Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

The best reason to choose this cruise is simple: you get away from Reykjavik’s streetlights while keeping a warm cabin, café, restroom, and Wi-Fi close at hand. From the open observation deck, the city becomes a bright shoreline and the dark sky gets more room to work.

I like the free return option if the northern lights do not appear, and I like the boat’s indoor-outdoor setup. Guides such as Maria and Lucky have been praised for keeping passengers informed, while Isabella has helped make the café a pleasant refuge between checks of the sky.

The catch is the same as with every aurora outing: the boat can sail, but it cannot order the lights to appear. It can also be bitterly cold on deck, and a faint glow may look much better through a phone camera than with your own eyes.

Key points to know before sailing

• A two-hour evening cruise leaves from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and returns to the same place.
• Faxafloi Bay gives you more than an aurora hunt, with views of islands, the coast, and possible whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
• The upper observation deck is the best viewing spot, but you will need serious winter clothing.
• The lower area has warmth, seating, a café, Wi-Fi, and a restroom, so you do not have to stay outside for the whole trip.
• You can take the cruise again for free if the northern lights are not seen, subject to the provider’s rebooking terms and your remaining time in Iceland.
• The group is limited to 75 people, a useful middle ground between a crowded coach and a private charter.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour after dark

Your evening begins at Old Harbour House, at Ægisgarður 2. The building is also connected with food and drinks, and several people found the restaurant useful before sailing. One practical detail matters: if you want the available 15 percent restaurant discount, collect the cruise ticket from the machine before paying for your meal. Miss that step and the discount may not be applied afterward.

The boat leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and heads into Faxafloi Bay. This is a sensible departure point because you are close to the city center, and the first part of the trip gives you an immediate change of mood. Reykjavik’s colorful waterfront and evening lights recede behind you, while the darker water opens ahead.

The cruise lasts about two hours, though some passengers describe outings closer to two or three hours. Treat the listed duration as approximate rather than a promise of a precise return time. The activity ends back at the Old Harbour meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from another part of the city.

The boat carries up to 75 people. That is not a tiny expedition, but it is also not an enormous sightseeing vessel. You can choose from indoor and outdoor seating, and the layout lets you move around when one viewing spot gets crowded or the wind picks up.

What you see across Faxafloi Bay

The route takes you among the small islands in Faxafloi Bay and along the Reykjavik coast. This matters because the cruise is not only a wait in the dark. Even on a night when the sky stays stubbornly blank, you have water views, harbor lights, the city shoreline, and the changing outline of the bay.

Faxafloi lies on Reykjavik’s southern shore. From the city and surrounding waters, it is possible to see the peninsula of Akranes to the northeast. On a clear day, the distant Snæfellsjökull glacier can also be visible, though it is about 120 kilometers away and is not the focus of this night cruise.

The bay has relatively few islands, and those islands sit close to land. That gives the opening part of the trip a more sheltered coastal feel than a long run into open ocean. The boat’s route still puts you far enough from the city glow to improve your odds of seeing a faint aurora.

There is also a chance of seeing wildlife in the water. Minke and humpback whales are among the more common possibilities, along with dolphins and porpoises. Orcas can appear, too, but you should regard them as a lucky extra, not part of the evening’s promise. The crew has experience spotting wildlife, yet the main purpose of this departure remains northern lights viewing.

The upper deck is cold for a reason

The observation deck is where you want to be when the sky starts to change. You get a broad view without a window between you and the aurora, and you can also watch the city lights from the water. Several passengers describe seeing the lights from the boat when a bus outing produced little more than a gray streak, possibly because the cruise moved beyond low cloud or away from brighter city lights.

That advantage comes with a price. February conditions, in particular, can be brutally cold, and wind on the water makes the temperature feel lower. Wear extra layers, not just a heavy coat. Gloves, a hat, warm socks, and footwear suited to a wet deck are sensible choices.

You should also expect to move between the deck and the warm lower section. Staying outside for two hours is not a test of character, and it may make you miserable. A comfortable rhythm is to check the sky, warm up with a drink, then return outside when the crew calls your attention to a possible sighting.

A phone can record colors that your eyes do not clearly see. That is useful for photography, but it can also create a gap between the picture and the actual moment. Some passengers saw only a faint glow by eye and relied on a phone for the strongest image. Keep your expectations realistic: a camera may reveal green or red tones that are too weak for naked-eye viewing.

Warm drinks, Wi-Fi, and a useful indoor retreat

The boat’s lower section gives this cruise an edge over a simple open-air boat ride. You can sit inside, warm up, buy a hot drink, and wait for the guide’s next update. The café has a range of food and drinks, and hot chocolate has received particular praise.

There is also a restroom and Wi-Fi on board. Those are small details, but they make a difference on a cold evening. You can spend more time outside without worrying that you are committed to the deck for the full trip.

The café is not a substitute for warm clothing. If the lights appear, you may find yourself ignoring the cold because the view is worth it. If the sky stays dark, though, a warm indoor area helps keep the evening from becoming a long, uncomfortable wait.

The boat has multiple seating options indoors and outside. That gives you room to choose between comfort, access to the deck, and a clear view toward the sky. The ride has generally been described as smooth, which is helpful if you are more interested in watching the horizon than testing your sea legs.

The crew makes the waiting easier

The crew’s role is important because aurora watching involves long stretches of uncertainty. You need someone to explain what you are seeing, point out faint activity, and tell you when it is worth heading outside.

Maria has been singled out for staying outside and giving a running explanation of where the lights were appearing. Lucky has been praised for trying to assist everyone, and the captain has been described as informative and attentive to possible sightings. Isabella has worked behind the bar and helped maintain the warm, friendly atmosphere inside.

The best guides do not simply announce that the lights are present. They help you understand where to look and what you might see. A pale arc low on the horizon is very different from a strong curtain of green, and clear explanations help you judge the night for yourself.

Still, no crew member can fix weak activity or cloud cover. On one disappointing outing, the aurora was so faint that passengers felt the guide’s enthusiasm overstated what was visible. That is a fair warning: if you can barely see a glow, you may not consider it a successful northern lights show even if the guide does.

How good is the $78 value?

At $78 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Reykjavik. You are paying for a boat, crew, café facilities, a two-hour outing, and the chance to reach darker water without joining a bus. The price looks more reasonable if you value the experience of being on the bay even when the aurora fails.

The free return policy is the key part of the value. If you do not see the northern lights, you can be offered another trip without paying again. That safety net works best when you book early in your stay and have at least one spare evening.

It is less useful if this is your final night in Iceland. Several passengers could not return because they were flying home soon, and one person had little time left to arrange the repeat outing. If you have only one night in Reykjavik, you are buying a chance, not a reliable result.

I would compare this cruise with a bus tour based on what you want from the evening. A bus may be able to change locations on land, while the boat gives you water, city views, a steady base, and the possibility of getting beyond low cloud. The right choice depends on the forecast, your interest in being on the water, and how much cold you can tolerate.

Weather, clouds, and the free return trip

Northern lights displays depend on conditions outside anyone’s control. The sky needs enough darkness and suitable visibility, and the activity itself can be faint or short-lived. A boat may go out on a night when the odds are poor, particularly if the weather is safe enough for sailing.

That is the main risk of booking in advance. You may spend two hours on the bay, see stars and city lights, and never get a clear aurora. The cruise operator offers a free return trip when the lights are not seen, but that only helps if you remain in Reykjavik and have time to use it.

For that reason, I would place this cruise early in your visit whenever possible. A first or second night gives you a chance to return if the sky does not cooperate. Some passengers have been offered another trip while still in the city, and the rebooking process has been described as easy when there was enough time.

The activity can also be canceled for poor weather or if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In those cases, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Normal cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this particular aurora outing?

I would choose this cruise if you like the idea of a northern lights hunt but do not want to sit on a coach for the evening. It suits couples, families, and small groups who want a shared outing with a café and indoor seating close by.

It is also a good choice if you are staying near the harbor. You can reach the meeting point by public transportation, and the tour returns to where it began. The group limit of 75 keeps the outing manageable without making it a private experience.

You should think twice if you dislike cold, motion on the water, or uncertain results. You may spend most of the cruise waiting, and a spectacular display is never guaranteed. People with service animals can participate, and most participants can take part, but the available information does not describe specific mobility arrangements beyond general access details.

Photographers may like the dark water, city reflections, and open deck. Just remember that the best aurora photographs often show more color than the naked eye can detect. Bring your camera or phone, but do not judge the whole night by the image on your screen.

Should you book the Northern Lights Boat Cruise?

Yes, if you have more than one evening in Reykjavik and want a comfortable boat experience as well as a shot at the aurora. The strongest reasons are the indoor warm-up area, good onboard facilities, city views, possible wildlife, and the free return trip when the sky stays dark.

I would not book it as a guaranteed northern lights show. Book it as a well-equipped night on Faxafloi Bay with a real chance of seeing something extraordinary. Choose an early date, collect your restaurant discount before eating, bring far more warm clothing than you think you need, and keep a spare evening open for a second attempt.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Boat Cruise depart?

It departs from Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise finish?

The cruise returns to the same meeting point at Old Harbour House.

How long does the boat trip last?

The stated duration is approximately two hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $78 per person.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What facilities are available on the boat?

The boat has an observation deck, indoor seating, a restroom, Wi-Fi, and an onboard café serving food and drinks.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You can get another tour for free, subject to the provider’s rebooking arrangements and your available time in Reykjavik.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund.