Reykjavik: Midnight Sun Whale Watching Tour

A humpback surfacing near a boat, or a pod of dolphins pacing it, can turn an evening at sea into the highlight of a Reykjavík stay. This cruise heads into Faxaflói Bay, where the crew and passengers work together to spot wildlife in its natural habitat.

I like two things in particular: guides help you understand what you are seeing, and the operator’s steady-speed approach is designed to reduce disturbance and pollution. The free return trip if no whale appears also makes the sighting risk easier to accept.

The trade-off is that this is wildlife watching, not a staged show. Sightings are frequent in summer, but the sea can be rough, whales can stay elusive, and even a long evening on the water cannot promise a close encounter.

At a glance

• Summer sightings are frequent: Whales are seen on more than 95% of summer tours, but nature keeps the final say.
• You help with the search: Guides share spotting duties with passengers, so keep an eye on the water as well as listening for directions.
• Faxaflói Bay is the destination: The route explores the southern part of the bay, with views of the coast and Reykjavík from the water.
• Dress for wind and cold: Warm overalls are provided, but bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes.
• The return has its own character: A live troubadour performs on board, and the late-summer light can make the ride back memorable.
• No whale, another chance: The whale guarantee lets you try again for free if the trip produces no whale sighting.

From Reykjavík’s harbor into Faxaflói Bay

The trip begins at Elding’s ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, in Reykjavík’s harbor. It is about a five-minute walk, or 300 meters, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre. Exchange your ticket there before heading to the boat.

If you arrive early, the Whale Watching Centre gives you something worthwhile to do before boarding. Look over the skeletons and information boards, watch wildlife videos, or browse the small gift area. It is a useful introduction, especially if you want a little context before heading out to sea.

The published duration is about three hours, while the detailed tour description gives three and a half hours. Treat this as a roughly three-hour-plus outing and check the departure time and expected return when booking. That extra time matters if you are arranging dinner, a transfer, or another activity later in the evening.

Once aboard, the boat heads toward the southern part of Faxaflói Bay. The crew is experienced, and the English-speaking guides have completed a training program built around the operator’s guiding principles. Their job is partly to explain the wildlife and scenery, and partly to help you spot movement on the water.

That shared search is part of the experience. A guide may point out where to look, but passengers are encouraged to scan the sea too. Keep your eyes moving: a dorsal fin can appear briefly, while a whale may surface several times in one area.

What you might see, and how close it can get

Minke whales are among the species you may encounter, along with humpback whales, dolphins and harbor porpoises. Seabirds are common company, and puffins, gannets and other birds have been seen on these trips. The exact mix changes from one outing to the next.

Summer sightings are reported on more than 95% of tours, an impressive rate for a wild-animal excursion. Still, that figure is not a promise for your departure, and it says nothing about how long an animal will remain visible. Some whales surface within a few meters of the boat; others may show only a fin before slipping out of view.

The range of possible encounters is striking. A quiet pass by a minke whale may be brief, while a humpback might stay nearby long enough for repeated surfacing. At the more dramatic end, whales have been seen breaching or slapping the water. Those moments are extraordinary, but they are luck, not part of a fixed program.

Dolphins and porpoises can make a slower whale search feel lively. A pod of white-beaked dolphins has been seen in large numbers, and dolphins may swim alongside the boat. Birds add movement above the water, particularly when the boat is scanning an area where marine life is active.

This is a good tour for anyone who can enjoy the process as well as the payoff. You are not guaranteed a close encounter, and the crew cannot call wildlife to order. If you are content to watch the sea, learn from the guide and enjoy the coast even during a quiet stretch, the outing has more to offer than a simple checklist of species.

A calmer approach to wildlife watching

The company describes itself as Iceland’s only environmentally certified whale-watching operator. Its approach includes sailing at a constant speed toward whale habitat, with the aim of minimizing fuel use, pollution and disturbance to the animals.

That detail has practical value. A wildlife boat can feel intrusive when it rushes after an animal or crowds it. Here, the stated policy is to travel steadily and avoid disturbing whales. One passenger also noted that their boat was the only one in the area at the time, which felt less intrusive while whales were feeding. That is a snapshot, not a guarantee that you will always be alone on the water.

The crew’s role is not only to steer. Guides share information about the animals and scenery, point out sightings and help passengers understand what is happening. On a good outing, the guide can make the difference between seeing a fin and recognizing the animal’s behavior.

The tour also supports summer research projects, responsible tourism and non-governmental wildlife protection groups through ticket sales. If you care about the effect of your wildlife excursion, this is a meaningful part of the offer. It does not make the tour impact-free, but it gives your purchase a stated conservation purpose.

Sunset, midnight light and the ride home

The midnight sun is the tour’s seasonal signature. In summer, the evening can stay bright late into the night, and the boat’s return across the bay may come with a low sun on the horizon. The light changes the feel of the trip: you get a different view of the coast and harbor than you would from Reykjavík’s streets.

Do not book only for a guaranteed sunset spectacle. Weather and cloud cover affect the view, and the exact light depends on the date and departure time. But if conditions cooperate, the return can be beautiful even after the whale search is over.

A live troubadour performance is included on board, often as part of the trip back to harbor. It gives the cruise a distinctly relaxed finish, rather than ending the experience the moment the wildlife search stops. You also have Wi-Fi on board, though the more memorable use of your time may be watching the water.

There is no need to force the trip into a strict wildlife-or-nothing decision. The coast, open water, seabirds and long evening light all contribute to the outing. A quiet whale search will feel different from a close humpback encounter, but the boat ride still offers a change of pace from city sightseeing.

Comfort on a boat, with Icelandic weather in mind

Warm overalls are included, and they are a welcome layer against wind and spray. They do not replace your own clothing, though. Bring warm layers and hiking shoes or other sturdy footwear, even in summer. Conditions can feel cold on deck when the boat is moving, and one clear, breezy August outing was described at about 55°F.

The sea can be calm, but it can also be rough. Some outings have had high waves, and some people have felt seasick. Other passengers found the ride comfortable and did not need motion-sickness prevention. There is no way to know in advance which conditions you will get, so plan for the possibility of choppy water if you are sensitive to it.

The boat has room to move around, and a large top deck offers views on all sides. Indoor areas provide shelter from wind and weather. Refreshments are available to buy on board, including warm drinks, so you need not rely on the overalls alone for comfort.

If hearing the guide matters to you, choose a place on deck where you can see the wildlife and hear directions clearly. The sound system has not always been easy to hear from every spot. It is worth getting into position early rather than waiting until the boat is already busy with activity.

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. If you have particular access needs, contact the operator before booking to confirm that the arrangements suit you. That is especially sensible for a boat trip, where boarding and moving around may matter as much as the listed accessibility status.

Is $111 a fair price?

At $111 per person, this is not a budget harbor ride. You are paying for an outing of around three hours or more, an experienced crew, a trained guide, use of warm overalls, access to the Whale Watching Centre, Wi-Fi and live music. Refreshments cost extra.

The strongest value is in the chance to see wildlife in the bay, backed by a free return trip if no whale is spotted. If your first outing produces no whale sighting, the guarantee gives you another opportunity without paying for another ticket. It cannot guarantee a better second trip, but it softens the main risk of wildlife watching.

The price makes the most sense if you value the full experience: time on the water, a guide who helps interpret what you see, the summer light and a responsible approach to viewing animals. It may feel less worthwhile if you need a guaranteed close-up encounter or have little patience for stretches of searching.

You can reserve now and pay later, and cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the booking details for the exact departure time and duration, since the tour is described as both three hours and three and a half hours.

Who should book this cruise?

I would put this high on the list for wildlife lovers, first-time visitors to Iceland and anyone who wants an evening activity that feels different from a city walk or restaurant meal. Families and groups can share the spotting, though everyone should be comfortable spending several hours on a boat and dressing for cold, changeable conditions.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy guided experiences that explain what you are seeing rather than simply taking you to a viewpoint. The marine guides, wildlife research support and low-disturbance policy give the tour substance beyond the hope of a dramatic photograph.

Think twice if you are prone to seasickness, dislike wind and cold, or would be disappointed by a brief glimpse rather than a close whale encounter. The overalls help, and the free return trip is reassuring, but neither can control the sea or the animals.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you can treat the wildlife as a gift rather than a guarantee. The high summer sighting rate, trained guides, warm overalls and free return option make the $111 fare easier to justify, while the sunset cruise and live music give the evening a pleasant finish.

Skip it if you need certainty, have a tight schedule or would find rough seas miserable. For everyone else, especially in summer, this is a thoughtful way to see Iceland’s marine life and support a more responsible style of whale watching.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity is listed as three hours, while the detailed tour description gives three and a half hours. Check the departure details when booking and leave some flexibility around your return.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include minke and humpback whales, dolphins, harbor porpoises and seabirds. Puffins and gannets have also been seen, but the species and activity vary by trip.

Are whale sightings guaranteed?

No. Whales are seen on more than 95% of summer tours, but sightings are not certain. If you do not see a whale, the whale guarantee lets you try again for free.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing and hiking shoes. Warm overalls are provided, but the boat can be windy and cold, even in summer.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. It is about 300 meters, or a five-minute walk, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre. Exchange your ticket before going to the boats.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Refreshments are available to purchase on board. The tour includes access to the Whale Watching Centre, warm overalls, an English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi and a live troubadour performance.