Reykjavik: Midnight Sun Whale Watching Tour

The real treat here is not just the whales. It is being out on Faxafloi Bay under Iceland’s pale midnight light, with Reykjavik behind you and the sea stretching toward the horizon. A minke whale may surface nearby, dolphins may race alongside the boat, and puffins and gannets keep the sky busy.

I like the warm windproof overalls, which matter more than you might expect, and the crew’s careful approach to the animals. I also like that your ticket supports whale research and environmental projects. The catch is simple: wildlife is wild. Even with a strong summer sighting rate, you may see only a dorsal fin, and rough seas can make the ride uncomfortable.

Quick takeaways

• A true midnight sun outing: The late evening light can turn the return to Reykjavik into part of the show.
• Whales are common in summer: The operator reports sightings on more than 95 percent of summer trips, though the quality of the encounter varies.
• Minke whales are a likely target: Humpbacks, dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds may also appear.
• Comfort comes first: Warm overalls, indoor areas, a cafe, Wi-Fi, and a large viewing deck help on cold or windy days.
• The crew works with passengers: Guides point out where to look and explain the wildlife in English.
• A free second chance: If no whale is spotted, the whale guarantee lets you try again without paying for another trip.

Sailing into Faxafloi Bay after dark

The Elding ticket office sits at Ægisgarður 5, in Reykjavik’s harbor area. From the downtown Tourist Information Centre, it is about 300 meters, or roughly five minutes on foot. You exchange your ticket there before heading to the boat.

That central meeting point makes this easy to fit into a day of walking around Reykjavik. You do not need a separate transfer from the city center, and the harbor itself gives you a pleasant pre-cruise pause. If you arrive early, you can look around the Whale Watching Centre, watch short videos, examine whale skeletons, and browse the information boards and gifts.

The boat heads into the southern part of Faxafloi Bay. The advertised trip lasts three hours, while the operating details describe it as about three and a half hours, so allow a little flexibility around the published time. That matters if you have dinner plans or a late-night activity afterward.

The midnight sun is not a dramatic sunset followed by darkness. In summer, Iceland’s northern light lingers, giving you long views across the water. The exact color depends on the weather, but the return toward the harbor can be especially lovely when the sun sits low over the horizon.

Finding whales with a marine biologist guide

Whale watching is a patient activity. You spend part of the trip scanning the water, then a guide calls out a direction and everyone turns at once. A blow, a curved back, or a tail can appear for only a few seconds.

The crew uses a steady-speed approach toward the whales’ habitat. This is intended to reduce disturbance, fuel use, and pollution. It also means the boat does not simply race from one sighting to the next. The aim is to give the animals space while offering passengers a fair chance to see them.

Guides have training based on the company’s own wildlife-guiding principles. They explain what you are seeing, point out useful details, and help turn a blank stretch of water into a search shared by the whole boat. That team effort is important. You are not left to guess which patch of sea deserves your attention.

The strongest sightings can be remarkable. One trip had a humpback whale in view for almost half an hour. Another included a humpback called Davy Jones the Second, which reportedly breached and slapped the water close to the boat. Those moments cannot be promised, but they show what is possible when the crew finds an active animal.

You may also see minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, and harbor porpoises. Dolphins are often the most playful sight, especially when they swim alongside the boat. Porpoises tend to be harder to spot, while minke whales can be surprisingly quick and elusive.

The operator reports whales on more than 95 percent of summer trips. Read that carefully. It is a strong chance of seeing a whale, not a promise of a close breach or a long performance. Some outings produce several humpbacks and dozens of dolphins. Others offer a few dorsal fins and a short glimpse before the animals vanish.

Puffins, gannets, and the busy Icelandic sky

Keep looking above the water. The bay supports plenty of seabirds, and the bird life adds interest when the whales are quiet.

Puffins have appeared on these outings, along with gannets and other seabirds. You may see birds sitting on the water, cutting low across the waves, or circling over feeding areas. For many people, the combination of whales and puffins becomes the best part of the trip.

The bird sightings also help you understand why the bay attracts marine life. Where seabirds gather, baitfish may be nearby, and where fish gather, whales may not be far away. Your guide can connect those pieces as you search.

Bring binoculars if you already have a compact pair, though do not let them replace watching with your own eyes. A whale can surface anywhere around the boat, and the most useful warning may come from the guide or another passenger pointing toward a sudden splash.

What the boat is like in Icelandic summer

The boat is large, with several levels and a spacious upper deck. That gives you more room to move than a small rigid inflatable boat, and it offers views on multiple sides. You can change position as the boat turns or as the crew follows activity.

The tradeoff is that a larger boat can feel less intimate. You may not be standing right beside the guide, and one passenger specifically found the audio less clear from some areas. If hearing every explanation matters to you, head to the upper deck early and choose a place where you can see and hear the guide.

Warm overalls are available for everyone. Use them. Icelandic summer does not mean warm weather on open water. Wind can cut through ordinary clothing, and one outing in August had temperatures around 55 degrees Fahrenheit with clear skies and strong wind. Another person specifically advised bringing more clothing than expected.

Wear layers underneath the provided suit. Add a hat and gloves if you have them, plus sturdy hiking shoes. The official advice calls for warm clothing and hiking shoes, and that is sound advice even on a calm day.

There is a cafe on board where you can buy warm drinks, food, beer, and other refreshments. The ticket does not include these purchases, so bring a payment method and do not count on snacks being part of the fare.

Indoor seating gives you a break from the wind, but the best wildlife views are outside. On rougher days, move between the deck and the interior instead of trying to stay outside for the whole trip. Several people found the boat comfortable and spacious, while others dealt with rocking seas or windburn. Seasickness prevention is worth considering if you are prone to motion sickness.

A return trip with music and harbor views

The live troubadour performance is an unusual extra. After several hours of scanning the bay, music on the way back gives the outing a relaxed finish. It is not the reason to book the cruise, but it can make the return feel less like a ride back to the dock.

The late light helps, too. One evening ended with dolphins and whales followed by a magical sunset over the water. Another included music, drinks, and views of Reykjavik harbor as the boat came in. Even if the whales are quiet, the boat ride gives you a different view of the capital and the surrounding coast.

Wi-Fi is available on board, though you should not spend the whole trip looking at your phone. Keep it secured, especially on the upper deck. A phone lost overboard is a poor souvenir.

The crew may also share photographs after the trip. This is useful if you prefer to watch the sea rather than hold your camera ready. Wildlife surfaces quickly, and you may be reluctant to risk your phone in the wind or spray.

How much value do you get for $111?

At $111 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. It is a substantial activity cost, especially for a family. The value depends on what you want from the evening.

You are paying for roughly three hours at sea, an experienced crew, marine biologist-led interpretation, warm overalls, access to indoor areas, Wi-Fi, and the chance to see several kinds of wildlife. The whale guarantee also reduces the risk. If the first outing produces no whale sighting, you can try again for free.

The environmental side adds real value for some people. The company is described as Iceland’s only environmentally certified whale watching operator, and ticket revenue contributes to summer research projects, responsible tourism, and wildlife-protection groups. The steady-speed policy is meant to limit fuel use and pollution while keeping the boat from needlessly disturbing the animals.

Still, you should not buy the ticket as if it were a guaranteed animal show. A long encounter with a humpback can make the price feel fair very quickly. A trip with one distant minke fin may feel expensive, even when the crew has done everything properly.

I would consider the fare worthwhile if you enjoy being on the water and can appreciate the search itself. If you need a guaranteed close-up sighting, this is not the right way to spend your money.

The whale guarantee and the luck factor

The guarantee is one of the most practical features. On one outing, the boat did not spot a whale, so a complimentary second trip was offered the following day. The passengers then saw several elusive minke whales.

That story captures both the benefit and the limit of the guarantee. You receive another chance, but the second trip still depends on weather, animal behavior, and luck. The guarantee is most useful if you have enough time in Reykjavik to return.

Plan your first outing early enough in your stay if whales are a top priority. The supplied booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Keep those options in mind when building your schedule, but check the available starting time for your date.

Summer is the best fit for the midnight sun concept. The tour also operates outside the core summer period, but the long evening light and the reported 95 percent whale-sighting rate apply specifically to summer trips. A November outing was described as magical, but winter conditions and daylight are different from the classic midnight sun experience.

Who should book this Reykjavik whale tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want a nature outing that begins easily from central Reykjavik and does not require a full-day drive. It suits couples, families, photographers, bird watchers, and anyone who likes the idea of an evening on the water more than a tightly scripted sightseeing stop.

It is also a good choice if you care about how wildlife tours are run. The research support, environmental certification, steady-speed policy, and trained guides give the experience a responsible framework.

Families should note that the boat has room to move, indoor areas, and warm suits, but young children may find the waiting and scanning tiring if the animals stay hidden. People using wheelchairs can join because the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the practical arrangements when booking.

I would hesitate if you are highly sensitive to motion, dislike wind, or have only one free evening and need a sure result. The large boat is more comfortable than a small open craft, but it cannot remove the movement of the sea.

My practical plan for the evening

Arrive at the Elding ticket office with enough time to exchange your ticket and get oriented. Look through the Whale Watching Centre if you have a few spare minutes, then board and choose a position with a clear view.

Put on the warm overalls before the boat reaches open water. Keep your hat and gloves handy, and wear shoes with a firm sole. If you are prone to seasickness, use your usual prevention plan rather than waiting until the boat starts rolling.

Once outside, watch in short, calm bursts. Scan the surface, listen for directions, and keep your eyes moving. If the guide points to one side, do not assume that is the only place worth watching. Whales can surface behind the boat or well away from the first sighting.

Save the cafe, music, and harbor views for the return if the wildlife is active. If the sea is rough, take breaks indoors and return to the deck when you feel ready. You can have a good outing without standing outside for every minute.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a well-organized evening cruise with a strong summer chance of whales, good bird watching, warm protective clothing, and a responsible approach to wildlife. The midnight light, spacious boat, research support, and live music make it more than a quick trip out and back.

Go in with the right expectation: you are buying time on the bay, not a guaranteed performance. If you accept that, a few fins can be exciting, and a close humpback encounter can become one of your best Iceland memories. At $111, I would book it for a summer visit, especially if you have enough time to use the free second outing if nature does not cooperate.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching tour leave from?

Meet at the Elding ticket office at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavik. It is about 300 meters, or a five-minute walk, from the downtown Tourist Information Centre.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity is listed as three hours. The detailed tour information describes the outing as about three and a half hours, so allow some extra time around the published duration.

What wildlife might I see?

Possible sightings include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, gannets, and other seabirds. Summer whale sightings are reported on more than 95 percent of tours.

Is a whale sighting guaranteed?

No wildlife sighting can be promised, but the tour includes a whale guarantee. If you do not see a whale, you can try the tour again for free.

What should I wear?

Bring warm clothing and hiking shoes. Warm overalls are provided, but layers, a hat, and gloves are sensible because the boat can be cold and windy even in summer.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Refreshments are available to buy on board, including drinks and cafe items.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The live tour is conducted in English.