Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

The best part of this northern lights cruise is simple: you can step outside into the cold Icelandic night, then return indoors to warm up without abandoning the search. The boat heads into Faxafloi Bay, away from some city light, while your guide explains why the aurora appears and how Icelandic stories have made sense of it over the centuries.

I like the included thermal overalls, especially for families or anyone who did not pack serious winter gear. I also like the free return ticket if the sky stays empty. That matters because the aurora is a natural event, not a stage show. The main caution is that a boat can be crowded, windy, and slow-moving, and poor weather can leave you staring at clouds for two and a half hours.

Key points to know before you book

• The cruise leaves Reykjavik for Faxafloi Bay, giving you a chance to get beyond the city’s brightest lights.
• Thermal overalls are included, with children’s sizes available, but you should still wear warm layers.
• A free retry is offered when no lights are seen, although a later departure may be full.
• Photos are taken on every sailing and can be downloaded without an extra charge.
• The boat has heated indoor seating, WiFi, and a toilet, with food and drinks available to buy onboard.
• The experience lasts about 2 hours and 30 minutes, and the boat can carry up to 198 people.

Leaving Reykjavik for the dark waters of Faxafloi Bay

You meet at Special Tours on Geirsgata 11, close to Reykjavik’s harbor area. The tour returns to this same point, so you should plan your own way back unless you add hotel transport directly with the operator for an extra fee.

Once aboard, the crew provides thermal overalls. Put yours on even if the evening feels mild at the dock. Wind over open water can make the temperature feel much lower, and the most rewarding moments usually happen outside on deck, where you need to keep still while looking up.

The boat travels out into Faxafloi Bay rather than stopping at a single viewing site. This gives the crew some flexibility, but do not expect a fast ride or a dramatic voyage. The boat is moving to find darker skies, not racing toward a fixed destination.

The bay is also a practical setting for a late-night activity. You are not sitting in a parked vehicle for hours, and you can use the indoor seating, WiFi, and onboard facilities during the search. That comfort is a real advantage if you dislike long drives or need regular access to a bathroom.

How the two-and-a-half-hour search unfolds

The exact order depends on the sky, wind, and aurora forecast, but the evening generally has three parts: preparation, the outward cruise, and the return search.

At the start, you settle into the boat and listen to an explanation of the northern lights. The guide covers the scientific cause, particles colliding in Earth’s atmosphere, as well as Icelandic myths connected with the sky. This is useful because it turns waiting time into part of the experience rather than leaving you to guess what you should be watching.

Later, you can move between the heated indoor area and the open deck. The indoor space is the sensible base for most of the trip. Go outside for regular checks, give your eyes time to adjust, then return inside before you become too cold.

The boat may extend the outing when the lights begin to appear near the end. That happened on a night when the aurora finally showed itself just as the crew was considering ending the search. This is one reason you should keep your coat on and your camera ready until the boat is nearly back.

Do not expect the aurora to appear on a timetable. It may arrive as a faint green arc, then strengthen into moving bands. It may also remain too weak to see clearly with the naked eye, or hide behind cloud cover. The uncertainty is frustrating, but it is part of any northern lights outing.

Why the boat can be more comfortable than a bus

A boat gives you a different kind of waiting experience. You have room to sit indoors, buy a hot drink, and step outside when the sky looks promising. For anyone concerned about being cold in a roadside field, this setup may be the better fit.

One especially strong feature is the included clothing. Thermal suits are available in children’s sizes, so families do not need to buy bulky winter clothing for a single evening. Wear the largest size that lets you move comfortably, and keep your normal layers underneath. One useful tip from the trip reports is to go larger when choosing the suit.

The boat also has free WiFi and heated seating. Food and drinks are not included, but you can buy refreshments onboard. Options described on the boat include hot chocolate, snacks, and other simple items. The onboard food service may be modest rather than cafe-like, so bring the right expectations. It is there for convenience, not a full meal.

The tradeoff is movement. Wind and rough water can make the boat rock, and photography becomes harder when the deck is moving. A car-based outing lets you stop on land and may provide a steadier camera platform. If you are prone to seasickness, a bus may suit you better.

What the guide adds to the night

The guide helps you understand what you are seeing and where to look. Explanations cover aurora science, local myths, stars, and basic camera technique. On a clear night, the sky may offer more than green light, including constellations and shooting stars.

A guide named Lukas has led a particularly well-received departure, with clear explanations and an easy manner. Staff members also help with photography onboard, which is useful when you are trying to manage a phone or camera in gloves.

The best guides keep watch while you warm up inside. They can point out a faint arc that you might otherwise miss and explain the difference between a camera image and what your eyes can see. Some weak auroras show more clearly through a long camera exposure than to the naked eye, so do not assume the trip has failed just because the sky looks nearly blank at first.

Still, the quality of commentary can vary from one sailing to another. The guide may be excellent, but crowded conditions or limited time outside can reduce how much personal help you receive. If photography matters to you, ask a crew member for assistance rather than waiting for someone to notice that you need it.

Photography from a moving deck

The operator takes photos on every tour and makes them available to download for free. That is a useful safety net, particularly if your own camera settings are not ready when the aurora appears.

You can also ask crew members for help with photography. Have your phone or camera charged before boarding, and keep it accessible. The lights can appear suddenly, sometimes after a long quiet spell, and you do not want to spend the best few minutes searching through a bag.

A boat is not the easiest place for sharp night photography. Wind, waves, and people moving around can cause blur. Hold your camera firmly, use the rail only when safe, and avoid standing in the busiest part of the deck. If you are using a phone, night mode may help, but keep the lens clear of rain and fingerprints.

The free photos are valuable, but they should not replace your own preparation. The crew’s images may capture the scene from a good position, while your own photo records the evening from where you stood. Take a few pictures, then look up. The aurora is far more impressive overhead than on a small screen.

The biggest risk: weather, clouds, and timing

No northern lights cruise can promise a sighting. You need darkness, clear enough skies, and aurora activity at the right time. A strong forecast is helpful, but clouds can arrive quickly, and solar activity does not follow a human schedule.

The operator may cancel before departure when conditions are poor. If that happens, you can usually choose another date or receive a full refund, provided you have not already taken the tour. If sea conditions are bad but the aurora forecast still looks promising, you may be offered a bus tour instead. That alternative is treated as the same-priced replacement, so choosing it does not create a refund.

This policy is worth reading carefully before you commit to a date. If you join the cruise and see nothing, you receive another ticket for the next available day. The offer does not expire and can be used years later, but practical access is still limited by your time in Iceland and available spaces.

One weakness is that a free retry does not guarantee an immediate retry. A departure can fill up after an earlier cancellation, leaving you unable to rebook on the night you want. If the northern lights are a top priority, book early in your visit rather than on your final evening.

The standard cancellation rule is separate from the no-sighting promise. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded.

Crowding, boat size, and what to expect onboard

The maximum capacity is 198 people, so this is not a small private sailing. On a busy night, the deck can feel crowded, particularly when everyone rushes outside after the first green glow appears.

Boat assignments may vary. One sailing used the Andrea, described as a good-sized boat with plenty of lower-deck seating. Other departures have been described as smaller and more cramped, especially after people were moved from canceled trips onto a later sailing.

That variation matters. You may find plenty of indoor seating, or you may have to work for a clear place on deck. If you want an unobstructed view, go outside when the crew first suggests that conditions are promising, rather than waiting until the whole boat reacts.

The indoor areas are warm and practical, but the onboard snack counter may be limited. Expect simple refreshments rather than a polished restaurant. Bring a small snack if you need something substantial, since food and drinks are not part of the ticket.

Is $108.13 a fair price?

At $108.13 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for a boat trip, crew, heated seating, thermal clothing, onboard facilities, photographs, and the chance to return without buying a second ticket.

The value improves if you would otherwise need to rent or buy winter gear. It also improves if you prefer a bathroom and warm indoor space over sitting in a bus or standing outdoors. The free photos and photography help add useful extras without surprise charges.

The price is harder to justify if your main goal is the highest possible chance of a sighting. A boat cannot control cloud cover, and its movement may make photos more difficult. You are also paying for the sea setting and the comfort of the vessel, not a guarantee of green lights.

I would compare this with a bus option based on your priorities. Choose the cruise if you like being on the water, want the freedom to warm up indoors, and enjoy the idea of watching the sky from an open deck. Choose a land-based outing if stable ground, flexible driving routes, or a smaller group matter more.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a comfortable introduction to aurora watching. It suits anyone who would rather not spend hours in a cold field and anyone who likes having a warm base between checks of the sky.

It is also a sensible choice if you have several nights in Reykjavik. The retry policy gives you another chance when clouds win the first round. Plan the cruise early in your stay so you have time to use that option.

I would hesitate if you have only one night in town, dislike boats, or need a quiet and uncrowded setting. In that case, the capacity of up to 198 people and the chance of a busy deck may work against you.

Final call: book it for comfort, not certainty

The strongest case for this cruise is the combination of warmth, facilities, and a free second attempt. When the aurora appears, the setting can be wonderful: a slow-moving boat, dark water, stars overhead, and green light building from a faint arc into a curtain across the sky.

The weak point is just as clear. Bad weather can turn the trip into a long ride with no view, and a full boat may leave little room outside. I would book it if you can treat the cruise as an evening adventure with a real chance of seeing the lights, not as a guaranteed performance. Schedule it early, wear the thermal suit, keep your camera ready, and save the retry option for a better sky.

FAQ

Where does the northern lights cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Are thermal clothes included?

Yes. Thermal overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available. You should still wear warm clothing underneath because the deck can be cold and windy.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You receive a free ticket to try again on the next available day. The ticket does not expire, but another departure may be full.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard. Heated indoor seating and free WiFi are included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can be offered another date or a full refund if you have not already taken the tour.