Reykjavik: 9pm Whale Watching Cruise in the Arctic Sun

At 9pm, Reykjavik’s harbor gives way to Faxaflói Bay, where the fading Arctic light becomes part of the show. The main prize is a glimpse of humpback or minke whales, but you may also spot puffins far off, as one July outing did.

I like the unusual evening timing and the free return ticket if no whales appear. You also get live commentary from an English-speaking guide, with seasickness tablets available. The catch is simple: whales are wild animals, and even a successful trip may show only a back, fin, or brief blow before the animal disappears.

Key points at a glance

• Late-night Arctic light: The 9pm departure offers a softer, more atmospheric setting than a standard daytime cruise.
• Faxaflói Bay wildlife: The cruise focuses on humpback and minke whales, with puffins possible in the distance.
• About 2.5 hours on the water: You return to Reykjavik harbor around midnight.
• Free second chance: If no sightings occur, you receive a ticket to join again.
• Practical support: English-speaking guides provide wildlife commentary, and seasickness tablets are available.
• Price and flexibility: At $106 per person, the return-ticket policy and free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure add useful value.

Why the 9pm departure is the real appeal

Most whale-watching trips ask you to get moving in the morning. This one lets you spend the day in Reykjavik, then head to the harbor for a completely different outing. At 9pm, the sun is still casting light across Iceland’s summer sky, creating a gentle transition from afternoon into night.

That timing matters because the cruise is not only about wildlife. The changing light gives the water an ethereal feel, and you have a chance to see Iceland from offshore when the city and harbor begin to quiet down. I like this for anyone who wants a nature trip that does not take over the middle of the day.

The late departure also pairs well with a compact Reykjavik visit. You can spend your daylight hours seeing the city, then meet at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11 for the evening cruise. You should arrive 30 minutes early, so plan to be at the office by about 8:30pm.

One caution: a 9pm departure does not mean darkness. The character of the trip depends on the season and the available light, and the supplied information specifically presents the setting sun as part of the experience. Expect an evening glow rather than assume a star-filled night at sea.

From Geirsgata 11 to Faxaflói Bay

Your outing begins at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík. From there, you board the Arctic Sun and leave Reykjavik harbor for Faxaflói Bay, the open-water setting for the wildlife search.

The cruise lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours, with a return around midnight. That is long enough to spend a worthwhile stretch looking across the water, yet short enough to fit into an evening without becoming an all-day commitment.

The boat trip itself is part of the experience. Once you leave the harbor, the city gives way to broad views of the bay and the open Arctic setting. The exact route and wildlife positions can vary, since the crew’s goal is to maximize viewing opportunities rather than follow a rigid sightseeing circuit.

During some times of year, the operator may share a boat with another activity partner for environmental reasons. The idea is to reduce the number of boats on the water and keep the area cleaner. If having a boat dedicated only to whale watching is important to you, this is worth knowing before you book.

Watching for humpback and minke whales

The main wildlife targets are humpback whales and minke whales. Your guide provides commentary in English and helps you understand what to look for as the boat moves through the bay.

Whale watching rewards patience more than constant action. You may see a whale surface, breathe, and slip below again before you have time to frame a perfect photo. A July trip recorded both whales and puffins, but the puffins were seen at a distance, and the whale sightings involved brief appearances rather than full, close-up views.

That is not a flaw in this particular cruise. It is the basic nature of watching wild whales. The useful question is not whether you will see a whale leaping beside the boat. It is whether you are happy with the possibility of catching partial sightings: a back, a fin, a blow, or a whale reappearing farther away.

I appreciate that the experience does not pretend wildlife follows a schedule. The free return ticket if there are no sightings gives you a practical second chance. It does not guarantee whales on the next outing, but it does reduce the sting of paying for a trip when the bay is quiet.

Puffins may add another point of interest, though you should keep your expectations modest. The available trip information records them at a distance, so bring binoculars if bird watching matters to you. A camera with a strong zoom will also be more useful than relying on a phone’s standard lens.

What the guides add to the ride

The English-speaking guides are there to explain the local wildlife and help you make sense of what you see. Their role is especially useful when an animal surfaces briefly or appears far from the boat. A guide can direct your attention and provide context while you scan the water.

The trip is described as being led by experienced, professional guides, but no individual guide names are provided. You should therefore expect a team-led experience rather than plan around a particular person.

The commentary gives structure to the cruise. Without it, a whale-watching trip can become two hours of staring at open water and asking yourself if that dark shape was anything more than a wave. With a guide, the waiting becomes part of the activity, and you have a better chance of understanding the signs of wildlife nearby.

Still, commentary cannot change the conditions. The guide can help you look, but cannot promise close sightings or a certain number of whales. I would book this for the combination of open-water scenery, wildlife possibility, and expert help, not as a guaranteed wildlife performance.

What to wear and bring for an evening at sea

I would take the clothing advice seriously. Bring warm layers, even if Reykjavik feels mild when you leave the ticket office. Wind on the water can make the evening feel colder than it does on land.

A camera and binoculars are listed as useful items. Binoculars are particularly sensible if puffins or distant whale activity are part of your goal. Keep your camera ready, but do not let it stop you from watching the water directly. A brief sighting can vanish while you are adjusting settings.

Motion sickness prevention also deserves attention. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available, and you may bring your own prevention as well. If you know you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead rather than waiting until the boat is already moving.

Snacks and drinks are sold onboard, but they are not included in the $106 price. You cannot bring pets, and smoking is not allowed.

Is $106 a fair price?

At $106 per person, this is not a bargain-priced harbor ride. The value depends on what you want from the evening. You are paying for a 2.5-hour wildlife cruise, professional guiding, the unusual late departure, and a free return ticket if no sightings occur.

The second-chance policy is the most important value point. Whale watching involves real uncertainty, so the ability to return without buying another full-price ticket gives you added protection. If you are staying in Reykjavik long enough to use that ticket, the offer becomes more useful.

The price also makes more sense if the evening timing fits your plans. You are not giving up a full day of sightseeing, and the cruise adds a different view of Iceland after your city visits. If you are mainly searching for the cheapest possible way to get on the water, you may find the cost hard to justify.

I would also factor in the limits of the wildlife experience. You may see humpbacks or minkes, but sightings can be brief. If your idea of value requires close, long views of whales, no cruise can promise that. If you value the setting, the guide, and the chance to return after a quiet trip, $106 is easier to defend.

Timing, cancellation, and the late return

You should arrive at Geirsgata 11 30 minutes before departure. The cruise itself lasts 2 to 2.5 hours, and the boat returns to Reykjavik harbor around midnight.

That late return is manageable for people staying in Reykjavik and planning a relaxed evening afterward. It is less convenient if you have an early departure the next morning or want a quiet night. The schedule is a real part of the decision, not a small footnote.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which helps if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

Before booking, check the available starting time for your date. The advertised departure is 9pm, but availability can vary.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I think this suits you best if you want to combine a wildlife outing with a full day in Reykjavik. The evening slot leaves daylight hours free, and the changing Arctic light gives the cruise a distinctive mood.

It is also a good fit for patient nature lovers. You need to accept that a whale may appear only briefly and that puffins can be distant. The free return ticket makes the outing more appealing if your schedule allows another attempt.

Families and first-time whale watchers may appreciate the clear structure, onboard guide, and seasickness tablets. Anyone who strongly dislikes boat motion should prepare carefully, since the tour takes place in open water and motion-sickness prevention is specifically recommended.

I would be more cautious if you have only one short evening in Reykjavik, need guaranteed wildlife sightings, or dislike returning around midnight. In those cases, the schedule and uncertainty may outweigh the appeal.

Should you book the Arctic Sun evening cruise?

Book it if you want a late, atmospheric trip into Faxaflói Bay, understand that wildlife sightings are unpredictable, and can make use of the free return ticket if needed. The combination of humpback and minke whale possibilities, English commentary, Arctic evening light, and a 2.5-hour sailing gives the outing a clear identity.

Skip it if you need guaranteed close-up views or a low-cost activity. The most honest expectation is a calm search for wildlife, with the possibility of brief but memorable sightings rather than a nonstop show. Bring warm clothes, binoculars, and patience, and this cruise gives you a thoughtful way to finish a Reykjavik day.

FAQ

Where does the whale-watching cruise meet?

You meet at the Special Tours ticket office at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours and returns to Reykjavik harbor around midnight.

What whales might I see?

The cruise looks for humpback whales and minke whales in Faxaflói Bay.

Can I see puffins on the cruise?

Puffins may be visible, although they can appear far from the boat.

What happens if no whales are seen?

You receive a free ticket to join the cruise again if there are no sightings.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

Are snacks and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold onboard but are not included in the tour price.