From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the clean break from Reykjavik’s city glow. Once you sail into Faxaflói, you get a wider view of the sky, with the city lights behind you and the chance to watch the Aurora Borealis ripple over dark water. Warm flotation overalls let you spend time on deck without giving up after five minutes.

I like the heated indoor cabin, where you can warm up with a drink, and I like the free return ticket if the sky stays empty. Guides such as Lucas have helped with camera settings and taken photos for passengers. The catch is simple: the Northern Lights cannot be scheduled, and a two-hour cruise can end with nothing more than stars and mountain views.

Key points at a glance

• A two-hour search from Reykjavik: Sail from Geirsgata 11 into Faxaflói and return to the same harbor.
• Warm gear is supplied: Flotation overalls help you stay outside, though you should still wear proper layers.
• Science, folklore, and practical help: English-speaking guides explain the lights and may assist with cameras.
• A useful no-show policy: If the Aurora does not appear, you can use your booking number to join again free.
• Comfort on board: Heated cabins, toilets, WiFi, and seasickness tablets are available.
• A real sea experience: You get city views from the water, but the boat can be cold, wet, and less predictable than a land-based hunt.

Leaving Reykjavik for a darker sky

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours office on the corner. Plan to arrive 30 minutes early. That buffer matters because the harbor area can be confusing, and one person had trouble after map coordinates led them to the wrong place.

Once checked in, you board and head out from Reykjavik toward Faxaflói. The itinerary lists two hours, though some outings have lasted longer when the captain stayed out while clouds moved away. That extra time is not guaranteed, but it shows why this tour is more than a quick boat ride around the harbor.

The first reward comes before any Aurora appears. From the water, you get a different view of Reykjavik, with the shoreline and city lights behind you. On a clear evening, the sea gives you an open horizon and fewer nearby lights than you would have in the center of town.

The boat returns to Geirsgata 11 after the search. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to the harbor and back. That is easy enough for many people staying in central Reykjavik, but it adds a small planning task if your accommodation is farther out.

What the Northern Lights search is really like

This is a search, not a guaranteed show. The Aurora depends on cloud cover and solar activity, and even when the lights are present, they may be faint. You might see a bright green arc, a soft glow, or nothing at all.

That uncertainty is the central issue when deciding if the $101 price is good value. You are paying for the boat, crew, warm gear, indoor facilities, guiding, and the chance to get away from city lights. You are not buying a guaranteed display.

The free return trip improves the value. If there is no sighting, your booking number can be used to reschedule. This gives you another chance during your stay, provided you have a spare evening and suitable availability. It is especially useful if the weather forecast looks poor on your first night.

Still, the policy does not remove every risk. You may not have another free night, and the lights could remain hidden on the second attempt. One passenger tried twice without seeing them, but still enjoyed the boat, drinks, and views of the water and mountains. That is the right attitude for this outing.

Staying warm on deck in Icelandic weather

The supplied flotation overalls are one of the tour’s strongest practical features. They are warm and waterproof enough to let you spend longer outside, and several people found them particularly useful on the roof deck.

Wear weather-appropriate clothing underneath. The suit is not a replacement for warm layers, socks, gloves, and a hat. One useful tip is to choose a size that can fit over your own clothes. If the suit is too tight, getting dressed and moving around becomes harder.

The deck is where you have the best chance of seeing the sky, but it is also where you feel the cold most quickly. You will likely move between the outside deck and the heated cabin while waiting. That is not a failure of the experience. It is the sensible way to handle an Icelandic night at sea.

The indoor bar provides shelter, seating, refreshments for purchase, and toilets. Seasickness tablets are available at no extra cost. One practical warning is worth remembering: use the bathroom before putting on the full suit. Getting out of a bulky warm outfit in a small toilet is not the easiest part of the evening.

Guides, legends, and help with your camera

The live commentary is in English. The guides cover both the science and the stories linked to the lights, including local beliefs and legends. This gives the waiting time some shape, especially when clouds cover the sky.

Lucas received repeated praise for his friendly manner and practical help. He assisted with camera settings and took photos for people who wanted a record of the moment. Another guide team also provided photos online the next day.

Do not expect every camera or phone to capture what your eyes see. A faint Aurora can appear more clearly in a long-exposure photo than it does in person. The crew’s advice can help, but no guide can make a weak display look strong.

The best approach is to watch first and photograph second. If the lights appear, you may only get a short burst of activity. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole trip staring at a screen.

The crew’s role matters even more when there is no sighting. A funny, attentive guide can keep the evening pleasant during a long wait. One guide stayed late to help a passenger search for a lost phone and even gave the family a ride back to their hotel. That was an exceptional act of kindness, not a standard transfer service, so you should still arrange your own return transportation.

A boat built for waiting

The boat has heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, WiFi, and an indoor bar where you can buy food and drinks. The facilities make the trip easier than standing outdoors for two hours on a cold shoreline.

Food and drinks are not included in the $101 price. You can purchase refreshments on board, but the details of the menu and prices are not provided. If you need a full meal, eat before you arrive.

The boat has enough room for passengers to spread out on some departures. One person described plenty of space on a boat called Lillia. Boats and arrangements can vary, however, and environmental rules mean the operator may sometimes share a boat with a partner company. The purpose is to reduce the number of boats on the water and limit pressure on the sea.

That shared-boat arrangement may matter if you expect a particular vessel or a very small group. It does not change the main plan, which is a guided cruise from Reykjavik and back, but it is worth knowing before you book.

The boat is wheelchair accessible. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

When the lights appear, the wait pays off

A strong Aurora can make the whole evening feel worthwhile. The lights may begin as a pale band, then grow into green curtains or shifting shapes across the sky. From the water, you have a broad view without buildings close by.

Several people had the lights appear before the boat had even stopped. Others only saw them faintly at the end of the return journey. This variation is normal for an Aurora tour, and it is why you should leave room in your schedule for a second attempt if possible.

The sea adds atmosphere, but it also adds motion. If you are prone to seasickness, consider using the complimentary tablets and spending time inside when needed. The tour provider does not promise calm water, and the material supplied does not give a specific sea forecast or vessel size.

The city view is a useful consolation on a poor Aurora night. You can still see Reykjavik from a fresh angle, watch the stars, listen to the guide, and enjoy the ride across Faxaflói. It is not the same as seeing the lights, but it keeps the outing from being a total loss.

Price, timing, and the value of a second chance

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the Northern Lights. Its value comes from the combination of transport on the water, warm flotation gear, indoor facilities, a live guide, and a free return trip if there is no sighting.

The free retry is the most important part of the price calculation. If you have several nights in Reykjavik, it can turn one uncertain evening into two chances. If you are leaving the next morning, the policy has little practical value.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability. The listed duration is two hours, but some departures have run longer while the captain waited for better conditions.

You should also allow time before departure for check-in and after arrival for the walk back to your accommodation. Hotel transport is not included.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would suggest this outing to you if you want a Northern Lights search that feels like an evening activity rather than a simple drive into the countryside. The boat, harbor departure, city views, and sea air give it a distinct character.

It suits people who:

• Want heated indoor space as well as an outdoor viewing deck
• Prefer a guided experience with science and folklore
• Have at least one spare evening for a possible free return trip
• Like the idea of seeing Reykjavik from the water
• Need an accessible boat option
• Want warm outer gear supplied rather than packing specialist clothing

It is less suitable if you need a guaranteed sighting, dislike cold or moving boats, or have only one night available. A land-based tour may give you more flexibility to move between viewing areas, but this cruise gives you a clear horizon and a different sense of place.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the ability to move indoors. You can watch the sky outside, then warm up with a drink without ending the evening. Couples may like the quieter, open-water setting, while photographers will value the crew’s help with settings, but should still bring realistic expectations about what a phone can capture.

Practical advice before you go

Arrive at Geirsgata 11 30 minutes early and check in at the Special Tours office on the corner. Do not rely solely on map coordinates. Confirm that your route leads to the correct harbor office before setting out.

Wear layers that fit comfortably beneath the supplied suit. Bring gloves, a hat, and warm footwear even though overalls are provided. The outside deck is the main viewing area, and you may want to remain there longer than expected if the lights begin to form.

Eat before boarding if you want a proper meal. Snacks and drinks can be bought on board, but food is not included. Take seasickness tablets if you need them, and use the toilet before putting on the flotation suit.

Keep your booking number. If there is no sighting, you need it to arrange the free return. Check your schedule before committing to the cruise, since the extra trip is only useful if you can fit it into your stay.

Bring a camera, but do not let photography take over. Ask the guide for help with settings if the lights appear. The crew may take photos for you, with images sometimes made available online afterward.

Should you book this Northern Lights boat cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, well-supported search from Reykjavik and can accept that nature makes the final decision. The free return trip, warm overalls, heated cabin, and practical guides give the $101 price a fair case, especially if you have several nights in Iceland.

Skip it if a sighting is essential, your schedule allows no second attempt, or you would rather chase clearer skies by land. For everyone else, this is a sensible way to turn an uncertain Northern Lights hunt into a proper evening on Faxaflói, with city views, stars, stories, and a warm place to retreat while you wait.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise start?

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

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in.

How long does the cruise last?

The listed duration is two hours. Some departures may last longer when conditions encourage the captain to wait.

Where does the boat go?

The cruise sails from Reykjavik into Faxaflói and returns to Geirsgata 11.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The Aurora is an unpredictable natural phenomenon, so a sighting cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the lights?

You can use your booking number to reschedule for another trip free of charge.

Are warm clothes provided?

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

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but refreshments can be purchased on board.

Is there an indoor area on the boat?

Yes. The boat has heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, and an indoor bar.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.