From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

The Northern Lights are the star of this two-hour cruise from Reykjavik, but the real bargain is having a warm cabin to retreat to while the boat searches the dark water of Faxaflói Bay. On a lucky night, the aurora may ripple overhead; on a cloudy one, you still get a boat ride out of the city glow and a guide to explain what you are looking for.

I like two things in particular: warm flotation overalls make the open deck manageable, and the free return trip gives you another chance if the sky stays blank. Guides such as Lucas have also helped with camera settings and taken photos for passengers, useful when the display is hard to photograph.

The drawback is simple: no boat, guide, or schedule can promise an aurora. You may spend the trip waiting, and the cold can bite when you step outside, so treat this as a well-equipped search rather than a guaranteed light show.

• A boat-based search: Sail from Geirsgata 11 into Faxaflói Bay, away from Reykjavik’s bright center.
• Warmth when you need it: Wear the supplied flotation overalls on deck, then warm up in the heated indoor cabin.
• Guides add context: Expect commentary on the aurora’s science, history, beliefs, and local legends.
• No lights? Try again: Use your booking number to reschedule for a free return trip if there is no sighting.
• Bring your own layers: Overalls help, but you still need weather-appropriate clothing underneath.
• Plan for extras: Food and drinks are sold onboard, not included in the $101 price.

Leaving Reykjavik’s harbor for darker skies

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, with check-in at the Special Tours office on the corner. Arrive 30 minutes early, as requested, and make sure you have the correct address in hand. One passenger had trouble because map coordinates led to the wrong place, so do not rely on a pin alone if the location looks uncertain.

Once aboard, the boat heads out from Reykjavik toward Faxaflói Bay. The city views from the water give the trip a pleasant start, but the purpose of sailing out is practical: getting away from the strongest city lights can improve your chance of seeing the aurora.

The trip is described as two hours, though the included tour information also allows for a two-to-three-hour outing. Conditions can shape how long you stay out. One account describes a cruise that lasted four hours while the captain waited for clouds to clear, so keep your evening flexible and do not schedule a tight commitment immediately afterward.

Watching from the deck or the warm cabin

The boat gives you two ways to spend the search. Put on the supplied flotation overalls and head outside to watch the sky, or stay in the heated indoor cabin and look out from there. The cabin has toilets, and snacks and drinks can be bought onboard. Free WiFi is also included, though the sky is the main reason to look up from your phone.

The deck is where you get the clearest, most direct view of the night sky. It is also where the cold is most obvious, especially when the boat is moving or when you go outside and back in. Wear warm clothes beneath the overalls, and consider the practical tip of choosing a suit size that fits over your own layers. The provided suits are a real help, but they are not a substitute for dressing for Icelandic weather.

You can duck inside to warm up rather than trying to tough it out. That matters on a tour built around waiting: staying comfortable makes it easier to keep checking the sky instead of deciding you have had enough after a short spell outside. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available if you need them.

The cabin is also useful if you want a break from the wind or need to use the toilet. One passenger found it awkward to navigate the small facilities while wearing the bulky suit, so it is sensible to use the restroom before putting your gear on. A past trip also had wet seats, a reminder that boat conditions can be less polished than a hotel lounge.

Learning what you are waiting for

A good aurora guide helps the quiet stretches feel less like dead time. The crew explains the science behind the Northern Lights and shares folklore, history, beliefs, and local legends connected with the phenomenon. That mix is useful: you learn what causes the display while hearing how people have made sense of it over time.

The tour is in English. Guide Lucas, also spelled Lukas in one account, has been praised for keeping the mood light and helping people adjust camera settings. That practical help matters because aurora photography can be tricky, and it is easy to spend the whole display fiddling with a phone instead of watching the sky.

Crew members have also taken photos for passengers, with some images shared online afterward. Do not assume this is a formal photography service or that a photo will be available every time, but it is worth asking the guide for help if the lights appear and your camera is not cooperating.

The guides are also part of the experience when the sky does not cooperate. A lively host can make a cloudy wait more enjoyable, but cannot make the aurora appear. You are buying a guided search, not a staged performance.

The aurora is a possibility, not a promise

Northern Lights activity is unpredictable, and cloud cover can block a display even when the aurora is active. Some nights bring a clear, bright show; others produce a faint glow, or nothing visible at all. At times, a camera may pick up a weak display more clearly than your eyes can, so do not judge the whole night by whether the lights look dramatic in person.

This uncertainty is the central trade-off of the cruise. A boat can take you away from the city glow and give you a different vantage point, but it cannot control the weather or the aurora. If seeing the lights is the only purpose of your outing, build in more than one opportunity if your schedule allows.

The free return offer softens the risk. If there are no sightings, you can use your booking number to reschedule and try again without paying for another ticket. That is valuable if you are in Reykjavik for several nights, but less useful if you are leaving the next morning or cannot fit another departure into your plans.

A second attempt still comes with no guarantee. Some people have returned and seen the lights on another night; others have tried twice without success. Take the rebooking option as a worthwhile safety net, not an insurance policy against Iceland’s weather.

What the $101 fare gets you

At $101 per person, this is not a cheap way to chase the aurora. The fare includes the boat trip, professional guides, flotation overalls, heated indoor space, toilet facilities, WiFi, and a free return trip if the lights are not seen. Those features make the price easier to justify than a bare-bones boat ride, especially if you value warmth and guide support.

Food and drinks are extra, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach the harbor yourself and budget separately for anything you want to buy onboard. Check-in is at the Special Tours office at Geirsgata 11, not at your hotel.

The strongest value is the combination of transport away from city lights and a built-in second chance. You also get a sea view of Reykjavik at the start and end of the outing, plus an indoor refuge when the deck is cold. If the aurora appears, the boat can provide a memorable setting; if it does not, you have still paid for a guided evening cruise, not simply a bus ride to a dark field.

Value depends heavily on your expectations. If you want a guaranteed Northern Lights display, no tour can deliver that. If you are comfortable paying for a chance, enjoy being on the water, and appreciate the ability to try again, the fare is more defensible.

Who will get the most from this cruise

This suits you if you are staying in Reykjavik, want to search for the aurora without arranging transport beyond the harbor, and like having a warm indoor space between trips to the deck. It is also a practical choice if you are unsure how to photograph the lights, since guides may offer camera advice and help take pictures.

It is less ideal if you have only one evening free and would be disappointed by a night with no aurora. The same applies if you dislike cold, boat travel, or waiting outdoors. The suits help, but the tour still involves going out on deck in winter weather.

Families and groups can appreciate the cabin and the straightforward harbor departure, though no age-specific details are provided here. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is useful to know when comparing options. If accessibility is important to your plans, confirm the arrangements directly with the operator before booking, since the general description does not explain the specific onboard setup.

Getting ready for the night

Dress in warm, weather-appropriate layers, even if you plan to wear the supplied overalls. A hat, gloves, and warm footwear are sensible choices for standing outside, and a spare layer gives you options if you feel cold. The suit helps block the weather, but passengers have still found the deck cold on the way out and back.

If you hope to photograph the aurora, bring your camera or phone and ask the guide for settings advice when needed. The lights can be harder to see with the naked eye than they look in a photograph, and a faint display may not make an impressive phone image without the right setup. Keep enough time to watch rather than treating the camera as the main event.

The tour starts and ends at Geirsgata 11. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your own route to the harbor and leave room for the requested early check-in. Pets and smoking are not allowed.

Environmental needs can also affect how the trip is operated. At certain times of year, the supplier may share a boat with a partner so fewer boats are on the water. That should not change the core purpose of the outing, but it is worth knowing if you expected a boat used only by one company.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights boat cruise?

Book it if you want a guided aurora search with a heated cabin, warm overalls, and a free chance to try again when the sky gives you nothing. The city views from the water and the guide’s explanations add value beyond the hunt itself.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting, cannot spare time for a possible second attempt, or do not want to spend part of the evening in the cold. I would go with flexible expectations, dress warmer than you think necessary, and treat the Northern Lights as a gift rather than a promise.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights boat cruise?

The advertised duration is two hours, though the tour details also describe it as a two-to-three-hour outing. Conditions may affect the return time, so leave some flexibility in your schedule.

Where does the boat depart from?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure to check in.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes the boat tour, professional guides, warm flotation overalls, free WiFi, heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities, complimentary seasickness tablets, and a free return trip if there is no Northern Lights sighting.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

You can use your booking number to reschedule and join the trip again without charge if there are no sightings. The lights remain unpredictable, so a second trip is not a guarantee of seeing them.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.