Reykjavik: Midnight Sun Whale Watching Cruise & Marine Life Show

Summary

Midnight whale watching from Reykjavik’s old harbor with marine life stories and wild summer light

You’ll step onto a midnight sun cruise from Reykjavik’s old harbor, bundled up against the chilly air while searching for humpback whales in Faxaflói Bay. With your local guide sharing stories and an onboard marine life show for context, you’ll feel both the quiet thrill of spotting wildlife and the odd magic of Iceland’s never-ending summer light.

What’s the experience like?

We shuffled down the dock in Reykjavik just before midnight, the sky still refusing to go dark. I kept blinking at the weird golden light — it felt like the day was stretching itself out on purpose. Our guide, Sigrún, handed out these thick coveralls that made us all look like blue marshmallows (I laughed but honestly, I was grateful for them once we got moving). The boat hummed away from the old harbor, and you could smell a mix of sea salt and something metallic in the air. There were maybe twenty of us, most whispering at first — I guess everyone was waiting for something big.

The water in Faxaflói Bay was calmer than I expected. Sigrún pointed out a puffin skimming past, then started telling us about humpback whales and why they hang around here in summer. She said sometimes you hear them before you see them — which made me listen harder. Someone spotted a spout off to starboard; suddenly everyone rushed over, cameras half-raised. When a whale finally surfaced (just the back at first), there was this odd hush — even the kids stopped talking. It’s hard to explain how quiet it gets out there under that endless twilight.

There was an indoor area with a little multimedia show about Iceland’s marine life — lots of photos and whale sounds playing softly. I ducked inside for a bit to warm up my hands (should’ve listened about gloves), then wandered back out because I didn’t want to miss anything real happening outside. Sigrún answered every question, even when someone asked if whales get bored of us watching them (“Probably,” she grinned). The city lights looked tiny behind us by then. At some point I realized how far we’d drifted from shore; it felt like we were floating between two days.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Whale watching tour from Reykjavik

• Depart from Reykjavik Old Harbour
• Enjoy onboard multimedia wildlife show
• Search for whales and dolphins
• View wildlife and landscape at sunset
• Return to harbour after 3 hours

Top questions

What time does the midnight sun whale watching tour depart from Reykjavik?

The tour departs late evening during June, July, and August to take advantage of the midnight sun.

Is pickup included for this Reykjavik whale watching cruise?

No, departure is from Reykjavik Old Harbour; no hotel pickup is mentioned.

Are children allowed on this midnight sun whale tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join and ride in a pram or stroller.

Is this whale watching tour wheelchair accessible?

The boats are not fully wheelchair accessible due to steep stairs but foldable chairs can be brought on bigger boats with advance notice.

What should I wear for this night whale watching cruise?

Dress warmly—hat and gloves are recommended; warm coveralls are provided on board.

How long does the Reykjavik midnight sun whale watching last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.

What animals might we see during this whale watching trip?

You may see humpback whales, dolphins, birds such as puffins, and other marine life.

What’s included

Your evening includes access to the Whale Watching Centre at Reykjavik Old Harbour, use of warm coveralls for comfort on deck, free onboard Wi-Fi so you can share photos right away, plus guidance from professional staff who know these waters well—and there’s an indoor multimedia show about Icelandic marine life if you need to warm up between sightings.