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

This Iceland Super Saver is interesting because it stacks two “on the water” chances in one value-minded package. I love that you get both a Northern Lights night cruise and a whale-watching outing, not just one. I also like the built-in comfort, thermal overalls, heated seating, and even sea sickness tablets. The main drawback is simple: sightings are never guaranteed, especially when skies are cloudy or the sea is rough.

The logistics are pretty straightforward once you know the rhythm. You depart from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour in the evening (9pm or 10pm depending on the season), then you head out for whale watching from Reykjavik again. If you choose hotel pickup, it starts 60 minutes before departure, but if you do not, you will meet at Geirsgata 11 and go from there.

One smart safety net is included: if you do not see anything on your tour, you receive a free ticket to try again. At the same time, this is a shared experience with a maximum of 198 travelers, so you will want to think like a pro about where you stand or sit when the best moments happen.

Key things to know before you go

• Two sea tours, one ticket value: an aurora-focused night outing plus a daylight whale search in Faxaflói Bay.
• Heated indoor seating and thermal overalls: you can stay warm even when Iceland weather turns.
• Complimentary sea sickness tablets: helpful if you are sensitive to rocking boats.
• A free retry if nothing is seen: reduces the risk of spending money on a night with poor conditions.
• Lookouts and real marine targets: humpback and minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins are part of the plan.

Reykjavik Old Harbour, then Faxaflói Bay: the two-part plan

This is built around one of Iceland’s best strategies: do more than one “chance” while you are in the capital. You start with a Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, then you move into whale watching on the waters of Faxaflói Bay. The big payoff is that you are not just hoping for one perfect night, you are increasing your odds across two trips.

You can take the tours on the same day or split them across separate days. That matters because Iceland timing is fluid. If your aurora night is a bust, you still have a daytime option to get a real wildlife experience. If whales are quiet, the lights may still do something magical later. This combo gives you flexibility without forcing you to plan around one single outcome.

The total time shown is about 5 hours 30 minutes for the overall experience. Real life often includes a little extra time for getting everyone gathered, getting dressed, and moving between meet points and boats. If you are on a tight schedule, plan for a slightly longer day than the exact boat times.

Price and what you actually get for $186.74

At about $186.74 per person, this is a “super saver” package that tries to make the whole trip feel manageable, not like you are paying separately for gear, comfort, and two different boat experiences. The price is most compelling when you zoom out and look at what is included.

Here is what you are getting without extra add-ons:

• Thermal overalls (including children’s sizes) so you can stay outdoors without freezing.
• Heated indoor seating areas, which are a big deal when the boat ride goes longer than you expect or the air turns sharp.
• Complimentary sea sickness tablets for those who need a little help.
• Free WiFi onboard.
• The Special Tours app available in multiple languages, including English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Two value notes you should not ignore:

1. You get a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. That is not a small perk. It is a way to deal with the reality of aurora nights and wildlife encounters.
2. Hotel pickup is optional and costs extra. You might save money by meeting at Geirsgata 11, and you will also avoid the stress of being late to a pickup window.

What is not included is also clear. Food and drink can be purchased onboard, but meals are not part of the package. If you need hotel transfers, those cost extra per person per trip.

Northern Lights cruise: timing, warm gear, and myth talk

Your Northern Lights cruise departs from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at either 9pm or 10pm depending on the time of year. Hotel pickup, if selected, starts 60 minutes before departure. Once you are aboard, you spend about 2.5 hours out at sea, with a guide explaining what causes the aurora and sharing Icelandic legends around it.

This is one reason I like this setup. You are not just staring at the sky and waiting. You have context while you wait, and that turns the whole night into more than a gamble. When the aurora does show up, you will have better odds of understanding what you are seeing, especially the way the light moves and fades.

Also, pay attention to comfort. You will be provided thermal overalls and you can move between the outdoor viewing areas and heated indoor seating. Iceland nights can go from cold to colder fast. Having a warm fallback helps you last longer without missing the best sky moments.

Still, keep expectations grounded. Aurora is not guaranteed. Clouds, wind, and rough conditions can reduce visibility, and on at least some departures, the aurora portion has been canceled when the sea got too choppy. Even when you do get a sail that night, the lights might be faint or brief.

If you want to maximize your odds, come with patience. The guides typically keep looking, keep talking, and keep you set up for viewing. And if you see nothing, the included free retry ticket helps you avoid that sinking feeling of paying for a night that did not deliver.

Whale watching on Faxaflói: species to watch, camera tips, and what happens if whales do not show

The whale-watching part runs about 3.5 hours, also starting from Reykjavik with a ride to the waters of Faxaflói Bay. Your guide and crew are on the lookout for a specific list of Iceland marine life, including humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins.

When it is going well, this cruise feels active. You are not just driving to a spot and hoping. You are watching, scanning, listening, and adjusting based on sightings. That is where experienced spotting and sharp communication matter.

For photography, keep it simple:

• Be ready to shoot quickly, especially if whales surface briefly.
• Use a steady stance at viewing points, and try not to crowd your own line of sight.
• Expect lighting to change. Morning and afternoon light can make a huge difference for camera settings.

Now for the part you should plan for honestly. Whale sightings are not guaranteed. On some departures, whales may be quiet, and you may see other marine life instead, like seals and dolphins. That is still a win if you are there for the whole experience, not just a single animal checklist.

Also consider how the boat is set up. On a larger group outing, audio and onboard announcements can vary in clarity. If the announcements feel hard to hear from your position, you can move closer to the guide for key moments. It is an easy adjustment that can make the difference between missing a sighting call and catching it in time.

Comfort, onboard help, and guide impact (Kristoph, Iga, and more)

What makes these cruises feel more like an experience than a chore is the support system on board. You get:

• Thermal overalls, including kids’ sizes
• Heated indoor seating for quick resets
• Sea sickness tablets if you need them
• An onboard environment with free WiFi, so you can share your photos right away or check practical info

That comfort is not just about comfort. It affects how long you stay engaged. If you are shivering, you stop watching, and you lose the best moments. If your stomach is fighting the motion, your cruise can turn miserable fast. The boat handles the basics for you, which is exactly what you want on day two of an Iceland trip.

The guide matters too, and it can swing the vibe. From the names that have led these kinds of outings, you may encounter guides such as Kristoph, praised for confidence and steady control when conditions are unpredictable. You might also meet Iga, noted for spotting ability and whale-watching success. Even if you do not get those exact guides, the pattern is consistent: the best experiences come from a guide who keeps you informed and calm, and who communicates clearly when something appears on the water.

One more practical point. If you are the type who gets anxious about weather, look at this as a team sport. When conditions shift, a good crew keeps the plan moving and explains what is happening. That reduces the feeling that you are just along for a ride.

Booking smart: same-day vs split days, and when to reconfirm times

You can do the cruises on the same day or across separate days. I like the split-day option when your schedule allows it, because it gives you breathing room. If the aurora portion runs later than expected or if the day starts gray, you are not forcing everything to happen under one rigid clock.

If you do both in one day, you should be ready for a long stretch of being outdoors and on a boat. The package still totals about 5 hours 30 minutes, but you will want buffer time around pickup and movement. Iceland runs on weather, and boats can shift plans.

One detail you should take seriously is reconfirming your cruise times with the supplier. Your voucher will have the exact time information, and you are expected to reconfirm. That is a small step that can prevent the most stressful kind of problem: showing up for the wrong departure window.

Finally, group size matters in a different way than you might expect. With a maximum of 198 travelers, it will not feel like a tiny private boat. That does not automatically mean chaos, but it does mean you should:

• Arrive early enough to get oriented
• Find your preferred viewing spot before the best moment hits
• Bring a camera strap that works well in cold gloves

Weather reality in Iceland: how to dress and set expectations

This is a weather-driven experience. Northern Lights depend on clear sky, and whale watching depends on animal behavior plus sea conditions. Even when the ship is out there doing the work, Mother Nature can still say no.

So set your expectations like this:

• For aurora, you are chasing a display, not a guarantee.
• For whales, you are scanning for animals, not searching for a specific whale that must appear.

Dress for cold and wind, even with thermal overalls provided. Warm layers help you stay comfortable during transitions, and you can also manage sweating if you are moving between indoor and outdoor zones. If you run cold easily, plan to be extra warm, not just “adequate.”

Sea conditions are the wild card. Rough water can be uncomfortable and can reduce the likelihood of long viewing. That is why the included sea sickness tablets are so valuable. If you know you get motion sickness, take the tablets as directed and do not wait until you already feel sick.

If your primary goal is the aurora, remember that clear sky is the deciding factor. If your main goal is whales, remember that sightings depend on the bay that day, not on your schedule.

The good news is that this package is designed to absorb disappointment. The free retry ticket if nothing is seen takes the edge off the risk. That turns a bad sky night into another chance, not into a dead-end.

Should you book this Super Saver? A practical yes, with one clear mindset

I would recommend booking this Iceland Super Saver if you want two chances, two different kinds of nature magic, and practical comfort baked into the package. The value is strongest when you care about being warm on the boat, having help for motion sickness, and reducing the risk of paying for one night or one wildlife outcome.

Book it if:

• You want a Northern Lights outing plus Faxaflói Bay whale watching without buying two separate trips.
• You like guided interpretation, myths and science explanations, and active spotting for wildlife.
• You appreciate the included thermal overalls and indoor warmth.
• You can handle the reality that sightings are never promised.

Skip it if:

• You hate being on a boat in cold weather, even with overalls and heated seating.
• You need guaranteed whale or aurora sightings. Nature does not do guarantees, and neither does the sea.

If you go in with that mindset, you will likely love what this combo delivers: a warm, guided nighttime sky search followed by a full-focus wildlife hunt in one of the best areas to see Iceland’s marine life near Reykjavik.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the cruise?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What time do departures happen for the Northern Lights portion?

You depart from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour at either 9pm or 10pm, depending on the time of year.

How long is the overall experience?

The package runs about 5 hours 30 minutes total, with a Northern Lights cruise of about 2.5 hours and a whale-watching tour of about 3.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included in the price. It is available for an additional fee of 1100 ISK per person per trip.

What cold-weather gear is provided?

You get thermal overalls for the tour, available in adult and children’s sizes.

Are sea sickness tablets provided?

Yes. Complimentary sea sickness tablets are included.

What marine life are you looking for during whale watching?

In Faxaflói Bay, the lookout includes humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins.

Is WiFi available onboard, and can I buy food?

Free WiFi is available. Food and drink are not included, but you can purchase them onboard.

What if I do not see the Northern Lights?

A free ticket to try again is included if nothing is seen on your tour.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.