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

A humpback whale breaking the surface and green Northern Lights rippling over Faxaflói Bay would make a fine pair of Iceland memories. This package gives you two chances at that combination, with a 3.5-hour whale cruise and a 2.5-hour evening sailing from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

I like the practical extras: thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, free seasickness tablets, and a free ticket to try again if no wildlife appears. I also like the choice of taking both trips on one busy day or spreading them across your stay. The catch is simple: nature runs the schedule. Rough seas can cancel the Northern Lights cruise, clouds can hide the sky, and a whale boat can produce no whales at all.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate cruises for $186.74: You get a whale-watching trip and a Northern Lights sailing at one combined price.
• Humpback whales are possible: Faxaflói Bay can also produce minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, and seals.
• The evening boat leaves at 9 or 10 pm: The departure varies by season, so reconfirm your time with Special Tours.
• You can try again for free: If the whale cruise produces no wildlife, or the Northern Lights do not appear, a free return ticket may be offered.
• Thermal overalls are supplied: Warm clothing still matters, especially on the open decks.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: Pickup is available for 1,100 ISK per person, per trip, rather than being included in the package price.

Two Reykjavik cruises with very different moods

This Super Saver works because the two outings complement each other. The whale trip is a daytime search across open water, with your eyes scanning for a blow, fin, or rolling back. The Northern Lights trip is quieter and more patient, asking you to watch the sky while an expert guide explains both the science and the old stories tied to the aurora.

You depart from Geirsgata 11 at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The meeting point is easy to use as a base because both cruises begin and end there. If you add hotel or cruise-port pickup, plan on collection about 60 minutes before departure, and remember that the extra fee applies to each trip.

The package price is $186.74 per person. That is good value if you want both activities and have enough time to use the retry option. It is less attractive if you are buying it only for one target, since neither whales nor Northern Lights can be promised.

The two tours may take place on the same day or on separate days. I prefer separate days when possible. You get more flexibility if weather disrupts one sailing, and you are not spending most of one day on boats. The same-day option can work well if your Reykjavik schedule is tight.

The 3.5-hour whale search in Faxaflói Bay

The whale-watching cruise heads from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay. The trip lasts about three and a half hours, long enough to give the crew time to search rather than simply make a short coastal loop.

Your main targets are humpback and minke whales, though the bay may also produce harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins. Seals have also been seen. The most exciting encounters can be active: one account describes three humpbacks playing near the boat, while another recorded five minke whales.

That does not mean you should expect a parade of whales. Some trips produce dolphins and porpoises but no whales. Others find no wildlife at all. Special Tours offers a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen, which gives the price real value if your schedule allows another outing.

The boat has heated indoor seating, but you will want to step outside often. Wildlife can appear on either side, and the open decks give you the best chance to spot a distant blow. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen. A whale may surface for only a few seconds.

A guide explains the animals and helps direct your attention. Iga has earned particular praise for spotting whales, and a skilled spotter can make a real difference on a wide bay where a small fin or distant spray is easy to miss.

The main risk is seasickness. Faxaflói Bay can be rough, and one particularly unpleasant trip left an entire party ill after seeing no whales. Free seasickness tablets are available, but take the warning seriously. If you are sensitive to motion, use the indoor seating, stay near the middle of the boat if possible, and ask the crew for tablets before the water becomes rough.

The operator may offer another trip if conditions prevent a good wildlife outing. That helps, but it does not solve the problem if this is your last day in Iceland. Leave room in your schedule if seeing whales matters to you.

The 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise after dark

The Northern Lights cruise lasts about two and a half hours and departs from the Old Harbour at either 9 pm or 10 pm, depending on the time of year. You sail into Faxaflói Bay, away from some of Reykjavik’s immediate city light, and watch the sky with help from the guide.

The guide covers what causes the aurora as well as the myths and stories connected with it. That explanation gives the waiting time a purpose. On a clear night with active aurora, the boat provides a memorable setting. Even a faint display can feel special when it appears over dark water.

Still, you should keep your expectations in check. The lights may be weak, hidden by cloud, or absent altogether. One outing was canceled because the sea was too choppy. Other trips sailed successfully but found no aurora because of cloud cover or low activity.

A boat trip is not automatically better than a bus-based search. Its strength is the open horizon and the chance to watch from the water without constantly changing locations. Its weakness is that rough conditions may stop the trip, and you cannot simply drive to a clearer patch of sky.

The supplied feedback points to a second issue: the quality of the evening depends partly on the guide. Some guides were praised for clear explanations and good information. One passenger found the guide dull and poorly informed, even though the lights appeared. Entertainment on the Northern Lights boat also received mixed comments, and the speaker system was not perfect on one whale cruise.

That inconsistency is worth knowing before you book. The natural spectacle is the main event, but the guide shapes the experience during the long periods of waiting.

Warm clothing, indoor refuge, and sea conditions

Special Tours supplies thermal overalls, including children’s sizes. This is a useful benefit, but do not treat it as a substitute for your own layers. Bring warm clothes, and add a hat and gloves if you plan to spend time outside.

The boats have heated indoor areas, which matter on both trips. On the whale cruise, you can warm up between sightings. On the evening sailing, you can step indoors while waiting for a break in the cloud, then return outside when the guide spots activity.

Free WiFi is included, and food and drinks can be bought onboard. Neither cruise includes food, so plan to purchase something onboard or eat beforehand. Seasickness tablets are complimentary if needed.

The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. It is a useful extra for people who prefer information through an app, although the tour itself is offered in English.

The group size can reach 198 people. That is a sizable boatload, not a small private wildlife trip. You should expect shared viewing areas and plenty of other people moving between the indoor and outdoor decks. The upside is more eyes searching the bay. The downside is less personal space at the best viewing points.

How to plan the two outings in Reykjavik

You can take both tours on the same day or separate them across your Iceland stay. The choice depends on your schedule and your tolerance for a long day.

The same-day plan usually means a whale trip earlier and the Northern Lights cruise late at night. It saves time and lets you finish both activities quickly. It also creates a tiring stretch, especially if the boats are rough or your evening departure runs late.

Separate days give you a better chance to use a free retry. If you see no wildlife or the weather cancels the aurora sailing, you have more room to move the activity. This is the plan I would choose for a longer stay in Reykjavik.

Reconfirm both cruise times with Special Tours. The departure hour for the Northern Lights trip changes by season, and the voucher directs you to confirm the details. Hotel pickup is optional and costs 1,100 ISK per person per trip. Without pickup, go directly to Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik.

The tours end back at the same meeting point. That makes the harbor convenient, but you still need to allow time to return to your hotel after a late evening cruise. The tour is offered in English, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

What the free retry really means

The retry policy is one of the package’s strongest features, but it has limits in practice. If the boat sees no wildlife, you may receive a ticket to try again without an expiration date. That is excellent for a longer Iceland stay or a future return to the country.

It is less useful on a short visit. If the whale cruise is your final activity before flying home, a free ticket cannot help you now. The same problem applies when the Northern Lights trip is canceled or when cloud hides the sky and there is no time left.

The operator has also offered a free return Northern Lights trip after an unsuccessful outing. This shows good faith, but you still carry the risk of weather, sea conditions, and timing. Book early enough in your stay to preserve a second chance.

If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside 24 hours, no refund is provided, and changes are not accepted.

Who will get the most from this package

I would choose this for someone who wants two classic Iceland activities without arranging separate bookings. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who like the convenience of a shared harbor departure and supplied warm gear.

It is also a good fit if you have at least a few days in Reykjavik. Extra time lets you use the retry policy and gives you more flexibility around bad weather.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, suffer badly from seasickness, or have only one open day. The whale trip can last three and a half hours in rough water, and the Northern Lights cruise may be canceled when the sea is too choppy.

You should also avoid treating the package as a guaranteed wildlife or aurora purchase. You are paying for guided searches in a strong setting, not a fixed show. The happiest approach is to value the time on the bay, the guides, and the chance of a sighting, then regard the whale or aurora as a bonus.

Is the Iceland Super Saver worth booking?

At $186.74 per person, this is a sensible buy if you want both a whale-watching cruise and a Northern Lights outing, especially with thermal overalls, heated seating, and a free retry included.

Book it if you have flexible days, can handle open water, and want an easy Reykjavik departure. Choose separate dates when possible, reconfirm the sailing times, and arrange pickup only if the added 1,100 ISK per person per trip is worthwhile for you.

Skip it if your schedule cannot absorb a weather change or a second attempt. The package gives you two well-planned chances at memorable Iceland nature, but it cannot control the sea, the clouds, the whales, or the aurora.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Both cruises begin at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. Each activity ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the Iceland Super Saver experience?

The whale-watching cruise lasts about 3.5 hours, and the Northern Lights cruise lasts about 2.5 hours. The listed overall duration is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, though the two tours may be taken on separate days.

What time does the Northern Lights cruise leave?

The Northern Lights cruise departs at either 9 pm or 10 pm, depending on the time of year. You need to reconfirm the exact time with the supplier.

Can I take both tours on the same day?

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 arranged for an additional 1,100 ISK per person per trip. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure if selected.

What wildlife might I see on the whale cruise?

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

Are whales and Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings and Northern Lights displays depend on nature and cannot be guaranteed. Cloud, low activity, and rough seas can affect the experience.

What happens if nothing is seen?

A free ticket to try again may be offered if no wildlife is seen. A free return trip may also be offered after an unsuccessful Northern Lights outing, depending on the circumstances and available time.

Are warm clothes provided?

Thermal overalls are available, including children’s sizes. Warm personal clothing is still recommended. The boats also have heated indoor seating areas.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and no refund is provided. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can receive a different date or a full refund.