Iceland Travel GuideLOCAL TRAVEL AGENCY IN ICELAND My trip Talk to a local

Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise from Reykjavík

Name: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise from Reykjavík
Brand: Iceland Travel Guide
SKU: 69631
Price: 22980 ISK
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

About 6 hours (two cruises)Group: Shared boatEasyBoatAll agesNorthern Lights season (Sep–Apr)

5.0(1 review)

Northern Lights over a snowy mountain and lake

Two boat trips in one outing. This whale watching and Northern Lights combo cruise leaves from Reykjavík's Old Harbour for a daytime search for whales, then heads out again after dark to look for the aurora.

Old Harbour departureWhale watching cruiseBreak in ReykjavíkNorthern Lights cruise

Two cruises in one day: whale watching, then a Northern Lights search
Faxaflói Bay is home to minke and humpback whales, dolphins and porpoises
Warm flotation overalls and seasickness tablets provided
Heated indoor cabins with toilets and Wi-Fi on board
Free return ticket if you see no whales or no lights

Your day, stop by stop

Click a stop for photos and practical tips.

1Meet at Reykjavík Old HarbourArrive at least 30 minutes before departure.

Whale watching cruiseA search for whales and dolphins in Faxaflói Bay.

Humpback whale leaping clear of the water

A daytime trip of about 2.5 to 3.5 hours out into Faxaflói Bay, a feeding ground for minke whales and, at times, humpback whales, along with white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises. There is a heated indoor cabin with toilets, and seasickness tablets are provided if you need them.

Time here · about 2.5–3.5 hoursFacilities · heated indoor cabin, toilets on boardTip · seasickness tablets are provided if you need them

3Break in ReykjavíkTime back on land before the evening cruise.

Time back on land between the two cruises. Food is not included, so use the break to eat and rest before the evening, and bring warm layers for the second trip.

Read our Reykjavík guide →

Northern Lights cruiseBack out on the water after dark to look for the aurora.

After dark the boat moves away from the city's light pollution to give the best chance of a clear, dark view of the sky. The trip takes about 2 to 3 hours. Sightings depend on clear sky and aurora activity, so they are never guaranteed.

Time here · about 2–3 hoursWeather · sightings depend on clear sky and aurora activity, not guaranteed

5Return to Old HarbourDrop-off back at the harbour.

About the whale watching and northern lights combo

This combines two separate cruises from Reykjavík's Old Harbour into one booking. The first is a daytime whale watching trip out into Faxaflói Bay, where minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins and harbour porpoises are seen regularly, though never guaranteed on any single trip.

After a break back in town, the second cruise heads out after dark to look for the Northern Lights. Departure time shifts through the season, from around 9pm in the depths of winter to 10pm in early autumn and spring, since it depends on how early it gets properly dark. Warm flotation overalls are provided for both trips, and the boats have heated indoor cabins if the deck gets too cold.

Because this is a boat trip, weather and sea conditions matter more than on a bus tour. Rough seas can affect comfort, and cloud cover can block the aurora even when it's active, so most operators offer a free second try if you see nothing on either leg.

Included

Whale watching cruise
Northern Lights cruise
Warm flotation overalls
Seasickness tablets
Heated indoor cabin with toilets and Wi-Fi

Not included

Snacks and drinks (available to buy on board)
Pick-up (available at an extra charge)

What to bring

Warm layers under the provided overalls
Hat and gloves
Camera

Good to know

Whale watching leaves at 9:00 or 13:00 (2.5 to 3.5 hours); the Northern Lights cruise leaves at 21:00 or 22:00 (2 to 3 hours)
Runs in the Northern Lights season, roughly September to April
Suitable for all ages (children 0 to 6 have their own price), though it's a long day with two separate cruises
Easy pace, mostly seated or standing on deck
Neither whales nor Northern Lights are guaranteed; you get a free return ticket if you see no whales or no lights
Meet at the ticket office at Geirsgata 11, Reykjavík Old Harbour, 30 minutes before departure. Pick-up can be added for an extra charge

Questions people ask

Is this two separate boat trips?

Yes, a daytime whale watching cruise and a separate evening Northern Lights cruise, both from the Old Harbour, booked together.

What if we don't see whales or the lights?

Neither is guaranteed since both depend on wildlife and weather. You get a free return ticket to try again.

Is it cold on the boat?

It can be, especially in the evening. Warm flotation overalls are provided, and there's a heated indoor cabin if you need a break from the deck.

Do I get seasick easily, will this be a problem?

Seasickness tablets are usually provided, and the boats have indoor seating, but choppy conditions can still affect sensitive stomachs.

Where do the boats leave from?

Reykjavík's Old Harbour, at the ticket office at Geirsgata 11. Pick-up is available for an extra charge.

Reviews

Reviews from travellers who took this tour. A local reads every review before it is shown.

5.0Based on 1 review

5 stars1

4 stars0

3 stars0

2 stars0

1 star0

The best combo tour!

This combo tour was amazing! In the afternoon, we saw whales and dolphins up close, and our guides were knowledgeable about marine life. Later, we joined the Northern Lights tour, and the lights were breathtaking. Seeing both whales and the aurora in one day was a dream come true!

David

From22,980 ISKPer person