At 9pm, the sun is still up. This midnight sun whale watching trip pairs a late-night sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour with serious effort to spot whales and dolphins in Faxaflói Bay. I like two things most: the thermal overalls that help you stay outside on deck and the free retry if you get skunked. One thing to keep in mind: whale sightings depend on nature, and weather can shift plans.

You’ll sit inside heated seating on the boat, and you’re not left guessing how to handle the cold—sea sickness tablets are included, and there’s even complimentary WiFi. For extra context, guides such as Daniel and Sophie explain what you’re seeing (and what to look for) so the trip feels more like learning than just scanning the water.

This is a 2.5-hour outing for up to 65 people, starting at 9:00 pm and ending back at the same meeting point on Geirsgata 11. If you want the classic Iceland move—late night, bright sky, and ocean wildlife close to the action—this is a strong match.

Key things to know before you go

• Faxaflói Bay is the target zone for boosting your odds of seeing cetaceans.
• Free retry if nothing is seen turns an unpredictable night into a do-over, at no extra cost.
• Thermal overalls + heated indoor areas make a big difference in comfort while you wait for wildlife.
• A guide-focused wildlife briefing helps you understand behavior, not just species names.
• Amenities included: WiFi, sea sickness tablets, and the multilingual Special Tours app.
• Limited group size (max 65) keeps the boat experience from feeling too chaotic.

Midnight sun + whales: why this Reykjavik sail feels different

Reykjavik’s midnight sun season is short, and this timing matters. A 9:00 pm departure keeps the light around long enough for you to actually track spouts, flukes, and surfacing behavior, instead of relying on weak evening visibility. You still get the classic late-night Iceland vibe, but with enough daylight for easier spotting.

What makes the experience stand out is that it’s not framed as a random “look out and hope” cruise. The trip is designed to head out toward Faxaflói Bay, which is where you get a better shot at whales, dolphins, and porpoises than if you stayed too close to port. That single planning choice turns the ocean time into the main event.

The other big comfort factor is that you’re not left to battle cold by yourself. Thermal overalls are provided in adult sizes and children’s sizes, plus there are heated indoor seating areas. The result is that you can actually spend time on deck when sightings happen, instead of giving up after 20 minutes.

Where you meet (and how to plan your arrival)

You meet at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, and the tour ends back at that same meeting point. The start time is 9:00 pm, and the whole experience runs about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Because this is a nighttime departure, I suggest treating your arrival like a showtime. Show up a little early so you’re not hustling in the cold or standing around trying to figure out where check-in happens. One downside you should note from real-world experience: timing problems can happen, and if you’re late, you may not get much flexibility. So build in slack.

The good news: the meeting point is near public transportation. If you’re already exploring Reykjavik in the evening, this is easy to slot into your plans without needing a complicated transfer.

Old Harbour to sea time: what the first part feels like

You begin at Old Harbour, the natural launch point for many Reykjavik sea adventures. This is where the mood shifts from city streets to open water—ships, sea air, and that sense that the sky is doing something unusual.

Even before you’re fully out on the water, you’re setting the foundation for what comes next: whale watching is patience. Dolphins and porpoises may show up quickly, then vanish, while whales can take longer to surface and move on. Starting from Old Harbour means you’re immediately in the flow of the cruise, not doing a lot of early wandering.

There’s also a second stop listed as Special Tours during the outing. In practice, this is usually about keeping the operation running smoothly—think of it as part of the flow from meeting point to boat area—then you settle in for the actual time searching for wildlife.

The Faxaflói Bay hunt: how spotting actually works

Once you’re out, the main mission is simple: find where marine mammals are active. The operator’s strategy is to head into Faxaflói Bay to maximize your odds.

Here’s what that means for you on deck:

You’ll spend time scanning for movement—white water, a sudden change in the surface, and the classic moment when a whale’s body shifts and breathes. You’ll also learn what the guide is seeing while scanning happens around you. Guides like Daniel are known for pointing things out so everyone has a fair chance, instead of only a few people getting the best view.

What you might see can vary, but the trip is aimed at whales, dolphins, and porpoises. In the stronger sighting nights, you could also catch lots of birds along for the ride, which adds to the sense that the ecosystem is doing something right there in front of you.

One extra reality check: if the first night is quiet, that doesn’t automatically mean the trip was a failure. The big confidence builder here is the option to try again.

Warmth, comfort, and the small things that save your evening

This is one of the tours where comfort isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s the difference between enjoying the full 2.5 hours and wanting to jump back inside after 15 minutes. Thermal overalls are included, and they come in children’s sizes too, which helps families avoid the hassle of packing bulky gear.

Inside the boat, you’ll have heated indoor seating areas. That matters because whale watching often means waiting for the moment—not always constant action. If the ocean is rolling, or you just need a break, you’re not stuck outside the whole time.

They also include complimentary sea sickness tablets. You don’t have to take them, but having them removes one more stressor. I’d rather have the option and skip it than be stuck deciding too late.

And yes, there’s free WiFi onboard. It’s not the reason you book a whale tour, but it helps if you want to share photos as the light stays up longer during the midnight sun period.

Finally, there’s the Special Tours app. It’s available in multiple languages (English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese). Even if you only use it for a little while, it can help you connect the sights with what the guide is saying.

The sightings guarantee: your Plan B is built in

Here’s the best practical reason to pick this tour: if you don’t see anything on your sailing, you get a free ticket to try again. That’s a true sightings guarantee, and it’s rare enough to be worth highlighting.

For you, that changes the emotional math. Whale watching is never 100% predictable, and spending money on a night that turns into blank ocean can feel rough. With a retry option, you can treat the first outing as the scouting night and your second shot as the payoff.

This matters even more in Iceland, where weather can vary quickly. If conditions aren’t right, the operator may offer a different date or a full refund. And if you’re trying to fit multiple activities into a short Reykjavik stay, the ability to rebook for no extra cost reduces the pressure to nail every night.

Guides and boats: what to look for in the experience

A whale watch is only as good as how well you’re guided. The positive pattern here is that guides don’t just call out animals; they help you understand what you’re seeing and why you’re seeing it.

Daniel is one guide name that comes up for keeping attention on animal activity and helping everyone see what matters. Tom also gets mentioned positively, especially for delivering information in a fun way and making the day feel like more than just wildlife spotting.

Sophie is another guide name that shows up with a friendly, informative approach. One detail that stood out: staying warm allowed a passenger to remain on the top deck for most of the ride when thermal gear was being used effectively.

Boat type can also change your experience. In at least one case, a guest described being offered an RIB option when the regular midnight boat wasn’t available. That can be fantastic, but it also tends to mean a bumpier ride. If you’re sensitive to impacts or have back or knee issues, I’d plan your seating accordingly—one tip from experience is to choose the seat that’s less rough than the very front.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for

The price is $109.34 per person for roughly 2 hours 30 minutes. On its face, that’s a fair chunk of change for being out on the water.

Here’s why it’s still good value if you care about comfort and odds:

• Thermal overalls are included, so you’re not forced into buying or renting cold-weather gear.
• Heated indoor seating and sea-sickness tablets reduce the risk that a cold, choppy night ruins your time.
• The free retry if nothing is seen removes the biggest whale-watching risk.
• WiFi and the app add convenience and context once you’re out there.

If you’re the type of traveler who wants a structured wildlife experience—someone spotting and explaining while you watch—this price makes more sense than a bare-bones boat rental style tour. If you’re mostly looking for scenery, you might find cheaper ways to be on the water. But if wildlife is the goal, the included elements earn their keep.

Who should book this midnight sun whale watch

You’ll probably love this tour if:

• You’re in Reykjavik at the right time of year for midnight sun effects and want to make that light count.
• You care about whales and dolphins enough to spend a chunk of your evening outside.
• You want comfort support—thermal gear, heated indoor space, and sea-sickness tablets are not an afterthought.
• You’d like your odds improved by heading out to Faxaflói Bay rather than staying vague.

It may not be the best fit if:

• You hate waiting. Whale watching involves scanning time, and wildlife doesn’t follow schedules.
• You’re extremely sensitive to timing. One unhappy experience described a lack of accommodation when a delay happened due to factors outside the guest’s control. So if your evening depends on other moving parts, give yourself a buffer.

Should you book it?

I’d book this midnight sun whale watching from Reykjavik if whales and dolphins are on your must-see list and you want real comfort built in. The thermal overalls, heated seating, sea-sickness help, and especially the free retry if you don’t spot anything make it a smart bet for a short stay.

If you’re booking as a single-night plan with no flexibility, I’d still go for it—just treat the ocean as the boss. Nature decides when the whales surface. This tour is designed to help you deal with that reality in a practical way.

FAQ

What time does the midnight sun whale watching tour start?

It starts at 9:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The duration is about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Where do I meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What languages are offered?

The tour is offered in English.

What’s included in the price?

Thermal overalls (including children’s sizes), free WiFi, heated indoor seating areas, complimentary sea sickness tablets, and a Special Tours app are included. There’s also a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen.

Do I get a free retry if there are no sightings?

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

What should I buy or bring for food and drinks?

Food and drink are not included, but you can purchase them on board.

How many people are on the boat?

The maximum group size is 65 travelers.