Reykjavík: Northern Lights Cruise

The best part of this Northern Lights cruise is the change of setting. You leave Reykjavík’s bright waterfront behind and look out across dark water, with the city glowing at your back and the sky open ahead. The boat gives you a comfortable way to wait for a natural show that may take time.

I like the warm overalls and heated indoor saloon, which make the cold far easier to manage. I also like the free return option if the aurora does not appear. The catch is simple: a boat cannot control clouds, darkness, or solar activity, and it is not the best choice if your main goal is sharp Northern Lights photography.

Key points before you book

• A 2.5-hour night cruise from Reykjavík Old Harbour: You sail into Faxaflói Bay rather than watching the sky from the city streets.
• Warm gear is supplied: Borrow overalls, raincoats, and blankets, then move between the heated saloon and outdoor viewing decks.
• The city is part of the show: Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja church, and Reykjavík’s lit shoreline provide a fine opening to the evening.
• The Imagine Peace Tower appears from October through December: The boat passes by when the tower is lit.
• You get a free second chance: If the Northern Lights do not show, you can come back another night at no extra charge.
• The boat is better for seeing than photographing: A moving vessel, low light, and faint aurora can make camera work difficult.

Sailing out from Reykjavík Old Harbour

Your evening begins at the Elding Whale Watching boat at Ægisgarður 5 in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. The meeting point is central to the cruise itself, and you should allow time to find the boat and get settled before departure.

The first stage is not a mad dash into darkness. As the boat moves away from the harbour, Reykjavík becomes part of the experience. You see the shoreline lit for the evening, with Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja church forming the main visual markers.

This city view gives the cruise more variety than a simple wait for the sky. If the Northern Lights take an hour or more to appear, you have something interesting to watch while the crew checks conditions and the guide explains what may happen.

The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay, where you get a wider view of the sky. That matters because city light can make faint aurora harder to see. It does not guarantee a sighting, but getting away from Reykjavík’s brightest lights gives the search a sensible purpose.

What the cruise feels like on board

The boat is set up for Icelandic weather rather than wishful thinking. You can borrow warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets, then step outside when the sky looks promising. If the cold becomes too much, the heated indoor saloon has ample seating and toilets.

That arrangement is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip over standing outside on land for several hours. You can warm up, buy a hot drink or snack at the café, and return to the viewing platforms when the guide calls out a possible sighting.

The outdoor decks are the place to look for the aurora. They give you an unobstructed view of the sea and sky, but you should expect cold, wind, and movement underfoot. The supplied overalls help, though they do not turn the deck into a warm room.

Several positive experiences with this cruise point to the crew’s practical help. The team has assisted with camera settings, explained what was happening, and kept safety in mind. That is useful when you are tired, cold, and trying to decide if a faint glow is really the Northern Lights.

The onboard café adds a small but welcome comfort. Refreshments are not included in the $111 price, so bring a little extra if you want drinks or snacks. The café and heated cabin are especially useful on nights when the aurora is weak and patience becomes part of the plan.

Searching Faxaflói Bay for the aurora

The main event depends on nature. The crew checks the weather and forecast before departure and chooses the sailing conditions that offer the best chance, but no captain can order the Northern Lights to appear.

Your guide keeps you informed during the search and calls out when the lights begin. This is important because early aurora can look like faint white or greenish lines rather than the dramatic curtains shown in photographs. You may need time for your eyes to adjust.

The intensity can change while you watch. One evening may begin with a barely visible glow and build into a stronger display. Another may produce only a short glimpse. The boat’s wide view gives you a fair chance to follow changes across the sky, but a sighting is never promised.

The best practical advice is to treat the cruise as a search, not a scheduled performance. If you expect a guaranteed spectacle at a fixed time, disappointment is likely. If you accept a slow wait with the city lights, sea air, and a helpful crew as part of the evening, the experience makes more sense.

The free sighting guarantee softens the risk. If the lights do not appear, you are offered another trip at no charge. This is valuable if you have more than one night in Reykjavík, though it is less useful if this cruise falls on your final evening in Iceland.

The Imagine Peace Tower from the water

From October through December, the route includes a view of the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. The tower sends a bright beam into the night sky, creating a memorable contrast with the dark bay.

This is not the same as seeing the aurora, and it should not be treated as a substitute. Still, it gives the cruise a special Reykjavík detail during the part of the year when the Northern Lights are most likely to be visible.

The tower also shows why the city portion of this tour matters. You are not simply transported into darkness and left to wait. The route connects Reykjavík’s art, architecture, and nighttime waterfront with the natural show beyond the harbour.

The exact sighting depends on the season and the route conditions. If you are sailing outside October through December, do not expect this part of the experience.

Why the city views are worth your time

Reykjavík’s shoreline looks different from the water. Harpa Concert Hall catches the light in a way that is difficult to appreciate from a street nearby, while Hallgrímskirkja rises above the city as a clear nighttime landmark.

These views are especially helpful early in the cruise, before the sky becomes the main focus. They also give you something reliable to enjoy on a cloudy evening. The city lights are not a nuisance from this angle. They become part of the composition.

There is a tradeoff. A boat trip cannot remove all light pollution, and the brightest parts of Reykjavík remain behind you. The crew’s choice to sail into Faxaflói Bay improves your position, but it does not create the same darkness as a remote countryside location.

If you are comparing this cruise with a land-based trip far outside Reykjavík, the land tour may offer darker skies. The boat wins on comfort, city views, and the unusual feeling of watching the capital recede across the water.

The hard truth about taking photos

You can photograph the Northern Lights from the boat, but it is difficult. The deck moves, the subject may be faint, and long exposures can turn a good sighting into a blurry image.

Crew members have helped passengers adjust camera settings, which is a real benefit. Even so, you should not book this experience mainly for professional-looking photographs. Your phone may record little or nothing when your eyes can still see a faint aurora.

For better results, listen to the guide and use the outdoor deck when the lights appear strongest. Keep expectations modest. The moving boat makes this a viewing experience first and a photography experience second.

If your priority is a perfect camera frame, a stationary viewpoint on land will usually be easier. If you want to watch the sky with your own eyes and perhaps capture a few personal images, the boat can still work.

How the $111 price measures up

At $111 per person, this is not a cheap evening activity. The price includes the 2.5-hour cruise, an English-speaking naturalist guide, warm overalls, raincoats, blankets, indoor seating, and the sighting guarantee.

The value depends on what you need. If you are comfortable standing outside in the cold and can reach a dark location on your own, you may prefer a less expensive option. You would then need to arrange transport, bring suitable clothing, and accept that you may not have anyone explaining the sky.

Here, the price buys structure and comfort. You have a captain choosing the route, a guide watching conditions, warm clothing available, toilets on board, and a heated place to wait. The free return trip also reduces the financial risk when the sky refuses to cooperate.

Hotel pickup is not included, though it is available for an extra charge. The stated meeting point is the Old Harbour, so check the starting time and make your own way there unless you add transport.

The strongest value comes when the boat gives you both a good aurora sighting and a pleasant evening around it. If clouds win, the return option matters greatly. On your last night, however, the guarantee may offer little practical help.

Who should choose this cruise

I would point this trip toward you if you want to see the Northern Lights without spending the entire evening outside. The heated saloon, supplied overalls, blankets, café, and toilets make the waiting period far easier than a bare outdoor lookout.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a guide to explain the conditions and help identify faint aurora. The crew’s help with camera settings is useful for casual photographers, families, and anyone unsure about what they are seeing.

The cruise is a good match for people who like combining nature with city scenery. Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, the Reykjavík waterfront, and the Imagine Peace Tower add clear highlights even before the sky performs.

I would hesitate if you have only one night in Iceland and need the best possible chance of seeing the lights. A cloudy or inactive sky can defeat any tour, and the free return trip cannot help if you are leaving the next morning.

I would also hesitate if photography is your main goal. The moving boat creates extra technical problems, and the product information directly warns that photographing the aurora from the vessel can be challenging.

Book cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still changing.

My call on the Elding Northern Lights Cruise

I would book this cruise if I wanted a comfortable, well-organized Northern Lights search from Reykjavík and had at least one extra evening available. The friendly crew, warm gear, heated cabin, and free return trip take much of the sting out of an uncertain natural event.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed green sky or perfect photographs. The strongest reason to choose it is the mix of open-water viewing, Reykjavík at night, practical crew support, and a second chance if the aurora stays hidden.

At $111, it is a fair choice for comfort and convenience, especially in cold weather. Just remember that the Northern Lights remain the boss of the evening.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts 2.5 hours.

Where does the boat leave from?

You meet at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets are available on board.

Is there a heated area inside the boat?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with seating and toilets.

Are drinks and snacks included?

No. Refreshments are not included, but the onboard café sells hot drinks and snacks.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is available for an additional charge.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

You are offered the chance to join the cruise again on another night free of charge.

Can I photograph the Northern Lights from the boat?

You can try, and the crew may help with camera settings, but photography can be difficult because the boat moves and the lights may be faint.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.