One boat, two winter dreams in Reykjavík. This 5-hour combo tour pairs an afternoon whale watching cruise with an evening Northern Lights hunt, run by Elding Whale Watching. I like it because you get warm overalls and blankets for the cold water time, and because the experience is built around a sighting guarantee, with a chance to come again if the whales or aurora do not show up.

The main thing to plan for is weather. Iceland’s winter skies can change fast, and that can affect how clearly you see the aurora or whether a cruise needs to shift to another time.

Key things you should know before you go

• Sighting guarantee and try-again option if the wildlife moments do not land the first time
• Aurora hunting from a boat, not just standing on land
• Warm overalls and blankets handed out so you can actually enjoy the viewing
• English live commentary plus access to a Wildlife Exhibition
• Comfortable ship setup, with an inside lounge and outdoor viewing space
• Maximum 150 travelers, so it does not feel like a huge cattle-car crowd

Why Elding’s Reykjavik winter combo feels like good value

For $198 per person, you are buying two different winter excursions back-to-back: about 3 hours of whale watching and about 2 hours for Northern Lights on the water. That matters, because you are not choosing between wildlife and the aurora. You are stacking both chances into one day.

I also like the way this combo is designed for comfort. You get warm overalls and blankets, plus live English commentary, so you spend less time shivering and more time understanding what you are looking at. Add in a Wildlife Exhibition stop, and the day has a nice rhythm, learning first, then out on the sea.

The other value point is the “try again” idea. The tour highlights sighting guaranteed, or you can come again free of charge, and that theme shows up in how the operator handles aurora outcomes too. In plain terms, you are not left feeling like you paid a full price for a clouded-out maybe.

The afternoon whale watching cruise: your 3-hour chance at real marine action

The day starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík. From there, you head out on a classic whale watching cruise in the afternoon for about 3 hours, with live commentary in English.

What I like about this leg is that it is set up for both learning and spotting. The crew talk you through what you might see, and the ship design gives you a choice: warm up inside when you need to, then head outside to scan for spouts and body movement. You are not stuck staring into grey weather for hours with one cramped angle.

In terms of what wildlife you can realistically expect, the experience is known for sightings like humpback whales, and also other species such as minke whales. Sometimes the sea life is active in a dramatic way, including whales feeding and breaching, and even if whales are shy, dolphins can still show up.

A big practical win is the sighting guarantee. If the whales do not show for your cruise, the operator’s promise is that you can try again for free. That is a strong protection on a winter outing where ocean visibility can be unpredictable.

What makes the Northern Lights cruise different when you’re on a boat

After the whale portion, you go back out in the evening for an about 2-hour Northern Lights cruise. The key detail is that this is aurora chasing from a boat, which changes your odds compared to staying on land.

I like this approach because aurora viewing on land can feel like you are fighting for the right sightline. Offshore, you often get a better sense of the sky opening up, and the crew can steer the hunt based on conditions. The tour is explicitly about hunting the aurora from the water, so the whole setup is focused on that goal.

And you are not just out there with blind hope. You still have warm overalls and blankets, and the ship gives you both indoor space and exterior viewing. When the lights do come, you want a plan that makes it easy to watch without constantly going in and out to warm up.

The aurora itself can show up in different forms. One person described seeing a clear display, and another mentioned even a small green streak. Either way, the tour approach includes a try-again element when the aurora does not appear the way you hoped, including next-chance options mentioned by the operator’s team in follow-up.

Comfort on the water: warm overalls, blankets, and how the ship time works

Even if you know Iceland is cold, winter water time still surprises people. This is why the included gear is such a big deal. You get warm overalls and blankets to wear over your clothes, which turns the experience from a cold endurance test into a real viewing session.

I also like the idea that the ship is set up for different temperaments. You can stay inside when you want a break from wind and spray, then move to outdoor viewing when the crew spots a promising pattern in the sky or movement in the water.

The tour includes excellent live commentary in English, which makes a big difference on wildlife cruises. It is easier to stay patient when someone is translating the sea into something you understand, like what to watch for and why certain moments matter.

One small note to keep in mind is that this is a weather-dependent activity. The tour specifically requires good weather, so if conditions are poor, you may be offered a different date or refund under the operator’s rules.

Price and logistics: what $198 includes, and what you may pay for separately

Let’s talk value in the real-world way: this package is not only “two trips.” It is two separate tours with different goals, plus extras that reduce stress.

Included:

• About 3 hours whale watching and about 2 hours Northern Lights cruise
• Sighting guarantee, or try again for free
• Wildlife Exhibition access
• Live commentary in English
• Warm overalls and blankets
• Crew pictures taken if any
• End back at the meeting point

Not included:

• Food and drinks, available for purchase onboard
• Pick-up and drop-off, which can be arranged for a fee by the operator

That last bit matters. If you want door-to-door convenience, look at the optional Reykjavik-area pickup and drop-off upgrade. If you are comfortable using public transport, the standard meeting point is clearly located in central Reykjavík and is described as near public transportation.

The max group size of 150 travelers also affects your comfort. It is not a tiny private boat, but it is also not an enormous mega-group where personal viewing gets messy.

Where you meet, where you end, and how to think about timing

The whale watching and the Northern Lights cruise are connected as a package, but they are still two separate tours. The start is always Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Because the day spans afternoon into evening, your mindset matters. You are going from “scan the sea for whales” to “scan the sky for aurora.” Warm up and dress with that transition in mind. The tour gives you overwear protection, but you still want to be mentally ready for the long winter dark that comes with the Northern Lights portion.

One more timing consideration: the Northern Lights portion can be rescheduled in bad weather, and the operator has a policy of offering another date or refund if a cruise is canceled due to poor weather. So if you have tight plans later that night, keep some flexibility.

Who this combo tour is best for

This is a strong fit if you want a single-day plan that covers both winter wildlife and the aurora hunt. The tour is offered in English, and it is described as a format where most travelers can participate.

I’d especially point it toward:

• People who really want the best chance at seeing whales, since the cruise is built around a sighting guarantee
• Anyone who thinks aurora viewing from land sounds boring, and prefers a guided on-water hunt
• Couples and solo travelers who like guided storytelling, since the experience includes English live commentary and a Wildlife Exhibition

For families, there is one legal detail you should take seriously. Children under 13 must wear life-vests for the duration of the tour, so plan for that from the start. Also, service animals are allowed.

If you are the type who hates wind and cold, you should know the tour does provide warm overalls and blankets, but you will still be outside at times during viewing. You can use the inside lounge to manage breaks, but this is still a winter outing.

The weather factor: how to set expectations without killing the fun

This is the part that can make or break the mood in Iceland. The tour requires good weather, and the operator’s rules state that if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

I like how this experience handles uncertainty with structure. The “try again” promise for sightings is reassuring for whale watching. For aurora outcomes, there is also an approach that includes next-chance options if you do not get a satisfying aurora viewing the first time.

So here is the practical expectation I recommend: treat this as a guided hunt, not a guaranteed show. When the sky cooperates, people describe an active aurora display and moments like a visible green streak. When it does not, you are not left with nothing, because the operator builds in reattempts and weather-based solutions.

Should you book this Reykjavik whale watching and Northern Lights combo?

I think this is a smart booking if you want maximum winter value in one day and you like the idea of guided wildlife spotting with real winter comfort. The combo makes sense because you get a whale guarantee, a Northern Lights cruise on a boat, and included warmth gear like overalls and blankets.

Skip it if your schedule is extremely inflexible and you cannot handle possible rescheduling due to weather. Also, if you are mainly after the aurora and you are set on seeing it at all costs, remember that winter skies can still refuse to cooperate, even with a well-run cruise.

If you can be flexible and you want both whales and lights in one Reykjavík plan, I’d book it.

FAQ

How long is the winter whale watching and Northern Lights cruise combo?

The total duration is about 5 hours, made up of a 3-hour whale watching cruise and a 2-hour Northern Lights cruise.

Where does the tour start in Reykjavik?

You start at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is this tour offered in English?

Yes, the experience includes live commentary in English.

Is there a sighting guarantee?

Yes. The tour description says there is a sighting guarantee, or you can try again for free.

What is included in the price?

The package includes two separate tours (3 hours whale watching and 2 hours Northern Lights), wildlife exhibition access, English live commentary, crew photos if any, and warm overalls and blankets.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Pickup and drop-off are not included in the base price, but an upgrade for Reykjavik area pickup and drop-off can be arranged with the operator for a fee.

Can children participate?

Most travelers can participate, and children under 13 are required by law to wear life-vests for the duration of the tour.

What happens if weather cancels the experience?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.