Magical Whales in the Midnight Sun | from Reykjavik

The best part of this cruise is its timing. In June and July, Iceland’s sun hovers near the horizon instead of setting, so you can watch for humpback whales and dolphins in golden midnight light. The late departure also means fewer boats on Faxaflói Bay and a calm, unusual mood on the water.

I like the practical setup: Elding provides full-body warm coveralls, and the boat has indoor seating, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a bar for hot drinks. I also like that the crew explains what you are seeing, rather than simply pointing toward a distant splash. The main catch is simple: whales are wild animals, and rough weather can make the ride cold, rocky, or disappointing.

Key points to know before you book

• Midnight sun setting: In June and July, the sun stays just above the horizon, giving the cruise a soft late-evening glow.
• Wildlife can include several species: Humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds are possible.
• Warm gear is supplied: Loaner coveralls help with wind and cold, but you should still bring a hat and gloves.
• The boat is built for a long outing: You have access to bathrooms, an indoor cabin, Wi-Fi, and a small bar serving hot drinks for purchase.
• Sightings are never guaranteed: If no whales appear, Elding offers a complimentary chance to try again.
• The late hour has value: The bay can be quieter, and the low sun adds scenery you will not get on a standard daytime cruise.

Why the midnight sun changes the whole cruise

A whale trip from Reykjavik is already a fine way to see Iceland from the water. The midnight departure adds something special without turning the outing into a gimmick.

During June and July, the sun does not fully drop below the horizon. At around 8:30 pm or later, you may still have clear light over the bay, and near the end of the trip the horizon can glow with soft gold and pink tones. You are not watching a pitch-black night cruise. You are watching the sea in a long, slow evening.

That light also changes the pace. The late sailing can feel quieter than a busy daytime departure, with only a few other boats in the whale-watching area. The scenery includes Faxaflói Bay and views toward Iceland’s volcanic peaks, so even a quiet wildlife outing has plenty to look at.

The cruise lasts about three hours, with roughly two and a half hours on the water. The ship returns to Reykjavik around 11 pm. This timing works well if you spend the day sightseeing and want one memorable evening activity, but it can be tiring after a full day on foot.

Starting at Elding’s Old Harbour base

You meet Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The activity ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from another harbor.

The Whale Watching Centre is included in the price. Treat it as a useful extra rather than the main event. It gives you a place to get oriented before boarding and adds some context about Iceland’s marine life. You then move onto a sturdy sightseeing boat for the evening cruise.

The group can include up to 150 people. That is not an intimate little fishing boat, and you should expect a social, shared excursion. The advantage is space to move around and several viewing positions. You can look from different sides of the ship, head outside when wildlife appears, then return indoors when the wind starts to bite.

A larger boat also gives the captain room to reposition so people on both sides can see. One practical downside is that the indoor area can feel crowded when everyone comes inside at once, especially on a wet or windy return trip.

The onboard introduction before the wildlife search

As the boat leaves the harbor, an onboard multimedia show introduces Iceland’s whales and other marine life. This is a good use of the first part of the journey because it gives you basic facts before the search begins.

The guide then provides live commentary. The best guides make a real difference here. Alex has been praised for clear, lively assistance, while Rob has offered detailed observations about minke whale behavior. The crew also helps identify animals quickly, which matters when a whale surfaces for only a few seconds.

You will want to listen for instructions about where to look. A guide may direct you toward a fin, blow, dorsal ridge, or fluke. This turns the trip into more than a boat ride with occasional splashes. You begin to understand why one sighting is a minke whale and another is a humpback, dolphin, or porpoise.

There has been at least one complaint about an unclear speaker system. If you have trouble hearing, move closer to the guide or ask a crew member to repeat an announcement. Clear commentary adds real value, especially when puffins or distant birds are being pointed out.

What you might see on Faxaflói Bay

The main targets are humpback whales and minke whales. Humpbacks are the dramatic stars. They can surface close enough for you to see their backs clearly, slap a fin, roll, or raise their tails before slipping beneath the surface. Breaching is possible, but it is not something anyone can promise.

Minke whales are smaller and often less theatrical, yet they can remain in the area for a good while. Several minke whales may appear repeatedly, giving you more chances to follow their movement. The guide’s explanation helps you appreciate these quieter sightings instead of waiting only for a spectacular leap.

White-beaked dolphins can be one of the most delightful surprises. They may swim near the bow or alongside the boat, sometimes appearing just below the surface. Harbor porpoises are smaller and harder to spot, but seeing one glide beside the ship can be a memorable moment.

Puffins and other seabirds add another layer to the trip. You may also see northern gannets. Birds are easy to miss if you are watching only the horizon, so listen when the naturalist calls them out.

Reports from particularly fortunate outings have included a humpback mother and calf, several breaching whales, large groups of dolphins, and even orca sightings. Those are exceptional encounters, not the expected standard. On other sailings, the best result may be a few distant minke whales, seabirds, or dolphins that appear briefly.

That uncertainty is part of the bargain. You are entering a wild bay, not visiting an aquarium. If you need a guaranteed animal encounter, this is the wrong kind of attraction. If you can enjoy the search, the sea, the light, and the possibility of a sudden whale beside the boat, the uncertainty feels worthwhile.

Staying warm on a chilly summer sea

Do not dress for Reykjavik streets alone. A calm summer evening in town can feel mild, while open water is cold and windy. Bring layers, a hat, and gloves. The supplied coveralls help greatly, especially during the long periods outside.

The coveralls are a practical strength of this trip. They cover you from head to toe and make it possible to stay on deck longer without packing specialized Arctic clothing. You may also find rugs or other warm items available onboard.

Still, the loaner gear is not a substitute for sensible clothing. Wear warm layers underneath and shoes suitable for a boat. The supplied information specifically recommends a hat and gloves, and that advice is worth following.

The boat includes an indoor heated area, though one account found it limited once many people wanted shelter from the wind. Plan to rotate between the deck and cabin instead of waiting until you are already freezing.

Motion sickness is another real consideration. Faxaflói Bay can become choppy, and some people feel unwell even on a sizeable ship. If you know you are prone to seasickness, bring or take your usual medicine before departure. The crew cannot make rough water smooth.

The boat’s useful comforts

This is not a bare-bones vessel. You have bathrooms, indoor space, Wi-Fi, and a bar where hot drinks are available. Food and drinks are not included in the $105 price, so budget separately if you want something from the bar.

Wi-Fi may seem unimportant on a whale trip, but it is useful for checking arrangements or sharing a quick message. The indoor cabin matters more. It gives you a break from the wind and rain, especially when the boat is returning to Reykjavik.

The boat has room to walk around and watch from different angles. That is helpful when a whale appears on one side and then surfaces behind you. You should not expect every person to get a perfect front-row view, but the ability to move is better than being fixed in one seat.

The maximum group size is 150. That makes this a standard organized cruise rather than a private nature outing. Families, couples, and teenagers can all fit comfortably into the format, but anyone seeking silence or a small guide-led boat should consider the group size carefully.

Is $105 a fair price?

At $105 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, but the price covers more than a short boat ride. You get the three-hour outing, a professional guide, access to the Whale Watching Centre, warm coveralls, the onboard presentation, and Wi-Fi.

The value depends heavily on what you want from the evening. If you see several humpbacks, dolphins, and birds beneath the midnight sun, the price feels strong. The scenery and unusual timing become part of the experience, not just decoration around the wildlife.

If the sea is rough and the animals stay hidden, the value is harder to defend. Elding offers a complimentary ticket for another attempt if no whales are seen, which softens the risk if your schedule allows a return trip. It does not make a disappointing evening disappear, especially if you are leaving Iceland soon.

The included gear also saves you from buying special clothing for one outing. Food and drinks cost extra, but you can skip them and use the indoor cabin simply as a warm place to sit.

Weather, cancellations, and realistic expectations

The captain decides if conditions are safe for sailing. Poor weather can cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of people is not reached, you receive the same choice of another experience or a refund.

A rainy outing can still work. The coveralls and indoor areas help, and whales and dolphins can appear in poor weather. But cloud, wind, and rain can reduce visibility and make photography difficult.

Do not book this as a guaranteed photo opportunity. One strong sighting may happen too quickly for you to lift your phone. On particularly good trips, crew photos may be available by email if requested, which is helpful when you are too absorbed in watching to take your own picture.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this cruise for someone who wants a classic Iceland wildlife outing with a distinctive summer twist. It suits couples looking for a memorable evening, families with older children, and anyone who likes natural history presented in a friendly, practical way.

It also fits a packed Reykjavik schedule. You can spend the day exploring and use the late departure for a different view of the country. The return around 11 pm gives you a clear endpoint, though you should account for the late hour if you have an early morning tour.

This is less suitable for anyone who dislikes boats, gets seasick easily, or needs a guaranteed close animal encounter. It may also frustrate photographers who expect perfect light and repeated breaches. Nature decides the schedule here.

Should you book the midnight sun whale cruise?

Yes, if you are in Reykjavik during June or July and can accept the uncertainty of wildlife watching. The combination of late light, volcanic views, warm coveralls, a capable crew, and a chance to see humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, and seabirds makes this a strong evening outing.

I would book it with realistic expectations and flexible clothing. Think of the whales as the prize, not the promise. If the animals cooperate, you may see breaching, fin slaps, rolling whales, or dolphins at the bow. If they do not, you still have an atmospheric cruise across Faxaflói Bay, but the $105 price will feel less attractive.

Bring layers, gloves, and motion sickness medicine if needed. Listen closely to the guide, move around the boat, and keep watching after the first sighting. The midnight sun gives this trip its identity, and the best moments may come when you stop trying to take a picture and simply watch the sea.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise start?

The tour starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, at the Old Harbour.

Where does the cruise finish?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the Reykjavik harbor.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about three hours. The boat spends roughly two and a half hours on the water and returns around 11 pm.

What animals might I see?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, puffins, and other seabirds. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Warm coveralls are available for use. You should still dress warmly and bring a hat and gloves.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price. The boat has a bar where hot drinks are available.

Is Wi-Fi available onboard?

Yes. Onboard Wi-Fi is included.

What happens if no whales appear?

Elding offers a complimentary ticket for another attempt if you do not see whales. Availability and your own schedule will determine if you can use it.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. If poor weather or insufficient numbers cancel the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.