Two wonders, one Reykjavik day. You cruise Faxaflói Bay by daylight to search for whales, then head back out after dark for a real shot at the Northern Lights.

I like how the tour gives you proper comfort, not just a hope-and-pray coat. You get warm overalls for everyone (including kids), plus heated indoor seating so your body stops complaining halfway through the ride.

One catch: sightings depend on conditions. If the sky or the sea doesn’t cooperate, you can still use the included try-again ticket, but it’s still smart to manage expectations.

Key things I’d plan around

• Daylight whale cruise plus night aurora cruise in one 7-hour outing
• Faxaflói Bay search for minke whales, harbor porpoises, and other wildlife
• Heated indoor seating and provided overalls for real cold-weather comfort
• Aiming away from city lights during the Northern Lights segment
• Free on-board Wi-Fi and a second-chance ticket if you see nothing

A One-Day Double: Whales by Day, Northern Lights by Night

This is a smart way to spend your limited time in Reykjavik. Instead of picking between whales or auroras, you stack both in a single day and do it from the same kind of perspective: open water, wide skies, and that Iceland feeling of being close to the elements.

The itinerary is built around timing. In the morning and early afternoon, you’re on the water when visibility is better and wildlife activity is easier to spot. Then, once it gets dark enough, you shift gears and focus on the sky, using distance from city lighting to improve your odds.

What I like most is that the tour isn’t just a boat ride with a story. You actually get guided spotting on both halves: whales in daylight, then auroras at night.

Getting to Old Harbour and Finding the Special Tours Office

You meet near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, at the Special Tours office. It’s in a large, dark grey building, marked with blue signs and the operator’s name/logo.

There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off here, so plan to get yourself to the harbour on time. If you’re driving, reserve an extra 15 minutes for parking nearby, because parking isn’t available at the office.

If you want this day to feel smooth, show up early enough to get your layers sorted before boarding. On a cold-weather boat tour, the difference between comfortable and frigid can be as simple as having the right base layer on.

Whale Watching Cruise in Faxaflói Bay: What You’re Actually Looking For

The whale portion runs about 3 hours, departing from Old Harbour and heading into Faxaflói Bay. You spend roughly 30 to 45 minutes reaching the main watching area, with your guide explaining what you’re likely to encounter along the way.

This is also when you can grab some great photos of Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains. On clear days, views can extend as far as Snæfells Glacier in the west—an extra bonus if the weather treats you kindly.

Once you arrive, the guide helps you scan efficiently. You’re not just staring into the dark blue and hoping for magic. You’ll be actively looking for minke whales, harbor porpoises, and other wildlife in the bay such as white-beaked dolphins. The tour info also mentions great humpback whales, and several people end up seeing humpbacks along with smaller species.

And yes, “close” can happen. When a whale decides to check you out, it changes the mood instantly—like the ocean briefly stops being distant.

Comfort on the Water: Overalls, Heated Seating, and Wi-Fi

A lot of Iceland tours rely on luck. This one at least handles comfort like a grown-up.

You’re provided with warm overalls for the boat ride, and the operator includes children’s sizes. That matters because wind and spray can make normal jacket-and-hope setups feel short-lived.

Inside, you get heated seating, which is a major quality-of-life upgrade on a winter day. Even if you’re excited to be outside for viewing, you’ll eventually want a warm pocket to reset.

Then there’s the small-but-handy detail: free on-board Wi-Fi. You can share what you’re seeing without hunting for signal back on land. It doesn’t make the whales any more magical, but it does make the day feel easier.

The Guide and Captain Factor: Better Spotting, Better Timing

This tour leans heavily on good guiding. On the whale cruise, a strong guide makes a huge difference in where you point your eyes and how quickly you notice movement.

One guide name that shows up in positive feedback is Rebekka, praised for flagging positions and for knowing a lot about ocean life. That kind of spotting guidance matters because wildlife doesn’t announce itself.

On the aurora side, the captain and crew also matter. People describe the crew as reactive to the conditions and bringing the boat to areas where visibility improves. You can’t control the sky, but you can control your search strategy.

Northern Lights by Boat: Why Being Away from City Lights Helps

After you return from the whale cruise, you switch to night mode. You’ll get outfitted in your warm overalls again and head out on a cruise just outside Reykjavik city center.

That distance is the point. The tour is designed to get you away from artificial lighting, so when the sky starts cooperating, you can actually enjoy it instead of watching a dim glow fight street lamps.

The Northern Lights are possible throughout the winter months, and the tour notes they can even appear as early as September—though of course the sky has the final vote. You’ll be looking during the evening cruise, and your guide will help you position for the best chance.

A practical tip: on an aurora cruise, your eyes need a few minutes to adjust. Move a little, check different sides of the boat, and don’t stay rigid in one spot the whole time. When the lights show up, they can shift, and it helps to be ready to angle your view.

What’s Included, What’s Not, and Where the Value Comes From

At $212 per person for a 7-hour outing, this isn’t a budget-only choice. But you are paying for two guided experiences from the water, plus real cold-weather gear and comfort features.

Here’s what you get included:

• Warm overalls (including kids’ sizes)
• Heated indoor seating
• An experienced guide on both tours
• Free on-board Wi-Fi
• A free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour

What’s not included:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Drinks (the bar is always open, but you purchase what you want)

That “try again” detail is the value hook. Nobody can guarantee whales or auroras, so having a second chance can turn a disappointing night into a story that ends better.

Still, because it’s not guaranteed, it helps to treat this as an experience with two quests—not a guaranteed checklist.

When to Expect the Best Odds (and How to Avoid a Bad Day)

Let’s be honest: you’re going to Iceland for weather that behaves like it has a sense of humor. The good news is that the tour actively works around that reality.

For whales, you’ll cover the time it takes to reach the best area, and you’ll have guided scanning for multiple species. For the auroras, you’ll be out after dark and away from city light sources, and you can move around the boat during the cruise (inside and outside), which improves your chances of catching something when it shifts.

The one drawback to plan for is variability. There are instances where the sky doesn’t cooperate and whales aren’t as active as hoped. Even with a great guide and captain, the ocean and atmosphere set the terms.

If you’re traveling in months when aurora visibility is less consistent, go in knowing the “no lights” scenario can happen. Your best defense is flexibility and the willingness to enjoy the boat time even if the sky stays quiet.

Who This Tour Fits Best—and Who Might Want Something Else

This tour is a strong fit if you:

• Want two iconic Iceland experiences in one day
• Hate the idea of making separate bookings for whales and auroras
• Appreciate guided help spotting wildlife and interpreting what’s happening

It’s also good if you get cold easily. Provided overalls and heated indoor seating remove a lot of the stress.

You might consider a different option if you:

• Are extremely price-sensitive and only want one of the two experiences
• Need guaranteed results, because nature can’t be forced

And if you’re the type who likes a plan but also enjoys spontaneity: you’ll probably have the right mindset for this day.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Whale and Northern Lights Tour?

If you can handle cold and you want the cleanest way to do whales plus auroras in a single Reykjavik day, I’d book it. The included overalls, heated seating, free Wi-Fi, and especially the free try-again ticket make it feel like more than a simple ticket to time on the water.

Do it with realistic expectations. You’re booking a strong attempt, supported by guided spotting and smart night-light strategy—not a guaranteed miracle.

If you’re choosing between this and a standalone aurora tour, this one can be the better value play because you’re not leaving the whale experience to chance. And if you’re choosing between this and a standalone whale tour, you’re basically buying the chance to add the Northern Lights without spending another entire evening.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Whales and Northern Lights boat tour?

The tour lasts about 7 hours total.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, in a large dark grey building with blue signs.

Is hotel pickup included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long is the whale watching portion?

The whale watching cruise is approximately 3 hours.

What wildlife might we see in Faxaflói Bay?

The tour information highlights minke whales, harbor porpoises, and other wildlife such as white-beaked dolphins, with great humpback whales also mentioned.

What northern lights conditions are covered?

The northern lights can be seen during winter months and sometimes as early as September, depending on conditions.

Are warm overalls provided?

Yes. Warm overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available.

Is Wi-Fi available during the tour?

Yes. The boat offers free on-board Wi-Fi.

What happens if we don’t see whales or the northern lights?

If nothing is seen on your tour, you get a free ticket to try again.