An Unforgettable Arctic Evening with Whales, Puffins & Endless Daylight
by Reykjavik Sailors · Whale watching · Puffins · cruise-excursion · Reykjavík
- Fine on your own
- Suits older travellers
- Good with teenagers
- Eco-certified





Would this be cheaper direct? No — we sell at Reykjavik Sailors's own price and take our commission from them, not from you. What you get here is one checkout across operators, one confirmation, and one place to change or cancel it. If you ever find it cheaper on their own site, tell us and we will match it or explain why we cannot.
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Duration
2 hours and 30 minutes
Difficulty
Very easy
Season
May – Sep
Starts in
Reykjavík
Meeting
Meet on location
Languages
EN
Departs
21:00
Cancellation
Free until 24h before
About this experience
Join us for an unforgettable evening on our 9pm Whale Watching Cruise in the Arctic Sun. As the day transitions to night, the Arctic sky remains bathed in a mesmerizing glow, creating a surreal and enchanting atmosphere. This is the perfect time to observe the majestic whales that call these waters home.
Your adventure begins as we set sail into the serene Arctic waters, guided by our experienced crew and knowledgeable naturalists. During the tour, we'll also make a short stop, where you'll have the opportunity to spot charming Atlantic puffins nesting along the cliffs during the summer season, adding another unforgettable wildlife experience to your journey.
With the sun hanging low on the horizon, the golden light reflects off the waves, providing a stunning backdrop for your whale-watching adventure. Keep your eyes peeled for humpback whales, minke whales, and other marine wildlife as they surface, breach, and play in the ocean.
Our spacious and comfortable vessel is equipped with panoramic viewing decks, allowing you to capture every moment of this extraordinary journey. The crisp Arctic air and tranquil surroundings enhance the magic of the evening, making this more than just a whale-watching tour—it's an immersive experience in the beauty of the Arctic.
The entire tour lasts between 2 and 2.5 hours, offering the perfect combination of whale watching, puffin spotting, and breathtaking Arctic scenery under the glow of the midnight sun.
Find out what drives our passion for travel.
Enjoy amazing adventures with our travel partners.
Please arrive 30 minutes before departure, and note that during certain times, tours may be shared with our partners to minimize environmental impact.
Be prepared for the unpredictable nature of Whale Watching, subject to weather conditions.
If cancelled, we offer refunds or rescheduling.
Check our DAILY DIARY on the web site for essential updates before your tour.
In the unlikely event of not spotting a whale, join us again for free.
Find solutions fast in our FAQ section.
ADDRESS
We start at Geirsgata 11 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/DatKA6eiZ5sXyxTW7)
Get there 30 minutes early to join the excitement.
Explore helpful guides and exciting travel experiences.
Have a question? We’re happy to help.
See you soon.
Description from the operator, Reykjavik Sailors. Prices and availability in the booking panel are live.
Where you go
- Whale Watching tour from Reykjavik
Included
2-2.5 hours Whale Watching tour
A short stop for puffin viewing
Expert and professional guides
Complimentary ticket for a second tour if no sightings occur
Warm flotation overalls
Enjoy free WiFi on board
Relax in heated indoor cabins featuring convenient toilet facilities
Complimentary seasickness tablets available
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.
Unfortunately, this boat is not wheelchair accessible. Please reach out to our team for further details 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.
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 Húsavík Whale Museum Ticket from Húsavík Whale Museum is €19 — €81 less. Here is every difference we can actually measure.
| Reykjavik Sailors · €100 | Húsavík Whale Museum · €19 | |
|---|---|---|
| How long it runs | 2.5 hours | 1 hour |
| Changing your mind | Free until 24 h before | Not stated |
| How hard it is | Very easy | Easy |
The €81 buys you 1.5 more hours out and free cancellation up to 24 h before. Whether that is worth it is your call — but that is what the difference is.
Sold out on your date?
Seats come back — a cancellation, or the operator adding a vehicle. Tell us the date and we will check once a day and email you if one opens. One email, then we delete the address; nothing else is ever sent to it.
Who this is not for
- Not available in winter; the operator runs it roughly May to September.
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 154 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.
★★★★ · 2 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.
★★★★★ · 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!
★★★★★ · 7 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.)
★★★★★ · a month 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 13 Sept 2026
Read before you book
- Your arrival afternoon in Reykjavík is for one thing, and it might be a napFood 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.
- Six hours in port is enough for one thing done well, not three done badlyShore excursions for cruise days in Reykjavík, Akureyri and Grundarfjörður — what fits inside a six-hour call and what to leave for another trip.
- Puffins from Reykjavík are an hour on a boat, mid-May to mid-August, and worth itWhere the puffin boats from the Old Harbour actually go, when the birds are there, what you see from the deck, and which one-hour tour to book.
Reviews from our travellers
Only people who booked this tour through us can write here. We publish every review in full — good or bad.
No reviews yet from our travellers on 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.
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