A moonlit midnight sail, but it never gets truly dark. This midnight sun whale watching trip combines long-daylight cruising with a real hunt for whales and other marine mammals in Faxaflói Bay. I love the practical onboard setup (especially thermal overalls) and the hands-on guidance you get from the crew, like Daniel spotting wildlife for the whole boat. One drawback to keep in mind: if the seas are busy or the boat is packed, whale viewing can be a little harder and you may get wet.

What I also like is the safety net built into the tour: if you don’t see anything on night one, you can try again at no extra cost. That matters, because whale watching is never a sure thing, even on Iceland’s best nights. The main consideration is timing and crowds: this is a popular 9:00 pm departure with up to 65 people, so you’ll want to be ready for the boat experience first, then hope for the wildlife show.

Key Things I’d Focus on Before You Go

• Faxaflói Bay location gives you good odds by pushing farther out from Reykjavik.
• Try-again guarantee if nothing is spotted on your tour.
• Heated indoor seating and free WiFi make the waiting comfortable.
• Thermal overalls (including children’s sizes) help you stay out on deck longer.
• Sea sickness tablets are included, so you can handle rougher moments calmly.
• Special Tours app in multiple languages adds a helpful layer to what you’re seeing.

Midnight Sun Whale Watching in Reykjavik: The Real Draw

Reykjavik can feel like a small city when you’re on land. Then you head out over the water at 9:00 pm and the whole mood changes. The big idea here is simple: you’re not just doing whale watching, you’re doing it under the midnight sun lighting that turns the night into something softer and brighter than you expect.

This is a smart combo for two reasons. First, the “midnight sun” part is a once-in-a-trip Iceland vibe. Second, the whale watching part takes you to Faxaflói Bay, where your chances improve compared with staying too close to shore. The tour isn’t selling you a guarantee of whales, but it does give you a clear target and a plan.

I also like that the guide doesn’t just point. You get explanations about marine mammal behavior and what you’re likely seeing. That turns the trip from a simple spotting game into something you can actually learn from while you’re watching.

How the Route Works: Old Harbour, Then Out to the Bay

Your experience starts at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik and is scheduled for 9:00 pm, then the run includes two stops: Old Harbour and Special Tours. In plain terms, you meet at the Special Tours area, you get set up, and then you’re on the move toward the Old Harbour pier area where the boat portion begins.

Stop 1: Old Harbour

Old Harbour is the launchpad energy you want in Reykjavik. Even before wildlife shows up, you’ll get the feeling of a real working harbor, not a staged theme scene. Expect scenic views as you head out, and expect the light to play tricks on your sense of time—this is exactly the moment to look up at the sky as much as at the horizon.

What to watch for: birds and movement on the surface. Even when whales are quiet or submerged, the surrounding signs often show up first. And since your guide is there to help you spot cetaceans, you’ll benefit most by staying alert and scanning the water when they call for it.

Stop 2: Special Tours

The itinerary listing includes Special Tours as a stop too. Practically, this usually means there’s a second check-in or regroup point tied to the operator side of things. For you, the takeaway is to arrive a touch early, be ready to move between the meeting point and the pier area, and double-check you know where to gather before the boat time starts.

What’s Included Onboard: Warmth, Comfort, and Fewer Headaches

The setup is one of the tour’s strongest value points. You get thermal overalls in adult sizes, with children’s sizes available too. That’s huge in Iceland, where wind and spray can make “two hours” feel longer if you’re underdressed.

You also get:

• Heated indoor seating areas
• Free WiFi
• Complimentary sea sickness tablets, if you need them
• The Special Tours app (English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese)
• Access to food and drink for purchase onboard

Thermal overalls: the difference between enjoying it and enduring it

A lot of whale watching is waiting. If you can stay warm while you wait, you’ll enjoy the hunt more. With the provided overalls, you can often spend more time on deck instead of hiding inside the first cold draft that hits. That’s also one of the reasons this kind of tour works well for first-timers—you don’t have to guess whether you packed the right gear.

That said, a caution from a real-world experience: one person had a colder, wetter trip because they weren’t handed gear the way they expected. So if you run warm easily, you still want to confirm your overalls before you get fully settled, and if you hate being soaked, have a plan for dealing with spray.

Heated indoor space and WiFi: underrated perks

You don’t have to “tough it out” to get your money’s worth. Heated seating gives you a comfort reset when the wind cuts. Free WiFi is also handy, because you’ll likely want to reference what you’re seeing—what kind of whale, what kind of dolphin behavior, and so on—without losing your whole evening to screen-free suffering.

Sea sickness tablets

These are included. That doesn’t mean the sea will be rough every time, but it does mean you’re not stuck scrambling for help at the last second.

Your Chances of Spotting Whales: What to Expect Without the Hype

Whale watching is always an odds game. The best thing this tour does is improve your odds by pushing you out toward Faxaflói Bay, not keeping you too close to shore.

What you’re looking for:

• Whales
• Dolphins
• Porpoises

What you might actually see in the mix (based on typical sightings connected with this kind of trip):

• Humpback whales
• Minke whales
• Dolphins playing near the boat

You also might notice seabirds, and sometimes they show up right alongside whale activity. On one occasion, people were talking about puffins as part of the larger wildlife moment, not just the cetaceans.

Why the guide matters

The guide’s job is to spot first, then explain. A guide named Daniel was singled out for watching closely and pointing things out so everyone had a fair chance. That’s what you want: someone with the patience to keep scanning and the skill to help you interpret what you’re seeing.

Also, a different guide, Sophie, was praised for being friendly and knowledgeable. Whether you get Daniel, Sophie, or someone else, the principle stays the same: good whale watching feels like teamwork, not a lone person staring into the dark.

The Try-Again Guarantee: A Big Part of the Value

This is a major reason the price can feel easier to swallow. If you don’t see anything on your tour, you can take another trip for no additional cost.

That matters because you’re paying for your time at sea, not a vending machine of whales. Iceland whale watching can be unpredictable. The try-again guarantee is the operator acknowledging that reality and giving you a practical safety net.

If your schedule allows it, this feature is the difference between thinking, I hope I get lucky, and thinking, I have a second shot if I don’t.

Boat Feel Matters: Deck Size, Crowd Levels, and Viewing

One tricky part of whale watching tours is the boat experience itself. This tour has a maximum of 65 travelers, which is plenty of people for one outing. And if you’re hoping for big, clear sightlines, crowding can make it harder to see spouts or quick surfacing.

Here’s the fair way to think about it:

• If you want maximum comfort and the ability to warm up, you’ll love the thermal overalls and heated cabin.
• If you want the easiest viewing, you might prefer smaller-group setups when available.

Also, there’s a real possibility of changes on the day. One traveler reported being offered a RIB-style option when the regular midnight boat tour wasn’t available. If that happens to you, expect a more bouncy, rollercoaster-type ride. If you have back or knee issues, that same experience advised sitting toward the back.

None of this is guaranteed for every departure, but it’s worth factoring in. Your goal is whales. Your secondary goal is comfort. If your comfort needs are high, check what boat type you’re assigned when you book.

Price and Value: Is $109.34 Worth It?

At $109.34 per person for about 2 hours 30 minutes, this isn’t the cheapest activity in Reykjavik. But the value comes from the mix of things included and the try-again option.

Let’s break down the “why it can be worth it” logic:

• You’re sailing out to Faxaflói Bay, which is where your odds improve.
• You get thermal overalls, so you’re not paying extra for gear or freezing during the wait.
• You’re covered for common problems: sea sickness tablets, heated seating, and WiFi.
• You have a real safety net: if nothing shows up, you can try again.

Where it might feel less worth it is if you’re very sensitive to cold spray or if crowded deck time would stress you out. In those cases, you’ll want to be intentional about how long you’re willing to stand outside scanning the water.

For most people, though, this is a solid “big Iceland evening” experience: memorable, scenic, and built for wildlife spotting with real support onboard.

What Makes It Special for First-Timers (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour is great if:

• You want an Iceland activity that feels like an adventure but still offers warmth and support.
• You’ve never done whale watching and want a guided explanation of behavior, not just a photo hunt.
• You’re flexible enough to use the try-again option if your first outing is quiet.

It’s also a strong pick for families, because thermal overalls are available in children’s sizes. That doesn’t mean every child will love the boat, but it does mean the operator isn’t leaving you to solve the clothing problem yourself.

Who might think twice:

• If you’re extremely uncomfortable on boats, even with tablets and heated seating, you should weigh that carefully.
• If you need wide viewing space and hate crowds, the max group size can affect your experience. In whale watching, standing position matters.

And one more practical note: this is scheduled at 9:00 pm. That’s late by Reykjavik standards. If you prefer earlier evenings, you may want to compare it with other whale options on your travel dates.

Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Midnight Sun Session

You don’t need a science degree. You just need a couple of habits that make whale watching better.

• Arrive early enough to get sorted. Being ready for gear and seating helps you get comfortable faster.
• Keep your eyes on the horizon and the surface. Whales announce themselves when they do; dolphins might show sudden, playful movement.
• Use the indoor warmth strategically. Don’t let your comfort crash your attention. Warm up, then go back out to watch.
• Plan for the ride style. If you end up on a more active RIB-like boat, think about where you sit for your knees and back.

Should You Book Midnight Sun Whale Watching From Reykjavik?

I’d book it if you want a classic Iceland night with real wildlife odds, and you like the idea of midnight sun lighting making the whole experience feel different from typical night tours. The combination of sailing out to Faxaflói Bay, the onboard comfort, and the try-again guarantee makes it feel like a thoughtful setup rather than a gamble you pay for once.

I’d hesitate only if you know you get very seasick, you hate crowds on boats, or you’re extremely limited in how cold or wet you can tolerate. If that’s you, you might still enjoy it, but you should line up your expectations for viewing conditions and boat motion.

FAQ

Where does the midnight sun whale watching tour start?

The tour meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour run?

The start time is 9:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

How much does it cost?

The price is $109.34 per person.

What wildlife will the guide help you look for?

You’ll head out to Faxaflói Bay in search of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Are thermal overalls provided?

Yes. Thermal overalls are included, and they are available in children’s sizes too.

Is WiFi included onboard?

Yes. Free WiFi is included.

Do they provide help for seasickness?

Yes. Complimentary sea sickness tablets are available if needed.

What happens if you don’t see anything?

If nothing is seen on your tour, you receive a free ticket to try again.

Is food included in the price?

Food and drink are not included. You can purchase them on board.

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