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

Seeing the Northern Lights from a boat gives you a different kind of Icelandic night: open water, dark skies and no city streets between you and the aurora. Pair that with a separate cruise in search of whales and dolphins, and you have two very different ways to get out on Faxaflói Bay.

I like two things about this package: you can schedule the trips on the same day or separate days, and the boats provide thermal overalls, heated indoor seating and free WiFi. I also like the free return ticket if nothing is seen, a useful cushion when nature refuses to keep an appointment.

The main consideration is the sea. Rough water can make a long whale-watching trip uncomfortable, and clouds or low aurora activity can leave the Northern Lights cruise without a sighting. The wildlife and lights are never guaranteed, so plan around the experience of being on the water, not just the hoped-for photograph.

What to know before you book

• Two separate cruises, one package: The Northern Lights trip takes about 2.5 hours; whale watching takes about 3.5 hours. The package is listed as approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, so check the schedule carefully if you plan to do both on one day.
• Aurora departures vary by season: The Northern Lights cruise leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at 9pm or 10pm, depending on the time of year.
• Wildlife sightings are uncertain: Humpback and minke whales, harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins may be seen in Faxaflói Bay, but no sighting is promised.
• A return trip can soften the risk: A free ticket to try again is included if nothing is seen. Check the conditions and availability with the operator before relying on it.
• Dress for cold, changeable weather: Thermal overalls are provided, including children’s sizes, but warm clothes are still recommended.
• Pickup costs extra: Hotel and cruise-port pickup is available for an additional 1,100 ISK per person per trip. For both tours, that fee may apply twice.

Two cruises with different reasons to look up

This Super Saver combines a nighttime search for the aurora with a daytime or evening wildlife cruise. They share a departure point at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and the broad setting of Faxaflói Bay, but they are not one continuous outing. You book the two experiences as separate trips, then decide whether to fit them into one day or spread them across your stay.

The Northern Lights cruise lasts about 2.5 hours. It is built around waiting, watching the sky and hearing an expert guide explain the science and legends associated with the aurora. Whale watching takes about 3.5 hours, with the focus shifting to the water and the animals that may surface around the boat.

The package price is $186.74 per person. Its value depends partly on whether you want both activities and can make the schedules work. Buying them together may suit you better than arranging two outings separately, but it is not a bargain if you only want one of the cruises or cannot spare the time.

The tour’s average booking lead time is 55 days. That is a useful planning signal, especially if you are visiting in a busy season or have fixed dates. You will need to reconfirm your cruise times with Special Tours Iceland, as departure times can vary.

Starting from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Both trips begin at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik and return to the meeting point. The Old Harbour location makes it practical to reach the boat from central Reykjavik, though the information provided does not include directions from individual hotels.

Hotel and cruise-port pickup is offered for an extra fee. It is not included in the ticket price. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure, so allow for that extra time if you arrange it, and confirm the details with the supplier rather than assuming transport is already part of your booking.

If you take both cruises, ask how the pickup charge applies to each trip. The quoted fee is 1,100 ISK per person per trip, which means transport could add to the cost twice. You can also go directly to the meeting point if you do not need the pickup option.

The maximum group size is 198. That is a sizeable group, so do not expect a small private outing. The operator provides indoor heated seating as well as space on deck, and the included WiFi may be handy for checking conditions or keeping in touch while you are out.

The Northern Lights cruise: a sky-watching outing

The aurora trip leaves the Old Harbour at either 9pm or 10pm, depending on the season. The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, where the guide talks through what causes the Northern Lights and shares related myths and stories. The point is not simply to ride out and hope: you get context for what you are watching, if the sky cooperates.

Aurora viewing depends on conditions that the tour cannot control. Clouds can block the display, and auroral activity varies. Some departures may go out without a sighting; in poor weather, the trip may be cancelled. If that happens, the stated options are a different date or a full refund.

A boat is no guarantee of better viewing than a land-based outing. It does offer a different setting, and the cruise can still be worthwhile if you like being on the water at night. But manage expectations: the lights may look fainter in person than they do in photographs, and the experience can be less dramatic when cloud cover or low activity intervenes.

Bring warm clothes even though thermal overalls are supplied. You may want to spend time outside watching the sky, but the heated indoor area offers somewhere to warm up between checks. The overall sizes include children’s sizes, making the clothing provision useful for families as well as adults.

The free ticket to try again if nothing is seen is a meaningful part of the offer. It gives you another chance if your schedule and the operator’s availability allow it. Since the package can be taken across separate days, you might choose to leave room in your itinerary for a second attempt rather than stacking both cruises into a single day.

Whale watching in Faxaflói Bay

The whale-watching cruise lasts about 3.5 hours. The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay to look for humpback and minke whales, harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins. Keep your camera ready, but stay alert between photographs: porpoises and dolphins can appear quickly, and a whale sighting is never scheduled.

Some trips bring close, memorable wildlife encounters. One guide, Iga, was singled out for her sharp spotting skills, with three humpbacks seen near the boat on that outing. Other reports describe minke whales, porpoises, dolphins and seals. These examples give you a sense of what the bay can deliver, not a promise about your own trip.

There are also departures with no whales or dolphins. The company offers a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen, which can be valuable if you have another day available. If this is your last day in Iceland, the ticket may have little practical value, so think about your schedule before treating it as full protection against a quiet trip.

Sea conditions matter as much as sightings. One particularly rough outing left a party seasick and unwilling to try again; another account described smooth sailing. That variation is worth taking seriously. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available, and you can use the heated indoor seating, but neither removes the possibility of a rough crossing.

Food and drink are not included, though you can buy them on board. The trip takes several hours, so consider bringing what you need or checking what is available before you leave. The tour description does not specify menu options or prices.

How to plan the two trips

You can take both tours on the same day or on separate days. Doing them together can save space in a tight itinerary, but it makes for a long day, particularly if the Northern Lights departure is late. The listed total duration is approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, while the individual cruise durations add up to about six hours. Because schedules and durations are approximate, confirm the actual timetable before arranging other plans.

Separate days offer more flexibility and a better chance to adapt if weather changes. They also let you keep the late-night aurora outing distinct from the whale cruise. If you are in Reykjavik for several days, this is likely the less tiring option.

Reconfirm your departure times with the supplier using the details on your voucher. The Northern Lights cruise has seasonal 9pm or 10pm departures; the specific whale-watching departure time is not provided here. Do not assume the two tours depart at convenient intervals just because they are sold together.

If you are booking pickup, confirm both pickup times and locations. The fee is charged per person per trip, and the hotel pickup is not included in the package price. If you prefer to meet at the harbour, the address is Geirsgata 11, and both outings end back at the meeting point.

What the price includes, and where value lies

At $186.74 per person, the package includes two distinct boat excursions, thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, WiFi, seasickness tablets and a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen. Food, drink and pickup are extra. The return-ticket policy is especially useful because both activities depend on nature rather than a guaranteed show.

I would judge the price by how much you value the chance to see both wildlife and aurora from the water. You are paying for two outings and the crew’s guidance, not a guaranteed whale or Northern Lights display. If either sighting is the sole reason you are booking, the risk of disappointment is real.

The reviews are strongest on the crew and the wildlife trips that produce sightings. Several comments praise guides for clear explanations, patient help and spotting ability, with Iga mentioned by name for finding humpbacks. There are also accounts of excellent whale encounters and successful aurora viewing. On the other hand, some trips saw no wildlife or lights, and one account criticized a Northern Lights guide’s presentation. The quality of the talk can vary, so the natural spectacle remains the main reason to go.

The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish and Chinese. It may help you follow information during the trip if one of those languages suits you. The tours themselves are offered in English.

Who should take this tour

This package suits you if you want two classic Iceland experiences and can give them time in your itinerary. It is particularly appealing if you are comfortable with the uncertainty of wildlife and weather, enjoy being at sea, and value having a second chance when nothing appears.

Families may appreciate the children’s sizes in the thermal overalls, indoor heated seating and the chance to see marine life. Still, the long whale cruise and rough-water risk are worth weighing for anyone prone to seasickness. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.

If you have only one evening or a strict schedule, think carefully before booking both trips together. The Northern Lights cruise runs late, and the whale outing takes several hours. If the aurora is your priority, make sure you can attend the scheduled departure and have time available in case a second attempt is needed.

Should you book it?

Book this Super Saver if you want both a whale-watching cruise and a Northern Lights search, and you can accept that neither sighting is guaranteed. The included overalls, heated seating and retry ticket help make the outing more practical, while the guides add useful context to both trips.

Skip it if rough seas would spoil your day, or if you need a guaranteed sighting to feel the price is worthwhile. For the best chance of using the retry offer, leave room in your schedule and confirm departure times, pickup costs and return-ticket conditions before you go.

FAQ

How long are the two cruises?

The Northern Lights cruise lasts about 2.5 hours, and the whale-watching cruise lasts about 3.5 hours. The package duration is listed as approximately 5 hours 30 minutes, so confirm the schedule if you plan to take both on one day.

Can I take the tours on separate days?

Yes. You can take both tours on the same day or on separate days during your Iceland visit.

What time does the Northern Lights cruise leave?

It departs Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at 9pm or 10pm, depending on the time of year. Reconfirm your cruise time with the supplier.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel and cruise-port pickup is available for an additional 1,100 ISK per person per trip. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.

What is included on board?

The package includes free WiFi, thermal overalls in adult and children’s sizes, heated indoor seating, complimentary seasickness tablets if needed, and access to the Special Tours app. Food and drink can be purchased on board but are not included.

What happens if the weather is poor or nothing is seen?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. A free ticket to try again is included if nothing is seen on your tour. Sighting and retry arrangements should be confirmed with the supplier.