Whale Watching & Northern lights Combo Cruise from Reykjavik

by Reykjavik Sailors · Whale watching · Northern lights · Boat tours · Reykjavík

4.3· 44 TripAdvisor reviews of this tour 4.30· 215 Google reviews of the operator

Fine on your own
Suits older travellers
Good with teenagers
Eco-certified

from €168.45 per person

Next departure: Sat 24 Oct

Book Sat 24 Oct · €168.45 Other dates

Whale Watching & Northern lights Combo Cruise from Reykjavik — Reykjavik Sailors

A humpback whale appears above the North Atlantic Ocean during a whale watching trip from Reykjavík, Iceland, offering amazing wildlife enco

Guests enjoying the Aurora Borealis from a boat tour near Reykjavík, Iceland, surrounded by beautiful green Northern Lights over the ocean.

A humpback whale shows its tail before a deep dive during a whale watching experience from Reykjavík Harbour in Faxaflói Bay.

Green Aurora Borealis lights dancing above the coastline during a Northern Lights boat tour from Reykjavík, Iceland.

Whale fluke rising above the ocean during a Reykjavík whale watching tour, where visitors may spot humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins a

Beautiful Northern Lights glowing across the Icelandic night sky during a scenic boat tour from Reykjavík Harbour.

A humpback whale lifts its impressive tail before diving into the North Atlantic Ocean during a whale watching tour near Reykjavík.

Bright green Northern Lights appearing over the ocean during a peaceful evening boat tour from Reykjavík, Iceland.

Whale surfacing and creating a splash during a Reykjavík whale watching tour, with opportunities to see humpback whales, minke whales and do

1 / 10

10 photos from Reykjavik Sailors. Tap any one for the full-size original.

Duration
6 hours
Difficulty
Very easy
Season
Sep – Apr
Starts in
Reykjavík
Pickup
Hotel pickup available at extra cost, or meet at the start point
Starts at
Special Tours
Geirsgata 11, Reykjavík
Guide
Guided in English
Departs
09:00, 13:00
Cancellation
Free until 24 hours before

Meeting point, in Reykjavik Sailors's words: Please meet us directly at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik Old Harbour pier, 30 minutes before departure.

About this experience

Whale Watching tour starts at 9am / 1pm and will last for 2,5-3,5 hours.

We sail into Faxaflói bay in search of Minke and Humpback whales, Dolphins, Harbour porpoises and Killer whales (a rare sighting). On this tour you will also experience the spectacular views of the mountains and islands around Reykjavik as well as the wonderful bird life. On board we have warm overalls, heated spacious indoor cabins, a nice bar and free WiFi. After that you’ll have time ashore to get yourself ready for the Northern Lights frenzy.

Need assistance? Browse our FAQ for answers.

The second part starts at 9pm / 10pm and lasts 2-3 hours. Experience the Northern Lights Like Never Before. You would like to head out on an adventure that will leave you feeling breathless, and we want to give you the opportunity to do just that. We would like to take you on an experience that you will remember forever, guiding you on a Northern Lights tour by sea in Iceland.

It’s a unique experience to see the Northern lights from sea. You can relax in a nice atmosphere in our warm overalls and enjoy snacks and refreshments available on board. Magnify your experience with a combo tour.

Find exciting stories and useful insights on our blog.

NOTE: You should schedule to be at our departure point at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure.

Please be aware that due to environmental reasons during certain times of the year our trips may be delivered on a shared boat with one of our partners. At Reykjavik Sailors, we are committed to ensuring the environment is kept pristine by making sure fewer boats are on the water.

Please note: Whale Watching and Northern Lights are natural activity governed by the laws of the weather. If the trip is cancelled due to bad weather, the Combo ticket is refunded, if following tour was not joined before or you can change your reservation to next available day.

If any tour (part of combo) is cancelled on our behalf but purchased ticket was used for one of the tours, full price for the following admission will be charged and difference in prices will be refunded.

Please, check our DAILY DIARY before you come for the tour. All the important daily information of all our tours will be notified on our website.

If you don't see a whale or northern lights, you have the option to take the tour again for free.

Join unforgettable tours with our trusted partners.

Disclaimer for pick ups

Pick-ups must be booked with a minimum of one hour before the tour departure time, all pick-ups booked after that will be discarded.

Pickup service (round trip) fee applies to first boat tour (Combo tour round trip, must be chosen for which tour passengers would like to be picked up and after which tour to be dropped off). If due to lack of sightings tour is joined for free again, pickup service must be added and paid again.

Learn about our vision and values.

ADDRESS

We start at Geirsgata 11 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/DatKA6eiZ5sXyxTW7)

Get there 30 minutes early to join the excitement.

Reach out to us for support and inquiries.

See you soon.

Description from the operator, Reykjavik Sailors. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.

Where you go

Whale Watching & Northern lights Combo Cruise from Reykjavik

Included

2–3 hours Northern Lights viewing tour

2.5–3.5 hours Whale Watching tour

Expert and professional guides providing an informative experience

Complimentary return ticket if no northern lights or whales are seen

Warm flotation suits/overalls for comfort and safety

Heated indoor cabins with onboard restroom facilities

Free onboard WiFi

Complimentary seasickness tablets available on board

Not included

Snacks and beverages, available for purchase on board and pickup service, offered at an extra charge.

Good to know

Here's a friendly recommendation for your comfort and enjoyment:

We suggest wearing sturdy footwear and warm clothing to stay cozy during the tour.

Don't forget to bring your camera to capture amazing photos of your Whale Watching adventure.

Prepare for an unforgettable experience and make lasting memories with these handy tips.

Some of our boats are wheelchair accessible, but please contact our team in advance for more information and assistance.

Before your arrival, kindly check the tour status on our homepage in the Daily Diary.

Please meet us directly at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office in Reykjavik Old Harbour pier, 30 minutes before departure.

Whale Watching Adventure:

Begin your day with an unforgettable Whale Watching tour from Reykjavík Old Harbour. Board our vessel equipped with warm overalls and relax in the heated indoor cabins as we sail into beautiful Faxaflói Bay.

Keep an eye out for Humpback whales, Minke whales, Dolphins, Harbour porpoises, and other incredible marine wildlife while enjoying spectacular views of Reykjavík’s mountains, islands, and vibrant bird life.

The Whale Watching tour lasts approximately 2.5–3.5 hours.

Break Between Tours:

After returning to Reykjavík Old Harbour, you will have time ashore to relax, explore Reykjavík, enjoy dinner, and prepare for your evening adventure.

Northern Lights Cruise:

After dark, the second part of your experience begins with a magical Northern Lights Cruise.

Sail away from the city lights and into Faxaflói Bay for the best opportunity to witness the breathtaking Aurora Borealis dancing across the Arctic sky.

The Northern Lights Cruise lasts approximately 2–3 hours.

Cancellation for this tour

Free cancellation until 24 hours before departure; no refund after that. If the operator cancels for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date.

If the weather cancels this tour

Iceland's weather is real. What usually stops this one is sea state — the skipper decides an hour or two before departure; in winter this happens often. Here is exactly what happens to your booking.

1Reykjavik Sailors decides, and tells us. Operators cancel when it is unsafe or pointless, and we back that call every time — we do not ask them to run anyway.
2We contact you by email, and by phone if your tour is the same or next day. You choose: another date if there is one you can make, or a full refund. There is no fee and nothing to argue.
3The refund goes back to the card you paid with, through Stripe, usually visible within a few working days. If this tour was one of several in your booking, the others are untouched.

What you do not get is the day back. If this is the only free day in your plan, put a spare day next to it — the planner leaves days free with the rest-day option. And if you want out because the forecast looks bad, that is your own cancellation: free until 1 day before departure, the operator's policy after that.

Questions on the day: [email protected] · +354 497 1373. How cancellations work in Iceland →

Why this one and not the cheaper one?

The nearest cheaper Sailing with Giants: Whale Watching from Reykjavik from Your Friend in Reykjavik is €79 — €89 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.

	Reykjavik Sailors · €168	Your Friend in Reykjavik · €79
How long it runs	6 hours	3.5 hours
How hard it is	Very easy	Easy

The €89 buys you 2.5 more hours out. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.

Who this is not for

Not available in summer; the operator runs it roughly September to April.

Read off the operator's own conditions. If none of it applies to you, this is a good one.

Why we list it

Reykjavik Sailors is one of 207 operators we work with — chosen for reliability, honest descriptions and how they treat guests when weather changes plans. We don't list everything; we list what we'd book ourselves. The six checks every operator passes →

What travellers say about Reykjavik Sailors

Read all 215 reviews on Google →

Operator rating 4.3/5 from Google — these are reviews of the company, not this specific tour. Shown as Google returns them, unedited.

K Reu
★★★★ · 3 months ago
We booked the whale watching and puffin watching tour package (whale watching boat followed by puffin watching boat) through Get Your Guide in late May. We did not see a single whale which isn't the fault of the tour guide, just something to consider when choosing tours late May. However, we saw more puffins on the puffin tour portion than we saw the entire time in Iceland. It was great. If going late May you'll definitely want your waterproof layers to stay warm. The company provides you with seasickness tablets if needed.
Anna Lis
★★★★★ · 7 months ago
We went whale watching in Reykjavik and had such a fantastic time! The guide was absolutely hilarious — the perfect mix of informative and funny, which made the whole trip even more enjoyable. And yes… “Banana” and “Apple” showed up so many times! 🐋🐳 It was so exciting every time we spotted them again. Seeing the whales surface so close to the boat was unforgettable, and the crew made sure everyone had a great view. The whole experience was well organized, fun, and memorable. If you’re in Reykjavik, don’t miss whale watching — especially if you get a guide like ours!
Ariel Macon
★★★★★ · 8 months ago
Seeing humpback whales in Iceland was an unforgettable experience. I cried from joy. Since we went in December, we knew the chances could be slim, but that made it even more special when we spotted them. The tour wasn’t overcrowded, which made the experience feel more personal. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and even knew details about the individual whales, explaining how biologists study and track them. Warm oversuits were provided, which made the cold completely manageable, and they also offered anti-nausea medicine for anyone worried about seasickness. Even beyond the whales, the scenery was stunning. Between the views, the expertise of the guide, and the overall care taken by the crew, the tour was absolutely worth the cost. I can’t recommend it enough. (Mobile photos included. DSLR cameras allowed.)
Luna
★★★★★ · 2 months ago
We went whale watching, our guide was super helpful and friendly. We were super lucky we saw the humpback whales and dolphins and the dolphins decided to swim with the boat

Reviews from Google · updated 23 Oct 2026

Read before you book

Whale watching in Iceland in winter, November to MarchYes, boats sail from Reykjavík in December and January. What you're likely to see, how cold and rough it gets, winter cancellations, and prices from €83.
What to do on your arrival afternoon in ReykjavíkFood walk, whale watching or bed on the afternoon you land — which one survives a red-eye, which one wastes the day, and the combo we'd actually book.
Best Northern Lights Tour in Iceland (2026): 5 PicksThe northern lights tours we would book ourselves from Reykjavík and Akureyri, by minibus, super jeep and boat, with real prices and honest odds.

Reviews from our travellers

Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.

Reviews arrive the day after each trip — none yet for this one. After your tour we send one email asking how it was, and what you write goes here, unedited.

Whale watching — questions people ask

When is the best time for whale watching in Iceland?

April to October, with June to August the most reliable. Humpbacks and minke whales feed in Faxaflói off Reykjavík and in the northern fjords all summer, and white-beaked dolphins and harbour porpoises turn up on most trips. Winter boats still sail from Reykjavík, but sightings drop and the sea is rougher. If whales are the point of your trip, come in summer and book an early departure; seas are usually calmer in the morning.

Can you see whales from Reykjavík in December?

Sometimes. Boats run from the Old Harbour all year, and winter trips do find whales, mostly humpbacks and the occasional orca. But December means short daylight, cold wind and a higher chance the operator cancels for weather. Sightings are noticeably less frequent than in summer. If you are here in winter, go anyway, but treat it as a sea trip with a chance of whales rather than a whale trip. Most operators offer a free second trip if nothing shows.

Is Húsavík or Reykjavík better for whale watching?

Húsavík, if you can get there. Skjálfandi Bay in the north sees humpbacks close to shore from May to September, and the small family-run boats like Friends of Moby Dick (/experience/752602/) keep group sizes down. Reykjavík is more convenient: boats leave the Old Harbour five minutes from most hotels and run all year. Akureyri and Dalvík in Eyjafjörður are also strong. If you are only in Reykjavík, go from Reykjavík and do not feel short-changed.

Will I get seasick on a whale watching tour?

You might. Faxaflói is open sea and the boats roll, especially in wind. Take a tablet an hour before departure, stay on deck in fresh air and watch the horizon rather than your phone. Morning trips tend to be calmer than afternoon ones. If you know you suffer badly, a two-hour RIB trip (/experience/155331/) is faster and bumpier but shorter, or pick a northern fjord like Eyjafjörður, which is more sheltered than the bay off Reykjavík.

Hotels

Where to stay for this tour

From the cheapest to the top end of what is near Reykjavík, from our hotel partners. Rooms are booked on our hotels site.

All hotels in Reykjavík →

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from

€168.45 per person

Reykjavik Sailors's own price. 3% off the whole trip when you book two or more tours together, in one checkout.

Your date

The next departure we can see — change it if this tour is for another day.

Pick a date to check departures.

Departs09:0013:00

Reykjavík: light 08:43–17:41, 8 h 58 min of daylight.

✓ Free cancellation until 24 hours before
✓ Instant confirmation by email
✓ If Reykjavik Sailors cancels for weather or safety: a full refund, or another date
✓ Card — Apple Pay or Google Pay where your device offers it — through Stripe; the charge is made in Icelandic krónur
✓ Price promise: Reykjavik Sailors's own price, or we refund the difference
✓ One checkout, even with tours from several operators
✓ Vetted operator — the six checks every operator passes

Pairs well with

Add any of these to this tour and 3 % comes off both at checkout — about €8 on the cheapest pair. One basket, one payment, however many operators they come from.