You may need to share the best viewing spots, particularly when an animal appears close to the boat. The advantage is that the vessel provides indoor space and a proper viewing area, rather than leaving you exposed for the entire trip.

Crew members take photos when possible. Treat these as a useful extra, not a guaranteed personal photo service. Bring your own camera if you want to record the trip, but keep your hands warm and remember that the best sighting may last only a few seconds.

Returning after dark for the aurora

The evening cruise changes the experience completely. Instead of scanning the sea for animals, you look upward for a soft green glow or stronger bands of light across the sky.

The boat gives you a darker setting away from some of Reykjavik’s street lighting. That can be useful when the aurora is active, though it does not remove the central problem: the Northern Lights require both solar activity and clear enough skies to see them.

One customer saw only a single green streak and still received a free return offer. Another had the evening trip rescheduled and later saw a much stronger display. These examples show why flexibility is important. A short sighting can be memorable, but you should not book this trip expecting a guaranteed curtain of green light on the first attempt.

The guide also explains the aurora, adding context to the waiting time. That matters because Northern Lights tours often involve stretches when nothing seems to happen. You are not simply left on deck staring at a dark sky.

Weather can cancel the evening cruise. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. Rescheduling may be useful if you have several nights in Iceland, but it is less convenient if this is your final evening. One customer was rebooked four hours later after a cancellation and would have preferred a refund, so ask the desk what your options are before accepting a new departure.

Is $198 good value?

At $198 per person, this is not a cheap harbor ride. It is a package of two separate excursions, however, with about five hours of activity, live English commentary, warm overalls, blankets, access to a wildlife exhibition, and a free return option for missed sightings.

I see the price as reasonable if you already plan to book both whale watching and an aurora cruise. The package saves you the trouble of comparing two operators and arranging two separate reservations. It also gives you a single harbor meeting point and one company to contact if weather changes the plan.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one specific result. If whales are your top priority, a dedicated whale trip gives you more flexibility to choose another day if conditions are poor. If the aurora is your main goal, you may prefer an evening-only outing so you are not committed to a full afternoon on the water.

The guarantee adds real value for people staying in Reykjavik several nights. It is less useful for a short visit. A free return trip does not help much if you fly home the next morning.

The gap between cruises needs planning

The package is easy to understand on paper, but the break between the two tours deserves attention. You finish the afternoon whale cruise, leave the harbor, and return later for the Northern Lights departure.

Food and drinks are not included, though they are available for purchase on board. You may prefer to eat in Reykjavik between trips, but do not assume that every timing detail will fit neatly around a full restaurant meal. Check the day’s exact departure times when you book.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price. You can arrange transfers around Reykjavik directly with the operator for an added fee. Otherwise, you make your own way to Ægisgarður 5c. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps, but the standard package does not deliver you from your accommodation.

This is also why I would not book the tour too tightly against another major activity. Weather can alter the evening schedule, and a delayed or canceled cruise may affect your plans.

Who will enjoy this combination most?

I would recommend the package to you if you want a full day built around Icelandic nature and have at least one spare evening in Reykjavik. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who want to try both whale watching and the Northern Lights without managing two separate companies.

It is also a good fit if you value a guide’s explanations. The crew covers local wildlife and the aurora in English, so the outing is more than a simple search for movement in the water or light in the sky.

Families should note that children under 13 must wear life vests by law for the whole tour. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The group limit is 150 people, so you should expect a shared public excursion rather than a quiet private boat.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold weather, need a predictable schedule, or have only one night in Reykjavik. I would also think twice if a missed whale or aurora sighting would ruin your trip. Nature tours reward patience, and this one works best when you treat the return guarantee as a useful safety net rather than a promise of a dramatic show.

Booking, cancellations, and practical details

You receive confirmation when you book. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.

Because the tour depends on good weather, the operator may cancel a departure and offer another date or a full refund. Keep your schedule flexible if you can, especially for the evening cruise.

The experience is offered in English. Food and drinks cost extra, though you can buy them on board. Crew photos are included when available, and access to the Wildlife Exhibition is part of the package.

Should you book this Reykjavik whale and aurora cruise?

Book it if you want two classic Iceland experiences in one package and can spare the time for a weather-dependent day. The warm gear, indoor lounge, live commentary, and free return option make the $198 price easier to justify, particularly for a longer stay.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed spectacle, dislike being outside in cold rain, or have no room to reschedule. The strongest reason to choose this trip is not certainty. It is the chance to see wild whales in the afternoon and search for the aurora from the sea at night, with another attempt available when nature does not cooperate.

FAQ

How long does the combined tour last?

The package includes a three-hour whale-watching tour and a two-hour Northern Lights cruise, for about five hours of activity in total. There is a break between the afternoon and evening departures.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

The tour includes a sighting guarantee with the option to try again free of charge if the promised sighting does not happen.

What happens if the Northern Lights cruise is canceled?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Rescheduling arrangements should be confirmed with the operator.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included in the listed price, but they can be arranged around Reykjavik directly with the operator for an extra fee.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Warm overalls and blankets are available during the tours. Food and drinks are not included, though they can be purchased on board.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Most people can participate, but children under 13 are required by law to wear life vests for the entire tour.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English, with live commentary about local wildlife and the Northern Lights.