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

The sea at night in Reykjavik can feel magical. This Northern Lights cruise plus whale-watching combo gives you two serious chances to see Iceland’s most famous nighttime views, plus real marine life in Faxaflói Bay. You also get a built-in safety net if conditions ruin the sighting, which makes the whole plan less stressful.

I especially like the practical touches: thermal overalls (including kids sizes), heated indoor seating, and even complimentary sea sickness tablets. I also like that the company builds in a plan for you to keep trying, with a free ticket if nothing is seen on your tour.

One consideration is that weather and sea conditions drive everything. Sightings can’t be guaranteed, and a rough night can affect how comfortable you feel and whether you see whales or lights.

Key things to know before you go

• Two tours in one value-priced package, covering Northern Lights and marine life in one Reykjavik base
• Faxaflói Bay timing at night, with Northern Lights departures typically at 9pm or 10pm depending on the season
• Comfort kit included, like heated indoor seating, thermal overalls, and sea sickness tablets
• A try-again option, since you can get a free ticket if nothing is seen
• Small-to-large cruise reality check, with a maximum group size of 198 travelers

Why This Reykjavik Super Saver Makes Sense

If this is your first Iceland trip, you probably want to do the two big “wow” activities that happen on the water. This Super Saver does that in one package: an evening Northern Lights cruise and a separate whale-watching cruise later in the trip window you choose. It’s a smart way to spend limited vacation time without juggling two separate bookings and two separate sets of uncertainty.

The value part is not just the discount. It’s the way the package reduces risk. You get gear and onboard comfort built in, plus a free ticket to try again if your cruise sighting does not happen. That matters because in Iceland, the most common problem is not your attitude, it’s the sky and the sea.

The other thing I like is that you can decide how to schedule it. You can take both tours on the same day, or spread them across separate days. That flexibility helps you work around your own energy level and the weather forecast.

The Northern Lights Cruise: Old Harbour to Faxaflói at Night

The Northern Lights portion starts from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, usually with a 9pm or 10pm departure depending on the time of year. You’ll be out on the water for about 2.5 hours, which is long enough to give your eyes time to adjust and for conditions to change.

If you choose pickup, hotel pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure. That makes the night feel easier, especially if you do not want to figure out transit in cold dark streets.

On board, you’re not just passively hoping for lights. The guide shares myths and facts about the Northern Lights, so even a night without a dramatic display can still feel like you learned something real. That storytelling also helps you stay patient when the sky is stubborn, because you understand what you’re actually waiting for.

Here’s the reality check. Sightings are never guaranteed. Cloud cover and wave conditions can stop the lights from being visible, and a choppy sea can make the whole experience less fun. One major perk, though, is what happens next: the trip includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen. So your money is not only tied to one night’s luck.

What I’d watch for during the cruise

• When you go outside the cabin deck, give your eyes a few minutes to adapt to darkness.
• Use the heated indoor seating when needed, then step back out when conditions look better.
• Listen closely to the guide early, because they set expectations for what counts as a sighting.

Whale Watching in Faxaflói Bay: 3.5 Hours of Marine Life

The whale-watching half runs about 3.5 hours and also operates out of Reykjavik, going from Old Harbour toward Faxaflói Bay. If you select pickup, it follows the same pattern of hotel pickup starting roughly 60 minutes before departure.

This is the part of the experience you can photograph and track with less worry than the lights. You cannot guarantee whales, but marine mammals in this bay are part of the rhythm of the water.

Keep an eye out for:

• Humpback whales
• Minke whales
• Harbor porpoises
• White-beaked dolphins

If you’re hoping for something big, humpbacks are the headline species. If you want more chances of action, porpoises and dolphins often show up as quick bursts, like they are visiting on their own schedule.

The best advice is to keep your camera ready but not glued to it. Sometimes the best moments are sudden, and you only get a short window before the animals change direction. If your hands get numb, it helps to warm them inside, then go back out for another sweep of the horizon.

A small comfort note that matters

A few people have described feeling the effects of rough waters on similar boats. This tour helps with complimentary sea sickness tablets and heated indoor seating, but your body still decides the level of comfort. If you are very motion-sensitive, consider bringing your own backup medicine too and dress as if you’ll be outside for long stretches.

Comfort, Clothing, and Seasickness: How to Pack for Iceland Nights

Iceland tours look simple on a map, then you step outside and realize you need a system. This package gives you part of that system, and you should bring the rest.

Included comfort features:

• Thermal overalls, available in children’s sizes
• Heated indoor seating areas
• Complimentary sea sickness tablets
• Free WiFi onboard

The big win here is that thermal overalls remove the need to layer perfectly. You still need warm clothes underneath, since you’ll likely step outside to look for whales or lights. But if you’re someone who always underestimates winter layering, overalls save you.

What I’d personally plan for:

• A warm base layer you can tolerate for hours
• Hat and gloves you can actually move in
• Shoes with grip, especially when decks get wet

Also, this is an evening and night activity. Even if you think you know Reykjavik weather, the temperature difference between standing outside and the cabin can feel dramatic. Build in time to warm up.

Timing, Group Size, and Where You Go From Here

The total duration is about 5 hours 30 minutes for the two-part package, though your day can stretch depending on pickup and any scheduling adjustments. Hotel transfers are not included by default, so if you want pickup, you’ll need to add it.

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. That loop is helpful because you do not have to figure out a second location later.

A detail worth treating seriously: you’ll need to reconfirm cruise times with the supplier. The voucher should guide you, but do not assume your email is the final word. Nights in Iceland can shift, and a quick check keeps you from showing up at the wrong time.

Group size is capped at 198 travelers. That’s not tiny, but it also does not mean you’re packed shoulder-to-shoulder on every deck moment. Still, on night tours, people cluster where the view is best. If you want a better chance at clear sightlines, move with the crowd, but also give yourself a moment to step to the side decks when visibility improves.

Value Check: Does This Price Add Up?

At $186.74 per person, you’re paying for two water experiences in Iceland: Northern Lights searching plus whale watching in Faxaflói Bay. That’s not cheap, but it also isn’t a random add-on. It’s a focused package aimed at two of the biggest attractions people come for.

What you get for that price:

• Northern Lights cruise (about 2.5 hours) plus whale-watching (about 3.5 hours)
• Heated indoor seating
• Thermal overalls
• Complimentary sea sickness tablets
• Free WiFi
• A Special Tours app available in multiple languages
• A free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour

What costs extra:

• Hotel transfers, if you want pickup, at an additional fee of 1100 ISK per person per trip
• Food and drink, which you can buy on board

So how do you judge value? Think in terms of options. Without a package, you’d likely pay similar totals for two separate tours and still face the same weather uncertainty. Here, the package adds comfort and reduces admin. The try-again feature is the real value kicker. It means your ticket is not only tied to one night of luck.

The only way value feels weaker is if you come in with very high expectations of perfect conditions. This is a nature tour. The sky and sea decide the show.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Plan B)

This is a good match if:

• You want two key water experiences without spreading logistics across multiple days of planning
• You’re okay with nature changing the schedule of your expectations
• You want a guide who explains what you’re seeing, with myths and facts for the Northern Lights

It may be a less comfortable match if:

• You get very motion-sick. The tour provides sea sickness tablets, but you still need your own tolerance.
• You’re only interested in whales or only interested in lights. Since this is a combo, you have to treat both parts as part of the same plan.

A nice bonus for families and groups is that thermal overalls are available in children’s sizes. And service animals are allowed, which matters for travelers with specific needs.

Finally, if you’re trying to time your trip for clear skies, plan to be flexible. Even with good timing, Iceland weather can change fast.

Should You Book This Northern Lights and Whale-Watching Saver?

I’d book it if you want the best chance to see both famous Iceland highlights from Reykjavik, and you like the idea of being taken care of with thermal gear and heated space. The combination also helps you feel like you used your night smartly, because you’re not just doing one hope-based activity.

I would pause before booking if you are extremely sensitive to rough water or if your whole Iceland trip is built around a single perfect night of lights. In that case, pick an itinerary with backup flexibility, and prepare for the possibility that the sea or cloud cover wins.

My rule of thumb: if you’re ready for an outdoors night with comfort provided, and you can handle the fact that nature is the boss, this package is a strong buy.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this activity?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included by default. It is available for an additional fee of 1100 ISK per person per trip. You need to book it directly with the supplier.

How long is the full experience?

The combined experience is about 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.), made up of a Northern Lights cruise of about 2.5 hours and a whale-watching tour of about 3.5 hours.

What time does the Northern Lights cruise depart?

Northern Lights departures from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour are typically at 9pm or 10pm, depending on the time of year.

Can I do the Northern Lights and whale-watching tours on the same day?

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

Are sightings of whales and Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Sightings are not guaranteed. Weather and sea conditions affect what you see.

What comfort items are included on board?

You get thermal overalls and heated indoor seating areas. Complimentary sea sickness tablets are also provided, and free WiFi is included.

Is food included?

No. Food and drink are not included, but you can purchase them on board.

What happens if I do not see anything on the tour?

The package includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour.

What should I wear for this trip?

Warm clothes are recommended. You’ll also have thermal overalls available, but you should still dress for cold outdoor time on the water.