Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the waiting. Instead of standing in a dark car park or riding a bus from one cold viewpoint to another, you watch Reykjavik fade behind you from a yacht, then warm up inside while the crew keeps an eye on the sky. Captain Einar is closely associated with the operation and has spent years running whale-watching and aurora trips in Faxaflói Bay.

I like the heated indoor space with blankets, bathrooms, a café-bar, and Wi-Fi, and I like the chance to see the city’s coast, Harpa Concert Hall, and Viðey Island along the way. The catch is simple: this is not a fast-moving chase across Iceland. The smaller yacht follows a set route near Reykjavik, and the northern lights remain entirely dependent on weather and solar activity.

• Comfortable night on the water: Warm up indoors with blankets, hot drinks, bathrooms, and a bar.
• Reykjavik from offshore: See the Old Harbour, Harpa Concert Hall, Viðey Island, and the city coastline from the bay.
• Aurora help from the crew: Staff can suggest phone settings and point out faint lights that your eyes may miss.
• Small yacht option: The MY Harpa carries up to 35 people, though the larger MY Amelia Rose may also operate.
• Free second chance: If poor conditions prevent a sighting, you can join another northern-lights cruise at no extra cost.
• Two to three hours at sea: The trip ends where it begins, at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður.

A warm yacht ride into Reykjavik’s night

This cruise leaves from Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, right in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The meeting point is easy to reach by public transport, and the activity returns there after roughly two to three hours.

You board after dark and head along Reykjavik’s coast. The route includes views of Harpa Concert Hall from the water, the harbour, Viðey Island, and parts of Faxaflói Bay. The cruise is as much a coastal outing as it is an aurora hunt, which matters on nights when the sky refuses to cooperate.

I would arrive ready for cold weather, even if you plan to spend most of the time inside. The best viewing happens outdoors, and Icelandic wind can make a calm night feel sharp. Wear warm layers, a hat, and gloves, then treat the indoor lounge as your backup rather than your main plan.

The boat provides blankets, and the enclosed area has seating, warmth, and a bar serving hot and cold drinks. Some trips also include music and a short explanation of the aurora. The crew may help you prepare your phone camera, which is useful because faint aurora can appear more clearly in a photograph than to the naked eye.

What the route shows you before the sky takes over

The Old Harbour gives the cruise a pleasant start. You leave from a working waterfront rather than a distant marina, so the evening begins with Reykjavik’s lights, harbour buildings, and shoreline close at hand.

Harpa Concert Hall is particularly striking from the sea. Its geometric glass exterior looks different after dark, and viewing it from offshore gives you a better sense of how it sits between the city and the water. This is a short part of the trip, not a guided architecture tour, but it adds a clear Reykjavik flavor before the boat turns toward darker water.

The yacht then works along the city coastline toward the area around Viðey Island. The crew says the boats usually stay behind the islands close to Reykjavik rather than heading far out into the open bay. That choice has both benefits and limits.

The sheltered waters can make the ride calmer and more comfortable. The yacht also avoids turning the outing into a long, cold wait far offshore. On the other hand, you should not book this expecting a dramatic expedition deep into Faxaflói Bay or a bus-style search for every clear patch of sky.

Viðey Island and the quiet side of Reykjavik

Viðey Island is one of the cruise’s most appealing sights, even if the darkness means you will not see every detail. It sits just offshore and offers a peaceful contrast to Reykjavik’s urban shoreline.

The island is known for its trails, historic sites, art, and the Imagine Peace Tower, created in memory of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. From the yacht, the main value is the island’s shape and position in the bay, along with the open views around it. This is not a landing excursion, so you will not walk its paths or visit the tower during this cruise.

Still, the island matters to the aurora plan. The boats use the area behind the islands for shelter and to get away from the strongest city glare. The operator explains that the lights appear high above the earth, so moving a few miles farther into the bay does not automatically improve the view. Clear sky is the key factor.

That explanation will make sense to some people and frustrate others. If you want a vehicle and guide to race toward the clearest forecast, a land-based tour may suit you better. If you prefer a steady evening on a yacht, with a warm cabin and a place to sit while the crew watches conditions, this route has a practical logic.

Waiting for the aurora in Faxaflói Bay

Faxaflói Bay is known for whale watching, seabirds, and wide Arctic skies. This cruise uses the bay for a different reason: it provides an open view toward the horizon while keeping the boat within a manageable distance of Reykjavik.

The crew may stop in a sheltered area and wait. You might see the city lights on the horizon, but the operator maintains that the yacht goes far enough from the main glare for the aurora to be visible. This point has produced mixed reactions, so it is worth setting expectations clearly.

You are not booking a remote wilderness experience. The city remains part of the scene. The yacht may appear to sit in one general area rather than roam constantly, and the crew may not make frequent course changes. That is intentional, not necessarily a sign that nothing is happening.

Aurora viewing is a waiting game. A cloudy forecast four hours before departure does not always settle the matter in Iceland. Snow can give way to clear sky quickly, and high winds can break apart cloud cover. The reverse can happen too, with a clear afternoon turning unpleasant by evening.

The crew cannot promise a sighting. They can watch the sky, use forecasts, communicate with other boats, and decide when conditions are worth pursuing. They cannot control cloud, darkness, or the strength of the aurora.

The small yacht question: MY Harpa or MY Amelia Rose

The advertised maximum is 35 people, but the operator also uses two yachts. MY Harpa carries up to 35 passengers, while MY Amelia Rose can carry as many as 95. That distinction matters if you are choosing this trip mainly to avoid a crowded boat.

When MY Harpa operates with a light load, the experience can feel calm and personal. You can move around the upper deck, use the front, sides, and rear viewing areas, then step into the enclosed lounge to warm up. This layout gives you more freedom than a basic ferry seat.

The larger yacht changes the mood. It is still equipped for the outing, but it may feel more like a standard group cruise than an intimate evening at sea. Check which vessel is scheduled when you book, because the difference between 35 and 95 passengers is significant.

The smaller yacht also has a trade-off. Its route is more limited and it does not travel as far as larger ships. You gain a quieter setting but give up some range. That is a fair exchange if comfort and crowd size matter more to you than covering a large area.

I would not call the experience a luxury cruise in the formal sense. It is better described as a comfortable aurora boat trip with indoor facilities. The bar sells beer, champagne, coffee, tea, and other drinks, but purchases cost extra. A warm drink can be welcome, especially when you have been outside watching a faint green smear develop above the water.

What the guides add to the evening

The best crew moments are practical. Staff can explain where to look, help you adjust phone settings, and tell you when the lights are becoming visible. This is especially useful for first-time aurora watchers, since the display may begin as a pale gray or green haze rather than a bright curtain.

Some people see the lights only after checking a photo. That is normal. A phone camera can collect light over several seconds, while your eyes are working with the darkness in real time. Ask the crew for help before the sky changes, rather than waiting until the strongest display has passed.

The narration is usually brief. You may hear an explanation of the aurora, basic information about the route, and occasional updates. The style can vary by guide, and not everyone will want a continuous lecture. If you prefer a detailed astronomy talk, this may feel light.

The captain and crew also have to make judgment calls that will not always be obvious from the deck. They may stop because the sea is calmer behind an island, stay put because cloud is moving, or return after deciding that conditions are unlikely to improve. A stationary boat can look passive, but waiting is part of the method.

Music may play during the ride. Some people enjoy the relaxed background; others prefer silence and a stronger focus on nature. This is a social boat trip, not a silent viewing platform.

The free return trip and the real value of the price

At about $100.82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the northern lights. You are paying for a boat, crew, indoor facilities, harbour access, and a coastal outing that continues to have value even when the sky stays dark.

The strongest part of the price is the free additional trip if you do not see the lights. You may return as many times as needed within the stated offer, with some customer responses referring to a three-year period. That does not make the first evening risk-free, since your schedule may not allow another attempt, but it gives you a useful safety net if you have several nights in Reykjavik.

The refund terms are separate from the free rebooking offer. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Inside 24 hours, the payment is not refunded. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

That arrangement makes the cruise better value for a flexible stay than for a one-night stopover. If you are in Reykjavik for four or five nights, you have a realistic chance to try again. If you fly out the next morning, a no-show means you may receive a return option that you cannot use.

The value also depends on what kind of evening you want. A bus can travel farther from the city and may adjust its route more aggressively. The yacht gives you bathrooms, warmth, drinks, Wi-Fi, and views of Reykjavik from the water. Neither approach guarantees the aurora.

Practical advice for making the most of it

Arrive at Old Harbour House early enough to check in without rushing. The stated meeting point is Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, and the activity returns there.

Plan to spend time outdoors. The indoor cabin is useful, but the strongest views will come from the open deck. Bring proper winter clothing even if the forecast looks mild, and use the provided blankets as an extra layer rather than your only protection.

Charge your phone before boarding. Crew members can help with camera settings, but a low battery will still end your photography early. Keep your phone warm when possible, since cold conditions can shorten battery life.

Do not judge the trip during the first half hour. The sky can change quickly, and several accounts of this experience describe the aurora appearing late, sometimes just as the boat begins to turn back. Stay alert, but also accept that nature sets the timetable.

If you are prone to seasickness, the sheltered route may help, but the information provided does not promise calm conditions. Choose a seat inside when you need a break, then return outside when the crew spots activity.

The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, public transport is nearby, and most people can take part. The formal maximum may be 35, though the larger yacht’s capacity can reach 95, so confirm the vessel if group size is important to you.

Who should book this Reykjavik aurora cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want the northern lights wrapped into a pleasant evening rather than treated as a single-minded chase. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who value a heated place to sit, a bathroom, and a bar while waiting.

It is also a good fit if you have several nights in Reykjavik and can use the free return trip. That option softens the risk of a cloudy night and gives you more than one chance without buying another ticket.

I would hesitate if seeing the aurora is your only goal and you have just one night available. A land tour may travel farther and change position more often. I would also hesitate if you expect a luxury yacht, a quiet scientific presentation, or a completely dark horizon far from the city.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you like the idea of a comfortable boat ride past Reykjavik’s harbour and Viðey Island, with a chance to see the aurora from the deck and a free second attempt if the sky stays blank. The warm cabin, blankets, bathrooms, bar, and helpful camera advice are real advantages.

Skip it if you want the most aggressive possible search for clear skies or cannot use a return trip. The cruise does not control the weather, and it does not roam far across the bay. For the right visitor, though, it offers a relaxed way to spend a dark Icelandic evening, with the northern lights as the hoped-for finale rather than the only reason to leave the harbour.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise begin?

It begins at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Old Harbour House.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two to three hours.

What sights are included along the route?

The route includes Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, views of Harpa Concert Hall from the sea, the Reykjavik coastline, Viðey Island, Faxaflói Bay, and a search for the Aurora Borealis.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You are offered an additional yacht trip free of charge if the northern lights do not appear.

Is there food or drink on board?

Yes. The yacht has a bar and café offering hot and cold drinks. Wi-Fi is also provided.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.