From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

Reykjavik’s Northern Lights boat cruise takes you out of the city glow and onto Faxaflói, where the dark sea gives you a wider view of the sky. The lights may appear as a faint haze or a bright, shifting curtain, and that uncertainty is part of the experience. Nature makes the schedule here, not the captain.

I like the warm flotation overalls, which make it possible to spend real time on deck instead of peeking outside for 30 seconds and retreating indoors. I also like the repeat-trip policy: if the Aurora does not show, you can use your booking number to join again at no extra charge.

The main drawback is simple: two hours on a boat cannot guarantee Northern Lights. Cloud, solar activity, and timing all matter. You may get a superb display, faint lights, or nothing at all, so this works best as one part of a flexible Reykjavik evening rather than your only chance to see the Aurora.

Key points to know before sailing

• The boat leaves central Reykjavik: Check in at the Special Tours office at Geirsgata 11, on the corner, 30 minutes before departure.
• Faxaflói gives you darker skies: Sailing away from Reykjavik reduces city glare and provides open views over the water.
• Warm overalls are included: Put them over your own winter clothing before heading onto the deck.
• The guides add science and folklore: English-speaking guides explain how the Aurora works and share Icelandic beliefs and local stories.
• A failed sighting earns you another chance: You can reschedule for free if the lights do not appear.
• The indoor cabin matters: You get heating, toilets, WiFi, and a place to warm up while watching the sky through the windows.

Leaving Geirsgata 11 for Faxaflói

The evening begins at Geirsgata 11, close to Reykjavik’s harbor area. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner and arrive 30 minutes early. That extra time is useful in winter, when you do not want to be searching for the meeting point while the group is preparing to board.

The meeting point is easy enough to find, but pay attention to the exact location. One person had trouble after map directions led them toward the wrong part of the harbor. If you are walking from elsewhere in central Reykjavik, check the address before leaving your hotel and allow time for a wrong turn.

Once aboard, the boat heads into Faxaflói for roughly two hours. You get a different view of Reykjavik from the water as the harbor lights recede behind you. On a clear night, the city becomes a useful point of reference, while the open water ahead gives you more sky to watch.

The route is not built around a sightseeing stop or a landing. The boat itself is the viewing platform. That makes this a good choice if you want a simple evening outing with no bus transfer, no long road journey, and no need to change locations in search of clearer skies.

The exact trip length can vary. The advertised duration is two hours, while the included tour time is described as two to three hours. Captains have also stayed out longer when conditions offered a real chance of seeing the lights. Still, you should plan around two hours and treat extra time as a bonus, not a promise.

Waiting for the Aurora on deck

The Northern Lights do not appear on command. You can have a clear sky and no Aurora, or see a brief display after a long quiet wait. The boat gives you a darker setting, but it cannot control cloud cover or solar activity.

That waiting period is easier because you can move between the open deck and the heated indoor cabin. The outdoor deck gives you the best chance of seeing faint lights without window reflections. The cabin gives you warmth, seating, toilets, and a break from the cold.

Warm flotation overalls are supplied. They are one of the most useful inclusions here, especially when you are standing still at sea in winter. Wear weather-appropriate clothes underneath, including warm layers and proper footwear. The suits help a lot, but they do not replace your own hat, gloves, and warm base layers.

A practical tip from the trip experience: choose a larger overall size if you want to wear it over several thick layers. The suit needs to fit comfortably over your clothing rather than squeeze you into a tight bundle.

You will probably move in and out several times. The Aurora may be faint at first, then brighten, or appear on one side of the boat and fade before you can frame a picture. Take your time when you go outside, and do not spend the whole outing staring at your phone screen.

The suits can make basic tasks awkward, especially in the small toilets. Use the bathroom before putting yours on if you can. A few wet seats have also been reported, so check your seat before settling in and keep a spare layer handy.

The guides, stories, and camera help

The English-speaking guides provide live commentary during the cruise. The content covers the science behind the Aurora as well as Icelandic beliefs, local legends, and the stories people have attached to the lights over time.

That mix is useful. A scientific explanation tells you why the lights move and change, while folklore gives the sight a stronger sense of place. You are not simply waiting for a colored shape in the sky. You are learning why this phenomenon has held such a strong place in Icelandic culture.

Guide Lucas has earned particular praise for his friendly style and practical help. He has assisted with camera settings, taken photographs for people, and stayed late to help search for a lost phone. Those details matter because Northern Lights photography is not easy for beginners.

Your phone may show more color than your eyes can see, especially when the Aurora is weak. A camera can gather light over a longer exposure, while your eyes must view the scene in real time. Do not assume a faint display means the trip has failed. Look up first, then try a photo.

If the crew takes photographs during the trip, they may make them available to view online afterward. This has included personal photos taken for people on board, which can be especially helpful when you want a picture of yourself with the lights rather than another empty sky.

The indoor cabin and onboard comfort

The heated indoor cabin is more than a backup for bad weather. Even on a successful night, you will want somewhere warm to recover between visits to the deck. The cabin has toilet facilities and free WiFi, and refreshments can be purchased onboard.

Food and drink are not included in the $101 price. You can buy snacks and beverages at the onboard bar, but budget separately if you want something during the cruise. The bar is also a sensible place to wait when cloud blocks the view.

Seasickness tablets are available without charge. That is a thoughtful extra, although it is better to bring any medication you normally use if you are prone to motion sickness. The trip takes place on the sea, and even a calm-looking harbor departure does not tell you exactly how the ride will feel farther out.

Smoking and pets are not allowed. The boat is wheelchair accessible, which makes this outing possible for a wider range of visitors, though you should still confirm any personal boarding needs when booking.

The activity may sometimes operate on a shared boat with a partner company during certain periods. This reduces the number of boats on the water and supports the operator’s effort to limit environmental impact. It may mean the boat or crew arrangement differs slightly from one departure to another.

What happens when the lights do not appear

This is the most important part of your decision. A Northern Lights cruise is a search, not a theater performance. If the sky remains empty, the boat cannot create a consolation display.

The free return ticket makes the risk easier to accept. If there is no sighting, you can use your booking number to reschedule. Some people have returned the next night and seen a strong display. Others have tried twice without success, because the weather and Aurora activity can remain unhelpful.

The repeat policy is most valuable if you have several nights in Reykjavik. Book the cruise early in your stay, not on your final evening, so you still have time to try again. If your schedule allows only one night, consider the $101 a payment for the boat ride, dark-sky attempt, guides, and harbor views, with the Aurora as an uncertain extra.

The operator has sometimes stayed out longer when conditions looked promising. On one trip, the boat remained out for about four hours while waiting for clouds to clear, and the lights appeared near the return to port. That is encouraging, but you should not count on every departure running far beyond its planned time.

The strongest sightings can be extraordinary. Bright ribbons may seem to move across the sky, while quieter displays look like pale green or gray bands that are easier to capture with a camera than to see with your eyes. Both are real Northern Lights experiences, but they will not feel equally dramatic.

Is $101 a fair price?

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Reykjavik. The price makes more sense when you count what comes with it: a boat trip away from city glare, professional English commentary, warm flotation overalls, heated indoor space, toilets, WiFi, and a free return opportunity after a missed sighting.

You are also paying for convenience. The departure is in Reykjavik, so there is no need to arrange a rental car or spend the evening driving on unfamiliar roads. You can enjoy the search from the sea while the crew handles the route.

The value depends on your priorities. If you mainly want the highest possible chance of seeing the Aurora, the repeat-trip option is important, especially when you have multiple nights free. If you want a guaranteed attraction, no Northern Lights activity can offer that.

I would also compare this with the cost of arranging your own evening. Driving outside the city may give you darker skies, but it brings fuel, navigation, weather, parking, and road-condition concerns. The boat gives you a structured outing and a warm retreat, though you lose the freedom to move to a new viewing point by road.

For a family or couple that values comfort and an organized evening, the package is reasonable. For a solo visitor on a tight budget, the price may feel high if the sky stays dark. The free retry helps, but only if you can use it.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you are staying in central Reykjavik and want to avoid a long evening on the road. It suits people who like having a guide explain what they are seeing, and it works well for anyone who wants a warm indoor option between short periods outside.

It is also a good fit for photographers who want help with basic camera settings. Guide Lucas has helped people adjust their cameras, and crew photographs may provide a better record of the evening than a hurried phone picture.

Families may appreciate the toilets, heated cabin, provided overalls, and the chance to step indoors. Couples may like the quiet drama of watching the sky from the water, though the shared boat setting means this is not a private or especially romantic charter.

You should think twice if you dislike cold, motion on the water, or uncertain schedules. The overalls help, but you still need weather-appropriate clothing. You should also avoid booking this as your only Aurora opportunity if you have just one evening in Iceland.

Book early in your stay when possible. That gives the free return ticket practical value and lets you treat the first cruise as a serious attempt rather than a final gamble.

Booking details that matter

The standard trip lasts about two hours and returns to Geirsgata 11. Check availability for the departure time on your chosen date, since the start time changes with the season and schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still shifting.

The tour is conducted in English. Bring clothing suited to the weather, and remember that food and drinks cost extra. You do not get hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your own way to and from Geirsgata 11.

The listed rating is 4 out of 5 from 87 reviews. The most praised elements are the crew, the warmth of the boat and suits, the camera help, and the no-cost return after a missed sighting. The recurring caution is the obvious one: some departures see little or nothing.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights boat cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, well-supported search from Reykjavik, with a heated cabin and a free second chance if the sky stays empty. The boat setting gives you open views, the guides add useful context, and the warm overalls make the cold much easier to manage.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed show. The Aurora remains unpredictable, and even two attempts may miss it. But if you have enough nights in Iceland, can accept the risk, and like the idea of watching the sky from Faxaflói, this is a sensible and comfortable way to try.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in and boarding.

How long does the cruise last?

The stated duration is two hours. The included tour time is described as two to three hours, and some trips may last longer when conditions are promising.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can use your booking number to reschedule and join the trip again for free if there is no sighting.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing to wear underneath.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but refreshments can be purchased onboard.

Is there a heated area on the boat?

Yes. The boat has heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to Geirsgata 11, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.