Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

The best thing about this cruise is the chance to get away from Reykjavik’s streetlights without giving up comfort. You sail out from the Old Harbour, scan the sky from the observation deck, and can retreat indoors when Iceland’s cold starts to bite. I especially like the city views from the water and the free return trip if the lights do not appear.

The boat also gives you more than an aurora hunt. You pass small islands in Faxaflói Bay, look back at Reykjavik’s evening lights, and might spot dolphins, porpoises, minke whales, or humpback whales. The catch is simple: the northern lights are never guaranteed, and a faint show can be hard to see with the naked eye.

Key points at a glance

• Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: The boat leaves from Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2 and returns to the same place.
• Look for the aurora from the upper deck: The best views come outside, but you can warm up in the lower indoor area.
• Get a second chance: If you do not see the northern lights, the operator offers a free return trip.
• Enjoy more than the sky: Faxaflói Bay offers views of Reykjavik, nearby islands, and possible whale or dolphin sightings.
• Plan for real cold: Several departures were comfortable indoors but freezing outside, especially in winter.
• Pay $78 for a two-hour outing: The price is reasonable if you value the boat, facilities, city views, and return guarantee.

Leaving Old Harbour for the dark water

Your evening begins at Old Harbour House, a red building at Ægisgarður 2. It serves as the meeting point and also has food and drinks, so it is a useful place to begin the night. One practical detail matters: if you plan to eat there, collect your tour ticket first. The ticket may qualify you for a 15 percent restaurant discount, but that discount must be arranged before you pay for the meal.

The boat returns to the same harbour after roughly two hours. That makes this a tidy choice if you are staying in central Reykjavik or want to keep the rest of your evening open. The group is limited to 75 people, which is large enough to create a friendly shared experience but not so large that the boat should feel packed.

Once you leave the harbour, the city begins to look different. Reykjavik’s colorful waterfront buildings and evening lights form a low, bright line behind you. The farther the boat goes, the more space you have to watch the sky.

This is not a silent wilderness trip. The boat is a working sightseeing vessel with indoor seating, a café, toilets, and Wi-Fi. That mix is important. You can go outside for the aurora, then step inside for a hot drink and a break without ending the outing.

Faxaflói Bay gives the cruise a second purpose

The boat travels among the small islands in Faxaflói Bay and along the coast near Reykjavik. The bay is broad enough to give you a useful break from city lights, while the coastline keeps the trip visually interesting even when the sky is quiet.

On a clear day, you may be able to see the Akranes peninsula to the northeast. Snæfellsjökull, the glacier-covered volcano on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, can also be visible at a distance of about 120 kilometers. At night, the details will depend on weather and visibility, but the open water still gives you a fine view of the stars and the city’s glow.

The route also creates a chance to look for marine life. Minke and humpback whales are among the most common sightings, along with dolphins and porpoises. Orcas are possible, though you should treat any wildlife sighting as a bonus rather than the purpose of this particular trip.

The crew has experience watching the water and pointing out wildlife. Still, the boat is timed for evening aurora viewing, not a dedicated daytime whale-watching schedule. If whales are high on your Iceland wish list, choose a specialist whale trip as well. Here, the wildlife adds interest to the journey between the harbour and the darker water.

How the northern lights search works

The northern lights form when solar particles interact with gases in the atmosphere. You do not need a science lesson to enjoy them, but a guide who explains what you are seeing can make a faint display easier to follow.

Crew members have kept passengers updated about where to look, and guides named Maria and Lucky received especially warm praise for their help and commentary. A captain has also pointed out weak lights and explained the conditions. That personal guidance matters because an aurora can begin as a pale smear, a gray streak, or a thin green arc before becoming brighter.

The boat’s open upper deck is the main viewing area. You will want to spend time there when the sky is active, since glass and interior lighting can make viewing harder. At the same time, the cold is not a minor detail. Some departures were described as freezing, and one person could only capture the lights with a phone camera even though the display was difficult to see unaided.

Bring more clothing than you think you need. Wear several warm layers, a proper outer jacket, gloves, and a hat. The supplied information does not specify loaned clothing, so do not count on the boat to provide it. You can warm up inside, but each trip outdoors will feel cold again.

A phone can help you record faint light, but it can also create a false sense of success. A camera may show color that your eyes barely detect. If seeing bright green and red curtains is your main goal, keep your expectations measured. Some nights produce a spectacular two-hour show. Other nights offer only a weak trace, or nothing visible at all.

The free return trip changes the risk

The strongest practical feature is the chance to go again if the northern lights do not appear. That turns the $78 price into a more reasonable gamble, especially if you have several nights in Reykjavik.

You need to use the second trip while you can return to the city. Some people had no spare night before flying home, which meant the offer had no practical value. If the aurora is your main reason for booking, schedule this cruise early in your stay. That gives you time to try again and also allows you to change plans if weather disrupts the departure.

The return policy does not guarantee a successful sighting on the next outing. It simply gives you another opportunity. The operator may also allow rebooking for a longer period, with one account noting up to three years, but you should confirm the exact terms when arranging the return. The important point is to ask about rebooking before you leave Reykjavik.

This policy also explains why the cruise can make sense during a short visit. You are not buying a guaranteed show. You are buying a boat ride, a dark-water search, and a second chance if nature does not cooperate.

Indoor comfort, café prices, and the cold outside

The boat has a lower indoor area where you can sit, warm up, and buy drinks. Hot chocolate was singled out as a welcome treat, and the onboard café also serves other food and drinks. Prices were described as reasonable by some people, though your own spending will depend on what you order.

The indoor space is more than a backup. It lets you take regular breaks without ending the experience. You can step inside, warm your hands, use the restroom, check the route with Wi-Fi, then return outside if the guide spots activity in the sky.

The tradeoff is that staying indoors reduces your view. Interior comfort and good aurora viewing pull you in opposite directions. I would treat the café as a useful refuge rather than the place to spend the entire cruise.

The boat itself received strong praise for being clean, smooth, and roomy, with several seating choices inside and outside. That does not remove the need for warm clothing. A pleasant boat can make a cold night easier, but it cannot make the upper deck warm.

What the crew adds to the evening

The crew’s attitude can make a major difference on a trip built around an uncertain natural event. On good nights, guides have stayed outside to direct attention toward the lights and explain what is happening. Maria was praised for her commentary and calm help, while Isabella worked behind the bar and added to the indoor atmosphere. Lucky also helped people follow the action.

You should expect an English-language experience. Commentary focuses on the northern lights, viewing conditions, and the route. The captain may also point out sights from the water.

A good guide will tell you where to look without pretending that every pale mark is a dramatic aurora. That distinction matters. A few departures were disappointing because the lights were extremely faint, yet the commentary made the display sound stronger than it was. You should judge the sky with your own eyes and camera, while still appreciating the crew’s effort.

When the show is strong, the shared excitement works in the boat’s favor. People can move outside, compare views, and receive updates from the crew. When the sky is empty, the same group energy cannot replace the main attraction. The boat and staff help, but they do not control cloud cover or solar activity.

Is $78 a fair price?

At $78 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the northern lights. You can sometimes see auroras from shore, especially on a clear night away from bright city streets. A bus trip may also take you farther from Reykjavik and offer more flexibility on land.

The boat earns its price in four ways. First, you get a proper evening cruise rather than standing on a roadside. Second, you have indoor seating, a café, toilets, and Wi-Fi. Third, the water gives you city views and a chance to spot marine life. Fourth, you receive another trip if the lights do not appear.

That package makes the price easier to justify for someone who wants comfort and a distinct setting. It is less convincing if you care only about maximizing your odds of seeing a powerful aurora. No boat can promise clear skies, and the route may not always escape cloud cover.

The value is best when you have at least two nights in Reykjavik and can use the return offer. It is weaker if you are leaving the next morning or have a packed schedule that leaves no room for a second attempt.

Who should choose this boat cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying near the harbour, prefer a boat to a bus, and want a comfortable place to escape the cold. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like having a café and indoor seating close at hand.

It also works well if you want the outing to feel worthwhile even without an aurora. Reykjavik from the water, open bay views, stars, and possible dolphins or whales give the evening several points of interest.

I would be more cautious if you dislike cold, need a guaranteed result, or have only one night in Iceland. The outdoor deck is where the main action happens, and faint lights may be visible only through a camera. You might have a lovely cruise and still leave without the display you hoped to see.

The activity is offered in English, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. It requires suitable weather, and the operator may cancel if conditions are poor or if too few people book. In those cases, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

My call: book it early, then stay flexible

I would book this cruise early in a Reykjavik stay, not on the final night. The return offer is the key. It gives you a second chance and protects some of the value if clouds or weak auroral activity spoil the first attempt.

Pack for the upper deck, collect your ticket before eating at Old Harbour House, and keep your expectations honest. You may see a spectacular display, as some departures did. You may also see only a faint glow, or nothing at all.

Book it if you want a pleasant evening on the water with a real chance at the northern lights. Skip it if your only measure of success is a guaranteed bright aurora. For most visitors with enough time to try twice, the boat’s comfort, setting, helpful crew, and free return policy make it a sound choice.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Boat Cruise depart from?

The cruise departs from Old Harbour House at Food, Drinks & Tours, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the cruise end?

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

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Is the northern lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The northern lights are a natural phenomenon, and weather and viewing conditions can prevent a clear sighting.

Can I take the cruise again if I do not see the northern lights?

Yes. A free return trip is offered if you do not see the northern lights. Arrange the return while you are still able to visit Reykjavik, and confirm the current rebooking terms.

What facilities are available on the boat?

The boat provides an observation deck, indoor seating, a restroom, Wi-Fi, and an onboard café with drinks and food.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted.