Two Iceland dreams, same day: whales then lights. This combo tour takes you across Faxaflói Bay for a daytime whale cruise and then back out at night for auroras, with heated seating and warm overalls ready for you. The big catch is that the Northern Lights depend on conditions, so the evening part can be cancelled when weather won’t cooperate.

I like that the experience is built around one practical idea: don’t just chase the lights—watch wildlife in real time, then shift gears to darkness and sky. You’ll also get smart help along the way from an experienced guide (for example, Rebekka is noted for calling out whale positions), plus free Wi‑Fi on board so you can share the moment while it’s happening. If you get seasick easily, plan ahead, because boat rides in winter can still feel choppy.

Key highlights at a glance

• Faxaflói Bay, day and night: whale watching cruise in the afternoon, then an aurora cruise after dark
• Warm overalls + heated seating: you’ll stay comfortable even when it gets cold and wet
• Guide-led spotting: you get help spotting species like minke whales and humpbacks
• Move inside or out: you can watch from heated areas or go outside for better sky views
• On-board Wi‑Fi: handy for sending photos and updates in real time
• Free try-again ticket if nothing is seen: a nice safety net when conditions turn

Whales and Northern Lights in one 7-hour window

This tour is designed for people who feel short on time in Reykjavik but still want two of Iceland’s biggest nature highlights. You’re not splitting the experience across multiple days; you’re doing whale watching in the daytime and then switching to aurora hunting once the light drops.

The format matters. Iceland’s whale-watching season and northern-aurora season overlap, but not every operator gives you both in one smooth day plan. Here, you get a full morning-to-evening rhythm: cruise for whales, then cruise again for the lights, with warm gear and guidance built into both halves.

Meeting at Old Harbour and finding Special Tours quickly

You’ll start at the Special Tours office by Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The building is described as large and dark grey, with blue signs and the operator’s name and logo—so you’re looking for color and branding, not a tiny booth.

Plan a little extra time if you’re driving. There’s no parking at the office itself, so you should reserve about 15 extra minutes to park nearby and get to the meeting point on time. And since the tour ends back at the meeting point, you’re not dealing with a complicated return logistics puzzle later.

Day cruise: finding whales in Faxaflói Bay

Your whale-watching portion is about a 3-hour cruise in Faxaflói Bay, starting from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour area. The day begins with time out on the water and a steady stream of views—on clear days, the scenery can run as far as Snæfells Glacier in the west, which is a fun reminder that Iceland’s drama isn’t just in the sky.

After you set sail, you reach the whale-spotting zone in roughly 30–45 minutes. That transit time isn’t wasted: you’ll get guidance and explanations along the way, so you’re learning what to look for before the search actually starts.

Once you’re in the right area, your guide helps you spot wildlife. The tour’s watch list includes minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and humpback whales. The best moments tend to be the ones you don’t control—like when an animal appears close to the boat—but the guiding team increases your odds of spotting something good fast.

What “good spotting” actually means on this cruise

On this kind of tour, the difference between a forgettable ride and a memorable one is how quickly you’re taught what’s happening under and around the boat. Here, the day cruise is set up so the guide can help you read whale behavior, not just name species.

You’ll also notice how the captain positions the boat. The driving is reactive—when whales show up or move, the crew’s working the water in real time. That matters, because even in good conditions, you can’t simply stare and hope; you need a team that’s watching the same action you are.

And yes, you may see whales up close. When that happens, it’s the kind of moment that makes you stop worrying about pictures and just watch—because the water scene keeps unfolding.

When the water gets rough: staying comfortable (and less miserable)

In winter, Reykjavik-area boat rides can mean cold spray, wind, and sometimes a choppy feel. This tour helps you handle that with warm overalls (including children’s sizes) and heated indoor seating, which is a big deal when you’re out there for hours.

There’s also practical support if you’re prone to motion sickness. You may be offered sea-sickness tablets beforehand (based on how the operator handles rougher conditions), which can turn an uncomfortable trip into a manageable one.

My advice is simple: treat this like a real winter boat outing. Wear the warm layers you already trust, and don’t assume you’ll feel fine just because you’re indoors for part of the time.

Night cruise: Northern Lights from the water, not just from land

After the daytime whale cruise, you’re back on the water again in the evening for the northern lights. Timing depends on the season, and the lights can be visible across multiple winter months, with aurora activity even as early as September.

One of the smartest parts of the plan is the push away from city glare. You cruise out just outside Reykjavik city center, where artificial lights are less of a problem. That doesn’t guarantee the lights will appear—but it gives you the kind of dark sky you need for weaker aurora bands to show up.

You’ll be outfitted in overalls again and you’ll have time to enjoy the sky. You can move around the boat and choose where you want to watch from—indoors when you need warmth, outdoors when you want the best view of the sky.

And because you’re on a boat, your viewpoint changes. The auroras don’t just float overhead; they can stretch and shift across your field of vision while you’re rolling gently on the bay.

The on-board extras that make a long day easier

This is a 7-hour outing, so comfort and small conveniences matter. Here’s what you get that actually helps:

• Free on-board Wi‑Fi: useful for sharing photos quickly or checking what’s going on back in town
• Heated indoor seating: a real recovery zone during both parts of the tour
• Always-open bar: you can purchase drinks while you’re waiting for the sky or scanning the water
• App in multiple languages: there’s an app available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese, which can help if you want extra context while you’re out there

Also, the team keeps things moving with an experienced guide on both tours. That means you’re not just along for a ride—you’re getting explanations during transit and on arrival at each activity zone.

Species and what to look for during the hunt

The tour focuses on species that have a strong presence in Faxaflói Bay, including minke whales and humpback whales. Harbor porpoises and dolphins are also on the radar, which is good news because wildlife sightings aren’t only about the biggest animals.

In practical terms, I think about whale watching like scanning for patterns:

• Watch for surfacing behavior (a rise, a pause, then a drift away)
• Look for quick movement in the water surface
• Pay attention when your guide signals a new area or angle

If you’re new to this, don’t stress. The whole point of a guided tour is that you learn what matters quickly, and you’re not stuck googling every sound and splash.

Weather reality and the try-again safety net

Here’s the honest truth: on-water northern lights viewing is always weather-dependent. Even with good planning, cloud cover, wind, or sea conditions can push the evening cruise toward cancellation or a less favorable viewing window.

The silver lining is the operator includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. That matters because it turns the experience from a one-shot gamble into something closer to a second attempt if the sky stays stubborn.

Also, the tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and has a flexible payment option (reserve now, pay later). That gives you breathing room if you’re juggling other Reykjavik plans, but it still doesn’t erase the fact that nature decides the final outcome.

Is $182 good value for this Reykjavik combo?

At $182 per person, this isn’t a budget impulse buy. But it’s not overpriced for what you’re actually getting, either: you’re paying for two separate boat outings in one day, professional guiding on both, heated comfort and overalls, and support for improving your odds.

Here’s how I’d judge the value:

• If you only do one of the two activities, you’d usually pay a similar rate for a single cruise.
• This itinerary tries to solve the time problem of Reykjavik—whales and auroras are the two headline nature events most people want.
• The try-again ticket helps reduce the risk of paying full price and seeing nothing.

So the real question isn’t the sticker price. It’s whether you’re the kind of traveler who’s happy to trade some schedule certainty for the chance to see wildlife and lights in the same day.

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

This tour fits best if you:

• Want two major Iceland experiences without splitting days
• Feel comfortable on boats and don’t hate cold wind
• Like guided help finding wildlife and reading what you’re seeing
• Plan to dress warm and accept that the auroras are never 100% guaranteed

Think twice if you:

• Have serious motion sickness issues and aren’t willing to prepare
• Can’t handle the idea that the northern lights part could be cancelled when conditions are poor
• Prefer viewing the auroras from land where you can control your warmth and movement more easily

For most people, the comfort setup—overalls, heated areas, and guidance—makes the experience feel purposeful instead of punishing.

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

If your goal is maximum nature time in Reykjavik, I’d say this tour is a strong pick. The structure is efficient, the comfort basics are handled well, and you’re in the right place at the right times to hunt both whales and auroras.

But book it with eyes open: weather can change the evening plan, and the boat ride can feel rough in winter. If you’re flexible, dress properly, and give yourself a little patience, you’ll have a day that feels like Iceland doing what Iceland does—big animals in the bay, and big lights in the sky.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Reykjavik whales and Northern Lights boat tour?

The total duration is listed as 7 hours, with starting times varying by availability.

Where do I meet the tour?

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

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included for comfort on the boat?

The tour includes warm overalls (children’s sizes included) and heated indoor seating. There’s also free on-board Wi‑Fi.

Is there a guide on the tour?

Yes. The tour includes an experienced live guide on both the whale and northern lights parts, and the guide language is English.

Can I watch from inside and outside the boat?

Yes. You can move around the boat and watch both from inside and outside.

Does the tour have Wi‑Fi?

Yes. There’s free on-board Wi‑Fi so you can stay connected during the cruise.

What happens if we see nothing?

The tour includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour.