Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

The best reason to book this cruise is the chance to get away from Reykjavik’s city glow and watch the sky from the water. The boat sails among Faxaflói Bay’s small islands and along the coast, giving you wide open views in every direction. If the forecast cooperates, the northern lights can appear above the city, the bay, or even beyond the cloud cover.

I like the comfortable boat and the freedom to move between the outdoor decks and the warm lower section. I also like the free return trip if the lights do not show, which makes the $78 price easier to accept.

The catch is simple: you cannot control the weather or the aurora. Some departures produce a long, vivid display, while others deliver only a faint glow, or nothing visible to the naked eye. It can also be bitterly cold outside, so this is not a cruise for anyone expecting a cozy sightseeing ride from start to finish.

Key points to know before booking

• A two-hour evening cruise from Old Harbour: You sail from Ægisgarður 2 and return to the same spot.
• The boat gives you more than one viewing option: Watch from the open deck, then warm up indoors with a hot drink.
• Faxaflói Bay adds real scenery: You may see Reykjavik’s coastline, nearby islands, Akranes, and, in clear conditions, distant Snæfellsjökull.
• The northern lights are never guaranteed: A free return trip is offered if you do not see them, but you need enough time in Reykjavik to use it.
• The crew plays a big part: Maria, Lucky, Isabella, and the captain have been singled out for friendly service, explanations, and active help on deck.
• The $78 fare is strongest as a flexible first-night plan: It is less appealing if you have only one night or cannot return after a cloudy outing.

Sailing out of Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Check in at Old Harbour House, the red harbor building at Ægisgarður 2. This is also a restaurant, and the location can be slightly confusing if you arrive expecting a separate cruise terminal. Give yourself a little extra time to find the right check-in point.

There is a useful food tip here. If you plan to eat at Old Harbour House, collect your cruise ticket from the machine before paying for your meal. The ticket can provide a 15 percent restaurant discount, but the discount cannot be applied after you have already paid.

The boat carries a maximum of 75 people. That is large enough to offer plenty of room, but small enough that crew members can keep an eye on the deck and point out activity in the sky. The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book.

Once aboard, you can settle inside or head outdoors as the ship leaves the harbor. Reykjavik looks especially appealing from the water in the evening, with its colorful buildings and lights spread along the shore. Even a weak aurora outing can give you a different view of the city.

Faxaflói Bay gives the search some scenery

The boat sails into Faxaflói Bay, the broad body of water on Reykjavik’s southern side. The route passes small islands and follows the coast, rather than simply sitting offshore in one spot.

That movement matters. Northern lights watching requires patience, and a boat ride gives the evening another purpose while you wait. You can look toward the darker water, scan the northern sky, and turn back toward Reykjavik for city views.

On a clear night, you may see the peninsula of Akranes to the northeast. The distant glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull can also be visible, though it lies about 120 kilometers, or 75 miles, away. These views depend on visibility and darkness, but they add a sense of place that a basic waiting area cannot provide.

The bay has relatively few islands, especially compared with Breiðafjörður farther north. That open setting is useful for sky watching, since you are not surrounded by dense urban lighting on every side.

The itinerary also mentions watching for wildlife in the water. Minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises are the most common possible sightings, with a chance of orcas and other species. Keep expectations sensible: this is a northern lights cruise first, not a dedicated whale-watching trip, and evening conditions may limit what you see.

Finding the lights from the observation deck

The open deck is where the main event happens. You need to keep your eyes moving, since the lights may appear in one part of the sky and fade in another. Crew members have helped by giving updates about where to look, and Maria has been praised for staying outside and guiding people toward the strongest patches.

The aurora can be faint. In weak conditions, you may see only a pale gray or green streak, and a phone camera can record more color than your eyes can detect. That is not a fault with the boat, but it can feel disappointing if you are expecting the strong green and red curtains shown in travel photographs.

On better nights, the experience changes completely. The lights have appeared soon after departure for some groups, while others have seen a strong display toward the end of the cruise. One particularly fortunate outing produced vivid greens and reds for almost the full two hours.

This is why you should treat the cruise as a chance, not a promise. The crew can read the forecast, move away from some cloud cover, and help you find the best direction. They cannot create clear skies or increase aurora activity.

The boat may get far enough out to pass beyond low cloud cover. That helped one group see the lights from the water when a bus tour on land did not. Still, cloud, wind, moonlight, and aurora strength can change quickly, so no route guarantees success.

Warm up inside with drinks and simple comforts

The cold is the main practical issue. Several people have found the upper deck freezing, especially in February or during damp weather. Wear more layers than you think you need, and bring a hat, gloves, and a warm outer layer even if Reykjavik feels mild before departure.

The lower section offers a warm place to sit and recover. You can buy hot drinks, including hot chocolate, along with other refreshments from the café. Isabella has been praised for her work behind the bar, and the onboard team has generally created a friendly atmosphere.

Indoor seating is not just a backup. It lets you take breaks without ending the night early. You can warm up, check your photographs, and head outside again when the crew spots activity.

The boat also has a restroom and Wi-Fi. These are modest details, but they matter on a two-hour evening outing, especially when you are waiting in cold conditions. There are several indoor and outdoor seating choices, so you are not forced to remain on deck for the full cruise.

The boat is described as clean, smooth-riding, and comfortable. That makes the fare easier to justify than a simple open-air viewing trip. You are paying for the chance to see the aurora, but also for a proper harbor cruise with shelter and basic facilities.

What happens if the sky stays dark

If you see nothing, or only a very faint trace, the provider offers another trip at no extra charge. This is one of the most important details when deciding how to schedule the experience.

Book it early in your stay if you can. A free return has little value if you are sailing home the next morning. It is also worth confirming how long you have to use the return option, since the practical value depends on your remaining time in Iceland.

The return policy does not remove all risk. You still lose an evening, and you may not have room in a short itinerary for another two-hour outing. Some people have been unable to use the second trip because they were leaving the country, while others have found rescheduling easy when they had more than one night in Reykjavik.

The cancellation rules are separate from the aurora guarantee. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of bookings, so a cancellation for that reason brings the choice of another date, another activity, or a refund.

Is $78 a fair price?

At $78 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for northern lights. You can often stand outside Reykjavik and hope for a view without paying anything. The cruise earns its price through the boat, the bay scenery, the indoor warmth, the café, and the chance to get away from some city light.

I think the value is best for someone who wants an evening activity even if the aurora fails. You still sail along the coast, see Reykjavik from the water, and spend time on Faxaflói Bay. If the lights appear, the outing can become a highlight of your Iceland visit.

The price is harder to defend if your only goal is the aurora and you have no chance to return. In that case, watch the forecast closely and consider booking once you are in Reykjavik. The tour may still sail in poor viewing conditions, provided the weather is safe, and a free repeat does not help if your schedule is full.

The maximum group size of 75 is another value point. This is not a private outing, but it is more manageable than a very large excursion. The crew can still make announcements and direct people toward the lights, though you should expect other people on the viewing decks during a successful display.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for you if you are staying near the harbor, want a relaxed evening on the water, and have at least one spare night for a repeat attempt. It also suits couples, families, and small groups who appreciate having a warm indoor area instead of waiting outdoors for two hours.

It is a good choice if you have already considered a bus tour and want a different angle. The boat cannot promise darker skies, but it can take you away from the city and give you open views across the bay.

Photography-minded visitors should bring a camera and spare patience. A phone may capture color that your eyes barely see, so do not judge the night only by what appears on the screen. At the same time, do not expect every photograph to resemble the bright promotional images associated with Iceland’s aurora season.

I would be cautious about booking this as your only Iceland activity if you dislike cold, motion, or uncertainty. The boat is smooth and comfortable, but the key viewing period still takes place outside, often in wind and damp air.

My call: book it with a flexible schedule

I recommend the Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik when you have enough time to try again. The crew, indoor facilities, city views, and Faxaflói Bay route give you a worthwhile evening beyond the aurora hunt itself.

Book it early in your stay, dress for serious cold, and collect your restaurant discount before eating at Old Harbour House. If you have only one night, wait until you are in Reykjavik and check the conditions first. The northern lights may put on a spectacular show, but the real strength of this trip is that the boat remains a pleasant experience even when the sky does not cooperate.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Boat Cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the boat go?

The boat sails from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay, passing small islands and following the coast of Reykjavik.

Can I see Reykjavik from the boat?

Yes. The route provides evening views of Reykjavik from the water.

Can I see Akranes or Snæfellsjökull?

In clear conditions, you may see the Akranes peninsula to the northeast and distant Snæfellsjökull, about 120 kilometers away.

Are whales or dolphins guaranteed?

No. Minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises are common possible sightings, while orcas and other species are possible but not guaranteed.

What facilities are available onboard?

The boat has outdoor viewing areas, indoor seating, a restroom, Wi-Fi, and an onboard café selling drinks and other refreshments.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You can receive another tour at no charge. This option is most useful if you have enough time remaining in Reykjavik to return.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. 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 accepted.