Two boat trips, one Reykjavík night. This Iceland Super Saver pairs a Northern Lights search cruise with a whale-watching outing in Faxaflói Bay, so you’re not stuck choosing just one big moment. I like that it’s built as a true package deal, with the same operator handling both experiences so the day feels simpler than piecing together separate tours. I also like the comfort touches, including thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, and even sea sickness tablets when you need them.

My only real caution: sightings are never guaranteed. If the sea gets choppy or skies stay cloudy, you might miss whales or the aurora, and the tour may swap to another date or offer a try-again option instead of a guaranteed show.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• Two iconic trips in one value-focused bundle so you’re covering lights and whales without extra planning stress
• Heated indoor seating and thermal overalls to keep you outside-looking while staying warm
• Faxaflói Bay marine chances for humpback, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins
• Northern Lights guidance with facts and Icelandic myths from an expert guide
• Free WiFi and a Special Tours app for in-journey info on your device
• Try-again ticket if nothing is seen, which matters on nights that don’t cooperate

A Reykjavik two-for-one on the water: Northern Lights plus whales

This tour is smartly designed for first-timers. You get both of Iceland’s headline nature moments in one purchase: chasing the aurora at night and searching for whales by day—or split across your trip. That’s a big advantage if you’re only in Reykjavik for a short time and want to squeeze in maximum magic.

The value angle here is not just the price label. It’s that you’re buying two separate boat-based experiences through one operator, with shared comfort gear and similar meeting points around Reykjavík’s Old Harbour area. That can save you time on logistics and reduce the mental load—especially when Iceland weather forces Plan B.

The core thing to understand upfront: you’re going out onto the water to look. This is not a theatre show. If nature gives you clear skies and active marine life, it’s incredible. If it doesn’t, the operator’s offering of a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen can soften the disappointment.

Old Harbour departures and why timing really matters

Your Northern Lights cruise leaves from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour in the evening, typically at 9pm or 10pm depending on the time of year. Hotel pick-up, if you choose it, starts about 60 minutes before departure, and the tour continues from there to the harbour.

Two practical notes that affect how smooth your night feels:

• Reconfirm your cruise times with the supplier using your voucher details. Times can shift, especially when conditions change.
• Dress for the fact that you’ll be outside at night, even if you can warm up indoors between views.

For the whale-watching portion, you’ll also be heading back to the harbour area and then out into Faxaflói Bay. If you split the tours across different days, you can choose the calmer-feeling day for whales and keep your best night for the aurora hunt. That’s not guaranteed, but it helps your odds.

Northern Lights cruising: facts, myths, and warm deck time

The Northern Lights half of this Super Saver is a 2.5-hour cruise aimed at aurora viewing. On board, your guide keeps you informed—sharing both what causes the phenomenon and the legends Iceland is known for. That mix matters, because the aurora isn’t just something you stare at. You start recognizing patterns in how it behaves once you know what you’re looking for.

Comfort is built into the experience. You’ll have thermal overalls to help you handle cold winds and wet air, plus heated indoor seating areas so you can step away from the elements. You can also use complimentary sea sickness tablets if needed. That last part is not glamorous, but it’s practical, and it can turn a tough night into a manageable one.

What you should expect about results: sightings can’t be guaranteed. Even when conditions look good on land, weather over open water can shift quickly. Some nights will be dramatic. Other nights will be quiet. The upside is that the operator includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour, which is exactly the kind of safety net you want for the aurora.

Faxaflói Bay whale-watching: what you might see in 3.5 hours

The whale-watching portion runs about 3.5 hours and focuses on the marine life that lives around Reykjavík’s bay. You’re not just scanning with binoculars and hoping. Your guide helps you track movement, location, and timing—so you’re watching with context instead of random searching.

The species list you should keep in mind includes humpback whales and minke whales, plus harbor porpoises and white-beaked dolphins. If you’re coming for whales, humpbacks are the big target; if your luck is more on the dolphin/porpoise side, you can still get excellent sightings. Either way, keep your camera ready, because these animals can show up fast and then move on.

A quick reality check: whale days can be hit-or-miss. You might see several animals close to the boat, or you might spot fewer. That variability is normal in marine wildlife viewing, and it’s why that try-again policy is valuable. If you go once and the ocean doesn’t cooperate, you have a second chance.

The comfort package that makes cold-water tours actually work

Cold and wind are the real opponents on Iceland boat trips. This tour tackles that directly with a set of comfort features designed for staying on deck without freezing your toes off.

Here’s what’s included:

• Thermal overalls (available in children’s sizes too)
• Heated indoor seating areas
• Complimentary sea sickness tablets
• Free WiFi
• A Special Tours app in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese

The best part is how those pieces work together. Thermal overalls and heated indoor seating let you alternate between watching outside and resetting inside. That helps you stay focused on spotting animals or aurora rather than spending the whole time thinking about how cold you feel.

The app also matters for people who get restless at sea. It can add structure to what you’re seeing, which makes the hours feel shorter and more meaningful. WiFi on board is a small bonus, but in practice it helps you upload photos and keep in touch if you’re splitting tours across days.

Food, drinks, and what to bring for a smoother day

Food and drink are not included. You can buy meals and drinks on board, which is good because it gives you flexibility if you arrive hungry or get delayed. For budgeting, plan on paying for snacks and hot drinks yourself.

Warm clothes are strongly recommended. Since you’ll have thermal overalls provided, you don’t need to overthink fashion. What you do need is a reliable cold-weather layering plan under the overalls and footwear you’re comfortable wearing for deck time.

Also, Iceland is Iceland. Expect conditions to change. Even if the weather looks fine from the harbour, the water can feel rougher once you’re out. If you’ve ever had motion sickness on boats, take the complimentary tablets as directed. It’s one of those “boring decisions” that pays off.

Guides and the difference between a good talk and a great one

A tour like this rises or falls on how well the guide helps you read the moment. The best guiding here does two things: explains what’s happening and keeps your group calm and organized when conditions shift.

In the operator’s lineup, you may encounter guides like Kristoph for Northern Lights-style narration and Ivo for related glacier-style moments tied to other offerings. For whale watching, Iga is highlighted for standout spotting skills—especially when humpbacks are playing near the boat. Names like these show up because the guides are the ones shaping your experience, not just the itinerary.

That said, there can be variation in style. Some nights may come with more engaging commentary than others. On the whale side, audio quality can also affect how much you catch. My practical advice: don’t rely on perfect sound. If you care about details, bring your own attention. Watching is still the main event.

When nature cancels your plan: how to think about risk

This is the uncomfortable part to talk about, but it’s also the part that helps you enjoy Iceland without stress. These tours require good weather. If the experience can’t run due to weather, you’re offered a different date or a full refund.

On nights with rough seas or heavy cloud cover, the Northern Lights and even the whale portion can get disrupted. When that happens, it’s not about quality—it’s about physics. Waves and darkness don’t care about schedules.

The trade-off is that the package includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. That’s a big deal because it recognizes that nature can be unpredictable. If you’re on a tight schedule, you’ll want to plan some breathing room so you can use the try-again option later in your trip if needed.

Price and value: is $186.74 a good deal for two boat tours?

At about $186.74 per person, this package aims at a sweet spot: it bundles a Northern Lights cruise and whale watching together, rather than making you pay two separate tour buys at full retail. That discount only matters if you actually want both experiences.

Here’s how I’d judge the value beyond the number:

• You’re getting gear (thermal overalls, heated seating) included, plus sea sickness support.
• You’re buying two chances to catch major wildlife and aurora moments, either same day or across your vacation.
• You have a try-again ticket if nothing is seen, which protects you against the biggest risk: empty skies or quiet waters.

The main thing that could reduce value is if you’re already sure you don’t want one of the two activities. If you only care about whales, for example, then the aurora half is extra. But if aurora is on your bucket list and whales are a close second, this bundle is a logical way to spend your Reykjavik time.

Logistics you should plan for: pickup, meeting point, and group size

You’ll meet near Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Pickup is offered for an added fee if you select it. Hotel and cruise port pick-up costs 1,100 ISK per person per trip, and it’s not included by default.

You’ll want to keep that in mind if you’re staying outside the city center or arriving late. Being early helps. Iceland tours run on real roads and real weather, and even small delays can make you feel rushed.

Group size is capped at 198 travelers. That’s a lot of people, which means you’ll want to get to the deck space you prefer early. Comfort indoors is important if conditions get cold or bumpy.

Also note: the tour is offered in English, and confirmation comes at booking. You’ll reconfirm cruise times using your voucher.

Should you take both tours on the same day or split them?

The operator lets you choose. You can do the tours on the same day or on separate days during your vacation. If you’re trying to maximize your odds of at least one great outcome, splitting can help.

Why?

• You can pick the calmer-feeling day for whale watching.
• You can save your best night for Northern Lights viewing, when skies might cooperate more.
• If one part gets disrupted due to weather, you’re not risking both experiences collapsing at once.

If you prefer a packed itinerary and you’re comfortable with that energy, same-day can work well. The key is to plan for travel time between harbour locations and give yourself a little buffer so you don’t feel like you’re sprinting between modes of transport.

Who this package fits best (and who should reconsider)

This Super Saver is a great match if you:

• Want two major Iceland nature experiences without building a DIY plan
• Like guided interpretation, not just silent sightseeing
• Appreciate warm gear for cold water days
• Travel with kids, since thermal overalls are available in children’s sizes

It may be less ideal if you:

• Absolutely need guaranteed sightings
• Have severe motion-sickness issues and don’t want to take precautions
• Are the type who gets very frustrated by weather cancellations or cloudy nights

The tour does say most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed, which is helpful for many visitors. Still, the sea and the sky are the real factors.

Final call: book it or pass?

I think you should book this if Northern Lights are a priority and you also want whales without spending your entire Reykjavik schedule in planning mode. The included comfort features—thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, sea sickness tablets, and the chance to try again if nothing is seen—make it a safer bet than many bare-bones tours.

Don’t book with the mindset that you’ll definitely see aurora or whales. You’re buying a serious outing with real expertise and strong support for cold and rough conditions. If you can stay flexible and you’re willing to let nature set the terms, this is a strong value way to experience two of Iceland’s top water-based moments.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The Northern Lights portion is about 2.5 hours.

When do the Northern Lights tours depart from Reykjavik?

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

How long is the whale-watching tour?

The whale-watching portion is about 3.5 hours.

Are hotel pickups included?

No. Hotel and cruise port pick-up are available for an additional fee of 1,100 ISK per person per trip.

What comfort items are included on board?

You’ll receive thermal overalls (including children’s sizes), heated indoor seating areas, complimentary sea sickness tablets, and free WiFi.

Is food included?

Food and drink are not included, but you can purchase them on board.

What happens if nothing is seen during the tour?

You get a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour.

Can I take the tours on the same day?

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

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