Few things beat Faxaflói Bay at night. This Iceland Super Saver strings together a Northern Lights cruise and a whale-watching trip from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, with expert narration and the right gear so you’re not freezing on deck. I especially like that thermal overalls and heated indoor seating are included, plus you get a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen.

The main thing to understand upfront: nothing is guaranteed. Weather and sea conditions can knock out one or both parts, so you’re buying the odds plus great comfort—not a promise.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Two big sightings opportunities in one booking: Northern Lights cruise plus a whale-watching trip.
• Comfort is handled for you with thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, and sea-sickness tablets.
• A free try-again pass is included if sightings don’t happen on your trip.
• Guided storytelling on the lights: you’ll hear myths and the science behind the Aurora.
• Faxaflói Bay is the wildlife stage, with a chance to spot humpbacks and minke whales, porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins.
• A multilingual app is part of the experience, available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Chinese.

Two Tours in One Night: Northern Lights Plus Whales

This isn’t a single “watch and hope” tour. It’s a packaged day or evening plan built around two of Iceland’s most sought-after nature moments: the Aurora Borealis and marine wildlife.

The format is simple. You start with a Northern Lights cruise on a boat out on the water from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, then you shift gears and go whale watching out into Faxaflói Bay. You can run both on the same day, or split them across separate days during your Iceland trip, which is handy when you want backup tries for the best conditions.

And because Iceland weather loves plot twists, it’s smart that this package is designed for repeat attempts. If you don’t see anything on your cruise, you’re offered a free ticket to try again. That’s a rare kind of value in a place where “maybe tonight” is the normal reality.

Old Harbour Timing: When 9pm or 10pm Changes Your Whole Evening

Your Northern Lights departure leaves from Old Harbour at either 9pm or 10pm, depending on the time of year. Hotel pickup, if you add it, begins 60 minutes before departure, and it helps you avoid that last-minute scramble in the cold.

Why timing matters: the Aurora is fickle, and you’re trying to catch the sky when it’s properly dark and your boat is far enough from city lights to improve your odds. The tour’s approach—night departure from Old Harbour—puts you in the right “night rhythm” for a first-timer. You’ll also have the benefit of a guide explaining what’s happening overhead while you’re underway, so the time doesn’t feel like waiting in silence.

One practical note: you’ll need to reconfirm cruise times with the supplier using your voucher details. It’s not a big step, but it prevents the classic Iceland problem—thinking your boat leaves one time and discovering it leaves another.

Getting Warm on a Cold Boat: Overalls, Heated Seating, and Motion Support

Iceland boats are not the time to test your fashion sense. What makes this package easier is that comfort basics are covered.

You’re provided with thermal overalls (and children’s sizes too), plus there are heated indoor seating areas. That matters because even when you’re dressed for winter, a windy night on the water can make you miserable fast. Heated space means you can step inside, reset, and then go back out for photos or better sky-watching.

On top of that, the tour includes complimentary sea-sickness tablets, which is a genuinely helpful inclusion. Whale watching and the Aurora both involve being on the sea, and choppy conditions can happen without notice. Reviews reflect this reality: some trips still go out when conditions are rough, and not everyone feels great on board. Having tablets available reduces the stress, especially if you’re prone to motion sickness.

If you’re planning to add hotel pickup, remember that pickup is not included by default. It’s available for an extra fee per person per trip, so make sure you decide based on how far your hotel is from the meeting point.

Northern Lights Cruise in Faxaflói Bay: Myths, Science, and Real Chances

The Northern Lights portion runs for about 2.5 hours on the water. The boat heads from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour toward Faxaflói Bay, where the goal is simple: put you under darker skies and give you time to watch.

What makes this more than just a night sail is the onboard guidance. You’ll stay alert and listen as the expert guide explains the Northern Lights—what causes them—and also shares legends and cultural myths tied to the Aurora. That storytelling is the difference between a trip where you only stare at the sky, and one where you actually learn what you’re seeing.

Now the real talk: sightings aren’t guaranteed. Some nights are clear and active; other nights are cloudy or the sea gets choppy enough to limit the experience. A few people describe cases where the Northern Lights part was canceled or the conditions made it harder to enjoy. Even in those situations, the included try-again option helps you avoid feeling like you paid for disappointment.

Photography tip that’s practical (and not fluffy): bring a camera you already know how to use. Low light is forgiving in theory, but fiddly settings on a moving boat are not.

Whale-Watching Cruise: Humpbacks, Minke Whales, and Porpoises

The whale-watching portion runs for about 3.5 hours. Again, pickup begins 60 minutes prior if you choose it, and the trip leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to cruise in Faxaflói Bay.

This is where the package shines if you’re open-minded about what “seeing whales” can look like. The bay is known for marine life, and the tour specifically highlights chances to spot:

• humpback whales
• minke whales
• harbor porpoises
• white-beaked dolphins

You’ll keep your eyes peeled while the crew looks for animals, and you’ll have time to photograph once you’re in the right area. The difference between a boring cruise and a great one often comes down to spotting skill and how quickly the boat can reposition. The reviews put a spotlight on guides with strong whale-spotting instincts, including names like Iga, described with serious spotting ability and a knack for finding humpbacks close to the boat.

It’s also worth saying clearly: whales are wild animals. Even with good tracking, some cruises see dolphins and porpoises without whales, or see fewer animals than expected. That’s still a great wildlife experience, but it’s not a guaranteed “big whale” moment.

If you’re the kind of person who gets sea-sick easily, plan ahead. Thermal overalls help with cold, but motion is motion—so use the tablets if you need them and don’t pretend you’ll “just tough it out.”

How the Guides and Storytelling Actually Affect Your Experience

Iceland tours can be either educational or just loud. What helps here is the mix of narration and practical guidance.

You may meet guides like Kristoph, praised for professionalism and staying calm even when weather and road conditions get tricky. You might also hear from specialists like Ivo, who’s been recognized for taking care of everyone on more active parts of certain Iceland adventures. While those specific highlights may vary by the exact day, the theme is consistent: guides who explain what you’re seeing (and keep things moving safely) turn cold, dark boat time into a real activity.

The Northern Lights narration is especially important because it gives your eyes something to do besides scanning randomly. You’ll be learning while you’re looking—how the lights form and why legends exist—so even a quieter night feels intentional.

And on the practical side, you’re given use of a Special Tours app, available in multiple languages. That’s useful when you want a quick refresher without guessing what terms mean.

Logistics That Matter: Group Size, Seats, and Where You Start

This tour caps out at 198 travelers. That’s not tiny, but it’s large enough that you’ll want to arrive with a plan: know where you’re going at the meeting point, and keep your layers and camera gear organized.

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and the tour ends back at the meeting point. Hotel pickup is optional and costs extra, so if you choose not to add it, you’ll be navigating yourself to the start area.

A quick comfort detail: the boats include heated indoor seating. When it’s cold or the sea is rough, those warm spaces become the best part of the trip—not just a convenience. In other words: you don’t have to stay outside the entire cruise to enjoy it.

Price and Value: Is $186.74 a Smart Buy?

At $186.74 per person, you’re paying for two separate experiences—Northern Lights cruising plus a long whale-watching trip—plus the included comfort layer that many add-ons normally cost extra in cold-weather destinations.

What you’re getting for the money:

• Two cruises instead of one
• thermal overalls
• heated indoor seating
• sea-sickness tablets
• free WiFi
• a free try-again ticket if nothing is seen on your tour

From a value perspective, the try-again element is key. Iceland can be unpredictable, and wildlife/aurora sightings are not controlled by the company. When the product includes a built-in safety net, it reduces your risk.

Is it still possible you’ll see less than you hoped? Yes. Some people report no whales, or no Northern Lights due to weather and sea conditions. But because the package includes a follow-up ticket option, the deal becomes less about “instant payoff” and more about “stacking chances.”

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This package is a good fit if you:

• want two major Iceland nature moments without splitting your planning across multiple companies
• like guided explanations and don’t want to rely on DIY Aurora hunting
• appreciate comfort measures like heated seating and thermal overalls
• can tolerate that wildlife and lights depend on conditions

It might be less ideal if you’re:

• extremely sensitive to motion (even with tablets, rough seas can be rough)
• strongly attached to a single perfect outcome (both whales and lights are never guaranteed)
• counting on hotel pickup being automatic (it’s an extra cost)

Also, if you’re short on time and you can only do one “big nature outing,” this package gives you more chances than most single tours—especially if you split across different nights. If you can flex your schedule, you’ll probably get more from it.

Should You Book the Iceland Super Saver?

I’d book this if you want a well-rounded Iceland evening: learn about the Aurora, get real time on the water, and then switch to wildlife spotting without changing logistics all over town.

Choose it confidently if comfort matters to you. Thermal overalls and heated seating make a real difference on cold cruises, and the included sea-sickness tablets reduce one of the biggest headaches of boat trips.

The only reason to hesitate is the same reason you visit Iceland in the first place: weather. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch lights and marine life. If you’re not, the included free try-again ticket keeps the trip from feeling wasted.

FAQ

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included in this package?

Hotel pickup is not included by default. You can add hotel and cruise port pickup for an additional fee of 1100 ISK per person per trip.

Where do I meet for the tour?

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

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The Northern Lights portion is about 2.5 hours.

How long is the whale-watching tour?

The whale-watching portion is about 3.5 hours.

Can I take the tours on the same day?

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

Do I need to reconfirm departure times?

Yes. You will need to reconfirm your cruise times with the supplier, using the voucher details.

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

The tour focuses on the chance to spot humpback whales, minke whales, harbor porpoises, and white-beaked dolphins.

Are sightings guaranteed?

No. Sightings can’t be guaranteed. The tour includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour.

What comfort items are included for the cruises?

Included items include thermal overalls (also available in children’s sizes), heated indoor seating areas, complimentary sea sickness tablets if needed, and free WiFi.

What if weather is bad and the tour can’t run?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.