From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

From the water, Reykjavík’s lights shrink behind you while dark mountains frame the sky. This two-hour cruise gives you room to move between the covered cabin and the open deck as you watch for the Northern Lights.

I like two things in particular: the warm indoor areas and blankets make the wait more comfortable, and the guides help you spot faint aurora and get your camera settings right. The main caveat is simple: the sky decides what you see, and even a well-run cruise can return without a display.

• You leave from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour and sail toward quieter water, with the city and mountains in view.
• Two observation decks let you choose between an outdoor sky view and a warmer place inside.
• A guide helps you watch and photograph the aurora, which can be hard to see at first.
• The cruise lasts two hours, so you get a focused evening outing rather than a long coach trip.
• Northern Lights sightings are not guaranteed, though a free reschedule may be possible if they don’t appear.
• The ticket costs $88 per person, with drinks available to buy on board.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

The tour starts at the Old Harbour, where you check in at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2. Allow 30 minutes before departure to scan the barcode or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk. Hotel pickup is also available in the Reykjavík area, a useful option if you would rather not make your own way to the harbour.

Once aboard, you’ll meet the crew and find a place to settle in. The vessel has two observation decks, and there are indoor seating areas as well as open-air viewing space. That choice matters: you can stay warm while the boat is under way, then step outside when the guide spots activity or the sky looks promising.

The boat is not simply a ride to a viewing point. The journey itself is part of the evening: you leave the lit waterfront, watch the city recede, and take in the mountains across the water. If the aurora stays hidden, the sea and the distant city still give the outing a sense of place that a roadside pull-off may not.

Watching the City Lights Fade

The boat heads away from the brightest parts of Reykjavík toward quieter waters, where there is less city light competing with the sky. Don’t expect the complete darkness of a remote countryside outing: the city remains part of the view, and the cruise aims to reduce light pollution rather than remove every trace of it.

That trade-off is part of the appeal. You get a broad view of the sky with Reykjavík and the mountains as a backdrop, without spending hours on a coach. The water adds another possible detail: when the aurora is visible, its reflection may shimmer on the surface.

The pace is patient. You may spend much of the trip watching the dark sky and listening to the water, rather than moving from one dramatic sight to another. A guide will help direct your attention, but clouds and aurora activity can change what is visible from moment to moment. Keep your expectations flexible and treat the outing as an evening search, not a guaranteed performance.

Waiting on Deck, Staying Warm Inside

The open deck is where you’ll want to be when the lights appear. It gives you an unobstructed view overhead, and you can move around rather than remain in one fixed spot. But Icelandic nights can be cold, especially when you’re standing still. Wear warm clothing and comfortable shoes, and use the provided blanket as an extra layer.

When the cold catches up with you, you can go inside to warm up. The indoor spaces are a real advantage over an outing where you must remain outdoors for the full duration. Still, indoor seating may be limited at busy times, so don’t assume everyone will have a seat whenever they want one. You can also buy drinks on board.

This is a good cruise for anyone who wants to keep the aurora hunt comfortable without giving up the outdoor view. It’s less suitable if you expect to sit in a warm cabin and see the lights clearly through a window. For the best chance of spotting them, plan to step outside when the guide calls attention to activity.

How the Guides Help You Spot the Aurora

The Northern Lights can begin as a faint patch or pale streak, not the bright green curtains that photographs often suggest. A guide can point out where to look and explain what you’re seeing. That help is especially valuable early in the display, when the lights may be subtle to the naked eye.

Guides also help with photos. If you want to capture the sky, ask for advice rather than relying on your phone’s automatic setting. Some guides have walked around the deck to help people adjust their camera settings and frame a shot. Guides named Steingreimur and Hólmar have been praised for their help, though the person leading your cruise may be someone else.

Keep in mind that a camera can show more color than your eyes do. One useful outcome of the trip, even when the aurora is faint, is seeing the difference between what a phone records and what you can see unaided. If you do get a strong display, you may find yourself putting the camera away for a while. The sky is the main event.

Two Hours in Search of a Moving Target

The cruise lasts two hours, a practical length for an evening activity. It gives the crew time to take the boat out, scan the sky, and return without turning the night into a lengthy excursion. The aurora may appear soon after departure, near the end, or not at all. One evening, the lights might show within 20 minutes; another, they may emerge only as the boat is heading back.

That uncertainty can make the wait feel long, particularly if you have only one night in Reykjavík. But the boat’s indoor areas, the guide’s commentary, and the changing view from the water help give the outing shape beyond simply standing and waiting. Some cruises may stay out longer when conditions and sightings make it worthwhile, but you should plan around the stated two-hour duration.

You may also see something unexpected. A brief whale sighting or distant volcanic glow has added interest on some outings, though neither is promised. Think of these as possible extras, not reasons to book. The point of the trip is to search for the aurora.

What Happens If the Lights Don’t Appear

There is no guarantee of a Northern Lights sighting. Clear skies help, but aurora activity is a natural event, and conditions can change. A cruise can be professionally run, comfortable, and still return without the display you hoped for.

If the lights aren’t visible, the operator may offer a free reschedule. That can make booking earlier in your stay a smart move: you may have another evening available if the first attempt is unsuccessful. The reschedule is only useful if you have time left in Reykjavík and another departure has space, so it should not be treated as a certainty or a substitute for seeing the lights on your chosen night.

Weather can also affect whether the boat goes out. If conditions lead to cancellation, you may be offered the option to reschedule. If your schedule is tight, leave some flexibility in your evening plans and check how a change would fit with the rest of your trip.

Is $88 Good Value for This Cruise?

At $88 per person, this is not a cheap two-hour outing. The value depends on what you want from an aurora hunt. You’re paying for a boat, a guide, the chance to get away from some city light, and the option to warm up indoors between visits to the deck. For someone who would rather avoid a long bus ride or a night spent outdoors on land, that comfort and setting may justify the cost.

The price is harder to defend if you judge it only by the chance of seeing the lights. A sighting is not included in the ticket, and a free retry may not help if you’re leaving Iceland the next day. You’re buying a guided search in a scenic setting, not a guaranteed natural spectacle.

The cruise can be a good fit for a first night in Reykjavík, when you still have other chances to try if the sky does not cooperate. It can also suit a traveler who enjoys being on the water and wants a different perspective on the city. If your only priority is maximizing time under dark skies, compare it with land-based tours before deciding.

Getting Ready for the Night

Dress for standing outside, not just for the ride from your hotel to the harbour. Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes, and keep layers easy to add or remove as you move between the cabin and deck. A blanket is provided, but it is not a replacement for warm clothes.

Check in 30 minutes before departure at Old Harbour House. You can scan the barcode or QR code on your ticket at the kiosk. The tour is guided in English, and free Wi-Fi is included. Drinks are not included, but you can buy them on board.

The cruise offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which may help if your plans are still taking shape.

Who Should Book This Reykjavík Cruise?

Book it if you want an aurora hunt with mountain and city views, a guide to help you spot activity, and the option to warm up indoors. It’s particularly appealing if you prefer a boat to a bus and like the idea of watching the sky from the water.

Think twice if you have only one available evening and would be disappointed by a night without lights. The operator may allow a free retry, but your schedule may not. And if cold weather is a deal-breaker, remember that the best view is outside, even though you can warm up in the cabin.

For the best chance of getting value from the outing, schedule it early in your Reykjavík stay and keep another evening free if you can. The aurora is unpredictable; the boat gives you a comfortable place to look.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours.

Where does the cruise depart from?

Check in at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík.

When should I arrive to check in?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Scan the barcode or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavík area.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural event and may not be visible during your cruise.

Can I reschedule if the lights don’t appear?

A free reschedule may be possible if the Northern Lights aren’t visible. Check with the tour operator for the available option.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes. A blanket is provided on board.

Is there a guide on the cruise?

Yes. The cruise has a live guide who speaks English.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

No. Drinks are available to buy on the boat.

Can I cancel my booking?

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