New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise in Reykjavik

Fireworks over Faxaflói Bay make midnight memorable. I like the front-row water views of Reykjavik’s city lights and the simple pleasure of raising a real glass of Champagne at midnight. I also like that you return to the downtown harbor just as the city’s late-night celebrations are getting started. The main catch is that this may feel more like a floating fireworks platform than a sightseeing cruise, since the boat can remain in one spot for much of the evening.

This 90-minute outing begins at 11:00 p.m. from Special Tours on Geirsgata 11. You can warm up inside the saloon, step onto the open deck for the show, and use provided coveralls against the cold. The boat carries as many as 198 people, so the experience may feel busy, especially if you want a clear rail-side position.

Quick points to know before midnight

• The fireworks are the main event: You get a broad view across Reykjavik from the water, with the city lights behind the display.
• Expect a short cruise, not constant sailing: The boat may travel only a short distance before stopping in its viewing position.
• Champagne is included: One glass is provided for the midnight toast, while other drinks and food cost extra.
• You can choose warmth or open air: The indoor saloon offers shelter, while the deck gives you the strongest sense of the weather and the fireworks.
• The downtown return is useful: You finish at the same harbor meeting point, within easy reach of Reykjavik’s continuing New Year’s Eve festivities.
• Book with realistic expectations: At $183.84 per person, the value rests mostly on the special viewing position and the festive setting, not on a long cruise.

Arriving at Special Tours at 11 p.m.

Your evening starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, in Reykjavik’s harbor area. There is no hotel pickup, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point. The stated start time is 11:00 p.m., which leaves little room for a last-minute detour, a slow dinner, or confusion over the harbor entrance.

I would arrive early enough to find the boat without rushing. Your mobile ticket is useful, but New Year’s Eve is not an ordinary night in Reykjavik. Streets and public transport may be busy, and the departure time is fixed. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup across town.

The timing is carefully chosen. You are not spending hours on a boat before the main event. Instead, the cruise gets you aboard shortly before midnight, gives you time to settle in, and puts you in position for the fireworks. The short format also leaves you free to continue celebrating on land afterward.

Sailing into Faxaflói Bay

Once aboard, the boat heads out from Reykjavik’s harbor toward Faxaflói Bay. The view changes quickly from harbor facilities to a wide outlook over the capital. From the water, you can look back at the city’s illuminated landmarks and the spread of lights along the shore.

That broad angle is the real reason to choose this experience. On land, buildings, streets, and crowds can block part of the view. From the bay, the fireworks are set against Reykjavik itself, giving you a clean sense of the display across the city.

Still, keep your expectations in check. The boat may travel only a short distance and then remain stationary for roughly the first 75 minutes. It may make a short circuit near the end of the outing before returning. If you picture a scenic nighttime voyage with continuous movement, you may find the experience disappointing.

The operator’s reasoning is practical: staying in one position can provide the best view of the fireworks over the city. In this case, cruise describes the boat-based setting more than an extended journey. I would book it for the viewing position, not for the sailing itself.

Choosing between the saloon and the open deck

Icelandic winter weather is a serious part of this outing. The boat provides coveralls, which help you spend time outside without relying only on your own winter clothing. You can also retreat to the indoor saloon when the cold becomes too much.

The open deck is where the atmosphere is strongest. One particularly positive account described being outside with the elements during the fireworks as a fantastic part of the night. That makes sense: the dark water, cold air, city lights, and bursts overhead create a much bigger sense of occasion than watching from a heated room.

The saloon is the sensible choice when comfort matters most. It gives you shelter and lets you warm up before or after midnight. The tradeoff is visibility. Depending on the boat’s layout and how crowded it is, indoor windows may not give you the same unobstructed view as the deck.

I would move between the two rather than commit to one spot for the full 90 minutes. Use the saloon as a warm base, then claim outdoor time as midnight approaches. The provided coveralls make this plan easier, but you should still dress for winter conditions.

Watching Reykjavik’s fireworks from the water

The fireworks are spectacular enough to carry the evening. From Faxaflói Bay, you see the display from a distance, with Reykjavik’s lights below and around it. The view is panoramic rather than close-up, which lets you take in the full scale of the city’s celebration.

The strongest part of the experience arrives at midnight. You receive one glass of Champagne on board and can raise it as the New Year begins. It is a small inclusion, but it gives the moment structure. You are not simply waiting on a boat. You have a clear midnight ritual.

The boat’s commentator can add to the mood. One especially favorable account praised a funny commentator and friendly staff, while another found the commentary difficult to hear because the Wi-Fi connection kept failing. That tells you two useful things: the narration can be entertaining, but the audio may not be dependable.

I would treat the commentary as an extra, not a central reason to pay for the tour. The fireworks and the view matter far more. If an announcement is missed, the main event is still visible above the city.

Champagne, bar service, and what is not included

A glass of Champagne is included in the fare. That is the drink you can count on for the midnight toast. Food and additional drinks are not included, so you should not expect a full meal or an open bar.

An onboard bar is advertised, but it may be limited. One complaint described it as very poor, so I would not rely on the boat for a wide choice of drinks or substantial refreshments. Have dinner before boarding, especially since the departure is close to midnight and the time on board is short.

At $183.84 per person, the included Champagne helps, but it does not transform the price into a bargain. You are paying for a special New Year’s Eve departure, the boat position in the bay, the organized timing, the coveralls, and the chance to avoid finding a public viewing place on your own.

The value depends on your priorities. If you want a distinctive setting and a glass in hand at midnight, the fare may feel reasonable for a once-a-year event. If you mainly want to watch fireworks and do not care about being on a boat, the price is harder to defend. Reykjavik’s city celebrations may offer a less expensive way to spend midnight, though this experience gives you a calmer viewpoint away from the streets.

Crowding and the 198-person capacity

The maximum group size is 198 people. That is a sizable crowd for a small boat, and the physical feel of the outing can depend on the vessel used and how passengers spread out.

One account specifically described the boat as too small, packed to capacity, and lacking enough room for a comfortable experience. That criticism matters because deck space is limited. If everyone wants an outdoor view at midnight, the railings and best sightlines may become competitive.

The crowd can also change the character of the experience. You may enjoy the shared energy, especially when the Champagne is poured and the fireworks begin. On the other hand, you should not expect a quiet private cruise or a spacious luxury setting.

I would arrive promptly and pay attention to where you are most comfortable before the boat settles in the bay. If you need a particular amount of personal space, this may not be the right New Year’s Eve plan. The capacity is clearly stated, so a full boat should be treated as a real possibility rather than an unlikely problem.

Returning downtown after the display

The boat returns to the original meeting point after about 90 minutes. This is one of the outing’s practical strengths. You finish in central Reykjavik rather than at a remote dock, so you can continue the night on foot or make your own way elsewhere.

The timing is also useful. You are not committing the whole night to a cruise. Once back on land, you can join post-midnight celebrations, find a bar, meet friends, or simply return to your accommodation.

That convenience comes with a small limitation: there is no hotel drop-off. The tour ends where it starts, and you are responsible for the next part of your evening. Since the activity finishes after midnight, plan that final journey before boarding rather than assuming transport will be effortless.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik fireworks cruise?

I think this outing suits you best if the setting matters as much as the fireworks. Couples, friends, and first-time New Year’s Eve visitors may like the combination of city lights, open water, Champagne, and a ready-made midnight plan.

It is also a good fit if you want to avoid standing in one place on land while waiting for midnight. The boat provides shelter, seating or indoor space, a guide, and a clear schedule. The coveralls are helpful for anyone who wants outdoor viewing without spending the entire evening exposed to the cold.

You may want to skip it if you need a long, moving cruise. The boat can stay in place for most of the event, and the short final circuit may not satisfy anyone expecting a full bay excursion.

It may also be a poor match if crowding bothers you or if a strong onboard bar is important. The capacity can reach 198 people, and the bar may be limited. At this price, those details can feel more serious than they would on a cheaper daytime boat ride.

Booking, cancellation, and practical details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this experience is booked an average of 83 days in advance, I would not leave it until the final week if the boat is central to your New Year’s Eve plans.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 11:00 p.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local Reykjavik time.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. The activity includes a professional guide, coveralls, and one glass of Champagne. It does not include hotel pickup, hotel drop-off, food, or extra drinks unless specifically provided.

The mobile ticket keeps the admission process simple. I would still keep the meeting address, Geirsgata 11, saved on your phone and allow extra time for the harbor area. On a night when everyone is working around the same countdown, being early is worth more than squeezing in one final errand.

Is the $183.84 fare worth it?

This is not a low-cost fireworks viewing option. At $183.84 per person, the fare buys a special event rather than a standard sightseeing trip. The best parts are the water viewpoint, the panoramic look back at Reykjavik, the included Champagne, and the ease of having your midnight plans organized.

The weak points are equally clear. The boat may remain stationary for most of the outing, the vessel can feel crowded, the bar may be disappointing, and the audio commentary may suffer technical problems. These issues do not erase the fireworks, but they affect how much comfort and polish you receive for the money.

I would judge the price against the importance of the occasion. For a once-only New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik, you may gladly pay for a memorable setting and a guaranteed place on the bay. For a casual fireworks outing, the cost is high.

Should you book this fireworks cruise?

Book it if you want a planned midnight toast, a wide view of Reykjavik from Faxaflói Bay, and a quick return to downtown celebrations. The fireworks themselves are the strongest reason to go, and the open-deck experience can be genuinely special when the weather and crowd suit you.

Skip it if the word cruise makes you expect continuous sightseeing, spacious surroundings, or a well-stocked bar. I would book with one clear expectation: this is a fireworks viewing platform on the water, with a short ride attached. If that sounds like the New Year’s Eve moment you want, the experience can be worth the premium.

FAQ

Where does the New Year’s Eve fireworks cruise begin?

It begins at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 11:00 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Is Champagne included?

Yes. One glass of Champagne is included for the midnight toast.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not available. The activity begins and ends at the Special Tours meeting point.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.