This day-and-night combo is built for big Iceland moments. You start with a Faxaflói Bay whale-watching cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, then switch to an evening sail designed for Aurora Borealis viewing from the water. You’ll also get a practical setup that keeps you warm: heated seating indoors and warm overalls outside.

What I like most is that the tour targets both icons in one efficient outing. Daytime means you’re not just gambling on the lights, and night means you’re not stuck inside while Reykjavik glows around you. The second big win: the guide support. Even if you’re not a marine-biology person, a strong guide helps you understand what you’re seeing and where to look.

The main consideration is weather and sea conditions. Whale sightings are never guaranteed, and Northern Lights depend on cloud cover and activity, so you’ll want to dress for cold, wind, and a possible choppy ride.

Key things to know before you go

• Old Harbour check-in is straightforward and the tour returns to the same meeting point.
• Whale spotting is guided, with staff helping you look for species like minke whales and harbor porpoises.
• Warm overalls plus heated indoor seating make a big difference on a winter boat.
• Northern Lights viewing happens away from city lights, and you can move around inside and outside the boat.
• Free try-again if you see nothing gives you extra value, even without a sighting guarantee.
• On-board Wi‑Fi is free, so you can share moments in real time.

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to Faxaflói Bay: the whale-watching start

Your day kicks off back at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, where you’ll meet the tour staff at the Special Tours office (the building is described as large and dark grey, with blue signs). Since there’s no parking at their premises, plan extra time if you’re driving—especially helpful in winter when timing gets tight.

The whale-watching portion runs for about three hours. You’ll sail out and, along the way, you get a chance to photograph the city and surrounding mountains. On clear days, the view can stretch as far as Snæfells Glacier to the west. That’s a nice bonus even if whales take their time, because you’re not stuck staring at water right away.

You then head toward the whale area, which takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes. During that stretch, your guide shares information while you’re still in transit, so you’re learning instead of waiting. For many people, this is one of the best parts: you’re already in “Iceland mode” while the boat is moving, and your attention has something to latch onto before the search begins.

What you might actually see in Faxaflói Bay

Faxaflói Bay sits right by the capital, and that matters. You’re not doing a long, all-day grind just to reach open ocean—you’re in a productive area where wildlife can show up relatively close to Reykjavik.

On the day cruise, keep an eye out for minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and also humpback whales. The tour also mentions the possibility of other wildlife. The best sightings tend to happen when you combine luck with attention, which is exactly where the guide earns their keep.

Some people get close encounters, and the tone from the experience details is that the captain and crew actively position the boat when whales are spotted. That doesn’t mean you’ll get a guaranteed whale show. It does mean you’re not passive—there’s a real attempt to find wildlife and to bring the group to it.

If you’re the type who wants to recognize animals fast, this tour works well because the guide helps you look for clues. You’re not just scanning blindly; you’re checking for movement patterns, surfaces, and behaviors the guide points out.

The Northern Lights cruise: seeing auroras from the water

After the day sailing, you’re back aboard in the evening for the Northern Lights part. This is the section that turns the whole experience into something special, because you’re no longer just waiting on shore and hoping the sky clears.

You’ll be outfitted with warm overalls again, and then you cruise out just outside the city center. The tour is designed to get you away from artificial lights, which is key. Even if you live for the aurora, street lamps and harbor glow can flatten the contrast you want for night photography and that wow feeling with your own eyes.

Once you’re in place, you look for the Northern Lights throughout the winter months, and the tour notes the possibility of seeing them even as early as September. Aurora sightings can be quick and sudden, so the “from the water” timing helps because you’re already ready when conditions line up.

You can move around the boat, both inside and outside. That matters more than it sounds. If you stay locked in one spot, you miss the moments when the sky shifts behind the boat angle or when the aurora intensifies in a different direction. And because there’s an always-open bar, you can grab a drink without feeling like you need to choose between comfort and viewing time.

Comfort that actually helps in Iceland winter

Cold ocean air can be brutal, and this tour plans for that. You get warm overalls (including children’s sizes), plus heated indoor seating. That means you’re not stuck sacrificing comfort for visibility. You can bundle up outside to check the sky, then warm up quickly without missing too much.

The tour also includes on-board Wi‑Fi. That’s not necessary for the aurora itself, but it’s handy in practice. If you’re traveling with friends or family, or you just want to send quick photos and updates while you’re still on the boat, it saves hassle.

One detail worth paying attention to is how boats can handle winter seas. The experience notes that the whale ride can be rough for some people, and sea-sickness support was mentioned as being given beforehand on at least one run. If you get motion sick easily, I’d treat this as a must. Ask when you check in if sea-sickness tablets are offered, and consider taking them early rather than waiting until you feel off.

Time and flow: how this fits your Reykjavik schedule

This outing is listed at 7 hours total, combining the daytime whale cruise and the night aurora cruise. That’s a smart use of limited Reykjavik time because you don’t have to decide between wildlife and the lights—you do both in one go.

The day portion is roughly three hours, and the night portion is a dedicated cruise outside the city glow. Between the two, you’ll be on the tour’s schedule rather than trying to improvise dinner plans that can get delayed by weather. In Reykjavik winter, that kind of control is valuable. You’re not chasing multiple chances across different tour operators.

Also, the start and end are the same meeting point, so you’re not figuring out how to get home after a late-night pickup. The tour explicitly does not include hotel pickup and drop-off, so plan to reach the Old Harbour area on your own.

Price and value: is $182 a good deal?

At $182 per person for a 7-hour, two-part cruise, this isn’t a budget activity. The value comes from what’s included and from the attempt to cover two major priorities in one day.

Here’s where the math makes sense:

• You get two guided cruises in one package: whales by day and Northern Lights by night.
• Comfort items are built in: overalls, heated seating, and an always-open bar for drinks.
• You get free on-board Wi‑Fi, which is a small perk but genuinely useful on a long outing.
• There’s a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. That’s the biggest “value insurance” piece, especially since neither whale sightings nor auroras are fully controllable.

If you’re debating whether to book a separate whale tour and a separate aurora tour, combining them can be more efficient. You reduce logistics friction and spend one chunk of time with the same team.

The tradeoff is you’re committing to a full-day schedule. If you’re short on time or if you’re the kind of person who hates waiting, you’ll need patience. Still, for many people chasing Iceland’s two headline nature experiences, this is a clean, focused choice.

Who should book this cruise (and who should think twice)

This tour is a great fit if you:

• Want two iconic sights from Reykjavik without splitting your time across multiple days.
• Enjoy guided wildlife searching and want help spotting whales and dolphins.
• Are comfortable outdoors in winter as long as you have warm gear (you do).

It may be less ideal if you:

• Know you get severely motion sick and haven’t handled boat rides well before.
• Can’t handle weather-based uncertainty. Even with the best planning, Northern Lights and whale sightings depend on real conditions.

If you’re traveling with kids, the included children’s overalls and heated indoor option can make a big difference. For couples and small groups, it’s a strong “shared experience” format because you’re together scanning the bay all day, then together watching the sky later.

And yes, guides matter here. One guide name that comes up in the experience details is Rebekka, praised for calling out whale positions and explaining marine life clearly. That kind of guided attention helps turn a random wildlife sighting into something you actually understand.

Should you book this Reykjavik whales and Northern Lights boat tour?

If your top goals are whales and the Northern Lights, I’d lean toward booking. The tour is built around one efficient day plan: whale watching in Faxaflói Bay, then aurora viewing away from the worst of city light.

I’d book especially if you value practical comfort—overalls, heated seating, indoor/outdoor movement, plus a try-again option if nothing is seen. The only reasons to hesitate are motion sickness sensitivity or a very tight schedule where seven hours feels like a burden.

FAQ

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The duration is listed as 7 hours, including both the whale watching and Northern Lights cruises.

What time does it run?

The tour notes multiple starting times based on availability, so you’ll need to check the specific departure options for your dates.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point near Old Harbour.

What’s included for comfort on the boat?

You get warm overalls (including children’s sizes), heated indoor seating, and free on-board Wi‑Fi.

What wildlife might you look for during the whale watching cruise?

The tour lists possible sightings of minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and also humpback whales.

When can you see the Northern Lights on this tour?

The tour notes Northern Lights sightings across the winter months, and it also mentions they can be seen as early as September, depending on conditions.

What if you don’t see whales or auroras?

The tour includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour, but it still doesn’t guarantee sightings because conditions can vary.

You Might Also Enjoy

Day Trip to Lake Mývatn And The Nature Baths from AkureyriHorse Riding Tour in Reykjadalur (Smoky Valley)-All Riding LevelsSuper Jeep Golden Circle & Snowmobile on Glacier from ReykjavikSettlement and Egils Saga Exhibition Ticket