Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

The best part of this two-hour yacht cruise is the change of scene. You leave Reykjavík’s Old Harbor, pass small islands in Faxaflói Bay, and sail away from the city glow so the northern lights have a darker sky in which to show themselves. If the aurora appears, you can watch from three open viewing decks or from the warm lounge inside.

I like the roomy yacht and the choice of how to spend the waiting time. You can stand outside with a camera, sit near the windows, or buy hot chocolate, coffee, snacks, or a drink at the bar. I also like the helpful guiding, with crew members such as Maria, Julian, and Lucky explaining the aurora and helping with phone camera settings.

The catch is simple: the lights are never guaranteed, and the open decks can be bitterly cold. A boat also moves under your feet, so long-exposure photos may blur, especially when the sea is choppy.

Key points to know before sailing

• Three panoramic decks: You can move between viewing areas instead of being tied to one crowded spot.
• A 30-minute sail to darker skies: The yacht usually travels away from Reykjavík’s lights before waiting for the aurora.
• A real indoor fallback: The bar and lounge provide seating, hot drinks, snacks, and shelter between sightings.
• Useful guide support: Guides explain the lights, point them out, and may help you adjust your phone for night photos.
• A flexible second chance: If the lights do not appear, free rescheduling may be available with the provider, sometimes for up to three years.
• A compact evening outing: The two-hour length suits families and anyone who does not want a long coach trip.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbor

Check in at the Old Harbour House on Aegisgardur 2 at least 30 minutes before departure. The process is straightforward: scan the bar or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk, then follow instructions for boarding.

The harbor setting gives the tour a pleasant start. You are not being loaded onto a coach for a long drive into the countryside. You walk onto a yacht, settle in, and begin the search from the water. Optional hotel pickup is available from Reykjavík-area hotels, which helps if you are staying farther from the harbor or prefer not to arrange your own way there.

One small bonus comes before boarding. The Old Harbour House has offered a 15 percent restaurant discount with this outing, according to the supplied experience details. That makes arriving early more useful, though food and drinks are not included in the $93 ticket.

Once aboard, you can choose your base. The yacht has indoor seating, covered areas, and open decks. The upper viewing areas can fill up when the aurora appears, so it is sensible to find an indoor seat near an exit if you need warmth but want to get outside quickly.

Sailing through Faxaflói Bay

The yacht first moves among the small islands of Faxaflói Bay and along Reykjavík’s coast. This part is not just dead time before the lights appear. You get a different view of the city and harbor, and the guide begins explaining what to look for in the sky.

The main purpose of sailing offshore is to reduce the effect of city lights. On a clear night, you may begin seeing a faint green or gray glow soon after leaving the harbor. On other nights, clouds or low aurora activity can keep the sky quiet for most of the trip.

The boat often takes around 30 minutes to reach a darker viewing area, then slows or drifts while the crew watches conditions. The remaining time can feel very different from one evening to another. Some outings have produced lights within five or ten minutes of sailing. On others, the display appeared only during the final 30 minutes on the way back.

That uncertainty is part of the deal. The tour can improve your viewing position, but it cannot control cloud cover, solar activity, or the strength of the aurora. You are paying for a well-organized chance to see the lights, not a fixed performance.

Three decks, one cold night

The yacht’s three panoramic decks are its strongest practical feature. You can spread out, change your angle, and search a wider section of sky. If one deck feels crowded, you have another place to try.

The highest deck gives the most open view, but it is also the coldest and windiest. On a clear winter evening, you may be standing still for long periods while staring upward. Warm blankets are available, but they are an extra layer, not a replacement for proper clothing.

Bring thermal layers, a warm coat, gloves, a hat, and comfortable shoes. Snow shoes or other footwear with a firm grip will help on a cold deck. One outing took place in temperatures around minus 10 degrees Celsius, and the advice to wrap up well is not casual. You may find the indoor lounge much more appealing between sightings.

The lower areas offer some shelter, though one practical complaint is that lighting can be limited. That helps protect dark-sky viewing, but it can make it hard to see where you are walking. Take care when moving around, especially if the sea is unsettled.

Waiting in the bar and lounge

This yacht is not designed as a bare-bones transport boat. Inside, you have a bar and lounge with seating, toilets, Wi-Fi, blankets, and a supply of drinks and snacks for purchase. Hot chocolate has been a particular favorite, with Baileys or amaretto available as additions on some outings.

The indoor area matters because northern lights tours involve waiting. You may spend 30 minutes sailing out, then another stretch of time watching a dark sky. Having somewhere warm to sit makes the two-hour schedule much easier, especially for children, older family members, or anyone who does not want to stand on deck all evening.

You can also use the lounge strategically. Sit inside with a clear route to the deck, then step outside when the guide spots a new wave of light. Several guides have gone indoors to alert people when the aurora began to strengthen, so you are not required to freeze outside for the entire trip.

Drinks are not included, and souvenirs are not included. That is worth remembering when judging the total cost. The bar adds comfort, but each purchase increases what you spend.

How the northern lights viewing works

The aurora may first look underwhelming. A faint gray or pale green smear can be hard to see with the naked eye, especially near the horizon. Your phone camera may show green more clearly than you do at first.

The display can then grow brighter and begin to move. Past outings have included green, pink, white, and red tones, along with arching bands and dancing forms across the sky. Some displays have lasted only a few minutes. Others have continued for 45 minutes, an hour, or close to the full cruise.

Guides add real value here. Maria has alerted people to new activity, while Julian and Lucky have helped explain what is happening and how to photograph it. Other guides have pointed out stars, shooting stars, and nearby sights such as the Imagine Peace Tower. The guide’s job is partly scientific and partly practical: you learn what to watch for, when to move outside, and how to make your phone do a better job.

Guide audibility can vary by position. One person found the commentary hard to hear from certain parts of the yacht. If the explanation matters to you, stay near the guide or inside where the sound may carry better.

Taking photos from a moving yacht

You should bring a camera, but set realistic expectations. The boat is comfortable for sightseeing, not a fixed tripod platform. Waves and engine movement can make long exposures soft or shaky.

Guides may help you change your phone settings and may take photos for you. That personal assistance is especially useful if you are seeing the aurora for the first time. Still, you will need to brace yourself and keep the phone steady when using a long timer.

A practical approach is to enjoy the lights first and photograph them second. Use the shortest exposure that still captures the glow, keep your hands warm enough to operate the phone, and avoid spending the whole display staring at a screen. The yacht’s decks give you the chance to move for a better view, but the open sea does not provide the stillness of land.

How dependable is the rescheduling option?

The provider clearly states that sightings are not guaranteed. If the lights are not seen, you may be able to reschedule for free. The supplied conditions say this can sometimes be used for up to three years, which is unusually helpful if you have several nights in Reykjavík.

That promise matters most if your schedule allows a second attempt. Some people have returned the next night or two days later and seen a strong display after missing it the first time. If you are in Iceland for only one night, the option has less practical value, so try to schedule the cruise early in your stay.

Weather can also cancel a departure. When conditions are unsafe, the provider may contact you ahead of time and move the booking to another date. This is frustrating if your plans are tight, but it is better than sending a yacht into poor sea conditions.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps keep your plans open while you watch the forecast.

Is $93 a fair price?

At $93 per person, this is not the cheapest way to chase the aurora. You are paying for a yacht, crew, guiding, three viewing decks, blankets, Wi-Fi, and an indoor bar rather than simply standing beside a dark road.

The value improves if you dislike long coach rides. Several northern lights outings require hours on the road, while this one keeps the total trip to two hours and begins in central Reykjavík. That makes it a good fit for a short stay, a family evening, or a final night before departure.

The boat also gives you more comfort than a basic open-deck cruise. You can buy a hot drink, sit inside, use the toilets, and return outside when conditions improve. Hotel pickup costs more if selected, but it removes the need to reach the harbor on your own.

The price is harder to justify if you only want a guaranteed sighting or if you already have access to dark skies outside the city. No northern lights tour can promise the natural event itself. Here, the benefit is a comfortable and atmospheric attempt with a reasonable backup policy.

Who should choose this cruise?

I would choose this tour for a visitor who wants the northern lights but does not want an all-night bus ride. The two-hour length is also useful for families. One family chose it instead of a four-hour outing because it was easier with a young granddaughter.

It suits couples looking for a special evening, too. The yacht, drinks, city lights, and open sea create a more memorable setting than simply walking around town. It has even served as the setting for a marriage proposal.

Photographers should come for the view, not perfect professional images. You can get striking phone photos, especially with guide help, but the moving platform makes tripod-style shots difficult.

If you are very sensitive to cold or seasickness, think carefully. Sea sickness tablets are available, and blankets are supplied, but neither changes the fact that the best viewing happens outside on a cold boat. Calm seas make the outing easier, while choppy water can affect both comfort and photographs.

Booking and timing advice

Book for an early night in your Reykjavík stay when possible. That gives you room to reschedule if the first outing is canceled or the sky stays cloudy. If you are visiting for only one night, the cruise remains worth considering, but the no-sighting risk is higher because you have no spare evening.

Arrive 30 minutes early at the Old Harbour House. Bring your ticket ready for the kiosk, and do not count on buying a coat or proper footwear at the harbor. Wear your warmest clothing from the start.

Keep your indoor seat in mind before heading outside. A position close to a door lets you warm up quickly and return to the deck when the guide calls out a new sighting. You may also want to buy a hot drink before the yacht leaves, though purchases are separate from the ticket.

Final recommendation

I recommend the Reykjavík Northern Lights Yacht Tour if you want a short, comfortable aurora outing with a genuine second-chance policy. The yacht is pleasant, the guides add useful help, and the three decks give you more freedom than a single viewing platform.

Book it early in your stay, dress for serious cold, and accept that nature makes the final decision. If you see the lights, the combination of dark water, open sky, and a warm drink in hand can make the evening special. If you do not, the cruise still gives you a polished two-hour experience, but its real value depends on your ability to reschedule.

FAQ

How long is the northern lights yacht tour?

The cruise lasts two hours. Check availability for the departure time offered on your chosen date.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavík. Arrive 30 minutes before departure and scan the bar or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavík area if you select that option when booking.

Are northern lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, so sightings are not guaranteed. If you do not see the lights, free rescheduling may be available with the activity provider.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

The activity provider may contact you before departure and offer a different date. Rescheduling depends on available arrangements.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a camera. Dress in layers, with gloves and a warm coat for the open decks.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

No. Drinks and souvenirs are not included, but drinks can be purchased at the onboard bar.

Is the tour guided in English?

Yes. The live guide and tour information are provided in English. Guides explain the northern lights and may help you adjust your camera or phone settings.