Two wonders, one boat day. This Reykjavik combo tour pairs a Faxaflói Bay whale cruise with an evening Northern Lights search away from the worst city glare.

I love the way the day cruise is built for real whale-spotting, with a guide explaining what to watch for as you head out. I also really like the onboard comfort: heated indoor seating plus warm overalls mean you can stay outside longer without freezing.

One thing to consider: nature decides the outcome. If the whales or lights don’t show up due to conditions, you’ll want to lean on the tour’s re-try option.

Key highlights at a glance

• Day-to-night double feature: whale watching in Faxaflói Bay, then a Northern Lights cruise from the water
• Guided wildlife spotting with focus on species like minke whales and humpbacks
• Warm overalls and heated seating to keep you comfortable through winter conditions
• Offshore lights strategy: you get out beyond the brightest city lighting
• Free onboard Wi‑Fi so you can share photos and updates while you’re still out on the bay

Two iconic Iceland experiences, built into one 7-hour Reykjavik day

If you’re trying to fit Iceland’s best natural hits into limited time, this tour makes a lot of practical sense. You’re not choosing between whales and auroras—you’re doing both, with the day spent cruising Faxaflói Bay and the evening focused on seeing the Northern Lights.

The format is simple. In daylight, you’re looking for wildlife in the bay. At night, you’re looking up (and around the horizon) from the water. The switch from wildlife mode to aurora mode is part of the fun. It also helps you use the time you already have in Reykjavik, instead of spending separate days coordinating different tours.

The big idea here is value-through-efficiency: one departure, one boat, and a full day window (about 7 hours total) that’s designed to keep you out where sightings are most likely.

Getting to sea from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour (and why the timing matters)

Your day starts at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at the Special Tours office. The building is described as large and dark grey with blue signs and the operator’s name/logo. If you’re driving, plan extra time for parking nearby, since parking isn’t available right at the office.

You set sail for the whale watch first. The whale area takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach. That travel time isn’t just wasted motion. It’s where the guide starts sharing background—so by the time you get to where the wildlife tends to show up, you’re already oriented on what you’re trying to find.

There’s also a nice bonus if the weather is clear: the views from the bay can reach as far as Snæfells Glacier in the west of Iceland. Even if you don’t get a perfect sighting, those long Iceland coastal sightlines are worth the trip.

A quick reality check

Whale watching is not a guaranteed zoo visit. It’s more like a guided search in a real ecosystem. The good news: you’re not going out blindly. You’re with an experienced guide and a captain who is actively looking for the best positioning.

Faxaflói Bay whale cruise: what you can spot and how the guide helps

The whale cruise is roughly 3 hours on the water. You’ll cruise out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, then spend the main time in the Faxaflói Bay area where wildlife sightings are possible.

The tour guide plays a key role during the spotting phase. In practice, that means they point out what they’re watching for and help you interpret what you’re seeing, instead of leaving you with just binoculars and hope. One guide mentioned by name in the experience details is Rebekka, who was described as flagging whale locations and sharing lots of ocean life knowledge. Another key part of the experience is the captain’s responsiveness—when the sea conditions or animal activity changes, the boat can adjust.

As for what’s possible to see, the tour info calls out:

• Minke whales
• Harbor porpoises
• White-beaked dolphins
• Great humpback whales

Some sightings can be close enough that you’ll feel the moment more than just watch it happen. When that happens, it’s one of those rare travel memories where the ocean suddenly becomes the main character.

Daylight photography and the Reykjavik coastline

You’re also treated to scenery while you’re sailing out and back. The timing gives you daylight conditions, which is ideal for photos of Reykjavik and the surrounding mountains. Even when whales are harder to spot, the bay views often keep the cruise feeling worthwhile.

Northern Lights on the water: how the night cruise improves your odds

After the whale cruise, you head back to the boat for the evening Northern Lights portion. The key advantage here is that you’re going out onto the water and—just as important—you’re getting away from the brightest lights in the center of Reykjavik.

The tour specifically aims for that darker viewing environment. You cruise out just outside the city center, so you’re still close enough to run on a sensible schedule, but far enough to give the aurora a better chance to show clearly.

When you might see the lights

Aurora viewing on Iceland tours depends on season and weather, and this one notes that the lights can be seen throughout winter months and even as early as September. The exact experience will always vary night to night. Still, what you gain with this tour is better positioning than just stepping onto a random street corner in town.

Being able to move around on the boat

One practical detail that matters: you’re not stuck inside the whole time. You can move around on the boat both inside and outside, which is useful because the best viewing spot can change as the boat repositions.

The tour also includes an always-open bar option for purchasing drinks. If you’re out on the water for the night portion, that can make the waiting feel more manageable—just pace yourself so you’re ready when the sky finally cooperates.

Comfort that actually helps: overalls, heated seating, and staying outside longer

This is a winter tour, and comfort affects what you can enjoy. The good news is the tour provides warm overalls (including children’s sizes), plus heated indoor seating.

That combo is more than a nice perk. It changes how long you can comfortably spend outside watching the sea and the sky. If you’re cold, you’ll miss moments because you retreat too early. With overalls and a warm place to return to, you can do a proper back-and-forth between viewing outside and resetting inside.

On top of that, there’s free onboard Wi‑Fi. In practice, this is handy for sharing what you’re seeing in real time, but it also helps if you need to coordinate plans while you’re still out on the bay.

The free re-try option: how to think about risk and expectations

Even well-run Northern Lights and whale tours can come up short. One experience detail that stands out is the free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. That’s not a small detail—it’s a real buffer against the main risk of this kind of trip: conditions outside anyone’s control.

That said, you should still plan your mindset carefully. If you want to treat this as a guaranteed encounter with whales and auroras, you’ll be disappointed. If you treat it like a guided search with strong comfort and a strong plan for where to be, it feels much more satisfying.

Also, the negative outcome example shared in the experience notes is a useful reminder: sometimes the lights just don’t happen, and whale sightings can also be hit or miss. In other words, weather and wildlife movement drive the show.

The re-try option helps, but it can still be tough if your schedule is tight and you can’t return. If your Iceland days are limited, build in flexibility if you can.

Price and value: what $212 buys you in Reykjavik

At $212 per person for a 7-hour outing, this isn’t the cheapest thing you can do in Reykjavik. But it’s also not a random bundle. You’re paying for two separate natural-search activities that are both time-sensitive: daytime wildlife and nighttime auroras.

Here’s where the value comes from:

• Two tours in one day: you avoid spending separate days coordinating different experiences.
• Comfort included: warm overalls and heated seating help you actually enjoy the full time on the boat.
• Support included: an experienced guide runs both parts, so you’re not left guessing.
• Better viewing setup: the Northern Lights portion is designed to get away from artificial lights.
• Included contingency: a free re-try ticket if nothing is seen.

If you compare this to doing a whale tour only (or an aurora tour only), the combo format is often the smartest use of your time. And if you’re the kind of traveler who hates leaving Iceland without at least one serious shot at auroras, this structure reduces the odds that you’ll miss both.

Who this tour fits best (and who should look at alternatives)

This is a great match if:

• You want whales and Northern Lights without juggling two separate days.
• You’re comfortable with the fact that wildlife and auroras are never fully guaranteed.
• You like guided spotting—someone else doing the hard work of identifying and positioning makes the experience easier.

It may be less ideal if:

• You have very inflexible plans and can’t handle the possibility of a re-try ticket needing schedule changes.
• You’re hoping for a whale-watching experience that feels like a guaranteed sighting. This is nature-first, search-style touring.

Families and travelers who feel the cold

Warm overalls in children’s sizes plus heated indoor seating makes this one of the more child-friendly cold-weather options in Reykjavik. You’re also not stuck outside if temperatures bite.

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

I’d book it if your schedule supports a full 7-hour day and you’re chasing Iceland’s two big winter icons in the most efficient way possible. The combination is strong: Faxaflói Bay for whale-spotting during daylight and an evening cruise that’s designed to reduce light pollution.

I’d hesitate only if you’re the kind of traveler who will be stressed by the chance of a less-than-perfect night sky or fewer whale sightings. Even with the free re-try option, it’s still better when your plans allow flexibility.

If you go in with the right expectations—guided search, warm gear, and a real chance at both—you’re likely to feel like you got your money’s worth in memories, not just in hours.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this tour?

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

How long is the tour?

The total duration is about 7 hours. The whale watching portion is approximately 3 hours.

What happens during the whale watching part?

You depart from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for an approximately 3-hour cruise in Faxaflói Bay. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to reach the whale watching area, and then you spend time looking for wildlife with your guide.

What wildlife might we see on the bay cruise?

The tour information mentions minke whales, harbor porpoises, and the possibility of white-beaked dolphins and great humpback whales.

What Northern Lights viewing setup does the tour use?

You return for a night cruise to see the Northern Lights. The tour goes out just outside Reykjavik city center to reduce artificial light, and you can view from inside and outside the boat.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Warm overalls are provided, and children’s sizes are included.

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

Yes. The boat provides free on-board Wi‑Fi, along with heated indoor seating.

Is hotel pickup included?

No hotel pickup or drop-off is included. You’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point at the Old Harbour.