Winter Whale Watching and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

The sea gives you two chances. This five-hour Reykjavik combo pairs a three-hour whale watching cruise in the afternoon with a two-hour Northern Lights cruise after dark. I like the warm overalls and blankets, and I like that a missed sighting can earn you a free return. The main catch is weather: whales may stay hidden, and cloudy skies can cancel the aurora trip.

The $198 price makes sense if you want both major boat excursions and can spare the time. I would be cautious if your schedule is tight, since the evening cruise may be moved or cancelled, and the handoff between the two parts needs your attention.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different cruises in one day: Spend about three hours looking for whales, then return for a separate two-hour Northern Lights search.
• Warm gear is supplied: You can borrow warm overalls and blankets, a real help during a cold Icelandic evening on the water.
• Sightings come with a second chance: If the promised wildlife or aurora sighting does not happen, you can try again free of charge, subject to the operator’s arrangements.
• The whale trip can deliver close wildlife encounters: Recent outings have included humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, breaching, feeding, and repeated surfacing.
• The aurora is never guaranteed by nature: One outing produced only a faint green streak, while another had a strong display. Cloud and wind can cancel the cruise.
• Pickup costs extra: You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, and return there. Hotel transfers in the Reykjavik area can be arranged for a fee.

Why this Reykjavik combo works

I like this tour because it uses one day for two experiences that feel quite different. The afternoon is about watching living creatures in daylight, reading the sea, and waiting for a whale to surface. The evening is quieter and more uncertain, with everyone looking into a dark Icelandic sky.

You get two separate tours rather than one long mixed outing. That matters. A three-hour whale cruise gives the crew time to search properly, while the two-hour evening trip gives you a focused period to watch the sky without spending the whole night on a boat.

At $198 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. Still, the price is easier to justify if you planned to book both excursions anyway. You also receive use of warm overalls and blankets, access to the Wildlife Exhibition, live commentary in English, and any photographs taken by the crew.

The value depends on your schedule. If you have only one evening in Reykjavik, a cancelled or rescheduled Northern Lights cruise can disrupt your plans. If you have several nights, the free return option becomes much more useful.

Starting at Ægisgarður 5c

Both portions begin and end at the Elding Whale Watching meeting point at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, though you can arrange transfers directly with the operator for an added fee.

That central harbor meeting point keeps the plan simple, but you need to get there yourself unless you pay for transport. The operator says the location is near public transportation, and the experience ends back at the same meeting point.

The package is offered in English. That makes the live commentary easy to follow if you are comfortable with English, and the guide’s role is important here. You are not just sitting on deck hoping for a fin. The crew explains the wildlife and gives information about the aurora as you search.

One practical point deserves attention: this is a combination booking, but it consists of two separate departures. Keep an eye on the timing between them. One person found the arrangements unclear after bad weather cancelled the Northern Lights portion and missed the first replacement boat. I would confirm the evening departure with the front desk before leaving the harbor area for the afternoon.

The three-hour whale watching cruise

The first part begins in the afternoon and lasts about three hours. That gives the boat a reasonable amount of time to search for wildlife rather than making a quick run out and back.

The best moments can be wonderfully simple. A humpback may surface to feed, show its back, and disappear again. A whale may appear close to the harbor, giving you an hour of repeated surfacing and fluke movements. Dolphins can also make the trip worthwhile when whales stay out of sight.

You should set your expectations correctly. A whale watching cruise is a search, not a stage show. One outing produced humpback and minke whales, while another found dolphins but no whales. The wildlife is free to ignore the schedule, and the sea can be cold and wet.

The crew has earned strong praise for its explanations and practical help. The commentary covers local wildlife, so you gain more than a few hurried sightings. I like that balance. You get the excitement of watching an animal in its natural setting, along with enough information to understand what you are seeing.

If a whale appears, the boat may pause while everyone watches it surface, feed, or sound. Those waiting periods are part of the experience. Bring patience, keep your eyes moving, and do not assume the first sighting will be the only one.

The supplied guarantee gives the whale trip some protection. If the expected sighting does not happen, you can return for another attempt at no charge. The guarantee cannot make the animals appear, but it does reduce the risk of paying once for a completely empty search.

Warm overalls, blankets, and the outdoor deck

I consider the supplied warm overalls one of the most useful parts of the package. Iceland’s winter air can feel sharp on open water, especially when you stand outside for long periods waiting for a whale or looking for a faint aurora.

The boat has an inside lounge and outdoor viewing areas. You can move indoors to warm up, then step outside when the crew spots something or the sky begins to change. Blankets add another layer for the Northern Lights cruise.

Do not treat the supplied clothing as a reason to ignore your own layers. The details provided confirm warm overalls and blankets, but you still need sensible personal clothing for a cold, rainy boat trip. One outing was described as cold and rainy, so the weather can shape your comfort even when the operator supplies outer gear.

The enclosed lounge also gives the day a useful rhythm. You do not have to spend all three hours exposed to the wind, and you can return inside between sightings. That is especially helpful if you are bringing children or anyone who dislikes prolonged cold.

Children under 13 must wear life vests for the entire tour, as required by law. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The maximum group size is 150 people, so this is a sizeable commercial boat trip, not a small private expedition.

Returning after dark for the Northern Lights

The second part lasts about two hours and is designed as a boat-based aurora search. Instead of standing on land, you look from the water with Reykjavik behind or around you.

That change of setting is the tour’s main appeal. On a boat, you get a wide view of the sky and avoid being tied to one viewing point. The crew also talks about the aurora, helping you understand what you are waiting for rather than simply staring upward in silence.

The results can vary sharply. One outing had a very active display on a clear evening. Another produced only one green streak, though the operator still offered a free return. A separate trip was cancelled because of bad weather. These are not failures of the crew. The aurora depends on conditions outside anyone’s control.

You should think of this as a search with a strong possibility of disappointment, not a guaranteed light show. The sighting policy softens that risk, but a return voucher or free rebooking only helps if you have another suitable night in Reykjavik.

Bad weather can also change the plan. If the Northern Lights cruise is cancelled, you may be offered another date or a full refund under the weather policy. Ask exactly what your options are before accepting a replacement time. The clearest complaint in the available feedback concerned confusion after a cancellation, not the crew’s effort on the water.

What the sighting guarantee really means

The guarantee is one of the strongest practical features. If you do not see the promised wildlife or Northern Lights, you can try again free of charge. That gives you a second chance, especially if you are staying in Reykjavik for several nights.

It does not mean you will see a whale or aurora during the original departure. One person saw dolphins but no whales. Another saw only a thin green mark in the sky. Both situations can happen on nature-based tours.

The guarantee works best for flexible visitors. If you fly out the next morning, a free return may have no real value. If your trip includes extra nights, keep room in your schedule and ask the operator how the return is arranged.

Also remember the difference between a cancelled trip and a completed trip without a sighting. Poor weather may lead to a new date or refund. A completed outing without a sighting may lead to a free return. Confirm which situation applies to you.

Food, drinks, photos, and the Wildlife Exhibition

Food and drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase on board. Since the combined plan occupies much of the day, you should plan around the gap between departures rather than assume a full meal is included.

Crew photographs may be taken if conditions allow. Treat these as a pleasant extra, not the main reason to book. Your own camera or phone can record the moment, but low light, movement, and distance can make aurora and whale images difficult.

Access to the Wildlife Exhibition is included. That adds a useful indoor element before or after the cruise, particularly if the weather is poor or you have time around the harbor. It also gives children something concrete to see while waiting for the boat.

The tour is offered in English only. Live commentary is included, so you should be prepared to follow explanations in English throughout the outing.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this package to you if you want both whale watching and a Northern Lights attempt without arranging two separate bookings. It suits people who enjoy uncertain nature experiences and can stay flexible when weather changes the plan.

It is also a good fit for families, with the reminder that children under 13 must wear life vests at all times. The indoor lounge, outdoor viewing areas, warm overalls, and blankets make the long day more manageable.

I would think twice if you dislike cold weather, get frustrated by waiting, or have only one narrow evening available. The whale cruise may find dolphins instead of whales, and the aurora cruise may be postponed or produce only a brief glow.

Pickup is another deciding point. The base price does not include hotel transfers, so you need to reach Ægisgarður 5c yourself or pay the operator for pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area.

Booking, cancellations, and timing

You receive confirmation when you book. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund.

The tour requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can be offered another date or a full refund. The cut-off times use local Icelandic time, so keep that in mind if you are arranging the tour from another time zone.

Because the two cruises are separate, I would not book a tightly packed activity immediately afterward. You need room for a weather change, a rescheduled evening departure, or a slower return to the harbor.

Should you book the whale watching and aurora cruise?

Book it if you want a full nature-focused day and have enough time in Reykjavik to use the free return policy. The warm clothing, indoor lounge, wildlife commentary, and two-part format make the $198 price reasonable for someone who wants both excursions.

Skip it if you need guaranteed results or cannot afford schedule changes. Nature sets the timetable here, not the brochure. For flexible visitors, that uncertainty is part of the fun. For visitors with one free night and a flight at dawn, it can become an expensive gamble.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

How long does the full experience last?

The combined experience lasts about five hours, including a three-hour whale watching tour and a two-hour Northern Lights cruise.

Are hotel pickups and drop-offs included?

No. Pickup and drop-off in the Reykjavik area can be arranged directly with the operator for an additional fee.

Is the whale sighting guaranteed?

The package includes a sighting guarantee. If the expected sighting does not happen, you can try again free of charge.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No natural aurora display can be guaranteed. If you do not see the Northern Lights, the operator offers a free return opportunity under the sighting policy.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

Are warm clothes supplied?

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

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase on board.

Can children join the tour?

Most people can participate, including children. Children under 13 are legally required to wear life vests for the entire tour.