From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

The best part of this Northern Lights cruise is the change of setting. You leave Reykjavik’s waterfront, watch the city lights fade, and wait for the aurora with mountains behind you and black water below. The boat gives you room to move, unlike a crowded coach, and you can step inside when the cold gets serious.

I like two things here: the warm indoor areas and the crew’s patient help with spotting and photographing faint lights. Guides such as Steingreimur, Hólmar, and Christina have been singled out for clear explanations and good humor. The main catch is simple: the aurora is never guaranteed, and the open deck can be bitterly cold.

Key points before you book

• A two-hour sea search: The boat leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and heads into quieter water away from some city glare.
• Indoor comfort matters: You can warm up inside, with covered seating, blankets, and a bar selling drinks.
• Two observation decks: Move around to find a better view of the sky, mountains, and reflected light on the water.
• Good help with weak aurora: Guides point out faint activity and may help you adjust your phone or camera.
• A free second chance may be possible: If the lights do not appear, the operator may let you reschedule, subject to availability and your time in Iceland.
• The price is $88 per person: That is fair for a short, comfortable cruise, but poor value if you need a guaranteed aurora sighting.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour after dark

Check in 30 minutes before departure at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik. You scan the bar or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk, which keeps the process quick and straightforward.

Hotel pickup is available from Reykjavik-area hotels, but the Old Harbour meeting point is easy to use if you are already in the city center. If you choose pickup, allow extra time for the transfer. The cruise itself lasts two hours, so a late arrival cuts into a fairly short outing.

Once aboard, you can settle in before the boat leaves the harbor. The vessel used for some departures is the Amelia Rose, described as clean, modern, comfortable, and easy to move around. The exact boat setup can vary, but the important feature is the mix of indoor lounges and outdoor viewing areas.

This is not a sightseeing cruise packed with scheduled stops. The sea journey is the point. You watch Reykjavik recede, listen to the water, and wait for a break in the clouds or a pale green smear above the mountains.

Finding darker water beyond the city lights

The boat heads away from the brightest part of Reykjavik. It does not reach a truly remote dark-sky location, so do not expect the complete blackness you might find far outside the capital. Still, moving offshore reduces some direct glare and gives you a wider, more open view than you get from a city street.

The setting adds something special even when the aurora stays hidden. You have the mountains in the distance, stars overhead, and the city behind you. On a clear night, the water can reflect the glow from the sky. One outing even included a brief whale sighting, while another offered a distant view of lava from a volcanic eruption. Those are luck-of-the-sea extras, not promises, but they show why the cruise can still feel worthwhile without green lights.

The boat’s motion is usually gentle enough for a relaxed evening, though conditions at sea can change. Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. The deck may look inviting in photos, but the cold is real, especially when wind moves across open water.

Two observation decks and a warm place to retreat

The double observation deck is one of the strongest reasons to choose this cruise over a bus tour. You can walk around, change your angle, and avoid being stuck beside one window. When the aurora appears, people naturally head outside, but you have indoor space for the long wait before that happens.

Inside, you may find warm seating areas, lamps, cushions, and a bar. Drinks are not included, but they are available for purchase. Free Wi-Fi is also included. Blankets are provided, though I would treat them as extra help rather than a replacement for a proper winter coat, hat, gloves, and layers.

Indoor seating can become limited on a busy departure. One report described people standing, although the boat had two indoor decks and enough room to move between them. If staying warm is important to you, board promptly and claim an indoor seat before spending time outside.

The design works well for mixed groups. One person can stay inside with a drink while another checks the deck. You can also come in between sightings, which is much kinder than spending two hours on a roadside in winter.

Waiting for the aurora without a forced schedule

The guide’s role is important during the quiet stretches. A poor guide can make an aurora hunt feel like a long wait in the dark. Here, the better departures have included regular updates, explanations of how the lights appear, and clear directions about where to look.

Steingreimur and Hólmar were praised for being friendly and well informed. Christina was described as funny, helpful, and good at keeping the group involved. Other guides have walked around the boat to help with photos and make sure people knew when faint activity was beginning.

That matters because the first signs may not look like the bright green ribbons shown in travel photographs. The aurora can appear as a pale gray or green haze, especially to the naked eye. A phone camera may pick it up more strongly than you do at first. Your guide can help you understand what you are seeing instead of assuming the sky is empty.

Some departures have seen the first signs within 20 minutes. On others, the lights appeared near the end of the two-hour sailing. One evening produced a stronger display after the crew paused on the return journey, giving people one last chance to watch emerging activity.

That patience is a real strength, but it also explains why you should not plan a tight dinner reservation immediately afterward. The boat normally returns after the two-hour outing, yet the timing of a final sighting can make the end of the evening feel less exact.

What the Northern Lights look like from the water

The aurora may be a soft band near the horizon, a faint green glow, or a full display that seems to move across the sky. Strong nights have produced bright green curtains visible to the naked eye, with reflections moving on the water. Other nights have shown only a weak glow that photographs better than it looks in person.

This difference is worth understanding before you pay for any Northern Lights activity. Nature controls the show. Cloud cover, solar activity, darkness, and your position all matter, and a cruise cannot fix a cloudy sky.

The water gives the experience a distinct feel. On land, you might stand in a field or beside a road. At sea, the city fades behind you and the sound of the water becomes part of the wait. The mountains and Reykjavik lights provide a sense of place, even during a quiet spell.

If you get a strong display, the boat’s setting can be beautiful. If you do not, the cruise is still a short nighttime outing with a view of the capital from offshore. That is a reasonable fallback, but it may not satisfy you if seeing the aurora is the only reason you came.

Photographing faint lights from the deck

Bring your phone or camera, but set your expectations properly. Handheld snapshots often show less than a dedicated camera. One guide helped people adjust their camera settings, and a practical tip from a past departure was to use Android Pro mode with an exposure of about one second. Your exact settings will depend on your phone and how bright the aurora is.

A tripod can help, but no equipment is listed as provided, so bring your own if you use one. Keep your hands warm enough to operate your phone. Gloves that allow some finger movement are useful, though warm clothing is the main priority.

The guide may walk around and help you point toward faint activity. This is especially useful for first-time aurora watchers. You may see nothing at first, then notice a pale arc once someone directs your attention to the right part of the sky.

Do not spend the whole cruise looking at your screen. The best displays can change quickly, and the view above you is usually more impressive than the final image.

Is $88 a fair price for two hours?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the Northern Lights. You are paying for the boat, crew, indoor spaces, two observation decks, blankets, Wi-Fi, and the novelty of watching from the water.

The value improves if you dislike coach tours. You are free to move around, use the bar, sit indoors, or step outside when the sky changes. Several departures had comfortable seating and a smooth, professional feel. The cruise also takes only two hours, so it fits more easily into a short Reykjavik stay than a longer countryside outing.

The value drops if you judge the ticket only by the chance of seeing green lights. There is no guarantee. A clear sky can still produce weak activity, and a cloudy night can cancel the sailing or block the view.

The operator may offer a free return if the aurora does not appear. The exact arrangement can depend on availability and how long you remain in Iceland. This is helpful if you book near the start of your stay. It is much less useful on a one-night visit or at the end of your trip, when you may not have another evening available.

For the best chance of using that second opportunity, schedule the cruise early in your Reykjavik stay. You can then rebook if weather or cloud ruins the first attempt. The flexible cancellation policy also allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this outing if you want an easy aurora hunt from the capital without committing to a long bus journey. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who appreciate indoor comfort and the freedom to move between decks.

It is also a good fit if you want help with photography. Guides have assisted with phone settings and pointed out faint activity that many people would miss.

You may prefer a land-based excursion if you want the darkest possible sky or a longer search outside Reykjavik. A boat cannot escape all city glow, and the outdoor deck can be colder than a sheltered viewing spot on land.

This is also not ideal if you dislike waiting. Much of the evening involves watching the sky and hoping conditions improve. That is the nature of an aurora trip, not a flaw unique to this operator, but you should be comfortable with uncertainty.

Practical advice for a better night

Arrive early enough to check in without rushing. Wear warm layers, waterproof outerwear, a hat, gloves, and comfortable shoes. The provided blanket helps, but you will still want proper clothing outside.

Use the indoor area as a base. Stay warm while the guide checks the sky, then head to the deck when activity begins. You do not need to remain outside for the full two hours.

Book early in your Iceland visit when possible. If the first trip is canceled or produces no aurora, you have a better chance of using the free return option.

Keep your schedule flexible after the cruise. The boat may pause or continue watching when activity appears near the end. That extra time can make the difference between a weak glimpse and a memorable display.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, compact, and social way to search for the aurora, especially if a coach tour sounds cramped or too long. The boat, indoor seating, helpful guides, and option to try again give the $88 price reasonable value.

Skip it if your main goal is the darkest possible sky, or if you have only one evening and cannot accept the risk of seeing nothing. For everyone else, schedule it early in your stay, dress for the deck, and treat the aurora as a bonus rather than a guaranteed show.

FAQ

Where does the cruise meet in Reykjavik?

Check in at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure and scan the bar or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavik area. You can also make your own way to the Old Harbour meeting point.

How long does the Northern Lights cruise last?

The cruise lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Aurora sightings are not guaranteed because visibility depends on conditions in the sky.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

You may be able to reschedule for free with the tour operator. This depends on availability and whether you have enough time left in Iceland to return.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to purchase on the boat, but they are not included in the ticket price.

Is there somewhere warm inside the boat?

Yes. The boat has indoor seating and warm covered areas. Blankets are also provided, although you should still bring warm clothing for time on the deck.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes the Northern Lights hunting cruise, guides, access to the double observation deck, and free Wi-Fi.