Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

The Northern Lights are never on a timetable, but a boat gives you a warm place to wait while you search the sky. This cruise heads out into Faxafloi Bay, away from some of Reykjavík’s city glow, and gives you both an outdoor deck for watching and heated indoor seating when the cold sets in.

I like two things in particular: thermal overalls are included, and the crew takes photos you can download for free, with photography help available on board. If the aurora does not appear, you can return for another cruise without paying again. The trade-off is that clouds, wind, and sea conditions can change the evening, and a busy boat may leave limited room outside.

Key points

• A 2.5-hour search at sea: Cruise into Faxafloi Bay from Reykjavík, with the aim of finding darker skies beyond the harbor.
• Warmth without costly gear: Thermal overalls, including children’s sizes, are provided, and the boat has heated indoor seating.
• A second chance if the sky stays quiet: If you join and see no lights, your ticket can be used on another available day.
• Photos are included: Images taken during each tour are available to download free, and crew members can help with photography.
• Space on deck can be tight: The boat can carry up to 198 people, so a full departure may mean waiting your turn for an outdoor view.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a cancellation, a rescheduled trip, a refund, or, in some sea conditions, an offer to join a bus tour instead.

The aurora search begins in Reykjavík harbor

The tour starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, in central Reykjavík, and ends back at the same meeting point. From there, you board a sightseeing boat and head into Faxafloi Bay. The aim is to leave some of the city’s light behind and find a better patch of dark sky.

That does not mean the boat can escape every source of light. The harbor and nearby city can still affect the view, and heading farther out does not guarantee a sighting. The aurora depends on natural conditions, including cloud cover, so the cruise is best understood as a search rather than a scheduled show.

Expect about two and a half hours for the outing. That is enough time to get away from the meeting point, watch the sky, hear the guide’s explanation, and return to Reykjavík. The boat moves slowly during parts of the search, which can make the trip feel calm and atmospheric. If you are hoping for a fast-paced ride, this is not that kind of evening.

What the guide explains while you wait

The guide covers both the science of the aurora borealis and local myths connected with it. The scientific explanation is that particles in Earth’s atmosphere collide and produce the colors in the sky. The stories add a human layer to what can otherwise feel like a long, cold stretch of looking upward.

Guides have been praised for clear explanations and engaging delivery. Lukas is one guide whose name has been singled out, though you should not count on having a particular guide on your departure. The crew may also point out where to look and offer advice on taking pictures.

A good guide matters most when the sky is slow to change. If clouds block the aurora, the explanation and stories can give the trip some purpose beyond simply waiting. Still, narration cannot make a cloudy sky clear, and the quality of the evening will depend heavily on conditions.

Thermal overalls, warm seating, and the open deck

At sea, wind can make a cold night feel colder. Thermal overalls are included, with children’s sizes available, so you do not need to buy specialized winter gear just for the cruise. One useful tip: choose a suit size that leaves room for the clothes you are already wearing underneath. A tight suit is less comfortable and less useful as a warm layer.

You can watch from the open deck or retreat to the heated indoor seating. The deck is where you have an unobstructed view of the sky, but it is exposed to the elements and can be crowded. The indoor area offers welcome warmth, though you will need to step outside when the lights appear.

The boat’s comfort can vary by departure. Some people find the ship roomy, with plenty of lower-deck seating; others have found a smaller boat cramped, especially when many people head outside at once. The stated maximum is 198, so do not assume you will have plenty of elbow room on deck. If getting a clear view is important, be ready to move outside when the crew announces activity and to share the space.

A hot drink, a snack, and a long wait

Food and drinks are not included, but refreshments are available to buy on board. The range and service may vary, so treat this as a convenience rather than a full meal stop. Bring anything you know you will want before departure, especially if you prefer a particular snack or drink.

The indoor seating gives you a place to warm up between checks of the sky. Some departures have offered hot chocolate, and one account describes adding Bailey’s. Those options are not guaranteed, so do not board expecting a particular menu item. The main practical advantage is having shelter and a place to sit while the boat searches.

The wait can feel quiet and slow if the lights do not show. That is part of the nature of an aurora cruise, not a flaw the crew can fix. If you enjoy being out on the water and hearing about the sky, the trip may still be pleasant. If your only goal is a quick photograph of a bright aurora, the uncertainty may make the cruise feel like a poor use of your evening.

Seeing the lights, and getting the photograph

When the aurora does appear, it may start as a faint arc or pale green glow, then grow brighter and move across the sky. Some departures have had a striking display visible to the naked eye. On other nights, the lights have been weak, brief, or absent. No tour can promise the same show from one evening to the next.

Photos taken on every tour are available to download free of charge. You can also ask crew members for help with your own photography. That is useful when you are trying to frame the sky from a moving boat, especially if you are not used to photographing in the dark.

Do not rely on a camera to guarantee a dramatic result. The experience depends first on whether the aurora is visible and strong enough to see. On a clear night, you may also have the chance to look for stars and constellations. Keep your camera ready, but give yourself time to watch with your own eyes rather than spending the whole trip looking at a screen.

The free return ticket is valuable, but not instant

If you join the cruise and no Northern Lights are seen, you receive a ticket to try again on the next available day. The ticket does not expire, so it can also be used on a later visit to Reykjavík. For a trip with several nights in Iceland, this is a meaningful safety net: a cloudy first attempt does not have to be your only attempt.

There is an important limit. A free ticket does not guarantee a seat on the very next departure. Boats can fill up, particularly when earlier trips have been cancelled and people are rebooking. A few people have also found it unclear whether to arrange the return through the booking platform or directly with the tour company. If you expect to try again, ask the operator how to claim your ticket and check availability promptly.

The free repeat is not a refund. If you cannot stay in Reykjavík long enough to use it, the guarantee may have little practical value. If you have time to be flexible, it can reduce the risk of paying for a night with no aurora.

When wind or clouds change the evening

This experience depends on favorable weather, and there are two different problems to consider: weather that cancels the cruise, and weather that lets the boat sail but makes the sky hard to see. If the operator cancels because of inclement weather, you can be offered a new date or a full refund, provided you have not already joined the tour.

Sea conditions can complicate the plan. If the lights still look possible but the sea is too rough for the boat, the company may offer a Northern Lights bus tour instead. The bus option is the same price as the cruise, so accepting it does not come with a refund. Ask what is being offered and whether you prefer the bus before deciding.

There is a separate standard cancellation rule for your own plans: cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The stated weather policy applies when the operator cancels the tour.

Is $108.13 good value for your evening?

At $108.13 per person, this is not a cheap way to look for the aurora. You are paying for more than the chance of seeing the lights: the boat ride, a guide, thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, free photos, and the option to make another attempt if there is no sighting. If you would otherwise need to buy cold-weather gear, the included suits add practical value.

The price makes the most sense if you want shelter and facilities while searching, or if you have enough time in Reykjavík to use the repeat ticket. It is less compelling if you only have one night free, dislike being on a boat, or would rather spend the evening on a land-based search. The boat can reduce some city light, but it cannot guarantee darker skies or a better view than every other option.

The cruise is offered in English, most people can participate, and hotel pickup can be arranged directly with the supplier for an extra fee. The average booking is made about 75 days ahead, but weather and aurora conditions remain uncertain however early you plan. If your dates are fixed, consider how much flexibility you have to try again.

Who should book this cruise?

I would consider booking if you want a guided aurora search with a warm indoor retreat, do not mind a slow trip, and have another evening available in case the first attempt is cloudy. Families may appreciate the children’s thermal suits, and anyone without winter clothing can avoid buying a special outfit for one outing.

I would hesitate if you have limited time, are sensitive to motion or rough seas, or expect a guaranteed view. The boat may be crowded, and the aurora may not appear at all. Book it for the full experience of searching the sky from the bay, with a useful second chance if needed, not as a promise that the lights will perform on cue.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts about two hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise start and finish?

It starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, in Reykjavík, and ends back at the meeting point.

Are thermal overalls included?

Yes. Thermal overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but refreshments can be purchased on board.

Can I get another ticket if the Northern Lights do not appear?

Yes. If you join the cruise and see no lights, you receive a ticket to try again on the next available day. The ticket does not expire.

Are photos included?

Yes. Photos taken on every tour are available to download free of charge. You can also ask crew members for photography help.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the operator cancels the tour because of poor weather and you have not already joined it.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included, but you can arrange pickup directly with the supplier for an extra fee.