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

Nature writes the schedule here. This Reykjavik package pairs a 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise with a 3.5-hour whale-watching trip, giving you two very different ways to experience Faxaflói Bay. I like the free return option when sightings fail, and I like the heated indoor seating with thermal overalls included. The main catch is simple: whales and auroras answer to weather, not timetables.

I also like that you can take both trips on the same day or split them across your stay. That gives you room to work around Iceland’s changeable skies. Still, rough seas can make the whale trip miserable, and a cloudy night can turn the Northern Lights cruise into a cold search with no reward.

Key points before you book

• Two sea trips for one package price: The $186.74 per-person cost covers a Northern Lights cruise and a whale-watching excursion, which can be scheduled together or on separate days.
• Thermal overalls are supplied: You can borrow warm gear in adult and children’s sizes, though you should still arrive in proper outdoor clothing.
• Sightings are never promised: You may see humpback whales, minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, or the aurora, but nature can also come up empty.
• Free retry protection helps: If you see no wildlife or no Northern Lights, you receive a free ticket to try again, subject to the operator’s arrangements and your remaining time.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: Pickup from a hotel or cruise port is available, but the listed additional cost is 1,100 ISK per person per trip.
• The Old Harbour is your base: Both outings begin and end at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik.

Two very different trips from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

This package works because the outings complement each other. Whale watching is a daytime search for movement on the water. The Northern Lights cruise is a nighttime wait for color in the sky. One depends mainly on marine activity and sea conditions. The other needs darkness, clear skies, and auroral activity.

You meet at Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The company offers free WiFi, heated indoor areas, complimentary seasickness tablets, and an app available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them aboard.

The package price is $186.74 per person. I consider that reasonable if you have enough time to use both parts, especially since separate bookings can cost more and the free retry policy adds some protection. It is less attractive if your stay is short, your stomach dislikes boats, or you are counting on seeing two major natural sights in one sweep.

The listed combined duration is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, while the individual trips are described as 2.5 hours for the aurora cruise and 3.5 hours for whale watching. Treat this as a package of two outings rather than one continuous five-and-a-half-hour event. Depending on departure times and transfers, the two activities can take up a large part of your day and evening.

The 3.5-hour whale-watching trip

The whale trip carries you from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay. Your job is to watch the water carefully. A sudden blow, a dark back, or a quick fin can be your only warning that something is nearby.

The species listed for this area include humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. Seals have also been seen. The wildlife can be scattered, so patience matters. This is not a show with fixed viewing times. You may spend long stretches scanning the bay before a sighting gives everyone a reason to point, photograph, and hurry to the rail.

The strongest wildlife accounts describe several humpback whales playing near the boat, five minke whales, and groups of dolphins and porpoises. Iga received special praise for spotting ability, with three humpbacks found close to the boat during one outing. That detail matters because a sharp-eyed guide can make a real difference when the animals surface briefly.

Still, you should prepare for an empty trip. Some outings produced only seals and dolphins, while others saw no wildlife at all. The free retry ticket softens that disappointment, but it is most useful if you have another day in Reykjavik. If this is your final morning or afternoon, a return ticket may have no practical value.

The sea itself can be the hardest part. One account described the trip as unbearable because every member of the group became sick. The company provides seasickness tablets, but you should not treat that as a guarantee of comfort. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the warning about rough water seriously, dress warmly, and use the heated indoor seating when needed.

The boat has more than one deck and indoor space, so you can move around as conditions change. The guide’s commentary adds context about the marine species, though the sound system has not always been easy to hear on the whale boat. Stay near the guide when possible if you want to catch the explanations.

The 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise

The aurora outing leaves 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 head out into Faxaflói Bay, away from some of Reykjavik’s city light, and watch the northern sky from the boat.

An informed guide explains the science behind the Northern Lights and shares Icelandic myths connected with the phenomenon. That combination works best when the guide keeps the talk clear and lively. One account praised the crew and explanations, while another found the aurora guide dull and light on useful information. Your experience may depend partly on the individual guide assigned that night.

Aurora viewing on a boat has an appealing simplicity. You are out on dark water, looking up rather than sitting on a bus waiting for a roadside clearing. If the sky opens and the lights appear, the setting can be beautiful. Several outings were lucky enough to see the aurora, including one night when other land-based trips had been canceled because of weather.

But do not expect the lights to look exactly like enhanced photographs. One account noted that the aurora appeared more impressive in pictures than in person. Camera exposure can reveal colors and shapes that your eyes see less clearly. That does not make the sighting false or disappointing, but it helps you set a fair expectation.

Cloud cover and sea conditions can cancel the outing or prevent a useful search. On one occasion, the Northern Lights trip was canceled because the sea was too rough. On another, low activity meant the trip did not go ahead. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The boat includes heated indoor seating, which gives you a place to warm up between checks of the sky. Thermal overalls are available, including children’s sizes. I would still wear layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes. The North Atlantic does not care that you are excited about the aurora.

Same day or separate days?

You can take both tours on the same day or spread them across your Iceland visit. I prefer separate days if your schedule allows. Whale watching is easier to enjoy when you are not thinking about a late-night cruise, and the aurora trip is less stressful when you are not racing back from another activity.

The same-day option can save planning time. It also works well if you want to keep other days open for waterfalls, hot springs, or a longer excursion. The tradeoff is fatigue. A daytime boat trip followed by a late Northern Lights departure can make for a long day, especially if you spend much of the whale trip standing outside in wind and cold.

Reconfirm your cruise times with Special Tours before going. The departure hour for the aurora cruise changes by season, and pickup arrangements need extra attention. If you choose hotel or cruise-port pickup, confirm the meeting details carefully. One poor experience involved a missed hotel pickup, conflicting explanations, and a later attempt under cloudy skies. That appears to be an exception, but it is a useful reason to confirm everything directly.

What the guides and crew add

A good guide can turn a wait into part of the experience. On the whale trip, the best commentary helps you understand what you are looking at, why certain species matter, and where to focus your eyes. Iga’s spotting skill earned especially strong praise, which is exactly the kind of practical ability you want on a wildlife cruise.

On the aurora boat, the guide’s role is different. You need clear explanations of solar activity, local stories, and realistic advice about what you may see. The strongest accounts describe guides who were easy to hear and well informed. The weaker experience involved uninspiring commentary and a poor sense of occasion.

The company’s local reputation and professional crew were also praised, along with clear explanations across the decks. That is important on a large boat, where you may not remain in one place. The maximum group size is listed as 198 people, so this is not an intimate small-boat outing. The upside is room, indoor shelter, and more viewing areas. The downside is that the experience can feel less personal when the boat is busy.

Comfort, clothing, and practical details

Thermal overalls are included and available for children. Heated indoor seating is another useful feature, especially during a long wait for a whale or a patch of clear sky. Free WiFi is provided, and the Special Tours app offers information in five languages, including English.

You can buy food and drinks aboard, but they are not included in the package price. Bring your own water if you prefer not to buy refreshments, though you should rely only on what the operator permits on board.

Seasickness tablets are available at no charge. If you know you are sensitive to motion, plan ahead rather than waiting until the boat begins to roll. The whale trip lasts about 3.5 hours, long enough for poor sea conditions to become a serious problem.

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik, and the activity ends back there. Public transportation is nearby. Hotel and cruise-port pickup can be added for 1,100 ISK per person per trip, so two outings with pickup can add 2,200 ISK per person. For a couple or family, that extra cost can become noticeable.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Confirmation is provided at booking, but you still need to reconfirm the cruise times with the supplier.

How the free retry affects the value

The retry policy is one of the strongest parts of the package. If you see no whales or no Northern Lights, you receive a free ticket to try again. That does not change the weather, but it gives you another chance if your itinerary has room.

The policy has limits in practical terms. Several people could not use the return ticket because they were leaving Iceland soon. If you book near the end of your stay, think of the retry as a bonus rather than a reliable replacement for the original experience.

The same principle applies to weather cancellations. If the company cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That is better than sailing into unsafe conditions, though it may disrupt a tightly planned holiday.

Who should book this package?

I would recommend it to you if you want two classic Iceland experiences and can keep your schedule flexible. It suits families because thermal clothing comes in children’s sizes, and it suits first-time visitors who want a simple departure from Reykjavik rather than separate transport arrangements.

It is also a good fit for anyone who values a second chance. The free retry matters more here than on many sightseeing trips because wildlife and auroras are genuinely uncertain.

I would hesitate if you suffer badly from seasickness, have only one available day, or need guaranteed results. The whale cruise can produce spectacular humpback sightings, but it can also produce dolphins, porpoises, seals, or nothing. The Northern Lights cruise can deliver a memorable display, but clouds, sea conditions, and low activity can end the search without a sighting.

Should you book the Iceland Super Saver?

Book it if you want to improve your odds by trying two natural experiences and you can accept uncertainty. The price is fair for two boat trips, thermal overalls, indoor seating, guide commentary, and a free retry option.

For the best chance of enjoying it, schedule the outings early in your stay, keep at least one flexible day, and reconfirm every departure and pickup detail. Bring warm layers even though overalls are supplied. If the sea is rough, remember that a free return ticket is worth little if you refuse to sail again, so know your own tolerance.

This is not a guaranteed whale or aurora show. It is a well-supported search from Reykjavik’s harbor, with skilled crew members, useful backup policies, and a fair chance of a memorable sighting.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

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

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The Northern Lights cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

How long is the whale-watching tour?

The whale-watching trip lasts approximately 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 across separate days during your Iceland visit.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel and cruise-port pickup can be added for an extra fee of 1,100 ISK per person per trip.

What happens if I see no wildlife or Northern Lights?

You receive a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. The return option is most useful if you have enough time remaining in Iceland.

What should I wear?

Warm clothing is recommended. Thermal overalls are available in adult and children’s sizes, and heated indoor seating is provided.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The experience requires suitable weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you are offered a different date or a full refund.