Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

The best part of this cruise is the chance to watch the northern lights from Faxafloi Bay, away from some of Reykjavik’s city glow. You can step outside under the open sky, then retreat indoors when the wind bites. I like the free thermal overalls, and I like that crew members help with camera settings and take photos during every sailing.

The main catch is simple: the aurora follows no timetable. Clouds, wind, sea conditions, and solar activity can spoil the evening, and a full boat may leave you short of deck space. The free return ticket helps, but only if another sailing has room during your stay.

Key points to know before booking

• Thermal overalls are included: Children’s sizes are available, and you should use them even if the evening looks mild at the harbor.
• The cruise lasts about two and a half hours: You spend the evening on the water rather than driving from one roadside stop to another.
• A second try is free if no lights appear: The ticket does not expire, but the next sailing can be full.
• Photos are taken on every trip: You can download them for free, and the crew can help you photograph the aurora.
• Indoor comfort matters: Heated seating, WiFi, toilets, and drinks for purchase make this easier than standing outdoors for hours.
• The boat is not a guarantee: A cruise can be pleasant and well run while still producing no aurora at all.

Leaving Geirsgata for Faxafloi Bay

You meet at Special Tours on Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik. The activity ends back at the same point, and hotel pickup can be arranged directly with the operator for an added charge. Public transportation is nearby, so you do not need a private car just to reach the departure point.

The boat heads from Reykjavik harbor into Faxafloi Bay. That change of setting is the whole point. City lights can make faint aurora harder to see, so moving onto darker water gives you a better chance of catching a pale arc or a stronger green display.

Do not expect a fast sightseeing ride. The boat moves at a pace suited to searching the sky, and some passengers find the outward trip slow when clouds cover everything. If the lights appear, that slower pace can help the crew remain in a good viewing area and wait for the display to strengthen.

Your first practical job is putting on the thermal overall. The fitting area can feel crowded, especially when a sailing is full, so arrive ready to change layers without fuss. Choose a larger size if you are between sizes or want room for a thick sweater. The suit is useful, but it does not replace gloves, a warm hat, and sturdy footwear.

Two hours and thirty minutes of sky watching

The cruise is built around patience. You may begin with a short explanation of what causes the aurora: charged particles from the sun meet gases in Earth’s atmosphere, producing color and movement. Your English-speaking guide also separates Icelandic stories and myths from the science.

The quality of this presentation can shape the evening, particularly when the sky refuses to cooperate. Guides such as Lukas have been praised for clear explanations and a lively manner. Other accounts describe the onboard commentary as basic or overly focused on trivia, so expect useful background rather than a formal astronomy lecture.

When the sky is clear, you can look for more than the aurora. Constellations and shooting stars may become visible away from shore, and the dark setting can make the whole night feel worthwhile even before the main event begins. The lights may first appear as a faint green curve that is easy to miss. Keep watching and ask the crew where to look.

A strong display can change the mood quickly. The aurora may begin as a quiet band, then ripple or stretch across the sky. The most intense moments are visible to the naked eye, but a camera can record color that appears faint to you in person. Keep your phone or camera ready, because the best opening may last only a short time.

Some trips have been extended when the lights appeared near the scheduled end. You should not count on extra time, but it is worth staying alert rather than packing up early. The crew may wait when forecasts suggest that a display is about to develop.

Finding a place outside without losing the warmth

The open deck gives you the clearest view and the best chance to avoid reflections from windows. It is also where the cold and wind are strongest. Put on the thermal suit before you need it, and use the indoor area as a base rather than trying to remain outside for the entire cruise.

Heated indoor seating is a real advantage. You can warm up, use the facilities, check your camera, and return outside when the guide spots activity. Free WiFi is included, and refreshments can be bought onboard. The available choices are practical rather than fancy, with snacks and hot drinks mentioned in the onboard offering.

Hot chocolate has helped make cloudy evenings more bearable, and some drinks may be available with additions such as Baileys. Food and drink are not included in the price, so bring a payment method and do not assume a full meal is served.

Comfort depends partly on crowd levels. The boat can carry up to 198 people, and rescheduled sailings may be especially full after earlier cancellations. A crowded deck makes it harder to move around or find an unobstructed spot, while a smaller boat can feel cramped when everyone is putting on weather gear.

This is the chief comfort weakness to consider. The boat may be warm below deck but rocking outside, especially in rough or windy conditions. If you are sensitive to motion, the bus alternative offered in some poor sea conditions may suit you better, although choosing that option does not bring a price reduction.

Photographing the aurora without fancy equipment

The free photo service adds value, but you should treat it as a record of the evening, not a private photographer. Pictures are taken on every cruise and made available for download at no extra charge. Crew members can also help you work out where to point your camera and how to capture the lights.

A phone may show more color than your eyes, especially during a weak display. Keep the lens clean, use a night setting if your device has one, and avoid spending the entire cruise staring at a screen. First watch the sky yourself, then take a few photos.

The boat’s movement can make sharp pictures difficult. Wind, waves, and people moving around all work against long exposures. One clear night can produce excellent results, while a rough evening may leave you with blurry images even when the aurora is visible.

The crew’s help is most useful for beginners. You can ask for photography assistance onboard rather than arriving with specialist equipment or paying for a separate photo session. Still, no camera tip can overcome cloud cover, so the photo inclusion should be seen as a bonus rather than the reason to book.

What happens when the lights do not appear

This is a weather-dependent natural event, not a staged show. A clear forecast improves your odds, but it cannot promise an aurora. Cloud cover may hide strong activity, and low solar activity can leave the sky empty even when the weather is fine.

If you join the cruise and see nothing, you receive another ticket for the next available day. The offer does not expire, so it can even be used on a future visit to Reykjavik. That is unusually flexible, but it has one important limit: another departure may be sold out.

You should book the cruise early in your visit if seeing the aurora is a top priority. Booking it on your final night leaves no useful room for a second attempt. It is also wise to ask the company or booking agent exactly how to rebook. Confusion over who handles the replacement ticket can waste time, and a full boat cannot take you simply because the first trip produced no lights.

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel before you sail, you can normally reschedule or receive a full refund, provided you have not already used the tour. If the aurora forecast looks promising but sea conditions are too rough, the company may offer a Northern Lights by Bus tour instead. That bus option is treated as the same-priced replacement, so choosing it does not produce a refund.

The 24-hour cancellation rule still matters. Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded, unless the operator cancels because of unsuitable conditions.

Is $108.13 a fair price?

At $108.13 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora, but the price includes several useful protections. You receive thermal overalls, indoor heated seating, WiFi, photos, photography help, and a free second attempt if the sky stays blank.

The value is strongest for visitors who want a comfortable night with bathrooms and somewhere warm to sit. A road-based outing may cover more ground and chase clearer skies, while this cruise gives you a fixed viewing platform and the atmosphere of being on the sea. You are paying for comfort and a different setting, not a better guarantee.

The free return ticket also changes the calculation. If you have two or three nights in Reykjavik, a failed first sailing is frustrating but not necessarily a total loss. If you have only one evening available, the same price buys a much riskier experience.

A full boat can reduce the value. You may need to share limited outdoor space, and the view can be less open than expected. Check the likely boat and sailing conditions when possible, and understand that the maximum capacity is 198 people.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this outing for you if you want a simple departure from central Reykjavik, dislike sitting in a van for hours, or worry about freezing during an outdoor search. Families can use the thermal suits, including children’s sizes, and the heated cabin gives you an easy retreat.

It also suits first-time aurora watchers who want a guide to explain what they are seeing. You can learn why the lights appear, hear local stories, and ask for help with photographs without preparing much in advance.

You may prefer a bus tour if you want the operator to move between different parts of Iceland in search of clearer skies. You may also prefer land travel if rough water makes you uneasy. The boat offers a memorable setting, but it cannot outrun every cloud.

Most people can take part, and the maximum group size is 198. The supplied information does not describe special assistance for mobility needs, so contact Special Tours Iceland before booking if you have a specific access requirement.

Small details that improve the night

Wear warm base layers under the provided overall. The sea feels colder than the harbor, and the suit works best when you add a hat, gloves, and warm socks.

Keep your camera charged and store it where you can reach it quickly. The aurora may appear just as the evening seems ready to end, and the crew may extend the viewing time when activity develops.

Ask where the photography area is and how the free photos will be downloaded. If the deck is crowded, take turns with anyone in your group rather than trying to hold a prime position for the entire cruise.

Plan the sailing early in your stay when possible. A free second ticket is useful only if you have time to use it, and seats on the next available departure are not guaranteed.

Should you book the Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, warm base for an unpredictable search and like the idea of watching the sky from the water. The thermal gear, heated cabin, free photos, and free return ticket make the $108.13 price reasonable when you have several nights in Reykjavik.

Think twice if you have only one evening, dislike crowded decks, or expect the boat to travel far and fast in pursuit of clear skies. The aurora may be spectacular, but it may also be hidden by clouds while you spend two and a half hours at sea.

My practical call is to book this early in your Iceland stay, bring serious cold-weather layers, and treat the second attempt as part of the plan rather than an emergency fix. The cruise cannot promise lights, but it gives you a comfortable and well-supported chance to see one of nature’s finest shows.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point. Hotel drop-off can be selected when available, and hotel pickup can also be arranged directly with the operator for an extra fee.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours and thirty minutes.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Are thermal clothes included?

Yes. Thermal overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available. You should still bring warm personal layers for the cold and wind on the water.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You receive a free ticket to try again on the next available day. The ticket does not expire, but another sailing may be full.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard.

Are photos included?

Yes. Photos are taken on every tour and are available to download free of charge. Crew members can also help you with photography onboard.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If the operator cancels because of poor weather and you have not previously joined the tour, you can reschedule or receive a full refund.