Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise and FlyOver Combo Ticket

The best part of this combo is the contrast: one outing puts you on cold North Atlantic water in search of living whales, while the other sends you over Iceland from a motion seat indoors. I like the heated cabin and flotation overalls, which make the cruise easier to enjoy in rough weather, and I like the free return ticket if no whales are seen. The main catch is timing. A booking once placed both activities at 1 p.m., creating an obvious clash, so check every time slot before you pay.

The whale cruise is the stronger half for anyone who wants a real nature outing. FlyOver Iceland adds plenty of sensory effects, but it is a short indoor ride rather than a substitute for seeing Iceland in person. I also like the shared-boat setup, since fewer boats on the water helps limit environmental pressure, though it means your cruise may include another activity provider.

Key points to know before booking

• Whale sightings are not guaranteed: If you see no whales, you receive a free ticket to join the cruise again.
• The boat is set up for cold weather: Warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilets, Wi-Fi, and seasickness tablets are provided.
• FlyOver uses motion and special effects: You sit on a moving platform before a large curved screen, with wind and scents added to the aerial footage.
• The two activities need careful scheduling: An overlapping whale cruise and FlyOver time cannot be enjoyed at once.
• The $153 price buys two different outings: It makes better sense if you want both a sea trip and an indoor Iceland sampler.
• The cruise shares its boat for environmental reasons: This reduces the number of vessels operating on the water.

Two very different ways to see Iceland

This 3.5-hour combo joins a whale watching cruise from Reykjavík with FlyOver Iceland, an indoor flight simulation. The pairing is useful when you want one weather-dependent activity and one that stays inside, but the two parts do not feel like a single continuous tour.

You begin at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík, where you should arrive 30 minutes early. From there, you meet the skipper and guide, get fitted with warm flotation overalls, and prepare for time on the water.

FlyOver Iceland is booked as part of the same purchase, but it is a separate attraction with its own admission time. You need to reach that venue independently because transportation to the boat and FlyOver is not included.

The total duration is listed as 3.5 hours, though the exact order and start times depend on availability. Before booking, make sure the whale cruise and FlyOver sessions leave enough time between them. One booking problem placed both at 1 p.m. The FlyOver staff eventually fixed the reservation, but a little checking at the start can save you a long wait and a needless dash across Reykjavík.

Setting out from Reykjavík for whales

The cruise starts at the Special Tours office. Arriving 30 minutes early matters because you need time to check in and put on the supplied flotation overalls before boarding.

The overalls are practical rather than stylish, but that is fine. They add warmth and buoyancy, which lets you spend more time looking toward the water instead of worrying about the cold. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing, since Icelandic conditions can change quickly and you will spend part of the outing outside.

The boat has heated indoor cabins and toilet facilities. You can move inside to warm up, then return outdoors when the crew is checking an area with whale activity. Free Wi-Fi is available, and snacks and drinks can be bought on board. Seasickness tablets are also available if needed, though anyone already prone to motion sickness should think carefully before booking.

The boat is shared with another activity provider for environmental reasons. That arrangement keeps fewer boats on the water, which is a sensible trade-off for a nature outing. It also means this is not a private cruise, so you should expect a shared atmosphere rather than a quiet charter.

Watching for breaching and feeding whales

The skipper takes you toward areas known for whale activity. The central appeal is the chance to see whales breaching, feeding, or moving through the water in their natural setting, not a staged animal encounter.

That distinction matters. A whale sighting depends on wildlife, weather, and luck. You may see a dramatic breach, or you may spend much of the trip scanning the surface for a fin or spout. The tour does not promise a sighting, but it does offer a free ticket to join again if no whales appear. That second chance gives the $153 package more protection than a basic wildlife cruise with no remedy.

The guide explains whale behavior and local conservation work during the trip. This helps turn a quiet stretch of ocean into part of the experience. Even when the whales stay out of sight, you have some context for what the crew is looking for and why responsible boat practices matter.

I would treat the second trip as a useful safety net, not as a promise of a better show. You may need to fit another cruise into your Reykjavík plans, and the free return does not erase the time cost. Still, it is a fair response to the uncertainty of wildlife watching.

The whale portion has earned the clearest praise in the available feedback. One booking described the cruise as excellent, while the FlyOver portion received more mixed treatment. That matches the basic appeal of the two activities: the cruise gives you a genuine encounter with nature, while FlyOver is built around a manufactured sensory ride.

What the heated boat changes

A heated cabin can make or break a sea trip in Iceland. You can watch from outside when conditions are comfortable, then step indoors when the wind picks up or your hands go numb.

The flotation overalls also reduce the need to dress like you are preparing for an expedition. You still need suitable clothing, but the provided gear adds a layer of warmth and safety. The boat’s toilets are another small feature that matters during a multi-hour outing.

Wi-Fi is included, although the best reason to join is to look away from your phone. It can be useful for checking plans later in the day, especially if you are coordinating the FlyOver visit or other Reykjavík activities.

Food and drinks are not included. You can buy snacks and beverages on board, but this is not a meal service. If you need something specific, bring it with you rather than relying on the limited onboard purchase options.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, which makes the combo available to more people than many boat excursions. The stated minimum height is 100 centimeters, and the experience is not suitable for people prone to seasickness. Those limits are worth taking seriously because the boat portion cannot be made comfortable for everyone.

Taking off at FlyOver Iceland

FlyOver places you in a motion-based seat facing a large curved screen. The screen fills your view with aerial footage, while movement, wind, scents, and other special effects create the feeling of flying.

The ride takes you over a mix of Icelandic scenery, from high mountains to coastlines and city views. You do not leave the building, but the setup gives you a fast visual tour of the country. It is a good choice if you want to preview places you may visit later, or if bad weather has limited your outdoor plans.

The technology is the point here. You are not receiving a detailed guided lesson about each location. Instead, the attraction uses height, motion, sound, air, and scent to create a physical sensation of flight.

Some visitors may find the effects exciting. Others may find the ride less memorable than the whale cruise, especially if they have already spent several days seeing Iceland outdoors. One booking had trouble being located in the FlyOver reservation system and waited about 30 minutes before staff found it. The issue was resolved, but I would keep your booking confirmation handy and allow some breathing room around the start time.

The FlyOver ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date. If the whale cruise is canceled, the FlyOver visit does not become an open-ended replacement, and the FlyOver portion is not refundable. This makes the order and timing important, particularly if weather affects the boat.

Is $153 a fair price?

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The value depends on how much you want both activities.

For that price, you receive a guided whale cruise, warm flotation overalls, a heated cabin, toilets, Wi-Fi, seasickness tablets if needed, and a free return cruise if no whales appear. You also receive admission to FlyOver Iceland, which adds motion seating, aerial footage, and special effects.

The package is more attractive if you were already planning to pay for both the boat trip and FlyOver separately. Combining them saves you from arranging two unrelated purchases, though it does not remove the need to manage two locations and two schedules.

The value drops if you mainly want whales. In that case, a whale-only booking may give you a simpler day and more control over your plans. It also drops if indoor rides are not your thing. FlyOver is not an actual flight and does not replace time in Iceland’s countryside.

I see the combo as a practical choice for a first Reykjavík visit with limited time. You get a weather-sensitive outdoor activity and a controlled indoor attraction in one booking. The free return option makes the wildlife portion less risky, but only if you have enough room in your schedule to use it.

How to plan the day without a timing mess

Start by checking the exact time for each activity, not just the date. The whale cruise and FlyOver visit must happen separately, and a shared booking does not automatically mean the times have been spaced correctly.

Arrive at the Special Tours office 30 minutes early for the cruise. Wear clothing suited to the weather, even though flotation overalls are provided. You may also want a small snack if you do not plan to buy food on board.

Leave a cushion between the two activities. The cruise can be affected by conditions on the water, and FlyOver has its own entry time. A schedule with no gap may look efficient on paper but can become stressful if the boat returns later than expected.

If the whale trip is canceled, the whale portion is refunded, but the full combo price is not refunded. FlyOver remains valid only on the date originally booked and is not refundable. This policy makes a flexible plan especially important.

If no whales appear, ask about the free return ticket before leaving the boat or office. The second cruise is useful only if you know how to arrange it and have another suitable time in Reykjavík.

Who will enjoy this combo most?

I would recommend it to you if you want variety. The boat offers a real connection with Icelandic wildlife, while FlyOver gives you a quick, easy-to-access tour through dramatic scenery without depending on daylight or road conditions.

Families may like the change of pace, provided every child meets the 100-centimeter minimum height. The indoor portion can also give you a break from cold weather, though people prone to seasickness should avoid the combo or at least consider that the cruise remains a major part of it.

It suits first-time visitors who want a broad sample of Reykjavík activities. It is less suitable for you if your priority is a quiet, small-group wildlife outing, because the boat is shared with another activity provider.

It may also disappoint you if you expect a detailed sightseeing tour during FlyOver. The ride is about the sensation of flight, with motion and effects doing much of the work. The whale cruise offers more room for interpretation through the guide’s explanations of behavior and conservation.

Should you book the Reykjavík whale and FlyOver combo?

Book it if you want two contrasting attractions, appreciate the comfort of a heated boat, and can leave generous space between the activities. The free second cruise helps protect your wildlife investment, and the whale portion offers the most authentic part of the day.

Think twice if you dislike motion, often feel seasick, or prefer to spend your money on outdoor sightseeing alone. FlyOver is entertaining for many people, but it is not a replacement for seeing Iceland from the ground.

My practical advice is simple: confirm the two times, arrive early at the Special Tours office, keep your confirmation available for FlyOver, and dress for cold weather. If those details work for your plans, the combo gives you a solid mix of real wildlife and polished indoor spectacle for a busy Reykjavík day.

FAQ

Where does the whale watching cruise meet?

You meet at the Special Tours office in Reykjavík. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

What is included in the whale watching cruise?

The cruise includes a live English-speaking guide, warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, Wi-Fi, and seasickness tablets if needed.

What happens if I do not see any whales?

You receive a free ticket to join the whale watching cruise again.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to the boat and to FlyOver Iceland is not included.

What is FlyOver Iceland like?

You sit on a motion-based platform facing a large curved screen. Aerial footage, special effects, wind, scents, and other sensory elements create the feeling of flying over Iceland.

Can I buy food during the cruise?

Snacks and beverages are available to purchase on board, but they are not included in the ticket price.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. It is not suitable for anyone under 100 centimeters tall.

What happens if the whale watching tour is canceled?

Only the whale watching portion is refunded. The FlyOver Iceland ticket remains valid only on the originally booked date and is non-refundable.