Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

The best part of this cruise is the chance to get beyond Reykjavik’s streetlights and watch the sky from the water. On a clear night, you can see the city glowing behind you, the dark bay ahead, and perhaps green or red light moving overhead. The boat also passes small islands and the coast, so even a quiet aurora night is not simply two hours of standing in a car park.

I like the indoor cabin and onboard café, which give you a warm place to recover between checks of the sky. I also like the free return offer if the lights do not appear, since that takes some pressure off a natural event you cannot control.

The catch is simple: you may see little or nothing. The boat can sail in weak conditions, and the upper deck gets very cold. If you have only one night in Reykjavik, the free return policy may be of no use to you.

Key points before you sail

• Old Harbour departure: Check in at Old Harbour House, a red restaurant and tour building at Ægisgarður 2.
• About two hours on Faxaflói Bay: The route follows Reykjavik’s coast and passes small islands close to shore.
• Indoor and outdoor viewing: Use the warm lower area, café, Wi-Fi, and restroom, then step outside when the crew spots activity.
• Wildlife is possible: Minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises are common sightings in the bay, with orcas a less likely possibility.
• A free second chance: If the northern lights do not appear, you are offered another trip at no charge.
• Small enough to feel manageable: The boat accepts a maximum of 75 people, rather than packing in a huge crowd.

Why a boat can be a smart choice in Reykjavik

Northern lights tours from Reykjavik usually come down to three choices: a bus, a private vehicle, or a boat. The boat has one clear advantage. It gets you away from some of the city’s direct light while giving you open views in every direction.

You also avoid a long drive into the countryside. This cruise leaves from the Old Harbour and returns to the same place, making it easy to fit around dinner or an evening in central Reykjavik. The trip lasts about two hours, so you are not committing an entire night to a search that may fail.

The tradeoff is flexibility. A bus can move inland if clouds gather over the coast. This boat follows its sailing route around Faxaflói Bay. One useful point from the experience is that the boat may get beyond low cloud near the city, which can help on some nights. It is not a guarantee, but being on the water can change what you see.

The boat also gives you something to do while you wait. You can look back at Reykjavik, watch the water, scan the sky, and listen to the crew explain what is happening. If the aurora remains faint, the setting still has some value.

Check in at Old Harbour House

The meeting point is Old Harbour House, at Ægisgarður 2. This is a restaurant and tour building, not simply a dock sign, so allow a little time to find the right entrance and complete check-in.

A useful money-saving detail is easy to miss. A 15 percent discount at the Old Harbour restaurant may be available, but you need to check in for the cruise and collect the required ticket or proof before paying for your meal. If you eat first, you may not be able to apply the discount afterward.

That makes the harbor a practical place for an early meal, but do not assume the discount will happen automatically. Ask about it before settling the bill. The restaurant has also been praised for good food and fair prices, so it can work well if you want dinner before sailing.

The activity is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the tour accepts service animals. It is near public transportation, and most people can take part. The maximum group size is 75, which keeps the boat from feeling like a giant excursion vessel.

Sailing into Faxaflói Bay

Once the boat leaves the Old Harbour, the city begins to fall behind you. The route runs among the small islands of Faxaflói Bay and along Reykjavik’s coast. This is the main scenic part of the trip, and it gives you a different view of the capital than you get from the streets.

Reykjavik is especially attractive from the water in the evening. The city lights form a bright edge along the shore, while the open bay turns dark. That contrast matters on an aurora cruise. You need darkness overhead, but the city behind you helps you keep your sense of place.

Faxaflói is a broad bay on Iceland’s southwest coast. From Reykjavik, you may be able to see the Akranes peninsula to the northeast. On exceptionally clear days, Snæfellsjökull, about 120 kilometers away, can be visible in the distance. Do not count on seeing either landmark during a nighttime cruise, but the scale of the bay is part of the setting.

The bay has only a few islands, most close to land. That makes this route feel more coastal than remote. You are not sailing into a wild ocean with no reference points. You are moving through a sheltered-looking stretch of water with Reykjavik, the shore, and islands helping frame the view.

The boat also keeps an eye out for wildlife. Minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises are among the more common sightings. Orcas are possible but less likely. The crew is experienced at spotting animals, yet wildlife is another natural bonus, not a promise. The focus of the evening remains the sky.

Finding the right place to watch the sky

The observation deck is the key reason to choose this trip. You can step outside for an unobstructed view and move back inside when the cold becomes too much. That freedom is more important than it sounds because northern lights watching involves a lot of waiting.

The upper deck can be bitterly cold, even when the air in Reykjavik feels manageable. Several people found February conditions especially harsh, and one person saw color only through a phone camera. Bring more layers than you think you need. A warm coat alone may not be enough. Add thermal clothing, a hat, gloves, and sturdy warm footwear.

You do not have to stay outside for the full cruise. The lower section is warm, with seating and hot drinks available from the café. The sensible plan is to warm up inside, then go out when the crew points to activity. If the lights strengthen, you can stay outside longer. If the sky goes quiet, hot chocolate and a seat are better than trying to prove something to the wind.

The boat includes a restroom and Wi-Fi. Those are basic facilities, but they make a real difference during a cold evening on the water. Drinks and food are available at onboard prices, and hot chocolate has received special praise. You can also buy other refreshments while waiting.

What the guides add to the evening

A good aurora guide does not control the sky, but can help you understand what you are seeing. Crew members have pointed out where faint lights may appear and kept people updated as conditions changed.

Maria has been singled out for staying outside and giving running commentary when the lights appeared. Lucky has also been praised for trying to help everyone follow the show. Isabella has worked behind the bar, adding a friendly touch to the warm indoor area. These names may not represent the guide on your sailing, but they show the kind of onboard roles you can expect: someone watching the sky, someone explaining it, and someone helping with drinks and comfort.

This matters when the aurora is weak. A pale gray streak can be hard to spot with the naked eye, especially from a moving boat. A guide who tells you where to look can turn a vague glow into something you understand. It also helps to know that cameras often show more color than your eyes do.

Still, the commentary cannot turn faint lights into a strong show. On some nights, you may be encouraged to look at a patch of sky that remains barely visible. Keep your expectations in check. The crew can improve your chances and explain the conditions, but it cannot manufacture color.

The northern lights are the main gamble

Aurora viewing is never guaranteed. The lights need solar activity, darkness, and a reasonably clear patch of sky. A boat can sail in conditions that are safe but poor for viewing, and you may spend the whole trip seeing stars and city lights instead.

The experiences with the strongest aurora were impressive. Some evenings produced vivid greens and reds, with light visible for much of the two-hour trip. Others brought a short display near the end. A few people saw only a faint streak, or needed a phone camera to record anything at all.

That range is normal for this kind of activity. The $78 price buys you the cruise, the boat facilities, the crew’s search, and the chance to return for free if the lights do not appear. It does not buy a guaranteed show. I consider the value fair if you like being on the water and have at least one spare evening in Reykjavik. It is weaker value if you care only about seeing bright aurora and have no time for a second attempt.

The return offer is therefore important. Try to schedule this cruise early in your stay, not on your final night. If the sky stays blank, you may be able to book another departure while you are still in Iceland. One account says the rebooking window can extend as far as three years, but confirm the exact terms when you check in.

What to do if the sky stays blank

If you do not see the lights, ask about the free return before leaving the boat or harbor. The offer is meant to give you another chance, but you need enough time left in Reykjavik to use it. The company may also arrange a different date if poor weather cancels the sailing.

This is why I would not place the cruise at the end of a very short visit. You may have excellent luck on the first night, but if you do not, a second booking needs room in your schedule. Some people were offered another trip but could not take it because they were flying home the next day.

The cruise may also be canceled if weather is too poor or if the minimum number of people is not reached. In those cases, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. For a normal cancellation by you, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this boat for someone staying near central Reykjavik who wants a simple evening outing without a long road journey. It is also a good match for couples, families, and small groups who like having a warm cabin, café, restroom, and outdoor deck in the same place.

It suits you especially well if you have two or more nights in town. That extra time lets you use the free return policy if clouds or weak activity spoil the first attempt. It also helps if you enjoy the bay, city views, and possible wildlife as part of the evening.

I would think twice if you dislike cold weather, have limited mobility that makes moving between indoor and outdoor areas difficult, or have only one night in Iceland and need a strong chance of success. Most people can participate, but the experience still involves a boat, an exposed viewing deck, and time outside in winter conditions.

Should you book the Northern Lights Boat Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, low-hassle way to search for the aurora from Reykjavik, and if you can leave space for a second attempt. The boat is clean, the crew works hard, the warm indoor area is useful, and the city and bay views give the evening value even when the sky is uncooperative.

I would book early in your stay, bring serious winter clothing, and treat the lights as a bonus rather than a product delivered on demand. If you want the best odds on a single evening, compare this with a land tour that can move inland. If you want a pleasant night on the water with a fair second-chance policy, this cruise is a sensible pick.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Boat Cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at Old Harbour House.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $78 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You are offered another tour at no charge if the northern lights do not appear. Schedule the cruise early enough in your stay to make a return trip possible.

What facilities are available on the boat?

The boat has an observation deck, a warm indoor area, a restroom, Wi-Fi, and an onboard café serving drinks and other refreshments.

Can the tour be canceled because of weather?

Yes. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you need to do so at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.