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

Two Iceland spectacles share one booking. This Reykjavik Super Saver pairs a 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise with a 3.5-hour whale-watching trip in Faxaflói Bay, making it a practical way to cover two major Iceland experiences for $186.74 per person. I like the free return ticket if you see no wildlife, and I like the warm overalls, heated indoor areas, WiFi, and onboard sea-sickness tablets.

The main drawback is simple: nature controls the schedule. You may see humpback whales, dolphins, and the Northern Lights, or you may face clouds, rough water, or an empty bay. The package can also make for a long day, especially if you take both trips on the same date.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate boat trips: A 2.5-hour evening cruise searches for the Northern Lights, while the whale trip lasts about 3.5 hours.
• Faxaflói Bay is the setting: Both outings leave from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and head into the bay.
• Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed: Possible sightings include humpback and minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and seals.
• A free return ticket adds real value: If you see no whales or other wildlife, you can try again without paying for another tour, though you need enough time left in your trip.
• Thermal overalls are supplied: Warm clothing is still recommended, but you do not need to bring specialized sailing gear.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: Pickup can be added for 1,100 ISK per person, per trip, so two separate departures can increase the total cost.

Two classic Iceland experiences in one package

Iceland is a good place to combine activities that depend on weather and luck. You can spend one outing scanning the sea for a blow from a whale, then spend another looking upward for green light in a dark sky.

This package keeps both trips with Special Tours Iceland, departing from Geirsgata 11 at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You can schedule the cruises on the same day or spread them across separate days. That choice matters. Taking both on one day saves time, but separating them gives you more room to rest, adjust to the weather, and use a free return ticket if conditions spoil one outing.

The advertised combined duration is about 5 hours 30 minutes, though the individual cruises are listed as 2.5 hours and 3.5 hours. Allow extra time for check-in, transfers, and the gap between departures. If you are planning dinner, another tour, or an airport transfer, confirm the exact sailing times before building your day around them.

The Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik

The evening trip leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at either 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on the season. Hotel pickup, if added, starts about 60 minutes before departure.

The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, away from some of the city’s direct light. An expert guide explains the science behind the aurora and shares Icelandic myths connected to the lights. That combination is useful because the cruise is not only a search for color in the sky. You get context while you wait, which helps the time pass during a slow night.

The Northern Lights are not a scheduled show. You need darkness, clear enough skies, and aurora activity at the right time. Even when the lights appear, the display may be faint. A camera can make green bands look stronger than they seem to the naked eye, so keep expectations realistic.

Weather can also affect the boat ride itself. One scheduled Northern Lights cruise was canceled because the sea was too rough, while another produced a good sighting because the sky cleared and activity was strong. If poor weather forces a cancellation, the company offers another date or a full refund.

The cruise has heated indoor seating, but you will want to step outside when the sky looks promising. Bring warm layers, gloves, and a hat. The supplied thermal overalls are helpful, especially for children, but they do not replace sensible cold-weather clothing.

Whale watching across Faxaflói Bay

The whale-watching trip lasts about 3.5 hours and also departs from the Old Harbour. The bay is home to several marine species, so the search may include humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and seals.

The best moments come when the crew finds active animals. A humpback surfacing near the boat can turn a routine scan into the highlight of your Iceland visit. One particularly praised guide, Iga, was credited with locating three humpback whales playing near the boat. Other successful outings included five minke whales, along with dolphins and porpoises.

Still, you should treat this as a search, not a guaranteed performance. Some trips produce only a few seals or dolphins. Other departures see no whales or wildlife at all. The company’s free ticket to try again is therefore important, not just a small extra. If your schedule allows, it gives you another chance without requiring a second full payment.

The catch is timing. If this is your final day in Iceland, the free return may be useless. I suggest scheduling the whale trip early enough in your stay to allow a second attempt. You also need to reconfirm the departure times with the supplier, since the exact schedule can vary.

What the boat facilities mean in practice

The package includes thermal overalls in adult and children’s sizes. These are useful for the wind on deck, where cold can become uncomfortable even on a calm day. Wear your own warm layers underneath rather than relying on the overalls alone.

Heated indoor seating gives you a place to warm up and watch through the windows. That matters on a three-and-a-half-hour whale trip, particularly if the sea is choppy or wildlife takes time to find.

Free WiFi is included, and food and drinks can be bought onboard. Complimentary sea-sickness tablets are also available. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the warning seriously. Rough water has caused a very unpleasant outing for some groups, and several people became ill during a whale trip with no sightings.

The boat’s sound system seems less consistent than the guides. One account praised the clear speaking on every deck, while another found the whale-watching speaker system weak. I would stay within reasonable hearing distance of the guide when possible, especially during sightings.

The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. It is a useful extra for following information in your preferred language, though the tour itself is offered in English.

Same day or separate days?

Taking both cruises on the same day creates a full program. You might go whale watching during daylight, return to Reykjavik, then head back to the harbor for the evening Northern Lights cruise. This works well if your Iceland schedule is tight.

The downside is fatigue. Six hours of boat time, plus transfers and waiting, can be a lot. The Northern Lights trip can finish late, and rough water on the earlier sailing may leave you less enthusiastic about the second one.

I prefer spreading the cruises across separate days when the itinerary allows. That gives you two chances to work around weather and lets you use the free return policy more effectively. It also means you are not putting both experiences at risk on one bad-weather day.

If your stay is short, take the whale trip when daylight gives you the best chance of seeing animals, then reserve the Northern Lights cruise for a night with the clearest forecast available. The supplier can confirm the appropriate departure times for your dates.

How good is the value at $186.74?

At $186.74 per person, the package is worth considering if you already want both activities. You are paying for two boat excursions, thermal overalls, indoor heated seating, guide commentary, and the possibility of a free retry for the wildlife trip.

The value becomes stronger when you see both a good whale sighting and the aurora. Several successful outings included humpbacks, minke whales, dolphins, or porpoises, and some also caught the Northern Lights. That is a memorable pair of experiences for one combined booking.

The value is less certain if your main goal is only one attraction. If you care far more about whales than the aurora, a dedicated whale trip may fit your plans better. If the Northern Lights are your priority, remember that the cruise cannot improve the weather or aurora activity. Its main advantage is getting you out on the bay with a guide instead of asking you to search alone.

Hotel pickup is not included. It can be added for 1,100 ISK per person, per trip. Since this is charged separately for each cruise, pickup for both outings costs more than pickup for one. The meeting point at Geirsgata 11 is near public transportation, so you may prefer making your own way there.

The biggest risks: weather, sea conditions, and expectations

The two trips have different weak points. Whale watching can be disappointing simply because the animals do not appear. The Northern Lights can fail because of clouds, low activity, or rough seas.

A free return helps with wildlife, but it does not guarantee that a second attempt will succeed. One person could not use the extra trip because the remaining day in Iceland had no room for it. Schedule the first outing early when possible.

Sea conditions deserve special attention. This is not a calm lake ride. If you know you get seasick, use the complimentary tablets and bring whatever remedies you normally trust. Indoor seating helps, but it cannot remove the motion of the boat.

The company may cancel for poor weather and offers either another date or a full refund in that situation. That is different from choosing not to attend because you feel uncertain about the forecast, so check the cancellation terms carefully. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this package to you if you want two major Iceland experiences and can accept that neither is guaranteed. It suits first-time visitors who prefer a guided outing, families who appreciate the children’s thermal overalls, and couples who like the idea of pairing a daytime wildlife search with a late evening on the bay.

It also works for people who value convenience. You deal with one operator, one harbor, and one combined booking rather than arranging two unrelated excursions.

I would be more cautious if you have a tight schedule, strong motion sickness, or only one free day. The package needs some flexibility, especially if you hope to use the free return ticket. It is also not ideal if you need a guaranteed wildlife encounter or a guaranteed aurora display. Iceland offers possibilities, not promises.

Should you book the Iceland Super Saver?

Book it if you want both whale watching and a Northern Lights cruise, especially if you can spread the trips across separate days. The free wildlife retry, supplied thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, and experienced crew make the $186.74 price easier to justify.

Go in with the right expectations. You may see three playful humpbacks, five minke whales, dolphins, and a bright aurora. You may also see only seals, face cloudy skies, or spend a rough three hours scanning an empty bay.

My practical advice is to book early, confirm both sailing times, add hotel pickup only if it genuinely helps, and leave room in your itinerary for a second attempt. If you can handle the uncertainty, this is a sensible two-for-one way to experience Iceland from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The activity starts at Special Tours Iceland, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. Both cruises depart from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long is the combined experience?

The package is listed as approximately 5 hours 30 minutes. The Northern Lights cruise lasts about 2.5 hours, and the whale-watching tour lasts about 3.5 hours.

Can I take the two tours on different days?

Yes. You can take both tours on the same day or schedule them on separate days during your Iceland trip.

What time does the Northern Lights cruise leave?

The Northern Lights cruise departs at either 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.

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

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

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The lights depend on suitable weather and aurora activity, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see wildlife?

You receive a free ticket to try the wildlife tour again. This is most useful if you have enough time remaining in Iceland for another departure.

Are warm clothes supplied?

Thermal overalls are available, including children’s sizes. Warm clothing is still recommended, especially for time spent outside on deck.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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