Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

Aurora hunting begins close to town. This two-hour cruise takes you from Reykjavik’s harbor into Faxaflói Bay, giving you a chance to see the Northern Lights above open water while keeping the city’s famous sights in view. I like the heated indoor saloon and the large boat, which gives you room to move between sheltered seating and outdoor decks. I also like the free return cruise if the aurora does not appear, a useful safety net for such an unpredictable show.

The main drawback is simple: a boat cannot control the clouds, moonlight, or strength of the aurora. Some outings produce a spectacular display that lasts for most of the trip. Others show only a faint glow, or nothing at all. The city lights also remain fairly close, so this is not the darkest possible setting.

Key points before you book

• The cruise lasts about two hours, making it much shorter than many coach trips from Reykjavik.
• Warm, floatable overalls are supplied, but you should still bring a hat and gloves.
• The boat has outdoor viewing decks and a heated cabin, with Wi-Fi, toilets, and a café selling hot drinks and snacks.
• Reykjavik’s skyline is part of the experience, including Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja church.
• The Imagine Peace Tower may be included from October through December, when its beam is lit.
• No aurora means a free second chance, with complimentary return tickets valid for two years.

Leaving Ægisgarður for Faxaflói Bay

You meet at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in central Reykjavik. The activity begins and ends at the same harbor point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the dock. The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes it practical if you are staying in the city center.

Once aboard, you can choose between several levels and viewing areas. The boat is large enough to offer indoor and outdoor space, yet not so huge that the outing feels like a ferry commute. That size is one of its strengths. You can step outside when the sky looks promising, then retreat inside when the cold starts working through your coat.

The cruise heads out into Faxaflói Bay in search of darker skies. It does not travel deep into the countryside, and that matters. Reykjavik’s glow remains part of the view, particularly near the harbor. Still, moving out over the water gives you a wider horizon and removes some buildings, streetlights, and nearby obstacles from your line of sight.

The ride is usually stable enough for a comfortable evening, but the sea is still the sea. A few people have found the upper deck rocky, especially in windy conditions or when the boat changes speed. If you are prone to seasickness, take your usual precautions before boarding. The crew has also provided seasickness tablets on some trips, though you should not rely on that as your only plan.

Reykjavik’s lights from the water

The city views are not just filler while you wait for the sky to change. From the bay, you get a clean view back toward Reykjavik’s illuminated buildings.

Harpa Concert Hall is particularly striking after dark, with its geometric glass exterior catching the city lights. Hallgrímskirkja church rises above the city and is easy to recognize from the water. These views give the cruise a second purpose: even on a cloudy night, you are still seeing Reykjavik from a different angle.

From October through December, the route may pass the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. Its bright beam rises from Viðey Island, and seeing it from the boat can be an unexpected highlight. The tower is not an aurora substitute, but it adds a distinctive Icelandic touch to the evening.

The crew provides commentary about the sights and the aurora. Guides explain how the Northern Lights form and point out where to look when activity begins. One guide named Mia received especially warm praise for making the evening memorable, though the guide assigned to your departure may be different.

The quality of the commentary can depend on where you are standing and how well the microphone carries. At times, music, engine noise, or crowd chatter has made the announcements difficult to hear. If the guide begins explaining camera settings or safety information, move closer to the speaker if you can.

Choosing between the heated saloon and upper decks

The boat’s indoor saloon is the practical heart of the cruise. It is heated, has seating, toilets, free Wi-Fi, and a small café. You can buy hot chocolate, other hot drinks, snacks, water, and hand warmers. The café is especially welcome during the colder months, when even good outdoor clothing may not be enough for two hours on the bay.

The outdoor decks are where you will want to be when the sky clears. Northern Lights photography works best with as little glass and indoor light in front of you as possible. The upper deck offers the broadest sky, but it can also be the coldest and windiest part of the boat.

Warm waterproof overalls are available to borrow. They are a major help, particularly in January and during clear, windy evenings. Put one on even if the harbor does not feel too cold. Conditions can change quickly once you are away from the shelter of the buildings.

Still, bring your own warm hat and gloves. The supplied overalls protect your body, but your hands, head, and face remain exposed outside. Wear footwear suitable for wet, cold conditions, and keep your camera batteries close to your body when possible. Cold drains batteries quickly.

Crowding is the main weakness of the boat setup. On busy departures, the indoor tables can fill up, and you may need to share a table with people you do not know. The top deck can also become congested when the aurora appears. If the view is blocked, try the bow or another outdoor level instead of staying in one spot.

How the Northern Lights search really works

The cruise usually spends much of its time waiting and watching. You may see a faint green arc soon after leaving the harbor, or you may wait an hour or more. One successful outing found strong lights within minutes of departure. Another produced a good display only during the second hour.

That waiting is not wasted, but you should set sensible expectations. The aurora is a natural event. A clear night does not guarantee a strong show, and a high forecast does not guarantee that the lights will appear where you are looking. Cloud cover can hide activity completely. A full moon can also make faint aurora harder to see.

Human eyesight is another factor. Weak aurora may look like a pale gray or green haze to your eyes but show more clearly in a camera photograph. Some outings have produced only faint streaks that were easier to record than to admire directly. If the crew celebrates a weak glow, you may or may not agree that it deserves a full northern-lights victory lap.

The guide can help you locate the lights and may offer advice on camera settings. This is useful because automatic phone settings often struggle in darkness. Keep your expectations realistic: boat movement can blur long exposures, especially if the water is choppy or the vessel is changing speed.

The best viewing strategy is to remain flexible. Start outside when conditions look good, step inside to warm up, and return to the deck regularly. You do not need to stand in the cold for the full two hours to have a fair chance.

The free return policy and what it is worth

The sighting guarantee is one of the strongest reasons to consider this cruise. If no Northern Lights are seen, you receive complimentary tickets to try again. The return tickets are valid for two years.

That policy does not make the first evening free of disappointment. You may be in Reykjavik for only a short holiday, and a return trip may not fit your schedule. One unhappy customer would have preferred a refund rather than a voucher for a future visit. That is a fair concern if you are leaving Iceland the next morning.

For a longer stay, though, the policy has real value. You can use the first cruise to learn how the boat works, then return on a night with a better forecast. Weather cancellations are handled separately: if poor conditions make the cruise unsafe or impractical, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Some departures have needed rescheduling because of weather or mechanical trouble. In those cases, the company has provided alternative arrangements or compensation. These events are not common enough to define the tour, but they are worth remembering when planning a tightly packed Iceland schedule.

Is $105 a fair price?

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest way to hunt the aurora. You are paying for a boat ride, crew commentary, warm overalls, indoor facilities, and the chance to see Reykjavik from the bay. Café purchases cost extra, and there is no hotel transfer.

The price makes more sense if you value comfort and convenience. You can reach the harbor from central Reykjavik, spend about two hours on the water, and avoid committing to a much longer coach excursion. The onboard toilet, warm cabin, and café are practical advantages, especially in winter.

A coach tour can travel farther from city light and may adjust its route based on the forecast. That gives it an edge on nights when darkness and cloud conditions vary across the region. A bus trip can also stop in several places, while this cruise follows a fixed water route.

The boat wins on atmosphere. You get the city skyline, the open bay, the Imagine Peace Tower during its seasonal lighting period, and the unusual feeling of watching the sky from the water. If the aurora appears above you, the setting can be wonderful.

I would view the $105 as reasonable for a short, comfortable evening activity, but not as a guaranteed Northern Lights ticket. The free return option improves the value, especially if your schedule allows another attempt.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you are staying in Reykjavik and want an easy evening without spending five hours on a bus. It suits people who like having an indoor refuge, a toilet, a café, and several outdoor viewing areas close at hand.

It is also a good fit if you want more than a single-purpose aurora chase. The city views and Imagine Peace Tower give you something to see even when the sky refuses to cooperate. Couples, families, and first-time visitors who prefer a gentle introduction to night sailing may find the format comfortable.

You may prefer a coach tour if your only goal is the darkest possible sky. A bus can search across a wider area and may have better odds on a night when clouds are patchy. You may also want land transport if you are sensitive to boat movement.

Large groups should think about the crowd level. The maximum capacity is 150 people, and a full departure can feel busy on the upper decks. For the clearest photo, arrive ready to move around and do not expect a private viewing spot.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but the boat is not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds can make access to interior areas and toilets difficult.

Practical tips for a better night

Check the aurora and weather forecasts before you go, but do not treat either one as a promise. Heavy cloud cover is a poor sign, while a stronger aurora forecast improves your chances without guaranteeing anything.

Dress for the deck, not the harbor. Wear the provided overalls, and bring a hat, gloves, and warm layers. January departures can be extremely cold, and October can still feel sharp on the water.

If photography matters to you, listen carefully when the guide explains camera settings. Turn off your flash, use a stable surface when possible, and expect some images to blur if the boat moves. A phone may capture a faint aurora that your eyes barely notice, but that does not mean the show will look dramatic in person.

If the boat is crowded, try the bow or a lower outdoor platform. The highest deck is not automatically the best place. Wind, motion, and other people can make a lower position more comfortable and give you a cleaner view.

Leave room in your schedule for a second attempt. If the aurora is your top Iceland goal, do not book this on your final night and assume the guarantee will solve everything. The free return ticket is useful only if you can actually return.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted, except when the company cancels because of poor weather.

Should you book the Northern Lights Cruise?

Book this cruise if you want a short and comfortable aurora outing from Reykjavik, with city views, warm indoor space, and a genuine second chance when the sky stays dark. The crew is usually friendly and helpful, and the boat gives you far more room than a small vehicle or roadside stop.

Skip it if you want the darkest setting possible or if you have only one night in Iceland and need the strongest possible search strategy. A coach tour may travel farther from the city and react more freely to local conditions.

For most people, this is a sensible Reykjavik option rather than a guaranteed spectacle. The best nights can be extraordinary, with green ribbons appearing soon after departure and lasting for much of the cruise. On poor nights, you still get a harbor view, a warm cabin, and a fair chance to try again.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the activity end?

The cruise returns to the same meeting point at Elding Whale Watching.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You are offered complimentary tickets to try the cruise again at no extra cost. These return tickets are valid for two years.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm, floatable overalls are available to borrow. You should also bring a hat and gloves for extra comfort.

Does the boat have an indoor heated area?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with seating, Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and a café.

Is food included in the ticket price?

No. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase at the onboard café.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.