Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

The sky is the evening’s only real appointment. I like this cruise because it takes you beyond Reykjavik’s harbor lights by boat, and I like the choice of an outdoor viewing deck plus a warm lower cabin with drinks and snacks. The crew, including guides such as Maria and Lucky, keeps watch and explains where to look. The catch is simple: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed, and the open deck can feel bitterly cold.

At about $78 per person, this two-hour outing costs more than simply walking along the Reykjavik waterfront, but you get a proper boat trip, city views from the bay, indoor seating, Wi-Fi, a restroom, and a café. I also appreciate the free return option if the lights do not appear, though that promise has little value if you leave Iceland the next morning.

Key points to know before you book

• The boat leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: Check in at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, then return to the same point after the cruise.
• You get both city and bay views: The route follows Reykjavik’s coast and passes small islands in Faxaflói Bay.
• The upper deck is the best place to watch: It gives you a broad view of the sky, but it is also the coldest part of the boat.
• The lower cabin matters: You can warm up indoors, buy hot drinks, and use the café, restroom, and Wi-Fi.
• A repeat cruise is offered if needed: If you do not see the lights, you can arrange another trip at no extra charge, subject to the operator’s conditions.
• The group is kept fairly small: The boat takes a maximum of 75 people, which is more manageable than a large coach outing.

Leaving Old Harbour for Faxaflói Bay

Your evening begins at Old Harbour House, the red building at Ægisgarður 2. It also houses a restaurant, and one useful detail is easy to miss: you need to check in and collect the ticket from the machine before eating if you want to use the reported 15 percent restaurant discount. Several people missed the saving by having dinner first.

From the harbor, the ship heads into Faxaflói Bay. The first reward is not necessarily the sky. Reykjavik’s waterfront takes on a different character after dark, with the city lights spread along the shore and the boat giving you an angle you cannot get from land.

The route follows the coast and passes among small islands. The bay’s islands are close to shore, unlike Breiðafjörður farther north, which has many more islands scattered across its waters. I would not book this mainly as a sightseeing cruise, but these details give the outing more substance when the aurora is weak or absent.

You may also see wildlife in the water. The usual possibilities include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Orcas are possible too, but they are not something you should expect on a short evening cruise. The crew has experience spotting marine life, so keep an eye on the water during the outward trip instead of staring only at the sky.

Searching the sky from the observation deck

The boat’s upper deck is the main reason to choose this outing over a standard land-based option. Once the ship gets away from the brightest harbor lights, you have a wider view in several directions. The crew points out areas of activity and helps you follow the aurora as it shifts.

That wider view can matter. One group found that the boat reached clearer conditions beyond cloud cover, while the bus group they knew did not see anything. This is not a guaranteed advantage, but it explains why a boat can sometimes work when the view from Reykjavik is blocked.

The northern lights may begin as a faint gray or green streak. At other times, they can strengthen into vivid green and red bands. Some people saw a strong show that lasted close to two hours. Others saw only a weak glow, or captured more with a phone than with their own eyes. Your camera may reveal color that seems invisible at first, but that can also be disappointing if you hoped for a clear, dramatic display overhead.

Listen to the guide rather than assuming every patch of light is the aurora. Guides such as Maria and Lucky have been praised for staying outside, giving directions, and keeping people informed as conditions change. The best crew members add real value here because the sky can be confusing, especially for a first-time viewer.

The cold is part of the deal

The upper deck is exposed, and several people found it painfully cold, even on nights when the lights were good. I would wear more layers than you think you need, including a warm hat and gloves. The supplied information does not promise special cold-weather clothing, so plan as if you must bring your own protection.

You can move inside to warm up. The lower section has seating, a café, hot chocolate, and other drinks. That indoor space is more than a comfort feature. It lets you take a break without ending the evening, which is important when the search lasts two hours and the wind picks up.

The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, a restroom, and Wi-Fi. These are modest features, but they make the cruise easier than standing on a roadside or open beach for the same length of time. I especially like the chance to warm your hands with a hot drink, then return outside when the crew spots activity.

Still, do not expect the café to solve every problem. If the aurora is faint, you may spend much of the time moving between the cabin and deck, hoping conditions improve. The boat is comfortable, but comfort cannot create clear skies.

What the cruise offers when the lights stay faint

A northern lights tour is always a gamble. Cloud cover, light strength, and timing are outside the operator’s control. The boat goes out when conditions allow the trip to operate, but that does not mean the aurora will put on a show.

This is the main weakness of the experience. Some people saw nothing with the naked eye and had to rely on phone pictures. Others saw only a slight glow and felt that the guide described it more enthusiastically than the conditions deserved. If you need a strong aurora sighting to feel the price was justified, you should treat this as a chance, not a promise.

The boat does provide a useful fallback. Even on a disappointing night, you still get a smooth ride, Reykjavik’s evening views, the bay, indoor seating, and the possibility of spotting marine life. That makes the cruise less starkly disappointing than a long drive to a dark viewing site that produces no result.

The best way to judge the value is to ask what you want from the evening. If your entire goal is the strongest possible aurora odds, the boat may not be the only option worth considering. If you want the lights plus a pleasant outing on the water, the package makes more sense.

A close look at the boat and crew

The ship is described as clean, large, and comfortable, with several seating choices. It has enough indoor room to take shelter from rain and cold, while the outdoor deck remains the place to watch the sky.

The crew receives some of the strongest praise. The captain shares information about the route and the sky, while the guides help people know when to look and where the lights are appearing. Maria has been singled out for staying outside and giving commentary, and Lucky has been praised for trying to assist everyone.

That personal attention matters on an aurora cruise. You could look at the sky from the harbor for free, but you would not have someone on board tracking the conditions and helping you understand what you are seeing. The crew cannot control the result, but it can improve the experience around the uncertainty.

The café also receives good marks for reasonable drink prices and a useful selection. Hot chocolate becomes especially welcome after time outside. If you plan dinner at Old Harbour House, remember to arrange the discount before paying for the meal.

Price, group size, and the repeat-trip promise

The listed cost is $78 per person. For a two-hour activity, that is not a bargain in the strict sense, but it includes a boat ride, harbor departure, bay views, onboard staff, indoor and outdoor areas, Wi-Fi, a restroom, and café access. I consider it fair value if you want a comfortable evening outing and not just a quick aurora viewing stop.

The group limit of 75 people is helpful. It is not an intimate private cruise, but it is far smaller than a full coach group. You should still expect other people on the deck, particularly when the lights appear, but the number should remain manageable.

The repeat-trip policy is one of the most important parts of the purchase. If you do not see the northern lights, you are offered another cruise at no additional charge. Some people were able to return, while others had no time because they were leaving Iceland the next day.

For that reason, I would schedule this early in your Reykjavik stay. The tour is booked an average of 42 days ahead, so popular dates may fill, but the more important reason to book early is to leave room for a second attempt. The free return helps only if you still have time in town.

The policy is not the same as a guaranteed sighting. You still pay for the original booking, and you must be able to use the return offer. If your Iceland visit is very short, choose the date carefully and confirm how to arrange another trip before you leave the harbor.

When to choose this over a bus outing

I would choose the boat if you are staying near central Reykjavik and like the idea of seeing the city from the water. It is also a good fit if you want indoor facilities, a café, and the freedom to step outside only when the sky looks promising.

The boat can sometimes move beyond low cloud or harbor glare, which may improve your view. But you should not assume it will always beat a bus. The aurora changes from night to night, and several conditions have to line up.

I would also pick it for a mixed-interest group. Someone who is excited about the northern lights can watch the sky, while someone less enthusiastic can enjoy the boat, coastline, islands, and city views. The possibility of whales, dolphins, or porpoises gives you another reason to pay attention.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold weather or have no spare night for a repeat trip. You may spend much of the cruise outside in freezing conditions and still see only a faint streak. In that case, the indoor cabin softens the disappointment, but it does not remove it.

Practical details for a smoother evening

Plan to arrive at Old Harbour House with enough time to identify the check-in point. The restaurant and tour check-in share the area, and the building can be confusing if you expect a separate cruise office.

Dress for the upper deck, not the lower cabin. Add extra layers, gloves, and a hat. Bring a phone or camera if you want pictures, but remember that a photograph may show more color than your eyes can see.

Keep some flexibility in your itinerary. The operator can cancel for poor weather and offer another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of people is not met, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted.

The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part. Confirmation arrives when you book.

Who should book this cruise?

I think this is best for you if you want more than a stationary northern lights lookout. The boat adds city views, sea air, possible wildlife, a comfortable cabin, and a crew that actively helps you follow the sky.

It is also a sensible choice for anyone with at least two evenings in Reykjavik. The return option gives you a second chance, and booking early in the visit lets you use it if the first night fails.

I would skip it if you want certainty, dislike cold, or have only one night in Iceland. No northern lights tour can promise success, and the boat’s repeat policy cannot help if your flight is waiting the next morning.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise begin?

It begins at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Old Harbour House.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $78 per person.

What language is the cruise offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

What can I see during the boat ride?

The route includes small islands in Faxaflói Bay and the coast of Reykjavik. Possible wildlife includes minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and, less commonly, orcas.

Does the boat have indoor seating?

Yes. The boat provides indoor and outdoor seating, and the lower section offers a place to warm up.

Are food and drinks available?

Yes. An onboard café sells drinks and food, including hot chocolate. The Old Harbour House restaurant may also offer a 15 percent discount when you check in and collect the required ticket before paying for your meal.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You are offered another cruise at no extra charge. This is most useful if you have enough time left in Reykjavik to return.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number is not met, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a comfortable sea-based search with Reykjavik views, a warm cabin, and a crew that helps you read the sky. The $78 price is reasonable when the boat trip itself matters to you, and the free return makes it more appealing for a stay of several nights.

I would book it near the beginning of your Iceland visit, dress far too warmly, and treat the lights as a bonus rather than a promise. If the aurora appears, the water gives the sighting a special setting. If it does not, you still get a pleasant evening cruise, but only you can decide if that is enough.