From Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

Faxaflói Bay can deliver two very different Icelandic spectacles in one long day: humpback whales surfacing in daylight, then the northern lights flickering above the sea after dark. I like that the roughly three-hour whale cruise gives you time to watch the bay rather than just dash out and back, and that the evening trip gets you away from Reykjavik’s city lights.

I also like the practical comforts: warm overalls, heated indoor seating, an always-open bar and free Wi-Fi. The drawback is the same one that comes with any wildlife tour: sightings depend on nature, and rough seas or bad weather can affect the experience or cancel the night cruise.

Key points to know

• Two boat trips, one full day: Whale watching takes place by day, followed by a separate northern lights cruise in the evening.
• The bay is part of the show: On clear days, views from the water can reach as far as Snæfells Glacier.
• Wildlife to watch for: Minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises may be seen.
• Warm layers are provided: Overalls come in children’s sizes, but you should still dress for cold, wet conditions.
• A second chance for the aurora: If no northern lights appear, you receive a free ticket to try again.

A full day that trades city streets for open water

This combined tour is a good fit if you want to use one day in Reykjavik for two of Iceland’s most famous natural sights. It begins at the Old Harbour, where you meet the crew at the Special Tours office, then heads into Faxaflói Bay for a whale-watching cruise. Later, you return for a night trip to look for the aurora.

The listed duration is seven hours, though the gap between the daytime and evening cruises means you should check the available starting times and plan your day around them. It is not simply a single seven-hour boat ride. You will be on two separate outings, with time between them.

At $182 per person, the price is substantial. The value comes from combining two guided boat trips, rather than paying for one brief excursion, and from having warm overalls, heated indoor seating, Wi-Fi and an English-speaking guide on both tours. Still, this is a weather-dependent day, and there is no guarantee of seeing either whales or auroras.

Leaving the Old Harbour for Faxaflói Bay

The meeting point is the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Look for the large, dark grey building with blue signs and the company name and logo. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you will need to make your own way there and back. If you drive, allow an extra 15 minutes to find parking nearby; there is no parking at the office itself.

The harbour departure is a handy starting point, but do not arrive at the last minute. Getting there early gives you time to find the office, sort out any questions and board without a scramble. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Once underway, the boat takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the whale-watching area. That crossing is part of the outing, not dead time. You can take photos of Reykjavik, the nearby mountains and the open bay as the city recedes. On a clear day, views may extend west to Snæfells Glacier, a striking reminder of how much Icelandic scenery can fit within sight of the capital.

The bay is not a wildlife aquarium with scheduled appearances. The guide explains what to look for, but the animals move freely and sightings can vary. The trip offers time and a good viewing area, not a promise that a whale will surface beside the boat.

Watching for whales, dolphins and porpoises

The daytime cruise lasts about three hours. Your guide helps you scan the water for minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises, and explains the marine life as you travel. A guide’s ability to spot movement and point it out matters here. A distant fin or brief blow can be easy to miss when you are looking in the wrong direction.

Humpbacks can be especially memorable if one comes close to the boat. One reported outing had several humpbacks in view, while another saw a couple. That range is a useful reminder: wildlife encounters are never identical, and a quieter trip is possible. The best approach is to treat the bay itself as the setting and the animals as a lucky, sometimes spectacular, bonus.

The crew’s response can also shape the day. Guide Rebekka was praised for flagging whale positions and explaining ocean life, while another account described a captain reacting quickly to the whales’ movements. Those are practical strengths on a boat where the action may shift from one side to the other in seconds.

There is a trade-off: the ride can be rough. Sea-sickness tablets have been offered before departure, but the available information does not say they are always available, so ask the operator if you are concerned. Bring warm clothing even though overalls are provided. Conditions can feel cold and wet on deck, and you may want to move between the outdoor viewing area and the heated indoor seats.

The boat has Wi-Fi, which is useful if you want to share a photo or stay connected while at sea. But for the best chance of spotting wildlife, keep your attention on the water. A screen can wait; a whale’s brief appearance may not.

Returning after dark to look for the aurora

The evening cruise takes you back out on Faxaflói Bay, away from the artificial lights of central Reykjavik. That darker setting gives you a better chance to see the northern lights if they appear. You can move around the boat and choose between the indoor area and the open deck, though you will want to bundle up before spending time outside.

The tour operates during the winter months and can run as early as September, depending on conditions. The aurora is not switched on for a tour schedule, so a clear, active display is never guaranteed. One outing can begin with little to see and then turn into a vivid show; another may find the sky uncooperative.

This is where the free retry ticket matters. If the lights do not appear on your tour, you can try again on another departure. It is a useful safety net, but it is not the same as a guaranteed second trip on your preferred date or at a particular time. If you have a tight schedule, allow room for the possibility that you cannot use it.

Bad weather can also lead to cancellation. In that case, the night cruise may not go ahead, and rescheduling may be difficult if your plans are fixed. One participant reported receiving a quick refund after a weather cancellation. The free retry applies when the tour runs but no lights are seen; it should not be confused with a cancelled cruise.

There is an always-open bar aboard, which gives you the option to buy a drink during the trip. That can be a welcome comfort on a cold evening, but it does not change the basic rule: warm clothes matter. The provided overalls help, including for children, but treat them as an extra layer rather than a substitute for dressing for the weather.

What the guides and crew add to the day

On both outings, the guide is more than a voice over a loudspeaker. During the whale cruise, clear direction helps you locate animals and understand what is happening. At night, the crew’s knowledge of the bay and conditions can help the boat get away from city lights and make the most of the outing.

The strongest accounts of the trip point to attentive guides and a responsive captain. Rebekka was singled out for spotting whale positions and sharing information about ocean life. That kind of clear, timely guidance is valuable when you are trying to follow a moving animal while the boat is in motion.

The live tour guide speaks English. An app is also available in English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese, which may help you follow along. The listed live-guided language is English, so do not assume the guide will provide commentary in the app’s other languages.

Is $182 a fair price for two boat trips?

At $182 per person, this is not a low-cost excursion. The price makes more sense if you genuinely want both whale watching and an aurora cruise, and if you have a day to give to the outings. You get two guided trips, warm overalls, heated indoor seating and Wi-Fi, plus the free retry if the aurora does not show.

It is less compelling if you only want one of the two activities or have a tight itinerary. The biggest uncertainty is not the quality of the boat or the guide, but what nature provides. A whale may stay away, the northern lights may remain hidden, or weather may cancel the evening trip. The tour cannot remove those risks, though the retry and the chance of a refund after cancellation offer some protection.

The 4.1 out of 5 rating from 54 reviews suggests a generally positive experience, with a clear caveat: results vary. The most enthusiastic outings included close whale encounters and powerful aurora displays. A less fortunate day still had a good whale trip but lost the night cruise to bad weather. If you value the chance of seeing both and can stay flexible, the combined format offers a lot in one booking.

Who should book this Reykjavik boat tour?

I would consider this tour if you have enough time in Reykjavik to accommodate two outings and want a guided chance to see both marine wildlife and the northern lights. It suits people who enjoy being on the water, can handle the possibility of a rough ride, and are happy to spend time watching and waiting rather than expecting a guaranteed sighting.

Families may appreciate the children’s sizes in the provided overalls and the heated indoor seating. Those prone to seasickness should ask about tablets before departure and think carefully about how comfortable they are on a boat. If your schedule is packed, the seven-hour duration and separate evening cruise may make the day awkward.

Book it for the experience of being out on the bay, with wildlife and aurora as the hoped-for highlights. Choose another plan if you need certainty, dislike cold or rough conditions, or cannot make time for the evening return. For a flexible visitor, this is a practical way to pair two very different Icelandic outings without leaving Reykjavik.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The combined activity lasts about seven hours. The daytime whale-watching cruise is approximately three hours, followed by a separate evening northern lights cruise.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The building is large and dark grey, with blue signs showing the company name and logo.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to get to the Old Harbour meeting point yourself.

What animals might I see?

The bay is home to minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. Sightings are not guaranteed.

What should I wear?

Warm overalls are provided, including children’s sizes. It can still be cold and wet, so dress warmly beneath them.

Is there indoor seating?

Yes. The boat has heated indoor seating, and you can also move around between the inside and outside areas.

Is Wi-Fi available on board?

Yes. Free Wi-Fi is included on the boat.

What language is the live tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English. An app is available in English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You receive a free ticket to try again if no northern lights are seen on your tour. Sightings depend on conditions.

Can bad weather cancel the northern lights cruise?

Yes. The evening cruise can be cancelled because of bad weather. The free retry is for a tour that goes ahead but does not produce a sighting, not a guarantee of a replacement trip on a particular date.