Imagine Peace Tower Tour on Viðey island | John Lennon tribute

The best part of this outing is the setting: you leave Reykjavik by boat, cross dark water, and walk across a quiet island toward a tall beam of light dedicated to world peace. If the Northern Lights appear, the combination of green sky and white tower can be extraordinary.

I like the small-group feel, with departures sometimes limited to only a handful of people, and I like that the tour gives you more than a quick photo stop. You also hear about Viðey’s past, visit its little church, and get a hot drink before sailing back. The main drawback is the walk. It can feel longer and rougher than expected, especially in wind, snow, darkness, or icy conditions.

Key things to know before you go

• The tower is visited at night, when its beam is switched on and the island feels especially quiet.
• The boat leaves from Reykjavik Old Harbour, at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c.
• The walk includes uneven ground and a steep climb to a viewing platform, so sturdy footwear matters.
• The group can be small, with a maximum of 20 people and some departures much smaller.
• Northern Lights sightings are possible but never promised, since this depends on the night’s conditions.
• Hot chocolate, coffee, or tea is included, along with flashlights and crampons when conditions require them.

Sailing from Reykjavik Old Harbour to Viðey

You meet at Elding Whale Watching in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. The tour ends back at the same point, which keeps the evening simple: you do not need to arrange a separate ride from the island or find your way across Reykjavik afterward.

The boat trip is short enough to fit neatly into a two-hour outing, but it changes the mood at once. Reykjavik’s harbor lights fall behind, and Viðey becomes a dark, quiet destination rather than just another stop on a city sightseeing route. Some visitors have spent time on the upper deck watching for the Northern Lights during the crossing, so keep your eyes on the sky if the forecast looks promising.

You are outside for much of the experience, and Icelandic weather can turn quickly. Bring a warm jacket, thermal layers, hat, scarf, and gloves. A cold evening beside the sea feels colder than the temperature suggests, particularly while waiting at the dock or walking over open ground.

The boat ride is not the main attraction, but it adds real value. You are not simply taking a bus to a memorial. You are leaving the city behind and arriving at a place that feels remote, even though it is close to Reykjavik.

Walking across a dark and quiet island

Once you reach Viðey, you follow your English-speaking guide along an unpaved road toward the tower. This is where the tour becomes more atmospheric, but also more demanding than the brief description may suggest.

The route includes walking in the dark, uneven surfaces, and a steep climb to a viewing platform. One account describes the walk as longer than expected, and another points out that dark, unsteady sections were not fully clear in advance. I would treat this as a proper short hike, not a flat stroll from the boat to a viewpoint.

Flashlights are supplied. Crampons are also available if icy conditions call for them, but you should still wear firm, supportive shoes. Crampons do not turn slippery ground into an easy path, and they do not replace warm clothing.

The walk is part of the appeal. The island’s silence, creaking dock, cold wind, and lack of city traffic help the memorial feel separate from ordinary sightseeing. You may also pass the small church, which has been included in some guided visits. It gives the outing a useful connection to Viðey itself rather than making the tower the only subject.

If you have limited mobility, this is not the right choice. The unpaved road and steep climb create a genuine physical barrier. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation, but the walking conditions remain the important point.

Reaching Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower

The Imagine Peace Tower is a work by Yoko Ono created as a tribute to John Lennon and a call for world peace. At night, its beam rises into the sky from Viðey, where the open surroundings make it easy to focus on the light.

Your guide explains the tower and the island’s past before you spend time at the memorial. The experience is intentionally simple. There is no large visitor center or crowded display area competing for your attention. You walk, listen, look upward, and consider the purpose of the installation.

The tower is especially striking in poor weather. Snow can catch the light and make the beam look more solid. Light rain may also show the beam in the air, creating an unusual effect. Clear skies give you a better chance of seeing the beam reach high above the island, while changing cloud can make the appearance shift from minute to minute.

Music connected with Imagine has been played near the tower during some visits. That detail may mean a great deal to Beatles and Lennon fans, though you should not book the tour solely on the promise of a particular song or presentation. The experience is more about place, light, and reflection than a full John Lennon biography.

The guide adds much more than a short explanation

The quality of the evening depends heavily on the guide, and the named guides associated with this experience include Rob, Megan, Emily, Knut, and Sila. Each has been praised for making the small group feel welcome and for explaining the island as well as the memorial.

Rob has been noted for bringing extra interest to the night, including updates about the Northern Lights and lively explanations during the walk. Megan has combined information about the tower and Viðey with friendly conversation and photographs. Emily and Sila have also been described as warm, clear English-speaking guides.

Knut has added a surprising angle by discussing the marine biology around the island. That is a useful reminder that Viðey is not just a stage for the light. The surrounding waters and island setting are part of what makes the trip worthwhile.

The guide’s role matters most when the weather is poor or the Northern Lights do not appear. A good explanation gives the walk purpose instead of leaving you to stand in the cold with only a distant beam to look at. The best version of this tour links Yoko Ono’s idea of peace with the island’s church, shoreline, wildlife, and long human history.

A video narration by Yoko Ono is part of the planned experience. However, availability has not been perfectly consistent, so I would confirm this point when booking if hearing the narration is important to you. The same applies to any option for leaving a personal message of peace, which has not always been available on site.

Hot drinks before the boat home

After the tower visit, you warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, or tea before returning to Reykjavik. This is a small inclusion, but it matters after a cold walk. Hot chocolate has been singled out as a particularly welcome part of the evening.

Food is not included, so eat before you arrive if you need more than a drink. The tour is only about two hours, but the combination of boat travel, outdoor waiting, and walking can make you hungry, especially in winter.

The return boat gives you another chance to watch the sky. Several accounts describe seeing the Northern Lights on the way back or from the island. That can turn the evening into two experiences at once, but remember that the operator cannot control aurora activity. Think of the lights as a bonus, not the product you are buying.

How much value do you get for $120?

At $120 per person, this is not a low-cost way to see a light installation. You are paying for a boat crossing, a professional English-speaking guide, an escorted walk, warm drinks, equipment for winter footing when needed, and a carefully timed evening visit.

The value improves if you want a quiet, unusual night outside Reykjavik and would otherwise need to arrange island transportation yourself. The small maximum group of 20 also helps. Some departures have had only four or eight participants, creating a much more personal outing than a large coach tour.

The price makes less sense if you only want to photograph the tower. You will spend time getting to Viðey, walking over uneven ground, listening to explanations, and waiting for the boat. If you are not interested in John Lennon, Yoko Ono, public art, or the atmosphere of an empty island at night, the experience may feel expensive for a single illuminated beam.

For me, the strongest value comes from the complete package: harbor departure, dark-water crossing, island walk, church and local context, tower visit, hot drink, and the possibility of Northern Lights. It is a special-evening activity, not a quick attraction.

The weather makes or breaks the mood

This tour requires suitable weather, and conditions can change quickly. Wind, rain, snow, and ice are not unusual obstacles in Iceland, so check the forecast but prepare for more than the forecast promises.

Bad weather can make the tower look dramatic, especially when snow or mist catches the beam. It can also make the walk tiring and uncomfortable. Dress for standing outdoors, not just for moving between warm buildings.

The experience may be canceled if the weather is poor or if the minimum number of participants is not met. In either case, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Who should book this Viðey evening?

I would recommend it to Beatles and John Lennon fans, but you do not need to be a fan to appreciate the memorial. The setting and the idea behind the tower give the night wider appeal for anyone interested in peace, public art, photography, or quiet places.

It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups looking for something different from Reykjavik’s usual evening activities. It can also work well for an anniversary or birthday, since the island visit feels distinct from a standard city tour.

You should think twice if you dislike cold, outdoor walks or have difficulty with steep and uneven paths. This is not a suitable choice for anyone needing a fully accessible route. You should also avoid treating it as a guaranteed Northern Lights excursion. The aurora may appear, but the tower visit remains the main event.

Practical tips for a better night

Arrive ready for the outdoors before you reach the meeting point. Wear thermals under a warm jacket, and bring gloves, a scarf, and a hat even if Reykjavik feels mild.

Choose sturdy footwear with good grip. The route is unpaved, and a steep section leads to the viewing platform. Provided crampons can help when conditions demand them, but shoes with proper support are still essential.

Keep your camera or phone easy to reach, but do not let photography take over the visit. The beam, snow, water, and Northern Lights can produce striking images, yet the darkness and weather may make shooting difficult.

Listen closely to the island explanation. Viðey’s church, marine surroundings, and isolated feel are what give the memorial its setting. If you focus only on getting a photograph, you will miss much of the reason to cross the water.

Finally, ask about the Yoko Ono narration and any peace-message activity before departure if these details matter to you. The tour includes a video narration in its planned format, but the exact presentation has not always been consistent.

FAQ

Where does the Imagine Peace Tower tour begin?

It begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, in the Old Harbour area.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in Reykjavik.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is transportation to Viðey island included?

Yes. The experience includes the boat ride from Reykjavik Old Harbour to Viðey island and the return boat trip.

Is a guide included?

Yes. A professional guide accompanies the group. Guides associated with the experience have included Rob, Megan, Emily, Knut, and Sila.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Hot chocolate, coffee, or tea is included. Food and other drinks are not included.

What equipment is supplied?

Flashlights are supplied, and crampons are provided if the conditions require them.

Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

It is not recommended for people with limited mobility because the route follows an unpaved road and includes a steep climb to a viewing platform.

What happens if the tour is canceled because of weather?

You are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Should you book the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

Book this tour if you want a thoughtful, atmospheric evening rather than a standard Reykjavik attraction. The small boat, dark island walk, illuminated tower, warm drink, and chance of Northern Lights create a memorable combination, especially in winter.

Skip it if you want guaranteed aurora viewing, dislike uneven outdoor paths, or only want a fast photo stop. At $120, the tour earns its price through the full setting and guided experience, not the tower alone. For the right visitor, it is a moving tribute and an appealing way to see a quieter side of Reykjavik.