Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

Faxaflói Bay gives you two very different views of Iceland in one day: whales surfacing in the daylight and, if the sky cooperates, the Northern Lights above dark water at night. The whale cruise lasts about three hours, while the full outing takes roughly seven hours.

I like the two-cruise format, especially if your Reykjavik schedule is tight. I also like the practical comforts: heated indoor seating, warm overalls in children’s sizes, WiFi, and an onboard bar. Guide Rebekka earned high praise for spotting whales and explaining ocean life clearly.

The main caution is nature’s usual fine print. April brought one poor outcome, with neither whales nor aurora showing well, and the Northern Lights can never be promised. At $212 per person, this is a worthwhile time-saver if you want both activities, but it is not the safest choice if you need a guaranteed sighting.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate boat outings in one day: Watch for whales by day, then return for a Northern Lights cruise after dark.
• Three-hour whale cruise: Reach the main viewing area in about 30 to 45 minutes and look for minke whales, humpbacks, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.
• Warmth is taken seriously: Heated indoor seating and provided overalls make the open-water portions easier to handle.
• The city fades quickly: From Faxaflói Bay, you can photograph Reykjavik, nearby mountains, and, on a clear day, Snæfells Glacier.
• A free retry is included: If nothing is seen on your tour, you receive a free ticket to try again.
• You must reach the harbor yourself: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and nearby parking requires extra time.

Two Iceland highlights from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

This tour is built around a simple idea: use one day to chase two of Iceland’s best-known natural sights without arranging separate bookings. You meet at the Special Tours office by the Old Harbour, then head out on Faxaflói Bay for the whale watch.

I like the rhythm of the day. The first cruise gives you open water, daylight, and a chance to study the bay and coastline. The second outing changes the mood completely, with dark water, cold air, and the possibility of green or white light moving across the sky.

The catch is that these are two wildlife-based activities. The boat and crew can put you in the right place, but whales and aurora do not follow a timetable. You should book this because you enjoy the search, not because you expect a guaranteed show.

Setting out across Faxaflói Bay

The boat leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, close to the city center. The Special Tours office is in a large dark-grey building marked by blue signs and the company name and logo. If you drive, allow about 15 extra minutes to find nearby parking, since parking is not available at the company’s premises.

The first cruise takes about three hours. It generally takes 30 to 45 minutes to reach the whale-watching area, so the journey itself forms a useful part of the outing rather than a short transfer.

As you leave the harbor, keep your camera ready for views back toward Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains. On a clear day, your view can stretch as far as Snæfells Glacier in western Iceland. That kind of distant view depends on visibility, but it gives you something worthwhile to watch while the boat reaches deeper water.

You can use the heated indoor seating when the wind picks up, then step outside when the crew spots activity. That flexibility matters in Iceland. You can stay warm without giving up your chance to see a surfacing whale.

What you might see in the whale-watching area

The main targets are minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. These animals behave differently, so the trip does not depend on one particular species appearing.

Minke whales can be quick and easy to miss, while a humpback may offer a more dramatic sight if it surfaces close to the boat. White-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises may move through the area in less predictable ways. Your guide helps direct your attention, which is important when several people are scanning the water at once.

The strongest whale outings can be surprisingly close. One account described close encounters with both humpback and minke whales, while another praised the guide for marking each whale’s position and explaining ocean life. Guide Rebekka was singled out for doing exactly that, and her role shows why a good guide matters here. Seeing a dark shape on the horizon is one thing. Knowing where to look and what you are seeing is much better.

Still, you should expect quiet stretches. The boat may spend time moving or waiting between sightings, and the April trip mentioned above produced limited whale activity. Keep your expectations sensible, especially if you are visiting outside the period or conditions that produce the best sightings.

A boat built for cold-weather viewing

I like that this is not presented as a bare-bones ride. Warm overalls are supplied, including children’s sizes, and the boat has heated indoor seating. You can also move between inside and outside areas during the cruise.

That matters more than it may sound. The best viewing position may be outside, but standing in cold wind for several hours can wear you down. The indoor area gives you a place to warm up, watch through the windows, and wait for the next report from the crew.

Free onboard WiFi is included, so you can share photos or stay connected while at sea. Drinks are available from the onboard bar, which stays open during the outing. These touches do not change the wildlife, but they make the long stretches between sightings more manageable.

Several strong accounts also praised the boat itself. It was described as comfortable, well maintained, and a good size. That is useful information if you worry about feeling cramped on a whale cruise, though the supplied details do not give an exact passenger capacity.

Returning after dark for the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights portion takes place on Faxaflói Bay at night. You return to the boat, put on the provided overalls, and head away from Reykjavik’s artificial lights.

The water gives you a broad view of the sky and reduces some of the glow from the city. You can move around the boat, using the indoor seating when you need warmth and heading outside for a clearer view. The darkness and open horizon are the main reasons to choose a boat rather than simply looking from central Reykjavik.

Aurora viewing is possible throughout the winter months and can begin as early as September, depending on conditions. That phrase is the important part. You need darkness, suitable weather, and aurora activity, and the tour cannot control any of them.

One February outing produced a spectacular display after an uncertain start. The lights reportedly became intense and widespread, and the boat crew selected a good position on the bay. That is the best-case version of this trip. The April outing had the opposite result, with no Northern Lights and limited whale activity.

The free retry ticket softens that risk. If nothing is seen on your tour, you can try again with a free ticket. You should ask the operator how the retry is arranged when you check in, since the supplied details do not explain its expiration or availability.

Why the guide and captain matter

The guide has two jobs: explain what you are seeing and help you find it. On the whale cruise, that means pointing out surfacing animals, describing their behavior, and giving you context about the bay’s marine life.

The captain also affects the experience. One especially positive account praised the captain’s quick response to the movement of the whales. That does not mean every trip will produce a close approach, but it suggests the crew actively responds when wildlife appears rather than simply following a fixed route.

The tour is conducted in English, and an experienced guide is included on both cruises. Guide Rebekka received particular praise for identifying whale positions and explaining ocean life. If clear interpretation is important to you, that is a useful reason to choose this outing over a simple sightseeing boat ride.

Is $212 a fair price?

At $212 per person, this is not a cheap harbor excursion. The value comes from combining two substantial boat trips, two guides, warm gear, heated seating, WiFi, and the free retry option in one booking.

If you already plan to pay separately for whale watching and an aurora cruise, the combined format may save time and simplify your schedule. It also lets you leave Reykjavik twice, once in daylight and once after dark, without arranging your own transport between unrelated operators.

The price is harder to justify if you only care about one sight. A dedicated whale trip gives you more flexibility to focus on marine life, while a separate Northern Lights outing may suit you better if the aurora is your main goal. You are paying for convenience and variety, not certainty.

I would also think about your trip length. With only a short stay in Reykjavik, combining both activities can be practical. If you have several nights and plenty of time, separate bookings may let you choose the best weather window for each.

Who should book this combined cruise?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want both whales and Northern Lights without arranging two separate tours.
• You are comfortable with a full seven-hour activity and a return to the harbor after dark.
• You like having indoor warmth and supplied outerwear during an open-water trip.
• You enjoy wildlife watching even when sightings are not guaranteed.
• You have limited time in Reykjavik and want to use one day efficiently.
• You value an English-speaking guide who explains what you are seeing.

I would be more cautious if you dislike cold, boat movement, or waiting for wildlife. The warm seating helps, but this remains a sea outing in Icelandic conditions. You also need enough flexibility in your schedule to make use of the free retry if the conditions produce no sightings.

Families may appreciate the children’s overalls and the option to move indoors. The supplied information does not give an age limit or accessibility details, so ask Special Tours Iceland directly if those points affect your booking.

Practical details that make the day easier

You meet at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Look for the large dark-grey building with blue signs and the company name and logo.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If you are staying outside the central area, plan your own route to the harbor. Drivers should allow an extra 15 minutes for parking nearby.

The tour lasts about seven hours, but the exact starting time depends on availability. Check the schedule carefully before booking, especially if you have a dinner reservation or another evening activity.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful when Iceland weather may affect your plans.

The experience is led in English. Warm overalls, WiFi, heated indoor seating, and an experienced guide on both cruises are included. Drinks from the onboard bar cost extra.

Final call: book it if you want variety, not certainty

I would book this tour if your Iceland plan includes both whales and the Northern Lights and you want a tidy way to fit them into one day. The comfortable boat, warm clothing, clear harbor meeting point, and strong whale-guide reports make it more than a simple sightseeing ride.

I would skip it if your budget is tight or if seeing the aurora is your one must-do activity. At $212, the cost is meaningful, and nature can still say no. But if you accept that risk, this is a well-equipped way to experience Faxaflói Bay twice, first with daylight on the water and later beneath a dark Icelandic sky.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The office is in a large dark-grey building with blue signs and the company name and logo.

How long does the full experience last?

The experience lasts about seven hours. The daytime whale-watching cruise lasts approximately three hours.

How long does it take to reach the whale-watching area?

It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the whale-watching area from the harbor.

Which animals might I see?

You might see minke whales, humpback whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Northern Lights sightings depend on conditions. The tour includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour.

When can the Northern Lights portion operate?

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

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Warm overalls are provided, including children’s sizes. Heated indoor seating is also available.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the Special Tours office at the Old Harbour.

Is parking available at the meeting point?

Parking is not available at the company’s premises. If you arrive by car, allow about 15 extra minutes to find nearby parking.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English, and the experience is conducted in English.