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

Two Iceland classics, one booking. This Reykjavik package pairs a Northern Lights cruise on Faxaflói Bay with a whale-watching trip, giving you two chances to experience Iceland at sea without paying for two separate bookings. I like the discounted combination and the practical onboard comforts, especially thermal overalls, heated seating, WiFi, and a free return ticket if wildlife fails to appear.

I also like the choice of taking both trips on one day or spreading them across your visit. That flexibility matters in Iceland, where weather can change quickly. The main drawback is simple: neither whales nor Northern Lights can be promised, and rough water or cloud can turn one part of the package into a long, uncomfortable outing.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate boat trips: You take a 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise and a 3.5-hour whale-watching trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.
• Best value comes from flexibility: You can schedule both tours on the same day or use separate days during your stay.
• Nature controls the result: You might see humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, or glowing auroras, but sightings are never guaranteed.
• Thermal overalls are included: Children’s sizes are available, and heated indoor seating gives you a break from Icelandic wind.
• The strongest guide praise centers on whale spotting: Guides such as Iga received special appreciation for finding active humpback whales near the boat.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: Transfers can be added for 1,100 ISK per person, per trip, and pickup must be arranged with the operator.

Two Iceland experiences in one package

This Super Saver makes sense if you want both a whale trip and a Northern Lights outing but prefer one booking. The listed price is $186.74 per person, which is reasonable if you complete both cruises and would otherwise buy them separately.

The value is less certain if bad weather interrupts one part. You do receive a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on a tour, but that only helps if you have another day in Reykjavik or plan to return to Iceland. One person had no interest in reboarding after severe seasickness, so the guarantee is useful but not a complete solution.

The package is operated by Special Tours Iceland from Geirsgata 11 at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. Both excursions return to the same meeting point, which keeps the arrangement fairly simple. You can add hotel or cruise-port pickup for an additional 1,100 ISK per person per trip, but you should not assume transport is included in the advertised price.

Starting at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The meeting point at Geirsgata 11 is convenient if you are staying near central Reykjavik. You can also reach the harbor using public transportation, and the activity allows service animals. Most people can participate, though you should take the boat setting seriously if you are prone to seasickness.

The total package is listed as approximately five and a half hours, while the individual cruises are described as 2.5 hours for the aurora trip and 3.5 hours for whale watching. Since these are separate departures, your actual day may include time between tours, transport, and waiting around the harbor.

If you choose hotel pickup, collection begins about 60 minutes before departure. This is convenient, but it also creates one detail you need to manage carefully: make sure the pickup arrangement and departure time are confirmed. A serious complaint involved a missed hotel pickup and confusion over whether the boat had already left. The issue was later rearranged, but it is a good reminder to reconfirm rather than rely on assumptions.

The 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise

The aurora trip leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on the time of year. The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, away from some of the city’s immediate light, while the guide explains the science behind the Northern Lights along with Icelandic myths and stories.

That combination works well. You are not simply standing on deck hoping the sky changes. The guide gives you something useful to listen to while the crew searches for clearer skies and any sign of auroral activity. The best feedback about this part praised the crew’s information and the fact that the speaker system made the guide easy to hear from different decks.

The boat has heated indoor seating, which matters more than it may sound. Icelandic winter wind can cut through ordinary clothing, and waiting outside for a faint glow can become tiring. Thermal overalls are available, including children’s sizes, so you can spend time on deck without treating the experience as an endurance test.

Still, keep expectations realistic. The Northern Lights are not always bright green ribbons. One successful outing produced lights that looked better in photographs than they did in person, while another had a strong display under clear skies. Cloud cover can block everything, and rough seas may cause cancellation.

The cruise can also feel uneven depending on the guide and the conditions. A few comments praised the entertainment and the speakers, while another found the presentation dull and lacking useful information. That variation is worth noting if the aurora itself does not appear, since the guide and atmosphere become a bigger part of the evening.

What the Northern Lights can really look like

Photos often exaggerate aurora color because cameras collect more light than your eyes. To you, a real display might begin as a pale band or soft gray-green shimmer before becoming more visible. If strong activity arrives, the effect can be magical, but the experience may also be subtle.

The cruise is best for someone who wants a chance to see the aurora without driving outside Reykjavik at night. It is not a guarantee, and it is not necessarily the best choice for someone who dislikes boats or needs a bright, dramatic display to feel satisfied.

The operator provides a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen. That is a sensible policy, especially for visitors with several nights in town. If you are in Reykjavik for only one night, though, a replacement ticket may not help.

The 3.5-hour whale-watching trip

The whale excursion also departs from the Old Harbour and heads into Faxaflói Bay. The crew watches for humpback and minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. Seals have also appeared during some outings.

This trip has produced the most vivid wildlife encounters in the available feedback. One outing found three humpback whales playing near the boat. Another saw five minke whales. Other departures produced dolphins and porpoises but no whales, which is a fair reminder that the bay is a natural environment, not an aquarium with scheduled appearances.

I especially like the free return option here. When wildlife does not appear, you can try again without buying a second full ticket. The catch is time. If your final day in Iceland is the day of the unsuccessful trip, you may not have a chance to use the offer.

The guide can shape the experience. Iga received exceptional praise for spotting whales and finding activity close to the boat. That kind of sharp eye matters because a whale may surface only briefly, and the person who notices first can help everyone get their cameras ready.

The boat also has WiFi, heated indoor seating, thermal overalls, and complimentary seasickness tablets if needed. Food and drinks are not included, although you can buy them onboard. Bring warm clothes anyway. The overalls help, but they do not make Icelandic weather disappear.

Rough seas and seasickness are real concerns

This is the most important practical warning. One party saw no whales and became severely seasick during the 3.5-hour trip. They felt the outing should have been canceled because of the sea conditions. Another Northern Lights cruise was canceled because the water was too choppy.

The operator requires suitable weather and may offer a different date or a full refund when conditions force cancellation. That is reassuring, but the exact experience of a sailing day can still be uncomfortable if the boat goes ahead and the water is rough.

If you know you are sensitive to motion, use the complimentary seasickness tablets if appropriate and ask staff about them before departure. Sit inside when needed, dress warmly, and avoid treating the open deck as your only viewing area. Even with precautions, a boat trip remains a boat trip.

Same day or separate days?

You can take both tours on the same day or spread them across your Iceland vacation. I prefer separate days if your schedule allows. That gives you a better chance of moving a trip after bad weather and avoids turning one day into a long stretch of boat time.

Taking both on one day may suit you if your Reykjavik stay is short. It also leaves more time for other activities on the remaining days. Just remember that a missed or delayed departure can affect the rest of your schedule.

The Northern Lights cruise typically runs late, at 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. The whale trip uses a different departure schedule, so reconfirm both times with Special Tours Iceland. The voucher includes instructions for doing this, and it is worth treating that step as essential rather than optional.

What the price includes

At $186.74 per person, the package is attractive if you use both excursions. The included thermal clothing alone removes one small travel expense, while heated indoor seats and seasickness tablets add practical comfort. Free WiFi is useful for checking messages or sharing photos, though you should not depend on it as the reason to book.

Food and drinks cost extra. Hotel transfers also cost extra, at 1,100 ISK per person for each trip. For two tours, that can add up quickly, especially for a couple or family. If you are near central Reykjavik, walking or using public transportation to Geirsgata 11 may offer better value.

The boat accommodates up to 198 people. That is a fairly large maximum group, so this is not an intimate private wildlife outing. A larger vessel can feel reassuring in rough conditions and gives you several viewing areas, but you may need to move promptly when a whale surfaces.

Guide quality makes a noticeable difference

The best moments depend on more than luck. A strong whale guide can spot a distant blow before you do, explain which species you are seeing, and help you understand what to watch for next. Iga’s whale-spotting ability received especially warm praise, while the crew as a whole was often described as professional and well informed.

The Northern Lights guide also matters because aurora activity can remain weak or absent for much of the trip. Good explanations about the science and Icelandic legends help fill the waiting time. The experience is less satisfying when the commentary feels flat or the information is thin.

Special Tours also offers a mobile app in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. That can help you follow information in your preferred language, although the tour itself is offered in English.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at booking, but you still need to reconfirm cruise times with the supplier. Warm clothing is recommended even though thermal overalls are provided.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The package receives an overall rating of 4.5 from 31 ratings. The strongest praise centers on professional crew members, clear explanations, successful whale sightings, and the value of combining two popular Reykjavik excursions. The lower ratings focus on missed pickups, rough seas, no wildlife, cloudy skies, and uneven Northern Lights commentary.

Should you book the Reykjavik Super Saver?

I would book this package if you have at least a little schedule flexibility and want both sea wildlife and a chance at the aurora. The free retry policy, thermal overalls, heated seating, and two-tour discount make it a sensible choice for a first visit to Reykjavik.

I would hesitate if you have only one fixed evening, severe seasickness, or a strict expectation of seeing whales and bright Northern Lights. Nature may provide an unforgettable show, but it may also provide dolphins instead of whales, clouds instead of aurora, or rough seas instead of a comfortable cruise.

For the best odds, take the trips on separate days when possible, reconfirm every departure and pickup detail, and keep a spare evening for a replacement Northern Lights attempt. You are paying for a well-equipped chance to see Iceland’s natural wonders, not a guaranteed performance.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Both activities start at Special Tours Iceland at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, and finish back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel and cruise-port pickup can be arranged for an additional 1,100 ISK per person, per trip.

How long is the experience?

The package lasts approximately five and a half hours. The Northern Lights cruise is described as 2.5 hours, and the whale-watching cruise is 3.5 hours. They are separate trips.

Can I take the two cruises on different days?

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

What time does the Northern Lights cruise leave?

The Northern Lights cruise leaves at either 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on the time of year. You should reconfirm the exact time with the supplier.

What animals might I see?

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

What happens if I see no wildlife?

You receive a free ticket to try the tour again if nothing is seen. The replacement is only useful if you have enough time to take another trip.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time.