Reykjavik: New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise

At 11 pm, when Reykjavik’s New Year’s celebrations are reaching their loudest, this boat leaves the Old Harbor for Faxaflói Bay. From the water, you get a broad view of fireworks bursting across the city instead of watching only the display above one neighborhood. I like the wide coastal outlook and the simple midnight toast, which turns the ride into a proper celebration rather than just a sightseeing trip.

I also like that you can choose between the cozy indoor saloon and the open-air deck, with warm overalls supplied for the cold. A possible drawback is limited indoor space, so if you want a seat inside, arrive ready to claim one. The tour costs $182 per person, making it a special-event splurge rather than a cheap way to see fireworks.

Key points to know before midnight

• The boat leaves at 11 pm: You spend the final hour of the old year cruising away from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor.
• Fireworks fill the city view: From Faxaflói Bay, you can look back toward Reykjavik and see displays spread across the capital.
• A midnight drink is included: You receive a glass of champagne, and non-alcoholic Prosecco is available.
• Warm clothing is supplied: The boat provides warm overalls for time on the open deck.
• You have two viewing areas: Choose the indoor saloon or step outside for a clearer view and colder air.
• You return around 12:30 am: The boat drops you in the heart of Reykjavik so you can continue your night.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbor at 11 pm

Your evening begins at the Special Tours Ticket Office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, at 101 Reykjavik. Transfers are not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point. That is fairly simple if you are already staying in central Reykjavik, but New Year’s Eve streets can be busy, so allow time to reach the harbor.

The departure is deliberately late. You are not spending hours on a boat waiting for the main event. Instead, the cruise heads out at 11 pm, giving you about an hour to watch Reykjavik’s lights, enjoy the bay, and settle into your viewing spot before midnight.

The boat is guided in English, and experienced sailors operate the trip. No individual guide names are provided, but the live commentary and crew presence give the ride more structure than simply hiring a seat on a vessel. Expect the focus to remain on the city, the coastline, and the fireworks rather than on a long narrated tour.

Faxaflói Bay gives you the broad view

The main reason to book this outing is the position offshore. Reykjavik’s New Year’s fireworks are not limited to one official display. Fireworks appear across the city as residents celebrate, and the view from the bay lets you look back at the capital as a whole.

That wider angle matters. On land, buildings, streets, and nearby crowds can block part of the show. From the sea, you have a better chance of seeing several bursts at once, with Reykjavik’s glittering lights below them. You are still dependent on weather and visibility, of course, but the basic idea is strong: get away from street level and use the open water as your viewing platform.

The coastline is part of the entertainment before midnight. As the boat cruises out, you see the lights of Reykjavik recede and the city form a bright band along the shore. It is a calmer way to enter the new year than standing in a packed street, though the sea adds cold, movement, and the need for warm clothing.

Inside or outside: choose your fireworks position

You can watch from the cozy indoor saloon or from the open-air deck. Each option serves a different purpose.

The saloon is the sensible choice when the cold becomes too much, especially during the hour before midnight. It gives you shelter and a place to warm up, but indoor seating is limited. One recent booking noted that there was not enough room inside, so do not assume everyone can spend the whole cruise in the saloon.

The deck is where you get the clearest, least obstructed view. It also puts you closer to the night air and the full scale of the bay. The supplied warm overalls help, but they do not turn an Icelandic winter night into a mild one. Wear proper layers and shoes suited to a boat. The tour includes overalls, not a complete personal wardrobe.

A practical plan is to use both spaces. Start inside if you want to warm up, then move outside as midnight approaches. If you are determined to watch the fireworks from the deck, arrive at the meeting point prepared for the cold and take your position early.

The midnight toast includes an alcohol-free choice

Shortly before midnight, the crew serves a complimentary glass of champagne. It is a small detail, but it makes the timing feel right. You are not simply out on a boat during New Year’s Eve. You have a drink in hand when the year changes.

The drink service is also more inclusive than the basic champagne description suggests. Non-alcoholic Prosecco is available for people who do not drink. That is useful for anyone avoiding alcohol, families with older children, or anyone who wants the toast without the champagne.

There is a bar on board as well. The supplied information does not specify the full drink menu or prices, so treat the included glass as the guaranteed refreshment and the bar as an extra option. The important point is that you do not need to bring your own celebration drink to mark midnight.

At the stroke of midnight, the boat is positioned out in the bay, with the city ahead and fireworks rising over Reykjavik. The celebration is shared with the people on board, but you are not relying on a stage show or a formal party program. The setting does most of the work.

Returning to Reykjavik around 12:30 am

The boat returns to land about half an hour after midnight. That gives you enough time to watch the main fireworks and enjoy the first moments of the new year without committing to a long night at sea.

You are dropped off in the heart of Reykjavik, which is useful if you want to keep celebrating after the cruise. The tour does not include transfers, so the final return is to the city rather than to your hotel. Check your own arrangements before booking, particularly if you are staying outside central Reykjavik.

The short duration is one of the better features of the plan. You get the special view, the toast, and the coastal setting, but you are free again shortly after midnight. If you want an all-night party on the water, this is not that. If you want a focused fireworks outing that leaves the rest of your evening open, the timing works well.

Is $182 a fair price for two hours?

At $182 per person, this is expensive for a two-hour boat ride. You are paying for a major holiday departure, a reserved place on the water, an onboard guide, warm overalls, a bar, and the included midnight drink. The price is not about covering distance. It is about having a planned viewing position during one of Reykjavik’s busiest nights.

I would compare it with what you value most. If fireworks are the centerpiece of your New Year’s Eve and you want to avoid standing at street level, the cost can make sense. The bay offers a different view, and the boat gives you a defined start and finish. If you already have a good city-center rooftop, restaurant, or private viewing plan, $182 may feel hard to justify.

The rating of 4.3 from 54 reviews suggests a generally positive experience with some room for improvement. The strongest practical praise is for the fireworks view, the easy celebration format, the non-alcoholic drink option, and one especially lucky wildlife sighting: a whale was seen during the cruise. That sighting is a bonus, not something to book around, but it shows that the bay can offer an unexpected moment beyond the fireworks.

Who will enjoy this New Year’s Eve cruise?

I would recommend this for couples, small groups, and solo visitors who want a memorable view without planning every part of the night themselves. It is also a good fit if you like being outdoors but want an indoor place to warm up.

The trip suits you especially well if:

• Fireworks are your main New Year’s Eve priority.
• You want a view over the whole city rather than one street.
• You enjoy a short boat trip and coastal scenery.
• You prefer a planned toast to carrying your own drinks.
• You want to return to central Reykjavik soon after midnight.
• You appreciate having a non-alcoholic celebration drink available.

I would think twice if you dislike cold weather, boat movement, or shared indoor spaces. The limited saloon area is the clearest concern. You may also prefer a land-based party if music, dancing, and a large indoor celebration matter more to you than the view.

Practical booking advice for the night

Book early if this cruise fits your plan. New Year’s Eve is a fixed date, and the departure time is not flexible. The activity offers reserve-now, pay-later booking, which can help if you are still arranging the rest of your Iceland trip.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. That gives you some protection if your plans change, but it does not remove the need to monitor the weather and your transport plans on the night.

The meeting point is the Special Tours Ticket Office at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor. There are no included transfers. Wear warm layers even though overalls are supplied, and plan to spend at least part of the cruise outside if you want the best unobstructed fireworks view.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want Reykjavik’s fireworks presented as a citywide spectacle from the water, with a champagne toast and a return to central Reykjavik around 12:30 am. The offshore viewpoint is the real value, not the length of the ride.

Skip it if $182 feels too high for two hours, or if you need plenty of indoor seating and a full party atmosphere. For the right person, this is a neat, well-timed way to mark midnight. Just dress for Iceland, arrive ready for a shared space, and treat the whale sighting as luck rather than part of the promise.

FAQ

Where does the New Year’s Eve fireworks cruise meet?

Meet at the Special Tours Ticket Office in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor, 101 Reykjavik.

What time does the boat leave?

The boat leaves the Old Harbor at 11 pm.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts two hours and returns to land around 12:30 am.

Where does the boat go?

The boat cruises from Reykjavik into Faxaflói Bay, giving you views back toward the city.

Is a drink included?

Yes. A complimentary glass of champagne is included before midnight.

Is there a non-alcoholic drink option?

Yes. Non-alcoholic Prosecco is available for people who do not drink alcohol.

Is there indoor seating?

Yes. The boat has a cozy indoor saloon as well as an open-air deck. Indoor space may be limited.

Are transfers included?

No. You need to make your own way to the Old Harbor meeting point, and transfers are not included.