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

The best part of this Reykjavik combo is the chance to search for two very different kinds of Icelandic wildlife: humpback whales in Faxaflói Bay and the Northern Lights above it. One trip takes place in daylight, the other late at night, so you get two good ways to experience the bay.

I like the discounted pairing and the practical boat facilities, especially the thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, WiFi, and free retry ticket if nothing is seen. I also like the guide-led storytelling, from Northern Lights myths to facts about Iceland’s whales. The catch is simple: nature decides what appears, and rough seas or cloud can spoil one or both trips.

Key points at a glance

• Two cruises from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: A 3.5-hour whale-watching trip and a 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise can be taken on the same day or on separate days.
• Wildlife can include humpback and minke whales: Harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins are also possible sightings in Faxaflói Bay.
• Thermal overalls are supplied: Children’s sizes are available, and heated indoor areas provide shelter when the wind picks up.
• A retry ticket adds useful protection: If nothing is seen, you may receive a free ticket to try again, subject to the supplier’s terms and your remaining time in Iceland.
• Weather matters more than the brochure: The Northern Lights require clear enough skies and suitable sea conditions, while whales and dolphins may simply stay out of sight.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: Pickup and cruise-port transfers can be arranged for 1,100 ISK per person, per trip.

Two Iceland classics from one harbor

This package brings together two popular Reykjavik boat trips for $186.74 per person. That price is worth judging as a package, not as one single outing. You receive a 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise and a 3.5-hour whale-watching cruise, although the listed overall duration is about 5.5 hours because the tours are normally scheduled separately.

You can take both tours on the same day or spread them across your stay. I prefer separate days if your schedule allows. Whale watching is usually a daytime activity, while the Northern Lights cruise starts around 9pm or 10pm depending on the season. Keeping them apart gives you more breathing room and avoids turning an already long day into a tiring one.

The tours leave from Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. If you choose pickup, it begins about 60 minutes before departure, but hotel or cruise-port transport costs extra. Walking to the meeting point can be the better value if you are staying near central Reykjavik.

Setting out across Faxaflói Bay

The whale-watching trip lasts about 3.5 hours. After meeting at the harbor, you head into Faxaflói Bay, the broad body of water outside Reykjavik. The point is not simply to ride a boat. You are scanning the water for blows, fins, backs, splashes, and quick movements near the surface.

The possible sightings include humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins. A few people have had close and memorable encounters, including one trip where three humpbacks played near the boat. Another sighting involved five minke whales. Guide Iga has earned special praise for her sharp spotting skills, which matters because a whale may surface for only a brief moment.

You should keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip looking through a screen. The crew may point out an animal before you can frame it, and a live sighting is usually more rewarding than a perfect photograph. If you see dolphins or porpoises, the boat may follow them around the bay for a time.

The result can also be quiet. Some departures see seals or dolphins but no whales. Others see no wildlife at all. That is not a defect in the boat or guide, but it is an important part of the value calculation. You are paying for access, crew skill, and time on the water, not a guaranteed animal encounter.

What the whale boat provides

I like the practical setup here. Thermal overalls are included, with children’s sizes available, so you do not need to pack a full expedition suit. Still, wear warm layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes. Icelandic wind can cut through clothing even when the day looks mild from shore.

The boat has heated indoor seating areas, which give you a place to warm up or settle your stomach. Complimentary sea-sickness tablets are available if needed. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy them on board.

WiFi is included, and the Special Tours app is available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese. The app is a useful extra, though it does not change the central fact that you are there to watch the sea. One practical weakness is that the sound system may not be equally clear from every part of the boat. Stay near the guide when an explanation is important.

Sea conditions deserve serious attention. One departure became so rough that everyone in a group became sick, and the people involved felt the trip should not have gone ahead. You are warned that the sea can be choppy, but if you are prone to motion sickness, take the included tablets before the boat leaves and choose your day carefully when possible.

The late-night Northern Lights cruise

The Northern Lights trip lasts about 2.5 hours and heads out across Faxaflói Bay after dark. Depending on the season, departure is around 9pm or 10pm. The guide explains what causes the lights and shares Icelandic myths connected with them. That background adds something useful, especially if this is your first attempt to see the aurora.

You will be looking for a pale green glow, moving curtains, or faint streaks across the sky. The display can be subtle. Even when you see the lights, they may look stronger in photographs than they do with the naked eye. That is not a reason to skip the cruise, but it helps to set realistic expectations.

Cloud cover is the main enemy. Rough sea can also lead to cancellation, and some departures have been called off because conditions were too choppy. If the cruise is canceled for poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the trip operates but the lights do not appear, the free retry ticket can be valuable, especially if you have several nights left in Reykjavik.

The quality of the guiding can vary. The best guides keep watch while explaining the science and stories in a clear, lively way. One departure was criticized for a dull presentation and limited information, so I would treat the guide as part of the luck of the draw. The boat itself gives you a pleasant way to get away from some of Reykjavik’s city light, but it cannot control clouds or auroral activity.

Same day or separate days?

Taking both tours on one day is efficient. You can finish whale watching, rest, eat, and then return for the evening cruise. This suits a short Reykjavik stay, particularly if you want to fit several activities into a limited schedule.

The downside is fatigue. A 3.5-hour boat trip followed by a late-night cruise can make for a long day, especially in cold or windy weather. You also lose flexibility if the first tour runs late or you need a break before the evening departure.

Separate days give you a better chance to handle the weather. If the Northern Lights cruise is canceled, you still have another night available. If the sea is rough, you may prefer not to repeat a difficult outing immediately. Spread-out scheduling also lets you use the retry option more easily.

You will need to reconfirm the cruise times with Special Tours. This is particularly important because departure times change by season, and pickup times depend on the selected option. Do not assume the time printed in an old itinerary is still current.

Is $186.74 a fair price?

At $186.74 per person, the package can be good value if you plan to take both outings anyway. You are combining about six hours of boat time, two guide-led activities, supplied thermal overalls, indoor seating, WiFi, and access to retry arrangements. Buying two separate tours may cost more, though the exact saving depends on the available standalone prices.

The value becomes less clear if your schedule is tight or you dislike boat trips. A wildlife cruise without sightings can feel expensive, and an aurora cruise without clear skies is still a boat ride in the dark. The package reduces the price of the pair, but it does not remove the risk of nature refusing to cooperate.

There are also add-on costs. Hotel and cruise-port pickup is available for 1,100 ISK per person, per trip, so taking both tours with transfers means paying the fee twice. Food and drinks are extra as well. If your hotel is close to Geirsgata 11, walking saves money and gives you more control over arrival time.

The maximum group size is listed as 198 people. That is a sizeable operation rather than a small private outing. The benefit is a full crew, several viewing areas, and indoor shelter. The drawback is that you may need to move quickly when an animal appears so you can find a good viewing spot.

How to improve your chances

No planning trick can guarantee a whale or aurora sighting, but you can make the trip more comfortable and protect your time.

• Leave room in your schedule: The retry ticket is most useful when you have another evening or day available.
• Dress for the boat, not the pavement: Use warm layers even if Reykjavik feels comfortable before departure.
• Take sea-sickness tablets early: Waiting until the boat is rolling is less useful than preparing before departure.
• Watch the horizon and the sky: Keep your camera ready, but listen for guide alerts and scan with your own eyes.
• Confirm times directly: Reconfirm both departures with the supplier, especially if your tours are on different days.
• Consider separate days: This gives you more rest and more chances to adapt if weather changes.

The best sightings come from patience. A whale may surface on the opposite side of the boat, and dolphins can appear suddenly. The crew’s ability to spot animals is one of the strongest reasons to choose an organized trip rather than simply hoping to see something from shore.

Who should book this package?

I would recommend it to first-time visitors who want two classic Iceland activities without arranging separate operators. It is especially suitable if you are staying in Reykjavik, want English-language guiding, and appreciate having thermal gear and heated seating included.

Families can also find it practical because children’s thermal overalls are available and most travelers can participate. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Still, the long day and possible rough water may not suit everyone.

This is less appealing if you need guaranteed results, have severe motion sickness, or have only one night in Reykjavik. A short stay leaves little room to use a retry ticket. You should also think carefully before booking if a late evening on the sea sounds exhausting rather than exciting.

The strongest part of the package is its combination of convenience and possibility. You might see three humpbacks circling near the boat, a pod of dolphins, or a green aurora spreading across the sky. You might instead spend hours in cold wind with no major sighting. The price makes that gamble more reasonable, but it does not change the odds.

Practical details before you reserve

The meeting point is Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, and both activities finish back there. Hotel pickup is not included in the base price, but it can be booked directly with the supplier for an added fee of 1,100 ISK per person for each trip.

Confirmation is provided when you book. You should still reconfirm cruise times with the supplier. Warm clothes are recommended, and food and drinks can be purchased aboard.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this package if you want a sensible two-part introduction to Reykjavik’s sea life and night sky, and you can keep your schedule flexible. The included thermal clothing, heated areas, expert guides, and retry option add real value.

Skip it if you need certainty, cannot tolerate rough water, or have no spare time for a second attempt. For most visitors who accept that whales and Northern Lights are never guaranteed, this is a well-priced way to give both experiences a fair chance.

FAQ

Where do both tours begin?

Both tours begin at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. They finish back at the meeting point.

How long are the two cruises?

The Northern Lights cruise lasts about 2.5 hours. The whale-watching cruise lasts about 3.5 hours. The package description gives an overall duration of approximately 5.5 hours.

Can I take the tours on different days?

Yes. You can take both tours on the same day or schedule them across separate days during your Iceland vacation.

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

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

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel and cruise-port pickup can be added for 1,100 ISK per person, per trip. You should contact the supplier to arrange it.

Are warm clothes or outdoor gear provided?

Thermal overalls are provided, including children’s sizes. Heated indoor seating is also available, but warm personal clothing is recommended.

What happens if I see no wildlife or Northern Lights?

A free ticket to try again is available if nothing is seen on your tour. The tours can also be canceled for poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.