Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

The best thing about this Northern Lights cruise is its simple access: you leave from downtown Reykjavik and reach open water without giving up your entire evening to a long bus ride. The boat gives you a new view of Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja, and the city lights before the crew turns your attention north.

I like the heated cabin and outdoor decks, since you can move between warm seats and open-air viewing. I also like the free return ticket if the aurora fails to show. The main catch is that a boat cannot steer around cloud cover as flexibly as a land tour, and the harbor’s city glow can weaken faint aurora.

Key points to know before you book

• Two hours on Faxaflói bay: A shorter evening outing than many five-hour coach trips, with city views included.
• Warm overalls are supplied: They help with the cold wind, but you still need a hat and gloves.
• The boat has real indoor comfort: A heated saloon, toilets, Wi-Fi, and a café serving hot drinks and snacks.
• The aurora guarantee is useful: If you see no northern lights, you receive a free ticket to try again, valid for two years.
• The sea can affect photography: The boat is generally stable, but movement and wind can make long-exposure photos blurry.
• The Imagine Peace Tower adds a seasonal bonus: From October through December, the route passes it when its beam is lit.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s old harbor

Your evening begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, a short walk from central Reykjavik. The cruise returns to the same place, which makes the plan easy if you are staying downtown and want to avoid hotel transfers.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off included. That is a drawback for anyone staying far from the harbor, but it also keeps the tour focused and helps explain why the price is $105 per person rather than the cost of a full transport package.

The boat can carry up to 150 people. That is not a small, intimate sailing, and the busiest departures may feel crowded, especially inside around the large tables. Still, the size gives you several places to stand and sit, which is useful on a cold night.

Try to arrive ready for the weather rather than relying on the supplied clothing alone. Elding provides warm, floatable overalls, sometimes described as red Arctic suits, and they make a major difference on the outer decks. Add a warm hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. The cold on the water is sharper than the temperature on a Reykjavik street.

The boat leaves on schedule when conditions allow. In poor weather, the company may cancel at short notice and offer a different date or a full refund. That policy is sensible for a sea trip, though it means you should keep some flexibility in your Iceland plans.

The first view is Reykjavik by night

As the boat moves into Faxaflói bay, the city becomes part of the show. Harpa Concert Hall glows along the waterfront, and Hallgrímskirkja rises above the buildings farther inland. These views give you something worthwhile to see while the aurora forecast does its usual work of keeping everyone waiting.

This is also the point where the cruise feels different from a coach excursion. You are not sitting in a bus looking through glass or stopping in a dark parking area. You can walk between decks, watch the harbor recede, and see Reykjavik from the water.

From October through December, the route passes the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. The beam can be a fine extra sight, especially on a clear night. It is not the reason to book the cruise, but it gives the early part of the ride a distinct Reykjavik touch.

The route itself is not a guarantee of darkness. Some people find that the boat does not get far enough from the harbor lights, especially when the aurora is weak. If the lights are faint, the city glow may make them hard to see with the naked eye, even if a phone camera records a pale green trace.

Waiting for the aurora on deck

The main viewing takes place outside, where you have the widest view of the sky. The top deck can be the best place for a broad horizon, but it is also the coldest and windiest. The bow may offer a less obstructed view when the upper deck is crowded.

The supplied overalls are valuable here. I would put them on before you feel cold, not after. Once you are chilled, the wait becomes much less pleasant, and the cruise may spend a long stretch with nothing visible before the aurora begins.

Some departures see the lights within minutes. Others wait an hour or more. One strong display can last much of the cruise, while another may appear for only a few minutes or remain too faint for a satisfying view. That uncertainty is the central fact of any aurora outing.

The crew keeps watch and points out where the lights are visible. Guide Mia received especially warm praise for making the evening memorable, and the crew also helps with camera settings and advises where to stand. That practical help matters because many first-time aurora photographers make the mistake of using a normal handheld phone setting.

The onboard explanations cover how the lights form and what conditions help them appear. This adds value during a quiet spell, though the quality of the presentation can vary. A few people found the speaker difficult to hear, possibly because of microphone problems or music playing at the same time. On a crowded boat, background conversation can also make safety announcements hard to follow.

Heated cabin, café, and the practical side of comfort

When the wind gets too strong, you can retreat to the heated indoor saloon. This is more than a token shelter. You have seating, toilets, free Wi-Fi, and a café where you can buy hot drinks and snacks.

Hot chocolate is a popular choice, and hand warmers have also been available for purchase. Food is not included, so bring that into your budget if you want something during the ride. The café makes the tour easier for anyone who does not want to spend two straight hours on an exposed deck.

The cabin can become crowded on full departures. Seating may involve sharing a table with other people, and that is not ideal if you want a quiet, private evening. On the other hand, the indoor area means you do not have to choose between comfort and taking part in the cruise.

The boat is described as comfortable and fairly stable, but it is still a boat. Some departures have been smooth even after windy weather, while others have had noticeable rocking, especially when the vessel moves quickly or when you stand on the upper deck. If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual precaution before boarding. Sea-sickness tablets have sometimes been available onboard, but you should not depend on that.

The movement also affects photography. Long exposures can blur when the boat pitches, and a tripod may not solve the problem if the deck is moving. Shorter exposures, a steady grip, and help from the crew give you a better chance of getting a usable image.

What the $105 price really buys

At $105, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora, but the value depends on what you want from the evening. You receive roughly two hours on the water, warm overalls, guidance, Wi-Fi, indoor heating, toilets, and the chance to try again for free if the lights do not appear.

The cruise is especially appealing if you are already staying in central Reykjavik. You can reach the meeting point without arranging a transfer, and the shorter duration leaves more room for dinner or another evening plan.

A coach tour may cost more or take much longer, but it can often chase clearer skies based on changing forecasts. A bus driver can move inland or away from cloud, while this boat follows a set maritime route. That flexibility can make a land tour the better choice when your top priority is maximizing the odds of seeing the aurora.

The boat makes more sense if you want the experience itself, not just a successful sighting. You get city views, a harbor departure, open water, and the possibility of seeing the lights above the bay. Even when the aurora fails, the cruise can still be an enjoyable night out, though faint or absent lights will make the price feel high.

The free rebooking policy improves the calculation. If you see nothing, you can return at no extra charge, with tickets valid for two years. That is generous for people staying in Reykjavik several nights. It is less useful if you are leaving Iceland soon or have no plan to come back.

The guarantee has limits

The sighting guarantee does not promise a dramatic green display. It means you can receive complimentary tickets if no northern lights are seen during the cruise. A brief, faint sighting may count as a sighting, even if it does not resemble the bright curtains shown in promotional photos.

That distinction matters. The aurora is a natural event, and a clear, starry sky does not automatically mean strong lights. Cloud, moonlight, city glow, and low aurora activity can all weaken the view. You may see a soft gray or pale green patch with your eyes, then find that your camera records more color than you saw.

If the first night is canceled because of weather, you can be offered another date or a full refund. If you simply see no lights, the stated remedy is a free return cruise rather than a cash refund. Check your schedule before booking, since the guarantee has its greatest value when you have several nights in Reykjavik.

I would also check the weather and aurora forecast before choosing your date when possible. A high aurora forecast does not remove the risk, but heavy cloud cover is an obvious warning sign. The company may also help with rebooking when a better night is available.

How busy and easy is the experience?

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but hotel transportation is not included, so you need to make your own way to Ægisgarður 5c.

Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but the boat is not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds may make access to interior areas and toilets difficult. Ask the operator about your specific needs before booking rather than assuming every part of the boat will be easy to reach.

With a maximum of 150 people, the cruise is larger than a small private sailing. That can mean a lively atmosphere and more competition for the best rail position. If you want an unobstructed view, move around the boat rather than staying in the first warm seat you find.

The cruise ends back at the meeting point. Arrange your return before sailing if possible. Taxi availability afterward can be difficult, especially when many people leave at once. Public transportation is nearby, but the practical details will depend on your own accommodation and the service running that evening.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, unless the operator cancels because of bad weather.

Who should choose the boat over a coach?

I would choose this cruise if you want a compact evening plan, are staying near the harbor, and like the idea of seeing Reykjavik from the sea. It is also a good fit if indoor heating, toilets, supplied overalls, and a free second attempt matter to you.

The cruise works well for couples, families, and anyone who does not want to spend five hours on a bus. It gives you a proper outing even during a quiet aurora night, with the city skyline and Imagine Peace Tower providing extra interest.

I would think twice if seeing the strongest possible aurora is your only goal. A land-based chase may have more room to respond to cloud and aurora forecasts, while the boat’s distance from the harbor may not be enough to remove city light.

Photographers should also set realistic expectations. The boat offers a memorable setting, and the crew can help with camera settings, but moving water makes sharp long exposures harder. You may get excellent pictures, especially during a strong display, but this is not a stationary photography platform.

Should you book this Northern Lights cruise?

Book it if you value easy downtown access, a short schedule, and a comfortable boat as much as the aurora itself. The heated saloon, warm suits, city views, and free return ticket make it a practical choice for a first attempt.

Skip it in favor of a coach tour if you have only one night, cannot return for another sailing, or want the operator to chase clear skies on land. The boat cannot control the weather, and its guarantee gives you another cruise, not a guaranteed light show.

For most people with two or more evenings in Reykjavik, I think it is a reasonable gamble. Dress properly, check the forecast, keep your expectations flexible, and treat the city-and-sea setting as part of the experience. If the sky cooperates, you may see the aurora from the deck within minutes. If it does not, you still have a clear plan for a second try.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours and ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is near public transportation.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You are offered complimentary tickets to try the cruise again at no extra cost. These return tickets are valid for two years.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm floatable overalls are available to borrow. You should still bring a hat and gloves for extra comfort.

Does the boat have indoor facilities?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon, toilets, free Wi-Fi, and an onboard café selling hot drinks and snacks.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. If conditions are unfavorable, the cruise may be canceled at short notice. You will be offered a different date or a full refund.