Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik outing is the contrast: whales by daylight, aurora after dark. You spend the afternoon looking for marine life in Faxaflói Bay, then return to the harbor for a second cruise beneath Iceland’s night sky. It is a smart way to put two headline experiences into one day.

I like the free return promise for missed sightings, and I like that warm overalls and blankets are supplied rather than left for you to guess about. The catch is weather. Rain, wind, cloud, and rough water can affect both trips, and the combined schedule can become confusing if the evening cruise is canceled or shifted.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate cruises in one package: A three-hour whale-watching trip and a two-hour northern lights cruise make up the roughly five-hour experience.
• Whale and aurora guarantees: If the expected sighting does not happen, you can return free of charge under the operator’s guarantee.
• Warm gear is supplied: You can use warm overalls and blankets on board, a major help on cold Icelandic water.
• You meet at Reykjavik’s harbor: Start at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, and return there after the activity.
• Pickup costs extra: Reykjavik-area pickup and drop-off can be arranged directly with the operator for an added fee.
• The group can be large: The maximum is 150 people, so this is a shared cruise rather than a small private trip.

Two Iceland favorites in one five-hour outing

This package joins Elding Whale Watching’s classic daytime cruise with an evening northern lights boat trip. The idea is simple: use one booking to cover two of Reykjavik’s most popular water-based excursions.

You begin at the harbor, then spend about three hours looking for whales and other marine life. Later, you return for a two-hour search for the aurora. The tours are separate, so you should think of this as a full day with a break between outings, not one continuous five-hour ride.

That gap matters. It gives you time to eat, warm up, and adjust your clothing before heading out again. Food and drinks are not included, though you can buy them on board. Pickup and drop-off are also not included, so plan around the walk, bus, taxi, or other transport you will use to reach Ægisgarður 5c.

The package costs $198 per person. That is not a cheap harbor ride, but the value is easier to see when you compare it with booking two separate excursions. You receive two tours, live English commentary, warm overalls, blankets, access to the Wildlife Exhibition, and the possibility of a free return if sightings fail.

Setting out from Ægisgarður 5c

The meeting point is Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. The activity ends back at the same harbor meeting point, which keeps the day straightforward once you arrive.

The boats have an indoor lounge and outdoor viewing areas. I like this arrangement because you can move inside when the cold catches up with you, then step outside when something appears on the water. The warm overalls are useful, but you should still dress in layers and bring sensible footwear. Icelandic weather can change quickly, and the deck may feel much colder than the city streets.

The maximum group size is 150 people. That gives you the benefit of a proper operating crew and several viewing areas, but it also means you will not have the quiet, personal feel of a small boat. If you want to stand outside for long periods, move around when you can rather than waiting until the boat is crowded at the best viewing point.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour by law. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The tour is offered in English, with live commentary about local wildlife and the aurora.

The three-hour whale-watching cruise

The first cruise is the longer daytime portion. Your guide explains the wildlife you are looking for while the crew watches the water for signs of activity.

The appeal is the chance to see whales in their natural setting rather than in a controlled attraction. Sightings can include humpback whales and minke whales, and dolphins are also possible. One especially memorable kind of encounter is a humpback feeding near the boat, followed by a powerful tail movement as it goes back below the surface.

You may get a long look at one animal, or you may see only brief appearances. One outing produced an hour of watching a whale surface and disappear near the harbor, while another came up empty for whales but included dolphins. That range is important. A guarantee gives you another chance, but it cannot make wild animals appear on a timetable.

The live commentary adds value even when the wildlife is shy. A well-prepared guide can explain what you are seeing, point out behavior, and help you understand why the crew is watching one part of the bay rather than another. The tour has earned strong praise for its crew and wildlife explanations, but you should still book with realistic expectations.

The outdoor deck is where you will have the clearest view, but the indoor lounge becomes more valuable as the hours pass. Rain and cold can make a three-hour cruise feel long if you are not prepared. Use the supplied overalls, keep your layers on, and treat the indoor area as part of the experience rather than a backup plan.

A break before the aurora search

The package separates the two trips, so you are not trapped on a boat all evening. You can use the interval to get food, check the weather, and decide how many layers you want for the night.

This is also where planning matters. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board, but they are not part of the $198 price. If you prefer a proper meal, allow time for it before the evening departure. The supplied details do not give a fixed break length, so check the day’s schedule carefully when you book and at the harbor.

The Wildlife Exhibition is included. It gives you something useful to see around the cruise activity and adds context to the wildlife portion of the day. It will not replace a whale sighting, but it makes the package feel less dependent on what happens outside.

Searching for the northern lights from the water

The evening cruise lasts about two hours and takes the aurora hunt away from the city streets. That is the unusual part of this package. Instead of standing on land, you look upward from a boat, with the Reykjavik harbor as your starting point and open water around you.

The aurora is never guaranteed by nature. Even on a clear night, cloud or weak solar activity can spoil the show. One outing produced only a single green streak, while another had an active display that made the entire evening memorable. Both outcomes fit the reality of northern lights hunting in Iceland.

The boat gives you wide views of the sky, but it cannot fix cloud cover. Good weather is required for the activity, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation, a different date, or a full refund. If the lights do not appear, the operator offers a free return option according to the sighting policy. Even a partial sighting may still qualify, as one experience with a brief green streak still came with a return offer.

This policy is one of the package’s strongest points. It makes the $198 price easier to accept because a missed aurora does not have to be the end of the attempt. Still, the practical value depends on your schedule. A free return helps most if you have another evening in Reykjavik.

What the guarantee really means for your plans

The whale-watching and northern lights portions both come with a sighting guarantee, or the chance to try again free of charge. You should ask the staff how the guarantee applies to your specific missed portion, especially if one cruise runs and the other does not.

Weather can create awkward changes. If the northern lights cruise is canceled, you may be offered another departure or another date. A rebooking can mean waiting several hours, and a changed time may clash with dinner or another reservation. One passenger missed the first boat after a weather change and was moved to a later departure, but would have preferred a refund.

That is a fair warning for anyone building a tight itinerary. Leave open space around this package. Do not schedule a fixed evening show, airport transfer, or important dinner immediately after the planned return time.

The cancellation terms are simple: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside 24 hours are not refunded, except when the operator cancels because of poor weather and offers a different date or full refund.

Is $198 a fair price?

For one short boat ride, $198 would be steep. For two excursions totaling about five hours, the price becomes more reasonable, especially with the included gear and return guarantee.

You are paying for the convenience of pairing the activities, the crew and boats, the indoor lounge, live English commentary, the Wildlife Exhibition, and the chance to come back if sightings fail. Crew photos may also be taken, though they are not promised as a guaranteed feature.

The package is strongest for someone who already wants both experiences. If you only care about whales, a separate whale-watching cruise may suit you better. If you only want the aurora, a northern lights cruise alone avoids paying for a daytime trip you may not value.

A full boat can also affect the sense of value. With up to 150 people, you are buying access to an established shared operation, not a private wildlife search. That is perfectly reasonable for many visitors, but it helps to know what your money buys.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this package to you if your Reykjavik stay is short and you want to cover two major Iceland experiences without arranging separate bookings. It also suits families, couples, and first-time visitors who appreciate having an indoor lounge, warm overalls, blankets, and commentary available.

It is a good fit if you can keep your schedule flexible. The free return option matters most when you have spare time for another attempt. You should also be comfortable spending several hours in cold weather, even with warm clothing supplied.

I would be more cautious if you dislike shared group outings, need a guaranteed whale sighting, or have no spare evening for weather changes. The wildlife is wild, and the aurora depends on conditions beyond the crew’s control.

Practical tips for a better day on the water

Wear layers rather than relying only on the supplied overalls. A warm base layer, hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes will make the outdoor viewing areas far more comfortable.

Keep your schedule loose. The tour can be canceled or moved because of poor weather, and a rescheduled northern lights cruise may not fit neatly into your original plans.

Bring patience. You might see humpback whales, minke whales, or dolphins, but you might also spend much of the cruise scanning the water. The guide’s commentary and the Wildlife Exhibition help make the day worthwhile when sightings are limited.

Use the indoor lounge without guilt. You will see more if you are warm enough to stay alert. Step outside when the crew points out activity, then return inside when the cold becomes distracting.

If the aurora does not appear, ask about the free return option before leaving. The same advice applies if weather cancels one part of the package. Clear communication at the harbor can save you confusion later.

Should you book the Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want both whales and aurora, have roughly five hours to spare, and can leave room for a possible return trip. The warm gear, indoor lounge, English commentary, and sighting guarantee make this a practical shared tour rather than a bare-bones boat ride.

Skip it if your schedule is tight or you would be disappointed by a wildlife cruise without whales and an aurora cruise with only a faint glow. The package gives you good chances and a useful safety net, not certainty.

For the right visitor, $198 is fair value. You get two of Reykjavik’s most sought-after outings in one package, with a crew that helps you understand what you are seeing and a second chance when nature does not cooperate.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Ægisgarður 5c.

How long does the combined experience last?

The total duration is about five hours, made up of a three-hour whale-watching tour and a two-hour northern lights cruise.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English, with live commentary from the guide.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup and drop-off are not included, but Reykjavik-area transport can be arranged directly with the operator for an additional fee.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board.

What happens if I do not see whales or northern lights?

The tour includes a sighting guarantee. If the expected sighting does not happen, you can try again free of charge under the operator’s policy.

What clothing is supplied?

Warm overalls and blankets are available for use during the tours.

Can children take part?

Most people can participate. Children under 13 are required by law to wear life vests for the entire tour.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund, while later cancellations are not refunded.