Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

The best thing about this cruise is its setting. You leave Reykjavik by boat, watch the city lights fade behind you, and search the open northern sky from Faxaflói Bay. I like the heated cabin and outdoor decks, plus the warm floatable overalls that take the edge off Iceland’s winter wind. I also like the free return cruise if the aurora fails to appear. The catch is simple: a boat cannot command the weather, and city light, cloud, wind, and a weak aurora can all limit the show.

A guide named Mia has earned special praise for her friendly help, and guides often assist with camera settings and point out where to look. Still, you should bring your own hat and gloves, expect a cold wait outside, and accept that a short glimpse may count as a sighting rather than the grand green curtain you hoped for.

Key points to know before you sail

• The cruise lasts about two hours, giving you a shorter evening option than many longer coach outings.
• You sail from Ægisgarður 5c, the Elding Whale Watching base in Reykjavik, and return to the same place.
• Warm overalls, a heated saloon, Wi-Fi, toilets, and an onboard café make the boat practical in rough weather.
• Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Imagine Peace Tower add sightseeing value while you wait for the sky to change.
• No aurora means a free return ticket, but the replacement is a future cruise, not an automatic cash refund.
• The boat can carry up to 150 people, so the upper decks may feel crowded on a popular night.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s old harbor

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you should plan your own way to the harbor.

Once aboard, the mood is less like a formal sightseeing trip and more like a night on the water. The boat gives you several ways to spend the evening. You can stand outside with a wide view of the sky, sit inside in the heated saloon, or move between the two as the cold rises and falls.

The short trip matters. At roughly two hours, this fits neatly into a Reykjavik evening and leaves room for dinner or another activity. It also means the boat does not have as much time to run far from the harbor lights as a longer coach outing might have to seek darker ground.

City lights before the aurora hunt

The cruise begins with a useful bonus: Reykjavik looks different from the water. You get broad views of the illuminated shoreline and landmarks that are familiar from land but more striking at night.

Harpa Concert Hall is one of the first visual anchors. Its glass exterior catches the city light and gives you something definite to photograph before the sky becomes the main event. Hallgrímskirkja church is another easy landmark to pick out from the bay.

From October through December, the route may also pass the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. Its beam reaches up from Viðey Island, creating one of the more memorable sights of the outing. It is worth seeing even if the aurora never appears, particularly on a clear night when the tower is easy to spot.

The crew provides information about the sights and the aurora as the boat moves away from the harbor. The guidance is in English. Audio quality can vary, and some people have found parts of the commentary difficult to hear, especially when music or background conversation competes with the microphone. If the guide begins safety instructions, move closer or listen carefully before heading outside.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for the northern lights

The main purpose of the cruise is the search for the Aurora Borealis over Faxaflói Bay. Getting away from the densest part of Reykjavik’s lighting can help, but it does not guarantee a clear view. The aurora may be hidden by cloud, too faint to see well with the naked eye, or absent during your sailing.

This is where expectations matter most. A camera can record a faint green streak that looks stronger in the photograph than it did in person. A brief patch of light may appear and vanish within minutes. The cruise is still worthwhile for some people in those conditions, but you should not confuse possible with promised.

On a good night, the wait can pay off. Some sailings have found the lights within minutes of leaving the harbor, while others have waited more than an hour before the sky finally opened. A strong display can last much of the two-hour trip, and the experience of seeing it over dark water gives the sight a special sense of scale.

The crew can point out where the lights are visible and help you make the most of them. Bring a camera if you want photographs, but do not spend the whole cruise staring at a screen. The lights can be subtle, and the best view may be the one you simply watch.

Warm clothing, heated seats, and the outdoor decks

I like the practical design of this trip. The boat has outdoor viewing platforms and an indoor saloon with heating, seating, Wi-Fi, and toilets. You can step outside when the sky looks promising, then return indoors to warm your hands and check the forecast or your photos.

Warm floatable overalls are available to borrow. These suits are especially useful in January and during windy weather, when the temperature on the water feels much lower than it does in central Reykjavik. Several people have found the suits essential rather than decorative.

Still, do not treat the overalls as a complete winter wardrobe. Wear a hat and gloves, and use warm layers underneath. Your hands and face remain exposed when you take pictures, and the upper deck can become very cold during a long wait.

The onboard café sells hot drinks and snacks. Hot chocolate has been a particular favorite, and hand warmers may also be available. These purchases are not included in the $105 price, so carry a little extra money if a warm drink sounds useful.

How the boat feels after dark

The boat is large enough to offer several viewing areas, but it can feel crowded when the cruise fills. The maximum group size is 150 people. The indoor seating may place you at shared tables, and the top deck can become busy when the aurora appears.

For a clearer view, try more than one outside area. The bow may offer less obstruction than the highest deck, especially when many people gather above. A little patience helps. People naturally move around when the lights appear, so you may find a better angle after the first rush.

The ride is generally smooth, but it is still a boat. Some people have felt rocking even when the engines were idling, and faster movement can make the deck less steady. Long-exposure photographs may blur if the boat pitches. If you get seasick, bring medication you know works for you. The crew has also provided seasickness tablets on some trips.

This is not the right setting for a perfectly fixed camera, silent observation, and total darkness. It is a shared public cruise with movement, conversation, and city light. If you value comfort, toilets, and shelter more than complete solitude, the compromise works well.

The free return policy and what it really offers

The sighting guarantee is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. If you do not see the northern lights, you are offered complimentary tickets to try again, with the return ticket valid for up to two years.

That policy protects you from one bad night, but only if you have another chance to use it. If you are leaving Iceland the next morning, a future ticket may be of no practical use. One disappointed customer preferred a refund for exactly that reason. The company’s stated approach is a return cruise rather than a cash refund.

If your schedule allows, the policy can work very well. One cruise was cancelled because of poor weather and was quickly rescheduled for a night with better odds. Another party saw nothing on the first outing, then saw the lights within minutes on the second. You should treat the guarantee as a useful backup, not as a replacement for checking your dates carefully.

The company may cancel at short notice if conditions are unsafe or unsuitable. In that case, you are offered a different date or a full refund. This flexibility matters in Iceland, where marine weather can change quickly.

Comparing the boat with a coach tour

A coach tour can drive toward the clearest forecast, sometimes well away from Reykjavik’s lights. That gives land-based outings an advantage when cloud sits over the city or the aurora is stronger in another direction.

The boat has different strengths. You avoid a long five-hour evening on the road and get a scenic harbor cruise even if the aurora is weak. You also have a heated cabin, toilets, café, and the option to step outside whenever the sky changes.

At $105 per person, the cruise is not cheap for two hours, but you are paying for more than a narrow aurora search. You receive city views, a boat ride, English guidance, warm overalls, Wi-Fi, and the chance to return free if the lights do not appear. The value is strongest if you want a compact evening activity from Reykjavik and prefer not to spend much of the night on a bus.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to maximize the odds of seeing a strong aurora. A coach can respond to changing conditions over a wider area. The boat must work within the harbor and bay, and it cannot simply drive away from cloud.

Who will enjoy this two-hour cruise most

I would choose this experience if you want a simple evening plan that begins and ends in Reykjavik. It suits first-time visitors who want a taste of Icelandic night scenery without committing to a long road trip.

It also suits photographers who appreciate help with camera settings. The crew has guided people on where to stand and how to photograph the lights, though moving water makes sharp long exposures harder.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the indoor shelter and toilets. The boat is also suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. People with limited mobility are welcome, but the boat is not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds may make the inside areas and toilet difficult to reach.

I would think twice if you dislike cold, motion, crowds, or uncertain results. You may spend much of the trip outside in heavy wind, then see only a faint glow. In that case, the city views and boat ride become the main reward.

Booking, cancellations, and useful timing advice

The experience is offered in English and is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of about 45 days. If your schedule is firm, reserving early may help you secure a suitable evening.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local Icelandic time.

Before sailing, check the weather and aurora forecast. A clear sky helps, but a clear night alone does not promise a strong display. You need both visibility and solar activity to cooperate.

Plan to arrive with your winter clothing already on. The overalls are useful, but they are borrowed outerwear, not a substitute for warm socks, gloves, and a hat. If the forecast looks promising, get outside early and stay flexible. The best moment may arrive after a quiet first hour.

Should you book the Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want a short, comfortable Reykjavik evening with city views, an open-water setting, and a realistic second chance if the aurora stays hidden. The heated cabin, café, toilets, and warm overalls make it easier than standing outdoors on land for two hours.

Skip it if you have only one night in Iceland and need the strongest possible chance of seeing the lights. A coach trip may cover more ground and respond better to changing cloud. But if you value the experience of being on the water, the Imagine Peace Tower, Reykjavik’s glowing shoreline, and the possibility of seeing the aurora over the bay, this is a sensible and enjoyable choice.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Cruise depart from?

It departs from Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Ægisgarður 5c.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $105 per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You are offered complimentary tickets to try the cruise again at no extra cost. The return ticket is valid for up to two years.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm floatable overalls are available to borrow. You should still bring a hat and gloves for extra comfort.

Is there somewhere warm inside the boat?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with seating, Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and an onboard café.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and drinks are available to purchase at the onboard café.

What happens if poor weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is cancelled because of poor weather.