Reykjavík: Northern Lights Cruise

Nature puts on the show here. This 2.5-hour boat trip leaves Reykjavík’s Old Harbour and heads into Faxaflói Bay, pairing a search for the Northern Lights with fine views of the city after dark. I like the warm overalls, heated indoor saloon, and friendly crew. I also like that a missed sighting earns you another chance at no extra cost. The main drawback is simple: the Aurora may not appear, and the moving boat makes photography harder than watching from land.

The cruise costs $111 per person, which is not cheap for a short evening outing. Still, you are paying for more than a boat ride: the crew checks conditions, provides cold-weather gear, offers a heated refuge, and gives you a free return option if nature keeps the lights switched off. If your top goal is taking sharp Aurora photographs, this is not the best match.

Key points before you book

• Faxaflói Bay gives you open sky: Sailing away from Reykjavík can reduce the effect of city lights and give you a wider view overhead.
• Warm overalls are provided: You can step onto the outdoor platforms without bringing a full expedition wardrobe.
• Harpa and Hallgrímskirkja glow from the water: The city views give the evening value even when the Aurora stays hidden.
• The Imagine Peace Tower appears from October through December: Its bright beam adds a special Reykjavík sight to the route during those months.
• A free retry protects your booking: If the lights do not show, you can return another night at no charge.
• Photography takes patience: The boat moves, so faint lights and long camera exposures can produce blurry images.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour after dark

You meet the Elding Adventure at Sea boat at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík, in the Old Harbour. The harbor setting makes a good starting point because you are close to central Reykjavík and begin with the city’s lights around you rather than facing a long transfer into the countryside.

Hotel pickup is available for an extra charge, but it is not included in the listed price. If you arrange your own way to the harbor, make sure you allow enough time to find the boat and check in. The meeting point is specifically at the Elding Whale Watching boat in the Old Harbour.

The departure begins as a city outing, not an immediate hunt for darkness. That is part of the appeal. You get to see Reykjavík from a different angle before the cruise heads farther into the bay, so the evening still offers something if cloud cover ruins the Aurora attempt.

The trip is conducted in English, with a live guide on board. The guide explains what you are seeing, keeps you informed about conditions, and calls everyone outside if the Northern Lights begin to appear. That last detail matters because you do not want to spend the one good moment of the night downstairs with a hot drink.

Reykjavík’s skyline from Faxaflói Bay

As the boat moves out, you get views of Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja church, both lit after sunset. From the water, Reykjavík’s familiar buildings take on a different character. The city becomes a band of light along the shore, while the dark sea opens in front of you.

I like this city portion because it gives the cruise a clear second purpose. A Northern Lights tour can feel disappointing when clouds win. Here, the harbor departure and illuminated skyline create a worthwhile evening even before you know what the sky will do.

You can watch from the open viewing platforms for the broadest view. The tradeoff is cold, wind, and the need to stay alert for any sudden appearance of green or pale light overhead. The crew supplies warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets, which makes outdoor viewing far more manageable.

The indoor saloon is heated and has ample seating. Toilets are available, and an onboard café sells hot drinks and snacks. Refreshments are not included, so bring some spending money if you want coffee, tea, or something small to eat. The café is useful, but it does not turn the boat into a full dining cruise. Think warm drink and light snack, not dinner.

The Imagine Peace Tower from October to December

From October through December, the route passes the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. The tower sends a strong beam into the night sky, creating one of Reykjavík’s more unusual sights.

This stop is not a separate landing or a long visit. You admire it from the boat as part of the route. Even so, it gives the cruise a seasonal touch that you will not get at every time of year. If you are in Reykjavík during those months, the tower adds another reason to keep your eyes open before the Aurora search begins.

The beam also helps you appreciate the difference between human light and natural light. Reykjavík’s lamps, Harpa’s glow, the church illumination, and the tower all give the first part of the journey a clear visual focus. Farther out, the sky becomes the main event.

Waiting for the Northern Lights at sea

The crew and captain check the weather and Aurora forecast before departure and use that information to improve your odds. That is sensible planning, but it cannot guarantee a display. The Northern Lights need the right mix of solar activity, darkness, clear sky, and timing, and a boat crew cannot control any of those conditions.

Once the boat reaches the bay, the pace changes. You settle in, keep warm, and wait. Some nights may begin with faint white lines that are easy to mistake for thin cloud. Under better conditions, those pale marks can strengthen into the green waves you came hoping to see.

Past accounts from this trip include both extremes. Some people saw a strong display on their first night in Iceland. Others saw only a faint glow or nothing at all, then used the free return option. One cruise was canceled because of poor weather and moved to the following night, when the Aurora appeared.

That flexibility is one of the most valuable parts of the booking. The sighting guarantee does not mean you will see the lights on your chosen night. It means you can try again for free if they do not appear. You should plan this cruise early in your Reykjavík stay if possible, leaving room for a second attempt.

The wording matters: the extra trip is offered another night, so you need enough time in Iceland to use it. If this is your final evening, the guarantee has less practical value.

Warmth, comfort, and the long wait

Northern Lights hunting is often more waiting than spectacle. The boat’s heated indoor saloon helps you handle that reality. You can sit down, warm up, use the toilets, and return outside when the guide spots activity.

The provided overalls are especially helpful. Several people found them necessary in cold weather, even with the indoor area available. Raincoats and blankets add protection when conditions are damp or windy. You should still dress in layers, since the exact comfort level will vary with the weather and your own tolerance for cold.

I like the way the boat setup lets you choose your level of commitment. You can stay inside and watch the guide for updates, or use the outdoor platforms for a clearer view. The best sight may happen outside, but you do not have to stand there for the full 2.5 hours.

Crew service receives strong praise. The staff are described as friendly, helpful, and professional, with particular care given to safety. Guides also help with camera settings when they can. That assistance is useful, but you should not expect the crew to provide a personal photography lesson for every person on board.

Why the boat is not ideal for photographers

The open sea can offer a darker view than central Reykjavík, but a moving boat creates a major camera problem. Northern Lights photographs often need a slow shutter speed. Even a small amount of movement can turn a sharp image into a blur.

One person managed to photograph a faint display after receiving help with camera settings, but the boat’s motion still affected the pictures. That experience captures the right expectation: you may get a record of the Aurora, but you should not treat this as a dedicated photo workshop.

If your main aim is to bring home crisp, dramatic images, a land-based outing may suit you better. If your priority is seeing the lights with your own eyes, enjoying the sea, and having a warm place to wait, the boat makes more sense.

You should also remember that the lights may look weaker to your eyes than they do in professional photographs. A pale glow can still be real Aurora activity, even if it does not form bright green curtains overhead.

What the $111 price actually buys

At $111 per person, this is a mid-to-high priced evening activity for 2.5 hours. The fare includes the boat trip, English-speaking naturalist guide, warm overalls, raincoats, blankets, and the sighting guarantee. It does not include hotel pickup or café purchases.

The price becomes easier to justify if you value comfort and the free retry. Buying a separate boat ride, warm gear, and another attempt would cost more, though the comparison depends on your wider itinerary. The city views also give the cruise more substance than a single-purpose Aurora chase.

The price is harder to defend if you want guaranteed lights or high-quality photographs. No operator can promise the first, and the boat is not well suited to the second. You are paying for a well-organized chance, not a sure result.

I would compare this with the cost of a land-based Northern Lights tour before booking. The boat is the better choice if you like the idea of Reykjavík’s skyline, sea air, and a heated cabin. It is less attractive if you dislike waiting or prefer to keep both feet on solid ground.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This outing suits you if you want a comfortable first attempt at seeing the Aurora and you enjoy having a city sightseeing element built in. It also works well for couples, families, and anyone who would rather wait indoors than stand beside a roadside in the cold.

It is a good choice early in an Iceland visit because the free retry gives you another opportunity. The cruise also fits a Reykjavík-based schedule, with no long countryside transfer included in the standard price.

You may want another option if you have only one night available, since a missed display cannot be corrected within the same evening. It is also a weak fit for anyone whose trip depends on professional-quality photographs.

Booking advice, timing, and cancellation

The tour lasts 2.5 hours, but starting times vary, so check the available departure when you book. Since Northern Lights viewing depends on darkness, the exact time matters less than having a clear evening and enough flexibility in your schedule.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which is useful when Iceland’s weather may force changes to your plans.

The most practical booking strategy is to reserve this for one of your first nights in Reykjavík. If the weather is poor or the sky stays empty, you have a better chance of using the free return trip.

Should you book Reykjavík’s Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want a relaxed sea outing with a real Aurora opportunity, strong Reykjavík views, warm gear, and a free second attempt. The crew’s attitude and the heated cabin help turn a long wait into a manageable evening.

Skip it if you need guaranteed Northern Lights, want serious night photography, or have no spare night for a retry. At $111, the experience earns its price through comfort, city scenery, crew support, and the sighting guarantee, not through certainty.

My practical advice is to treat the Aurora as a bonus, not a promise. If you can enjoy Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, the harbor, the Imagine Peace Tower in season, and the open water even under a cloudy sky, this is a worthwhile addition to a Reykjavík stay.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights cruise depart?

It departs from the Elding Whale Watching boat at Reykjavík Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts 2.5 hours.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is available for an extra charge, but it is not included in the listed price.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

You are offered the chance to take the cruise another night free of charge.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets are available on board.

Is there a heated place to sit?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with ample seating and toilets.

Can I buy food and drinks on the boat?

Yes. The onboard café sells hot drinks and snacks, but refreshments are not included in the tour price.