Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

Reykjavik’s northern lights yacht cruise trades the long, cold wait in a roadside car park for an evening on the water. You sail past Harpa and Viðey Island, then watch the sky from an open deck or warm up indoors while the crew keeps an eye out for aurora.

I like two things in particular: the heated indoor space, bar, and café make an uncertain wait more comfortable, and the crew may help you prepare your phone or camera to photograph the lights. The main consideration is that aurora sightings are never guaranteed, and the boat’s route may stay close to Reykjavik rather than ranging far into the bay.

The quick take

• You view Reykjavik from the water: The route includes the Old Harbour, Harpa concert hall, the coastline, and Viðey Island.
• The night is built around waiting: The cruise lasts about two to three hours, with the crew scanning for northern lights.
• You can warm up indoors: The yacht has an on-board bar and café, Wi-Fi, and an enclosed area, according to descriptions of the boat.
• A return trip is offered if the lights do not appear: This is a valuable safeguard, though it takes another evening and still cannot guarantee a sighting.
• The published group limit is 35: The company has also described operating a second yacht with a larger capacity, so check which boat is assigned if group size matters to you.
• The price is about $100.82 per person: You are paying for a guided evening cruise and a more comfortable place to wait, not a guaranteed display of aurora.

Leaving the Old Harbour after dark

The meeting point is Old Harbour House, at Ægisgarður 2 in central Reykjavik. The activity ends back there, so you do not need to arrange a one-way ride from another part of town. The harbor departure is part of the appeal: Reykjavik’s waterfront becomes a view in its own right once the city lights come on.

The cruise takes roughly two to three hours. That is enough time to get beyond the immediate harbor, see parts of the coast, and wait for a possible aurora display. It is not an all-night chase across Iceland. If the sky is overcast or the lights remain faint, the boat cannot make nature cooperate simply by staying out longer.

English is the stated language. The maximum group size is listed as 35, which should make it easier to move around the yacht than on a much larger vessel. However, the operator has also described two boats: MY Harpa, with room for 35, and MY Amelia Rose, with capacity for 95. If a smaller group is a priority, ask which yacht is scheduled for your night rather than assuming every departure uses the same boat.

Harpa, the coast, and Viðey from the water

The route takes in the Old Harbour, Harpa concert hall, Reykjavik’s shoreline, and Viðey Island. Harpa’s glass exterior looks different from the sea than it does from the waterfront promenade, and the city’s edge offers a useful change of view from the streets you have likely been walking all day.

Viðey is a small island just off the coast, known for its open scenery and the Imagine Peace Tower, created in tribute to John Lennon and Yoko Ono. From the yacht, the island is part of the coastal setting and a point of interest as the boat moves through the area. The supplied route does not promise time ashore, so do not book this cruise expecting to walk Viðey’s paths or visit the tower on foot.

Faxaflói Bay is known for marine life, including whales and seabirds, but this is a northern lights cruise, not a dedicated wildlife excursion. You may enjoy the bay and its coastal views, but there is no promise of seeing whales or birds. I would treat any wildlife as a bonus, not a reason to choose this particular trip.

Waiting for aurora, with shelter nearby

Northern lights viewing is the uncertain part. The aurora depends on conditions beyond the operator’s control, including cloud cover and how strong the lights are. Even when forecasts look poor, weather can change quickly around Reykjavik. Snow at departure does not always mean the sky will stay closed, just as a clear afternoon does not guarantee a clear night.

The crew monitors the sky, and some departures may pause in a sheltered area behind the nearby islands rather than going far into Faxaflói Bay. That choice reflects a trade-off: a boat can offer a calmer, warmer place to wait, but it may not cover as much ground as a bus-based tour that drives inland. If you want a guide to keep moving in search of clearer skies, ask the operator how the route is handled that evening.

There is also a practical debate about city lights. The yacht stays near Reykjavik, and the city remains visible, which some people may find distracting. The operator’s position is that the boat goes far enough from the lights for aurora viewing, and that cloud cover matters more than moving a few extra miles. I would not expect the boat to disappear into a remote wilderness setting. This is a coastal cruise close to town, with the convenience and limits that come with that.

When the lights do appear, they may look faint to the naked eye but show more clearly in a photograph. Crew members have helped people adjust phone and camera settings and identify where to point. That is useful, especially if you have never tried photographing aurora before. Still, bring realistic expectations: a phone can capture a green glow that looks more modest in person, and no camera advice can replace clear skies.

What the yacht adds to the evening

The main advantage over a land-based tour is comfort during the wait. The yacht has an indoor area, outdoor viewing spaces, bathrooms, and a bar and café. An enclosed place to warm up can make a long stretch of uncertain sky much easier to tolerate, while the open deck lets you step outside when the crew spots a possible display.

Dress warmly even if you plan to spend most of the time indoors. You will need to go outside to see the sky well, and it can feel chilly on deck. Blankets are available on the yacht, according to descriptions of the boat, but they are no substitute for a warm coat and layers.

Wi-Fi is provided on board. It is a handy extra, although your own mobile connection may still be more useful for camera apps or checking your settings. Drinks and other purchases at the bar are not included in the stated ticket price, so budget for them separately if you want a hot drink or something from the café.

The vessel is described as a comfortable yacht rather than a high-end, formal experience. Music and a short explanation about the northern lights may be part of the evening. The amount of commentary and how easy it is to hear can vary, so choose this trip for the combination of boat ride and sky watching, not as a long lecture on astronomy.

The price and the return-trip offer

At about $100.82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for aurora. Its value depends on what you want from the evening. You are paying for a guided boat outing, harbor and coastal views, indoor shelter, bathrooms, and access to a bar and café while you wait. If you would rather stay warm and have somewhere to sit than stand outside in a cold parking area, that setup may justify the higher price.

The free additional yacht trip if the northern lights do not appear is a meaningful part of the offer. It gives you another chance without paying a second full fare, which matters in a place where weather changes quickly and sightings are unpredictable. It is not the same as a refund, and it may be less useful if your schedule is tight or you are leaving Reykjavik soon. Check the operator’s current terms for how and when you can rebook.

This offer also does not promise that the second outing will succeed. You could see the lights on your first trip, see them on a later one, or miss them altogether. If a sighting is the only reason you are willing to spend the money, that uncertainty is worth weighing carefully.

Who should book this cruise

I would consider this yacht for an evening when you want more than a point-to-point aurora hunt. The boat itself, the city views, the chance to learn a little from the crew, and a warm place to wait all add value even if the sky stays quiet. It suits couples, small groups, and anyone who likes the idea of being on the water after dark.

It is a less obvious fit if you want a vehicle to travel farther in search of clear skies, or if you expect a remote, silent setting away from Reykjavik. The boat stays relatively near town, and the cruise is a shared outing with a bar, café, and sometimes music. If you are comparing options, decide whether comfort and the boat ride matter as much to you as maximizing the distance from the city.

The activity is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, though the precise transit details are not provided. The tour is commonly booked about 44 days ahead, so reserve early if you have a fixed date in mind, particularly if you want room to try again during a longer stay.

Should you book?

Book if you like the idea of watching the sky from a yacht and value shelter, bathrooms, and a warm drink during an unpredictable wait. The coastal views and the chance to see Harpa and Viðey from the water give the outing a purpose beyond aurora spotting.

Skip it if you want a bus to range farther from Reykjavik, or if a northern lights sighting is essential to justify the cost. If you do book, leave room in your schedule for a second attempt, dress for the open deck, and ask which yacht is assigned if group size matters to you.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two to three hours.

Where does the cruise start and end?

It starts and ends at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

What sights are included along the route?

The route includes Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Harpa concert hall from the sea, the coastline, Viðey Island, and the aurora if it appears.

Does the cruise guarantee that I will see the northern lights?

No. The lights depend on natural conditions, and sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I take another trip if the lights do not appear?

A free additional yacht trip is offered if the northern lights do not appear. Check the operator’s current terms for rebooking details.

What is the maximum group size?

The activity details list a maximum of 35 people. The operator has also described a second yacht with capacity for 95, so confirm which boat is scheduled if this matters to you.

Is food or drink included in the ticket price?

The yacht has an on-board bar and café, but the provided information does not state that food or drinks are included in the ticket price.

Is Wi-Fi available on board?

Yes, Wi-Fi is provided on the yacht.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.