From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

The aurora hunt begins at the harbor. This two-hour cruise gives you a peaceful way to search the sky from the water, with Reykjavik fading behind you and mountains framing the horizon. I like the quiet ocean setting and the chance to move between two observation decks instead of sitting on a crowded coach. I also like the warm indoor areas, blankets, bar, and crew support when the night turns cold. The main drawback is simple: the lights are never guaranteed, and a two-hour boat trip can feel expensive if the sky stays dark.

You check in at the Old Harbour House, then board the vessel and head into quieter water. The cruise is comfortable, well organized, and easy to fit into a Reykjavik stay. Still, you should book it as an aurora search, not as a guaranteed show. If nature does not cooperate, the operator may let you return for free, but a short visit may not leave enough nights for a second attempt.

Key points before you book

• Two hours on the water: You leave Reykjavik’s harbor, watch the city lights recede, and search the sky from open water.
• Two observation decks: You can move around to find a better view, then retreat indoors when the cold wins.
• A warm boat matters: Indoor seating, blankets, cushions, lamps, and a bar make the waiting time much easier.
• The crew helps with the search: Guides point out faint aurora activity and can offer advice for taking photos.
• Free rebooking can save the trip: If the lights do not appear, you may be able to try again, subject to the operator’s arrangements.
• The $88 price depends on the sky: It is fair for a comfortable cruise with a helpful crew, but poor value if you cannot return and see anything.

Checking in at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik. The check-in process is straightforward: scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

That early arrival gives you time to get oriented without rushing down the pier. Hotel pickup is also available in the Reykjavik area, but you should check the available option when booking. If you make your own way to the harbor, the meeting point is clear and central to the cruise departure.

The harbor setting helps set the mood. This is not a bus ride out into the countryside. You begin beside Reykjavik’s waterfront, then watch the familiar city lights grow smaller as the boat moves away. That change is part of the experience. You are still close to the capital, but the sound of the water and the darker horizon make the wait feel less ordinary.

Boarding the boat and finding your view

The crew welcomes you aboard and shows you toward the seating areas. The boat used on some departures, Amelia Rose, has been praised for its comfortable interior and easy-to-use outside areas. You will find covered seating inside, as well as decks where you can look straight up at the sky.

The double observation deck is one of the strongest features. You are not locked into one place for the entire trip. You can step outside when the guide spots activity, move around to adjust your view, and return indoors when the wind and cold become too much.

That freedom makes this different from an ordinary sightseeing bus. You can stand at the rail, look over the harbor, or find a place with fewer people around you. On busy departures, indoor seating may be limited, so do not assume every person can claim a private seat. Some passengers have found themselves standing, especially when everyone rushes outside at the first sign of green.

Inside, the boat is designed for waiting. Reports describe warm seating areas, cushions, lamps, and a bar selling drinks. Wi-Fi is included, though your attention will probably move quickly from your phone to the sky once the boat reaches open water.

Leaving the city lights behind

As the boat heads out, Reykjavik becomes part of the view rather than the main event. The city remains visible in the distance, with mountains beyond it. This gives you a pleasant sense of place while the guide explains where to look and what kind of activity may be developing.

The cruise does not take you to an entirely dark wilderness. You are still close enough to Reykjavik for some city glow, and that matters if you are hoping for the darkest possible sky. One passenger felt the boat moved only far enough to reduce the city light, not far enough to create a true dark-sky setting.

That is the tradeoff. A cruise is convenient and shorter than a long coach excursion. You do not spend several hours driving to a remote area, but you also do not get the same distance from artificial light. For many people, the harbor departure is a good compromise, especially if you have only one free evening or do not want another long road trip.

The ocean adds something a bus cannot. You hear the water, feel the boat move, and see the lights reflected on the surface if the aurora appears. On clear nights, the mountains and city make a memorable frame around the sky.

Waiting for the Northern Lights

The central part of the cruise is a patient search. Sometimes the aurora appears quickly. One departure saw activity within 20 minutes, while another group waited until near the end of the two-hour trip. On some nights, the lights showed as faint bands that were easier to capture with a camera than to see clearly with the naked eye.

That difference is important. Photographs can reveal more color and detail than your eyes see in weak aurora conditions. You might notice a pale gray or soft green glow overhead, then discover a stronger green shape in your phone image. In a powerful display, though, the lights can be obvious without a camera. One March outing had a particularly strong show that was visible to the naked eye across the sky.

Your guide is useful during this wait. The crew points out where to look, explains what is happening, and helps keep the mood positive without talking constantly. A quiet guide can be better than a nonstop commentary because you need long stretches of darkness and attention.

Guides have included Steingreimur, Hólmar, and Christina on different departures. Christina was praised for mixing facts, humor, and practical help, while other guides have walked around the boat to help people frame pictures and adjust camera settings. That personal help is valuable if you have never photographed the aurora.

You should still prepare for a long period of simply standing and looking. The cruise is not an entertainment show with a backup program every few minutes. The real activity is the wait itself: stars overhead, dark water below, and everyone watching for the first faint streak.

Staying warm on the observation deck

I would treat warm clothing as essential, even though the boat has heated indoor areas and blankets. The outside deck can be bitterly cold, especially with wind over open water. You may begin indoors, step outside for a sighting, then return below deck to warm up.

Wear comfortable shoes with good footing and several warm layers. The provided blankets help, but they are not a substitute for proper winter clothing. A hat and gloves are sensible additions, particularly if you plan to stay outside for photography.

The boat’s indoor comfort is a major reason to choose this cruise over a simpler open-air outing. You can wait in warmth, buy a drink, and watch through the windows until the guide calls everyone outside. Some people spent most of the trip outdoors because the aurora appeared early. Others were grateful to have a warm place to retreat.

The arrangement also works well for mixed groups. One person can remain inside while another checks the deck. If you are traveling with children, older family members, or anyone who dislikes prolonged cold, that flexibility makes the outing less demanding.

Photographing the aurora from the boat

Do not rely on automatic phone settings if you want a clear picture. Guides have helped people change camera settings, and one useful tip from a departure was to use an Android phone’s Pro mode with a one-second exposure.

Keep your phone steady while the shutter is open. The boat may move gently, so sharp images can take patience. You should also look with your own eyes first. It is easy to spend the entire sighting staring at a screen and miss the changing patterns overhead.

The water can add a nice reflection, especially when the lights grow bright. The city and mountain silhouettes give your pictures more character than a completely empty black sky. On weaker nights, your camera may record more color than your eyes, but that does not mean the experience is fake or disappointing. It is simply how low-light photography works.

The crew’s photo help is one of the practical strengths of this tour. You are not left alone to guess why your pictures look black. Ask for assistance early, before the aurora becomes strongest.

What happens if the lights do not appear

The operator does not promise an aurora sighting. Cloud cover, timing, and solar activity can all work against you. A canceled departure caused by poor weather may be moved to another night, and a cruise that runs without a sighting may allow a free return.

The rebooking policy can be a real part of the tour’s value. Several people tried again and succeeded on a later departure. Some were able to rebook more than once, and one account described returning for free for up to three years. You should confirm the exact arrangement with the operator, since the practical value depends on your travel dates and available departures.

This is why I recommend scheduling the cruise early in your Reykjavik stay. If the first night is cloudy or quiet, you may have time to try again. Booking it on your final evening leaves little room to use the free return option.

A no-aurora night is not necessarily a bad boat trip. You still get the harbor, mountains, stars, ocean, and a comfortable ride. One departure even had a distant volcanic eruption visible, while another briefly saw whales. Those extras are not promised, so do not book expecting them, but they show how the night can still produce something memorable.

The honest question is how you would feel paying $88 for the boat ride alone. If the answer is not much, the free rebooking option becomes important. If you have only one night in Reykjavik, accept that you are buying a chance rather than a result.

Is $88 a fair price for two hours?

At $88 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The cruise lasts two hours, drinks cost extra, and the Northern Lights may never appear. If the sky stays empty and you cannot return, the price may feel high for a short evening on the water.

The value improves if you care about comfort and atmosphere. You get a guided aurora search, two observation decks, Wi-Fi, blankets, indoor seating, and access to a bar. You also avoid spending three or four hours on a road trip in search of darker skies.

I see the cruise as a middle option. It is more atmospheric than waiting in Reykjavik, less tiring than a long coach outing, and easier for people who want to stay near the capital. It is not the best choice if your only goal is the darkest possible sky. A land-based trip farther from the city might offer better darkness, but this cruise gives you a more relaxed and distinctly maritime evening.

The price is also easier to accept when the crew is active and helpful. Strong guiding can turn a vague wait into a proper search. When guides explain where to look, help with photos, and pause the boat for a final chance to see stronger lights, you get more than transportation out and back.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short evening activity from Reykjavik and like the idea of watching the sky from the sea. It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and anyone who prefers moving around rather than sitting on a bus.

It is particularly good for:

• People with limited time in Reykjavik
• Anyone who values warm indoor seating during an outdoor experience
• First-time aurora watchers who want help spotting faint activity
• Visitors who want a second chance if the first night fails
• Photographers who appreciate help with phone settings
• People who enjoy the atmosphere of the harbor, mountains, and open water

I would hesitate if you dislike cold, motion on a boat, or waiting without a guaranteed payoff. I would also think twice if you have only one evening and need a definite attraction. The crew can improve your chances, but no guide can control the sky.

Booking advice for a smoother night

Book early in your stay when possible. That gives you room to reschedule if weather cancels the trip or the aurora does not appear.

Arrive 30 minutes before departure. Bring warm clothes and comfortable shoes, and keep your phone charged if you want pictures. You can buy drinks on board, but they are not included in the price.

Listen for the guide’s directions rather than assuming the brightest patch is in front of you. Weak aurora can begin as a thin, easily missed streak. Stay patient, check both observation decks, and remember that the strongest display might come near the end.

The tour operates in English. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your plans are still changing.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, compact aurora search with water, mountains, and Reykjavik in the background. The warm boat, movable viewing areas, friendly crew, and possible free return make it a sensible choice for many visitors.

Just keep your expectations honest. You are paying for a well-run chance to see the Northern Lights, not a guaranteed performance. If you can schedule it early enough to try again, $88 is easier to justify. If this is your final night and you would be disappointed by an empty sky, choose only if you are happy to enjoy the cruise itself.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in 30 minutes before departure.

How do I check in at the harbor?

Scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk inside Old Harbour House.

Is hotel pickup available?

Optional pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavik area.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The aurora depends on conditions, so a sighting is not guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You may be able to reschedule for free with the tour operator. The exact opportunity depends on the operator’s arrangements and your remaining time in Iceland.

Is the cruise conducted in English?

Yes. The live tour guide language is English.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to buy on the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes. Blankets are provided on the boat, but the outside deck can still be very cold.