Iceland Super Saver: Northern Lights Cruise plus Whale-Watching Tour from Reykjavik

The best thing about this Reykjavik Super Saver is the chance to chase two of Iceland’s great natural spectacles for one combined price: whales by day and the Northern Lights by night. Both trips leave from the Old Harbour and head into Faxaflói Bay, but each has its own mood, timing, and share of uncertainty.

I like the free return ticket if your whale trip produces no sightings, and I like the practical touches: thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, WiFi, and complimentary sea-sickness tablets. The main catch is simple: nature runs the schedule. Rough seas, cloud, and low animal activity can cancel a departure or leave you with a beautiful boat ride but no headline sighting.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate cruises: You can take the whale-watching trip and Northern Lights cruise on the same day or split them across your stay.
• Faxaflói Bay wildlife: Keep watch for humpback and minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and seals.
• Northern Lights by boat: The 2.5-hour evening cruise gives you darker skies and open views away from Reykjavik’s streets.
• Guide quality matters: Whale guide Iga has a sharp eye for humpbacks, while the standard of commentary can vary by departure.
• Comfort in Icelandic weather: Thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, free WiFi, and sea-sickness tablets are included.
• A fair safety net: If you see no whales, you receive a free ticket to try again, though that may not help if you leave Iceland soon.

Two Iceland icons in one Reykjavik package

At about $186.74 per person, this package makes sense if you already want to book both a whale cruise and a Northern Lights outing. Buying them together keeps your planning tidy and may cost less than arranging two separate trips, though the real value depends on whether you can use the retry offer and how well the weather cooperates.

You get a 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise and a 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise, with the activities taken either on one day or on separate days. The package description gives an overall duration of about five and a half hours, but the individual cruise lengths and departure times mean you should confirm the exact schedule before you plan other activities around it.

This is not a guaranteed-sighting product. You are paying for skilled searching, transport on the water, guides, safety equipment, and the chance to see wild animals and natural light that cannot be staged. That distinction matters in Iceland, where a canceled or quiet outing is frustrating but not necessarily a sign of poor operation.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for Faxaflói Bay

Both trips begin at Special Tours, at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the activity ends back there. Hotel and cruise-port pickup is available, but it costs an additional 1,100 ISK per person per trip, so check the price before adding it to both outings.

The whale cruise heads into Faxaflói Bay, the broad body of water directly off Reykjavik. Its appeal is the changing field of view. You are not looking at a fixed exhibit or a feeding enclosure. You are scanning open water for a blow, a dorsal fin, a splash, or a pod of dolphins cutting across the surface.

The bay can produce a fine range of sightings. The target list includes humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. Seals have also appeared on some outings. Humpbacks are the big prize, but a group of porpoises or dolphins can create just as much excitement when they surface close to the boat.

I especially like the account of guide Iga, whose sharp spotting skills helped locate three humpbacks playing near the boat. That detail points to an important truth about whale trips: the guide’s eyes and judgment make a real difference. A good guide keeps the boat moving toward promising activity and explains what you are seeing instead of leaving you to stare at empty water.

What the 3.5-hour whale cruise feels like

Three and a half hours gives the crew time to search, but it also means you need to be ready for a long period outside. The boat includes heated indoor seating, and thermal overalls are provided in adult and children’s sizes. Use them. Even if Reykjavik feels mild at the dock, open water can feel much colder once the boat is moving.

You can move between indoor and outdoor areas, keeping your camera ready when the crew spots activity. Food and drinks are not included, though they can be purchased on board. Free WiFi is also available, along with complimentary sea-sickness tablets if you need them.

The onboard commentary is intended to explain the marine species and their habits. One practical weakness is that the sound system may not be equally clear in every part of the boat. If hearing the guide matters to you, stay close to the main speaking area rather than settling at the far end of a deck.

A quiet wildlife trip is possible. Some outings have produced no whales, while others have found several minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, or seals. The company offers a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen, and that is a useful policy if you have several days in Iceland. It is less useful on your last day, when you may have no time to return.

One issue deserves plain attention: rough seas can make this a miserable three and a half hours. Sea-sickness tablets help, but they do not guarantee comfort. If you know you are sensitive to motion, sit indoors, dress warmly, take the complimentary tablet if appropriate, and avoid treating the whale cruise as a low-risk activity for your stomach.

Searching for the Northern Lights after dark

The Northern Lights cruise lasts about 2.5 hours and departs from the Old Harbour at either 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on the season. Hotel pickup, if selected, begins about 60 minutes before departure. You should reconfirm the exact cruise time with Special Tours because the schedule changes through the year.

The boat carries you out onto Faxaflói Bay, where the darker surroundings can give you a better view than you might get from central Reykjavik. The guide explains the science behind the aurora as well as the myths and stories connected with it. The experience is part natural-history talk and part patient waiting game.

The Northern Lights are not a stage show. You might see a strong green arc, a faint glow, or nothing at all. Cloud cover can block an active aurora, and rough seas can force a cancellation. A clear night helps, but even clear skies do not promise a display.

Some departures have been lucky with both active skies and calm water. Other outings have gone ahead but produced a weak show. One useful point is that the aurora often looks stronger in photographs than it does to your eyes, especially when the display is faint. Bring a camera if you want a record, but keep your expectations grounded.

The commentary can be uneven. Some guides provide lively facts and clear explanations, while one departure was judged dull and light on information. The boat itself also includes entertainment, though that may feel a bit forced if your main wish is quiet darkness and sky watching.

Same day or separate days?

Taking both cruises on one day is efficient. You get the whale outing and the Northern Lights search handled in one booking, which works well if your Reykjavik schedule is tight. It can also create a long day, particularly if the departures are close together or if hotel pickup adds extra time.

Splitting the trips across separate days is the wiser choice if your Iceland schedule allows it. You then gain a second chance to work around weather and sea conditions. You can also avoid putting all your hopes into one complicated day.

There is another practical reason to separate them: a whale cruise and a Northern Lights cruise depend on different conditions. Daylight, sea state, cloud cover, and animal movement all play a part. If one trip is canceled, you may still be able to enjoy the other.

The Northern Lights departure is seasonal by nature, since darkness is required. Confirm the time and operating details directly with the supplier before you go. The voucher includes reconfirmation instructions, and this is one booking step worth taking seriously.

Comfort, gear, and the small details

The included thermal overalls are one of the strongest practical features. They are available in children’s sizes, making the package easier for families. Still, bring warm clothing of your own. The operator recommends it, and sensible layers matter more than any single piece of borrowed gear.

Heated indoor areas give you a place to warm up without ending the outing. That can be especially valuable on the Northern Lights cruise, when you may spend long stretches waiting for the sky to change. Free WiFi is a minor perk at sea, but it can be handy for checking messages or sharing a quick update.

The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. It adds another way to follow information during the experience, though the live guide remains central to the outing.

Food and drinks are not part of the price. You can buy them on board, but I would not count on a full meal. Eat before you leave, especially if you are taking the whale cruise during the day and the evening aurora cruise later.

The maximum group size is listed as 198 people. That is a fairly large boat experience, not a small private wildlife trip. The benefit is more space and a better chance of finding a comfortable viewing spot across several decks. The tradeoff is that the outing will not feel intimate, and the best rail positions can become popular when a whale surfaces.

Pickup, cancellations, and planning around weather

Hotel and cruise-port pickup is optional and costs extra. If you choose it, pickup begins roughly 60 minutes before departure. Read the meeting instructions carefully, especially if you are staying outside central Reykjavik or arriving from a cruise ship.

One pickup failure caused a serious problem for a passenger who missed the first departure, despite calling the operator. That is a reminder to confirm the pickup time and keep the supplier’s contact details handy. If anything seems late or unclear, call before departure rather than assuming the vehicle is still coming.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded. The cutoff uses local Icelandic time.

The tour requires suitable weather. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is more reassuring than a policy that treats every cancellation as your problem, but it does not solve a tight itinerary. Leave room in your schedule if seeing the aurora or whales is a major goal.

Who will get the most from this experience?

I would choose this package if you want two classic Iceland activities without arranging separate bookings yourself. It suits first-time visitors who have several days in Reykjavik, families who appreciate supplied thermal clothing, and anyone who likes the idea of pairing a daytime wildlife search with an evening sky watch.

It is also a good fit if you can stay flexible. The free retry for an empty whale trip is useful when you have time to use it, and splitting the cruises over separate days gives weather more room to work in your favor.

I would think twice if you suffer badly from motion sickness, have only one available day, or need guaranteed results. You may see five minke whales, three humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises. You may also see very little. The Northern Lights can be canceled, hidden by clouds, or visible only as a faint glow.

Is the $186.74 price worthwhile?

The price is reasonable when you genuinely want both experiences and can use the included equipment and retry policy. Two boat trips, guides, heated seating, thermal overalls, WiFi, and the chance to return for another whale outing create a useful package.

The value drops if your schedule allows no second attempt and you are booking mainly for a guaranteed photograph. You are buying access and expert searching, not certainty. I see the strongest value for visitors spending several nights in Reykjavik, since extra time gives you more ways to respond to weather and sea conditions.

Should you book the Reykjavik Super Saver?

Book it if you want a practical way to try both whale watching and Northern Lights spotting from Reykjavik. Give yourself more than one night in town if possible, confirm the departure times, and split the cruises across separate days when your schedule allows.

Skip it if rough water is a major concern or if you need a sure sighting. For everyone else, the package offers a solid chance at two memorable Iceland moments, with fair backup arrangements when wildlife or weather refuses to cooperate.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

The activity begins at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel and cruise-port pickup can be added for an extra 1,100 ISK per person per trip. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure when selected.

Can I take the two cruises on separate days?

Yes. You can take the whale-watching and Northern Lights cruises on the same day or on separate days during your Iceland stay.

What animals might I see on the whale-watching cruise?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and seals.

What happens if I see no whales?

You receive a free ticket to try the whale-watching tour again. The retry may be difficult to use if you are leaving Iceland soon after the original cruise.

What is provided on the boats?

Thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, free WiFi, and complimentary sea-sickness tablets are provided. Food and drinks are available for purchase but are not included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.