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

The best part of this Iceland package is the chance to chase two very different natural shows from the same harbor. By day, you scan Faxaflói Bay for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, and porpoises. By night, you head offshore with an expert guide to watch for the Northern Lights.

I like the discounted combination and the practical comforts: thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, WiFi, sea-sickness tablets, and a free return trip if nothing is seen. The guides can add real color, too. Iga has earned a reputation for spotting whales, while the Northern Lights guide explains both the science and Icelandic myths.

The catch is simple: nature controls the schedule. Rough seas can cancel the aurora cruise, clouds can hide the lights, and whales may stay below the surface. Bring warm clothes, allow flexibility, and do not book this as your only chance to see either sight.

Key points at a glance

• Two cruises from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: A whale-watching outing and a separate Northern Lights search can be taken on the same day or on different days.
• Faxaflói Bay wildlife: Keep watch for humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbor porpoises, and seals.
• Northern Lights guidance: Your guide covers the causes of the aurora as well as Icelandic legends connected to it.
• Useful onboard comforts: You get thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, WiFi, and complimentary sea-sickness tablets.
• A free second chance: If no wildlife appears on the whale trip, or if the Northern Lights do not cooperate, a free retry may be offered, subject to time and availability.
• Weather matters: Choppy water, cloud cover, and low activity can reduce the experience or stop a cruise altogether.

Two Reykjavik cruises, one flexible package

This Super Saver package joins two Special Tours Iceland outings at a combined price of about $186.74 per person. The exact value depends on how much you would otherwise pay for each trip, but bundling makes sense if both whale watching and aurora hunting are already on your Iceland list.

You can take the trips on the same day or split them across your stay. I prefer separating them when possible. Whale watching is a daytime outing, while the Northern Lights cruise starts at about 9 or 10 p.m., depending on the season. A split schedule gives you more room to handle weather changes and leaves you less worn out.

The package is described as roughly five and a half hours overall. The individual outings are listed as a 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise and a 3.5-hour whale-watching tour, so the timing can vary by departure and schedule. Confirm both times with Special Tours before you go.

Both trips begin at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and return there. Hotel or cruise-port pickup is available, but it costs an extra 1,100 ISK per person per trip. That fee applies separately to each outing, so walking to the harbor or using public transport may be better value if you are staying nearby.

Faxaflói Bay and the hunt for whales

The whale-watching trip takes you from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a guaranteed animal performance. You spend much of the time scanning open water, waiting for a blow, a fin, or a brief dark shape at the surface.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it also sets the right expectations. You might see humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, white-beaked dolphins, or seals. You might also see very little. One outing produced several humpbacks close to the boat, while another found dolphins and porpoises but no whales. On a different trip, five minke whales appeared. The range of results tells you exactly what you are buying: a well-supported search, not a guaranteed sighting.

The crew helps you know where to look. Guides point out marine life and explain the species you may encounter. Iga is specifically praised for her sharp whale-spotting skills, and that matters on a large bay where a whale may surface only briefly.

Bring a camera, but keep your eyes up. Wildlife can appear on either side of the vessel, and the most memorable moment may last only a few seconds. I would also wear layers under the provided thermal overalls. The sea air can feel cold even when Reykjavik itself seems mild.

What happens when the sea is rough

The main drawback of the whale trip is motion. One particularly difficult outing involved rough water and severe sea sickness, with everyone in one party becoming ill. The boat carries complimentary sea-sickness tablets, and you can use the heated indoor areas if conditions become unpleasant, but neither solves the problem completely.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take the issue seriously. Ask for tablets onboard if needed, dress warmly, and choose a seat that helps you feel steady. The tour provider may offer a free return trip if no animals are seen, but that offer is not much use if you know you will not want to board again.

Rough seas can also affect the Northern Lights cruise. One departure was canceled because the water was too choppy. Since the package depends on safe conditions, the company may offer another date or a full refund when poor weather forces cancellation.

The Northern Lights cruise from 9 or 10 p.m.

The aurora outing leaves from the Old Harbour at about 9 p.m. or 10 p.m., depending on the time of year. The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, away from some of Reykjavik’s city glow, while the guide explains how the Northern Lights form.

You will also hear Icelandic myths and stories linked to the lights. That mix of science and folklore gives the trip more character than simply standing outside and staring at the sky. The guide’s job is to explain what you are seeing, help you watch the right part of the sky, and keep the group informed as conditions change.

The phrase good chance needs careful handling. No cruise can promise an aurora display. You need darkness, suitable weather, and enough solar activity, and cloud can ruin an otherwise promising night. Several outings did see the lights, while others were canceled, clouded out, or produced a weaker display than expected.

The lights can also look less dramatic in person than in photographs. Cameras often capture more color and detail than your eyes do. I would still consider even a modest sighting worthwhile, but I would not book this expecting the bright green curtains shown in the best Iceland photos.

The boat offers heated indoor seating, so you can warm up between checks of the sky. You also get thermal overalls, which are especially useful when you remain outside for a long period. Food and drinks are not included, though purchases are available onboard.

What the onboard setup adds

The equipment is practical rather than luxurious. Thermal overalls are included, with children’s sizes available, and heated indoor seating gives you a break from the cold. Free WiFi is also provided, though your phone may be more useful for checking the sky, taking photos, or staying in touch than for browsing during a moving boat ride.

Sea-sickness tablets are complimentary if you need them. I would still plan ahead if motion sickness is a known problem, since taking help before the boat becomes rough is generally more useful than waiting until you feel ill.

Special Tours also offers an app in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. The app can be useful for basic information and support during the outing. The guides remain important, since the best part of the experience is knowing what you are looking at and where to focus.

One practical weakness is that the sound system has not always been equally clear on every trip. A guide may be easy to hear on one cruise and less distinct on another. Move closer to the guide if you want the full explanation, especially when the boat is busy.

Same day or separate days?

Taking both trips on one day saves calendar space, but it makes for a long outing. You may spend the afternoon watching for whales, then return later in the evening for the aurora cruise. If the Northern Lights departure is at 10 p.m., you may not finish until late.

A same-day plan works well for a short Reykjavik stay, particularly if you want to fit several other activities into your visit. It also lets you place both weather-dependent experiences together and keep other days open.

Separate days are better if you have at least two or three nights in Reykjavik. You can choose the clearest-looking evening for the aurora trip and keep the whale trip in its own time slot. You also gain a second opportunity if one cruise is canceled.

The company offers a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on a tour. That is a helpful safety net, but it does not guarantee you can use it. You need enough time left in Iceland, and the replacement trip must fit the operator’s schedule.

Pickup, meeting point, and timing

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11 at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. This is also where the activity ends. Hotel and cruise-port pickup can be added for 1,100 ISK per person per trip, with pickup beginning about 60 minutes before departure when selected.

Do not assume pickup is included because it appears as an option during booking. Confirm it directly with Special Tours and make sure the pickup arrangement is recorded correctly. A failed hotel pickup caused one serious complaint: the party was told the operator was running late, then learned the boat had already left. On a later attempt, they were collected, but cloud prevented a sighting.

That experience is a good reminder to reconfirm your cruise times with the supplier. The departure can vary by season, and you have two separate trips to track. If you are staying near the harbor, going directly to Geirsgata 11 may remove one possible source of confusion.

The maximum group size is listed as 198 people. That is a sizable boat outing, not a private wildlife trip. You can move around the decks, use the indoor seating, and search for a good viewing position, but you should expect other people sharing the railings and outdoor areas.

Is the $186.74 price good value?

At $186.74 per person, the package is not a small add-on, but Iceland activities are rarely cheap. The value comes from combining two full excursions, adding thermal clothing and indoor shelter, and providing a free retry when nature gives you nothing to see.

I think the price is fair if you genuinely want both experiences and your schedule allows a possible second attempt. It is less attractive if you mainly want the Northern Lights. In that case, you may prefer to choose a single aurora outing and put the remaining money toward another Reykjavik activity.

The free retry improves the deal, but read it as a practical promise rather than a guarantee. If your final day is already full, or if the whale tour runs late, you may not be able to use it. Book early enough to leave some flexibility, especially since this experience is often reserved well ahead of departure.

The 4.5 rating from 31 reviews reflects the same pattern found in the trips themselves: excellent results when wildlife and weather cooperate, and frustration when they do not. Strong guides and organized operations receive repeated praise, while rough water, poor visibility, and missed pickups cause the sharpest complaints.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you want a simple way to cover two major Iceland experiences from Reykjavik. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families, and anyone who prefers an organized outing with guides, warm clothing, and a clear harbor meeting point.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy the search itself. Whale watching rewards patience, and Northern Lights cruising demands the same attitude. You need to be happy with a quiet sea, a cold deck, and a long wait that may end with a brief sighting or none at all.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, suffer badly from sea sickness, or have only one fixed evening for the aurora. A rough forecast could change the plan, and cloud cover can erase the main attraction. The free retry helps only when your itinerary has room.

Booking and cancellation details

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.

The experience requires suitable weather. If the company cancels because conditions are poor, you should be offered another date or a full refund. Keep warm clothes with you even though overalls are supplied, and remember that food and drinks cost extra onboard.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, though anyone concerned about motion sickness, cold, or rough water should consider those factors before booking.

Should you book the Northern Lights and whale package?

Book it if you want two well-organized chances at Iceland’s wildlife and sky and can keep your schedule flexible. The combination offers good value, solid onboard comforts, informative guides, and a useful retry policy.

Skip it if you need guaranteed sightings, cannot handle open water, or have no spare time after a cancellation. The strongest version of this experience includes humpbacks near the boat and a clear aurora overhead. The weakest version includes clouds, rough seas, and an empty bay. Iceland decides which version you get, so book with realistic expectations and leave room for one more try.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin and end?

Both outings begin at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and end back at the same meeting point.

Can I take the two cruises on different days?

Yes. You can take the whale-watching and Northern Lights trips on the same day or on separate days during your Iceland visit.

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

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

Are whale or Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. Wildlife sightings and Northern Lights displays cannot be guaranteed because conditions, cloud cover, sea state, and animal activity vary.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel and cruise-port pickup can be added for an extra 1,100 ISK per person per trip. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure when selected.

What is provided onboard?

The tour includes WiFi, thermal overalls including children’s sizes, heated indoor seating, and complimentary sea-sickness tablets. Food and drinks are available to purchase but are not included.

What happens if the weather cancels my cruise?

If poor weather causes the experience to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you must do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.