The best nights in Reykjavik run on weather, not guarantees. This Northern Lights cruise plus whale watching package trades guesswork for comfort, smart guidance, and a back-up option if the animals and lights do not show.

I especially like the way this trip builds in real gear and real help, like thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, and sea sickness tablets. I also like that you get two different time windows in the same area, Old Harbour and Faxaflói Bay, so you are chasing both “big Iceland moments” without hopping across the island.

One consideration is that sightings are never promised, and rough seas or cloud cover can affect which parts you get. The good news is the operator offers a way to try again if nothing is seen.

Key things to notice before you go

• Two tours, same region: Old Harbour for lights, then Faxaflói Bay for whales and dolphins.
• Comfort is not an afterthought: thermal overalls and heated indoor seating help a lot when it gets windy.
• Help with motion and cold: complimentary sea sickness tablets and proper winter clothing (included).
• A built-in do-over: a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour.
• Smaller live setting than you might expect: maximum of 198 travelers, with deck access for viewing.
• Guides aim to make the night make sense: myths and facts about the northern lights, plus marine life education on the whale cruise.

Reykjavik super-saver: how this combo actually feels

This is a two-part experience that targets two of Iceland’s most wanted sightings, the northern lights and marine life in Faxaflói Bay. The reason it works so well is timing. You are not just booking one gamble. You get one night-focused outing for lights, and a separate, daytime-or-early-evening style outing on a different stretch of water for whales and dolphins.

The other big reason this combo feels efficient is that it is built around Reykjavik logistics that are already traveler-friendly. You meet near the city center (Geirsgata 11), you cruise out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, and you stay in the same general “home base” area instead of adding long drives.

The pacing is also easy to understand: plan for about 2.5 hours on the northern lights cruise, then about 3.5 hours on the whale-watching tour. Even when conditions change, you still get a full “time on the water” experience rather than a short, easily-disappointed half hour.

Value check: why the price makes sense for what you get

At $186.74 per person, you are paying for two boat-based tours rather than one. That sounds simple, but the value comes from the included comfort layer.

Here is what you actually get without paying extra for the basics:

• Thermal overalls (including children’s sizes if needed)
• Heated indoor seating areas
• Complimentary sea sickness tablets
• Free WiFi
• A Special Tours app in English plus several other languages
• A free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour

Those items matter because the hardest parts of Iceland night tours are usually not sightseeing. It is cold, wind, and getting through choppy water without it ruining the trip.

The “free try again” piece is also part of the value math. Northern lights and whales are both wild by nature, so you want an operator that treats missed sightings as part of the reality, not as a total loss. Knowing that you have a built-in second chance reduces the stress that comes with booking the weather-dependent stuff.

Northern Lights cruise from Old Harbour: what you’re really signing up for

Your northern lights outing starts from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour with a departure time that depends on the season, either 9pm or 10pm. If you pick the option for hotel pickup, the pickup begins 60 minutes before departure.

This part of the experience is half logistics, half storytelling. The boat heads out onto the water for what is essentially a moving viewing platform. You are listening as your guide explains what causes the lights and also shares legends and myths connected to the phenomenon.

That matters because the northern lights can be hard to “read” if you do not know what you are looking at. When the sky is active, you want to understand the difference between a few faint hints and something that turns into real curtains of light. Even when they are subtle, the guidance helps you stay patient and focused instead of staring at the horizon like it owes you something.

The big reality check: lights are not guaranteed

You should go in knowing you are chasing a natural phenomenon. Conditions matter: cloud cover and rough seas can reduce viewing quality or even lead to a cancellation of the lights segment. If that happens, the operator’s policy is designed to keep you from walking away empty-handed.

Whale watching on Faxaflói Bay: your target species and viewing style

The whale-watching portion runs about 3.5 hours and also starts from the Reykjavik Old Harbour area. If you choose hotel pickup, it follows the same pattern with pickup beginning 60 minutes prior to departure.

Then you head to Faxaflói Bay to start looking for marine life. Here is what you can expect your guide to watch for:

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

You are encouraged to keep your camera ready, but the more practical benefit is this: when whales are present, you usually spend time tracking movement rather than just hoping they pass by. The guide and crew help you position on the boat so you can see what’s happening, even if you are not standing at the exact same spot the whole time.

What to watch for if the action feels slow

Not every outing is guaranteed to deliver big sightings every hour. Sometimes you see porpoises and dolphins but not whales. Other times you may get one strong encounter that lasts longer than you expect. Either way, it is still a true sea-life viewing trip, not a zoo-style guarantee.

If you are sensitive to motion, plan ahead. The cruise is long enough that seasickness can become an issue for some people, especially with rough water.

Comfort kit on board: thermal overalls, heating, and motion support

This is one of the clearest quality signals in the tour description: they supply the stuff that usually makes or breaks Iceland boat trips.

You get:

• Thermal overalls, available in children’s sizes
• Heated indoor seating so you can warm up when you switch between viewing outside and staying cozy
• Complimentary sea sickness tablets
• Free WiFi, which is helpful if you want to plan your next stop or just keep your own mood steady

If you have never worn thermal overalls in windy cold, here is the practical takeaway: wear layers under them that let you regulate warmth. You want to stay comfortable during waiting. Waiting is part of both the lights cruise and whale watching.

Also, treat your camera strategy as part of your gear. When you are switching between warm indoor seats and cold decks, it is easy to forget batteries. Keep a plan for charging and battery warmth.

The “try again” safety net and what it does for your stress level

The tour includes a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. That sounds like marketing until you remember what you are booking. Both northern lights and whales depend on conditions outside anyone’s control.

So this safety net is really about mental bandwidth. You can enjoy the experience without constantly running the internal script of, “Did I pay for a no-show?”

If weather is the reason you do not get what you came for, the cancellation terms also allow you to switch dates or request a refund depending on how the operator handles it. The main point is simple: you are not trapped by bad luck.

One more subtle benefit: when the operator knows it might have to offer a re-try, it tends to invest more in getting you comfortable and properly set up the first time.

Timing and logistics: same day or split days without the headache

You can take the two tours either on the same day or across separate days. That choice is more important than it sounds.

If you do them on separate days, you give yourself extra room for weather changes. Iceland can shift fast, and you do not want to burn your best viewing window on a day when the sky or sea is working against you.

If you do them on the same day, you keep the trip rhythm tight and you reduce the number of times you have to dress in layers and head back to the harbor. That can feel great when you have limited time and you want a full “Reykjavik boats” block.

Either way, your meeting point is consistent. You start and end back at the meeting point area near Geirsgata 11.

Group size and onboard flow: how to plan your viewing spots

The tour lists a maximum of 198 travelers. That tells you the boats are set up for large groups, not tiny private charters.

In practice, that means you should expect:

• crowded decks at peak sightings moments
• more people switching between decks and heated indoor areas
• a need to listen closely so you do not miss the moment the guide calls out activity

A small practical tip: do not cling to one spot. If you see the crew moving, that often signals updated whale positions or a changing viewing angle. You want flexibility so you can re-find the best sightlines quickly.

What past guide energy can mean for your night

The experience is guided, and the guide portion matters more than you might think. A northern lights guide who explains myths and the science can turn a sky that is just okay into a night you remember. On whale watching, an attentive guide can help you spot blow patterns, movement, and smaller sightings that you might miss if you are only scanning for one kind of whale.

From earlier seasons of this operator, guides with names like Kristoph have been praised for keeping groups safe and calm in unpredictable conditions. Another guide, Iga, has been credited with strong whale spotting skills, including moments where humpbacks were seen close to the boat.

You cannot pick a guide from the data you have here, but you can pick your strategy: show up early for the boat portion, listen at the start, and be ready to move when the crew signals.

What to bring (and what to avoid) so the trip stays fun

The tour advises you to bring warm clothes, and that is the best instruction you can follow.

Pack and wear with these ideas:

• layers you can add or remove over thermal overalls
• gloves and a warm hat you can actually keep on in wind
• a wind-resistant outer layer if you have one
• charged camera gear, plus backups if you care about photos

If you get motion sickness easily, take the complimentary sea sickness tablets as directed by your comfort needs, not only after you feel bad. Prevention works better than rescue.

Also, remember that food and drink are not included, but you can purchase them on board. If you have dietary needs, it is smart to plan a simple meal before you head out, since waiting on food on a moving boat is not always the best use of your energy.

Is this for you? Best-fit travelers and who should think twice

This tour is a good match if you want:

• an easy Reykjavik-focused trip that stays in one area
• two major Iceland nature targets in one package
• included warmth gear so you are not gambling on comfort
• an operator that offers a try again safety net

It might not be the best fit if you:

• are extremely sensitive to motion and rough water
• need guaranteed northern lights or guaranteed whales
• hate waiting for wildlife cues and prefer fast, certainty-based sightseeing

That said, even when a sighting is missed, the included comforts and the guided experience still make the outing feel like a full evening and not just wasted time. The biggest “risk” here is not boredom. It is weather.

Should you book the Iceland Super Saver combo?

I would book this if your trip has a realistic shot at cold clear skies and you want to maximize your time on the water around Reykjavik. The price feels fair because you are not just buying access, you are buying thermal overalls, heated seating, and motion help, plus the chance to re-try if the animals or lights do not show.

I would think twice if you are booking right at the edge of the season when timing shifts and weather can be more unpredictable for your schedule. In that case, consider splitting the tours across separate days, so one rough patch does not destroy your whole plan.

Final note: go in expecting the two sightings to be wild, not scheduled. If you keep that mindset, this is one of the more practical ways to chase both northern lights and whales from Reykjavik.

FAQ

What is included in the Iceland Super Saver package?

You get a Northern Lights cruise plus a whale-watching tour, plus free WiFi, thermal overalls (including children’s sizes), heated indoor seating, complimentary sea sickness tablets, and a Special Tours app. You also get a free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour.

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The Northern Lights portion runs about 2.5 hours.

How long is the whale-watching tour?

The whale-watching tour runs about 3.5 hours.

When do the northern lights departures leave from Old Harbour?

Departure is either 9pm or 10pm depending on the time of year.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included. Pickup is available for an additional fee if you book it with the supplier. Hotel pickup begins 60 minutes prior to departure when selected.

What should I wear for these tours?

Warm clothes are recommended. You will also have thermal overalls provided, which helps a lot in cold wind and on deck.

Is food and drink included?

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

What meeting point should I use?

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

What happens if I do not see whales or the northern lights?

If nothing is seen on your tour, you receive a free ticket to try again.

Can I cancel if the weather changes?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour lists a maximum of 198 travelers.