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

Faxaflói Bay gives you two very different Iceland experiences in one package: daylight spent searching for whales, and a nighttime cruise beneath the Northern Lights. The whale trip lasts about 3.5 hours, while the evening cruise takes about 2.5 hours from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

I like the discounted pairing, especially if you want two classic Iceland activities without arranging them separately. I also like the practical touches: thermal overalls in adult and children’s sizes, heated indoor seating, free WiFi, sea sickness tablets, and a free return ticket if your whale trip finds no wildlife.

The catch is simple: nature sets the schedule. Rough seas can cancel the Northern Lights cruise, clouds can hide the aurora, and whales may stay out of sight. Seasickness is also a real concern, so check the forecast and pack accordingly.

Key points at a glance

• Two cruises for one price: The package costs $186.74 per person and can be taken on one day or split across separate days.
• Faxaflói Bay wildlife: Keep watch for humpback and minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and seals.
• Northern Lights from the water: The 2.5-hour evening cruise includes explanations of the aurora’s science, myths, and legends.
• Iga’s sharp spotting: One especially praised whale guide, Iga, helped passengers find three playful humpback whales close to the boat.
• Useful cold-weather gear: Thermal overalls, heated indoor areas, WiFi, and complimentary sea sickness tablets are included.
• Weather backup: If no wildlife appears, you receive a free ticket to try the whale trip again. Weather cancellations may bring a new date or full refund.

Why this Reykjavik combination works

Iceland can become expensive when you book every major activity separately. At $186.74 per person, this package is worth considering if whale watching and the Northern Lights are both high on your list.

The value comes from the range of the experience. You are not paying for two versions of the same outing. The whale cruise is an active daytime search across Faxaflói Bay, with attention fixed on the water. The Northern Lights trip is slower and darker, with the sky as your main subject and a guide explaining what you are seeing.

You can take both tours on the same day or spread them across your Iceland stay. I prefer separate days if your schedule allows. That gives you another chance to fit around clouds, wind, and your own energy. Taking both in one day can work, but it creates a long day with a late finish.

The company allows up to 198 people on the activity. That is a large maximum group, so do not expect a private boat or an intimate wildlife outing. The benefit is space to move between decks and indoor areas. The drawback is that the best viewing spots can become busy, particularly when a whale surfaces near the boat.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Both trips begin at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The activity returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the arrangement easy if you are staying in central Reykjavik.

Hotel and cruise-port pickup is available, but it costs an additional 1,100 Icelandic krona per person per trip. If you choose pickup, it begins about 60 minutes before departure. That fee applies separately to each outing, so taking both trips with pickup adds to the headline price.

The cruise times need to be reconfirmed with the supplier. The Northern Lights departure is listed as 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on the season. This matters in Iceland, where daylight changes sharply through the year. Check the exact time before you build dinner plans or airport arrangements around it.

The meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. Food and drinks are not included, though you can buy them on board.

The 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise

The whale trip heads from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay. This broad bay is the setting for a search, not a guaranteed animal encounter. You may spot humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, or seals.

A good guide makes a major difference here. The crew must scan a wide stretch of water, communicate sightings quickly, and explain what you are seeing without losing the group’s attention. Iga received especially strong praise for spotting skill, helping passengers find three humpback whales playing near the boat.

That kind of sighting can be thrilling, but you should set your expectations correctly. One outing produced five minke whales for some passengers. Another found dolphins and porpoises but no whales. Some saw only a few seals. Others saw no wildlife at all.

The free return ticket is therefore important, not just a small bonus. If nothing is seen, you can try the whale trip again without paying another fare. The ticket does not solve every problem, since you may be leaving Iceland soon or may not want to return to the water after a rough crossing. Still, it shows that the company recognizes the difference between a good search and an empty one.

The boat has heated indoor seating, but you should still bring warm clothing. You may spend time outside for the clearest view, and Iceland’s wind can make the air feel much colder than it does on land. Thermal overalls are supplied, including children’s sizes.

The main risk is seasickness. One particularly unhappy outing involved rough water and illness for an entire party. Complimentary tablets are available, but if you are prone to motion sickness, take the possibility seriously. Ask for a tablet before departure and use the indoor area if the water turns rough.

The sound system has not always been perfect, so standing close enough to hear the guide can help. The crew is generally praised for clear explanations and a professional approach, but the quality of the spoken commentary can vary by guide and by where you are standing.

The 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise

The evening outing takes you onto Faxaflói Bay to search for the aurora. The darkness of open water can reduce some of the artificial light around you, giving you a good setting for watching the sky.

The guide explains what causes the Northern Lights, along with Icelandic myths and stories connected to the phenomenon. This adds useful context when the display is faint. A strong aurora can carry the evening, but on a weaker night, good commentary helps you understand what you are seeing.

There is no guarantee of a sighting. Clouds can cover the sky, and solar activity may be too low. Rough seas can also force a cancellation. One outing was canceled because the water was too choppy, while other departures ran but found no lights because of cloud cover.

When the conditions cooperate, the cruise can deliver a memorable night. Some departures have found the lights, even when other vehicle-based outings were canceled because of weather. Still, photographs can make the aurora look brighter and more dramatic than it appears to the naked eye. You may see a pale green arc or a faint glow rather than a bright curtain overhead.

The evening boat includes indoor heated seating, and you can step outside for a clearer view. Warm clothes remain essential. The Northern Lights cruise is not a stage show, and the entertainment can feel a little forced to some people. I would treat the commentary as a useful extra rather than the main reason to book.

One day or two separate outings?

The package gives you scheduling flexibility. You can take both trips on the same day or spread them across different days during your Iceland stay.

A same-day plan is efficient if your visit is short. You get the whale cruise during the day and the Northern Lights cruise late in the evening. This arrangement also leaves other days open for Reykjavik, the Golden Circle, or another activity.

The cost is your stamina. A 3.5-hour cruise followed by a late evening departure can make for a tiring day, especially if the sea is rough. You also lose the benefit of having a second weather window.

Separate days are the safer choice when the aurora is a top priority. You can monitor the forecast and keep another evening available. You can also use the free whale return ticket more easily if the first outing finds no wildlife.

The Northern Lights cruise is seasonal in practice because you need darkness. The exact departure time changes through the year, so confirm it before booking other evening plans.

What the equipment and onboard setup add

The included thermal overalls are one of the package’s most useful details. You still need warm base layers, a hat, and gloves, but the overalls reduce the amount of specialized clothing you must bring or rent.

Heated indoor seating gives you a place to warm up between sightings. This matters on a long whale trip, when you may spend several hours switching between outside viewing and shelter. It also helps families with children, who may not want to remain on deck for the entire cruise.

Free WiFi is included, and the company provides a Special Tours app in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Sea sickness tablets are available at no extra charge. Food and drinks cost extra, so bring a snack or budget for purchases on board.

The large maximum capacity means the boats are built for a broad audience rather than a small expedition group. Most people can take part, but you should expect a shared experience with other passengers and should arrive ready to move around for a good view.

The weather question you should take seriously

Iceland’s marine weather can change quickly. Cloud affects the Northern Lights, wind affects both comfort and safety, and rough seas can make whale watching unpleasant even when the tour operates.

A weather cancellation comes with the option of another date or a full refund. That is different from a successful departure with no sightings. For a whale trip with no animals, the free retry ticket applies. For a Northern Lights cruise with no aurora, the supplied information does not promise a free repeat, so check the current terms before booking if the lights are your main goal.

This distinction matters. The company cannot control the sky or the sea, but you still need to decide how much uncertainty you can accept. Keep your schedule flexible and avoid putting the whale outing on your final possible day if you want to use the return ticket.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded. The cutoff uses local Icelandic time.

Who will get the most from this package?

I would recommend this for a first visit to Iceland when you want two major nature activities from Reykjavik without arranging separate operators. It suits couples, families, and anyone who appreciates having warm gear and indoor seating available.

It is also a good fit if you have several nights in Reykjavik. Extra time gives you more room to handle cloudy skies, rough water, or an unsuccessful whale search.

I would hesitate if you are very sensitive to motion, have only one free day, or need guaranteed results. You may see whales and the aurora, but neither can be promised. The retry policy helps with the whale trip, yet it may not help if you leave Iceland immediately afterward.

Should you book the Iceland Super Saver?

Book it if you want both whale watching and a Northern Lights cruise, value the convenience of one operator, and can accept nature’s uncertainty. The thermal overalls, heated seating, retry ticket for an empty whale outing, and flexible split-day schedule add real value to the $186.74 price.

Think twice if rough seas would ruin the day or if your schedule leaves no room for a second attempt. For the best chance of enjoying the package, take the whale cruise on a day with a reasonable marine forecast, keep more than one evening open for the aurora, and reconfirm your departure times before you go.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

Both outings start at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland, in the Old Harbour area. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long are the two cruises?

The whale-watching cruise lasts about 3.5 hours. The Northern Lights cruise lasts about 2.5 hours. The total package duration is approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes, though taking both on the same day involves separate departure times.

Can I take the tours 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 departs at either 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on the time of year. You need to reconfirm the exact cruise time with the supplier.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel and cruise-port pickup can be added for an extra fee of 1,100 Icelandic krona per person per trip. If selected, pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.

What animals might I see on the whale cruise?

Possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and seals. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see any whales?

You receive a free ticket to try the whale-watching tour again. This may be less useful if you are leaving Iceland soon, so keep your schedule in mind.

Is warm clothing provided?

Thermal overalls are available for use, including children’s sizes. You should still wear warm clothing, since the boat can be cold and windy.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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