Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour with Photos

The best seat for the aurora may be offshore. This 2.5-hour cruise takes you from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into the North Atlantic, where the city lights fall behind and the sky gets darker. I like the short five-minute walk from central Reykjavik and the chance to see mountains, coastline, and city lights from the water. I also like the repeat ticket if the lights do not appear, since no aurora tour can control the sky.

The main drawback is simple: the sea and weather can cancel the boat trip or make the viewing less comfortable. A past booking was changed to a bus outing when conditions were too rough, so I would keep your evening flexible and check the forecast before heading to the harbour.

Key Points Before You Book

• Departure from Reykjavik Old Harbour: The meeting point is only about five minutes from the city centre, making this easy to fit into a short stay.
• Prime viewing area within 15 to 30 minutes: The boat moves away from Reykjavik’s lights before beginning the main aurora search.
• Warm overalls are supplied: Children’s sizes are available, a useful extra for a cold night on the water.
• The guide is a major strength: Feedback highlights funny, informative, and well-organized guiding.
• A second chance is included: If you do not see the Northern Lights, you receive a complimentary ticket to try again.
• Extras add value: Wi-Fi, a café, a Northern Lights video, one complimentary drink, and entry to the Whales of Iceland Exhibition are included.

Leaving Reykjavik Old Harbour After Dark

The tour begins at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, a handy point near the centre. You do not need a long transfer across the city, which matters when the tour starts late and you have already spent the day sightseeing. From central Reykjavik, the walk takes about five minutes.

The boats used for the trip are Rósin and Andrea, described as luxurious boats for this outing. You may be assigned to either one. The exact boat matters less than the setting: you leave from an active harbour, pass the capital’s waterfront, and watch the city recede behind you.

That departure gives the trip a useful sense of occasion. You are not simply standing in a dark field outside town. You are sailing into the North Atlantic with Reykjavik’s lights at your back and the mountains along the coast as part of the view.

The tour lasts 2.5 hours, while the main description describes roughly two hours on the water. I would plan on the full 2.5 hours for your evening. That leaves room for boarding, the ride out, the search itself, and the return to the harbour.

The First 15 to 30 Minutes on the Water

The first stretch is not yet the main viewing period. The boat spends about 15 to 30 minutes getting away from the strongest city lights and reaching a better position offshore. This is important because artificial light can wash out faint aurora activity.

As you move away from Reykjavik, the view changes in stages. City lights remain behind you, while the mountains and coastline provide a dark edge to the horizon. If the sky is clear, this combination gives your photos more context than a completely black countryside setting.

The open water also changes the mood. On land, you may spend the night looking up from a fixed viewpoint. Here, the boat itself becomes part of the experience. You are watching the sky while crossing the North Atlantic, with the capital still visible behind you.

There is a tradeoff. A boat cannot escape poor cloud cover, strong winds, or rough seas. Conditions at sea can also affect the schedule. In one case, a follow-up attempt could not leave by boat because the sea was unsuitable, and the operator offered a bus outing instead. That is a practical sign that safety and weather can change the plan.

Searching for the Aurora Offshore

Once the boat reaches a darker area, the guide begins the search for the Northern Lights. The trip is not a guarantee of an aurora display. The sky must cooperate, and the lights can be weak, brief, or hidden by cloud.

Your guide is there to explain what you are seeing and answer questions. This is one of the strongest parts of the experience. A funny, informative guide can make a slow search feel worthwhile, while a well-organized guide helps the evening run smoothly even if the aurora stays hidden.

The supplied feedback gives the guiding unusually strong praise. One passenger described the guide as funny and informative, while another called the tour well organized and praised the guide. Since no guide names are provided, I cannot point you to a particular person, but the standard of guiding appears to be one of the tour’s better features.

I would treat this as an aurora search rather than a guaranteed show. If the lights appear, the boat offers a memorable setting. If they do not, the repeat ticket gives you another chance, provided you can fit a second attempt into your Iceland plans.

Mountains, City Lights, and Night Photography

The boat’s position gives you several layers to work with: aurora overhead, dark water below, mountains along the coast, and Reykjavik’s lights in the distance. That can make the view more interesting than an inland viewpoint with no foreground.

The title of the experience refers to photos, but the supplied details do not explain whether a photographer takes pictures for you, whether photos are included in the price, or if the photo element simply refers to your own photography opportunities. I would not book this expecting a guaranteed professional photo package unless the operator confirms it separately.

You can still prepare for your own pictures by keeping your phone or camera ready and protecting it from the cold. The information supplied does not promise tripods, camera instruction, or a photographer, so those should not be assumed.

The boat’s motion may make photography harder than on land. The advantage is the setting. The drawback is that long exposures are more demanding on a moving vessel. I would enjoy the view first and treat photographs as a bonus rather than the sole reason to book.

Warm Overalls, Café, and Onboard Comfort

Warm overalls are included, with children’s sizes available. That is useful because an aurora tour requires waiting, and waiting outdoors at night is when cold becomes most noticeable. The overalls are an extra layer, not a reason to ignore your own warm clothing.

Bring the basics you would want for any cold evening. The tour does not list meals or beverages as included, apart from one complimentary drink, so you should not expect dinner onboard. A café is available, giving you a place to get refreshments during the trip, but the details do not specify the full menu or prices.

One of the more reassuring points is that the boat was described as well stocked with refreshments and not too crowded. Those details matter. A less crowded boat gives you more breathing room when looking toward the sky, and a good supply of refreshments makes the waiting period easier.

Wi-Fi is included, as is a Northern Lights video. The video gives you something useful to watch while waiting or during a cloudy stretch. It also helps explain the phenomenon, though the live aurora remains the real goal.

A complimentary drink is included. Since meals and other drinks are not included, think of this as a small comfort rather than a complete food service.

Whales of Iceland Exhibition Entry

Entry to the Whales of Iceland Exhibition is included with the tour. This is a valuable extra, especially if you have time before the boat leaves or are building a harbour-area day around the excursion.

The supplied information does not state exactly when or how you use the admission, so confirm the practical timing with the operator. It is best treated as an added museum visit rather than part of the boat route itself.

This extra also helps with the value calculation. The tour is not only a short ride out to look for lights. You are also paying for the guided outing, warm overalls, Wi-Fi, café access, a video, a drink, and exhibition entry. How much value you get depends on which extras you would otherwise pay for or use.

Is $106 a Fair Price?

At $106 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the Northern Lights. You are paying for a guided boat trip from a central harbour, rather than simply joining a basic bus transfer to a dark viewing area.

The price makes more sense if you care about the setting. The boat gets you away from Reykjavik’s strongest lights, while keeping the capital, mountains, and coastline in view. You also avoid spending the whole night on a road in search of clearer skies.

The repeat ticket improves the value. Aurora sightings are never certain, so a complimentary second attempt reduces the sting of a cloudy or inactive night. It does not remove the need for another evening in your schedule, but it gives you a fairer chance.

The included exhibition admission, café, Wi-Fi, video, warm overalls, and drink also help. Still, I would not choose this tour purely because of the extras. The core value is the offshore setting and the guide. If you only want the lowest-cost aurora attempt, compare prices with land-based options first.

The tour has a rating of 4.3 from nine published ratings, which suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The strongest points are organization, guiding, refreshments, and a boat that did not feel too crowded. The main uncertainty is the same one faced by every Northern Lights outing: nature controls the result.

Weather, Cancellations, and the Second Attempt

Weather is not a footnote on this tour. It can affect both the aurora and the boat. The operator contacts you if the trip is canceled, but I would still check the weather conditions yourself on the day.

A cancellation does not always mean the experience disappears. A previous attempt was replaced with a bus excursion when sea conditions prevented the boat from leaving. That option may not offer the same offshore atmosphere, but it can keep the evening useful.

If you see no lights, the operator provides a complimentary ticket to try again. This is one of the best protections in the booking. I would schedule the tour early enough in your Reykjavik stay to leave room for a repeat outing, especially if seeing the aurora is a top priority.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. These policies are useful when Iceland’s forecast changes quickly.

Who Will Like This Boat Tour Most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want the Northern Lights search to feel like a distinct Reykjavik experience, not just a transport problem. The harbour location is easy, the city views add atmosphere, and the boat provides a different angle on the coast.

It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a guided outing with basic comforts already arranged. Families may appreciate the children’s overalls, while visitors without a car benefit from the central departure point.

It is also a good fit if you prefer a smaller-feeling, less crowded boat. One strong comment specifically praised the refreshments and the fact that the boat was not too crowded.

I would think twice if you dislike being on the water, have very limited time, or need a guaranteed result. The 2.5-hour schedule is manageable, but rough conditions can change the plan. And no boat, bus, or guide can promise an aurora.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Northern Lights Boat Tour?

Book it if you want the Northern Lights framed by open water, mountains, and Reykjavik’s distant lights. The central harbour, warm overalls, strong guiding, and repeat ticket make the $106 price easier to justify.

Skip it if your only goal is the cheapest possible aurora hunt or if you would be unhappy with a weather-related change. For the best chance of using the repeat ticket, book this early in your stay and keep another evening free.

The most sensible approach is to see the boat as an atmospheric search with good backup support. If the sky clears, you may get one of Reykjavik’s most memorable night views. If it does not, you still have a guide, onboard comforts, exhibition entry, and another chance.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat tour depart?

The tour departs from Reykjavik Old Harbour, about five minutes from the city centre.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts 2.5 hours. The boat trip itself is described as taking about two hours.

How quickly does the boat reach the viewing area?

The boat reaches a prime viewing location in about 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the trip.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You receive a complimentary ticket to try the tour again.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a guided tour, warm overalls with children’s sizes available, Wi-Fi, café access, a Northern Lights video, entry to the Whales of Iceland Exhibition, and one complimentary drink.

Are meals and beverages included?

Meals and beverages are not included, although one complimentary drink is provided. The boat also has a café.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. You will be contacted if the tour is canceled, and you are strongly advised to check the weather conditions on the day. A bus excursion may be offered if sea conditions prevent the boat from operating.