Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

You get two very different Iceland moments for one outing: whales in Faxaflói Bay during a three-hour afternoon cruise, then a two-hour boat trip after dark to search for the Northern Lights. It is a smart way to turn one day in Reykjavik into a full nature-focused adventure.

I like the practical comfort of warm overalls and blankets, plus the free return policy when the wildlife or aurora does not cooperate. I also like the chance to watch from an indoor lounge or outside viewing areas, rather than being stuck on shore in the cold.

The catch is simple: nature sets the schedule. You may see humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, or only open water, and cloudy or rough weather can cancel the evening cruise. The two-part format also makes for a long day.

Key points to know before booking

• Two cruises in one package: A three-hour whale watching trip in the afternoon followed by a two-hour Northern Lights cruise in the evening.
• Warm clothing is supplied: You can borrow warm overalls and use blankets, though you should still dress for cold, wet conditions.
• Sightings come with another chance: If the expected sighting does not happen, you can try again for free under the operator’s guarantee.
• The boat has indoor and outdoor space: An inside lounge gives you a break from the weather, while outside areas provide the clearest views.
• Pickup is optional: The basic meeting point is Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, with Reykjavik pickup and drop-off available for an extra fee.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may cancel or reschedule the Northern Lights cruise, and one booking experience included a four-hour wait after rebooking.

Two Iceland highlights packed into one long day

This combo tour works because whale watching and Northern Lights hunting fill opposite parts of the day. The whale cruise uses the afternoon light, when you can watch for movement across the bay. The aurora cruise heads out later, when darkness gives the sky a chance to perform.

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavik’s harbor area. The activity ends back at the same point, so you do not need to arrange a second return location. Public transportation is nearby, but pickup and drop-off can be added directly with the operator for a fee.

At $198 per person, the price is not small. Still, you are paying for two separate boat trips, live English commentary, warm clothing, blankets, and access to the Wildlife Exhibition. Compared with buying two excursions separately, the package can make sense if both outings are already on your Iceland wish list.

The key question is not only price. It is how much value you place on convenience and flexibility. You get two popular Reykjavik activities arranged through one operator, but you also commit much of your day to the harbor and the sea.

The afternoon whale watching cruise

The first part lasts about three hours. The crew takes you out from Reykjavik to search for whales and other marine life in their natural setting. You might see humpback whales, minke whales, or dolphins, and the crew explains the wildlife as you go.

The best sightings can be surprisingly close to the harbor. One particularly rewarding outing included a whale surfacing and disappearing beneath the water for about an hour, while another produced humpbacks and minke whales. These moments show why the three-hour length matters. You need time to reach likely areas and wait for animals to appear.

A humpback feeding near the boat can be the highlight of the entire day. You may see the whale surface repeatedly, show its back, or lift its tail before moving on. That kind of encounter feels much more real than a quick photo stop because you are watching an animal choose its own movements.

Still, you should not book this as a guaranteed whale show. On one trip, no whale appeared, although dolphins helped fill the gap. The crew’s wildlife information can add value even when the main target stays hidden, but you need to be comfortable with the possibility of a quiet outing.

The vessel offers an indoor lounge and outdoor viewing space. I like that balance. You can step inside to warm up, then return outside when the crew points out activity. The supplied overalls fit over your clothes, and blankets provide another layer of help.

Dress for Iceland, not for a mild afternoon in town. Wear warm layers and shoes suited to a wet boat deck. The operator supplies protective outerwear, but it does not turn the cruise into an indoor activity. Rain, wind, and spray can still affect your comfort.

The live commentary is in English. The guide covers local wildlife and helps explain what you are looking at. That matters when a whale appears for only a few seconds, since a clear explanation can help you understand the behavior instead of simply trying to take a rushed picture.

Crew photographs may be taken if conditions allow. Treat this as a pleasant extra, not a central part of the package. Your own camera or phone remains useful, but keep it protected from cold and water.

The evening search for the Northern Lights

After the whale trip, you return later for the separate two-hour Northern Lights cruise. The boat gives you a different viewing platform from the usual roadside or countryside outing. You are out on the water, away from some of the fixed lights around Reykjavik, with room to watch the sky.

The crew provides information about the aurora as you search. The experience is less about reaching a single viewpoint and more about waiting for the right mix of darkness, cloud cover, and solar activity. You might see a strong green display, a brief green streak, or nothing at all.

That uncertainty is the central tradeoff. One clear evening produced a very active show, while another outing caught only a faint green streak. A separate cruise was canceled because of bad weather. You should think of this as a well-equipped attempt, not a promise that the sky will cooperate on your chosen night.

The sighting guarantee softens that risk. If you do not see the Northern Lights, you can use a free return opportunity. Check the practical terms with the operator when you book or after a cancellation, because the timing of a replacement cruise can affect your schedule.

A faint sighting may still lead to another chance. In one case, a brief green streak was visible and the operator still offered a free return. That suggests the crew may be generous when the display is weak, but you should not assume every partial sighting will receive the same treatment.

The boat’s indoor lounge is especially useful at night. You can warm up between checks of the sky, then step outside when activity appears. Blankets and warm overalls help, but the best aurora viewing still means spending some time outdoors.

Clouds and wind matter more here than during a normal sightseeing cruise. If conditions are poor, the operator may cancel and offer a different date or a full refund. That is sensible for safety and visibility, but it can disrupt a tightly planned Reykjavik itinerary.

The tricky part: managing the gap between cruises

The two-part format is useful, but it needs careful planning. Your whale cruise ends before the Northern Lights departure, and the supplied information does not give one fixed waiting time for every date. You should confirm the exact schedule before booking anything else.

A weather cancellation can make the gap even less predictable. One passenger missed the first replacement boat after the evening trip was canceled and was rebooked four hours later. The issue was not only the bad weather. The options at the desk were not explained clearly enough, and the long delay changed the shape of the evening.

I would avoid placing an important dinner reservation, airport transfer, or other timed activity between the two cruises. Keep your evening open. If the first aurora sailing is canceled, ask clearly about the next departure, the free return policy, and the refund options before leaving the harbor.

You may want to spend the break near the harbor rather than returning to your hotel. Since both parts begin and end at the Elding meeting point, staying nearby can reduce the chance of arriving late. If you add paid pickup and drop-off, confirm how it applies to this two-part schedule.

The operator allows a maximum of 150 people. That is a sizable group, especially if everyone moves outside when a whale or aurora appears. The outdoor viewing area may feel busy during a peak moment, so arrive ready to share the rail space and be patient with other people taking pictures.

What the wildlife guarantee really means

A sighting guarantee is valuable because whale watching and aurora hunting both involve real uncertainty. If no whale appears, or if the Northern Lights fail to show, another attempt gives you a practical second chance without paying for the same activity again.

It does not guarantee a particular species, a close approach, or a dramatic green sky. You could see dolphins instead of whales, or a faint aurora instead of a strong display. The guarantee protects your opportunity to try again, not the exact result.

That distinction helps you judge the $198 price fairly. If you have several nights in Reykjavik, the return option may be genuinely useful. If you leave Iceland the next morning, a free voucher has less value because you may not have time to use it.

Weather cancellations are handled differently from ordinary disappointment. If poor weather cancels the activity, you are offered a different date or a full refund. The general cancellation policy also allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Comfort, commentary, and what to bring

This is not a luxury cruise, but the basic comfort features are well chosen. The lounge lets you get out of the wind, and the outer viewing areas keep you close to the action. Warm overalls and blankets are supplied for both boat outings.

You should still bring:

• Warm layers that fit beneath the provided overalls
• Waterproof outer clothing if you have it
• Gloves and a hat
• Shoes with a firm grip
• A protected phone or camera
• Water or a snack if you do not want to buy refreshments on board

Food and drinks are not included, though they are available for purchase on the boat. The five-hour combined duration, plus the waiting period between departures, makes this worth planning for. Do not assume the package includes a meal.

The live commentary is in English. You will hear information about Icelandic wildlife during the afternoon and explanations of the aurora during the night cruise. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour under Icelandic law. That is an important point for families, since the rule applies even when the boat is cruising normally. The operator does not list a special child price in the supplied details, so check the current booking terms if you are traveling with children.

Who will get the most from this package

I would consider this a good fit if you want two signature Iceland activities without arranging separate companies. It also suits you if you like being on the water and can accept that nature may deliver dolphins, a brief aurora, or no major sighting at all.

The package is especially useful during a short Reykjavik stay. You can place both outings into one day and keep other days open for sightseeing. The return policy gives you some added flexibility if your schedule includes another evening in town.

It is less suitable if you dislike cold, boat travel, or waiting. The combined outings take about five hours before you count the break between them. A person seeking a quick, guaranteed attraction may find the day too long.

Families should pay close attention to the life-vest rule for children under 13. You should also consider how your group handles a late rescheduled departure. The boat has indoor space, but the experience still depends on spending time outside in Icelandic weather.

Photographers may enjoy the chance to catch whale behavior and aurora color, but this is not a dedicated photography workshop. The crew photographs are only provided if any are taken, and neither whales nor lights wait for a perfect camera setting.

Should you book the whale and aurora cruise?

Book it if you want a full day of nature outings, value the convenience of one operator, and have enough flexibility to return for another attempt. The strongest reasons are the two-part format, warm clothing, English commentary, and a free sighting option.

Think twice if your Reykjavik schedule is packed or if $198 feels high for a day with no guaranteed result. Whale watching and Northern Lights cruises can be wonderful, but weather and animal behavior remain in charge.

My practical advice is to book this early if both activities matter to you, then protect the full day and evening from other commitments. Confirm the exact departure times, ask how the return voucher works, and keep your expectations realistic. You may see humpbacks feeding, a whale close to the harbor, dolphins, or a green sky. You may also spend time watching empty water and cloud cover. That honest uncertainty is part of the deal.

FAQ

How long is the combined tour?

The package includes a three-hour whale watching tour and a two-hour Northern Lights cruise. The total activity time is about five hours, not including the gap between departures.

Where does the tour start and finish?

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

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

What happens if I do not see whales or the Northern Lights?

The tour includes a sighting guarantee. If the expected sighting does not happen, you can try again for free. Ask the operator about the available return dates and conditions.

What clothing is provided?

Warm overalls and blankets are available during the boat trips. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them on board.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.