Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik

The best part of this Northern Lights boat tour is the chance to watch the aurora away from Reykjavik’s streetlights, with the city behind you and open sky over Faxaflói Bay. When the lights appear early, guides may send you straight to the top deck, as happened to several people who caught a full display from boarding through the return.

I like the automatic backup plan and the free ticket to sail again when conditions are poor. I also like the practical comforts: warm overalls, Wi-Fi, restrooms, a snack bar, and free downloadable photos. The main drawback is crowding. With room for up to 198 people, the boat can feel tight inside and busy on deck, especially after weather-related cancellations fill a departure.

Key points to know before sailing

• The boat leaves from Geirsgata 11: You return to this same Reykjavik meeting point after roughly two hours on the water.
• The backup plan has real substance: Poor conditions can mean entry to Whales of Iceland, a short film, guided tour, Northern Lights drink, and photography workshop.
• You get another sailing ticket: If the boat cannot sail in suitable conditions, you can join the next available boat date free of charge.
• Warm overalls are supplied: You also get Wi-Fi and restrooms, though food and drinks cost extra.
• Go upstairs quickly when the lights begin: Guides have directed people to the top deck as soon as activity appeared near boarding.
• The boat can be crowded: Inside seating may be limited, and the outside viewing areas can feel tight on a full departure.

Sailing into Faxaflói Bay from Reykjavik

The tour begins at Special Tours on Geirsgata 11, a central Reykjavik meeting point near public transportation. Hotel transfers are not included in the listed price, but you can add them for an extra charge through the supplier. If you arrange a transfer, it can save you a walk in cold weather, but independent arrival is simple if you are already in central Reykjavik.

Once aboard, the aim is straightforward: get away from the city glow and search the sky over Faxaflói Bay. The boat portion lasts about two hours, while the full experience is advertised at roughly two to three hours depending on conditions and the evening’s operation.

I like the sea setting because it gives you a different view of the aurora than a land-based bus tour. You are not stopping at several roadside locations, and you are not changing buses in the dark. Instead, you settle into one boat and watch the sky from a fixed base while the crew follows the conditions.

The trade-off is motion. One outing had rough water, and the ride was described as comfortable but bumpy. If you are sensitive to seasickness, the boat is worth considering carefully. The tour is not only about getting a clear view. It is also a maritime outing, and the sea may be calm one night and rough the next.

What the boat setup means for your evening

The included overalls are useful, not decorative. You will be outside in cold Icelandic weather, often for long stretches while waiting for the aurora to strengthen. The supplied outer layer means you can arrive in ordinary warm clothing rather than carrying a full expedition wardrobe, though you should still dress in layers and bring a hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes.

The boat has indoor space, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a snack bar. Food and drinks are not included, so budget extra if you want something during the trip. The indoor area gives you a place to warm up, but do not expect unlimited seating on a busy night.

Crowding is the clearest practical concern. The boat can carry as many as 198 people, and a departure may become fuller when earlier trips were canceled and passengers are moved to a later sailing. One person who saw the lights still rated the trip four out of five because the boat felt crowded, with very little indoor seating and a tight viewing area on deck.

That matters because the aurora is not a scheduled stage show. When the sky changes, you want to move quickly and find a good position. If the deck is busy, you may need to share the best viewing spots rather than expect a quiet, private experience.

The first few minutes can matter most

Aurora activity can begin at any point in the evening. On one especially fortunate departure, the lights appeared as people were boarding, and the crew told everyone to go to the top deck immediately. The group then watched a full display during the trip.

That detail offers the best practical advice for this tour: pay attention during boarding. Keep your camera ready, finish any quick check-in tasks, and follow crew instructions. Do not assume the main show will wait until the boat reaches open water.

Guides have also helped with finding the lights and with photographing them. Anika and Patrick were praised for combining clear information with humor, while another person expressed thanks to Anika for her helpful explanations. Andrea and Lilja were also named in a warm account of repeated attempts to see the aurora.

Those names may not be the guides on your particular night, so do not book for a specific person. Still, the reports suggest that the crew’s attitude can shape the evening, especially during a long wait or a disappointing weather call.

When the aurora appears

The experience can change quickly from a dark boat ride into an unforgettable show. Clear skies and calm water produced one especially strong outing, with the lights becoming brighter and more active toward the end. Another evening delivered a full display from the time the boat left until it returned to the dock.

The colors may look softer to your eyes than they do in long-exposure photographs. That is normal. Your camera can collect light over several seconds, while your eyes receive the scene in real time. The included photography workshop in the backup program, plus the crew’s advice during the boat trip, can help you understand how to point and steady your phone or camera.

The operator takes photos on every boat tour and makes them available to download free of charge. That is a useful benefit, since cold fingers and a moving boat do not make photography easy. It also means you can watch the sky instead of spending the entire trip trying to capture it yourself.

Still, free photos are not a promise of a dramatic aurora portrait. Results depend on cloud cover, activity, movement, and the photographer’s position. Treat the pictures as a helpful extra rather than the main reason to book.

The Whales of Iceland backup plan

This tour handles uncertain weather better than a simple canceled boat ride. If conditions are not suitable for the Northern Lights sailing, you are automatically signed up for an alternative activity. That backup takes place at Whales of Iceland and includes admission, a short film, a guided tour, a Northern Lights drink, and a short aurora photography workshop.

This is valuable because Icelandic weather can disrupt plans without warning. Instead of losing an evening completely, you get an indoor visit with a clear connection to the original subject. The whale exhibit gives you something substantial to do while the weather prevents a safe or useful sail.

One evening was canceled because of weather, but the museum visit was considered interesting and the guides entertaining. The evening also included cocktails, and hotel pickup and drop-off were appreciated by the people who had paid for that transfer service.

The backup plan does not replace seeing the aurora. That is important. You will not get the same open-sky experience indoors, and a museum visit cannot provide the excitement of watching the lights move over the bay. But it does protect the value of your evening better than waiting around with no alternative.

You also receive a free ticket for the next available boat date when conditions are not suitable for sailing. If your schedule allows another attempt, this gives you a genuine second chance. If you are in Reykjavik for only one night, the backup museum program may be your only practical result, so keep that limitation in mind.

Is $83.88 a fair price?

At $83.88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora, but the price includes more than a boat ticket. You get the sea excursion, warm overalls, onboard Wi-Fi, restrooms, access to the snack bar, free tour photos, and a weather backup with a museum visit and photography session.

The free return sailing ticket improves the value considerably if weather cancels the boat. You are not simply paying for one attempt and losing the full experience when conditions fail. The exact benefit depends on your schedule, since you need another available date to use it.

The price feels strongest for people who want the boat setting and appreciate a planned indoor alternative. It is less compelling if your only goal is the highest possible chance of seeing the aurora, since no boat can control cloud cover or solar activity. The rating of 4.2 from 54 reviews suggests a generally positive experience with some real limits, especially space and sea conditions.

Remember that snacks, drinks, and hotel transport cost extra. The Northern Lights drink belongs to the Whales of Iceland backup activity, while ordinary food and drink on the boat are purchased separately.

Timing, cancellations, and who should book

The tour is offered in English and accepts most participants. Confirmation arrives at booking, and the boat returns to the same meeting point at Geirsgata 11. The maximum group size is 198, so this is a shared excursion rather than a small private outing.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered a different date or a full refund. A cancellation caused by too few bookings also brings a choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

I would choose this tour if I wanted an easy Reykjavik evening with a strong backup plan, supplied cold-weather gear, and a chance to view the aurora from the water. It suits first-time visitors who prefer a single organized outing instead of driving into the countryside at night.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, need lots of indoor seating, or want a quiet, intimate aurora watch. The group can be large, the deck can feel crowded, and the sea may be rough. You should also allow enough time in your schedule to use the free second sailing if the weather does not cooperate.

Should you book the Northern Lights boat tour?

Book it if the idea of seeing the aurora from Faxaflói Bay appeals to you and you value protection against a bad-weather evening. The included overalls, free photos, friendly crew, and Whales of Iceland backup make this more useful than a bare-bones boat ride.

Go with realistic expectations. The lights may be faint or absent, the boat may move, and a busy departure may limit your personal space. But when the sky opens up, the setting can be special: you are on the water, the city lights are behind you, and the crew is sending you upstairs because the aurora has begun.

For the best chance of enjoying it, keep your schedule flexible, arrive ready to move outside quickly, dress warmly even with the supplied overalls, and treat the museum visit as a worthwhile alternative rather than a failed evening.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat tour leave from?

The tour starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the boat tour last?

The boat portion lasts about two hours. The overall experience is approximately two to three hours.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable?

You are automatically signed up for an alternative activity at Whales of Iceland. It includes entry, a Northern Lights drink, a short film, a guided tour, and a short Northern Lights photography workshop.

Do I get another chance to sail?

Yes. If conditions are not suitable for the boat tour, you receive a free ticket for the next available boat date.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm overalls are available for use during the boat tour. You should still dress in layers and bring suitable cold-weather accessories.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and drinks can be bought at the onboard snack bar. The backup activity includes a Northern Lights drink.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included in the listed price, but they can be added for an extra charge directly through the supplier.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.