Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik

The best part of this tour is the chance to watch the aurora over Faxaflói Bay, away from some of Reykjavik’s city light. You get a moving view, open sky, and a boat crew ready to send you to the top deck when the show begins. I like the warm overalls and free photos, and I like the built-in backup at Whales of Iceland. The main catch is simple: popular sailings can feel crowded, especially inside and on the upper deck.

I also like the second-chance ticket. If conditions are not right, you can sail again on the next available date instead of losing the evening entirely. Just remember that a calm sea matters here. One review describes rough water, and another mentions tight viewing space, so this is not the quietest or most private way to hunt for the lights.

Key points before you book

• Sail into Faxaflói Bay: The boat gives you a broad sky and a different angle on the aurora than a city-based search.
• Warm overalls are provided: You can spend time outside without bringing a full Arctic wardrobe, though you still need sensible warm clothing.
• A real backup plan: Poor conditions can mean Whales of Iceland, a Northern Lights drink, a short film, a guided visit, and a photography workshop.
• You can try again: If the sailing conditions are not suitable, you receive a free ticket for the next available boat date.
• Photos are free to download: Pictures taken during the boat trip are available after the tour.
• Expect a large group: The boat can carry up to 198 people, and several accounts point to crowding on busy nights.

Sailing from Geirsgata into the northern night

You meet Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, close to central Reykjavik and public transportation. The tour lasts about two hours on the water, with the full experience generally taking two to three hours. It ends back at the same meeting point.

From the dock, the boat heads out into Faxaflói Bay. The point is not simply to take a cruise. The crew is trying to place you in darker surroundings with a wide view of the sky. That matters because the aurora can appear low on the horizon one minute and stretch overhead the next.

The boat has restrooms, Wi-Fi, a snack bar, and warm overalls. Food and drinks cost extra, so do not assume the snack bar is part of the ticket price. The included items are the sailing, the outerwear, the onboard facilities, and the photos.

I would arrive ready to move outside quickly. On one successful evening, the lights appeared as people were boarding, and the crew told everyone to head straight to the upper deck. That is useful advice. The aurora is not a scheduled stage show, so you may have only a short window before it fades or shifts.

What the aurora search is really like

Northern Lights tours always involve uncertainty. The boat can take you to a darker viewing area, but it cannot order clear skies or guarantee a strong display. Even on a night with a clear forecast, clouds can cover the right patch of sky, and the aurora may remain faint.

That uncertainty is why the repeat sailing matters. If conditions are not suitable, you are automatically signed up for an alternative activity and receive a free ticket to join the boat tour on the next available date. The extra sailing gives you a practical way to keep trying during a short Iceland visit.

The reports of successful outings are especially encouraging when you understand the timing. One boat returned to the dock with the lights active for much of the trip. Another sailing began with a faint display that grew brighter and more active near the end. You may need patience rather than an instant spectacle.

The guide’s help can make a difference. Staff point out where to look and offer advice for seeing and photographing the lights. Anika is praised for clear explanations, while Patrick is remembered for a mix of humor and useful information. Andrea and Lilja are also named warmly in connection with repeated attempts to find the aurora.

The upper deck, indoor space, and crowding

The boat is maintained and comfortable in ordinary terms, but this is still a working sightseeing vessel carrying a large group. Capacity reaches 198 people. On a busy departure, you may find the indoor seating limited and the outside viewing area tight.

That matters more than it might on a daytime cruise. To see the aurora, you want an unobstructed view, and many people naturally gather on the upper deck when the sky begins to glow. If you stay inside, windows can help, but the best view is usually outside when the weather allows it.

Warm overalls are a welcome touch, but they are not a substitute for your own layers. Bring warm clothes, gloves, and a hat. The supplied information does not promise a calm sea, and one outing was described as quite rough. If you are prone to motion sickness, keep that possibility in mind before choosing a boat-based search.

The boat can also feel lively rather than peaceful. You will have staff, fellow passengers, movement, and the sound of the vessel around you. I would choose this trip for access to the sky and the chance to try again, not for solitude.

When the boat cannot sail: Whales of Iceland

The backup plan is the feature that gives this tour more value than a basic boat ticket. If the weather makes the sailing unsuitable, the alternative includes entry to Whales of Iceland, a Northern Lights drink, a short film, and a guided visit.

You also receive a short Northern Lights photography workshop at the exhibit. That makes the backup useful even if the boat never leaves the dock. You can learn how to approach aurora photography, then use that advice on a later sailing or elsewhere in Iceland.

The Whales of Iceland visit is not the same as seeing the aurora. It is an indoor change of plan, not a replacement for a clear night over the bay. Still, it protects your evening from becoming a total loss. A cancelled boat trip led to an interesting museum visit, an enjoyable guide, drinks, and hotel pickup and return for one booking that had added transfers.

The transfer point is worth clarifying. Hotel pickup is not included in the standard price. You can add it for an extra cost through the supplier. If you need it, arrange it while booking or contact the ticket office at least two hours before departure.

What you receive for $83.88

At $83.88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the northern lights. You are paying for a boat, crew, facilities, overalls, an organized search, free photos, and protection against an unsuccessful weather night.

The value depends on how you use the backup. If you sail once, see a strong display, and download the photos afterward, the price buys a memorable evening with little planning on your part. If the weather blocks the trip, you still have Whales of Iceland and the option to sail again.

The free repeat ticket is particularly useful if you have several nights in Reykjavik. It gives you another chance without buying a second full tour. It is less useful if your schedule allows only one evening, so check your itinerary before booking.

Food is not included. You can buy snacks and drinks at the onboard bar, but budget for that separately. The Northern Lights drink belongs to the backup activity, not the regular boat outing.

The tour averages booking about 54 days ahead. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute during a busy Iceland season. Choose an evening early in your stay if possible, giving yourself time to use the repeat sailing if weather or cloud gets in the way.

Photos, Wi-Fi, and practical comfort

Photos are taken during every boat tour and are available to download free of charge. This is a useful extra because night photography is difficult, especially on a moving boat. You can watch the sky instead of spending the entire trip trying to get a sharp picture.

The photography workshop in the backup plan adds another practical touch. The available information does not promise a full photography course, so keep your expectations modest. Think of it as a short lesson with tips for viewing and capturing the aurora.

Wi-Fi is available onboard, along with restrooms. These details matter on a two-hour night trip, particularly when you are dressed in bulky layers and may not want to remain outside the whole time. The snack bar gives you the option to buy food and drink, but it is not included in the ticket.

The check-in process is described as straightforward, and the boat is reported to leave and return promptly. You finish at Geirsgata 11, where the tour began.

Who should choose this boat tour?

I would recommend it to you if you want an organized northern lights search from Reykjavik and like having a backup plan. It suits first-time visitors who would rather let a crew handle the route, timing, and basic viewing advice.

It also works well for photographers who want a short workshop, free tour images, and the chance to photograph the aurora over open water. The boat gives you more than a street-side view, though city lights and other people can still affect the experience.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the indoor facilities, overalls, restrooms, and backup museum visit. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation. The available information does not give specific accessibility details, so contact Special Tours if you need assistance beyond general participation.

I would think twice if you dislike boats, rough water, crowds, or fixed group schedules. You may have little room on deck during a busy night, and there is no guarantee that the aurora will appear. A land-based option may suit you better if you want a quieter setting, but this boat tour gives you a clear second attempt and an indoor alternative.

Booking, cancellation, and weather rules

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather can affect the plan in two ways. If the boat trip is unsuitable, you receive the backup activity and a free ticket for the next available sailing. If the entire experience is cancelled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

A minimum number of participants is also required. If the operator cancels because that number is not reached, you can choose a different date or experience, or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Northern Lights by Boat?

Book it if you want the combination of open-water viewing and a genuine backup, not just a promise to search the sky. Warm overalls, free photos, an indoor alternative, and a repeat sailing make the $83.88 price easier to justify.

Go in knowing the trade-offs. The boat may be crowded, the sea may be rough, and the aurora may stay hidden. If you have more than one night in Reykjavik, schedule this early and keep the repeat ticket in reserve. That is when this tour makes the most sense: it turns an uncertain natural event into a flexible evening plan without pretending that the lights can be guaranteed.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat tour start?

The tour starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the boat tour last?

The boat portion lasts about two hours. The overall activity takes approximately two to three hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included in the standard ticket, but you can add them for an extra cost through the supplier.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable for sailing?

You are automatically signed up for an alternative activity. This includes entry to Whales of Iceland, a Northern Lights drink, a short film, a guided visit, and a short Northern Lights photography workshop.

Can I sail again if I do not see the lights?

If conditions are not suitable for the boat tour, you receive a free ticket for the next available date. The aurora itself is a natural event, so the tour does not promise a display on every sailing.

What is included onboard?

The ticket includes warm overalls, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and access to the snack bar onboard. Food and drinks from the snack bar cost extra.

Are photographs included?

Yes. Photos taken during every boat tour are available to download free of charge.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.