Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

The sky is the real tour guide. This evening cruise gives you a warm, comfortable way to watch for the aurora while seeing Reykjavik from the water. I especially like the heated indoor lounge with blankets and the chance to step outside for clear views, plus the crew’s help with camera settings when the lights appear.

I also like that you can return for another yacht trip if the aurora fails to show. The main tradeoff is important: this boat does not chase clear skies like a bus tour may, and some departures remain fairly close to Reykjavik’s lights.

Key Points Before You Book

• Aurora sightings are never guaranteed: Clear skies and strong solar activity are both needed.
• A warm base for a cold wait: The yacht has an indoor lounge, blankets, bathrooms, a bar, café, and Wi-Fi.
• The route stays near Reykjavik: You see the Old Harbour, Harpa Concert Hall, Viðey Island, Faxaflói Bay, and the coast.
• Boat size may vary: The operator uses a 35-passenger yacht and a larger yacht that can hold up to 95 people.
• A missed aurora can mean a free return trip: An additional yacht outing is offered when the lights do not appear.
• Expect a two to three hour evening: The boat leaves from Ægisgarður at the Old Harbour and returns there.

Leaving Ægisgarður After Dark

The meeting point is Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, an easy spot to reach near central Reykjavik and public transportation. You return to this same point at the end, so there is no separate transfer to arrange.

The cruise lasts about two to three hours. That timing matters in Iceland, where waiting for the northern lights can be slow business. You may spend much of the trip looking at a dark sky rather than watching a constant show.

The boat first gives you a different view of Reykjavik. From the water, the Old Harbour takes on a quieter character, and Harpa Concert Hall becomes a glowing glass landmark on the shore. You also look back toward the city coastline, which makes the start of the trip pleasant even if the aurora stays hidden.

Do not expect a long voyage into open ocean. The operator says the route goes behind the islands near Reykjavik, seeking shelter and calmer water rather than traveling far out into Faxaflói Bay. That choice makes sense for comfort, but it also means this is not an expedition-style hunt across the bay.

What You See From the Yacht

The route combines city views, islands, and open water. The sights are not formal land-based stops, so you should think of them as views from the deck rather than places where you get off and explore.

Harpa and the Old Harbour

Harpa Concert Hall is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable buildings. Seeing its changing glass exterior from the sea gives you a fresh angle, particularly after dark when the building is lit.

The Old Harbour is also a useful setting for the beginning and end of the evening. You are close to restaurants and city streets before departure, and returning here makes it simple to continue your night afterward.

Viðey Island

Viðey lies just off Reykjavik’s coast and adds a quiet, rural shape to the view. The island is known for walking paths, historic sites, art, and the Imagine Peace Tower, created in memory of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

On this cruise, you should not expect time to walk Viðey’s trails or visit its landmarks on foot. You see the island from the yacht, where it helps frame the horizon and provides some shelter from open-water conditions.

Faxaflói Bay

Faxaflói Bay is known for whale watching, seabirds, and wide Arctic views. This northern lights cruise is not a whale-watching trip, so marine life is not the main purpose, but the bay gives the evening a wider sense of place.

The bay also explains why the boat’s route may feel limited. The crew favors calmer water behind the islands instead of simply heading as far from shore as possible. If you want a warm, steady viewing platform, that is a reasonable tradeoff. If you want a moving hunt that changes direction whenever the forecast shifts, a land tour may suit you better.

The Aurora Wait: Comfort Versus Mobility

The best feature of this experience is the ability to wait in comfort. The yacht has a heated indoor area, blankets, bathrooms, and a bar and café serving hot and cold drinks. Wi-Fi is also available, though your phone’s signal and battery matter less than having the right camera settings ready.

You can step outside onto the upper deck and use the front, sides, or rear viewing areas. When the aurora appears, you have a better chance of finding a clear line of sight than you would from inside a crowded vehicle.

Still, the boat’s comfort comes with a fixed route. The yacht may stop in a sheltered area and wait rather than move repeatedly across the bay. The crew keeps watch and communicates with other boats, but the vessel is not promising to drive toward every patch of clear sky.

This point has divided the experience for good reason. Some people prefer sitting in a warm yacht with a drink, a bathroom, and room to move around. Others would rather ride a bus to a darker area and keep changing locations.

The city lights are visible from the boat. The operator argues that they do not prevent viewing the aurora because the lights appear high above the earth, and the yacht moves far enough behind the islands to reduce their effect. That may be adequate on a strong aurora night, but it will not feel as dark as a remote countryside viewpoint.

How Good Are the Northern Lights Chances?

The northern lights need two things: a dark or partly dark sky and enough aurora activity to see them with your eyes. A cloudy night can block an otherwise active display, while a clear night can still produce nothing worth seeing.

I would treat this as a chance to watch for the aurora, not a guaranteed performance. Several departures have gone out in snow and later cleared, while other nights have looked promising during the day and worsened by evening. Icelandic weather can change quickly, so an early forecast is not a final verdict.

That uncertainty is frustrating when the lights are the main reason you booked. The operator’s most useful policy is the free additional yacht trip if the aurora does not appear. The company has also stated that you may return for free for up to three years, though you should confirm the exact terms when booking.

This benefit is valuable only if you have enough time in Reykjavik. If this is your last night, a free return trip does not solve the problem. For a longer stay, booking early gives you more room to try again.

Crew Help and Onboard Atmosphere

The crew’s strongest role is practical help. Guides have assisted with phone settings, explained where to focus, and pointed out faint aurora that might be invisible at first glance. That matters because phone cameras can record green light before your eyes clearly detect it.

Captain Einar is described as having more than ten years of experience searching for the lights and as a pioneer in whale-watching and northern lights trips in Faxaflói Bay. You should expect a short explanation of the aurora, along with general commentary during the cruise.

The quality of the narration may depend on the guide and the conditions. Some departures have included useful information about the lights and local Christmas traditions. At other times, the commentary has felt brief or too general. Music is also played, usually in a relaxed style, but this is a personal taste issue.

The interior gives you a way to take a break from the cold. Outside, you need to dress warmly even if the evening looks mild at the harbour. Gloves, a hat, and layers are sensible because the viewing deck is exposed to wind.

Yacht Size and the Meaning of 35 Passengers

The advertised tour information says the activity can have a maximum of 35 people, and the operator uses a yacht called MY Harpa with capacity for 35 passengers. That smaller format is appealing if you dislike standing shoulder to shoulder when the sky lights up.

However, the operator also has MY Amelia Rose, which can carry up to 95 people. The actual vessel may depend on the departure, so check which yacht is scheduled before you pay if group size matters to you.

The smaller yacht has been praised for its lounge, outdoor viewing spaces, blankets, and relaxed mood. The larger boat may feel less intimate, especially if many people rush outside at once.

Do not assume that a smaller yacht travels farther. The tradeoff may be a more pleasant onboard setting but a shorter, more fixed route. That is not a flaw for everyone, but it is central to deciding between a yacht and a bus excursion.

Is $100.82 a Fair Price?

At $100.82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for the boat setting, indoor warmth, restrooms, drinks for purchase, deck access, and a different view of Reykjavik’s coast.

The value improves if you want the cruise itself to be part of the evening. Even without the lights, you still get a harbour and coastline outing, views toward Harpa and Viðey, and time on Faxaflói Bay. The value drops if you only care about maximizing your odds of seeing the aurora.

The free return option also changes the calculation. If you can rebook during your stay, the first unsuccessful trip becomes less painful. If you are in town for one night, you should compare the schedule and weather policy with a land-based tour before committing.

The bar and café are convenient, but drinks cost extra. One departure offered a beer, coffee, or tea coupon at a restaurant afterward as a goodwill gesture. That is a nice bonus, but it should not influence your main decision.

Practical Details That Matter

Confirmation arrives when you book. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable stepping outside in cold, moving conditions and standing on a boat deck.

The tour is offered in English. Because this is an evening activity, leave enough time to reach the Old Harbour before departure. The operator asks people to arrive early, and late arrivals can delay the boat.

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 for a refund. If poor weather forces the company to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Book as early as you can if your schedule is tight. The experience averages about 44 days of advance booking, which suggests that popular dates can fill well before an Iceland trip.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would choose this cruise for you if comfort matters as much as pursuit. It suits couples seeking a quieter evening, families who want bathrooms and a warm place to regroup, and anyone who would rather wait on a yacht than stand in a dark car park.

It is also a good fit if you have two or more nights in Reykjavik. That gives the free return arrangement real value and lets you treat the first outing as part of a wider aurora plan.

I would be cautious if you have only one night, want a remote dark-sky setting, or expect the captain to chase every opening in the clouds. A bus may cover more ground in the same time, though you give up the boat’s lounge, bar, deck, and harbour views.

The experience has an average rating of 4.1 from 35 reviews. That reflects a familiar northern lights pattern: spectacular when the sky cooperates, disappointing when it does not, with the boat’s comfort and crew receiving much of the praise.

Should You Book the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

Book it if you want a pleasant coastal cruise with a real chance of seeing the aurora, not a guarantee. The warm cabin, blankets, bathrooms, open deck, and helpful camera advice make the waiting far easier than it can be on land.

Before booking, confirm which yacht will operate your departure and decide how much mobility you need. If you have several nights in Reykjavik and like the idea of a comfortable evening on Faxaflói Bay, this is a sensible choice. If this is your one and only aurora attempt, compare it carefully with a bus tour that travels farther from city lights.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise start?

It starts at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2 in Reykjavik.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at the Old Harbour.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two to three hours.

Is the northern lights display guaranteed?

No. The aurora depends on clear areas of sky and sufficient activity, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You are offered a free additional yacht trip if the lights do not appear. The operator has also described free repeat trips for up to three years, so confirm the current terms when booking.

What can I see during the cruise?

The route includes views of Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Harpa Concert Hall from the sea, the Reykjavik coastline, Viðey Island, Faxaflói Bay, and the northern lights when conditions allow.

Is there food or drink on board?

Yes. The yacht has a bar and café with hot and cold drinks. Wi-Fi is also provided.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour information gives a maximum of 35 participants. The operator also uses a larger yacht with capacity for up to 95 people, so check the scheduled vessel if group size is important to you.