Reykjavik: New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise

Reykjavik’s New Year fireworks are best understood from a little distance. This cruise takes you out from the Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay, where you can watch the city’s celebration spread across the shoreline rather than trying to follow the bursts from one crowded street corner. The boat leaves at 11 pm and returns around half an hour after midnight.

I like the wide view from the water and the simple celebration on board: a glass of champagne before midnight, with a bar available as well. Warm overalls are included, a useful touch on a winter night at sea. One consideration: the indoor saloon may have limited space, so you should not assume you can stay inside for the whole trip.

Key points to know

• The boat leaves at 11 pm from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and returns around 12:30 am.
• You watch the fireworks from Faxaflói Bay, with the capital’s lights and coastline in view.
• A glass of champagne is included for the midnight toast. Non-alcoholic Prosecco has also been available on board, though you should confirm if that option matters to you.
• Warm overalls are provided, and you can choose between an indoor saloon and an open-air deck.
• The indoor space may feel tight, so plan for time outside rather than relying on a seat indoors.
• The fare is $182 per person, with a guided boat tour and a bar on board included.

A different vantage point for Reykjavik’s fireworks

New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik is not a single, centrally staged fireworks show. Fireworks appear across the city, making the skyline itself part of the spectacle. From the sea, you get a broader view of the capital and its coastline, rather than one close-up angle from a street or square.

That is the main reason to choose this cruise. You trade the freedom to wander among the city’s celebrations for a fixed place on the water, with a clear view back toward the lights. The boat does not promise a private display or a front-row seat to one launch point. Its appeal is seeing the city’s fireworks together from offshore.

The cruise departs from the Old Harbour, a convenient starting point if you are already in central Reykjavik. The meeting point is the Special Tours Ticket Office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, 101 Reykjavik. Transfers are not included, so you need to make your own way there and back.

The experience is operated by Special Tours Iceland, with experienced sailors and an English-speaking guide. No guide names are provided, so book this for the setting and the boat outing, not a specific guide or a detailed history talk.

Setting out from the Old Harbour at 11 pm

The timing shapes the whole evening. You leave at 11 pm, close to midnight, so this is not an early-evening sightseeing cruise with a fireworks finale added on. It is a compact New Year celebration built around the countdown and the view from the bay.

The advertised duration is two hours. The sailing schedule gives a more specific outline: departure at 11 pm and return to land around half an hour after midnight. Allow for the full stated duration when planning the rest of your night, but note that the described time on the water is about an hour and a half.

Once aboard, you can settle into the cozy indoor saloon or head to the open-air deck. The saloon offers shelter and a place to warm up, while the deck is the natural choice if you want an unobstructed view. The trade-off is practical: indoor room can be limited. If being outside is difficult for you, or you strongly prefer a guaranteed indoor seat, this may not be the right way to see the fireworks.

Warm overalls are included, which helps make the outdoor option more appealing. I would still dress for a winter night and bring layers you can adjust. The overalls are a useful provision, not a reason to treat the open deck as warm.

Watching the city from Faxaflói Bay

As the boat cruises out into Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavik’s lights become the backdrop. The coastline gives the fireworks a wider frame, and the water puts some space between you and the busy streets. You can take in the city as a whole rather than keeping your eyes fixed on one spot.

The attraction is less about getting close to a single firework and more about the scale of the view. Fireworks are set off around the city, and a position at sea can help you see more of the display across the skyline. Actual visibility can depend on conditions on the night, so it is sensible to think of this as a different viewing angle, not a guarantee that every burst will be equally clear.

If the sky is clear and you are comfortable outside, the deck should be your first choice for the broadest view. You can use the saloon when you need a break, but the limited interior space means you may have to share it. Keep your expectations flexible: this is a shared boat outing, not a reserved private viewing room.

There can be surprises beyond the fireworks. On one sailing, a passenger spotted a whale. That is a memorable possibility, not a feature to count on; the stated purpose of the trip is the New Year display, and wildlife sightings are not promised.

Champagne, midnight and the return to shore

Shortly before midnight, you receive a complimentary glass of champagne and celebrate the New Year from the boat. It is a small gesture, but it gives the outing a clear focal point: you are on the water, looking toward the city, when the calendar turns.

A non-alcoholic Prosecco option has been available on board, which is helpful if you do not drink. Because that detail may depend on the sailing, check with the operator in advance if you need a non-alcoholic toast. The boat also has a bar, so there is another option for a drink, though the included item is one glass of champagne.

After midnight, the boat returns to land around 12:30 am and drops you in the heart of the city. That makes it easy to continue your evening in Reykjavik without arranging a separate transfer from the harbour. You are still responsible for getting to the meeting point before departure and for whatever plans you make after the cruise.

The return timing is worth considering if you are coordinating a dinner, meeting friends or planning a late-night celebration. The boat leaves at 11 pm, so you need to be at the harbour before then. The cruise is a good fit if you want a defined, hosted part of the evening, but less so if you want to roam freely throughout the midnight hour.

Is $182 worth it for this two-hour cruise?

At $182 per person, this is a special-occasion purchase, not a low-cost way to get from one place to another. The fare includes a guided boat tour, warm overalls and a glass of champagne, plus access to the bar. The value rests mainly in seeing Reykjavik’s fireworks from the bay and having a place on the water at midnight.

Compare it with what matters to you. If the main goal is simply to see fireworks, you may prefer to stay on land and avoid paying for a boat. If you want the sea view, a warm layer provided for you, and a shared toast without having to choose a street corner, the price may feel more reasonable. You are paying for the setting and a timed New Year experience, not a long excursion or a series of stops.

The cruise also suits people who like a little structure on a night when plans can become scattered. You know where to meet, when the boat leaves and roughly when you will return. In exchange, you give up some spontaneity and accept that the indoor area may not have room for everyone to stay comfortable at once.

Who should book, and who should skip it

Book this if you want a special view of Reykjavik’s New Year fireworks, enjoy being on the water and are willing to spend much of the outing outdoors. It is also a good choice if you like the idea of a champagne toast on board and want to return to central Reykjavik after midnight.

Think twice if you need plenty of indoor space, dislike cold outdoor conditions or would rather celebrate at your own pace on land. The cruise is short, the departure is late, and its biggest strength is the view from the bay. If that is the experience you want, it offers a memorable way to mark midnight. If not, keep the fare for another part of your Iceland trip.

FAQ

Where does the cruise meet?

Meet at the Special Tours Ticket Office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, 101 Reykjavik.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat leaves the harbour at 11 pm. It returns to land around half an hour after midnight.

How long is the cruise?

The activity is listed as two hours. The described schedule runs from an 11 pm departure to a return around 12:30 am.

Is champagne included?

Yes. One complimentary glass of champagne is included shortly before midnight. A bar is also available on board.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm overalls are included. You can watch from the indoor saloon or the open-air deck, though indoor space may be limited.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is available, so you can book without paying immediately.