Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

The best thing about this cruise is the change of setting. You leave Reykjavik’s harbor, pass the city lights, and watch the sky from Faxaflói Bay. Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Peace Tower give the first part of the evening some shape while you wait for the aurora.

I like the heated cabin and outdoor decks, since you can move between comfort and clear sky without giving up the boat ride. I also like the free return offer if the lights fail to appear. The catch is simple: a short cruise cannot escape all city glow, and the sea can be cold, windy, crowded, or mildly rough.

Key points before you book

• A two-hour sea search: You spend roughly two hours on Faxaflói Bay, making this shorter than many land tours.
• Warm overalls are supplied: The floatable suits help against the cold wind, but bring your own hat and gloves.
• Two ways to watch: Use the outdoor viewing decks for the clearest sky, or retreat to the heated saloon.
• The return-trip promise matters: If you see no Northern Lights, you receive complimentary tickets to try again, valid for two years.
• The city is part of the show: You can view Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit from October through December.
• The boat is not fully accessible: Steep stairs and high thresholds may make some interior areas and the toilet difficult to reach.

Leaving Reykjavik harbor after dark

The meeting point is Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, close to Reykjavik’s central harbor. You arrange your own way there because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The cruise ends back at the same point, which is handy for a planned walk home, though arranging a taxi afterward may take patience.

Once aboard, the mood is more relaxed than a long coach chase across Iceland. You have about two hours, and the boat itself becomes part of the evening. The city recedes behind you as the crew points out illuminated landmarks and explains what you are looking for overhead.

The group can reach 150 people. That is a sizeable crowd, and the experience depends partly on where you stand. The boat has more than one level and several viewing areas, so you are not locked into one seat, but busy departures can make the best spots feel tight.

The boat is generally stable, yet it is still a boat. Some people found the ride smooth even after windy weather, while others felt rocking on the upper deck or when the vessel moved quickly. If you are prone to seasickness, bring suitable medication. Sea-sickness tablets have also been available on board, but I would not rely on that alone.

The first views: Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Peace Tower

The cruise does not begin with an empty black sky. First, you get a watery view of Reykjavik at night. Harpa Concert Hall shines along the waterfront, and Hallgrímskirkja rises above the city. These sights give you something definite to enjoy even if the aurora stays hidden.

From October through December, the route also passes the Imagine Peace Tower when its beam is lit. This is one of the more unusual parts of the outing. From the water, the tower can be easier to appreciate than from the city, and its bright column adds a memorable stop before you turn your attention north.

The Peace Tower is not the reason to book an aurora cruise, but it helps fill the waiting time. That matters because the Northern Lights may appear within minutes, after an hour, or not at all. A good guide keeps the setting interesting rather than treating every dark cloud as a crisis.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for the aurora

The main purpose is to get away from the strongest harbor lights and watch the northern sky. The boat travels into Faxaflói Bay, but this is not a remote expedition. You remain close enough to Reykjavik for city glow to affect faint displays.

That limitation is worth understanding before you pay. A strong aurora can look wonderful from the boat, and several outings have produced lights shortly after leaving the harbor or within the first hour. A weak display may be barely visible to the eye, even on a clear night. A camera can record color that your eyes struggle to see, but that does not always feel like a satisfying show in person.

Cloud cover is the bigger enemy. A high aurora forecast means little if clouds block the sky. Conditions can also change quickly, which explains why this cruise cannot promise a sighting. The crew makes every effort, but nature sets the schedule.

I would check the weather and aurora forecast before booking, then keep your expectations flexible. If the outlook is poor, the operator may cancel for safety and offer another date or a full refund. If the boat sails and the lights do not appear, the answer is a complimentary return trip, not an automatic cash refund.

Outdoor decks versus the heated saloon

The outdoor decks give you the best chance of seeing the sky without window reflections. They also give you the full sensation of being at sea, with cold air and wind coming from every direction. In January, even people who normally tolerate cold found the upper deck very chilly.

The supplied overalls are a major help. They are warm, waterproof, and floatable, and you can borrow them during the cruise. Put one on before you think you need it. Once you are cold, standing still for aurora watching becomes much less enjoyable.

Bring a hat and gloves anyway. The overalls do not replace warm personal layers, and your hands may spend time outside the suit while you use a phone or camera. A few people found red Arctic suits especially useful against the wind.

The heated indoor saloon offers a sensible reset. It has seating, free Wi-Fi, toilets, and a small café selling hot drinks and snacks. Hot chocolate has been a favorite onboard purchase, and hand warmers may also be available. You can warm up indoors, then return outside when the guide spots activity.

The tradeoff is visibility. Inside, you get comfort but may miss a sudden glow or deal with reflections. Outside, you get the sky but also the cold and possible movement underfoot.

Guides, explanations, and taking photographs

The crew provides information about the aurora, the bay, and the city sights. The strongest guide experiences combine clear explanations with practical help, such as showing you which direction to face and how to adjust camera settings.

Guide Mia received particular praise for making the evening engaging, and other guides have helped people get better photographs. That assistance is useful because phone cameras often need a steady hand and the right settings. The boat’s movement can still blur long exposures, especially on the upper deck.

Listen carefully to the safety briefing and the photography advice. On busy departures, conversations and music can make announcements hard to hear. Some passengers also found the microphone difficult to understand. If you miss an instruction, ask a crew member rather than guessing.

You should also avoid using flash while people are photographing the sky. Bright flashes disturb nearby photographers and do little to improve an aurora picture. A good place to stand may change during the cruise, so be ready to move when the crew points out a better view.

How the free return trip really works

The sighting guarantee is the cruise’s most important value protection. If no Northern Lights appear during your outing, you receive complimentary tickets to try again. The tickets are valid for two years, and rescheduling after weather cancellations has generally been straightforward.

This is not quite the same as guaranteeing a show. You still need another suitable night, and the offer may be less useful if you leave Iceland soon. If your schedule allows only one evening, consider the voucher a safety net rather than a replacement for the experience you hoped to have.

The return policy can work well if you are staying in Reykjavik for several nights. Book the cruise early in your visit, not on your final night. That leaves room to try again if the sky is cloudy or the first trip produces only a faint glow.

The operator may cancel at short notice when conditions are unsafe. In that case, you receive a different date or a full refund. For ordinary cancellations, you can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded.

Is $105 a fair price?

At $105 per person, this cruise costs more than simply walking along Reykjavik’s waterfront, but you are paying for a boat, crew, warm overalls, indoor facilities, and a structured search at sea. Wi-Fi and the return option add practical value, while café purchases cost extra.

The shorter length is a strength for some people. At about two hours, you are not committing to a five-hour bus ride, and you can fit the cruise into an evening with dinner or another activity. If you see a strong aurora for much of the trip, the price feels reasonable.

The same price can feel steep when the boat remains near city glow, the sky is cloudy, or the lights appear only faintly for a few minutes. A land tour can sometimes chase clearer conditions by road, while this boat follows its fixed route. You are buying a chance, not control over the forecast.

I see the cruise as good value for a first attempt from Reykjavik, especially if you prefer a compact outing and like being on the water. It is less convincing if your only goal is the darkest possible sky and you have enough time for a land-based tour that can change direction.

Comfort, crowds, and access

The boat is large enough to offer indoor and outdoor areas, but a maximum of 150 people can still feel crowded. Indoor tables may be shared, and the top deck can become congested when the aurora appears. For a clearer view, try the bow or move between decks instead of staying with the first group that gathers at the rail.

The toilets are useful, especially because the cruise lasts around two hours and cold weather makes warm indoor facilities welcome. Access is not completely easy. Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but steep stairs and high thresholds may restrict access to the interior and toilet facilities.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. The activity is offered in English, so you should be comfortable following English safety information and guide commentary.

Who should choose this cruise?

I would choose it for a short Reykjavik stay, a first Northern Lights attempt, or an evening when you want more than a coach ride. It also suits anyone who likes boats, city views, and a warm indoor refuge between trips outside.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the choice of decks, saloon seating, toilets, and overalls. Photography-minded visitors can benefit from the crew’s camera help, though boat movement makes sharp long exposures harder than on land.

I would hesitate if you dislike cold, feel sick at sea, or have only one free night and need the highest possible chance of success. I would also think twice if crowded viewing areas frustrate you. A strong aurora can overcome those drawbacks, but a weak one will expose every limitation.

Should you book the Northern Lights Cruise?

Book this Elding cruise if you want a manageable two-hour search from central Reykjavik, with city views, a heated cabin, outdoor decks, and a genuine chance to try again. Start early in your stay so the two-year return ticket has practical value.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed spectacle. The boat cannot outrun every cloud or remove all city light, and the sea may be cold and unsteady. Still, when the aurora appears over the bay, the combination of dark water, Reykjavik’s lights, and green movement overhead can make the trip feel special. If you want a simple first step into Iceland’s winter night, this is a sensible choice.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Cruise begin?

It begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the harbor.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You receive complimentary tickets to try the cruise again. The return tickets are valid for two years.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm floatable overalls are available to borrow. You should still bring a hat and gloves for extra comfort.

Is there a heated area on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with seating, Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and a café serving hot drinks and snacks for purchase.

Can passengers with limited mobility join?

Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but the boat is not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds may limit access to inside areas and toilet facilities.