Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

The best part of this Reykjavik evening is the warm yacht setting. You cruise out from the Old Harbour, pass Harpa from the water, and watch the sky from an open deck or through the windows of a heated lounge. If the aurora appears, the crew helps you find it and may advise you on camera settings.

I like two things here: you get a pleasant coastal outing even during a quiet aurora night, and you can return free of charge if the lights do not show. The main drawback is simple: the boat does not chase clear skies like a bus tour, and city lights remain visible from the route.

Key points to know before booking

• The cruise stays close to Reykjavik: The route heads behind nearby islands and into sheltered parts of Faxaflói Bay rather than making a long run offshore.
• You get a warm place to wait: Indoor seating, blankets, bathrooms, a café and bar, and Wi-Fi make the long wait easier.
• Aurora sightings are never guaranteed: Snow can clear quickly, but clouds can also ruin an apparently promising night.
• A free return trip is offered if the lights do not appear: This is useful if your schedule allows another evening in Reykjavik.
• Boat size can vary: The smaller yacht holds up to 35 people, while Harpa Yachts also operates a larger vessel with space for up to 95.
• Bring proper winter clothing: You need to spend time outside for the best view, even though the cabin is heated.

A northern lights hunt with a proper seat

A northern lights cruise sounds romantic, but the practical question is what you do when the aurora takes its time. Here, you wait aboard a yacht rather than in a cold car park. That difference matters.

The cruise lasts about two to three hours. It begins at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður, near the food, drinks, and tour facilities along the harbor. After boarding, the yacht heads past the harbor and gives you a view back toward Harpa concert hall. The city looks especially good from the water, with the illuminated building and waterfront forming a strong opening to the evening.

The crew keeps watch for breaks in the cloud. On some departures, the sky may look hopeless at the dock, with snow falling hard. Conditions in Iceland can shift quickly, and a few reviews describe snow clearing later in the evening to reveal a strong display. That possibility is part of the thrill, but it is not a promise.

I also like that the crew can help with photography. One guide helped passengers adjust phone settings and explained where to focus. This is useful because the aurora often looks stronger in a phone photograph than it does to the naked eye, especially when the display is faint. You should still expect to make your own pictures, but guidance can save you from returning home with a collection of black, blurry frames.

Leaving the Old Harbour and passing Harpa

The meeting point is Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2. The activity ends back at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride home from another part of the city.

The first section of the trip is a short Reykjavik sightseeing cruise. You see the old harbor from the water and look back at Harpa musical hall. This is not a full city tour, so do not book it expecting long commentary on every waterfront building. Its main purpose is to get you out onto the bay and away from the densest part of the city.

That opening view still adds value. You are not simply standing on a pier waiting for darkness. You get a different angle on Reykjavik, with the coastline, harbor lights, and open water setting the mood before the aurora search begins.

The boat route is a point of debate. The company explains that it goes behind islands near Reykjavik, seeking shelter from movement on the sea. Some people prefer this calm, close-to-town approach. Others feel the boat should travel farther from the city and actively seek clearer skies.

The practical truth is that the aurora is high above you. A few extra miles offshore do not automatically produce a better view if clouds cover the sky. Still, a closer route means you will see city lights, and the yacht cannot reposition as freely as a bus driving inland. Pick this cruise if comfort and the water experience matter as much as the hunt itself.

Viðey Island and the quieter side of Reykjavik

The route includes Viðey Island, just off Reykjavik. From the water, you get views of a quieter place with walking trails, open ground, and historic and artistic points of interest. The island is home to the Imagine Peace Tower, the memorial created in honor of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

You do not appear to get a land visit during this evening cruise. Instead, Viðey forms part of the coastal setting as the yacht passes nearby. That distinction matters. If you want to walk the island, see the tower close up, or spend time on its trails, you need a separate visit.

From the yacht, the island helps frame the view and provides some shelter from rougher water. The crew says the route uses the islands to find a calmer position. You may therefore spend part of the evening looking toward the island and surrounding shoreline rather than far out into the open Atlantic.

This is one reason the experience feels different from a coach excursion. The boat itself is part of the evening, not just transport to an aurora viewing spot. You have room to move around, take in the coastline, and return inside when the cold catches up.

Faxaflói Bay and the search for clear sky

Faxaflói Bay is the main water setting for the cruise. It is known for marine life, seabirds, and whale watching, although this is not primarily a whale-watching tour and no whale sighting is promised. At night, the focus shifts from the water below to the sky above.

The captain and crew watch for the aurora while the yacht waits in a suitable area. Captain Einar is identified as an experienced captain in this type of trip, with more than ten years of experience hunting the lights. The crew also communicates with other boats, which helps them know when an aurora display begins.

You may hear an announcement asking everyone to move outside when the lights strengthen. On one departure, the yacht appeared to be turning back after only a faint green trace, then stopped when a better display developed. That is a useful detail to keep in mind: the best moment may arrive late, so do not give up early.

You should also understand the limits. The crew cannot control cloud cover or solar activity. Clear skies alone do not guarantee a visible aurora, and a cloudy start does not always mean a lost night. The cruise can make an informed decision about conditions, but nature gets the final word.

The yacht, cabin, deck, and onboard bar

The yacht is the strongest practical argument for booking this activity instead of a basic bus outing. The indoor area provides a place to warm up, and blankets are available. Bathrooms are on board, and you can buy hot or cold drinks from the bar and café. Wi-Fi is also provided.

You still need to go outside for the best view. The upper deck and other outside viewing areas allow you to move around and look in different directions. When the aurora is faint, standing outside can make a real difference. The tradeoff is cold air, wind, and possibly snow.

The boats are described as comfortable yachts, not luxury vessels. That distinction is worth keeping clear. The smaller MY Harpa has room for 35 passengers. Harpa Yachts also uses MY Amelia Rose, which holds up to 95 passengers. The advertised tour information gives a maximum of 35, so check the vessel assigned to your departure if group size is important to you.

Some departures feel intimate, with around 20 people on board. Others may feel much busier, particularly if the larger yacht is used. One criticism focused on a larger boat and expensive drinks, while other reports praised the clean interior, open viewing areas, blankets, and friendly crew.

The bar serves beer, champagne, coffee, tea, and other drinks. Prices and value are personal judgments, so I would treat it as a convenience rather than a reason to spend heavily. A hot drink can make a cold wait more comfortable, but you may prefer to bring your focus back to the sky.

What the guides add to the evening

The commentary includes basic information about the aurora, along with some extra material such as Christmas traditions on certain trips. The quality of the narration may vary by guide and by passenger expectations. Some people enjoy the friendly explanations and music. Others find the information too brief or the commentary less useful than hoped.

The most helpful guide service is practical rather than theatrical. Crew members can point out the aurora, tell you when to go outside, and help with phone or camera settings. If you are new to night photography, ask early rather than waiting until the lights appear.

The company has also offered a beer, coffee, or tea coupon at a restaurant after unsuccessful trips as a goodwill gesture. This is not the same as seeing the aurora, and it should not be treated as compensation for a once-in-a-lifetime sight. The real benefit is the option to join another cruise free of charge if the lights do not appear.

Price and value at $100.82

At $100.82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the northern lights. A bus tour may travel farther and adjust its route more freely. If your only goal is to maximize the chance of finding a clear patch of sky, you may prefer a land-based operator that actively moves between viewing areas.

The yacht earns its price through comfort and setting. You get a two to three hour coastal outing, indoor warmth, bathrooms, blankets, a bar, Wi-Fi, and the chance to see Reykjavik and Viðey from the water. That makes the price easier to justify if you want a pleasant evening even when the aurora fails to appear.

The free return policy also changes the value. If you have several nights in Iceland, you can try again without paying another tour fee. If this is your final night, the offer has less practical value because you may not have time to use it.

I would not book this mainly because it promises a better aurora than every bus tour. It does not. I would book it because you like boats, prefer to wait in a heated cabin, and want a calmer alternative to standing outdoors for hours.

Weather, cancellations, and repeat attempts

The experience requires suitable weather, and the operator may cancel for poor conditions. In that case, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

Those rules matter in Iceland, where the forecast can change quickly. Do not assume that a poor forecast four hours before departure guarantees failure. Snow may clear, or wind may open the cloud cover. The opposite can also happen, with a pleasant afternoon turning into a storm by evening.

If you do go out and see nothing, ask about the free return trip before leaving the harbor area. The company says you can return as many times as needed within three years until you see the lights. You still need enough time in Reykjavik, and new dates depend on availability and operating conditions.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for:

• Couples wanting a quieter, scenic evening on the water
• Families or older passengers who value indoor warmth and bathrooms
• First-time aurora watchers who want help with camera settings
• People staying in Reykjavik for several nights, allowing a repeat attempt
• Anyone who sees the coastal cruise as part of the experience, not just a means to reach dark skies

I would think twice if you have only one evening and your top priority is chasing every possible break in the clouds. A land tour may cover more ground. I would also check the vessel size if you strongly dislike larger groups or noisy passengers.

The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can take part. The yacht has outdoor areas, so you should be ready for cold conditions even if you plan to spend much of the wait inside.

Should you book the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

Book it if you want an aurora search with comfort, coastal views, and a genuine second chance. The heated cabin, blankets, onboard facilities, and helpful photography advice make a failed first attempt less miserable than it might be elsewhere.

Skip it if your only measure of success is how far the operator travels in pursuit of clear sky. The route stays near Reykjavik, city lights remain part of the view, and the crew cannot guarantee a sighting.

My advice is to book early if the dates fit, leave more than one evening open for the aurora, and dress as if you will spend the entire cruise outdoors. That way, you can enjoy Harpa, Viðey Island, Faxaflói Bay, and the yacht itself, even while nature decides if the green lights will appear.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise start?

It starts at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2 in Reykjavik.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point in the Old Harbour.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two to three hours.

What price should I expect?

The listed price is $100.82 per person.

What sights are included along the route?

The route includes Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, views of Harpa musical hall from the sea, the Reykjavik coastline, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay.

Do I get off the yacht at Viðey Island?

The supplied tour details describe Viðey Island as part of the route, but do not state that passengers disembark there.

Is the northern lights sighting guaranteed?

No. Aurora sightings depend on cloud cover and the strength of the lights, both of which are outside the operator’s control.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

The operator offers a free additional yacht trip if the lights do not appear. The company states that you can return as many times as needed within three years.

Are drinks and warm facilities available?

Yes. The yacht has an onboard bar and café, hot and cold drinks, indoor areas, blankets, and bathrooms. Wi-Fi is also provided.

How many people can join the cruise?

The tour information lists a maximum of 35 passengers. The operator also uses a larger yacht with capacity for up to 95 passengers, so you should confirm which vessel is scheduled for your departure.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.