Reykjavík: Northern Lights Cruise

Seeing the Northern Lights from a boat gives you more than a sky show. You get open views over Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavík glowing behind you, and a quieter setting away from some city glare. I like the heated indoor saloon and the warm overalls, and I like that the crew checks the forecast before sailing. The catch is simple: nature sets the schedule, and a moving boat can make aurora photography difficult.

I also like the short city cruise at the start, especially the views of Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja. If you sail between October and December, the route includes the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. Still, you should book this for the experience of searching, not as a guaranteed light show.

Key points at a glance

• Sail into Faxaflói Bay: Leave Reykjavík’s Old Harbour and search for darker skies over the water.
• Warm clothing is supplied: Borrow overalls, raincoats, and blankets, then return to the heated saloon when needed.
• Reykjavík looks different from the sea: Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the shoreline form the evening backdrop.
• The Imagine Peace Tower appears seasonally: The boat passes it when it is lit from October through December.
• A free retry protects your booking: If the lights do not show, you can return another night at no extra charge.
• Photography takes patience: The boat moves, so this is better for seeing the aurora than for getting perfect pictures.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour after dark

The cruise begins at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, at Ægisgarður 5. The harbor is an easy place to reach from the center, but hotel pickup is not included unless you arrange it for an added fee. I would allow time to find the boat and collect any needed clothing before departure.

The first part of the trip is not just dead time while you wait for the sky to change. As the boat moves away from shore, you get a fine nighttime view of Reykjavík. The city lights outline the waterfront, while landmarks such as Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja appear from an angle you cannot get on a normal city walk.

That city view gives the cruise a useful second purpose. If the aurora stays hidden, you still have an evening outing over the bay rather than two and a half hours spent staring at a dark field outside town. I would not book it only as a city sightseeing cruise, but the shoreline views make the uncertain Northern Lights search feel more worthwhile.

Into Faxaflói Bay in search of the aurora

After the Reykjavík views, the boat heads farther into Faxaflói Bay. The goal is to find a spot with better conditions for viewing the Northern Lights, though the exact route depends on the weather and forecast. The captain and guide check conditions before departure and adjust the plan to give you the best possible chance.

Your guide explains what to watch for and calls out when the lights begin. That matters because a weak aurora can look like a pale streak at first, especially when your eyes are adjusting to the darkness. One useful lesson from the experience is to give the sky time. A faint glow can strengthen later, as happened on one outing when an initial trace eventually became much clearer.

You may see the aurora with the naked eye, but its color and strength can vary. The strongest displays are not promised. Even when the lights appear, they may remain faint or come and go. I would treat the cruise as a guided search rather than a scheduled performance.

The open viewing platforms are the best place for a full view of sea and sky. You can move outside when the guide spots activity, then retreat indoors when the cold gets too sharp. That flexibility is important in Iceland, where the temperature and wind can make standing outside for a long time uncomfortable.

Warm overalls, blankets, and the heated saloon

The practical setup is one of the best reasons to choose this boat outing. Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets are available on board. You should still dress warmly underneath, but the supplied gear makes it much easier to spend time outside without giving up after a few minutes.

Inside, the heated saloon has ample seating and toilets. There is also a café selling hot drinks and snacks, though refreshments cost extra. The indoor area is not a minor detail. It gives you a comfortable place to wait between possible sightings and makes the trip more suitable for anyone who does not want to stand on an exposed deck for the entire cruise.

The boat’s facilities also help when the aurora takes its time. On a good night, you might go outside several times, warm up inside, and head back out when the guide spots another glow. That rhythm is more sensible than trying to tough out the cold from start to finish.

Some past outings have run longer than the advertised two hours, but you should plan around the stated duration of 2.5 hours. The exact timing can vary with conditions and the search at sea.

Reykjavík’s lights and the Imagine Peace Tower

The shoreline portion gives you a strong sense of place. Harpa’s modern glass exterior catches the city light, while Hallgrímskirkja rises above Reykjavík’s center. From the boat, the landmarks help you keep your bearings as the cruise moves farther into the bay.

From October through December, the route also passes the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. The tower is connected with John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s peace project, and its beam becomes a striking part of the evening view. It is not an all-year feature, so do not count on seeing it outside that period.

This seasonal stop adds something thoughtful to the cruise. The trip is not only about waiting for a natural display. You also see Reykjavík’s public spaces and landmarks in a setting that feels calm and removed from the streets.

How good are your chances of seeing the Northern Lights?

No operator can promise the aurora. Clouds, visibility, solar activity, and timing all matter, and the lights do not appear because a boat is waiting for them. The crew checks the forecast before sailing, but even a promising prediction can fail to produce a strong display.

The sighting guarantee softens that risk. If the Northern Lights do not appear, you are offered another trip free of charge. This is useful if you are staying in Reykjavík for several nights. It is less useful if this is your last evening in Iceland, so check your schedule before booking.

I would place this cruise early in your stay whenever possible. A first-night or early-trip booking gives you a chance to try again if weather cancels the sailing or the sky stays blank. One outing was canceled because of poor weather and moved to the following night, when the passengers did see the lights.

The guarantee does not mean you will see a dramatic green curtain on the replacement trip. It means you receive another opportunity. That is fair for a natural event, but you need enough time in Reykjavík to use it.

The real challenge: taking photographs from a moving boat

You can photograph the Northern Lights from the boat, but it is not an easy setup. The vessel moves, and long camera exposures can produce blurred images. The available light from Reykjavík may also complicate camera settings during the early part of the cruise.

The guide can help with camera settings, which is useful if you are not familiar with night photography. Still, this is not the best choice if your main goal is a sharp, dramatic aurora photograph. A tripod may be difficult to use effectively on a moving deck, and the boat’s motion remains a factor even when the settings are right.

For most people, I would keep the camera ready but focus first on seeing the display. Put your phone away for a few minutes when the lights appear. The strongest part of the experience is watching the aurora change above the open water, not checking whether every picture worked.

If photography is your top priority, a land-based outing may suit you better. If you want the chance to see the lights while enjoying Reykjavík from the water, the boat makes more sense.

Crew service and the feel of the evening

The crew receives some of the strongest praise attached to this outing. Guides are described as friendly, helpful, and informative, and the captain’s safety attention is part of the experience. The guide also helps guests understand what they are seeing and can assist with camera settings.

That service matters during a long wait. A silent boat ride with no explanation would feel flat if the aurora failed to appear. Here, the guide gives the search some structure and keeps watch for changes in the sky.

The crew also handles difficult calls sensibly. When weather makes a departure unwise, the cruise may be canceled and rescheduled. That can be frustrating if you have planned your evening around it, but sailing into poor conditions would not improve your chances.

You should expect a shared boat outing rather than a private charter. The information provided does not give a group size, so I would plan for other passengers and for more competition around the best outdoor viewing spots when the lights appear.

Is $111 a fair price?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the Northern Lights. The price covers the 2.5-hour cruise, an English-speaking naturalist guide, warm overalls, raincoats, blankets, and the sighting guarantee. It does not cover hotel pickup or café purchases.

The value depends on what you want from the night. If you only want the lowest-cost chance of seeing the aurora, a boat trip may not be your first choice. If you value a heated indoor space, toilets, supplied outerwear, city views, and a free return trip, the price is easier to justify.

I think the guarantee is especially valuable for a stay of several nights. It reduces the sting of a cloudy outing because you are not simply left with a missed chance. The city cruise also gives you something to enjoy even before the sky becomes active.

The weakest value comes when you have only one night available and are expecting a certain sighting. In that case, the cost buys an attempt, not a result. Go in with that clear understanding and the price feels more reasonable.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a comfortable Northern Lights search without standing in a cold field. It suits first-time aurora watchers, couples, families, and anyone who likes having an indoor refuge during a long wait.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy city views and natural sights in the same evening. The route combines Reykjavík’s illuminated waterfront with open water and a chance of seeing the aurora away from the busiest city lights.

I would hesitate if you are a serious night photographer. The boat’s motion can blur pictures, and the listing itself warns that photographing the lights at sea can be challenging.

I would also think twice if you have no spare evening for a retry. The free return trip helps only when you can fit another sailing into your plans.

Booking details worth knowing

The cruise lasts 2.5 hours and is conducted in English. Meet at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. Hotel pickup is available for an added charge, but it is not part of the standard booking.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is available, which gives you some flexibility while you watch the forecast and settle your Iceland schedule.

I would bring warm layers even though outerwear is supplied. Wear shoes and clothing that can handle a cold boat deck, then use the overalls and blankets as extra protection. Keep your camera settings simple unless you already know how to shoot in low light.

Should you book the Reykjavík Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want a well-supported search with city views, indoor warmth, and a free retry. The friendly crew, useful guide, heated saloon, and supplied overalls remove many of the usual discomforts of an Icelandic night outing.

Skip it if you need guaranteed aurora photographs or have only one free evening. The Northern Lights may be faint, absent, or too difficult to capture from a moving boat.

For most visitors with at least two nights in Reykjavík, I think it is a sensible attempt. You get a pleasant cruise even while waiting, and the sighting guarantee gives you a practical second chance.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights cruise depart from?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The stated duration is 2.5 hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

You are offered a free return trip on another night if the Northern Lights do not appear.

What clothing is provided on board?

Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets are available to borrow. The boat also has a heated indoor saloon with seating.

Is there food or drink on the boat?

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

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guide conducts the tour in English.

Is this cruise suitable for Northern Lights photography?

You can try to photograph the aurora, and the guide may help with camera settings, but the moving boat can make images blurry. The experience is better suited to watching the lights than to getting perfect photographs.