Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

The best part of this cruise is the chance to watch the aurora from the water, with three outdoor decks giving you room to scan the sky. When the lights appear, the open sea gives the view a clean, wide frame, and the show can continue even as the boat returns toward Reykjavik harbor.

I like the warm flotation overalls and heated indoor cabins, since Icelandic nights can be brutally cold. I also like the free chance to join again if no lights appear, a valuable safety net for a natural event that cannot be scheduled. The main drawback is simple: weather and cloud can cancel the cruise or hide the aurora, and the boat may feel like a long, cold ride if the sky stays dark.

Key points to know before you book

• Aurora from the water: You leave the strongest city glow behind and watch from an open boat deck.
• About 2.5 hours: The trip usually lasts between two and three hours and returns to the same departure point.
• Warm gear included: Flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets are provided.
• No-sighting option: You receive a free ticket to try again if no Northern Lights are seen.
• Weather can change the plan: Snow, cloud, rough seas, or unsafe conditions may lead to cancellation.
• Bring time and patience: The boat may remain out longer when auroral activity improves, but there is no guaranteed sighting.

Leaving Reykjavik’s harbor after dark

The cruise starts at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before departure, not at the last minute. The departure area can be hard to find in the dark, and some people have had trouble matching the office address with the actual boarding point.

Check the daily diary and your email before leaving your accommodation. Important updates about sailing, weather, and departure arrangements may arrive close to the start time. This matters in Iceland, where a clear forecast in the afternoon can turn into a cancelled sailing by evening.

The activity ends back at the same meeting point. Pickup is available for an additional charge, but it is not part of the $93 price. If you are staying near the center, public transportation is available nearby, though you should allow extra time to find the correct boat location.

The first stretch across Faxaflói Bay

Once the boat leaves the harbor, the city lights begin to recede. The goal is to reach a darker position offshore, where artificial light will interfere less with the aurora. The boat does not promise a particular distance or a fixed viewing spot, because the crew must work around clouds, wind, sea conditions, and the forecast.

This is an important difference from a land-based aurora outing. A boat can change position on the water and offer a broad horizon, but it cannot simply drive around a cloud bank or climb to a high viewpoint. On some departures, the boat remains fairly close to Reykjavik. That can still work, as one successful outing saw the aurora clearly while the boat was already coming back toward the harbor.

The open-water setting is the reason to choose this trip. You can look across the horizon rather than facing one direction from a coach window. The tradeoff is that the ride itself may feel uneventful when the sky is inactive. If nothing appears, you are largely watching darkness, coastal lights, and the occasional movement of the boat.

Three decks, cold air, and the search overhead

The aurora is easiest to see outdoors, so you will probably spend much of the active viewing time on deck. The boat has three outdoor decks, giving you several places to look for a faint green arc or a brighter band moving across the sky.

The supplied flotation overalls are a major practical benefit. They help, but they do not replace warm clothing. Wear layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. One pair of warm socks is not enough insurance for a late night on the water, especially if you plan to stay outside waiting for a weak display to strengthen.

You can retreat to the heated cabins when the cold becomes too much. Toilets are available, WiFi is free, and complimentary seasickness tablets are offered. The tablets are worth considering if you are at all sensitive to motion. The sea can be rough, and the excitement of seeing the aurora will not make seasickness disappear.

Snacks and drinks are sold onboard rather than included. Hot chocolate has been a welcome purchase on successful departures, but budget separately for anything you want from the onboard counter.

What the guide adds when the sky is quiet

The guides are there to explain the aurora, help you watch the right part of the sky, and keep the outing organized. The quality of the commentary can affect the experience more than you might expect. On a dark boat deck, you need clear instructions about where to look and whether a faint patch is actually auroral activity.

Most praise for this cruise goes to the crew’s friendly, helpful manner. Guides have stayed outside to keep watch, helped with motion sickness, answered questions, and extended the outing when the display became especially good. Some successful evenings included explanations of the aurora, useful background information, and stories about the phenomenon.

There is one important qualification. Commentary is harder to follow outdoors, particularly with wind and engine noise. One group found a guide’s monotone delivery difficult to understand, which made it unclear where to look. If the lights are faint, clear communication matters. You should not expect a full lecture or a carefully staged show, since the main event is controlled by the sky.

When the Northern Lights finally appear

The strongest accounts of this cruise describe a slow build. A faint glow may appear first, perhaps little more than a pale streak. Then the color can strengthen, spread across several parts of the sky, and begin to shift or ripple.

One successful evening began with weak auroral activity, followed by a much stronger display about an hour and a half into the trip. The lights appeared in several parts of the sky and continued as the boat returned to the harbor. Another outing saw the aurora close to Reykjavik, despite a low activity reading and a bright moon.

That last detail is useful. A low forecast rating does not always mean no show, and a bright moon does not automatically ruin the view. The forecast helps, but the result is still uncertain. You might see a faint glow that photographs better than it looks to your eyes, or you might get a dramatic display that seems to fill the sky.

Take your camera, but do not spend the whole cruise staring at a screen. Night photography requires patience, and the boat’s movement can make sharp images difficult. Enjoy the view first, then try a few photographs when the lights strengthen.

The hard truth about weather and cancellations

This is a weather-dependent outing in the fullest sense. Cloud cover can hide an active aurora, snow can block the view, and rough seas can make sailing uncomfortable or unsafe. The operator cancels when conditions are not safe, not simply because the forecast looks poor.

Cancellations have been a real issue during winter visits. Several departures have been called off because of snow or sea conditions, and some people have had more than one cancellation during a short stay. February can be especially challenging because it is among the coldest and darkest parts of the year, although darkness itself is useful for aurora viewing.

Do not treat the cruise as your only chance. If the Northern Lights are a top priority, schedule it early in your Reykjavik stay. That gives you time to use the free repeat option or move to another date after a cancellation. It also protects you from losing your one opportunity on the final night.

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you need to do so at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Last-minute changes are not accepted under the stated policy.

The free repeat ticket is useful, but plan ahead

No-sighting guarantees vary in the travel industry, so read this one as a practical second chance rather than a promise of an aurora. If you see nothing, you can use your booking number to arrange another tour with the operator in the future. The supplied information says the ticket remains valid for another tour for up to two years.

That is a strong part of the $93 value, especially if you have several nights in Iceland. It takes some pressure off a cloudy first outing. Still, you must contact the operator and receive the details in time. One party had several people approved promptly, while other members did not receive a response until it was too late to reach the boat that evening.

Do not wait until the last possible departure. Contact the operator as soon as you know there was no sighting, and check your messages regularly. A free repeat is only useful if you can actually arrange it.

Is $93 a fair price?

At $93 per person, this is not a cheap harbor ride, but it can be fair value if you use its strengths. The price covers the two to three hour cruise, guides, warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets. The repeat ticket can add considerable value if cloud blocks the sky on your first attempt.

The price is harder to justify if you want a guaranteed aurora hunt. You are paying for a well-equipped viewing platform and the chance to reach darker water, not for a confirmed sighting. Snacks, drinks, and optional pickup cost extra, so your real spend may be higher.

A land-based tour may offer more flexibility when clouds sit over one area, while this boat gives you open horizons and a distinctive view from the sea. The right choice depends on your priorities. I would choose the cruise if you like being on the water and want a simple evening outing from Reykjavik. I would look at a land option too if maximizing the odds is more important than the setting.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This tour suits you if you want an easy evening activity without committing to a full night outside. It also works well for anyone who likes boats, wide views, and the idea of watching the aurora away from street level.

The included overalls and heated cabins help, but this is still a late, cold activity. Young children may find the wait tiring, and the cold can be hard on anyone who dislikes standing outdoors. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable with a boat ride that may become rough.

The maximum capacity is 198 people. That means this is not an intimate small-boat outing. The three decks help spread people around, though a busy departure may feel more like a shared sightseeing cruise than a private aurora search.

Practical tips for a better night

• Arrive 30 minutes early: Finding the departure point can take longer than expected in the dark.
• Check your email before leaving: Sailing updates and weather decisions may be sent several hours before departure.
• Read the daily diary: It contains current information about the day’s tours.
• Wear proper layers: Use the flotation suit as extra protection, not as your only warm clothing.
• Take seasickness tablets if needed: Rough water has affected some departures, and tablets are available onboard.
• Book early in your stay: You will have more room to reschedule after a cancellation or no-sighting.
• Bring a camera and patience: The lights may be faint at first and can improve later in the trip.
• Buy a hot drink if you need one: Food and beverages are available, but not included.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights Cruise?

I would book this cruise if the water itself appeals to you and you understand that the aurora is never guaranteed. The best features are practical: warm overalls, heated cabins, an experienced crew, three outdoor decks, and a free chance to try again. When the lights appear, the view from the water can be unforgettable, even near the harbor.

I would hesitate if you have only one night in Reykjavik, dislike cold or motion, or need the highest possible odds from a single outing. The 3.8 rating from 54 reviews reflects that split experience: some evenings bring a spectacular display and warm praise for the crew, while others produce a cancelled sailing or a long ride with no lights.

My advice is to schedule it early, keep your plans flexible, check every message, and treat the cruise as an aurora search rather than a guaranteed show. At $93, it is a reasonable gamble when the repeat option matters to you. If the sky cooperates, you get a memorable view from the sea. If it does not, you at least have a clear path to try again.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik?

The tour lasts approximately two and a half hours. The stated duration is between two and three hours, and the boat returns to the original meeting point.

Where does the cruise depart?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Pickup is available for an additional charge, but it is not included in the tour price.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes the two to three hour Northern Lights tour, professional guides, warm flotation overalls, WiFi, heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, and complimentary seasickness tablets.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are available to purchase onboard.

What happens if no Northern Lights are seen?

You can use your booking number to reschedule with the operator. The supplied information states that the ticket can be used for another tour with the operator in the future, and the repeat ticket is valid for up to two years.

Can the cruise be cancelled because of weather?

Yes. The activity requires suitable weather and sea conditions. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.