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

A whale surfacing beside your boat or green light curling over Faxaflói Bay can become the story you tell about Iceland for years. This package puts both possibilities together: a 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise and a 2.5-hour Northern Lights trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

I like the practical extras, especially thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, free seasickness tablets, and a free return whale-watching ticket if nothing is seen. I also like the choice of taking the two cruises on one day or splitting them across your stay.

The catch is simple: nature controls the schedule. Rough seas can cancel the aurora cruise, clouds can hide the lights, and whales may stay out of sight. If you need guaranteed results, this is not the right kind of outing. If you accept some uncertainty, the package offers good value at $186.74.

Key points to know before sailing

• Two separate cruises from Reykjavik: The package includes a 2.5-hour evening Northern Lights cruise and a 3.5-hour whale-watching trip.
• Wildlife can include humpback and minke whales: Faxaflói Bay is also home to harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins.
• Thermal overalls are provided: You can borrow warm gear, including children’s sizes, but still bring warm clothes.
• No-sighting protection helps: If no wildlife appears on the whale trip, you receive a free ticket to try again.
• Weather matters more than enthusiasm: Rough seas can cancel a cruise, while clouds and low aurora activity can spoil an otherwise smooth sailing.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: The meeting point is Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

Two Iceland highlights for one price

This Super Saver package is designed for people who want two classic Reykjavik excursions without arranging them separately. At $186.74 per person, it can be a sensible buy if you plan to do both activities anyway.

The value depends on what happens at sea. A strong aurora and several whales make the price feel excellent. A whale trip with no sightings and a canceled Northern Lights cruise feels less satisfying, even with the free rebooking policy. That is not a flaw unique to this operator. It is the basic gamble of wildlife and weather trips in Iceland.

You can take both excursions on the same day or place them on separate days. I prefer separating them when your schedule allows. The whale trip takes 3.5 hours, and the aurora cruise adds another 2.5 hours, so doing both in one day creates a long stretch around the harbor and the water. Splitting them gives you a better chance to rest, adjust to the cold, and choose the clearest evening for the lights.

The exact departure time for the Northern Lights cruise changes by season. Departures are listed at either 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. Hotel pickup, if added, begins about 60 minutes before departure.

Starting at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, at the Special Tours office. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, which makes the outing easy to pair with a day spent in central Reykjavik.

Hotel and cruise-port pickup is available, but it is not included in the listed price. The added cost is 1,100 Icelandic krona per person, per trip. That fee matters if you take both cruises and use pickup for each one. Confirm the pickup details carefully, since one reported problem involved a missed hotel collection and a cruise that had already departed.

If you arrange your own way to the harbor, give yourself enough time to find Geirsgata 11 and check in. You also need to reconfirm your cruise times with Special Tours before sailing. Seasonal schedules and weather changes make this a useful step, not a minor formality.

The operator can accommodate a maximum of 198 people. That is a fairly large boat outing, so do not expect a small private expedition. The advantage is that you have more room to move between viewing areas, indoor seating, and outdoor decks. The tradeoff is that the experience may feel less personal when the boat is full.

The 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise

The whale trip heads from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay. The bay is a broad stretch of water with several species that may appear during the cruise, including humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins.

I like the range of possible sightings here. A humpback is the headline act, but a fast-moving group of dolphins or a porpoise breaking the surface can make the trip worthwhile. One particularly successful outing included three humpbacks playing near the boat, while another produced five minke whales. Those are memorable results, but they should be treated as lucky conditions rather than a promise.

You will need patience. The boat may spend time scanning the water, and a whale might surface only briefly. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen. The first sign may be a splash, a fin, or a dark shape that vanishes before you can frame it.

The guides explain the marine species and help direct your attention. A guide named Iga has been praised for exceptional spotting skills, which matters because a trained eye can notice movement long before you do. The crew has also been praised for clear explanations and for making information audible across the decks, though one account noted that the sound system on the whale boat was not always ideal.

No wildlife sighting is guaranteed. If the boat finds nothing, Special Tours provides a free ticket to try again. The ticket does not expire, according to one account, which is useful if you plan to return to Iceland. It is less useful if this is your final day, so schedule the whale trip early in your visit when possible.

The most serious drawback is seasickness. One outing became miserable for an entire party when rough water caused everyone to vomit. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available, but you should ask for them before the boat gets underway if you know you are prone to motion sickness. The crew may cancel for poor conditions, but some rough-water departures can still feel uncomfortable.

The 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise

The aurora trip takes you out onto Faxaflói Bay after dark. Away from the city’s strongest lights, the open water gives you a wide view of the sky. Your guide explains how the Northern Lights form and shares Icelandic myths connected with the phenomenon.

The boat has heated indoor areas, which are welcome when you need to warm up. Still, the best viewing usually means spending at least some time outside. Wear warm layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes. The provided thermal overalls help, but they are not a substitute for proper clothing.

The lights are never guaranteed. You need clear or partly clear skies and enough aurora activity. Some departures have produced a pleasing display, while others saw no lights because of cloud cover or low activity. A smooth cruise can still end without the sight you wanted.

If the aurora appears, it may look subtler to the naked eye than it does in long-exposure photographs. Green light can be pale, faint, or spread thinly across the sky. That does not make it unworthy, but it helps to set realistic expectations. The best part may be the changing sky over dark water rather than a dramatic curtain of color.

The quality of the guide matters here. One guide was described as dull and light on useful information, while other outings received praise for clear explanations and professional crews. That unevenness suggests you should think of the boat ride as the main experience, with guiding quality adding to it rather than defining it.

The Northern Lights cruise can also be canceled for rough seas. If poor weather causes cancellation, the operator offers another date or a full refund. When the sea is calm but the sky is cloudy, the cruise may still operate, since cloud cover can change and the boat is already in position to search.

Warmth, comfort, and onboard basics

The included thermal overalls are one of the smartest features of this package. They are available in children’s sizes, so families do not need to pack bulky outer gear for everyone. You should still arrive in warm clothing, especially for the outdoor viewing decks.

Heated indoor seating gives you a place to recover between sightings. Free WiFi is also available, and food and drinks can be purchased onboard. They are not included, so plan to pay separately if you want refreshments.

Complimentary seasickness tablets are available. This is a useful touch on a boat trip that can last several hours, particularly when the wind rises. If you have a known sensitivity to motion, consider taking precautions early rather than waiting until you feel ill.

The Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. It adds another source of information during the outing, though the live guide remains important for pointing out wildlife and explaining the aurora.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but anyone concerned about motion sickness should consider the sea conditions and the length of the whale cruise before booking.

What the schedule means for your Iceland trip

The two activities are not one continuous 5.5-hour cruise. They are separate tours, and the total package duration is listed as approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. That distinction matters when you plan meals, sleep, airport transfers, or another excursion.

The whale trip is generally easier to fit into a daytime plan. The Northern Lights cruise runs late, with departures around 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. depending on the season. If you take both on the same day, you may have a long break between outings or a demanding run of sea time.

I would schedule the whale trip early in your stay. If no animals appear, you then have a chance to use the free return ticket. I would reserve the aurora cruise for an evening with the best available weather outlook, while remembering that forecasts can change quickly.

You also need to accept that the rebooking offer may not help if you are leaving Iceland the next morning. The free ticket is valuable for flexible schedules, but it cannot rescue a tightly packed itinerary.

Who will get the most from this package

This is a good match for you if you want two popular Reykjavik activities, prefer a straightforward harbor departure, and can tolerate uncertain results. It works especially well for first-time visitors who want marine wildlife and the aurora without arranging two separate suppliers.

Families may appreciate the children’s thermal overalls and indoor seating. The free whale rebooking option also reduces some of the risk, provided you have enough days in Iceland to use it.

Photography-minded visitors should enjoy the chance to photograph whales, dolphins, and the night sky. Just remember that wildlife moves quickly, and Northern Lights photographs often show more color than your eyes see.

I would think twice if you are very sensitive to seasickness, have only one short evening available, or need a guaranteed attraction. The sea can be rough, the sky can be cloudy, and even a well-run boat cannot summon a whale or clear the clouds.

Booking, cancellation, and final advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Since poor weather can force a change, keep your schedule flexible and reconfirm the departure time with Special Tours.

So, should you book it? I would say yes if you have at least a few days in Reykjavik and want both experiences at a combined price. The thermal gear, heated seating, free whale rebooking, and capable guides make the package practical.

Book with realistic expectations. Treat the whales and aurora as possible rewards, not promised events. Schedule the whale cruise early, check the sea and sky conditions, and use the free return option if you can. That approach gives this package its best chance to deliver two very different Iceland memories.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. 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. They are separate trips and can be taken on the same day or on different days.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel and cruise-port pickup can be added for 1,100 Icelandic krona per person, per trip. Contact the supplier to arrange it.

What animals might I see?

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

What happens if I see no whales?

You receive a free ticket to try the whale-watching trip again. The ticket is described as having no expiry date, but you need enough time in Iceland to use it.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.