From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

The sea gives the sky more room. This two-hour cruise from Reykjavik takes you away from city lights, offers fine views back toward the harbor, and gives you a warm place to wait while guides explain the science and legends of the aurora. I especially like the heated cabins and the free return ticket if the lights do not appear. The main catch is simple: the Northern Lights cannot be promised, and the boat may spend much of the trip watching clouds rather than color.

The cruise costs $101 per person, which is fair if you value the boat setting, the city views, warm flotation overalls, and the chance to try again at no extra charge. It is less appealing if your only goal is a strong aurora display, since a clear night and active solar conditions matter far more than the tour operator can control.

Key points to know before sailing

• The cruise leaves from Geirsgata 11: Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner, arriving 30 minutes early.
• You get two ways to watch: Use the heated indoor cabin, or wear the provided flotation overalls on deck.
• A failed sighting comes with a free retry: Your booking number can be used to reschedule if no Northern Lights are seen.
• The boat offers useful comforts: Toilets, free WiFi, warm cabins, and complimentary seasickness tablets are available.
• Guides add more than sky-watching: Expect English commentary about aurora science, Icelandic beliefs, and local stories.
• The sea can make photography tricky: Guides have helped with camera settings and taken photos for guests on earlier trips.

Leaving Reykjavik for Faxaflói

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavik’s harbor. You check in at the Special Tours office at the corner, and arriving 30 minutes early is wise. It gives you time to find the office, sort out boarding, and collect the warm gear without rushing.

The cruise heads into Faxaflói, the broad bay in front of Reykjavik. The short ride out has a useful purpose: it puts distance between you and the city’s brighter lights. That darker setting can make faint stars and a weak aurora easier to notice.

You also get a pleasant change of view. From the water, Reykjavik becomes a line of lights along the shore, with mountains and open sky beyond. This is not just a bus ride to a remote viewing field. The boat itself becomes part of the evening, and the city looks different from offshore.

The advertised sailing time is two hours, though some trips have lasted longer when the captain stayed out to wait for clearer skies. That extra patience can help when clouds begin to move or a faint glow appears late in the trip. Still, you should not count on a four-hour outing. Plan around the stated two hours, then treat extra time as a bonus.

Waiting for the aurora on deck

The Northern Lights are a natural event, not a scheduled performance. A boat can reach dark water, but it cannot order the clouds to part or make the aurora appear. That uncertainty is the central fact to understand before you book.

Some departures have produced strong displays visible to the naked eye. One especially fortunate trip saw the lights while the boat was still moving out of the harbor. Other outings produced only a faint glow, and some saw nothing at all. The free retry helps, but it does not remove the risk. You need enough time in Reykjavik to use another departure if the first night fails.

The deck is the best place for a clear view of the sky, but Icelandic winter cold is serious. Warm flotation overalls are supplied, and they have earned strong praise for keeping people comfortable outside. Put them over your own clothing, and consider choosing a size large enough to fit comfortably over several layers.

Even with the suit, bring weather-appropriate clothing. You still need a warm hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. The suit helps, but it is not a substitute for dressing properly. The wind on open water can make the air feel much colder than it does at the harbor.

When you need to warm up, head inside to the heated cabin. You can buy food and drinks onboard, though they are not included in the price. The cabin also has toilets, which matters on a cold-weather boat trip. One practical tip from past sailings: use the toilet before putting on the bulky suit. Getting in and out of a small restroom while wearing it is awkward.

What the guides add to a quiet night

The guides provide live English commentary throughout the cruise. Their role is important because an aurora outing can involve long stretches of waiting. Instead of standing silently in the cold, you hear explanations of how the lights form, along with Icelandic beliefs and local stories connected with them.

The best guide feedback has centered on warmth and helpfulness, especially from Lucas, who has helped with camera settings, taken photos, and stayed late to help locate a lost phone. These are small acts, but they matter on a night when weather may already test your patience.

Guides have also helped guests make the most of faint displays. The human eye and a camera do not always record the same thing. A camera may show green or color that is hard to see with your eyes, especially when the aurora is weak. Do not judge the entire outing by a single screen, though. The real appeal is watching the sky change above you, not simply collecting a bright photograph.

The guides may also take photographs during the trip and make them available online afterward. This has been a welcome extra on past departures, particularly for couples who want a picture together without handing a camera to a stranger in the dark.

Warm cabins, refreshments, and practical comfort

The boat has heated indoor cabins with seating and toilet facilities. You can buy drinks and snacks onboard, but food and drink are not included in the $101 price. That makes the cruise easier than a bare-bones night sail, though you should budget separately if you want refreshments.

The indoor area is useful for more than escaping the cold. You can watch the harbor lights through the windows, listen to the guide, and wait for a possible break in the cloud cover. A good aurora trip often involves moving between the deck and cabin several times.

Free WiFi is available onboard, and complimentary seasickness tablets can be requested. If you are sensitive to motion, ask for the tablets before the boat gets underway. The experience is wheelchair accessible, though the bulky overalls and boat facilities may still require a little patience and assistance depending on your needs.

One minor comfort issue has appeared on past trips: outdoor seats can become wet from spray or condensation. Take care before sitting down, and keep a spare layer handy. The cabin is warmer, but service is not delivered directly to your seat, so walking downstairs in the flotation suit can be cumbersome.

Environmental conditions may also mean that your sailing is shared with one of the supplier’s partner boats at certain times of year. The reason is to reduce the number of boats on the water and limit pressure on the marine environment. The exact boat arrangement can therefore vary.

How the $101 price works out

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for a boat trip, a darker offshore viewing area, guide commentary, warm overalls, indoor heating, toilets, WiFi, and the possibility of a free return trip.

That retry policy gives the price real value. If you see nothing, you can use your booking number to join again without paying another fare. You still need the time and flexibility to return, and a second attempt may also fail. But compared with paying twice for two separate outings, the policy takes much of the sting out of a bad weather night.

The price also covers a different kind of Iceland evening. A land-based excursion may take you farther from Reykjavik, while this cruise lets you see the city from the sea and enjoy a calmer, simpler departure from the harbor. If you already have a rental car and plan to chase the lights on your own, the boat may be less useful. If you prefer a guided outing with no driving, it is easier to justify.

Food and drinks cost extra, and hotel pickup is not provided. You must make your own way to Geirsgata 11. Since the meeting point is in Reykjavik, this is fairly straightforward for anyone staying in or near the center, but it is not a door-to-door service.

The best and worst possible outcomes

On a strong night, the cruise can be unforgettable. You stand on the upper deck in warm gear, watch the dark sky open above the bay, and see the aurora shift and brighten. The water, the distant city, and the wide horizon give the display a setting that feels distinct from viewing it beside a road.

On a weak night, the experience changes. You may spend much of the two hours looking at stars, watching clouds, and listening to the guide. That can still be pleasant, especially with warm cabins and city views, but it should not be sold to yourself as a guaranteed light show.

A few past trips saw the lights only faintly near the end of the journey. Others received extra time while the crew waited for conditions to improve. The captain’s willingness to remain out longer can help, but it remains a judgment call based on weather, sea conditions, and the chances of a sighting.

If you are coming to Iceland for only one night, this is a gamble. A no-show leaves little chance to use the free retry. With two or more nights in Reykjavik, the policy becomes much more useful. Book early in your stay so you have room to reschedule.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this outing for you if you want a guided night on the water and prefer not to drive in Icelandic darkness. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who like having a warm cabin nearby and a guide to explain what they are seeing.

It also works well for people who value the whole evening rather than just a photograph. The harbor views, sea air, stories, and stargazing give you something to enjoy even when the aurora refuses to cooperate.

You may want another plan if you dislike waiting in cold weather, get seasick easily, or have a fixed schedule that leaves no space for a second attempt. The tablets, cabin, and overalls help with comfort, but they do not turn the sea into a motionless viewing platform.

Photography-focused visitors should bring realistic expectations. The crew can offer advice, and past outings have included photos taken by the guides, but a camera often needs different settings from normal night photography. A faint display may look stronger in a photograph than it does to your eyes.

Meeting point, timing, and what to bring

Go to Geirsgata 11 and check in at the Special Tours office on the corner. Arrive 30 minutes early, especially if you need to ask about the overalls, seasickness tablets, or accessibility arrangements.

Wear warm layers beneath the supplied suit. Add weather-appropriate outer clothing, a hat, gloves, and footwear that can handle a cold deck. Smoking and pets are not allowed.

The advertised duration is two hours, with availability depending on the date and departure time. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so leave enough time to reach the harbor and return to your accommodation after the boat docks.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and the reserve-now-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those terms are useful when Iceland’s weather forecast keeps changing.

Should you book the Northern Lights boat cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, guided search with a genuine second-chance policy. The strongest reasons are the warm flotation suits, heated cabins, friendly guides, city views from Faxaflói, and the chance to try again if the sky stays empty.

I would book it early during a Reykjavik stay, not on the final evening. That gives you a real chance to use the free return trip. Go with the right mindset: you are booking a well-equipped search for the aurora, not a guaranteed show.

If the lights appear, the setting can be magical. If they do not, you still get a harbor cruise, star-gazing time, local stories, and a warm place to wait. For $101, that is a reasonable package, provided you accept the weather gamble.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise begin?

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

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure so you have time to check in and prepare for boarding.

How long does the cruise last?

The advertised duration is two hours. Some trips may last longer if the captain stays out while waiting for better viewing conditions.

What happens if no Northern Lights appear?

You can use your booking number to reschedule and join the tour again free of charge if there is no sighting.

Are warm clothes provided?

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

Is food included?

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

Does the boat have indoor heating and toilets?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point at Geirsgata 11.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide and commentary are in English.