Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

The best part of this cruise is the chance to leave Reykjavik’s city glow behind and search for the aurora from the water. You may also spot dolphins, porpoises, minke whales, or humpbacks around Faxaflói Bay. I like the open observation deck and the ability to retreat to a warm lower section with hot drinks. I also like the free return opportunity if the sky stays dark and empty.

The catch is simple: the northern lights do not take requests. The boat may sail in poor viewing conditions, and a faint green smear can be disappointing after you have paid $78. Dress more warmly than you think you need, and book early enough in your stay to use the return offer if necessary.

Key points at a glance

• Departure from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: Check in at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2, then return to the same point after the cruise.
• A two-hour search from the water: The route reaches among the small islands of Faxaflói Bay and follows Reykjavik’s coast.
• More than an aurora hunt: Nighttime bay views, city lights, stars, and possible sightings of whales, dolphins, and porpoises add value.
• Warm-up facilities onboard: Indoor seating, an onboard café, restrooms, and Wi-Fi make the boat more comfortable than an exposed shoreline.
• Free second chance: If you do not see the lights, you can return for another attempt, subject to the operator’s arrangements and your time in Iceland.
• Small-to-medium group size: The boat accepts up to 75 people, enough for a social outing without the scale of a huge harbor crowd.

Leaving Old Harbour for the northern lights

Your evening begins at Old Harbour House, a red building at Ægisgarður 2. This is also a food and drink stop, so allow time to find the check-in point and collect any ticket or discount information before eating.

That last detail matters. The Old Harbour restaurant offers a 15 percent discount connected with the cruise, but you need to check in first to receive the relevant ticket or machine printout. Several people missed the saving by eating before checking in. The food itself has been praised, so this can be a handy place to eat, but sort out the cruise paperwork first.

The boat returns to the same harbor after roughly two hours. With a maximum of 75 people, you should have a reasonable choice of indoor and outdoor seating, though the best rail positions can fill quickly. The experience is offered in English.

Once the boat clears the harbor, the city begins to look different. Reykjavik’s evening lights spread along the shoreline, and the dark water gives you a clean view back toward town. This is one reason the cruise still has some value on a night when the aurora fails to appear.

What you see around Faxaflói Bay

The route takes you among the small islands in Faxaflói Bay and along the coast of Reykjavik. The bay sits on the city’s southern shore, with the Akranes peninsula visible to the northeast in suitable conditions. Farther away, the Snæfellsjökull glacier can be seen at a distance of about 120 kilometers.

You are not promised a wildlife tour, but the route passes through waters where minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises are commonly seen. Orcas are also possible, though they are much less predictable. At night, with the main aim fixed on the sky, wildlife sightings should be treated as a bonus rather than a second guarantee.

The boat’s professional spotting team watches the water and keeps an eye on the sky. This gives the ride more purpose than simply sitting offshore and waiting. Still, you should understand the limits: darkness, weather, and the time of year affect what you can see, and the main attraction remains the aurora.

The bay itself adds a calm sense of space. Its islands sit fairly close to land, unlike Breiðafjörður to the north, which contains far more islands. From the boat, you get a broad view of Reykjavik, the open bay, and the dark horizon without needing a long land transfer.

The outdoor deck is the main viewing area

The upper observation deck is where you will want to be when the sky begins to change. It gives you a wide view in several directions, which is useful when the aurora appears away from the city or shifts across the horizon.

This is also where the cold becomes serious. Several passengers found the February air painfully cold, and some returned indoors after only a short time. Bring extra layers, a hat, gloves, and warm footwear. A waterproof outer layer is wise because rain and spray can make the cold feel sharper.

Do not plan to watch from the deck for the full two hours without a break. Use the indoor section to warm your hands and feet, then go back out when the crew reports activity. The best strategy is to treat the boat like a base camp: warm up inside, check the sky outside, and repeat.

A camera can show aurora colors that your eyes barely detect. That can be exciting if you understand what is happening, but frustrating if you expect vivid green and red curtains overhead. On weak nights, photographs may show more than your unaided eyes. I would not count a camera-only glow as the same experience as a clear naked-eye display.

Warm indoor seating, café, Wi-Fi, and restrooms

The lower indoor area is one of the cruise’s strongest practical features. You can sit out of the wind, buy a hot drink, and wait for a better moment rather than shivering continuously on deck.

Hot chocolate has received particular praise, and the café also sells other drinks and food options. Prices have been described as reasonable, which helps because a warm drink can turn a cold wait into a manageable one. The boat also provides restrooms and Wi-Fi.

The indoor area does create a small trade-off. If you stay inside too long, you may miss a brief burst of aurora activity. Keep one person in your group watching for crew updates, or check outside regularly. The crew generally points out where to look and announces changes in the sky.

The boat has several seating choices indoors and outside, so you are not locked into one position. It is described as clean and comfortable, with a smooth ride. These details matter more than they might on a daytime harbor trip because northern lights cruises involve long stretches of waiting.

Crew support and the human side of the trip

The crew is a major part of the experience. Maria has been singled out for staying outside, explaining where the lights were appearing, and keeping the atmosphere upbeat. Lucky has also been praised for helping people around the boat, while Isabella has worked behind the bar.

You should expect useful explanations about the aurora rather than a silent boat ride. The captain and guides point out faint activity and help you know where to aim your camera. That guidance is especially valuable when the lights are weak and you are not sure if you are seeing aurora or a patch of cloud.

The crew cannot improve the weather or summon stronger colors. On a poor night, even excellent communication cannot turn a faint glow into a major show. I appreciate the effort, but you should keep your expectations tied to nature, not to the enthusiasm of the person holding the microphone.

A few people felt that weak conditions were presented too positively. That is worth noting. If you see only a slight streak, you may not share the guide’s excitement. The overall service can still be professional, but the actual sky is the deciding factor.

How the free return trip changes the value

The return policy is the safety net for this experience. If you do not see the northern lights, the operator offers another trip at no extra charge. The practical benefit depends on your schedule: it is most useful if you book the cruise early in a Reykjavik stay and have another evening available.

Some information connected with the experience says you may have up to three years to rebook, while the exact arrangements should be confirmed with the operator. Do not assume the offer helps if you are leaving Iceland the next morning. A few people were unable to use it simply because they had no spare night.

This is why I would not put the cruise on your final evening unless you are content to accept the result. Put it near the start of your visit instead. If the sky is cloudy or the aurora is too weak, you have time to try again.

The return offer does not make the first trip risk-free. You still spend an evening on the boat, and a second attempt may not fit your plans. But compared with a one-shot excursion, it gives you a fairer chance at an event that no company can control.

Is $78 a fair price?

At $78 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to look for northern lights. You are paying for a boat, crew, indoor facilities, the harbor setting, and a chance to reach darker water away from some city glare.

The value improves if you want more than a parked viewing spot. You get a moving view of Reykjavik’s coast, Faxaflói Bay, and the islands, along with possible wildlife. The café, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and indoor seating also reduce the discomfort that can make a long outdoor wait unpleasant.

The value drops if your only goal is to see bright aurora. A land-based viewing point can cost less, and you may see the same faint sky from shore on a lucky night. The boat’s advantage is not a guaranteed clearer sky. It is the combination of open water, a broad horizon, a pleasant vessel, and a backup trip.

I would call the price reasonable for someone who enjoys being on the water and has at least two evenings in Reykjavik. If you have one night only and need a strong probability of success, no northern lights tour can honestly promise that, but this one still carries the risk of an empty sky.

Weather, timing, and cancellation details

This experience requires suitable weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you are offered another date or a full refund. It can also be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached, with a choice of another date, another experience, or a refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local Icelandic time.

The listed average booking point is 42 days ahead. That suggests this cruise can fill well before the evening itself, especially during the popular aurora season. I would reserve a suitable early evening in your itinerary, then keep your schedule flexible for a possible second trip.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for you if you are staying near Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, like being on a boat, and want a comfortable way to spend an aurora-hunting evening. It suits couples, families, and small groups who appreciate having a warm indoor area when the deck becomes too cold.

It is also a good pick if a bus excursion does not appeal to you. The boat offers a different setting, and one particularly useful feature is the ability to get beyond some low cloud near the city. That will not work every night, but it can make a difference when the sky conditions vary close to shore.

I would be cautious if you dislike cold, motion, or waiting. The cruise can last two to three hours in practice according to the experience descriptions, and the main event may appear late or not at all. You should also reconsider it if you leave Reykjavik immediately after the first outing, since the free return may be impossible to use.

Should you book the Northern Lights Boat Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable water-based aurora hunt with city views, a café, and a genuine second chance when conditions fail. Put it early in your stay, check in before eating at Old Harbour House, and bring two more layers than your packing list suggests.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed light show or if you have only one evening and would be unhappy spending it on a cloudy bay. The northern lights remain a matter of weather and solar activity, but the boat itself gives you a pleasant outing even when the sky does not cooperate.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise leave from?

The cruise departs from 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 Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.

How long does the boat cruise last?

The stated duration is approximately two hours.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You can take the cruise again at no additional charge, subject to the operator’s return-trip arrangements. This option is most useful if you still have time in Reykjavik.

What facilities are available onboard?

The boat provides an observation deck, indoor seating, an onboard café, restrooms, and Wi-Fi.

Is the cruise canceled in bad weather?

Yes. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.