From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

The best part of this Northern Lights boat cruise is the way it gets you away from Reykjavik’s streetlights without sending you far from town. From the water, you can watch the city recede, look up into a darker sky, and hear stories about the science and folklore of the aurora.

I like the heated indoor cabin, which gives you a proper escape from Icelandic wind, and the free return ticket if the sky stays empty. Guides such as Lucas have also helped with camera settings and taken photos for passengers. The catch is simple: the Northern Lights are wild, not scheduled. You can spend two hours at sea and see nothing.

Key points before you book

• A two-hour search from Geirsgata 11: Sail into Faxaflói and return to the same harbor office.
• Warm flotation overalls are provided: They help on deck, though you should still wear warm layers underneath.
• The free retry matters: If no lights appear, you can use your booking number to join again.
• Lucas has been praised for practical help: Guides may assist with camera settings, photos, and stories about the aurora.
• The cabin is more than a waiting room: It has heating, toilets, WiFi, and drinks and snacks available to buy.
• The city views add value: Even on a cloudy night, you get a different look at Reykjavik from the water.

Leaving Reykjavik for darker skies

You meet at the Special Tours office at Geirsgata 11, at the corner, and should arrive about 30 minutes early. This is not a hotel pickup tour, so you need to make your own way to the harbor.

Once aboard, the boat heads into Faxaflói. The aim is to reduce the glow from Reykjavik and give you a better chance of seeing the aurora. That does not mean the sky will become perfectly dark or that a sighting is assured. It simply puts you in a better position than standing under city lamps.

I like this setup for a first night in Iceland. You get a short outing rather than committing to a long bus ride, and the sea gives you open views in several directions. You also get a fine look back at Reykjavik from the water, with the city lights gathered along the shore.

The boat trip itself is part of the evening, not just transport to a viewing point. You can move between the deck and the indoor bar, listen to the guide, and watch the sky change as the city falls farther behind.

Two hours in Faxaflói

The scheduled trip lasts about two hours, although some departures have stayed out longer when conditions offered a real chance to see the lights. One trip lasted four hours while the captain waited for clouds to move, and another added about 40 minutes when the aurora appeared near the end.

You should not treat extra time as guaranteed. It depends on the captain, weather, and conditions on the night. Still, it shows why the boat format can be useful. The crew has some freedom to wait rather than simply arriving at a fixed lookout, standing there briefly, and turning around.

The downside is that a boat is not always still. Wind and movement can make photography harder, and the cold can feel sharper on open water. If you are prone to seasickness, complimentary seasickness tablets are available onboard. Take the possibility seriously, especially if you know you are sensitive to motion.

The route returns to Geirsgata 11. There are no separate sightseeing stops, so think of this as a moving sky watch with Reykjavik harbor views, not a cruise with several shore visits.

Watching the aurora from the deck

The Northern Lights can appear as a faint green haze, a soft ribbon, or a strong display that seems to move across the sky. The color and strength depend on the aurora, cloud cover, darkness, and your own eyes.

You may see the lights with the naked eye, as one passenger did almost before the boat had stopped. At other times, the glow is faint and easier to record with a camera than to see directly. That can be surprising if you expect every display to look like a bright photograph.

Give your eyes time to adjust, and do not spend the whole outing staring at your phone. The best moments may be brief. A guide can help you identify what you are seeing and suggest camera settings, but no camera can create an aurora when the sky is blank.

The deck is the place for the clearest sky view, yet it is also the coldest part of the boat. The supplied overalls help a great deal, but they are not a replacement for a wool sweater, hat, gloves, and sturdy warm clothing. Put the suit over your own clothes, and consider requesting a size large enough to allow comfortable layers underneath.

You can step inside whenever the cold wins. That balance is one of the strongest practical features of this trip. You do not have to choose between being warm and having access to the sky for the entire two hours.

Warm cabins, simple refreshments, and useful facilities

The indoor cabins are heated and include toilet facilities. That matters more than it might sound. A Northern Lights search includes waiting, and waiting in Icelandic winter weather is much easier when you have a dry, warm place to recover.

Snacks and drinks are available to purchase onboard. Food and drink are not included in the $101 price, so bring that extra cost into your planning. The cabin also has free WiFi, which is useful for keeping in touch or checking conditions, though the point of the trip is to look upward rather than stay online.

One practical warning: the flotation suits can be awkward when you need to use the small toilets. Use the facilities before you put on the suit if possible. It will save you an uncomfortable wrestling match in a confined space.

Some seating may be wet after people have come in from the deck. A waterproof outer layer or a little patience helps. The cabin is comfortable for a boat trip, but this is still an outdoor search in winter, not a polished lounge at sea.

The guides add more than weather updates

The live tour is in English, and the guides explain both the science and the stories tied to the aurora. You learn why the lights appear, along with local beliefs and legends about the strange glow overhead.

That commentary gives the waiting time some purpose. A cloud-covered sky can feel less frustrating when you understand what the crew is watching for and why the boat may hold position. The guides also help turn the outing into an introduction to Icelandic night skies rather than a simple hunt for a photograph.

Lucas has earned particular praise for his friendly manner and hands-on help. He has assisted with camera settings, taken photos for people who wanted to stay focused on the sky, and even helped a passenger search for a lost phone after the boat returned. That sort of practical care is valuable on a night when passengers may be cold, excited, or unsure how to photograph faint light.

The spelling of his name has appeared as both Lucas and Lukas in tour information, so do not worry if you see either version. The important point is that the guide team is there to help you make the most of the conditions.

What happens when the lights do not appear

This is the key issue with any Northern Lights outing. A boat, a skilled captain, and an experienced guide cannot control cloud cover or aurora activity.

If there is no sighting, you receive a free ticket to join again. You use your booking number to reschedule. This is a meaningful benefit because it shifts the value of the tour from a single all-or-nothing night to a better chance across more than one attempt.

Plan to use that benefit if you can. Several people have returned the following evening, and some saw the lights on the second outing. Others tried twice without success. That is not a flaw in the boat trip. It is the honest risk of chasing a natural display.

The free retry is less useful if this is your final night in Iceland or if you are flying home the next morning. If your schedule allows only one evening, book the cruise for a night when the forecast gives you a reasonable chance, while remembering that forecasts can change.

The cancellation policy gives you another bit of flexibility: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging a changing Iceland itinerary.

Is $101 a fair price?

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the Northern Lights. The price makes more sense if you value the boat setting, the heated cabin, the supplied flotation suit, the guide commentary, and the free second attempt.

You are also paying for a two-hour outing that begins and ends in central Reykjavik, with no need for a long transfer into the countryside. The views from the sea give the trip a clear identity. On a night without an aurora, the city and mountain views from the water provide at least something to watch.

Food and drinks cost extra, and there is no hotel pickup. You should also budget time and energy for getting to the meeting point early. If you want the lowest possible price or a guaranteed view, this is not the right kind of activity because no Northern Lights tour can promise a display.

I see the best value in the free retry. A single unsuccessful trip would be a costly gamble. The option to return without paying again makes the booking more reasonable, especially for a stay of several nights.

Who will enjoy this boat search?

This cruise suits you if you want a short evening activity close to Reykjavik and like the idea of viewing the sky from open water. It is also a good fit if you prefer having an indoor cabin, toilets, and warm gear rather than standing beside a roadside lookout.

Photographers can benefit from the guide’s help with camera settings, but the moving boat and low light may make photography challenging. Bring your camera, but set your expectations around seeing the aurora first and capturing it second.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the ability to move indoors. The trip is also wheelchair accessible, which makes it a practical option for more passengers, though the supplied information does not describe every detail of boarding or deck access.

This is less suitable if you dislike boats, become seasick easily, or have only one night available. It is also not a good match if you expect the lights to appear on command or want a full evening of included food and drink.

Pets and smoking are not allowed. Wear clothing suited to the weather, even when the forecast looks mild at the harbor. Conditions on the deck can feel far colder.

Small details that improve the night

Arrive early, and check the meeting point carefully. One person was sent to the wrong harbor location by map coordinates and had to hurry after spotting the boat from a distance. The official meeting point is the Special Tours office at the corner of Geirsgata 11.

Dress in layers before collecting your overalls. A base layer, warm middle layer, hat, gloves, and solid footwear will make it easier to stay outside. Ask for a suit that leaves room over your own clothes.

Use the toilet before putting on the suit. Keep your phone secure in a zipped pocket, and avoid spending the entire outing trying to photograph every faint change in the sky.

Finally, keep your schedule open for a second night if possible. The free retry is not merely a consolation. It is the smartest way to improve your odds when the weather refuses to cooperate.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights boat cruise?

Book it if you want a convenient two-hour search with warm indoor backup, city views from the sea, English commentary, and a free chance to try again. The friendly guide service, camera help, and flexible approach to waiting add real value.

Skip it if you have only one evening, dislike boats, or need a guaranteed sighting. The aurora may be spectacular, faint, or absent. At $101, the tour earns its price through the boat setting, equipment, and retry policy, not through certainty.

For most people with two or more nights in Reykjavik, I would consider it a sensible option. Just dress properly, arrive at the right harbor office, and treat the Northern Lights as the bonus nature may or may not provide.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise depart?

The tour starts at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner.

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in.

How long does the cruise last?

The scheduled cruise lasts two hours. Some trips may run longer when conditions give the crew a reason to wait.

Where does the boat go?

The cruise sails into Faxaflói and returns to Geirsgata 11.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are an unpredictable natural phenomenon, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the lights?

You can use your booking number to reschedule for a free return trip.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing and wear warm layers underneath.

Is food included?

No. Snacks and drinks can be purchased onboard.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.