Whales and northern lights in one 6-hour swing. I like how this combo turns Reykjavik into a two-part wildlife mission, with daytime whale spotting and an evening aurora search. One thing to keep in mind: the lights are weather-dependent, so the sky might not cooperate on every night.

Two details stand out for me. First, the guides bring real marine-wildlife energy, and you’ll hear the kind of practical spotting tips that help you scan faster (and enjoy what you actually find). Second, the onboard comfort is better than you’d expect for cold-water cruising: warm overalls with flotation, heated indoor space, and even complimentary seasickness tablets.

If you’re the type who really cares about photos, treat this like a battery-management problem. Bring a fully charged phone (and a backup if you have one), because the aurora can move fast and you don’t want to miss the moment when your camera dies.

Key things I’d plan around on this cruise

• Whale spotting in Faxaflói Bay with a real chance at minke, humpback, and dolphins
• Heated indoor cabins and toilets, plus a heated bar area for the night cruise
• Warm flotation overalls (so you’re not stuck freezing on deck)
• A “join again” safety net if there are no sightings on your outing
• Free Wi‑Fi onboard, handy for maps, messaging, and uploading photos
• Experienced English-speaking guides who stay focused on what’s happening at sea

Why this Reykjavik combo cruise works so well

This isn’t just one tour. It’s two different jobs on the same day: wildlife in daylight, then the aurora after dark. That matters, because Iceland can be unpredictable in a very specific way: the sea might be calm enough for whales, then wind or cloud can roll in for the northern lights—or the other way around.

I like the logic of doing it in one plan. You’re already on the coast near Reykjavik. You’ve already got the warm gear. And when the whales are out there, you’ll be looking for them with people who know the local waters and how to read the conditions.

You’re also not stuck waiting around in the city all evening with nothing to do. The tour builds in a Reykjavik break between the two parts, so you can warm up, grab something to eat, and reset before the night cruise. (Food and drink are available onboard, but that Reykjavik pause is your chance to go off-script if you want.)

Meeting at Geirsgata 11: the easy part that you should not rush

Your start point is Geirsgata 11, where you check in at the Special Tours office at the corner. Do yourself a favor and show up about 30 minutes early.

Why the early arrival matters: this is a combo schedule. If you’re late, you don’t just miss a “brief welcome.” You risk slowing down your own day and stressing out over gear. And gear matters here, because you’re going out twice—once in daylight, then again at night.

Also, plan to dress for the North Atlantic weather. The tour only specifies weather-appropriate clothing, but the practical takeaway is simple: layers beat one bulky coat. Bring what you’d wear when standing outside for a while, not just what you’d wear for a short walk.

Faxaflói whale watching: what you’re really searching for

The whale part happens on the water in Faxaflói Bay. Expect roughly 2.5–3 hours out at sea, with an onboard guide commentary focused on wildlife and what to look for.

Here’s what you can realistically hope to spot:

• Minke whales
• Humpback whales
• Dolphins (including reports of white-beaked dolphins)
• Harbor porpoises
• Other marine sightings sometimes pop up, like seals

That list is important because it tells you what “success” looks like. This isn’t a guarantee of whale action every minute. It’s a structured search effort with the best odds the timing and conditions allow.

I also like that the guides talk through what they’re seeing. On some outings, the crew points out specific individuals—one memorable example from a guide-led day was seeing humpbacks known as Apple and Banana. Even if you don’t get named whales, the point is the same: you’ll be scanning with context, not just staring into waves and hoping.

A practical note about comfort at sea

Even in the best-case scenario, Iceland’s water can be choppy. The tour includes complimentary seasickness tablets, which is a thoughtful touch if you’re prone to motion sickness.

And you’re not just relying on luck for warmth. You’ll get warm flotation overalls for the right level of cold-weather protection—especially useful when you’re out on deck for longer stretches.

Reykjavik break time: warm up, charge up, and eat like an actual person

Between the whale cruise and the northern lights search, you get time to reset back in Reykjavik. This is not just a wait—it’s part of how the day stays enjoyable instead of exhausting.

Use it wisely:

• Warm up indoors before the evening shift.
• Grab food and drink. (Meals aren’t included, but you can purchase onboard if you prefer.)
• If you care about photos, this is your window to charge your phone.

One review takeaway I strongly agree with: for the aurora, battery life can be the difference between a decent memory and a frustrating one. When the lights appear, you want your camera ready, not your charger hunting for a socket.

The northern lights cruise at sea: your best odds come from the right posture

After dark, you head out again—this time searching for the aurora from the water, away from city lights. The night portion runs about 2–3 hours.

You’ll have two viewing modes:

• A heated indoor bar setup for staying warm while you watch
• An outdoor deck, where you can put on the provided warm overalls and look up for clearer sky time

This is exactly the kind of flexibility I like on aurora tours. If cloud cover thickens, you can stay warm inside and keep your eyes on the sky shifts. When the sky opens, you can hop outside without feeling like you’re sacrificing comfort for photos.

What about sightings?

Northern lights are never a sure thing. But the tour’s overall value improves because you’re not gambling in silence. The guides help you chase the conditions, and if the lights don’t happen (or sightings don’t happen), there’s a free ticket to join again in case of no sightings.

On some nights, the lights have appeared quickly—fast enough that people didn’t need to “wait forever” after leaving the dock. Still, I’d plan your expectations around weather and cloud cover, not around timelines.

When conditions get rough: how this tour handles real Iceland weather

Cold-water cruising has one enemy: the sea itself. Iceland can go from calm to awkward without asking permission.

A good sign here is how the operation adapts. On one occasion where the water was reported as very choppy, the team offered to move the outing to the following day instead of just forcing it through. That’s exactly what you want: the tour trying to keep your experience meaningful, not just ticking a box.

And even if you’re comfortable on boats, it’s smart to treat this as a “motion-awareness” day. Take the seasickness tablets if you’re even slightly concerned. It’s easier to prevent discomfort than to power through it while you’re trying to spot something in the distance.

Price and value: is $205 per person actually fair?

At $205 per person for about 6 hours total, you’re paying for two things that are often sold separately: a marine wildlife cruise plus a northern lights search. That combination is the key to the value.

If you only cared about whales, you’d still pay for a boat, a guide, and the time out in Faxaflói. If you only cared about the northern lights, you’d still pay for cold-weather searching from sea rather than just a quick city viewing session.

This combo compresses both dreams into one planned day. It also includes “extras that matter” for a winter trip: heated cabins, toilets onboard, Wi‑Fi, warm flotation overalls, and free seasickness tablets. Those aren’t guaranteed on every tour, and they change how enjoyable the day feels.

Food and drink aren’t included. If you’re counting costs, plan to budget for onboard purchases or a meal during the Reykjavik break.

What’s included (and what you’ll pay for on your own)

Included

• Whale watching cruise (about 2.5–3 hours)
• Northern lights cruise (about 2–3 hours)
• Experienced professional guides (English)
• Free ticket to join again if there are no sightings
• Warm flotation overalls
• Free Wi‑Fi onboard
• Heated indoor cabins and toilets
• Complimentary seasickness tablets

Not included

• Food and drink (purchase onboard)
• Hotel pickup and drop-off

So if you’re staying central in Reykjavik, this is fairly straightforward. You just need to be able to get yourself to the meeting point on time.

Boat type and environmental changes: a real heads-up for certain seasons

There’s one logistical note that can affect what you imagine beforehand. The tour may operate on a shared boat with partner suppliers at certain times of the year for environmental reasons, with an emphasis on limiting boat traffic.

This doesn’t mean the experience is worse. It means the operation prioritizes keeping waters pristine, and your ride might be different than you pictured. The important part is that the tour is still structured around the whale and aurora goals.

Who this tour is best for

This combo makes the most sense if you want:

• A higher chance at a full day’s worth of Iceland magic (whales plus lights)
• Pro-guided wildlife scanning, not just self-guided “good luck”
• Comfort upgrades that make winter sightseeing more bearable

It’s also a great fit for first-timers to Reykjavik who don’t want to piece together two separate trips. The meeting point and the organized schedule make it simpler than juggling separate bookings.

If you’re extremely sensitive to motion or you hate night viewing outdoors (even with overalls), you might prefer a more flexible aurora plan. But if you can tolerate boat rides with the provided support, this is a strong way to stack experiences in one go.

Should you book this Reykjavik whale watching & northern lights combo?

I’d book it if you want the most efficient use of a short Iceland trip and you value comfort as much as sightings. The warmth, heated spaces, and the whale-plus-lights format are where the tour earns its price.

I’d pause and reconsider if you’re the type who can’t handle weather variability. Northern lights depend on conditions, and the sea can be rough. That said, the tour includes a free join-again ticket if you miss sightings, and the operation shows it can adjust when conditions are poor.

If you do book, come prepared: charge your phone, layer up, and don’t underestimate how long it can feel standing outside at night. Do that, and you’ll be set up to actually enjoy the hunt—whether you get a quick aurora burst or a slower, steadier show.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching and northern lights combo tour?

The total duration is about 6 hours, with a whale-watching portion of roughly 2.5–3 hours and a northern lights portion of about 2–3 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Geirsgata 11. Check-in is at the Special Tours office at the corner, and you should arrive about 30 minutes early.

What wildlife might I see during the whale watching cruise?

The tour aims to spot species such as minke whales, humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and dolphins (including white-beaked dolphins).

What should I bring for the northern lights portion?

Bring weather-appropriate clothing. You’ll also have provided warm flotation overalls for staying warm on deck.

Is there Wi‑Fi and seasickness support onboard?

Yes. There is free Wi‑Fi onboard, and complimentary seasickness tablets are available.

Are pets allowed on the tour?

No, pets are not allowed. Smoking is also not allowed.