Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

The best thing about this cruise is its simple promise: you leave Reykjavik’s city glow behind, search the open water, and have a warm indoor seat when the wind turns sharp. A guide explains what causes the aurora, separates science from old Icelandic stories, and helps you know where to look.

I like the free retry ticket if the sky stays empty, and I like the practical comfort of thermal overalls, heated seating, toilets, and a cafe area. The crew also takes photos on every sailing, and you can download them without paying extra. The catch is clear: the northern lights are never guaranteed, and a full boat, rough water, or poor weather can take some shine off the evening.

Key things to know before sailing

• The cruise lasts about two and a half hours: You sail into Faxaflói Bay and return to Special Tours at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik.
• The free retry matters: If no lights appear, you receive another ticket for the next available day. It does not expire, though a full sailing can make rebooking difficult.
• Thermal overalls are supplied: Children’s sizes are available, but wear warm layers underneath and choose a larger size if you want easier movement.
• The boat has two useful viewing options: Go outside for darker skies and stars, or sit indoors with heat, WiFi, and drinks available to buy.
• Photos are included: The crew takes pictures on every trip, and staff can help you set up your own camera.
• Weather decisions can change the plan: A canceled boat trip may be moved to another date, refunded in some cases, or replaced with a bus trip if sea conditions are poor.

Leaving Reykjavik for Faxaflói Bay

The meeting point is Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik. The cruise ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point after midnight. Hotel pickup can be added for a fee, but the standard booking does not include transfers.

Once aboard, the boat heads away from the harbor and toward Faxaflói Bay. That sounds like a small change, but it is the main reason to choose a boat instead of simply looking up from a Reykjavik street. The farther you get from shore, the more the city lights fade, giving your eyes a better chance to catch a faint aurora.

Do not expect a fast sightseeing ride. The boat moves at a steady pace and may slow or wait when the crew expects activity in the sky. That patience can pay off. On one successful sailing, the lights appeared just as the evening seemed ready to end, and the crew extended the trip to give everyone more time.

The group limit is listed as 198 people. That is a sizable boatload, and the experience can feel busy when many people move outside at once. One sailing used the boat Andrea, described as a good-sized vessel with plenty of lower-deck seating, but the exact boat and available room can vary.

What the two-and-a-half-hour outing feels like

The basic schedule is straightforward. You board, receive or put on your thermal overall, listen to the guide, spend time watching the sky, and return to the harbor. The full outing takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes, usually including the journey back to the meeting point.

The outdoor deck is where the magic happens, but it is also where Iceland’s cold makes itself known. Wind over open water can cut through ordinary coats, even when the evening feels manageable on land. I would wear a warm base layer, hat, gloves, and solid shoes, then use the supplied suit as an extra shell rather than treating it as your only protection.

Indoor seating gives the outing a useful safety net. You can warm up, use the free WiFi, and buy a drink or snack before returning outside. Available food and drink are not included, and the onboard offerings are basic rather than a full meal. Some sailings have a small cafe area with items such as hot chocolate, candy, chips, and other refreshments.

That indoor area also helps if you are bringing children or anyone who does not want to spend two hours standing in the cold. It is worth remembering, though, that going inside too often means you may miss a sudden burst of green light. Keep one person watching the sky if your group takes a warm-up break.

Science, Icelandic stories, and help with the sky

The guide is an important part of this experience because the aurora can be faint and easy to miss. You learn that the colors come from particles interacting in Earth’s atmosphere, along with local myths and traditional explanations connected to the lights.

The strongest guides make the waiting feel purposeful. Lucas was singled out for clear, engaging explanations on one trip, while other guides have helped point out stars, constellations, and shooting stars during clear conditions. You are not simply left on a dark deck hoping something happens.

The guide also explains how to photograph the aurora. Crew members can help you with camera settings and positioning, which is useful because phone cameras and standard automatic settings often struggle in the dark. Photos are taken on every tour and made available to download free of charge, giving you a record even if your own pictures are blurred by wind or boat movement.

The free photos are a nice extra, but keep your expectations sensible. The display may look stronger in a long-exposure photograph than it does to your eyes. In some conditions, the lights are clearly visible overhead. In others, a camera may pick up color that looks only faintly green in person.

The real question: will you see the northern lights?

No tour can control the clouds, wind, or aurora activity. A clear evening is essential, and the lights may still fail to appear even when conditions seem promising. This cruise improves your position by moving away from Reykjavik’s brightest lights, but it cannot create a display.

The best feature of the booking is the second attempt. If you join the cruise and see nothing, you receive another ticket for the next available day. The offer does not expire, so it may also be usable on a later visit. That is helpful if you have several nights in Iceland.

There is one practical limit: a free retry is only useful if space remains. One person tried to rebook but found the next sailing full, and there can be confusion about whether to contact the booking platform or Special Tours directly. I would speak with the operator before leaving the dock and ask exactly how to claim the second ticket.

If the first trip is canceled before you sail because of bad weather, you can be offered another date or a full refund, provided you have not already joined the tour. If the lights still look possible but the sea is too rough, the company may offer a Northern Lights by Bus trip instead. That replacement is treated as the same-value tour, so choosing it does not create an additional refund.

When the boat works well, and when it does not

The boat is a strong choice if you want a northern lights search without spending hours in a road vehicle. You have toilets, heated seating, hot drinks for sale, and space to step inside. That makes it easier to wait out a slow start than standing beside a roadside coach in the dark.

It can also feel more memorable than a basic city outing. The movement of the water, the open sky, and the quiet of the bay add something real when the aurora appears. A successful evening may include green arcs, moving curtains, stars, and shooting stars. Those moments can be spectacular.

The weak point is that the sea adds its own problems. Wind can make the boat rock, which makes photography harder and may unsettle you. One sailing became uncomfortable during rough conditions, especially near the end of the trip. If you are prone to seasickness, the bus option may suit you better when it is offered.

Crowding is another concern. A full departure can leave limited room on the outside deck, especially when everyone rushes out at once. If the lights appear, you may need to share the best viewing areas rather than finding a private spot at the rail.

There is also a risk that the cruise will operate in weather that feels plainly unsuitable. Conditions can change, and a rainy evening may produce a long ride with no useful view. If you already know you would rather not sail in poor conditions, check the forecast and contact the operator before the cancellation cutoff.

Price, photos, and what you receive for $108.13

At $108.13 per person, this is not a cheap way to pass an evening. The value depends heavily on what you want from the outing. You are paying for the boat, crew, thermal overalls, indoor facilities, onboard guidance, free photos, and the chance to try again. You are not paying for a guaranteed natural show.

The retry policy improves the value, especially if your schedule gives you two or more nights in Reykjavik. It turns a failed first attempt into a second opportunity rather than a total loss. If you are in town for only one night, the policy matters much less.

The free photos also help. Aurora photography is difficult from a moving boat, so having the crew capture images gives you something usable without buying special equipment. Still, food, drinks, and hotel transfers cost extra, so your final bill may be higher than the advertised base price.

I would compare the price with a bus-based northern lights outing before booking. The boat offers the appeal of open water and heated indoor seating, while a coach can give you more flexibility to move between viewing areas. Neither option can promise the lights. Your choice comes down to whether you prefer a harbor departure and sea setting or a road trip with less motion.

Who will get the most from this cruise?

I would choose this for you if you want a relaxed search with shelter nearby and do not want to stand outdoors for the whole evening. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a guide to explain the aurora rather than simply point at the sky.

It also suits anyone who has several nights available and can use the retry ticket. That extra flexibility is a major part of the value. Families may appreciate the children’s thermal sizes and indoor seating, although a full boat and moving deck require close attention to young children.

I would be more cautious if you dislike boats, get seasick, or have only one free evening. I would also think twice if your main goal is the strongest possible photography. The boat can move and rock, and outside space may be limited. A car-based tour may give you steadier ground, though it brings its own waiting and transport tradeoffs.

The maximum group size of 198 means this is not an intimate small-group outing. You receive a full tour operation with a crew, facilities, and a retry system, not a private guide pointing out the sky to a handful of people.

Booking and cancellation details that matter

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not refunded.

The activity depends on suitable weather. If the operator cancels before you join, you can be offered another date or a full refund. If you have already sailed without seeing the lights, the remedy is a free future ticket, not a cash refund.

I would book early if your dates are fixed, since the experience is often reserved well ahead. At the same time, check the forecast on the day and confirm the sailing status. If a departure is canceled, ask about the exact replacement, the bus option, and how the retry ticket works.

Should you book the Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want the comfort of a boat, a heated refuge, free thermal overalls, useful aurora advice, and a second chance when the sky stays dark. The strongest moments can be extraordinary, and the crew’s willingness to wait or extend the outing can make a real difference.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed result, cannot handle rough water, or have only one evening and would be upset by a long ride through cloud. The cruise gives you a fair chance, not certainty.

For most people, I would treat this as a good aurora-search option if you can keep your schedule flexible for a retry. Put on the thermal suit, arrive ready for wind, keep your camera prepared, and stay outside when the guide says the sky may be changing.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Cruise leave from?

It departs from Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Reykjavik.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

What is included in the price?

Thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, free WiFi, photos taken during the tour, and a free ticket to try again if no northern lights are seen are included.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included in the standard price, but pickup can be booked directly with the supplier for an additional fee.

What happens if no northern lights appear?

You receive another ticket to join on the next available day. The ticket does not expire, but a future sailing may be full.

What happens if the cruise is canceled because of weather?

You can be offered another date or a full refund if you have not already joined the tour. If sea conditions are poor but the lights still appear possible, a Northern Lights by Bus tour may be offered instead.

Can I download the photos taken during the cruise?

Yes. Photos taken on every tour are available to download free of charge.

Can children join the cruise?

Most people can participate, and thermal overalls are available in children’s sizes. The tour can include up to 198 people, so outdoor deck space may be limited on a busy departure.