Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

A northern lights cruise gives you a different kind of Reykjavik evening. You leave the harbor, watch the city lights recede, and scan the dark sky over Faxaflói Bay while Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa Concert Hall, and sometimes the Imagine Peace Tower frame the start of the night. The two-hour trip is shorter than many bus outings, which makes it a useful choice when you want to keep your evening open.

I like the free return cruise if the aurora does not show, and I like having both warm indoor seating and outdoor viewing decks. The main catch is simple: a boat cannot control clouds, solar activity, or city glow. Some departures produce a spectacular display, while others offer only a faint glimpse or none at all.

Key points to know before you sail

• Warm overalls are provided: Borrow a floatable, wind-resistant overall, but still bring a hat and gloves.
• The city looks best from the water: Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the harbor lights give the first part of the cruise real appeal.
• You can try again for free: If no northern lights appear, you receive complimentary tickets for another attempt, valid for up to two years.
• The boat has useful comforts: A heated saloon, café, toilets, Wi-Fi, and several outdoor platforms make the wait easier.
• The upper deck can be cold and crowded: The bow may offer a better view when the top deck fills up.
• A clear sky still does not promise an aurora: Cloud, moonlight, weak activity, and city glow can all reduce what you see.

Leaving Ægisgarður for Faxaflói Bay

The meeting point is Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, near central Reykjavik. The cruise ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point after the boat returns. Hotel transportation is not included, and the tour is offered in English.

The boat heads out into Faxaflói Bay for roughly two hours. This is not a long expedition far from Iceland’s capital. That is both the strength and the limit of the experience. You can fit it neatly into a Reykjavik evening, but the boat may remain close enough to the city for some light pollution to affect the sky.

The departure itself is part of the pleasure. From the water, Reykjavik’s illuminated waterfront takes on a clean, open look. Harpa Concert Hall is especially striking at night, while Hallgrímskirkja rises above the city as an easy landmark to pick out. You are not simply standing in a dark field waiting for the sky to change. You are watching Iceland’s capital from a moving viewpoint.

City lights, the Peace Tower, and the first hour

The route includes a look toward the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit from October through December. Its beam provides a memorable sight before the crew turns attention toward the northern sky. It also gives you something concrete to watch while the aurora forecast does its uncertain work.

Several departures have included the Peace Tower as an unexpected highlight. It can be difficult to see clearly from Reykjavik itself, so the water gives you a cleaner angle. If your main goal is the aurora, this stop will not replace it, but it helps make the cruise worthwhile on a quiet night.

The crew provides information about the aurora, the surrounding area, and the conditions needed for a sighting. Guides also point out the direction of faint activity and offer help with camera settings. On one well-praised departure, a guide named Mia helped create a friendly atmosphere and kept the focus on making good photographs.

Keep your expectations sensible during the first hour. The aurora may appear within minutes of leaving the harbor, or you may wait most of the cruise. One outing found the lights after about 15 minutes. Another produced its best display only after an hour. You may also see faint streaks that look stronger in a photograph than they do to your eyes.

Outdoor decks or the heated saloon

The boat offers several ways to spend the evening. You can go outside to watch the sky with less glass between you and the stars, or step into the heated indoor saloon to warm up. The cabin includes seating, Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and a café selling hot drinks and snacks.

I would treat the indoor area as a base rather than a place to stay all night. You can warm your hands, buy hot chocolate, and listen to the guide before stepping back outside when the crew spots activity. Hot chocolate and hand warmers have been available on board, though snacks and drinks cost extra.

The provided overalls are a real help. On the water, wind cuts through ordinary winter clothing quickly, even when the air feels manageable on land. Use the overalls, but add your own warm hat and gloves. You will want your hands free for a camera, and cold fingers make it harder to adjust settings or hold a phone steady.

The upper deck provides the widest sky, but it can become crowded. It is also the coldest and windiest spot, and the boat may rock more noticeably there. The bow can sometimes offer a less obstructed view, while the indoor saloon is the better choice if you are worried about the cold or motion.

What the two-hour search is really like

This is a patient outing. The crew cannot steer toward a guaranteed point in the sky, and the aurora can appear, fade, or shift while you are watching. A strong display may last the full cruise, but a weak one may show for only a few minutes.

Several departures produced lights soon after leaving the harbor, including one where the aurora stayed visible for nearly the entire two hours. That is the ideal result. A different experience saw nothing during the first hour, then caught a good display in the second. This is why I would not judge the cruise too quickly during the opening stretch.

Boat movement matters for photography. The ride is often smooth, but wind and speed can cause rocking. Long exposures can blur, particularly on the upper deck or during a faster part of the route. If you are prone to seasickness, consider taking your usual medicine before sailing. Sea sickness tablets have also been available on board.

The guide may explain how to photograph the aurora and where to stand. Still, no setting can fix a weak display, cloud cover, or a moving boat. Use a tripod only if you can manage it safely and without blocking other people. A phone may record green streaks that are hard to see with the naked eye, so judge the experience by what you can see, not only by the screen.

How the free return policy affects the value

At $105 per person, this is not a throwaway evening activity. The price pays for the boat, crew, heated cabin, outdoor viewing areas, overalls, and the chance to search from the bay. It also includes a valuable safety net: if you do not see the northern lights, you can try again at no extra charge.

That return option makes the price easier to accept if you have several nights in Reykjavik. You can book early in your stay, then return on another available night if clouds or weak activity spoil the first attempt. Complimentary tickets are valid for up to two years, which helps if your schedule changes, though a voucher is not as useful if you are leaving Iceland immediately.

The policy does not mean you receive a refund simply because the aurora fails to appear. The offered remedy is another cruise. If you have only one night in Reykjavik, you should understand that this is a chance to try again later, not a guarantee that you will see the lights during your visit.

Compare the cruise with a bus outing before you book. A bus can move inland or change direction based on the forecast, while a boat follows its water route. The cruise wins on shorter duration, city views, onboard facilities, and the pleasure of being on the bay. A bus may offer more flexibility when cloud or light pollution shifts across the region.

Crowding, sound, and practical comfort

The boat can carry up to 150 people. That is a moderate group for a vessel of this type, but the experience can feel crowded when everyone heads outside at once. Indoor seats may be arranged around shared tables, so you might sit beside people you do not know.

Pay attention during the safety briefing. Loud conversations and music can make announcements difficult to hear, and the commentary may not reach every part of the boat equally well. English is the tour language, so you should be comfortable following instructions in English.

Flash photography is a particular nuisance during an aurora cruise. A sudden flash ruins night vision and can interfere with someone else’s view. Keep your flash off and lower your screen brightness when possible. The crew can point out the best viewing direction, but your experience improves if people around you also protect the darkness.

The boat is generally comfortable and stable, though it can pitch and rock in wind or when moving quickly. Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but the vessel is not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds may restrict access to indoor areas and toilets. Service animals are allowed, and public transportation is nearby.

Timing your booking around Icelandic weather

This tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a cancellation at short notice. If that happens, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Check your phone and email before leaving for the harbor in case the operator sends an update.

For your own planning, give yourself more than one possible night if you can. The northern lights are unpredictable, and a high forecast does not force the aurora to appear over Reykjavik. Heavy cloud is the obvious problem, but a clear night can still produce little or nothing.

Book early if your Iceland schedule is fixed. The experience is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking lead time of about 45 days. 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.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want a compact evening outing with a real chance of seeing the aurora, without committing to a five-hour road trip. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who like the idea of combining night scenery, a boat ride, and a natural spectacle.

It is also a good fit if you value comfort. The heated saloon, café, toilets, Wi-Fi, and loaned overalls make the wait less demanding than standing outside in an open field. You can step indoors, warm up, then return to the deck when activity appears.

I would think twice if seeing the northern lights is your only goal and you have several nights available for a land-based search. The boat cannot move inland to chase a break in the clouds, and its two-hour route may keep you near Reykjavik’s glow. A bus outing may give you more freedom to follow changing conditions.

Photographers should also weigh the tradeoff. The water offers wonderful open views, and the guide may help with camera settings, but movement can blur long exposures. Bring warm layers, keep your setup simple, and expect the best images when the boat is steady.

Should you book the Elding Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want an easy-to-fit Reykjavik night with city views, a heated refuge, and a free second chance when the sky stays dark. The cruise can produce a remarkable show, with some outings seeing the aurora within minutes and others finding it after a long wait.

Do not book it as a guaranteed light show. The strongest reason to choose it is the mix of scenery, comfort, and a return ticket, not certainty. If your schedule allows another attempt, the $105 price is reasonable for the experience. If you have only one night and need the best possible odds, compare it closely with a bus tour before deciding.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the cruise depart and return?

It departs from Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, and returns to the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You are offered complimentary tickets for another cruise at no extra cost. The return tickets are valid for up to two years.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm floatable overalls are available to borrow. You should still bring a hat and gloves, especially for the outdoor decks.

Is there an indoor area on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with seating, Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and an onboard café.

Can I buy food and drinks during the cruise?

Yes. Hot drinks and snacks are available for purchase at the onboard café.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather makes the cruise unsafe or unsuitable, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.