Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

Reykjavik’s Northern Lights Cruise gives you a simple way to chase the aurora without spending five hours on a bus. The boat slips into Faxaflói Bay, where the city glow fades a little and the sky opens above you. You also get a fine nighttime view of Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja, and the waterfront.

I like the heated cabin and outdoor decks, since you can step outside for the sky, then retreat indoors before your fingers go numb. I also like the free return ticket if the lights fail to appear. The main drawback is that a boat cannot steer around clouds the way a land tour can, and city light can still soften a faint display.

Key points to know before you sail

• The cruise lasts about two hours, making it a manageable evening activity.
• Warm floatable overalls are provided, but bring your own hat and gloves.
• You can watch from several outdoor areas or a heated indoor saloon.
• The free sighting guarantee matters, with a return cruise offered if no aurora appears.
• The boat carries up to 150 people, so busy departures can feel crowded.
• The meeting point is Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, back in central Reykjavik.

Sailing into Faxaflói Bay after dark

The cruise begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavik’s harbor. You make your own way there, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The activity ends at the same spot, which is useful for planning dinner or a walk through the waterfront afterward.

Once aboard, you can choose between the open decks and the heated indoor saloon. The cabin has seating, Wi-Fi, toilets, and a small café selling hot drinks and snacks. This setup is more practical than glamorous, but that is exactly what you need on a cold Icelandic night.

The boat is sizeable, with more than one level and several places to look out. It is not a tiny fishing boat, so you have room to move around, though a departure near the 150-person limit may feel busy. Some seating is arranged around shared tables, which can mean sitting close to people you do not know.

The ride is generally steady, but it is still a boat. A few people have felt queasy, especially when standing on the upper deck or during faster stretches. If you are prone to seasickness, bring your usual medicine. Staff have also offered seasickness tablets on some departures, but I would not rely on that as your only plan.

The Reykjavik skyline is part of the show

The first part of the cruise gives you a different view of Reykjavik. From the water, Harpa Concert Hall glows along the shore, and Hallgrímskirkja rises above the city behind it. These sights are familiar from land, but the water gives you a wider, quieter angle.

The city view also explains the tour’s main compromise. You are not heading far into remote Iceland. The boat moves out into the bay, but the harbor and city remain part of the setting. That makes the cruise easy to reach, yet it leaves more light pollution than a bus tour can usually find in the countryside.

For a strong aurora, this may not matter. Bright green ribbons can show clearly even with Reykjavik nearby. A weak, pale display is another matter. You might see it better with a camera than with your own eyes, especially if there is a full moon, thin cloud, or haze.

From October through December, the route includes a pass by the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. Its tall beam rises from Viðey Island and creates one of the evening’s most distinctive sights. It is not the main reason to book, but it gives the cruise something worthwhile to offer if the northern sky stays quiet.

Waiting for the aurora on deck

Aurora watching involves patience. You may see the lights within minutes of leaving the harbor, or you may wait for most of the two-hour outing. Several strong outings have produced lights for nearly the whole cruise, while other departures have managed only a few faint minutes.

The guide explains how the aurora forms and points out where to look. The crew also shares facts about the city and bay, so the trip does not become two hours of silent staring into darkness. On one especially praised outing, a guide named Mia helped create a friendly mood, and guides have helped with camera settings and advised people where to stand.

You should not expect the lights to look like the bright green bands in promotional photographs. Cameras gather more light than your eyes, and phone screens can show color that is hard to spot in person. A faint aurora may appear as a gray or pale green cloud at first, then strengthen as your eyes adjust.

Turn off your camera flash. Flash photography ruins dark-sky viewing for people nearby and does little for aurora pictures. If the guide offers photo advice, listen closely, since a steady camera and the right exposure matter more than expensive equipment.

The top deck offers the widest view, but it is also the coldest and windiest place aboard. The bow can sometimes give you a less obstructed view when the upper deck is crowded. You can move around, though the boat’s motion may blur long exposures.

Warm overalls help, but pack your own layers

The provided red or warm floatable overalls are one of the cruise’s most useful features. Put them on even if you feel comfortable at the dock. Cold wind over the bay can arrive quickly, and the suits make it easier to stay outside for the parts of the night that matter.

Still, do not treat the overalls as a complete winter wardrobe. Bring a warm hat, gloves, and sensible layers. Your hands and face remain exposed, and you may spend longer outside than expected if the aurora appears.

The indoor saloon is a real advantage. You can warm up with hot chocolate or another drink from the café, use the toilet, and return outside when the guide spots activity. The café snacks cost extra, but this is not an unreasonable arrangement for a short evening cruise.

Free Wi-Fi is available aboard. It is handy for checking messages or sharing a quick update, but your phone’s battery may drop quickly in the cold. Keep it close to your body when you are not taking pictures.

A short itinerary with a clear tradeoff

The listed itinerary has one stop, Elding Whale Watching, which is the harbor departure point rather than a separate sightseeing stop. The real route is a continuous cruise into the bay, with the city skyline and possible Peace Tower pass providing the visual structure.

That makes the tour easy to understand. You board, move away from the waterfront, watch the sky, and return to the same harbor. There is no complicated transfer, hike, or change of vehicle.

The tradeoff is reach. A bus guide can study the forecast, drive toward clearer skies, and seek darker country roads. The boat follows its route into the bay, so bad cloud cover may remain a problem. If your only goal is the highest possible chance of seeing the aurora, compare this cruise with a land tour before booking.

The cruise does have a few advantages over a bus. You avoid a long evening in a coach, you get open-air viewing from the water, and you have a heated cabin instead of waiting outdoors beside a roadside parking area. For a first night in Reykjavik, that balance can be appealing.

What the sighting guarantee really means

The northern lights are not guaranteed, even on a clear night. A clear sky only tells you that you can see the aurora if it appears. Solar activity, cloud cover, timing, and location all matter.

If no sighting occurs, you are offered complimentary tickets for another cruise. The return ticket is valid for up to two years, according to the tour information. This is valuable if you have several nights in Iceland, since you can try again without paying a second time.

The policy is less useful if your trip ends the next morning. You may receive a free future cruise, but you may not be able to use it. That is one reason to schedule this activity early in your Reykjavik stay, not on your final night.

There is also an important gray area. A brief or faint appearance may count as a sighting, even if the display never becomes dramatic. If the aurora shows for only a few minutes, you may not receive a return ticket. Go in expecting an attempt, not a guaranteed full-length show.

Poor weather can cancel the cruise at short notice. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. The operator will notify you by phone or email, so use contact information that you will check during your stay.

Is $105 a fair price?

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora. It is also not simply a boat ride with a hopeful glance at the sky. The price includes the two-hour cruise, crew guidance, warm overalls, Wi-Fi, the heated cabin, and the chance to return free if no sighting occurs.

I see the value most clearly for visitors staying in central Reykjavik who want a shorter evening. A five-hour bus tour takes more time and may cost more, depending on the company. The cruise lets you combine aurora watching with a city waterfront experience.

The value drops if you have only one night available or if you are determined to find the darkest possible sky. A land tour may have more flexibility and a better chance of escaping cloud and city glow. You are paying here for comfort, easy access, and a pleasant setting, not maximum control over the weather.

The 4.5 rating from 610 reviews reflects that split. The best nights are superb, with the aurora appearing soon after departure and lasting much of the cruise. The weaker nights can feel expensive, especially when the lights are faint, the boat is crowded, or mechanical trouble cuts the trip short.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this cruise for you if you want an uncomplicated evening from Reykjavik. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who like the idea of stepping outside for the sky but also want a warm place to sit.

It is especially useful if you have limited time. The two-hour duration leaves room for dinner before or after, and you do not spend most of the night riding through the countryside.

It also suits photographers who want a broad view over the bay and city. The boat can rock, so sharp long exposures are not always easy, but guides may help you adjust your camera. Bring realistic expectations about what a phone can capture.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, get seasick, or have only one evening left in Iceland. You should also think twice if a faint sighting would feel like a failure. In that case, a land-based aurora trip may give you a better fit.

Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but the boat is not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds can make the inside areas and toilets difficult to reach. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation.

Practical choices that improve your night

Book for an early night in your stay so the free return option can help you. Check the weather and aurora forecast before departure, but remember that forecasts are not promises.

Arrive ready for wind. Wear layers, bring a hat and gloves, and use the provided overalls. Do not remain on the top deck for the entire trip if you are cold. A warm observer is more likely to enjoy the evening than a frozen one.

Listen for announcements and follow instructions about camera flash. If the guide points toward a faint glow, give your eyes time to adjust before deciding that nothing is there.

Allow a little time after returning to the harbor before making a tight dinner reservation or airport plan. The boat normally returns to the meeting point, but weather and harbor conditions can affect timing.

Free cancellation is available when you cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted, and the payment is not refunded. These rules matter if your Iceland schedule is still shifting.

Should you book the Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want a short, comfortable Reykjavik-based aurora outing with a warm cabin and a genuine second-chance policy. The skyline, bay views, Peace Tower, and helpful crew give the evening value even when nature refuses to cooperate.

Choose a bus tour instead if your top priority is finding the darkest or clearest possible area. The cruise cannot escape all city glow or cloud, and a crowded upper deck can make photography frustrating.

My practical advice is simple: schedule this cruise early, dress for serious cold, and judge it as an aurora search rather than a guaranteed performance. On the right night, the view from the water can be unforgettable. On the wrong one, the free return ticket is the feature that keeps the $105 price from feeling like a complete loss.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Elding Whale Watching at 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. You must make your own way to the harbor meeting point.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

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

Are warm clothes provided?

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

Is there a heated area aboard?

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

Can I buy food or drinks on the boat?

Yes. Hot drinks and snacks are available for purchase at the onboard café.

Is the boat accessible for people with limited mobility?

Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but the boat is not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds may limit access to indoor areas and toilet facilities.