Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik combo is the change of scene: you spend the afternoon looking for whales in their natural habitat, then return to sea after dark to search for the Northern Lights. The two cruises offer very different reasons to look out over the water, and sightings are never something you can order up on demand.

I like that warm overalls and blankets are provided, so you can watch from outside without relying only on your own winter layers. I also like the sighting guarantee, which offers another chance if the expected sighting does not happen.

The main drawback is that both parts depend on nature and weather. You may see whales but miss the aurora, or have one cruise canceled for poor conditions, so book this as a chance to look, not a promise of two spectacular sightings.

• Two distinct boat trips: A three-hour whale-watching cruise in the afternoon is followed by a two-hour Northern Lights cruise in the evening.
• Return chance if sightings disappoint: A sighting guarantee is included. Check with the operator about the terms for the relevant cruise.
• Warm layers on board: You can borrow warm overalls and blankets, with an indoor lounge available on the whale-watching boat.
• Wildlife beyond whales: Whales are the goal, but dolphins may also appear. Whale sightings can range from a brief glimpse to a longer spell watching an animal surface and feed.
• A proper aurora hunt: The Northern Lights cruise takes you out by boat rather than asking you to watch from land.
• Plan for a full afternoon and evening: The two trips total about five hours on the water, and their separate start times mean you should check the day’s schedule before arranging other plans.

Two cruises, two very different kinds of wildlife

This package combines Elding’s Classic Whale Watching tour with its Northern Lights Cruise. The first outing lasts about three hours and runs in the afternoon; the second lasts about two hours and takes place in the evening. Together they cover five hours, though they are separate trips rather than one continuous cruise.

That pairing is useful if you want to spend more time at sea without booking two excursions independently. It also gives you two distinct goals: watching for wildlife in daylight and scanning the dark sky for aurora after sunset. The trade-off is simple. You have two opportunities for nature to cooperate, but neither whales nor Northern Lights can be scheduled on cue.

The package costs $198 per person. That is a sizeable spend for a day out, but it covers both cruises, English live commentary, access to the Wildlife Exhibition, and the use of warm overalls and blankets. Food and drinks are extra, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included unless arranged with the operator for a fee.

Afternoon: looking for whales from Reykjavik

The first part is a three-hour whale-watching trip departing from Elding’s meeting point at Ægisgarður 5c, by Reykjavik’s harbor. The crew looks for whales in the waters around the city and shares information about local wildlife along the way. Sightings vary: some trips may bring whales close to the boat, while others may produce dolphins or no whale sightings at all.

When whales do appear, the experience can be more than a quick look at a distant back. You might watch a humpback surface repeatedly while feeding, or catch the tail-fluke display as it heads underwater. Humpback and minke whales have both been seen on this tour, and dolphins have also provided a welcome sight when whales stayed out of view.

Allow yourself to enjoy the time on the water even if the wildlife is quiet. You are watching animals in their own habitat, not at a show, and the crew cannot control where they go. If a sighting does happen, it may be close enough to keep you outside watching for a while. If the weather turns cold or wet, the boat’s inside lounge gives you a place to warm up between trips outside.

An important detail: the tour includes a sighting guarantee, or another chance to come again free of charge. The terms for using that guarantee are not specified here, so ask the crew or desk staff which cruise it applies to and how to arrange a return trip. That matters most if your schedule in Iceland is tight.

Between trips: check the timing before you commit

The afternoon and evening cruises are separate outings. Since the combo is described as about five hours total, do not assume you will be on board for five uninterrupted hours or that you will have a particular length of break between trips. Check the actual departure times with Elding before making dinner plans or booking another activity.

The package includes access to a Wildlife Exhibition, a useful extra if you want more context around the animals you may be looking for at sea. It also gives you something connected to the trip to do between the two departures, depending on its hours and the timing of your cruises. Confirm those details directly rather than counting on the exhibition to fill a specific gap.

The meeting point is in central Reykjavik, and the activity ends back there. Pickup and drop-off can be arranged with the operator for an additional fee. If you are staying outside the area or want to avoid getting to the harbor on your own, weigh that convenience against the extra cost.

Evening: searching for the Northern Lights at sea

The second outing is a two-hour Northern Lights cruise. Rather than heading out to a viewing spot on land, the boat takes you onto the water to search the night sky. An English-speaking guide provides live commentary about the aurora, and the crew may take pictures if the lights appear.

Aurora viewing depends on conditions, and a cruise can be canceled if the weather is poor. Even when the boat sails, the lights may be faint, brief, or absent. A green streak can be a genuine sighting, but it may not resemble the broad curtains of color people picture. One practical point: a limited display does not necessarily mean you will not be offered a return trip, so ask the crew how the guarantee works for this cruise.

A weather cancellation can change your plans. The operator may offer another date or a full refund when poor weather forces the activity to be canceled. If you have only one evening free, consider whether you are comfortable with that uncertainty before booking the combo.

Staying comfortable outside

You will be out on the water in Icelandic winter conditions, so bring warm clothes even though the tour provides overalls and blankets. The supplied layers are a welcome buffer, not a reason to turn up dressed for a mild indoor afternoon. You can use the warm gear over your own clothes and move between the outdoor viewing areas and the indoor lounge on the whale-watching boat.

Food and drinks are available to buy on board, but they are not included in the price. If you want a snack or something warm to drink, budget for it separately. The listing does not specify what is sold, so check with the operator if you have particular needs.

The tour has a maximum group size of 150. That is a substantial number of people, especially when everyone wants a view at once. The outdoor areas offer room to watch, but you may need to shift position as the boat moves or other people gather at the rail. Warm gear and patience are both useful pieces of kit.

Is $198 good value?

The package makes most sense if you genuinely want both experiences. Buying the two cruises together gives you a whale-watching trip and an evening aurora outing, plus warm gear, commentary, and exhibition access. The value is less clear if you are interested in only one cruise, or if the weather forecast makes you wary of spending much of a day around uncertain departures.

The most valuable part may be the chance to try again if the expected sighting does not happen. That is reassuring, but it is not the same as a guaranteed whale encounter or a guaranteed bright aurora on the day you choose. Confirm the guarantee’s terms before booking, especially if your travel dates leave little room for a repeat.

I would consider this package if you have an afternoon and evening free, enjoy being at sea, and can treat sightings as a bonus rather than a sure thing. It is also a good fit if you want a guided introduction to local wildlife and the aurora in one booking. If you need a tightly timed day or would be disappointed by a quiet sky, book with care.

Practical details before booking

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is received when you book. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Children under 13 are required by law to wear life vests for the duration of the tour.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes within that window are not accepted. If poor weather forces a cancellation, the operator offers a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this Reykjavik combo?

Book it if you want two different sea outings and can keep your plans flexible. The whales and the Northern Lights are the draw, but the warm gear, live commentary, and possibility of a return trip help make the day more worthwhile even when conditions are not perfect.

Skip it if you only want a guaranteed aurora show or a guaranteed whale sighting on a specific date. Nature makes the schedule here, and Reykjavik weather gets a vote too. For a curious, patient visitor with time to spare, the combination offers a memorable way to spend an afternoon and evening.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The two cruises total about five hours: three hours for whale watching and two hours for the Northern Lights cruise. They are separate afternoon and evening outings.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, and ends back at the meeting point.

Are hotel pickups included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, but you can arrange them with the operator for an additional fee.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy on board.

What happens if poor weather cancels a cruise?

If the activity is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

What should I know if I am bringing a child under 13?

Children under 13 are required by law to wear a life vest for the duration of the tour.