The 14 Northern Lights Cruises in Iceland Worth a Cold Night

1.Northern Lights Yacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,253 reviews · 2 hours · from $93Our pick

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor into Faxafloi Bay on a two-hour northern lights yacht cruise. You can watch from three panoramic decks, warm up inside with a drink, and get help with night photography from guides such as Maria, Julian, or Lucky. Hotel pickup, Wi-Fi, blankets, and sea sickness tablets are available.

“Beautiful yacht with a lovely atmosphere and great guide. Amazing way to see the lights and really adds to the experience”

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2.Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 610 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

Join Elding’s two-hour evening cruise from central Reykjavik into Faxaflói Bay. Look for the aurora from outdoor decks, warm up inside with hot drinks, and see Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Imagine Peace Tower. English guidance, Wi-Fi, warm overalls, and a free return ticket if the lights stay hidden are included.

“The Northern Lights Cruise was a GREAT way to see the Northern Lights, albeit it’s all about luck. It’s a two hour experience vs the five hour bus tours. We were very, very, lucky and had an INCREDIBLE viewing of the Northern Lights which lasted the entire two hours. It was truly a majestic experience. We went on this tour in January and it was pretty cold so make sure to bundle up. You can go inside and they do offer water and wind proof coveralls. The staff on the boat were also helpful in figuring out the best settings for pictures.”

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3.Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 438 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

You’ll sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into quieter water, watching the city lights fade as guides scan the sky for the aurora. The boat has two observation decks, warm indoor seating, blankets, Wi-Fi, and a bar. Guides such as Steingreimur, Hólmar, and Christina have helped passengers spot faint lights and set up night photos.

“First day could not see but got free second try and had a wonderful sighting of the lights. Amazing experience. Highly recommend.”

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4.Northern Lights Yacht Cruise in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 428 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $94

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for about two hours aboard a warm, comfortable yacht while searching for the aurora over Faxaflói Bay. Guides explain the lights, help with photography, and point out whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seabirds when conditions allow. The boat has Wi-Fi, a bar, blankets, bathrooms, and a spacious viewing deck.

“-Great views of the Northern Lights and Islands. -Friendly and knowledgeable staff. *Can become very cold over the water. Be sure to bundle up.”

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5.Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 345 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $108

Cruise from Reykjavík into Faxaflói Bay for about 2.5 hours while guides explain aurora science and Icelandic myths. Use thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, WiFi, onboard refreshments, and free downloadable photos. If the lights stay hidden, you receive another ticket for a future departure, subject to availability.

“First trip on the boat we were unable to see the Northern Lights due to the weather. Was informed that we could come back again at no extra charge. The next night was amazing!! Took many great photos!!! Great guide and very informative!!”

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6.Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 202 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $106

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour aboard Rósin or Andrea, heading 15 to 30 minutes offshore to escape city glow. An English-speaking guide such as Patrick or Hanna may explain the aurora while you watch from the deck or heated cabin. Warm overalls, WiFi, photos, and a free second trip are included.

“This was a great experience and I’d highly recommend it to any travelers in the area! I visited in mid-March (toward the end of northern lights season) so we were only able to see a couple bands of light, but it was still worth it nonetheless. The lights we did see were beautiful, and it was also an incredible view of the night sky and Reykjavik. Because we didn’t get a fill northern lights display, everyone was given a credit so they could return for free and view them again. I’ll definitely be doing this as soon as I’m back in the area!”

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7.Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 133 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $99

Cruise from Reykjavik Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay aboard MY Harpa or MY Amelia Rose. Your Icelandic or English-speaking guide explains the aurora while you watch for lights beyond the city glow. Expect indoor seating, Wi-Fi, blankets, a bar, and views of Harpa, Sun Voyager, Höfði, and Viðey.

“The yacht was very nice and the inside cozy. Many people chose to sit outside from the beginning. I recommend if you do this that you stay inside and warm, till you reach the destination (you can see the view through the windows). The guide will tell you if there is activity and you can go outside for that. Unfortunately we didn’t see the lights due to cloud cover. But that can happen! I will say that while the northern lights tours on water are more comfortable and being on the water is pretty, you have a limited area the boat travels to. On land the jeeps have a better…”

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8.Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 127 reviews · 6 hours · from $205

Spend 2.5 to 3 hours seeking minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, and seabirds in Faxaflói Bay, then return at night for a 2-hour Northern Lights cruise. Guides such as Rebekka, Lucas, and Daniel have drawn praise for their energy and clear explanations. Warm overalls, heated cabins, WiFi, and free rebooking are included.

“Was an excellent guide and we saw 2 whales. Very expensive but as is Iceland generally.”

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9.Northern Lights Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 104 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $111

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay for 2.5 hours of Northern Lights watching. You’ll see Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Imagine Peace Tower from the water, with warm overalls, an indoor saloon, toilets, a café, and an English-speaking naturalist guide. A free return trip is offered if the lights do not appear.

“Brilliant way to see the northern lights...highly recommend”

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10.Northern Lights Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours · from $101

Sail from Geirsgata 11 into Faxaflói for a two-hour search for the Northern Lights. Guides such as Lucas explain the science and local legends, help with camera settings, and may take photos. Warm flotation overalls, heated cabins, WiFi, toilets, and a free return ticket if no lights appear make this a practical choice.

“Saw the northern lights they eve put on a dancing display for us and the rep said they were the best he had seen this season. Awesome”

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11.2-Hour Northern Lights by Boat with Backup Plan

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 58 reviews · 2 hours · from $82Best value

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay for two hours of aurora watching. Your English-speaking guide explains the science, myths, and photography basics, while warm overalls, Wi-Fi, a café, and a restroom make the wait easier. If weather cancels the sailing, enjoy a private Whales of Iceland tour, cocktail, video, and a return boat ticket.

“it was a wonderful informative evening, with a glimpse of lights.”

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12.Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 55 reviews · 7 hours · from $212

Spend about seven hours with Special Tours Iceland, starting with a three-hour whale watch on Faxaflói Bay and returning at night for an aurora cruise. Look for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and porpoises, with English-speaking guides, heated seating, warm overalls, WiFi, and a free retry if nothing is seen.

“The boat was comfortable and a good size. We saw both hump back and minke whales and our guide was very knowledgeable.”

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13.New Year’s Eve Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $140

Join Harpa Yachts for a 1.5-hour New Year’s Eve motor yacht cruise from Reykjavík. You’ll search for the Northern Lights near Videy Island and its Imagine Peace monument, then move toward shore for the city’s fireworks. English and Icelandic guides are provided, with champagne at midnight. Children under 13 and people prone to seasickness should skip it.

“Fireworks & random whale sighting was exciting however staff were not trying hard to hunt for Northern lights on a clear sky even though we had lots of time prior to midnight champagne & fireworks. Staff were nice but engaging.”

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14.Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 9 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $106

Join an English-speaking guide aboard Rósin or Andrea for a 2.5-hour Northern Lights search from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. You’ll leave city lights behind in 15 to 30 minutes, view the aurora over the North Atlantic with mountains behind you, and have warm overalls, Wi-Fi, a café, photos, and a complimentary drink available.

“The guide was very funny and informative. The boat was well stocked with refreshments and not too crowded”

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