From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the changing view. Reykjavik’s lights fade behind you, the mountains settle into the darkness, and the sea gives you a wide, open sky for watching the aurora. You are not packed into a bus, and you can move between warm indoor lounges and the outdoor decks.

I like the comfortable boat and the guides who keep the search lively without talking nonstop. A guide may point out a faint glow before you see it, help with camera settings, or pause on the return journey for a final burst of activity. The catch is simple: the Northern Lights are natural, so no sighting is promised, and the open deck can be bitterly cold.

Key points to know before sailing

• Two hours on open water: Enough time for a proper search without taking up an entire evening.
• Indoor warmth and outdoor views: You can watch from covered seating, then step outside when the aurora appears.
• Two observation decks: More room to move around and find a clear view of the sky.
• Guides help with the hard part: English-speaking staff point out faint activity and offer advice for photographing it.
• Reykjavik pickup is optional: You can meet at the Old Harbour or arrange hotel pickup in the capital area.
• A free retry may be available: If clouds or weak activity spoil the viewing, ask about rescheduling.

Sailing away from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your evening begins at the Old Harbour House on Aegisgardur 2. Check in 30 minutes before departure by scanning the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk. You can also choose hotel pickup if you are staying in the Reykjavik area, which is useful on a dark, cold evening when you would rather not find your way to the harbor.

The harbor meeting point keeps things fairly simple. You are near the center of Reykjavik, with the city close at hand before the boat leaves. The check-in process is designed to be quick, and you can buy a drink before sailing or order one from the bar once aboard.

Once you step onto the vessel, take a moment to explore instead of grabbing the first seat you see. The boat has a double observation deck, indoor seating areas, and outdoor viewing spaces. The layout matters because you may spend much of the trip waiting, then suddenly need to move outside when the sky begins to glow.

The cruise is scheduled for two hours. That is a sensible length for this kind of outing. A shorter ride could end just as the lights appear, while a much longer trip would make the cold and waiting harder for many people.

What the two-hour aurora hunt feels like

The boat first moves out from Reykjavik’s coastline toward quieter water. As the city lights fall behind you, the mountain silhouettes become clearer and the night sky opens up. You still have a view of Reykjavik in the distance, but the city is no longer the only thing competing for your attention.

This is not a sightseeing cruise with a list of fixed landmarks. The route is guided by the night’s conditions. The crew watches the sky and chooses where to pause, giving you the best chance available on that particular evening. The sea itself becomes part of the experience: quiet water, cold air, distant lights, and a long wait for a natural display that follows no timetable.

Your guide provides context while you wait. Guides such as Steingreimur, Hólmar, and Christina have been praised for making the search easy to follow, keeping people cheerful, and directing everyone toward faint activity. That help is valuable because an early aurora can look like a pale gray or green haze. The camera may pick it up before your eyes do.

When activity strengthens, the boat becomes more animated. People head for the outside deck, cameras come out, and the guide points toward the best section of sky. If the lights are moving, you may see green bands stretch, flicker, and reflect on the water. A strong display can fill much of the sky, but you should also appreciate the quieter sightings. Even a brief glow can feel special after an hour of waiting.

The timing can vary. On some nights, the lights appear within 20 minutes. On others, they arrive near the end of the two-hour outing. One particularly useful habit from the crew is staying alert on the way back. If stronger lights begin forming as the boat returns, the captain may pause so you get one more chance to look.

Warm lounges, blankets, and the cold outdoor deck

The boat’s indoor areas are one of its biggest practical advantages. You can warm up in covered seating, use the bar, and return outside when the sky looks promising. There is also free Wi-Fi, though you will probably care more about the sky than your signal once the aurora starts.

Blankets are provided, but do not treat them as a substitute for proper clothing. Bring warm layers, a hat, gloves, and comfortable shoes. The outside deck can be freezing, especially when the wind picks up. Several outings have been pleasant inside but very cold on top, which is exactly the tradeoff you should expect on an Icelandic winter cruise.

I like having the choice. A bus tour keeps you on land but may require long stops outside in exposed places. Here, you can sit down, warm up, use the bar, and still have access to the night sky. The compromise is that the boat is not a dark-sky site in the fullest sense. It gets you away from some of Reykjavik’s light pollution, but the city remains part of the view.

Indoor seating can also become limited if the boat is busy. You may find people standing or sharing the available lounges, particularly when everyone comes inside to escape the cold. If you need a seat, board early and look around the full vessel before settling in.

The mountain and city views are part of the reward

Even without an aurora, the cruise gives you a different view of Reykjavik. The city recedes into a band of light, while mountains form a dark outline beyond the harbor. Under a clear sky, the stars become easier to notice, and the water adds a shifting reflection below.

That matters because a Northern Lights hunt can end without a sighting. You should not think of the cruise as a guaranteed show with a boat ride attached. It is a night search in which the scenery, sea, and anticipation have their own value.

There have also been unusual bonuses on unsuccessful nights. One outing included a brief view of whales, and another had distant lava from a volcanic eruption. These are not promised parts of the route, but they show why the trip can still feel worthwhile when the aurora stays hidden.

The strongest reason to choose the boat is the sense of space. You can move around rather than remain in one seat, and you are not confined to a vehicle. The water gives you a broad horizon, though it also means wind and motion. If you are sensitive to seasickness, keep that in mind when comparing this with a land-based outing.

Taking photos of the Northern Lights from the boat

Your phone may capture more color than your eyes can see. That is normal. A faint aurora can look subtle in person but appear greener and more defined in a long-exposure photograph. Guides can help you understand this difference instead of leaving you wondering if you are missing something.

Bring a charged phone or camera, and keep it protected from the cold when you are not shooting. A visitor with an Android phone found that Pro mode with a one-second exposure helped produce better images. Treat that as a starting tip, not a fixed formula. Conditions, movement, and the strength of the lights will affect the result.

The guides may walk around to help with camera settings and show you where to aim. That is especially useful for first-time aurora photographers. You will still need a steady hand and patience, and you should avoid spending the entire cruise staring at a screen. Look up first. The best moment may be too wide or too fast for your phone to record well.

The boat’s movement creates a challenge for photography. Long exposures can blur if the vessel rocks, and people moving around can cross your frame. On the other hand, the water can add a lovely reflection when the lights are strong and the sea is calm.

What happens if the lights do not appear

The Northern Lights depend on darkness, cloud cover, and solar activity. Even a promising forecast can fail, and a poor forecast can surprise you with a show. The operator does not guarantee a sighting, so book this with the right expectation.

If nothing appears, the company says it may be possible to reschedule for free. This is a major part of the value, but it only helps if you have another evening in Reykjavik. If your schedule is tight, a free return may not be practical. For that reason, I would place the cruise early in your stay rather than on your final night.

Weather can also cancel a sailing. The company may notify you ahead of time and offer another date. That is good practice, but it can force a change to a tightly planned itinerary. Leave some flexibility if the aurora is a priority.

A second attempt can make the original price feel more reasonable. At $88 per person, this is not a cheap two-hour boat ride. Still, the cost includes the cruise, guide, two observation decks, Wi-Fi, blankets, indoor areas, and the chance to return if conditions prevent a good search. If you see a strong display on the first trip, the price may feel fair. If you see nothing and cannot reschedule, the value is harder to judge.

Is $88 a fair price for this Reykjavik cruise?

I see the price as reasonable for a visitor who values comfort and wants to avoid a long coach outing. You are paying for a guided search, a heated vessel, access to open water, and the freedom to move between indoor and outdoor spaces. The two-hour schedule also leaves your evening free for dinner or another Reykjavik activity.

The price is less attractive if your only goal is the darkest possible sky. The boat moves away from the city lights, but it does not take you into a fully remote area. A land excursion may travel farther from Reykjavik, though it can take three or four hours and involve more time outside or on the road.

I would choose this cruise for a first Northern Lights attempt, especially if you like the sea, want a gentler evening, or dislike sitting on a bus. Families and mixed-age groups may also appreciate the option to warm up inside. It is less suited to someone who wants a silent, remote wilderness setting or who cannot tolerate cold and motion.

Drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase onboard. That gives you a simple way to warm up, though you should budget for it separately.

Booking timing and practical preparation

Reserve for one of your first nights in Reykjavik if seeing the aurora matters to you. You then have a better chance of using the free rescheduling option if clouds or weak activity get in the way. The activity allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps when Iceland’s weather may alter your plans.

Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in. Wear comfortable shoes because you may move between decks, and bring more warm clothing than you think you need. A blanket helps, but it will not protect your hands, ears, or face on the top deck.

You should also plan for the possibility that the best lights appear late. Stay patient during the quiet portion of the cruise. The sky may look empty for most of the trip and then change quickly near the end.

Who should book the Amelia Rose experience?

The vessel named Amelia Rose has been described as comfortable, clean, and easy to use, with warm seating areas, lamps, cushions, and a bar. That atmosphere helps turn the waiting time into a pleasant evening rather than a long period of standing in the cold.

I would recommend it to couples, families, solo visitors, and anyone who wants an aurora outing without giving up basic comfort. The guides add real value when activity is faint, especially if you need help finding the lights or adjusting a camera.

You should think twice if you have only one free evening and cannot accept the risk of missing the aurora. No tour can control the weather, but this one at least gives you an option to try again when the schedule allows.

Should you book this Northern Lights cruise?

Book it if you want a short, comfortable aurora hunt with open-water views, indoor warmth, and helpful guides. The chance to move around the boat is a real advantage, and the return option can protect your investment when conditions are poor.

Skip it if you want a remote dark-sky setting above all else, or if $88 feels too high for an outing that may produce no lights. For most visitors staying several nights in Reykjavik, though, this is a practical first attempt. Put it near the beginning of your trip, dress seriously for the cold, and give the sky time to surprise you.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik. Arrive 30 minutes before departure and scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavik area.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live tour guide and listed tour language are English.

Are blankets provided?

Yes. Blankets are provided for comfort, though you should still bring warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are not included, but you can buy them onboard.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

Sightings are not guaranteed. If the lights are not visible, it may be possible to reschedule for free with the tour operator. Availability for another attempt depends on your schedule and the operator’s arrangements.