Whales by day, auroras by night is a rare combo. I like the focused whale watching in Faxaflói Bay with experienced guides, and I like the cosy Northern Lights cruise at night with heated indoor cabins and warm overalls. The big drawback to consider is weather: choppy seas or cloud cover can change plans or affect what you see.

Here’s the core idea: you get a wildlife search in daylight off Reykjavik, then you go back out after dark to chase the aurora away from city lights. It’s run by Reykjavik Sailors, and the tour is handled in English with live commentary that helps you look in the right places. If the sea is behaving, people often get multiple whale sightings and dolphins; if it isn’t, you still get a comfortable boat setup and an easier path to rebook.

There’s also a practical rhythm that makes this tour feel efficient. After the day cruise, you get a long break in Reykjavik, then you head back out for a shorter evening cruise designed for aurora viewing. Guides like Lucas, Rebekka, and Daniel have been praised for their energy, and one smart tip I keep repeating is to charge your phone well because aurora moments can happen faster than you expect.

Key things to know before you go

• Faxaflói Bay wildlife search: expect a serious scan for minke and humpback whales, plus dolphins and other marine life.
• Cozy northern lights setup: heated indoor cabins and a warm bar, with outdoor deck time in provided warm overalls.
• Live English commentary: guides help you understand what you’re seeing and where to look next.
• Comfort is built in: complimentary seasickness tablets, WiFi onboard, and heated toilets/cabins.
• No-sighting safety net: there’s a free ticket to join again if you don’t get sightings.
• Plan for nature’s mood: shared boat situations can happen seasonally for environmental reasons, and weather can shift timing.

How the 6-hour day pairs whales and aurora lights

This is a single-day combo that stretches to about 6 hours total—with two separate cruises and a big Reykjavik break in between. The day portion runs roughly 2.5–3 hours whale watching in Faxaflói Bay, and the night portion is about 2–3 hours searching for the northern lights at sea.

You start at Geirsgata 11 (check in at the Special Tours office at the corner) and you’ll want to arrive 30 minutes early so you’re not rushing when the boat call happens. Expect a return to the same general meeting area at the end.

The long break is the part that surprises many people. It’s built in (you’ll get around 5 hours in Reykjavik), so you can eat, warm up, and reset before the aurora hunt. It also means this tour works best when you’re comfortable with a flexible day rather than a tightly packed schedule.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay: what you’re really hunting for

Daytime starts with sailing out toward Faxaflói Bay, where the guides keep an eye on wildlife while you enjoy sweeping views around Reykjavik. You’ll pass mountains and islands near the city, and there’s also birdlife along the way—so even if the first whale sighting takes a moment, the trip doesn’t feel empty.

What you’re hoping for is specific, and that’s part of why it’s satisfying when you get it. The tour is designed for chances to spot minke whales and humpback whales, along with smaller marine animals like harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins. In practice, some days can include multiple whale encounters, plus other wildlife such as seals.

Here’s the reality check that helps you enjoy the experience: whales are wild animals. That means your best odds come from the boat going where they might be, and from guides who know how to read water and timing. When the sea is calm, the scanning is easier and you’re more likely to catch quick surface blows and tail flicks.

Also note the environmental approach. During certain times of the year, your trip may be on a shared boat with a partner operator to keep boat traffic lower on the water. That’s not a downside for most people; it’s part of a conservation-focused approach that helps keep the ocean less crowded.

The Reykjavik break: turning downtime into a smarter day

That built-in 5-hour break is not dead time. It’s your chance to come back to land, eat something real, and warm up before the night session. Since food and drink are not included, this is where you can take control of what you eat and how you pace yourself.

You’ll also want to use the break to do the practical things that pay off later. Charge your phone, refill water if you carry it, and consider a quick walk for air between indoor and outdoor layers. Keeping your batteries charged matters here because northern lights viewing can turn into a sprint the moment the sky clears.

If your hotel is near Center Hotels Plaza, you may find the meeting area convenient—there’s an easy walk in that area and it’s near bus stop #4. If you’re staying elsewhere, the point is the same: plan to be close enough to get back without stress, because the evening boat is a set commitment.

Northern lights cruise after dark: overalls, heated cabins, and quick aurora moments

The night portion shifts from wildlife scanning to sky watching, and it’s set up for comfort in cold conditions. After you escape city lights, the boat heads toward a better viewing area for auroras, and you’ll spend about 2 hours on the water during this portion.

You have two ways to watch. There’s a heated indoor bar area for when you want to warm up, and there are outdoor deck moments for actual aurora viewing. The tour provides warm flotation overalls, which is a big deal when you’re standing outside in cold air for extended stretches.

One tip from real timing: auroras can appear quickly after leaving the dock on some nights. That means you don’t want to spend the first minutes fiddling around. If you’re ready—layers on, phone charged, eyes up—you’re more likely to catch the first curtain of light instead of chasing it once it fades.

If the northern lights don’t show that night, the tour isn’t just a loss. There is a path to a redo: the experience includes a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings, and on nights with bad weather, the lights portion can be canceled with the option to request a refund or reschedule.

Onboard comfort details that actually matter in Iceland

This isn’t one of those tours where you’re stuck outside for hours with numb hands and questionable shelter. The boat includes heated indoor cabins and toilets, plus a heated space where you can warm up during both parts of the day.

On the comfort and safety side, you get:

• Complimentary seasickness tablets
• Free WiFi onboard
• Heated indoor cabins and toilets
• Warm flotation overalls for cold outdoor viewing

What’s not included is food and drink. You can purchase onboard, so don’t assume there’s a full meal waiting for you when you get hungry after the whale cruise. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take the seasickness tablets early rather than only after you feel rough—comfort is the whole point of these added extras.

Small rules are part of keeping things smooth at sea. Pets are not allowed, and smoking isn’t permitted onboard. The good news is that the experience is wheelchair accessible, so mobility needs are part of the planning.

Price and value: why $205 can feel expensive and still worth it

At $205 per person for about 6 hours, this combo isn’t a budget pick. Iceland prices tend to run high, and a two-part day with professional guides, two cruises, and safety comfort features is never going to be cheap.

Where the value shows up is in what’s bundled:

• A guided whale-watching cruise plus a guided northern lights cruise
• Warm overalls, heated indoor space, and onboard toilets
• Live English commentary
• Complimentary seasickness tablets and free WiFi
• A free ticket to join again if you miss the sightings

You also avoid a common headache: pairing two different tours on your own timetable. This keeps you centered around the Reykjavik departure point and gives you one combined plan to work with, which makes it easier to build your day.

Still, there’s one cost reality to keep in mind: food and drink are not included. If you plan to eat onboard, budget for that, especially after the day cruise when you’ll likely be ready for something warm.

Realistic expectations: when the sea or sky wins

This combo is built around nature, not guarantees. That’s why the plan includes a “redo” option if you don’t see what you came for. The good thing is that the tour is structured to adapt when conditions shift.

For example, if the water is too rough on a given day, plans can change. People have reported being moved to a following day when seas were choppy, and that swap led to playful whale activity and even northern lights in the evening. The takeaway for you: don’t treat schedule tweaks as a failure—sometimes it’s the reason the day turns magical.

On the northern lights side, cloud cover can win quickly. When that happens, the lights portion can be canceled due to bad weather, and you can request a refund or reschedule. The combo format helps here because you’re not scrambling across town to find a new departure time.

Also remember that sightings can come fast—or they can come after patience. There are nights where auroras show soon after leaving the dock, and there are days where the first whale is later than you expect. The guide’s job is to keep the search intelligent, and the onboard setup is designed so you can wait without freezing.

Who this tour fits best (and who should think twice)

This is a strong fit if you want an all-in-one Reykjavik nature day: whales in daylight and auroras at night. It works well for couples, solo travelers, and small groups who like guided experiences but still want that wild, natural feeling.

It’s also a good choice if you hate the idea of spending half your trip indoors. The schedule gives you a break in Reykjavik during the day, then a dedicated aurora hunt at sea when the sky has the best shot—plus you don’t have to endure hours of exposure thanks to the heated areas and provided overalls.

Think twice if you have a very strict timetable. The day includes a long Reykjavik break and the tours depend on sea and sky conditions, so there’s some natural flexibility in how the experience lands. It’s also not ideal if you prefer meals to be included, since food and drink are only available onboard for purchase.

Should you book this Reykjavik combo cruise?

I’d book it if you want the most concentrated shot at two of Iceland’s big-ticket moments: whales and the northern lights, handled in one smooth day. The comfort features (heated indoor space, toilets, overalls, and seasickness tablets) make it easier to stay present even when conditions are cold or unpredictable.

Skip it only if you hate chance-based wildlife watching. You’ll never control whale behavior or aurora weather, and on some nights the lights may not show. If you’re okay with that reality—and you’re ready to use the onboard warmth while you wait—this combo is one of the more practical ways to do both dreams in Reykjavik.

FAQ

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

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

Where is the meeting point?

The tour starts at Geirsgata 11. Check-in is at the Special Tours office at the corner.

Do I need to bring my own warm gear?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should still wear weather-appropriate clothing for Iceland conditions.

What marine animals can I see?

The tour focuses on minke whales and humpback whales, and it also lists chances to spot harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins.

Is food and drink included onboard?

No. Food and drink are not included, but you can purchase items onboard.

Are there seasickness supports?

Yes. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available.

Is there WiFi and are there onboard restrooms?

Yes. There is free WiFi onboard, and the boat has heated indoor cabins and toilets.

What if there are no whale or northern lights sightings?

The experience includes a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings.

Is the tour guided, and in what language?

There is a live tour guide speaking English.

Can I get a full refund if plans change?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.