Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the chance to wait for the Northern Lights from a warm yacht, rather than from a chilly roadside or an unheated viewing area. I like the comfortable indoor lounge, and I like the open decks where you can step outside quickly when the sky begins to glow. The crew also helps with camera settings, which matters because the lights can look faint to your eyes but much stronger in a photograph.

The main consideration is that this is not a fast-moving chase into the darkest countryside. The yacht usually heads behind the islands near Reykjavik, where it can find calmer water and some distance from city lights, then waits in one area. You get a pleasant boat ride and a good onboard setup, but a bus tour may cover more ground in search of clear skies.

Key Points Before You Book

• Captain Einar has more than 10 years of experience hunting the aurora, and the crew keeps watch from the yacht and stays in contact with other boats.
• The cruise usually lasts 2 to 3 hours, leaving from Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2 and returning to the same place.
• You can warm up inside, with blankets, a café and bar, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and space to move around on the yacht.
• The route favors shelter over distance, passing Harpa, Reykjavik’s coast, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay before stopping behind the islands.
• No aurora sighting is guaranteed, but an additional cruise is offered free if the lights do not appear.
• The boat may not be the small yacht you expect, since the operator uses a 35-passenger yacht and a larger vessel carrying up to 95 people.

Leaving Old Harbour After Dark

You meet at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2 in central Reykjavik. This is a practical starting point, close to public transportation and surrounded by places to eat and drink before departure. The activity returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a late-night pickup elsewhere.

The cruise leaves after dark, when the aurora might be visible. That timing also gives you a look at Reykjavik from the water, with the harbor, waterfront buildings, and Harpa Concert Hall appearing from a different angle. Seeing Harpa from the sea is brief, but it gives the outing a pleasant city element before the focus shifts to the sky.

The listed duration is about 2 to 3 hours. That is long enough to reach a viewing area, wait through changing conditions, and return without turning the evening into an all-night expedition. It also means you should not book a tightly timed dinner or another activity immediately afterward.

The operator asks you to arrive before departure. One difficult departure was delayed because a group arrived late, so arrive early rather than treating the listed departure time as a suggestion. You will want a few minutes to check in, use the facilities, and get settled before the yacht moves.

From Harpa to Viðey Island

The first part of the ride follows Reykjavik’s coastline. The city lights remain visible, but the yacht heads behind the nearby islands, aiming for a spot far enough from the brightest harbor glow while still offering shelter from rough water.

That approach explains the cruise’s basic tradeoff. The yacht does not need to travel far to see an aurora high above the city. The lights appear roughly 100 kilometers overhead, so moving a few miles farther out is not automatically better. Clear sky matters more than distance, and the crew chooses a place where the sea is reasonably calm.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. This is not a cruise that continually searches every part of Faxaflói Bay. The boat generally follows a set route and waits in a sheltered area. If you want a guide driving across the countryside to hunt for breaks in the cloud, a land-based tour may suit you better.

Viðey Island is one of the route’s most appealing sights. It sits just off Reykjavik and brings a quieter, more open feeling to the view. From the yacht, you can see its shores, trails, historic features, and the setting associated with the Imagine Peace Tower, the memorial created by Yoko Ono in honor of John Lennon.

This is important: the cruise does not function as a shore visit to Viðey. You are seeing the island as part of the boat route, not getting off to walk its paths. If you want the island’s art and historical sites up close, plan a separate visit.

Waiting for the Aurora in Faxaflói Bay

Faxaflói Bay gives the cruise its wide sky. The bay is known for marine life, seabirds, and whale watching, though this evening outing is focused on the aurora rather than a dedicated whale-watching program. You may enjoy the sense of open water and the distant Icelandic coast, but you should not book this as a whale trip.

Once the yacht reaches its viewing area, the pace slows. The crew watches the sky and waits. This can feel anticlimactic during a cloudy hour, especially if you expected the boat to keep moving, but waiting is part of the northern lights game.

I like that you can wait in a proper indoor space. The yacht has a heated interior, blankets, seating, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a bar and café with hot and cold drinks. Some accounts also describe beer, champagne, coffee, and tea for purchase. You can step onto the upper or outer deck for a better view, then return inside before the cold becomes unpleasant.

That arrangement is the cruise’s strongest practical advantage. On a bus outing, you may spend a long period inside the bus and then stand in a cold parking area. Here, you can remain comfortable until the crew believes it is worth asking everyone to head outside.

Bring warm clothing anyway. The open deck is exposed, and you may want to stay outside when the aurora is active. Wear layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes. The indoor heating makes the wait easier, but it does not make the deck warm.

How the Northern Lights Part Works

Aurora sightings depend on two things you cannot control: clear sections of sky and lights strong enough to see with the naked eye. Iceland’s weather can change quickly. Snow may fall as the yacht leaves the harbor, then wind at higher levels can clear the cloud later in the evening. The reverse can happen too, with a pleasant afternoon followed by poor conditions at departure.

The crew uses forecasts and local experience to decide whether to sail. That is an educated judgment, not a promise. If the forecast looks poor, cancellation may be the sensible choice, but conditions can still change after the decision.

The guides also communicate with other boats. The crew says it keeps watch throughout the trip and receives updates by radio if another boat spots the aurora. That does not guarantee a sighting, but it gives the crew more information than simply parking the yacht and ignoring the sky.

A particularly useful service is help with photography. The aurora can be faint in person, especially when cloud or city glow is present, yet show up clearly in a camera image. The guide can help you prepare phone settings and explain where to focus. If you hope to photograph the lights, ask for help early rather than waiting until the display begins.

Keep your expectations realistic about the appearance of the aurora. It may begin as a faint green haze, then strengthen suddenly. On one successful evening, the boat had begun turning toward home when the crew noticed a better display and stopped so everyone could watch. Patience can pay off.

The lights may also appear overhead rather than directly in front of the yacht. Stay alert, and do not assume the first faint patch is all you will see. The crew may call people toward the front or outside deck when conditions improve.

Yacht Comfort and Group Size

The operator uses two yachts. The smaller MY Harpa carries up to 35 passengers, while MY Amelia Rose can carry up to 95. The stated maximum for this activity is 35, but the operator’s own information makes clear that both vessels may be used, so confirm the boat for your departure if group size matters to you.

That detail is worth taking seriously. Several positive experiences came from the smaller yacht, where the atmosphere felt calmer and there was more room to move around the viewing areas. Another person expected a small boat but found a larger vessel crowded with people. The experience can therefore vary depending on the boat assigned.

The yacht is described as comfortable rather than as a luxury cruise. You get outdoor viewing areas, an enclosed lounge, blankets, bathrooms, and a bar. That is a good setup for a cold evening, but it is not an intimate private charter.

The bar is convenient, especially for tea, coffee, or another warm drink during the wait. Prices are a personal matter, and one poor experience considered the drinks too expensive. You should also know that a beer, coffee, or tea coupon offered at the end may be a goodwill gesture rather than a replacement for a missed aurora.

Music plays onboard, along with a short explanation of the aurora and, at times, local Christmas traditions. The tone is casual. If you want a long astronomy talk or a quiet sailing experience with no music, this may not be your ideal format.

Is $100.82 Good Value?

At $100.82 per person, this cruise costs more than a simple harbor ride, but you are paying for more than transport. The price includes a 2 to 3 hour evening outing, coastal views, access to indoor warmth, blankets, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and the chance to see the aurora from the water.

I think the value depends on your priorities. If you want a comfortable evening with a bar, seating, and quick access to an outdoor deck, the price is reasonable for Reykjavik. The setup is especially helpful for couples, families, and anyone who does not want to stand outside in freezing weather for several hours.

The value is weaker if your only goal is maximizing the odds of seeing the lights. A bus may travel farther and adjust its route more aggressively. The yacht’s plan is to find shelter near the islands and wait, so you are buying comfort and atmosphere as well as aurora potential.

There is also a useful safety net. If the lights do not appear, the operator offers an additional yacht trip at no cost. The specific response explains that you can return for free, with the offer described as valid for three years. That is valuable if you have several nights in Reykjavik or plan to return, but it does not fully solve the problem if this is your final evening in Iceland.

Free rebooking also cannot replace the sighting if your schedule is tight. If the northern lights are a once-only priority and you have just one night available, you may want to compare this cruise with a more mobile land tour before booking.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most

I would choose this outing for you if you want the aurora experience to be part of a pleasant evening rather than a bare-bones search mission. The heated lounge, blankets, bathrooms, and bar make a real difference when the wait stretches on.

It also suits people who enjoy being on the water and want views of Reykjavik, Harpa, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay along with the night sky. The crew’s camera help is useful for anyone using a phone instead of a dedicated camera.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the ability to move between the deck and the warm interior. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is offered in English.

I would hesitate if you strongly prefer a small, quiet group or expect the yacht to chase every clear patch of sky. Check which vessel is operating, and understand that the route usually stays near Reykjavik. The operator’s description is clear enough for an informed choice, but the smaller yacht is not guaranteed.

Booking, Weather, and Cancellation Advice

The activity is often reserved about 44 days ahead, so popular dates can fill, particularly during the main aurora season. You receive confirmation at booking, and the meeting point is easy to locate at Old Harbour House.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

The cruise requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because of poor conditions, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is different from sailing and simply failing to see the lights. In that case, the free additional cruise is the stated remedy.

I would schedule this early enough in your Reykjavik stay to allow a second attempt. That single choice makes the guarantee much more useful. If you place it on your last night, you risk having no time to rebook.

My Verdict on the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

Book this cruise if you want a warm, comfortable way to wait for the aurora, and you value the boat ride even if nature refuses to cooperate. The strongest features are the helpful camera advice, pleasant crew, sheltered onboard setting, and chance to move outside quickly when the sky changes.

Skip it if you want a determined, mobile search across the countryside or if you would be disappointed by a fixed route near Reykjavik. The northern lights remain unpredictable, and the yacht cannot guarantee a show.

For most people, I would make the cruise an early-evening option during the first part of an Iceland stay, not the final roll of the dice. Bring serious winter clothing, arrive early, check the assigned yacht, and give yourself a spare night. With those expectations, the cruise offers a comfortable and memorable way to see Reykjavik after dark, whether the aurora appears or not.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at Old Harbour House.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours.

What places can I see from the yacht?

The route includes Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Harpa Concert Hall from the sea, the Reykjavik coastline, Viðey Island, Faxaflói Bay, and the possible sighting of the Aurora Borealis.

Is a northern lights sighting guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on clear areas of sky and aurora activity strong enough to see. The weather can change quickly, and nature remains outside the operator’s control.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You are offered an additional yacht trip at no cost. The operator states that free tours can be used for up to three years.

What is available onboard?

The yacht provides an onboard bar and café, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, blankets, an enclosed area for warming up, and outdoor viewing areas.