Northern Lights Yacht Cruise in Reykjavik

The best part of this Reykjavik cruise is the chance to watch the aurora from the water, with the city, islands, and dark bay around you. When the lights appear, the crew points them out and helps you follow their movement. One guide, Isabella, earned special praise for her clear explanations and help with photography.

I like the warm, comfortable cabin, since you can wait indoors instead of standing in Icelandic wind for two hours. I also like the free return option if the lights do not show, with the offer valid for up to three years. The main drawback is that the boat may remain close enough to Reykjavik for city light pollution to affect faint auroras.

Key points to know before booking

• The cruise leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: You sail from Ægisgarður 2 and return to the same meeting point.
• You get roughly two hours on the water: The route follows Reykjavik’s coast and the small islands of Faxaflói Bay.
• The yacht has warm indoor space: You will also find a bar, bathrooms, blankets, Wi-Fi, and an open viewing deck.
• Aurora sightings are never guaranteed: Weather, cloud cover, darkness, and solar activity all matter.
• A return trip protects your investment: If you do not see the lights, you can join again, subject to availability, for up to three years.
• The boat holds up to 125 people: It is smaller than a large ferry but not an intimate private yacht cruise.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your meeting point is Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, a spot used for food, drinks, and tours. The cruise begins and ends here, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point after the boat returns.

The harbour location is useful if you are staying in central Reykjavik. It is near public transportation, and the meeting point is described as easy to find, though one practical note is worth keeping in mind: the check-in area is inside a restaurant and bar setting and may not look like a formal cruise terminal.

The boat holds a maximum of 125 people. That gives you more room than a packed sightseeing ferry, but you should not expect a private sailing trip. If you want a clear view from the outside deck, arrive with enough time to get settled and choose your spot.

The cruise lasts about two hours. That is long enough to get away from the immediate harbour, watch the sky for a while, and enjoy the coastline without giving up an entire evening. It is also short enough to fit around dinner or another Reykjavik activity.

What the route actually covers

The yacht sails among the small islands of Faxaflói Bay and along Reykjavik’s coast. This gives you a changing view rather than a fixed harbour wait. You may see the city from the water, with the shoreline and island shapes providing a pleasant backdrop while the crew scans the sky.

The route also offers a chance to look for wildlife. Common possibilities include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Orcas are possible too, but sightings are unpredictable and should be treated as an extra rather than a reason to book this particular cruise.

This is an important distinction. The cruise is built around the northern lights, not whale watching. You may get a glimpse of marine life, but the crew cannot promise it, and a two-hour night cruise is not the same as a dedicated whale-watching trip.

The boat’s movement can help you find darker views over the bay, but it does not guarantee complete darkness. Several people found the yacht stayed close enough to land that Reykjavik’s lights remained visible. That can make a faint aurora harder to see, especially when clouds or haze are present.

At the same time, the city skyline can make a strong aurora more enjoyable to photograph. Some of the best experiences come when green light appears above or beyond Reykjavik, giving your pictures a sense of place instead of a completely black background.

Waiting for the aurora on a moving boat

Aurora cruises require patience. You may spend much of the two hours looking at stars, clouds, and dark water before anything happens. The crew provides background about the northern lights, points out constellations, and tells you when a glow becomes visible.

That guidance matters because faint auroras are easy to miss. Icelandic auroras can begin as a pale streak or soft haze before becoming brighter and more active. In some cases, the lights may be easier to record with a phone or camera than to see clearly with your eyes.

The staff also gives photography advice. This is useful, but you should adjust your expectations. Long-exposure pictures are difficult on a rocking boat, even when the water is calm. A moving vessel can blur the city lights, stars, and aurora in the same frame.

For better results, use the most stable surface you can find and keep your camera still. You can also spend part of the time simply watching instead of trying to produce a perfect image. The point of the cruise is the changing sky, not a guaranteed social media photograph.

When the lights are active, the boat may stay out longer to give you more time. That extra time is not something you should count on every night, but it can turn a brief sighting into a fuller experience.

The yacht’s warm cabin and open deck

The cold over Faxaflói Bay is serious. Even when the boat is comfortable inside, the outside deck can feel sharply colder than the streets of Reykjavik. Wear warm layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear if you plan to spend time outside.

The indoor cabin is one of the strongest features of this experience. You can warm up between sightings, sit down, and wait for the crew to call everyone outside. The cabin has been described as warm and cozy, with clean bathrooms and a bar or beverage area.

Blankets are also available onboard. They help, but they are not a substitute for proper clothing. You will still want thermal layers if you hope to stay on the viewing deck for long periods.

The upper deck gives you the broadest view of the sky and the islands. It is also the coldest place to stand. A practical approach is to move between the two areas rather than treating the deck as your permanent station.

Wi-Fi lets you stay connected and upload photos during the cruise. That is convenient, though the quality of an aurora image will depend far more on your phone, camera settings, and the boat’s movement than on the internet connection.

How much the $94 price is worth

At $94 per person, this cruise sits in the midrange for a Reykjavik evening activity. You are paying for a boat ride, crew support, indoor facilities, a bar, Wi-Fi, and the chance to search for the aurora from Faxaflói Bay.

The value depends on what you want from the night. If you want a warm place to wait, room to move between an indoor cabin and an outdoor deck, and a crew that helps you spot and photograph the lights, the price can make sense.

The return-trip policy adds real value. If the sky stays cloudy or the aurora never appears, you do not receive a cash refund for the missed sighting. Instead, you receive a free chance to join again, depending on availability, and that offer remains valid for up to three years.

That policy works best if you have flexibility in your Iceland schedule. It is less useful if this cruise takes place on the last night of your trip, or if you will not return to Iceland within the validity period.

I would not book this solely because the promotional pictures show a yacht surrounded by bright green lights. No cruise can control the aurora. You are buying a chance to see it, plus a comfortable evening on the bay, not a guaranteed natural show.

When the weather changes your plans

The experience requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

Changes made by you are different. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

Weather can also cause postponements rather than a simple yes or no decision. If your schedule allows, keep one or two flexible evenings in Reykjavik. That gives you a better chance to use a replacement date if the first sailing is moved.

Some departures have been canceled at short notice, while other cloudy-night trips have gone ahead. That can feel frustrating when the forecast looks poor. The operator may choose to sail because conditions can change, and because cloud cover in one part of the bay may shift during the evening.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend it to you if you want a northern lights outing that does not involve sitting in a bus for the whole evening. The water offers a different view of Reykjavik, and the yacht gives you the option of staying warm while the crew watches the sky.

It is also a good fit for first-time aurora hunters. The crew explains what to look for, points out the lights when they appear, and offers photography tips. That support can make a big difference when the aurora begins faintly.

Families and mixed groups may appreciate the indoor cabin. One person can warm up while another takes pictures outside. The bar and seating area make the waiting period easier, especially when the lights are slow to appear.

People with limited time may also like the approximately two-hour format. You can add it to a Reykjavik evening without committing to a long expedition.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is the darkest possible sky. The yacht may remain within sight of land and city lights, depending on conditions and safety. A land-based outing that drives farther from Reykjavik may sometimes provide darker surroundings, though it will have its own weather and transport limits.

The boat can be calm and smooth when conditions are favorable, but you should still consider how comfortable you are on the water. If you are prone to seasickness, the possibility of a moving deck is worth taking seriously, even though some departures have had very calm water.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The activity is offered in English.

Small details that make the evening easier

Wear more clothing than you think you need. You can always remove a layer inside, but the open deck over the water can become bitterly cold.

Bring a camera or phone with a night setting, but do not spend the entire cruise looking at a screen. The aurora can move and fade quickly, and the boat’s motion makes complicated photography harder.

If you want a long exposure, brace your camera carefully and avoid relying on a railing that moves with the boat. The crew can offer guidance, but they cannot eliminate the practical challenge of taking sharp pictures from water.

Use the cabin as part of the experience, not as a backup for a bad night. The warm interior, bar, bathrooms, and seating mean you can wait in comfort and step outside when the crew calls out a sighting.

Keep your schedule flexible if the northern lights are a major priority. A free return trip is valuable only when you have another available evening.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, simple way to search for the aurora from the water, and you value a warm cabin, helpful crew, open viewing space, and a free return attempt. The experience is especially sensible for a first aurora outing or for a group with different cold-weather tolerances.

Think twice if you expect the yacht to sail far into a completely dark bay. You may still see city lights, and faint auroras can be difficult to spot from the water. The $94 price is fair when the lights perform and the boat adds comfort, but it is not a guarantee of the sky.

My advice is to book this with realistic expectations and, if possible, leave room in your schedule for another attempt. When the aurora appears strongly, the combination of open water, Reykjavik’s coast, and a warm cabin can make a memorable night. When the sky stays cloudy, the return policy is what keeps the experience from feeling like a total loss.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise begin?

The cruise begins at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $94 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

Are northern lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural event, and sightings cannot be predicted or guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You are offered a free return trip, depending on availability. The return offer is valid for up to three years. A cash refund is not offered for a cruise where the lights are not seen.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

What happens if poor weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.