Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

Reykjavík’s northern lights yacht tour gives you a good way to trade city glow for dark water and open sky. The yacht cruises among the small islands of Faxaflói Bay, then moves away from Reykjavík’s lights so the aurora has a better chance to show. My favorite parts are the three viewing decks and the chance to warm up in a proper bar between sightings. The main catch is simple: no boat, guide, or ticket can promise an aurora.

I also like the short two-hour format. It fits neatly into an evening, and you do not have to commit to a long coach ride if you are tired or traveling with children. The guides, including Maria, Julian, and Lucky on different departures, help with phone settings and explain what to watch for. But the open decks are genuinely cold, and a moving boat can make long-exposure photos blurry.

At a glance

• Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor: Check in at Old Harbour House, then board near Aegisgardur 2.
• Three outdoor viewing decks: You can change position as the yacht moves or as the aurora appears in different parts of the sky.
• Indoor bar and lounge: Buy drinks and snacks, or warm up with hot chocolate between sightings.
• Helpful aurora guidance: Guides explain the lights, point out new activity, and help you adjust phone cameras.
• Two hours on the water: A manageable evening outing, with optional hotel pickup in the Reykjavík area.
• Sightings are not guaranteed: If conditions produce no worthwhile display, free rebooking may be available through the provider.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbor

Your evening begins at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, in central Reykjavík. Check in 30 minutes before departure by scanning the bar or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk. That extra time is useful, since you can get oriented before boarding instead of trying to find the right boat at the last minute.

The harbor setting gives the tour a pleasant start. You are not being loaded onto a large coach and driven into the countryside. You walk onto a yacht, meet the captain and crew, and begin with Reykjavík’s waterfront around you.

Hotel pickup is available if you select it when booking. If you are staying near the center, you may find it just as easy to reach the harbor yourself, but pickup can help on a dark, wet evening or when you are traveling with children. The important point is to check the pickup option carefully, since it is not included in every booking.

The Old Harbour House also has a bar and restaurant connection. Some departures have included a discount on food there before boarding, but treat that as a booking-specific benefit rather than something to count on. The yacht itself has a bar, so you do not need to eat before sailing.

The first half hour on Faxaflói Bay

Once aboard, the yacht sails among the small islands in Faxaflói Bay and along the Reykjavík coast. The exact amount of time spent traveling before the main viewing area depends on weather, cloud cover, and aurora conditions. Several accounts describe roughly 30 minutes of sailing before the boat reached darker water, followed by a long period of watching.

This part of the ride is not dead time. It lets you see Reykjavík from the water and gives the guide a chance to explain aurora basics, stars, and the surrounding coast. On some nights, the lights appear before the yacht has gone far. On others, the crew keeps searching and watching the sky until the return journey.

The yacht’s movement is usually smooth enough for a comfortable ride, but the sea can be choppy. That matters most if you want sharp photographs. Your eyes may see a wonderful display while your phone records a soft green blur because the boat shifts during a long exposure.

The crew supplies sea-sickness tablets, which is a thoughtful inclusion. If you are prone to motion sickness, take the issue seriously and ask the bar staff about the tablets before the boat gets moving. Comfortable shoes also matter because you will be moving between indoor and outdoor areas on a wet deck.

Three decks, three ways to watch

The main selling point is the triple-deck viewing setup. You are not confined to one narrow outdoor platform. You can look for a less crowded corner, move higher for a wider view, or step inside when the wind becomes too much.

The upper deck offers the clearest open-air view, and it is the natural place to watch the aurora stretch across the sky. It is also the coldest location. On a clear night with temperatures near minus 10 degrees Celsius, you will need layers, a winter coat, gloves, and sturdy shoes. The included warm blankets help, but they do not replace proper clothing.

The covered decks give you some shelter and let you remain close to the action. A practical strategy is to sit inside near an exit, then step outdoors when the guide announces a new wave of lights. Guides have done this well on several departures, alerting people indoors when the aurora became visible.

Crowding can vary. The boat has often felt roomy, with plenty of seating inside and outside, but free rebooking can bring extra people aboard. One departure became crowded indoors after many passengers returned for another attempt. If you want a warm seat, board promptly and choose one that lets you reach the deck quickly.

The darkness is part of the experience. Bright lighting would make it harder to see faint aurora, so some lower areas can feel very dim. Bring a small phone light, but use it sparingly around other people. The goal is to protect everyone’s night vision.

The bar gives you a useful refuge

Inside, the yacht has a bar and lounge area with hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and snacks available for purchase. A hot chocolate with Baileys or amaretto has become a popular cold-night choice, while coffee and other warm drinks suit anyone avoiding alcohol.

Drinks are not included in the $93 ticket, so budget a little extra if you want something from the bar. Still, I think the indoor space adds real value. You can warm your hands, sit down, use the toilet facilities, and wait for a clearing without sacrificing the whole evening to the cold.

The yacht is described as being in good condition, with comfortable seating and a pleasant interior. One distinctive detail is the preserved original stateroom, which gives the boat a bit of character beyond the usual transport vessel. You are still booking an aurora cruise, not a historical tour, but those touches make the two hours feel more like an outing.

Wi-Fi is included onboard. That is handy for sending a quick message or checking conditions, though you will want to keep your phone battery protected from the cold. The bar staff also provide blankets and sea-sickness tablets, subject to normal availability.

How the aurora viewing actually works

The lights may appear as a faint gray or green streak to your eyes at first. A phone camera can reveal color before your eyes do, especially when activity is weak. With stronger conditions, the display may brighten into green arcs, pink or red hints, and moving bands that seem to change across the sky.

The guide’s role is especially useful here. At the start of the trip, you may not know what counts as a promising patch of cloud or a faint aurora. Guides such as Maria and Julian have explained the science in plain language, pointed out stars, and helped passengers change phone settings. Some have taken photos for couples and families, which is a welcome service when you are trying to watch the sky and operate a camera at the same time.

The aurora may arrive early, late, or in several short bursts. On one strong night, the lights appeared within minutes of leaving the harbor and continued for nearly the whole cruise. On another, people waited in cold conditions and saw the best display near the end of the trip. The crew may keep looking instead of accepting a brief, weak sighting as the full result.

You should also keep expectations realistic. A faint line on the horizon is still an aurora, but it may not match the dramatic curtains in travel photographs. Clouds can close in, and activity can fade without warning. A clear sky helps, but even a clear night does not guarantee a show.

Photography from a moving yacht

Your phone can capture the aurora, but a boat is not a tripod. Long exposures are affected by the yacht’s movement, and even a calm sea can make photos soft. Use the shortest exposure your phone allows while still keeping the image bright enough, and take several shots rather than trusting one frame.

Guides often help passengers adjust camera settings. Ask early, before the lights become intense and everyone rushes outside. A guide may also help take a portrait of you and your companion, which is easier than trying to balance a phone on a moving deck.

Keep your expectations modest. The camera may show a stronger green than your eyes see, and the final image may not be sharp. The real reward is watching the aurora change in front of you, not producing a perfect wall print.

A small practical tip: keep the phone in an inside pocket when you are not taking pictures. Cold drains batteries fast. A camera with a stable support can help, but the supplied information does not promise dedicated photography equipment or a fixed platform.

What the $93 price includes

At $93 per person, this is not the cheapest possible way to search for the aurora, but the value depends on what kind of evening you want. You are paying for a two-hour cruise, a yacht with three viewing decks, a live English-speaking guide, blankets, Wi-Fi, and sea-sickness tablets. You also get an indoor lounge instead of having to wait outside in the wind for the entire trip.

Hotel pickup can be added, which may be worth it if your accommodation is outside central Reykjavík or you do not want to manage evening transport. Drinks and souvenirs cost extra. Since the aurora itself cannot be guaranteed, the ticket is best judged as a comfortable night cruise with a serious chance of seeing the lights, not as a guaranteed light show.

The free rebooking policy improves the value. If the lights are not seen, the provider may allow you to return free of charge, sometimes for as long as three years. Confirm the exact arrangement with the crew because the practical conditions can vary. This is most useful if you have several nights in Iceland, but it helps less if Reykjavík is only a one-night stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms make it easier to fit the cruise around a changing Iceland itinerary.

Who will like this cruise most

I would choose this tour for you if you want the aurora experience without a long coach excursion. The two-hour length works well for families, older travelers, and anyone who has already spent a full day sightseeing. It also suits couples looking for a special evening, especially because the crew can help take photographs.

It is a good fit for people who value comfort. You can step outside for the view, then return to a lounge and hot drink. The yacht gives you more freedom to change viewing spots than a fixed roadside stop.

You should think twice if your top priority is the darkest possible sky or serious night photography. A boat moves, and the upper deck can be cold and crowded. You also need flexibility because the aurora may not appear during your departure.

The tour has earned a 4.4 rating from 1,253 reviews, which fits the overall picture: strong marks for the yacht, crew, bar, organization, and successful sightings, with the usual uncertainty caused by Icelandic weather.

My booking advice

Book this yacht tour if you want a polished, manageable aurora outing and you like the idea of watching from the water. The warm lounge, helpful guides, three decks, and possible free rebooking take some pressure off an unpredictable natural event.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed green curtain across the sky. Bring serious winter clothing, protect your phone battery, arrive 30 minutes early, and choose an indoor seat near an exit if you want quick access to both warmth and the deck. If you have more than one night in Reykjavík, the rebooking option makes the risk easier to accept. If you have only one evening, book it for the experience of the cruise itself, with the northern lights as the magnificent bonus.

FAQ

Where does the northern lights yacht tour depart from?

The tour departs from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor. Check in at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavík.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in 30 minutes before departure. Use the bar or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavík area if you select that option when booking.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are available to buy at the onboard bar, but they are not included in the ticket price.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The live guide and tour information are provided in English.

Are blankets and sea-sickness tablets provided?

Yes. Warm blankets and sea-sickness tablets are included onboard.

Is seeing the northern lights guaranteed?

No. Aurora sightings are not guaranteed. If the lights are not seen, the activity provider may allow you to reschedule for free.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.