Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

The best thing about this outing is the change of scene between daylight and darkness. You begin by scanning Faxaflói Bay for whales, then return later to search for the aurora from the water. It gives you two classic Iceland experiences in one booking, but nature still decides what appears.

I like the two-part format, especially if you want to make good use of a single Reykjavik day. I also like the warm overalls, blankets, indoor lounge, and free return policy, which soften the risk of cold weather and shy wildlife.

The main drawback is timing. This is not one continuous five-hour ride, and the northern lights cruise can be postponed or canceled when weather turns poor. You need flexibility, warm layers, and enough time in your schedule for a possible rebooking.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate cruises: A three-hour whale-watching trip runs in the afternoon, followed by a two-hour northern lights cruise in the evening.
• Whale and aurora guarantees: If the expected sighting does not happen, you can try again free of charge, subject to the operator’s arrangements.
• Warm clothing supplied: You can use warm overalls and blankets, with an indoor lounge available when the wind gets sharp.
• Wildlife beyond whales: Dolphins may appear even when whales do not, and the crew provides live information about the animals and the aurora.
• Reykjavik harbor departure: Both parts begin and end at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, near public transport.
• Pickup costs extra: Hotel pickup and drop-off can be arranged directly with the operator for an added fee.

Two Iceland highlights in one day

At $198 per person, this is not a cheap harbor outing. It is a package covering two separate excursions, with a total scheduled time of about five hours, warm outerwear, live English commentary, access to a wildlife exhibition, and the option to return for another attempt when conditions do not cooperate.

I see the value if both activities are already on your Reykjavik wish list. Booking them together saves you from arranging two separate outings, and the long gap between them gives you time to eat, warm up, or explore the city. If you only care about whales or only want to see the aurora, buying a single tour may make more sense.

The package also protects you from one of Iceland’s basic travel truths: clear plans do not always produce clear skies or visible animals. A whale may stay below the surface, clouds may hide the aurora, and wind may stop a boat from leaving. The free return policy makes this a more sensible purchase if you have extra time in Reykjavik.

Starting at Ægisgarður harbor

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. The activity returns to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup at the end.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You can arrange them directly with the operator for a fee, but the tour is near public transportation, making the harbor reasonably practical for many people staying in Reykjavik.

The booking is for up to 150 people. That is a sizable boat group, not a small private wildlife trip. The benefit is access to a proper vessel with an indoor lounge and outdoor viewing areas. The tradeoff is that you may need to move around the boat or share the best viewing spots when an animal appears.

Arrive ready for changing conditions. Even if the city feels mild, open water can be cold, wet, and windy. The supplied overalls and blankets help, but I would still wear warm layers and shoes suited to a damp deck.

The three-hour whale watch

The first part lasts about three hours and runs in the afternoon. Once out on the bay, the basic task is simple: watch the water, listen to the crew, and be ready for a sudden blow, back, or tail.

Whale watching is rewarding partly because it is unscripted. You may see a whale close to the harbor, as one outing did, or spend the trip without a whale sighting. Dolphins can also appear, and they provide a worthwhile wildlife encounter even when the largest animals keep their distance.

The experience can include humpback whales and minke whales. A humpback feeding near the boat is the kind of sighting that can make the entire outing worthwhile. Watching one surface repeatedly, show its back, and raise its tail gives you a real sense of the animal’s scale without putting you in an artificial show.

You should keep your expectations realistic. No responsible whale excursion can promise a particular species or a close approach. The attraction here is seeing animals in their natural setting, not receiving a guaranteed performance on demand.

The crew provides live commentary in English, explaining local wildlife as you search. That matters on a quiet day. Instead of simply staring at gray water, you gain context about what you are looking for and why a distant bird, fin, or brief surface movement may matter.

One useful detail from the experience is the wildlife exhibition included with your ticket. It gives you another way to learn about the area, particularly if weather limits time outside or the animals remain elusive.

Warm overalls and an indoor escape

I appreciate that the boat includes warm overalls and blankets rather than leaving you to solve the cold-weather problem alone. The overalls can be worn over your normal clothes, which is useful if you are planning to spend the rest of the day in Reykjavik.

The boat also has an indoor lounge and outdoor viewing areas. You can step outside when the crew spots something, then retreat indoors when rain or wind makes the deck unpleasant. That flexibility is important on a five-hour package spread across two departures.

Still, supplied clothing is not a magic shield. Bring layers, and do not assume you will remain comfortable in ordinary city clothes. The combination of cold air, wet conditions, and a moving boat can feel tiring, especially during the later aurora cruise.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour by law. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but the operator does not describe this as a specialized accessible cruise. If you have specific mobility needs, check with the provider before booking.

The evening northern lights cruise

The second part lasts about two hours and takes place after dark. Instead of driving into the countryside, you search for the aurora from the water around Reykjavik.

This approach has a particular appeal. You avoid sitting in a bus or standing on an exposed roadside, and the dark bay creates a different setting from the city. You can watch the sky from the boat’s outdoor areas, then return indoors to warm up.

The aurora is never guaranteed by nature. A clear night may bring a strong display, a single green streak, or nothing visible at all. One outing produced only a brief green mark in the sky, yet the operator still offered a free return because the sighting did not meet its guarantee.

That policy is one of the strongest reasons to consider the package. You are not simply told to accept bad luck. If the lights fail to appear, you can try again free of charge, though you need enough time in Iceland to use that option.

The cruise may also be canceled because of poor weather. When that happens, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is more useful than pushing a boat into unsafe conditions, but it can create a scheduling problem. Keep your evening flexible, and avoid placing an important early departure immediately after this activity.

One past outing had the northern lights portion canceled because of bad weather, while another was moved to a later time and eventually produced a strong display. The practical lesson is clear: check the final arrangements with the harbor staff, especially if a weather change affects the order of your two tours.

Why the combo format can work well

The package is best for people who want two major Iceland activities without spending separate days on them. The whale watch fills the afternoon, and the aurora cruise uses the evening, leaving the middle of the day open for Reykjavik.

That split also reduces some pressure. If the first cruise is tiring, you have a break before the second. You can eat on shore because food and drinks are not included, then return to the meeting point for the night departure.

There is a catch: you must understand that these are two separate tours, not one continuous trip. The exact gap between them matters, and weather changes may alter the plan. Confirm the evening departure time before leaving the harbor after the whale watch.

This is also a good choice if you prefer boat-based sightseeing. The whale trip brings you close to the open bay during daylight, while the aurora cruise offers a different view after sunset. If you dislike boats, get seasick easily, or want a guaranteed schedule, the combo may feel like too much uncertainty.

Price, group size, and practical value

The $198 price makes the most sense when you use both parts and have the flexibility to return if needed. You are paying for two cruises, not merely a short whale-spotting ride. The warm gear, blankets, wildlife exhibition, crew photos if available, and English commentary add practical value.

The included crew photos are not guaranteed, since they are provided if any are taken. Bring your own camera, but do not spend the entire trip staring through a screen. Wildlife sightings can last seconds, and the best memory may be the moment you see a whale surface rather than the photograph you hoped to capture.

With a maximum of 150 people, expect a shared excursion rather than an intimate one. That size can be reassuring in rough conditions because you are using a substantial organized operation, but it also means the boat may feel busy when everyone moves outside.

Food and drinks cost extra and are available for purchase on board. I would plan a proper meal or snack during the break between tours, since the combination of cold air and several hours on the water can leave you hungry.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. Since weather can alter the evening plan, avoid booking this on your final available night unless you can accept a refund, rebooking, or a missed aurora attempt.

Who should book this Reykjavik cruise

I would recommend it to you if you want a broad Iceland experience in one day, appreciate guides who explain what you are seeing, and have at least some spare time in Reykjavik. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who would rather join organized boat trips than arrange separate transport outside the city.

It is also a sensible pick if the free return policy matters to you. You have a better chance of making the aurora attempt worthwhile when you can come back instead of treating one cloudy night as your only opportunity.

I would hesitate if your schedule is tight, your budget is limited, or you are expecting guaranteed whales and a major aurora display on the same day. The package can deliver memorable moments, including humpback feeding, minke whales, dolphins, or a powerful northern lights show. It can also produce a cold boat ride, a canceled cruise, or a quiet stretch of sea.

FAQ

How long does the full experience last?

The package lasts about five hours in total. It includes a three-hour whale-watching tour and a separate two-hour northern lights cruise.

Where does the tour start and finish?

Both the start and end point are Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area can be arranged directly with the operator for an additional fee.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board but are not included in the tour price.

What happens if I do not see whales or the northern lights?

The experience includes a sighting guarantee. If the expected sighting does not happen, you can try again free of charge, subject to the operator’s arrangements.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What should children under 13 wear?

Children under 13 are required by law to wear life vests for the entire tour.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want both whale watching and an aurora cruise, can handle cold and changeable weather, and have enough time to use the free return option. The combination of live wildlife commentary, warm overalls, a proper indoor lounge, and two distinct boat trips gives you a practical way to pursue two Iceland highlights from Reykjavik.

Skip it if you need a tightly controlled schedule or only want one of the activities. The real value comes from flexibility. Give nature room to surprise you, and this package can deliver whales by daylight and northern lights after dark.