Magical Whales in the Midnight Sun | from Reykjavik

The sun refuses to leave. From Reykjavik, Elding’s three-hour evening cruise takes you into Faxaflói Bay beneath the soft light of Iceland’s midnight sun, with chances to see humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and seabirds. I especially like the warm loaner coveralls and the spacious boat, which make a chilly ocean outing much easier to enjoy. The late departure also means quieter water and fewer boats, though wildlife is never guaranteed and rough seas can make some passengers seasick.

You meet at Elding Whale Watching in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, then spend about two and a half hours on the water before returning around 11 pm. I like the mix of practical comfort and real wildlife watching: there is a heated indoor area, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, hot drinks for purchase, and an onboard naturalist who helps you understand what you are seeing. The main caution is simple: this is a search for wild animals, not a scheduled performance.

Key points to know before you book

• Midnight sun setting: In June and July, the sun stays just above the horizon, creating a long, glowing evening at sea.
• Wildlife possibilities: Humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds may appear.
• Warmth is built in: Loaner coveralls are available, but you should still bring a hat, gloves, and several layers.
• A sizable boat: The vessel can carry up to 150 people and has indoor seating, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a small bar area.
• Good guiding matters: The crew points out animals, explains behavior, and helps you know where to look.
• Wildlife is unpredictable: Some outings produce breaching whales and dolphins beside the boat. Others produce only distant sightings or no whales at all.

Leaving Reykjavik Old Harbour after 8 pm

The meeting point is Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, beside Reykjavik Old Harbour. It is near public transportation, and the tour begins in the evening, usually with the boat returning around 11 pm.

That timing is the heart of the experience. In June and July, Iceland’s northern summer light lingers long after most people expect darkness. You are not heading into a black night. Instead, the sky may hold pale gold, blue, pink, and gray tones while the sun hovers near the horizon.

The late hour can make the trip feel calmer than a daytime cruise. One particularly useful feature is the chance to see the bay with only a few other boats nearby. That can make it easier to move around the deck and focus on the water instead of competing for a view.

You should arrive dressed for the ocean, not for a mild Reykjavik evening. Even in summer, wind over open water can cut through ordinary clothing. The provided coveralls help a great deal, but bring a warm hat and gloves. Several people found that the suits kept them comfortable through rain and wind, while others still wished they had added layers.

The onboard introduction to Icelandic marine life

Once underway, you get a short multimedia presentation about Iceland’s whales and marine life. It gives you useful background before you begin scanning the bay.

This matters because whale watching can otherwise become a long exercise in staring at empty water. The presentation helps you understand what a minke whale’s back may look like, how a humpback surfaces, and why the crew may suddenly point toward what appears to be nothing.

The guide continues with live commentary during the cruise. The best guiding is practical rather than theatrical. The crew helps you identify animals, explains their behavior, and directs your attention to the right side of the boat.

Guides named in the feedback include Alex and Rob, both praised for clear, lively explanations. Rob, in particular, helped explain minke whale behavior during a prolonged sighting. The crew also assists with photography. On one outing, a visitor was so absorbed in watching a humpback that no photographs were taken, and the team later sent along images when requested.

There is one important qualification. A single report described a poor speaker system that made the narration hard to understand. That issue meant missing information about the animals, including puffins. It does not appear to define the usual experience, but if the commentary is difficult to hear, move closer to the guide or ask a crew member for help.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins

The main activity is a patient search across the bay. The boat moves toward areas where whales and dolphins have been seen, then may reposition so people on different sides can watch.

You might see humpback whales raising their backs, lifting their tails, slapping a fin, rolling at the surface, or even breaching. Several particularly strong outings included humpbacks performing belly rolls and repeated fin slaps. A mother and calf were also seen together, an unusual sight because the pair may no longer be together by the time they reach Iceland.

Minke whales are another common possibility. They are smaller and often less dramatic than humpbacks, but a group of six to ten minke whales can keep you watching for a long time. You may see only a brief surfacing, or you might watch them feed and move through the water for an extended period.

White-beaked dolphins can be just as entertaining. They may swim near the bow or appear beside the boat, sometimes moving in front of it. If dolphins show up, heading toward the bow can give you a good view through the water.

Harbor porpoises and birds add smaller moments to the trip. Puffins, northern gannets, and other seabirds may appear, although they can be easy to miss without good commentary. One visitor recalled a porpoise gliding beside the boat, a quick sighting that became one of the evening’s most memorable moments.

There have even been reports of orcas, though you should treat that as an exceptional possibility rather than a normal expectation. The sensible reason to book is the chance to see several species, not a promise of one particular whale.

The boat, indoor space, and coveralls

This is not a tiny, intimate boat. The vessel is large enough for up to 150 people, giving you room to move between viewing areas. The size has two sides.

The benefit is stability and choice. You can look from the deck, find a different angle near the bow, or go inside when the wind becomes unpleasant. The boat has bathrooms, Wi-Fi, a heated indoor space, and a bar area where hot drinks are available for purchase.

The drawback is that a large boat feels social rather than private. One account found the vessel spacious and not overly full, while another found the indoor area crowded when many people came inside during heavy wind. Your experience will depend on the number of people booked and the weather.

The loaner coveralls are one of the tour’s most useful features. They provide protection from cold and spray, and they are especially valuable if you have not packed serious outdoor clothing. Still, do not treat them as a complete substitute for warm personal clothes. A hat, gloves, and layers remain wise.

Food and drinks are not included in the $105 price. You can buy hot drinks onboard, but plan on paying separately. If you need a meal, eat before departure or bring your own plan for the evening.

What rough weather means for this cruise

Icelandic weather can change quickly, and Faxaflói Bay may be choppy. Some people become seasick, so taking motion sickness medicine before departure is a sensible precaution if you are prone to it.

The crew sails only when the captain considers conditions safe. That does not mean the water will be smooth. A trip can operate in rain, wind, or gray skies, and wildlife may still appear. Several outings in poor weather produced dolphins, humpbacks, minke whales, and seabirds.

Other times, rough weather makes the experience less comfortable and sightings less rewarding. One outing produced no useful photographs and left the person wishing the boat had stayed in port. That criticism is fair from a comfort point of view, although wildlife can still be present in bad conditions.

If weather becomes unsafe, the cruise may be canceled. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of bookings is not reached, the same choice applies.

The important distinction is between a canceled trip and a disappointing trip. The operator cannot guarantee whales, and a sailing that produces little wildlife is not automatically refundable. If there are no sightings, the company may offer a complimentary return trip, as happened in at least one account. Check the current terms at booking so you know what protection applies.

Is $105 a fair price?

At $105 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but the price covers more than a simple boat ride. You get a professional guide, the marine-life introduction, access to the Whale Watching Centre, warm coveralls, onboard Wi-Fi, bathrooms, indoor space, and several hours on the bay.

The value is strongest if you want a full evening activity without leaving Reykjavik. You do not need to arrange separate transport to a distant harbor, and the midnight sun gives the cruise a character that a standard daytime outing cannot match.

The value is less certain if your only goal is a guaranteed close whale encounter. No responsible wild-animal operator can promise that. You are paying for the boat, crew, search effort, setting, and possibility of a memorable sighting.

The included Whale Watching Centre is a useful bonus, especially if you have time before departure. The supplied information does not specify how long you should allow for it, so do not build a tightly timed schedule around a particular visit length. Think of it as an added stop rather than the main reason to buy the ticket.

How to get the most from the evening

I would take a few simple steps before boarding:

• Wear layers under the supplied coveralls.
• Bring a hat and gloves even if Reykjavik feels mild.
• Take motion sickness medicine in advance if rough water affects you.
• Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not watch the whole cruise through a screen.
• Listen closely when the guide points out a location or behavior.
• Move around the boat instead of staying in one viewing spot.
• Use the indoor area when you need warmth, then return outside when wildlife appears.
• Remember that hot drinks and food are not included.

The best sightings can happen suddenly. A humpback may surface, roll, or slap its fin while you are looking in another direction. The crew helps, but you still need to pay attention.

Photography is also harder than it appears. Whales move quickly, and the midnight light can be beautiful without being bright. If the crew offers photographs after the trip, consider requesting them instead of trying to record every moment yourself.

Who will enjoy this most?

This cruise suits anyone who wants to combine Icelandic scenery with wildlife watching and does not mind uncertainty. Families and teenagers can enjoy the movement, the big boat, dolphins near the bow, and the novelty of being at sea close to midnight.

It also works well for people with limited time in Reykjavik. The tour begins and ends at the Old Harbour, lasts about three hours, and does not require a full day away from the city.

You should think twice if you dislike cold, wind, or boats that move with the waves. The coveralls help, but they do not remove the need for warm clothing. If you are easily seasick, prepare carefully or consider a calmer activity.

The group size can reach 150 people, so this is not the right choice if you want a quiet private outing. The size does give you more room and facilities than a small craft, but the atmosphere can become busy when everyone gathers indoors.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The experience ends where it begins, at the Elding meeting point.

The final call: book it for the setting, not a guarantee

I would book this cruise if the midnight sun, open water, and chance to see several species sound exciting to you. The strongest reasons are the late evening atmosphere, helpful crew, warm coveralls, and good onboard facilities.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed breaching humpback. Some sailings produce extraordinary encounters, including whales breaching, dolphins playing, and a mother with a calf. Others offer only distant whales, birds, or no whales at all.

That uncertainty is part of wildlife watching. If you can accept it, this is a well-supported way to spend a long Icelandic summer evening. If you need certainty, spend your $105 on an attraction with a fixed outcome instead.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise begin?

It begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, at Reykjavik Old Harbour.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Elding Whale Watching.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts about three hours. The boat spends about two and a half hours on the water and returns around 11 pm.

When can I see the midnight sun?

The midnight sun effect occurs during June and July, when the sun does not fully dip below the horizon because of Iceland’s northern location.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, northern gannets, and other seabirds. Orcas have also been seen, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm coveralls are available to borrow. You should still dress warmly and bring a hat and gloves.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price. Hot drinks are available for purchase in the onboard bar area.

Is Wi-Fi available on the boat?

Yes. Onboard Wi-Fi is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. Free cancellation is also available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.