Whales by day, aurora by night. This Reykjavik combo cruise links Faxaflói Bay wildlife with a late search for the Northern Lights, so your day has a real arc instead of feeling like two separate activities. I also love the heated indoor cabins plus warm overalls, because comfort matters when the wind is doing its job.

The only real drawback is that the whole experience depends on conditions. If seas are rough or skies are cloudy, you might not get the exact mix of whales and aurora you hoped for, and the operator may adjust the sailing day or boat.

Key moments that make this cruise worth your time

• Faxaflói Bay wildlife focus, aimed at seeing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat
• Minke and humpback whale chances, plus harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins when conditions line up
• Cozy gear for the night cruise, with warm flotation overalls and heated indoor areas
• Northern Lights viewing from sea, including time on an outdoor deck under real dark skies
• Guides like Lucas, Rebekka, and Daniel, praised for keeping you informed and engaged during the hunt

How the Reykjavik whale and Northern Lights combo cruise works

This is a 6-hour day built around one simple idea: do wildlife first, then go looking for the aurora after dark. You start with a whale-watching outing in the Faxaflói bay area, then shift gears in the evening for a Northern Lights search while you’re out on the water.

That structure is why I like this tour for Iceland first-timers. You avoid the all-day waiting trap where one plan cancels your whole night. Even better, the tour is designed to keep you comfortable while you wait for wildlife and the aurora to show up.

You’ll also get practical guidance along the way. The tour is led in English with an informative commentary from experienced guides, so you’re not just staring at waves hoping for the best.

Geirsgata 11 meet-up and how to arrive ready

Your meeting point is Geirsgata 11, and you check in at the Special Tours office at the corner. Plan to get there about 30 minutes early. That buffer helps because you’ll need a little time to get organized, get your warm gear, and settle before the boat leaves.

You should bring weather-appropriate clothing. The tour provides warm flotation overalls, so you are not starting from zero, but layers still help you fine-tune your comfort if you run hot or cold. Iceland wind can change fast, and heated areas are not the same as being fully protected outdoors.

Good to know: there’s no hotel pickup and drop-off listed. So you’ll want to build time to get to Geirsgata 11 on your own. If you’re staying near central Reykjavik, that’s usually manageable, but it’s still worth planning the walk or bus ride so you don’t feel rushed.

Daytime whale watching in Faxaflói Bay: what to expect

The whale-watching portion runs about 3 hours (the tour info puts it at 2.5 to 3 hours). You sail into the Faxaflói bay area looking for Atlantic Ocean wildlife.

Here’s what the tour is specifically aiming to spot:

• Minke whales
• Humpback whales
• Harbor porpoises
• White-beaked dolphins

You’re also in an area with birdlife, plus dramatic views of the mountains and islands around Reykjavik. So even when visibility is imperfect, you’re still getting something from being out on the water.

What I like about this part is that it’s not treated like a quick drive-by. The timing gives the crew enough minutes to search, slow down, and adjust routes when they detect activity. The chance of seeing whales is not guaranteed, but a longer window usually improves your odds compared with ultra-short outings.

A tip that matters for photos

For Northern Lights photos, battery life becomes the enemy. One review highlighted that the phone battery died right when the aurora was happening. For both day and night, I recommend charging your devices fully before you go and, if you can, having a backup power option. Out on the water, you tend to use more power than you think.

When seas get choppy: what the operator can do

Iceland cruise days can swing between calm and choppy without warning. The tour info makes it clear that conditions and environmental considerations can affect how your trip runs, including the possibility of a shared boat in certain seasons.

Practically, that means the operator may adjust the sailing plan if conditions are rough. One traveler described being offered a change to the following day after arriving when the water was choppy, and it led to better whale sightings. Whether it happens to you or not, the bigger lesson is simple: be flexible.

If you’re the type who hates plan changes, this might feel annoying. If you’re more like me, who prefers getting the best experience over forcing the original slot, flexibility is a win.

Evening Northern Lights cruise: how the hunt feels at sea

After the whale-watching portion, you break in Reykjavik and then rejoin later for the Northern Lights search. The evening cruise runs about 2 hours, and the tour also describes the total Northern Lights portion as 2 to 3 hours depending on the start time and conditions.

The key difference here is location. Instead of hunting the aurora from the city edge, you head out on the water to escape Reykjavik’s lights. That helps your eyes adjust to the dark, and it gives the crew room to find better viewing spots.

Comfort upgrades you’ll actually notice

This part is built for cold weather. You can stay cozy in heated indoor areas, and you’re also offered warm flotation overalls if you want to spend time on the outdoor deck. There’s a heated indoor bar, plus heated indoor cabins and toilets onboard.

That matters because chasing the lights is not a constant show. The aurora can appear quickly, but you also might wait. Being able to warm up without leaving the cruise makes the whole experience more enjoyable, and less like standing outside suffering for science.

Timing can be fast

One review mentioned seeing the Northern Lights right after leaving the dock because weather cooperated. In other words, when skies clear, the aurora can happen early. So once you board at night, don’t treat the first minutes as harmless waiting time. Get your gear ready, look up, and let your eyes adjust.

Guide commentary: why the experience feels smarter (and more fun)

A good aurora night is part sky watching, part people watching. The guides are a big reason this tour lands well in feedback.

Guides like Lucas, Rebekka, and Daniel were praised for staying upbeat and for sharing what they’re watching for. That’s important because whale watching and aurora spotting can look random if you don’t know what cues to look for.

The tour also runs with live commentary in English. So you’re not stuck guessing:

• What the crew is scanning for
• Why they may change course
• What the animals might do next

When you understand the why behind the search, the time on the water feels more rewarding, even if sightings are brief.

Price and value: is $205 really fair?

At $205 per person for a 6-hour combo, this is not a budget activity. But the value isn’t just the headline price. You’re paying for two different experiences tied together:

• a whale-watching sailing window in the Faxaflói bay area
• an evening cruise focused on the Northern Lights
• onboard comfort features like heated indoor spaces and warm overalls
• complimentary seasickness tablets
• free WiFi onboard
• experienced guides and live English commentary
• and a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings

That last point, the return option if you don’t see wildlife, is a big deal for value. It reduces the risk factor that typically comes with wildlife tours. You’re still dealing with Mother Nature, but the operator is offering a safety net.

What’s not included also affects value planning. Food and drink can be purchased onboard, so you’ll want to budget for snacks or a hot drink while you’re out there. Also, there’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll rely on your own transport to Geirsgata 11.

Who gets the best value from this combo

This is a strong match if you have limited time in Reykjavik and want to stack two must-dos into one outing. It also fits couples and friends who enjoy being outside, even when it’s cold.

If you already have a whale watching tour or a dedicated Northern Lights tour booked separately, you might find this redundant. But if you’re choosing just one or two big experiences, the combo is a practical way to maximize your Iceland time.

Practical tips that improve your odds and comfort

You can’t control weather. You can control preparation.

Here’s what will make your day smoother based on what this tour provides and what guests emphasized:

• Charge your phone before you go. If your battery dies, you lose your chance to capture the aurora or whales at the moments you’ll want to remember.
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing, then use the provided warm flotation overalls when you’re outside.
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, take advantage of the complimentary seasickness tablets available onboard.
• Use the heated indoor cabins and toilets as your reset button. Don’t try to power through the cold for the whole night cruise.
• Bring a realistic mindset: whales and lights are not on a schedule. Even great days can be brief and still be amazing.

Also, note the rules: pets are not allowed and smoking is not allowed onboard. If you’re traveling with a small companion, plan ahead so you don’t run into boarding issues.

Who should book, and who might skip

Book this if:

• You want a one-day Reykjavik plan that includes both whales and the Northern Lights hunt
• You’re comfortable spending time on the water in cold weather
• You like guided experiences where you can learn what you’re seeing in real time

Consider skipping (or looking at a different format) if:

• You strongly dislike plan changes tied to conditions. This tour can adjust based on sea state and the environment.
• You want guaranteed Northern Lights. Even with perfect planning, the aurora still depends on sky conditions.

If you’re a first-timer in Iceland with a short visit, this combo makes a lot of sense. It’s not just two activities, it’s the same setting, day and night, with the crew and equipment handling most of the hard work.

Should you book the Reykjavik whale watching and Northern Lights combo cruise?

My take: this is a smart booking for most people who are in Reykjavik for a few days and want maximum wow-per-hour. The biggest reasons are the practical comfort setup, the longer whale-watching window, and the fact that the Northern Lights cruise is designed to keep you warm while you wait for the sky to cooperate.

If you can handle variable conditions with a flexible mindset, you’ll likely love it. If you are only happy with a guaranteed aurora, then look for a different plan that better matches how you handle uncertainty.

In short, if your priority is seeing wildlife and getting out under dark skies with expert guidance, this $205 combo is one of the more value-driven ways to do both in one go.

FAQ

How long is the whale watching part?

The whale watching portion runs about 2.5 to 3 hours.

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The Northern Lights portion is about 2 to 3 hours, depending on the sailing time and conditions.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Geirsgata 11. Check-in is at the Special Tours office at the corner.

What comfort and cold-weather items are included?

Warm flotation overalls are provided, and there are heated indoor cabins and toilets on board. There is also a heated indoor bar during the evening portion.

Is food included?

No. Food and drink can be purchased onboard.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. Pets are not allowed onboard.