Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

The sky may keep its secrets. This two-and-a-half-hour cruise takes you from Reykjavik onto Faxafloi Bay, where darker water and open sky can improve your view of the aurora. I like the included thermal overalls and the free retry if the lights do not appear. The catch is simple: weather, clouds, sea conditions, and solar activity all remain outside the crew’s control.

You will hear Icelandic myths alongside clear science, then choose between the open deck and heated indoor seating. I also like that crew members help with photography and that pictures taken during the cruise are available to download at no extra cost. Still, the boat can feel crowded, and rough water may make standing outside or taking sharp photos difficult.

Five useful things to know before sailing

• The cruise lasts about 2 hours 30 minutes, with departure and return at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik.
• Thermal overalls are included, with children’s sizes available, so you do not need to buy costly winter clothing.
• No aurora means a free retry ticket, though the next available departure may be full.
• The guide mixes folklore with science, giving you more to enjoy when the sky stays cloudy.
• Photos are taken on every departure and can be downloaded free, while the crew can assist with your own camera.
• The boat holds up to 198 people, so comfort and outdoor viewing space can vary on busy nights.

Leaving Reykjavik for Faxafloi Bay

You meet at Special Tours on Geirsgata 11, a practical starting point near public transportation. The tour ends at the same place, unless you arrange hotel pickup directly with the operator for an additional fee.

The experience begins with boarding and getting suited up. The thermal overalls are one of the tour’s strongest practical features. At sea, cold air and wind cut through ordinary coats quickly, and the suits offer useful protection without asking you to buy a full set of Icelandic winter gear. Children’s sizes are available too.

Allow a little patience while everyone gets dressed. One unfavorable account described limited room during this part, especially on a smaller boat, so wear simple layers underneath and choose a suit size that lets you move. A larger size may be more comfortable over sweaters and winter clothing.

Once underway, the boat heads away from the city into Faxafloi Bay. The reason for going by boat is clear: you leave some of Reykjavik’s street and harbor lighting behind and gain a wide view of the sky. That helps, but it does not create darkness by magic. One outing still had more light pollution than expected, and the city may remain visible for part of the journey.

The cruise is not a fast transport ride. It moves at a pace that gives you time to look around, settle in, and wait for changes in the sky. Some people enjoy the quiet movement of the boat and the open water. Others find the slow sailing dull if clouds make an aurora sighting impossible.

The guide turns waiting time into part of the tour

Aurora hunting involves waiting. A good guide makes that waiting feel worthwhile, and this cruise gives you more than a silent ride into the dark.

You learn the basic science: the northern lights form when particles interact in Earth’s atmosphere and produce colored light. The guide also separates that explanation from Icelandic myths and old stories. This mix gives the sky some local character without pretending that folklore is scientific fact.

The quality of the commentary can vary by departure, as guides change. Lukas received especially warm praise for his clear, lively explanations, while other guides were described as friendly, informative, and helpful. On successful nights, guides point out where to look and help passengers make the most of brief displays.

That matters because the aurora may appear as a faint arc, not a dramatic green curtain. It can fade, return, or become visible only for a few minutes. On one successful outing, the crew extended the cruise when the lights appeared late. You should not treat an extension as guaranteed, but it shows why patience helps.

The guide may also explain stars and constellations when conditions are clear. One particularly cold night brought shooting stars as well as aurora. That is not promised, but the open sea can provide more than one reason to keep looking upward.

Open deck or heated cabin?

The cruise gives you two basic ways to spend the evening. Step outside for the widest view, or retreat indoors to heated seating and watch through the viewing area.

I would use both. Start outside when the sky is clear, then warm up inside with a hot drink before returning to the deck. Free WiFi is available, and refreshments can be bought onboard. Food and drinks are not included, but the boat has snacks and drink options for purchase.

The indoor area is especially useful if you are traveling with children or anyone who dislikes prolonged cold. It also gives you a place to rest when the wind picks up. The drawback is that indoor seating can become the more appealing option, even though the best view is usually outside.

Crowding is the main comfort issue. The boat can carry as many as 198 people, and rescheduled departures may be particularly full after an earlier cancellation. A crowded deck means less room to move, position your camera, or find a quiet viewing spot.

Boat conditions can also change the feel of the evening. A larger boat such as Andrea offers plenty of lower-deck seating, according to one account, while another departure felt small and cramped. The exact vessel may affect your comfort, so keep expectations practical rather than picturing a private sailing trip.

Photography is a real part of the experience

The operator takes pictures on every tour and makes them available to download free of charge. That is valuable because night photography is hard, especially from a moving boat.

Crew members can help you with photography. Guides have shown passengers where to aim and how to prepare for a sighting. Bring your camera or phone ready to use, since the aurora can appear suddenly and disappear just as fast.

A useful warning: the camera may record stronger colors than your eyes can see. On some nights, the lights appear pale or faint in person but show more clearly in a photograph. On other nights, the naked-eye display is spectacular, with green bands that move and ripple across the sky.

The boat itself adds difficulty. Wind, cold, and movement can make long exposures blurry. A windy evening produced wonderful lights but made photography hard, while another night on rough water felt uncomfortable. The crew’s help improves your chances, but no onboard advice can steady the sea.

Take the free tour photos as a bonus, not the main reason to book. The best memory may be seeing the lights directly, especially if the display becomes bright enough to watch without a camera screen in front of you.

The free retry protects your budget, but not your schedule

The northern lights are never guaranteed. This tour’s best financial safeguard is the free ticket to try again if you join the cruise and see nothing. The ticket does not expire and may be used years later.

That sounds generous, but it works best if you have several nights in Reykjavik. If your cruise is on the last night of your trip, a retry offer may be useless. Even with extra time, the next departure may be full. One passenger had difficulty rebooking after receiving the free retry, so treat it as a helpful option rather than a firm promise of a seat tomorrow.

The exact terms matter. If you join the cruise and see no lights, you receive another ticket rather than a cash refund. If poor weather cancels the departure before you sail, you can normally reschedule or receive a full refund, provided you have not previously used the tour service.

There is also an important sea-condition possibility. If the aurora forecast looks promising but the sea is too rough for the boat, you may be offered a Northern Lights by Bus tour instead. That coach tour is treated as the same-priced replacement, so choosing it does not result in a refund.

Standard cancellation terms are separate from the aurora retry. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, except when the operator cancels because of poor conditions.

Weather is the deciding factor

The hardest part of this experience is deciding if the cruise should operate. Clouds can hide a strong aurora, and rain can make the entire trip unpleasant. Some departures went ahead in poor weather even when the chance of seeing anything seemed very low, which led to frustration.

The operator does assess conditions, but forecasts can change. A cloudy evening may clear just in time, and one successful cruise began after rain had fallen all day. Another group waited through worsening weather and saw nothing. Neither outcome is unusual in Iceland.

If the forecast looks poor, check the status before setting out. Ask what happens if the boat is canceled and what replacement is being offered. This is particularly important if your booking includes a backup arrangement, since different options may have different refund terms.

I would schedule this tour early in your Reykjavik stay whenever possible. That gives you a better chance to use the retry offer and lets you switch plans if the sea is rough. It also takes pressure off the evening. You are not staking your only aurora opportunity on one departure.

What the $108.13 price really buys

At $108.13 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the northern lights. You are paying for a boat ride, crew commentary, heated indoor seating, WiFi, thermal overalls, onboard photo service, and the option to return free if the sky stays empty.

The value is strongest for people who want comfort and facilities. You have a bathroom onboard, a warm place to sit, food and drinks for purchase, and less need to stand outdoors in freezing conditions for the entire search. One passenger chose the cruise specifically to avoid spending hours in a vehicle without warmth or amenities.

The value is weaker if you want the darkest possible location or the highest degree of flexibility. A boat still carries harbor light, the group can be large, and the vessel cannot simply pull over beneath a clear patch of sky. A land-based trip may reach darker areas, though this boat experience remains easier for anyone who values indoor comfort.

Hotel transfers cost extra and are not included. If you are staying near central Reykjavik, reaching Geirsgata 11 by public transportation may be simple. If you are farther out, compare the cost and convenience of arranging a pickup directly with Special Tours.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if:

• You want an aurora outing with indoor warmth and bathroom access.
• You have at least two nights in Reykjavik and can use the retry ticket.
• You like hearing local stories and basic science while you wait.
• You want help with night photography.
• You are traveling with children and appreciate included thermal clothing.
• You prefer a scheduled cruise to driving around Iceland after dark.

I would be more cautious if you have only one evening available. You may see a wonderful display, but you may also spend two and a half hours at sea under cloud. The free retry has little practical value when your itinerary ends the next morning.

I would also think twice if rough water makes you anxious. Several accounts describe strong wind or noticeable rocking. The boat can be warm and comfortable, yet the outdoor viewing area remains exposed to the North Atlantic.

My practical plan for booking and sailing

Book an early departure in your Iceland stay, then check the weather and aurora forecast on the day. Keep the following evening open if you can, since a free retry is most useful when you have room in your schedule.

Arrive ready for cold weather even though overalls are supplied. Wear warm layers, gloves, and a hat, and choose an overall size that allows you to move your arms. Put the suit on before heading outside, rather than waiting until you are already cold.

Bring a charged phone or camera. The crew can assist, and free photos are supplied, but you will want your own device ready when the sky changes. If the boat is crowded, move outside early when conditions allow so you are not searching for deck space during the most interesting moment.

Set your expectations correctly. This is an aurora search, not a guaranteed light show. The cruise gives you useful comforts and a second chance, but the sky still makes the final decision.

Should you book this Northern Lights cruise?

Book it if comfort, photography help, and a free retry matter as much as the possibility of seeing the aurora. The crew is often warm and attentive, the commentary adds substance, and successful nights can be extraordinary, with green arcs, moving curtains, stars, and even shooting stars above the bay.

Skip it if you have one night only, dislike boats, or want the darkest possible setting. For most people, the smartest choice is to schedule it near the beginning of a longer Reykjavik visit, then use the retry option if needed. At $108.13, it is a fair choice for a comfortable sea-based search, but not a guarantee wrapped in a thermal suit.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. It starts and ends at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, Reykjavik.

Are thermal overalls included?

Yes. Thermal overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You receive a free ticket to try again on the next available day. The ticket does not expire, but availability may affect how soon you can return.

Is food included on the cruise?

No. Food and drinks are available to buy onboard, but they are not included in the tour price.

Can I get hotel pickup?

Hotel transfers are not included, but pickup may be booked directly with the supplier for an additional fee.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You can usually reschedule or receive a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather and you have not previously joined the tour. If the sea is poor but aurora conditions look favorable, you may instead be offered a Northern Lights by Bus tour at the same price.