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

A night boat ride under Iceland’s dark sky, followed by a search for whales in Faxaflói Bay, gives you two very different ways to experience Reykjavik. The Northern Lights cruise is calm and atmospheric when the sky clears, while the whale trip is more active, with crew scanning the water for humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

I like the discounted two-tour format, especially if you want to fill two parts of an Iceland visit without arranging separate bookings. I also like the practical comforts: thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, WiFi, sea-sickness tablets, and a free ticket to try again if no wildlife appears.

The main catch is simple: nature controls the schedule and the sightings. Cloud can hide the lights, rough water can cancel the evening cruise, and some whale trips produce only seals or dolphins, or nothing at all. Plan these trips early in your stay if you can.

Key points to know before you book

• Two separate boat trips: You can take the Northern Lights cruise and whale-watching tour on the same day or split them across different days.
• Northern Lights cruise: The 2.5-hour trip leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at around 9 or 10 p.m., depending on the season.
• Whale-watching trip: The 3.5-hour outing heads into Faxaflói Bay, where you might see humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, or harbor porpoises.
• Useful onboard comforts: Thermal overalls, heated indoor areas, WiFi, and complimentary sea-sickness tablets are provided.
• Sightings are not guaranteed: Bad weather may cancel a sailing, while clear weather still does not promise lights or whales.
• Best value comes from flexibility: The free return ticket is useful, but only if you have enough time left in Iceland to use it.

Two Iceland experiences in one package

This package joins two popular Reykjavik outings at a listed price of $186.74 per person. That price is worth considering as a bundle rather than as a guarantee of two spectacular shows.

The Northern Lights cruise lasts about 2.5 hours. The whale-watching trip lasts about 3.5 hours. You may take them on the same day, but you can also spread them across your visit. That flexibility matters because the best night for the lights may not be the best day for whales.

The tours leave from Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. If you add hotel or cruise-port pickup, it costs an extra 1,100 ISK per person, per trip. That charge applies separately to each outing, so walking to the meeting point can save money if your hotel is nearby.

The package is listed as about 5.5 hours, though the two individual cruises add up to roughly six hours. Treat the duration as an approximate planning figure, especially if you take both trips on the same day.

What happens at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The Old Harbour is the practical starting point for both outings. You check in at the Special Tours meeting point, then board the appropriate vessel for the bay.

If you select pickup, collection begins about 60 minutes before departure. Pickup is not included in the base price, and you need to reconfirm the exact cruise times with the operator. That is particularly important for the Northern Lights sailing, since departure times change with the season.

The group can be large, with a stated maximum of 198 people. That means you should not expect a small, intimate boat outing. The advantage is that you have more room to move between indoor and outdoor areas, and you can usually find a place that suits you. The tradeoff is less personal attention than you would get on a small vessel.

The boats include heated indoor seating, which is more than a minor convenience in Iceland. You can step inside to warm up, then return outside when the crew spots something or the sky begins to change.

Chasing the Northern Lights from the bay

The Northern Lights trip leaves at approximately 9 or 10 p.m., depending on the time of year. The boat travels out onto Faxaflói Bay, away from some of Reykjavik’s city lights, while the guide explains what causes the aurora and shares Icelandic myths connected with it.

That setting is part of the appeal. You are not simply waiting in a parking lot or standing beside a road. The sea, the dark horizon, and the possibility of lights overhead give the outing a special sense of place.

Still, it is important to set your expectations correctly. A cruise cannot create clear skies or strong aurora activity. Clouds may block the view, and a faint display may look far less dramatic in person than it does in a long-exposure photograph.

The guide’s commentary can make a major difference. One account described the Northern Lights guide as dull and short on information, while other trips were praised for clear explanations and good speakers. That suggests the quality of the evening can vary with the guide and conditions. The science and legends are useful additions, but they cannot compensate for a cloudy sky or choppy water.

Rough seas are another concern. The Northern Lights trip has been canceled when the water was too rough. A weather cancellation is safer than forcing a boat out, and you should be offered another date or a full refund in that situation.

If the cruise sails but the lights do not appear, the free return ticket gives you another chance. That is one of the strongest practical features of the package. It is most useful when you schedule this tour early in your stay and have several nights available.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for whales

The whale-watching trip lasts about 3.5 hours and heads from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay. The crew keeps watch for humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins.

This trip feels different from the Northern Lights outing. Instead of waiting for the sky to change, you spend the time scanning the water for movement. A small splash may become a dolphin, a quick back may belong to a minke whale, or a larger breach may reveal a humpback.

Sightings can be excellent. Some trips have produced three playful humpbacks close to the boat, while another saw five minke whales. Dolphins and porpoises have also provided good viewing when whales were absent. These encounters are never scheduled performances, so patience is part of the experience.

There are also days with little to see. One outing produced seals and dolphins but no whales. Another produced no wildlife at all. The operator offers a free ticket to try again when nothing is seen, but this only helps if you have time remaining in Iceland or plan to return.

The boat’s indoor areas and thermal suits help during the long search. You can buy food and drinks onboard, but they are not included. Bring warm clothing even when you plan to wear the provided overalls. The operator specifically recommends dressing warmly, and the open deck can feel much colder than the Reykjavik waterfront.

Sea sickness deserves serious attention. The company provides complimentary tablets, and the boat has indoor seating, but neither can guarantee comfort in rough water. One particularly poor outing left an entire group feeling sick for the full 3.5 hours. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the warning seriously and ask about the tablets before departure.

Guides, equipment, and the small comforts

The guides explain the natural sights rather than simply pointing at them. On the whale trip, a sharp-eyed guide can change the entire experience. Iga received special praise for spotting three humpbacks and tracking their activity near the boat.

The operator also provides a Special Tours app in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. That is useful if you want another way to follow information during the outing. Free WiFi is available onboard as well.

Thermal overalls come in children’s sizes, which makes the package easier for families to manage. Heated indoor seating gives you a place to recover between sightings, and sea-sickness tablets are available if needed.

The sound system has not been perfect on every sailing. Some passengers found the whale-watching announcements hard to hear, while other trips were praised for guides who could be heard clearly from different decks. If you cannot hear an explanation, move closer to the guide or use the app when possible.

Is $186.74 good value?

At $186.74 per person, the package is reasonable if you want both a whale search and a Northern Lights cruise. Booking two experiences together also reduces the effort of comparing times and arranging separate operators.

The value becomes less clear if you expect guaranteed sightings. The price buys boat time, guides, equipment, and the chance to see wildlife or aurora. It does not buy a whale encounter or a bright display overhead.

The included thermal suits and heated seating add real value in Iceland’s cold conditions. The free retry ticket is also important, particularly for the whale trip. If no animals appear, you have a practical second chance instead of simply accepting a quiet day.

Pickup costs an additional 1,100 ISK per person for each trip. If you need pickup for both outings, include both charges in your budget. The meeting point is in central Reykjavik, so independent arrival may be the cheaper choice.

How to plan the two trips

I would not automatically put both tours on the same day. The whale trip can take 3.5 hours, and the evening cruise may leave several hours later. That makes for a long day, especially if the sea is rough.

Taking the tours on separate days gives you more flexibility. You can watch the forecast, preserve your energy, and use the free retry ticket if weather or sightings work against you.

The best strategy is to book the Northern Lights cruise early in your visit. If the sailing is canceled or the lights fail to appear, you may still have time to try again. The same logic applies to whale watching, though daylight hours and your wider Iceland itinerary may limit your options.

Reconfirm the times with Special Tours before each outing. Departure times vary, and hotel pickup has its own schedule. Arrive prepared with warm clothing, and do not assume that a mild afternoon means a comfortable night on the water.

Who will enjoy this package most?

I recommend it for first-time visitors who want two classic Reykjavik activities in one booking. It suits families particularly well because thermal clothing comes in children’s sizes and the heated indoor areas provide a break from the cold.

It also works for people who enjoy natural events without needing a guaranteed result. You need to accept that the best stories may involve a quiet sea, a few dolphins, or a faint aurora rather than a dramatic whale breach and brilliant green sky.

The package is less suitable if you are very sensitive to motion sickness or have only one free day. A canceled sailing or poor weather can leave you with no time to use the retry ticket. In that case, a land-based Northern Lights outing may give you more flexibility, though this package is specifically for the boat experience.

Cancellation and practical details

You receive confirmation when you book, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted.

The experience requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you should be offered another date or a full refund. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate.

Food and drinks are available to buy onboard but are not included. The activity is offered in English, while the Special Tours app supports several additional languages.

Should you book the Reykjavik Super Saver?

Book this package if you want a convenient shot at two very different Iceland experiences and can give the weather some room to interfere. The strongest reasons are the bundled price, warm equipment, informed guides on many departures, and the free return option when nature provides little.

I would book it early in your stay, reconfirm the departure times, and avoid treating the Northern Lights or whales as guaranteed highlights. If your schedule is tight, seasickness is a major concern, or you need certainty, this may feel like a gamble.

For flexible visitors who understand that wildlife and aurora trips are searches rather than shows, it offers good value and a memorable way to experience Faxaflói Bay.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Both outings start at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, and return to the same meeting point.

Can I take the two tours on different days?

Yes. You can take the Northern Lights cruise and whale-watching tour on the same day or schedule them on separate days during your Iceland visit.

What time does the Northern Lights cruise leave?

The cruise leaves at approximately 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on the time of year. You need to reconfirm the exact time with the supplier.

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.

What happens if I do not see whales or Northern Lights?

A free ticket is available to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel the experience, you should be offered another date or a full refund.

Are warm clothes provided?

Thermal overalls are provided, including children’s sizes. Warm clothing is still recommended, and heated indoor seating is available onboard.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted.