Reykjavík: Northern Lights Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the move away from Reykjavík’s streetlights. Out in Faxaflói Bay, you get a darker sky for the Northern Lights, while the city glows behind you. I like the heated indoor saloon and the loaner overalls, and I like that the crew actively checks the forecast rather than simply sailing and hoping.

The main catch is simple: nature decides if the show happens. A boat is also a poor choice if your top goal is sharp Aurora photography, since motion and low light can blur pictures. If the lights do not appear, you can return on another night for free, but that still takes time from your Iceland schedule.

Key points at a glance

• A darker viewing spot offshore: The cruise heads into Faxaflói Bay, away from some of Reykjavík’s direct glow.
• A warm escape from the cold: Borrow overalls, raincoats, and blankets, then warm up in the heated indoor saloon.
• A useful city-light bonus: Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja, and Reykjavík’s shoreline create a fine opening view before the boat heads farther out.
• Seasonal Imagine Peace Tower stop: From October through December, the route passes the tower and its bright beam.
• A practical sighting guarantee: If the lights fail to appear, you can try again another night at no extra charge.
• Best for seeing, not photographing: The moving boat can make long-exposure Aurora photos difficult, even when the lights are visible.

Leaving Reykjavík Old Harbour after dark

Your evening begins at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, at Ægisgarður 5. Hotel pickup is not included, though it can be arranged for an added fee. That makes the harbor meeting point important when you plan your evening, especially if you are staying outside central Reykjavík.

The departure area puts you close to the city’s waterfront sights. Before the boat gets into open water, you can enjoy a different view of Reykjavík, with the shoreline lit up across the bay. This is not just a transfer to an Aurora viewing spot. The first part of the cruise works as a short night tour of the capital from the water.

The 2.5-hour duration gives the crew time to search for clearer skies. That matters because the Northern Lights may appear quickly, fade, or sit faintly overhead for a long stretch. You are not being rushed through a single lookout point. Instead, you have time to wait, watch, warm up, and step outside again.

Reykjavík’s skyline is part of the evening

The city views are a real strength of this outing. From the water, you can look back toward Harpa Concert Hall, whose glass front is especially striking after dark. Hallgrímskirkja also rises above the city and is easy to pick out when illuminated.

This combination gives you something to enjoy even during a quiet Aurora period. You may see pale light in the sky while the city glitters below, or you may simply get a good nighttime view of Reykjavík before the boat moves farther from shore.

From October through December, the boat also sails by the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. The tower sends a bright beam into the sky from Viðey Island, creating a memorable contrast with the dark water. It is a seasonal feature, so do not count on it outside those months.

The city glow is both a benefit and a compromise. It gives the cruise visual interest and helps you stay oriented, but strong light near shore can make faint Aurora harder to see. The farther the boat goes into Faxaflói Bay, the better the darkness should be. The crew’s route and timing are shaped by the evening’s weather and forecast.

Heading into Faxaflói Bay

Once the boat leaves the brightest part of the harbor, the focus shifts from architecture to sea and sky. The guide keeps watch and calls out when the Northern Lights begin. That is useful because first signs can be easy to miss, especially when the lights are weak.

You might initially see a faint white or greenish band rather than the strong green curtains shown in photographs. Conditions can change. Some outings produce only a brief glimpse, while others build into a much clearer display after an hour or more. The experience depends on cloud cover, darkness, Aurora activity, and simple luck.

The crew checks the weather and Aurora forecast before departure to improve your odds. That does not create good conditions, but it helps avoid sailing blindly into heavy cloud. Tours can also be canceled or rescheduled when weather makes the outing unsuitable. If the lights do not show, the free return option gives you another chance, subject to availability.

I consider that guarantee one of the better features for a paid Aurora tour. At $111 per person, you are paying for a boat, crew, guide, warm gear, and a serious attempt to find clear viewing conditions. You are not buying a guaranteed natural display. The free second attempt helps protect the value of the booking, especially if you have several nights in Reykjavík.

Warm gear, indoor seating, and the onboard café

Cold is the detail that can ruin an otherwise promising Aurora outing. Standing outside on a boat for two hours is very different from stepping out of a warm vehicle for a few minutes. This cruise addresses that problem with warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets.

You can borrow the overalls before going outside, then return to the heated indoor saloon when your hands or face need a break. There is ample seating indoors, along with toilets. An onboard café sells hot drinks and snacks, while other refreshments cost extra.

That setup lets you treat the evening as a patient wait rather than a cold endurance test. I would still dress in warm layers, since the provided gear is a helpful outer layer, not a replacement for sensible clothing. Bring gloves and a hat, and make sure you can move between indoor and outdoor areas without a fuss.

The saloon also helps if the sky is cloudy for part of the trip. You can sit down, have a drink, and listen to the guide rather than spending the full cruise on deck. If the Aurora appears, the crew will let you know so you can head outside.

What the guide adds

The live guide speaks English and explains what is happening during the cruise. The guide also helps you understand the forecast, cloud conditions, and the changing appearance of the lights. That information is useful when the first sighting is weak and you are unsure if you are looking at Aurora or ordinary cloud.

The crew has also helped with camera settings during past outings. That is a thoughtful touch, but you should keep expectations realistic. Northern Lights photography usually needs a steady camera, a long exposure, and a motionless platform. A boat moves, even when the water seems calm.

The crew and captain also pay close attention to safety. That matters when passengers are moving between the saloon and outdoor decks in darkness and cold. The overall impression is of an organized evening cruise, not a casual ride where you are left to search the sky alone.

No individual guide names are provided for this experience, and the crew can vary by departure. What you can count on is an English-speaking naturalist guide and a captain making decisions based on the night’s conditions.

Why the boat can improve your odds, and where it cannot

A cruise can take you away from some of Reykjavík’s artificial light. That is the central reason to choose it over simply walking around town and looking up. The boat also gives you a wide horizon, with fewer buildings blocking your view.

Still, a boat is not automatically better than land. The crew cannot control cloud, wind, or Aurora strength. On a cloudy night, heading into the bay may not solve the problem. The water can also make the cold feel sharper, even with warm overalls.

Your best reason to book is the combination of a guided search, open views, and a free return if conditions fail. Your weaker reason would be the hope of guaranteed, postcard-level curtains of green. The Northern Lights are a natural event, not a scheduled performance.

The experience works particularly well early in an Iceland visit. If the lights do not appear, you may have time to use the return option later in your stay. It is less useful if you are leaving Reykjavík the next morning or have only one evening available.

Photography is possible, but not easy

You can photograph the Northern Lights from the boat, but the conditions are demanding. The moving deck can make pictures blurry, and faint lights may not show clearly without a long exposure. One previous outing produced visible lights but less satisfying photos because the boat movement affected the images.

If you mainly want a personal memory, your phone may capture a glow when the Aurora is strong. If you are carrying a proper camera, ask the guide for help with settings, but do not expect the boat to function like a fixed tripod platform.

For serious night photography, this is not the ideal format. Your eyes may see more than your camera records, or the reverse may happen with a long exposure. Keep the camera secondary and enjoy the sight directly. That is especially important when the lights appear only briefly.

Is $111 a fair price?

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Reykjavík. You could simply walk along the waterfront for free, and a land-based outing may offer a steadier platform for photographs.

The price makes more sense when you use the full package. You get 2.5 hours at sea, an English-speaking naturalist guide, warm overalls, rain protection, blankets, indoor heating, toilets, a café, and a free return if no lights appear. The city views and seasonal Imagine Peace Tower stop add value before the Aurora search even begins.

The guarantee is the biggest factor in the price calculation. If you have enough time to return another night, the risk of paying for a clouded-out evening is lower. If your schedule is tight, that benefit may not help you.

I would call the price reasonable for visitors who want a guided boat search and appreciate comfort. I would call it less attractive for anyone focused only on photography or anyone who cannot use the second-chance policy.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this experience if you want to combine several parts of a Reykjavík evening: a harbor departure, skyline views, a possible Imagine Peace Tower sighting, and a serious attempt to find the Aurora offshore.

It suits first-time visitors who want guidance rather than reading forecasts alone. It also works well for couples, families, and anyone who dislikes the idea of standing outside in the cold without somewhere warm to sit.

You should think twice if you are prone to seasickness, strongly focused on photography, or leaving Iceland before a possible return trip. The boat provides comfort and shelter, but it is still a night on the water. The lights may be faint, brief, or absent.

Book with flexible expectations and a flexible evening. Treat the Northern Lights as the main possibility, not the only product. That way, Reykjavík’s illuminated shoreline, the heated saloon, and the time on Faxaflói Bay still give the outing a purpose if nature keeps the curtains closed.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which can help while you watch the Iceland forecast.

The meeting point is the Elding Whale Watching boat at Reykjavík Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. Hotel pickup is not part of the standard price, though it is available for an extra charge.

Should you book the Reykjavík Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, guided search with good city views and a genuine second chance when the Aurora does not appear. The warm clothing, heated seating, helpful crew, and open-water horizon make the wait easier.

Skip it if your only goal is tripod-quality photography or if your schedule gives you no chance to return. For most visitors with two or more evenings in Reykjavík, the combination of practical comfort and a free retry makes this a sensible way to hunt for the Northern Lights.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts 2.5 hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

It leaves from the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included in the standard experience, but it is available for an extra charge.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

You are offered the chance to join the cruise again on another night free of charge.

Is warm clothing provided?

Yes. Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets are available on board.

Is there a heated place to sit?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with ample seating and toilets.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Other refreshments are not included, but the onboard café sells hot drinks and snacks.

Can I photograph the Northern Lights from the boat?

You can try, but photography may be difficult because the boat moves and long exposures can produce blurry images. The experience is not recommended if photography is your main reason for booking.