Reykjavik Whale Watching and Northern Lights Combo Tour: An Honest Look

Planning a trip to Iceland can get quite exciting, and so too trying to figure out just which tours will pack the most punch for your buck, isn’t it? The Reykjavik Whale Watching and Northern Lights combo tour, it seems, is quite a well-liked option for travelers hoping to make the most of their time there, I’m guessing. Does it measure up? What could you perhaps anticipate from this blend of sea adventure and celestial sightseeing? This review, you see, gives a closer look at my experiences on this tour, so it offers some helpful advice that could make or break your adventure. It’s more or less my account, to be truthful. You know, hopefully you’ll have some clear guidance before jumping right in.

Setting Sail: The Whale Watching Aspect

Alright, so the whale-watching segment is basically the first leg of this combo tour. The departure spot is usually the Old Harbor in Reykjavik, a very appealing spot full of life that is a bit touristy. When you step onto the boat, you’re quite quickly greeted by a guide who provides a briefing concerning safety as well as some details regarding the types of whales and wildlife that you might just notice. They very clearly try to get you pretty hyped regarding seeing a whale, so naturally your hopes shoot up.

The boat ride out into Faxaflói Bay might just be scenic, giving you stunning views of the Icelandic shoreline. Is it comfortable? It hinges quite a bit on the boat you’re on and the weather, obviously. Expect that open deck seating that, on a sunny day, is awesome. Just if you are there during colder weather? Staying inside is a quite an idea; still, the windows could get a bit steamy, so be ready for your view to perhaps be partially obstructed. You know?

So too, as to the real deal: the whale watching. Seeing whales could prove quite tricky, let me tell you. The success truly depends upon so many variables: weather conditions, whale migration patterns, and basically the skill of your crew in pinpointing these gentle giants. The most common whales that can be seen in the area seem to be minke whales, humpback whales, and, from time to time, even orcas. Now and then, you could probably glimpse dolphins, porpoises, and different kinds of seabirds as well.

One thing I took note of would be how the tour operators adhere to ethical whale-watching guidelines, it seems. That’s very awesome given the number of boats which cruise around the bay, of course. So the crew definitely keeps a reasonable distance so that way they don’t disturb the animals. So this approach could on occasion mean the whales seem to be pretty distant, I should say; then again, it really does assure that this activity keeps respectful and sustainable in some respects.

Chasing the Lights: Hunting for the Aurora Borealis

Alright, next up could be the second part of the tour: going on the hunt for the Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis. Just this portion kicks off when it turns dark, so after sundown, which typically would be some hours after you are done with whale watching depending upon what period of the year you’re there. You can join the tour by bus right from a prearranged spot located in Reykjavik, so it’s easy, I will say that.

Now, what makes a northern lights tour one to consider depends on several factors, more or less. You see, these trips rely very heavily on two variables that don’t have anything to do with who’s running the thing. The guides that bring you on the bus, so, would probably find spots away from city lights and count on that being aided by accurate aurora forecasts. The operators, as it seems, very carefully watch out for cloud cover forecasts and solar activity reports. They might even alter your route a little bit so they could get the most noticeable, least clouded display that is out there, of course.

When you actually get to a spot that is a prime one, there may very well be an expectant wait time. As with whale watching, viewing the Northern Lights really might demand some patience, I should say. Mother Nature works on her own timeframe. Your tour people most likely give details and possibly interesting facts regarding the aurora, Icelandic folklore, and how to potentially photograph the lights effectively while you are looking upwards, or trying to remain warm.

Is the spectacle everything? Whenever the lights show themselves and show strong, oh my gosh, it truly could prove wondrous, it really could. Seeing the green, pink, and purple colours dance over the night sky could possibly turn into some unforgettable moment. You might just feel rather happy for a moment. Still, it has to be underlined, doesn’t it?, there just is absolutely zero guarantee. If you have marginal solar action or an overabundance of cloud cover? Chances drop quite fast.

I really remember the night I gave it a try with a few friends from back home. As it turns out, there just happened to be high expectations based on forecasts, you know? Even though we did not have this magical show, the tour company gave each of the passengers another shot that came free. With so many tours, that’s very usual if at the end you do not see any lights; still, make certain you inquire regarding their policy beforehand, OK?

Combo Tour Benefits and Drawbacks

Okay, so here is a peek at several pros and cons with taking a combo tour like that to potentially assist you when considering if that’s great for you:

Value: Booking a combo, it seems, commonly presents savings over booking either tour on its own. Is that beneficial if you want these? Definitely.
Convenience: Everything can be planned, there isn’t all that coordinating different trips with tour companies needed. This benefit may seem useful, I think.
Time Efficient: When you’re tight on time that’s frequently seen, it offers you 2 activities with only one day. It just helps, so you may not pass up that.
Weather Dependent: Both activities depend quite heavily on climate. Having to reschedule could make the itinerary too crammed when the weather isn’t right. It may cause issues when there isn’t any flexibility involved.
Long Days: Integrating whale watching alongside Northern Lights excursions might just suggest an especially full day; which can leave people that get exhausted rather easily pretty drained. I know folks with little kids probably won’t jump with glee over the concept.
Potential Rush: Whenever weather necessitates adjustments in either part during any combo? Might seem quick; thereby diminishing the enjoyment on one outing vs. the leisurely experience in its place, likely.

Personal Anecdote and Tour Tips

From my own point of view? You see, both elements of that combo tour were fun when you consider them by themselves. It wasn’t simple; however, taking them on, in a single day made an extended day for me personally; and for certain those touring should actually arrive prepared adequately with suitable gear alongside realistic expectations too as potential weather variations they can handle better afterwards whenever things occur unexpectantly!

Consider certain recommendations which came right out after I took one combo vacation there several times:

Dress Warmly: Iceland actually does earn that reputation; so take many warm clothes with waterproof external layers as being essential elements irrespective what period they’re here traveling over some time span from trip duration! This means preparing lots ahead regarding heat security, to avoid needing things urgently!
Pack Snacks: In particular at certain long days out away anywhere remotely civilization offers up choices! Bring eats combined; potentially preventing some situations wherein meal purchase comes less suitable vs taking treats aboard together. You see?
Check Forecasts: You must really look out whenever touring near and far off as to which weather conditions turn; considering most tours do strongly react against it so if something pops unexpected travelers gain knowledge beforehand before doing activities etc.. Plan way around beforehand, probably.
Manage Expectations: Recognizing most wildlife observation coupled aurora viewing depends from circumstance that it requires remaining versatile, prepared that at random elements happen even amid the scheduling; keeping positive keeps experiences nice regardless how events unfold anyway

So too, if that combination choice doesn’t grab someone from trip wise? Be free selecting both independently from particular preferences they find suiting personally instead – making it much versatile when touring across rather in case something happens amid trip!

Making the Right Choice

You can consider the Reykjavik Whale Watching and Northern Lights combo tour as the way to capture Icelandic allure when the trip must cover a broad assortment given brief duration you spend out somewhere and have curiosity near and further, but be sure someone prepares from reality to manage things during that type out because Mother Earth calls most during tours such sort.

Taking each trip independently really would bring improved enjoyment as with lower schedule strains! In any situation I personally propose conducting that homework round prior bookings where touring gets most worthwhile alongside unforgettable instances! With touring near Iceland this truly hinges throughout! How someone travels may not be just as important, actually?

You could have a bunch of fun with Iceland by touring like these; just maybe think about just how it all flows with everything, if that makes perfect sense!

Key Takeaways

Combo tour delivers value and convenience but expect prolonged itineraries and possible disturbances stemming out through variable weather circumstances combined into certain tours there together simultaneously
Always prioritize touring essentials! Ensure bundling garments; have treats and checking predictions when seeking touring far from that origin location! Adaptable with that planning process too for greatest trip time always whenever something breaks somewhere amid touring day time hours even perhaps
Establish realistic thoughts because nature behaves random despite most schedule commitments! Having some enthusiasm plus comprehension assist everyone by obtaining fantastic moments irrespective outcomes happen

Those memories would stick always, you know?

#Iceland #WhaleWatching #NorthernLights #TravelReview #AdventureTravel