Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

The boat leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and heads into Faxaflói Bay, where the city lights fall behind and the dark sky becomes the main event. The northern lights are never guaranteed, but you get a different kind of search from a boat than from a roadside pullout.

I like two things about this trip: you can warm up inside between checks of the sky, and the cruise gives you city views from the water even if the aurora does not show. The crew also keeps watch and points out where the lights may appear, so you are not left guessing alone.

The catch is the cold on deck and the uncertainty of the sky. If the lights are faint or absent, you may come away with a pleasant boat ride rather than the spectacle you hoped for. A free return trip helps, but only if you have time to use it.

• The boat sails from Old Harbour: You leave from central Reykjavik and return to the same meeting point.
• The search takes you into Faxaflói Bay: Expect coastal and island views, with a chance of marine wildlife along the way.
• The outdoor deck is the best place to watch: Bring warm layers, and use the indoor area to thaw out.
• The crew helps you track the lights: Guides including Maria and Lucky have been praised for clear commentary and attentive help.
• A second trip is offered if the lights do not appear: Useful if you have another evening in Reykjavik, but less so if your schedule is tight.
• The fare is $78 per person: The price includes a two-hour boat outing with a café, Wi-Fi and restroom on board.

Leaving Old Harbour for the dark bay

The trip starts at Old Harbour House, at Ægisgarður 2, a short distance from Reykjavik’s waterfront. Check in there before boarding. The boat returns to the same meeting point, which makes this a straightforward evening outing if you are staying in town.

Once underway, the boat moves along Reykjavik’s coast and among the small islands in Faxaflói Bay. The city’s lights give you a striking view from the water, but the crew’s main purpose is to find a patch of sky where the aurora is visible. The route is a search, not a fixed scenic circuit, so conditions can shape where the boat goes.

The bay sits off Reykjavik’s southern shore. On a clear day, you may be able to make out the Akranes peninsula to the northeast, and Snæfellsjökull far off in the distance, about 120 kilometers away. At night, the view depends on the weather and visibility, but the open water and island silhouettes add atmosphere even when the aurora is shy.

What Faxaflói Bay adds to the search

A boat gives you a moving vantage point. The crew can head away from the city’s immediate glow and keep an eye on changing cloud cover, which may help when the sky is patchy. One visitor described the boat getting beyond clouds that had frustrated a bus group. That is a useful possibility, not a promise that the boat can always find clear sky.

The route also passes waters where minke and humpback whales, dolphins and porpoises are commonly seen. Orcas are possible, too, along with other marine species. But treat any wildlife as a bonus rather than a second guaranteed attraction. This is an aurora cruise, and the darkness and season are not a substitute for a dedicated whale-watching trip.

The coast looks different from the water than it does from a city street. You get a broad view of Reykjavik’s evening lights, and on a clear night, the stars can make the open bay feel wonderfully remote. If the aurora does not materialize, that scenery gives the outing more substance than simply standing in a dark field.

Watching for the aurora from the deck

Most of the excitement happens outside, where you have an unobstructed view of the sky. The crew watches for changes and tells you where to look. Guides Maria and Lucky have been singled out for their commentary and attention, while captains and other crew members have also been praised for sharing updates and keeping the group informed.

The aurora can appear quickly, remain faint, or put on a long show. Some nights bring vivid greens and reds; others produce a pale streak that is hard to make out with the naked eye. A phone camera may capture more color than you see directly, which can be helpful, but it is also a letdown if your main hope is to watch a bright display without a screen.

Give your eyes time to adjust, and look where the crew points rather than scanning every part of the sky at once. Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the whole cruise staring at it. The best moments are the ones you actually see overhead, whether the color is strong or subtle.

There is no way for the crew to control the aurora or guarantee its strength. A clear forecast helps, but the northern lights remain a natural event. The practical advantage here is the crew’s ability to keep looking and the option to return if the lights do not appear.

Cold weather, warm cabin, and onboard basics

The top deck is exposed, and it can feel bitterly cold, especially when the boat is moving. People have described needing several extra layers in winter. Wear more than you think you need, including warm outer clothing, and be ready to head inside between checks of the sky.

The lower indoor area gives you somewhere to warm up, and the boat has a café where you can buy drinks and food. Hot chocolate is a popular choice after time outside. There is also a restroom and Wi-Fi, useful comforts on an evening trip when you may be away from shore for around two hours.

The boat has both indoor and outdoor seating, and the ride has been described as smooth. These details matter more than they might on a short harbor ferry: the northern lights may take time to appear, and you will want a place to sit, warm up and wait without giving up on the sky.

How the free return trip affects your plans

If the lights do not appear, the tour offers another trip at no extra charge. This is a meaningful safety net, especially if you are in Reykjavik for several nights and can keep an evening open. Some people have used the offer to try again; others could not return because they were leaving town soon.

The return option changes how I would plan the booking. If the aurora is high on your list, try to schedule this early in your stay, leaving time to go again if conditions disappoint. The tour is often booked well in advance, around 42 days on average, so waiting until you arrive may limit your choice of dates.

The exact terms and time window for a repeat trip are worth confirming when you book or check in. The core offer is another tour if the lights are not seen, but it is only valuable if you can fit that second outing into your itinerary.

Is $78 good value for a two-hour cruise?

At $78 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora. You are paying for the boat, crew, indoor facilities and the chance to move around the bay while searching, rather than simply reaching a dark spot by road. The free return offer adds value if you have the flexibility to use it.

I see the value most clearly for someone who wants an evening activity with more than one possible reward. You get the waterfront and city views, a comfortable indoor space, and the chance of seeing marine life as the boat travels through the bay. If your only goal is the strongest possible aurora display, the price may feel steep on a night when the sky stays cloudy or the lights remain faint.

The group is capped at 75 people, which gives the outing a defined size without making it a private experience. English is the offered language. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Small details that can make the evening easier

Arrive at Old Harbour House with enough time to check in before boarding. The meeting point can be easy to miss if you expect a separate dockside ticket office: the check-in location is a restaurant building. If you plan to eat there, collect your tour ticket first. A 15 percent restaurant discount has been available when the ticket is presented at payment, but confirm that the offer applies on your departure date.

The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions cancel it, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time; changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

The cruise also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. These are sensible points to check if your Iceland schedule is tightly packed.

Who should book this Reykjavik boat cruise?

I would choose this trip if you are staying near the harbour, like being out on the water, and have more than one evening available for an aurora attempt. The indoor cabin and café make it easier to wait than standing outdoors for hours, and the crew’s updates help you follow the search.

It suits couples, families and small groups who want a shared evening outing and can accept that the main attraction may not appear. It is less suitable if you are very sensitive to cold, have only one night in Reykjavik, or would be disappointed by a scenic boat ride without vivid lights.

Book it if the boat trip itself sounds worthwhile and the aurora is a welcome possibility. If you are deciding between this and a land-based outing, choose the experience that fits your plans and comfort best. The boat’s strengths are its harbour departure, indoor amenities, coastal views and return-trip offer. Its weakness is the same one every northern lights tour has: the sky gets the final say.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights boat cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

The meeting point is Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What is the price?

The listed price is $78 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is there a restroom on the boat?

Yes. The boat also has Wi-Fi and an onboard café.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You are offered another tour for free. Confirm the return-trip terms when booking, and make sure you have time in Reykjavik to use it.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What happens if poor weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.