Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

The best part of this northern lights cruise is the setting. You leave Reykjavik’s Old Harbour after dark, pass Harpa from the water, and watch the coast slip away while the crew scans the sky. If the aurora appears, you can step outside for a clear view, then retreat indoors to warm up.

I like two things here: the yacht gives you bathrooms, blankets, hot drinks, and an indoor lounge while you wait, and the crew has a useful habit of helping with phone and camera settings. The smaller yacht carries up to 35 people, though a larger 95-passenger boat may be used, so check which vessel is scheduled.

The main drawback is simple: this is a weather-dependent search, not a guaranteed show. The boat stays relatively close to Reykjavik and does not chase every patch of clear sky as a bus tour might. The city lights are still visible, and the aurora may not appear at all.

Key points before you book

• The cruise leaves from the Old Harbour: Meet at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, close to Reykjavik’s waterfront sights and public transport.
• Viðey Island is part of the view: You cruise near the island and its dark open surroundings, but this is not described as a shore excursion.
• You wait in comfort: The yacht has an indoor area, blankets, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, a café, and a bar serving hot and cold drinks.
• The crew helps with photographs: Staff can explain camera settings and point out faint aurora that your eyes may miss.
• A free retry softens the risk: If the northern lights do not appear, you can take another yacht trip, subject to the provider’s terms.
• The group size can vary: The smaller yacht holds 35 people, while the larger vessel holds up to 95.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour after dark

Your evening begins at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2. The meeting point is convenient if you are already walking around the harbor, visiting Harpa, or using public transport. The cruise returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back across town.

The trip lasts about two to three hours. That gives you enough time to get beyond the immediate waterfront, settle into the yacht, and wait for changing conditions. It also means you should treat the evening as a full activity rather than a quick photo stop.

The first views include Reykjavik’s old harbor and Harpa Concert Hall from the sea. Harpa looks different from the water, especially after dark, when its glass frontage catches the city lights. You also see the Reykjavik coastline and the surrounding bay, so the cruise has some sightseeing value even if the sky stays cloudy.

The boat is not presented as a luxury cruise with a formal meal or a long coastal voyage. It is a practical evening yacht trip built around the northern lights. That distinction matters. You are paying for a more comfortable place to wait for the aurora, not for a grand tour of Iceland’s coast.

What you see around Viðey Island

Viðey Island sits just off Reykjavik and forms part of the cruise’s route and outlook. Its open position gives you a different view back toward the city, with water and dark sky around the boat. The island is also home to the Imagine Peace Tower, the light installation created in memory of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

You should not expect to get off the yacht and walk Viðey’s trails. The information for this experience describes the island as a place to see from the cruise, not as a landing stop. If you want the island’s walking paths, art, or historical sites, plan a separate visit.

For the aurora, Viðey is useful less for sightseeing than for the sense of space around it. The crew explains that the northern lights occur very high above the earth, so moving a few hundred meters does not automatically solve poor viewing conditions. Clear sky matters far more than simply sailing farther from shore.

That point may sound obvious, but it explains the route. The yacht generally goes behind the islands near Reykjavik rather than far out into Faxaflói Bay. The captain looks for shelter and calmer water, then waits in a suitable area. This is not the same strategy as a bus driver heading inland to search for a gap in the clouds.

Waiting in Faxaflói Bay

Faxaflói Bay is known for whale watching and seabirds, though this particular cruise is focused on the sky. You may see the broad bay, the coastline, and the dark water beyond Reykjavik, but you should not book this as a whale-watching trip.

The yacht’s route stays relatively near the city. Some people will appreciate that choice because the ride is shorter, the water may be calmer, and you can spend the waiting period inside with a drink. Others will find the city lights too close, especially if they have previously seen the northern lights from a remote countryside location.

I would describe the light pollution concern as real but limited. The city remains visible, yet the provider says the boat goes far enough behind the islands for city lights not to block the aurora when conditions are good. Since the lights appear high above you, the biggest problem is usually cloud cover, not a small difference in distance from shore.

The crew also says the boats communicate by radio. If the aurora becomes visible from another vessel, the information can be shared. Still, do not expect the yacht to roam freely around the entire bay. The route has limits, and the smaller boat follows a set pattern rather than racing after every possible sighting.

How the northern lights search really works

This is where you should set your expectations carefully. The aurora needs dark skies, breaks in the cloud, and enough activity to be visible to the naked eye. A forecast that looks poor several hours before departure can improve quickly in Iceland. Snow can give way to clear sky in minutes, and a calm afternoon can turn into a storm by evening.

The crew uses forecasts and local experience to decide whether to sail. That is an educated guess, not a promise. If conditions are poor enough to cancel the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the boat sails but the lights fail to appear, the advertised benefit is a free additional yacht trip.

The provider has also stated that unsuccessful cruises can be repeated for free, with one response describing a three-year period for return trips. I would confirm the exact terms when booking, since rebooking conditions can depend on availability and the booking channel.

The best practical advice is to schedule this early in your Reykjavik stay. The tour is booked, on average, 44 days ahead, and an early booking gives you time to try again if the sky refuses to cooperate. If you leave the cruise until your final night, a free retry has little practical value.

A comfortable base for a cold night

The yacht’s indoor space is a major part of the value. You can sit inside, warm up with a hot drink, use the bathroom, and wait without standing in a freezing car park. Blankets are available, and the bar serves hot and cold drinks, including coffee, tea, beer, and other alcoholic options.

The outside viewing areas are where you want to be when the aurora appears. You can move around the front, sides, or upper deck on the smaller yacht, then step back inside when the wind cuts through your clothing. Bring warm layers anyway. A heated lounge does not make an Icelandic deck warm.

Wi-Fi is provided, though your phone connection and battery will still matter for photography. The crew can help prepare phone settings and explain where to focus. This is especially useful because faint aurora may look stronger in a phone photograph than it does to your eyes.

That is not a trick. Cameras gather light over several seconds, while your eyes must see the aurora in real time. If the crew tells you to point your phone toward a certain section of sky, pay attention. The first green streak may be easy to miss.

Choosing between the smaller and larger yacht

The smaller yacht, MY Harpa, has a listed capacity of 35 passengers. It offers a more intimate feel, with room to move around the viewing areas and less chance of being packed shoulder to shoulder when the lights appear.

The larger MY Amelia Rose can carry up to 95 people. That is still smaller than some large excursion boats, but it will feel less personal. The larger vessel may provide more interior capacity, yet you should not assume you are booking a small-group outing unless the specific boat is confirmed.

This difference matters because the product description emphasizes a maximum of 35 people, while the provider has also explained that two yachts are in use. Check the vessel before paying if group size is central to your decision.

The smaller boat also does not travel as far as the larger ships. That is the tradeoff. You may get a quieter, more manageable setting, but you are accepting a shorter, more fixed route. I would choose the smaller yacht for comfort and atmosphere, and a land-based tour for the most active sky chase.

What the guides add to the evening

The commentary is brief rather than a full astronomy lecture. You can expect an explanation of where the aurora comes from, why it may appear weakly at first, and what conditions the crew is watching. Some departures also include general Icelandic or Christmas-related information.

Captain Einar is associated with the Harpa Yachts operation and has been described as having more than a decade of experience hunting the lights. The captain and crew keep watch throughout the trip, while the boats share information by radio.

The quality of the commentary may depend on where you are standing and how loud the wind or engine becomes. I would not choose this cruise mainly for a detailed guided talk. Choose it for the combination of a boat ride, open-air viewing, and a warm place to wait.

Music is also played onboard. That can make the boat feel relaxed and social, but it will not suit everyone. If you want a quiet, serious night under the stars, a remote countryside excursion may be a better fit.

Is the $100.82 price good value?

At about $100.82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to seek the northern lights. A bus tour may take you farther from Reykjavik and may actively search for clear sky. A boat adds another kind of value: you are on the water, you have seating, bathrooms, a bar, blankets, Wi-Fi, and a way to stay warm while waiting.

I think the price makes sense if you want the cruise itself, even if the aurora does not appear. The harbor departure, views of Harpa, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay give the evening a purpose beyond standing around in a dark field.

The value is weaker if your only goal is the highest possible chance of seeing the lights. No boat can control cloud cover, and this one does not travel deep into the countryside. You are paying for comfort and a distinctive setting, not a guarantee.

The free retry improves the calculation, especially if you have several nights in Reykjavik. It does not help much if your itinerary is tight or your flight leaves the next morning. I would book early enough to leave at least one spare evening for a second attempt.

Practical details for a better night

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The activity is capped at either 35 or 95 passengers depending on the yacht in use.

Wear warm, windproof clothing and shoes that are easy to walk in on a boat. Bring a charged phone and enough storage for night photographs. You can use the bar and café, but do not depend on a hot drink to replace proper winter clothing.

Cancel at least 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that period are not refunded. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this experience if you want a comfortable evening on the water and like the idea of waiting for the aurora in a lounge rather than outside on land. It suits couples, first-time visitors, photographers who want help with settings, and anyone who would enjoy seeing Reykjavik from a different angle.

I would be more cautious if you have only one night in town, dislike group excursions, or want a tour that constantly chases clear sky. In that case, a smaller private outing or a countryside trip may fit you better.

Book it early in your stay, confirm which yacht is operating, and treat the northern lights as a bonus rather than a promise. If the sky opens, the moment can be remarkable. If it does not, you still get a scenic bay cruise with a warm seat and a fair chance to try again.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise leave from?

It leaves from Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2 in Reykjavik. The cruise returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately two to three hours.

Does the cruise stop at Viðey Island?

Viðey Island is included in the cruise route and sightseeing. The provided details do not describe a landing or walking visit on the island.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You are offered a free additional yacht trip if the lights do not appear. The provider has also stated that unsuccessful trips may be repeated free of charge, with one stated policy allowing returns for up to three years. Confirm the current terms when booking.

What facilities are available onboard?

The yacht has an indoor area, blankets, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, a café, and a bar serving hot and cold drinks.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.