From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

The sky can put on quite a show. This two-hour cruise leaves Reykjavik’s city glow behind and carries you into Faxaflói Bay, where dark water and open sky give the Northern Lights a better chance to appear. I especially like the heated cabin and warm flotation overalls, which make the cold manageable, and the free return ticket if the aurora does not show.

The guides add real value, explaining both the science and the old stories tied to the lights. Guide Lukas, also referred to as Lucas, has helped passengers with camera settings, taken photographs, and stayed late to help find a lost phone. The main drawback is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and the two-hour schedule can become a long, cold wait if clouds block the sky.

Key points before you book

• You sail from central Reykjavik: Check in at the Special Tours office at Geirsgata 11, then walk to the boat.
• You get a second chance: If the lights do not appear, your booking number can be used to join another trip free of charge.
• The outdoor deck is cold but manageable: Warm flotation overalls are supplied, yet you still need proper winter clothing.
• The heated cabin matters: You can warm up indoors, use the toilets, connect to free WiFi, and buy refreshments.
• The cruise includes more than aurora watching: You get city views from the water, guide commentary, star watching, science, and Icelandic folklore.
• The trip is not a meal outing: Food and drinks cost extra, and hotel pickup is not provided.

Leaving Geirsgata 11 for Faxaflói Bay

Your evening begins at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner, and arrive about 30 minutes before departure. That extra time is useful, especially if you need to find the office, collect your warm overalls, or get settled before boarding.

The meeting point is central, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Check your directions carefully. One passenger was sent to the wrong place by map coordinates and had to hurry after spotting people boarding from a distance. I would not cut this one close. Reykjavik’s harbor area is easy enough to reach, but a slightly early arrival keeps the evening calm.

The boat heads across Faxaflói Bay for about two hours. The route itself is part of the appeal. From the water, you get a different view of Reykjavik, with the city lights behind you and darker skies ahead. You may also see mountains and open water around the bay, giving you something to watch while the crew checks the conditions.

This is not a point-to-point sightseeing cruise with several scheduled stops. The boat goes out to find a workable viewing area, then spends time watching the sky. That makes the trip flexible, but it also means the experience depends heavily on cloud cover, darkness, and aurora activity.

Waiting for the Northern Lights on the open water

Aurora watching is a waiting game. The lights can appear quickly, remain faint, or fail to show at all. The crew cannot control the clouds or the strength of the aurora, so you should book this as a chance to see the lights rather than a promise that you will.

Some outings have produced dramatic displays visible to the naked eye. On one especially successful trip, the lights appeared before the boat had even stopped. Other departures have offered only faint color, and some have had no sighting at all. That wide range is normal for this kind of activity.

The boat’s position away from central Reykjavik helps. City light can wash out faint aurora activity, while darker water gives you a cleaner view of the sky. Still, getting away from the city does not guarantee a bright display. The best you may see is a pale glow or a soft ribbon that your camera records more clearly than your eyes.

That last point surprises many people. Cameras can pick up faint aurora color better than the naked eye, especially in low light. Do not assume a weak visual sighting means the trip failed. The crew has also helped with camera settings, and photographs taken by the crew have sometimes been made available online the next day.

Warm overalls, cold decks, and the heated cabin

The supplied flotation overalls are one of the most useful parts of the trip. You wear them over your own clothes, so bring enough layers underneath and choose the size with room to spare. One practical tip is to request a larger size if you plan to wear bulky winter clothing.

The suits help, but they do not make the deck tropical. You are still on a cold bay at night, and the wind can bite when you are watching the sky for a long stretch. Wear weather-appropriate clothing, including warm layers and suitable footwear. The overalls are extra protection, not a replacement for your winter clothes.

When the cold catches up with you, head inside. The heated cabin has toilet facilities, seating, and a bar area where you can buy drinks and snacks. This indoor space is not just a backup. It lets you enjoy the trip without forcing yourself to stay outside for the full two hours.

There are a few small practical points worth knowing. The toilets can be awkward when you are wearing a bulky suit, so use the facilities before putting it on if you can. The supplied seasickness tablets are a thoughtful extra, though they are complimentary rather than a substitute for knowing how your body handles boats.

The boat can feel wet after people come in from the deck, and damp seats make the cold worse. Bring a small layer to sit on if you are sensitive to that. You may also find it easier to buy your drink before heading outside, since moving around in the overalls can be clumsy.

Guide Lukas adds stories to the search

A good guide helps fill the quiet moments. This cruise includes live English commentary about the science behind the Northern Lights, along with Icelandic beliefs and local legends connected to the phenomenon.

That mix works well. The science explains what you are looking for, while the stories give the experience a sense of place. You are not simply standing on a deck waiting for a green arc. You are learning why the lights form, how people have understood them over time, and what signs the crew is watching.

Guide Lukas has received particular praise for his friendly manner and practical help. He has explained camera settings, taken pictures for passengers, and helped people stay engaged when the sky remained empty. On one difficult evening, he even stayed late to help a family search for a lost phone and then drove them back to their hotel. That level of care is not a guaranteed part of the itinerary, but it tells you something useful about the service style.

The commentary is also valuable when the aurora is faint. You may spend much of the cruise looking at stars, clouds, and the changing sky. A guide who can explain what you are seeing makes the waiting less frustrating.

What happens if the lights do not appear

This is where the free return ticket gives the tour much of its value. If there is no sighting, you can use your booking number to reschedule. The repeat trip is subject to availability, so it makes sense to leave at least one flexible evening in your Reykjavik plans.

Several people have used the second chance successfully. One first outing produced nothing, while the next night brought the Northern Lights out clearly. Another passenger tried again and still saw nothing, but enjoyed the boat, drinks, water views, and warm suits both nights.

That is the honest bargain. You are not buying certainty. You are buying an organized search, access to a darker viewing area, equipment to help with the cold, and another opportunity if nature refuses to cooperate.

The repeat-trip policy works best for visitors staying several nights. If you are leaving Iceland the next morning, the free return may be useless. In that case, schedule the cruise early in your visit, not on your final night. An early booking gives you time to try again.

Some trips have lasted longer than the advertised two hours. When the captain believes the lights may appear, the boat may remain out longer or give the sky extra time to clear. That can be wonderful when the aurora is close, but it may affect late-night plans. One outing lasted about four hours while the captain waited for clouds to move and eventually found the lights near the return to port.

Price and value at $101 per person

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. The price makes more sense if you value the boat setting, the heated cabin, the warm overalls, the guide, and the free return option.

You are also paying for a simple plan. You do not need to arrange transport outside the city, find a remote road, or work out where the clouds might be thinner. The crew handles the route while you watch the sky, warm up, and listen to the commentary.

The value drops if you have only one free evening and need a guaranteed activity. The Northern Lights can fail to appear, and food and drinks are extra. You may also have to pay for your own journey to and from the meeting point.

Compared with an ordinary harbor cruise, this trip carries more risk but also a much bigger reward. A city cruise gives you reliable sights. This outing gives you a chance at one of Iceland’s great natural displays, plus a dark-water setting that you cannot get from a brightly lit street.

The included second trip is the feature that protects your purchase. If you stay long enough to use it, the $101 price becomes easier to justify. If you are in Reykjavik for just one night, I would treat it as a gamble and make sure you are comfortable with that.

Shared boats and the practical details

At certain times of year, environmental measures may mean your trip operates on a shared boat with one of the supplier’s partners. This reduces the number of boats on the water. The result may be a different vessel from the one you expected, but the purpose is to limit pressure on the marine environment.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, and the live tour is conducted in English. Pets and smoking are not allowed. Free WiFi is available onboard, though your phone is likely to be more useful for photographs than for browsing while the sky is clear.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now while paying later. Check the available start times before booking, since departure time can change with the season and current conditions.

Food and drinks are not included. Snacks and refreshments can be bought at the indoor bar, so budget a little extra if you want something warm during the wait.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want an easy aurora outing from Reykjavik without committing to a long land excursion. It suits couples, families, first-time visitors, and anyone who prefers a warm indoor cabin nearby rather than standing beside a road all night.

It also works well for photographers who want help with settings. The crew has assisted with cameras, and the open deck gives you room to try for your own shot. Keep your expectations realistic, though. The crew can help you photograph the lights, but it cannot make a weak aurora appear brighter.

This is less suitable if you dislike waiting, get cold easily, or have a tight evening schedule. The boat may stay out longer when conditions look promising, and a quiet night with no aurora can feel long if you expected a constant show.

I would also think twice if your only goal is the strongest possible Northern Lights display. A boat is convenient and atmospheric, but the weather still decides the result. The best plan is to treat the cruise as one part of your Iceland visit, not the single event on which the whole trip depends.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights boat cruise?

Book it if you like the idea of searching for the aurora from the water, want a heated cabin and supplied overalls, and have enough time to use the free return trip. The city views, star watching, guide stories, and helpful crew give you something to enjoy even when the sky stays dark.

I would schedule it early in your stay and arrive at Geirsgata 11 at least 30 minutes ahead. Wear layers, choose roomy overalls, use the toilet before heading onto the deck, and keep your evening flexible. With those small preparations, this is a sensible and comfortable way to give the Northern Lights a chance.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner, and arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The scheduled cruise lasts two hours. The included information also describes it as a two to three-hour tour, and some trips may run longer when the captain waits for better viewing conditions.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can use your booking number to reschedule for another trip at no extra charge. This option depends on available departures, so it is most useful if you have another evening in Reykjavik.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing and wear layers underneath the suit.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and drinks can be purchased onboard at the heated indoor bar.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to and from Geirsgata 11. The cruise does include free WiFi, heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, and complimentary seasickness tablets.