Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise

Whales by day, aurora by night, in one trip. I love the chance to chase Faxaflói Bay wildlife with expert commentary, and I love the comfort of the Northern Lights search with heated cabins and warm overalls. The only snag is weather and sea conditions can limit sightings, so you have to stay flexible.

This is a real combo, not two random add-ons. You start with a daylight wildlife cruise off Reykjavik, then later you head out again after dark to look for the aurora from the water, away from city lights. The onboard setup helps a lot, with heated indoor cabins, toilets, and complimentary seasickness tablets, plus free WiFi to keep your maps and photos organized.

My one practical tip: charge your phone early and bring a power bank if you can. I saw people have their moment, then watch their battery die right as the sky started to perform.

Key things to know before you go

• Daytime whale time in Faxaflói Bay before the night hunt, so you get two chances for nature to steal the show
• Heated cabins and indoor bar time during the Northern Lights cruise, plus warm flotation overalls for the deck
• Real marine sightings are the goal, with minke whales, humpback whales, and dolphins on the watch list
• On-board guidance matters, with an informative English-speaking crew running commentary during the cruise
• You can improve your odds with a redo, since the tour includes a free ticket to rejoin if you do not get sightings
• Some seasons may use a shared boat, because fewer vessels helps protect the environment

Why this Reykjavik whale-and-aurora combo fits your time

If you’re planning a first trip to Reykjavik, this kind of day-night pairing is a smart move. You get the best of Iceland’s “two biggest nature headlines” in one booking: whales in the Atlantic during the day, then the Northern Lights at sea after dark.

The schedule has a rhythm. You start at Geirsgata 11 and head out for about 3 hours of whale watching. Then there’s a break in Reykjavik (listed as 5 hours), before you return for the Northern Lights cruise of about 2 hours.

That middle chunk can feel like a lot of waiting, but it also gives you control. You can warm up, eat something, and reset before the aurora hunt. Just remember, this is a weather-driven experience, so your best plan is to keep your mood steady and your layers ready.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay: where the giants actually show up

The whale watching part is centered on Faxaflói Bay off Reykjavik, with views of the mountains and islands around town. From the water, the coastline feels bigger and more dramatic, and you get a clear sense of why these animals use this region.

What you’re really chasing is variety. Expect the guides to look for minke whales and humpback whales, along with harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins. The cruise can also include other wildlife such as seals, depending on what’s happening that day.

A big reason I like this style of tour is the commentary. You’re not just staring at the water and guessing. The guides help you understand what you’re seeing, what behavior to watch for, and how to react when something surfaces.

From the experience level of the operation, you can also get a sense of how quickly sightings can happen. Some departures start with fast action, and once the group finds animals, you often get sustained viewing time rather than a single distant spout and done.

What the boat experience feels like, and how to handle choppy seas

Let’s talk reality: you are on the ocean. Even in good conditions, you might feel motion, and in rougher seas, it can be more than a gentle sway.

This tour tries to make that easier in two ways. First, it offers complimentary seasickness tablets. Second, the boat has heated indoor cabins and toilets, which is a major quality-of-life upgrade when the wind bites.

Warm gear helps too. You’ll have access to warm flotation overalls for the outdoors, especially useful later for the Northern Lights deck time. The goal is to keep you outside long enough to actually see what you came for, without turning the cruise into a shivering contest.

One more note: the company may use a shared boat in certain seasons for environmental reasons, meaning you might not be the only group on board. That can be totally fine, but it’s good to know so you are not expecting a private vibe.

The Reykjavik break: how to make those hours count

That 5-hour break in Reykjavik is not filler. It’s your window to manage logistics and energy.

Since food and drink are not included on board, plan on eating before you go back out. Also, use this gap to warm up and dry off if you need to, especially if you came back from whale watching with windburn.

This is also the best time to prep your gear for the aurora part. Northern Lights viewing is easier when you’re ready to step outside quickly. If your phone battery is low, charge it now. If your camera needs a fresh battery, do it now. The night portion is short, so you want to be set before you chase the light.

If you’re staying near Reykjavik’s center, you may find the meeting area easy to access, but don’t rely on that feeling. Reykjavik has a way of keeping you moving, and you’ll want to be on time so you don’t miss the check-in.

Northern Lights at sea: comfort on the hunt

The Northern Lights cruise is designed for staying out in cold conditions without losing your comfort. Once night falls, you head out to search for the aurora, aiming to escape city lights and find darker skies.

What I really like here is the balance between indoors and outdoors. You can stay warm in the heated indoor bar, then step onto the outdoor deck with provided warm overalls when you want a better view of the sky. Toilets are onboard too, which sounds small until you’re halfway through a 2-hour search.

The tour is also set up with practical tech support. Free WiFi is available onboard, which can help with quick weather checks, GPS, or just keeping people calm when they are waiting for the sky to do its thing.

Timing can work in your favor. There are nights where the aurora appears surprisingly soon after leaving the dock, so you do not want to treat the first minutes like a warm-up only.

And here’s the honest part: Northern Lights depend on conditions you cannot control. If the sky refuses to cooperate, the operation’s approach includes ways to make it right. For example, some departures may be cancelled due to weather, with options to refund or reschedule, and the tour also includes a free ticket to rejoin if you do not get sightings.

Price and value: is $205 per person worth it?

At $205 per person for a 6-hour listed combo, this is not a bargain. Iceland tours tend to be pricey, and this one is paying for two guided cruises, a skilled crew, and the gear and comfort that make cold-weather viewing survivable.

So where does the value come from?

• You get two separate nature experiences in one day, not just a whale cruise or just an aurora tour.
• The package includes comfort items that matter on boats: heated indoor cabins, toilets, warm flotation overalls, and seasickness tablets.
• You also get a built-in safety net with the included free rejoin ticket in case of no sightings, which reduces the risk of paying a premium and getting blank skies or blank water.

If you’re the type who wants maximum chances in one trip, this combo makes sense. If you’re the type who hates being at the mercy of weather and sea conditions, you might feel better choosing a single fixed experience instead.

What to bring (and what to remember about your phone)

Your main packing rule is simple: weather-appropriate clothing. The cold can hit fast on open water, and winds can do their own damage regardless of the temperature back on land.

You do not need to bring your own outerwear for the aurora deck if you’re using the provided gear, but layers help because you’ll likely wear regular clothes under the overalls. Also, keep gloves and warm head protection in mind if you tend to get cold easily.

Then there’s the phone. On these nights, you’ll want your battery alive. One of the most common regrets I hear from people is not having enough charge right as the lights appear. Bring a charged phone. If you can, bring a portable charger too.

Other rules are straightforward. Pets are not allowed, and smoking is not allowed. That keeps the onboard air comfortable for everyone, especially when you’re packed indoors between viewing breaks.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

This combo is a good fit if you want a classic Reykjavik nature day without complicated planning. It works especially well for:

• First-time visitors who want whales in daylight and the Northern Lights after dark
• People who value comfort, with heated cabins and onboard facilities
• Anyone who wants an operation that provides guidance and helps with motion sickness

It might not be ideal if you know you have a hard time on boats, even with seasickness tablets. Also, if you need a perfectly fixed schedule that cannot shift with weather, you may want to consider more flexible options.

Final verdict: should you book the Reykjavik combo?

I think this is a strong buy if your goal is to maximize nature moments while keeping the experience comfortable. The whale watching portion gives you a chance at real marine variety, and the Northern Lights portion is set up for cold-weather viewing without turning it into misery.

The main reason to hesitate is also the main reason to go with your eyes open: weather and sea conditions can affect what you see, and the aurora can be unpredictable. Still, the tour helps reduce that risk with rejoin options and a practical onboard setup that keeps you engaged even when nature takes its time.

If you can handle a cold night on the deck, and you’re willing to keep a flexible mindset, I’d book it.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the tour?

You start at Geirsgata 11. Check in at the Special Tours office at the corner.

How long is the whale-watching part?

The whale-watching cruise is listed as about 3 hours (and the included description notes 2.5 to 3 hours).

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The Northern Lights search is listed as about 2 hours (and the included description notes 2 to 3 hours).

What wildlife might you see during the whale-watching cruise?

The tour highlights include minke whales, humpback whales, and dolphins. The description also mentions harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins as possible sightings.

Are warm overalls provided for the Northern Lights deck?

Yes. The tour includes warm flotation overalls, and they are used so you can comfortably watch from the outdoor deck.

Is WiFi available on board?

Yes. There is free WiFi on board.

Is food included in the ticket price?

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

Can I cancel or get another chance if I do not see sightings?

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. It also includes a free ticket to rejoin in case of no sightings.