Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

The best part of this Northern Lights cruise is the comfort. You leave Reykjavik by boat, move away from some city glare, and can watch from the open deck before stepping inside to warm up. Guides explain the aurora with both science and Icelandic stories, and the crew can help you set up your camera.

I like the free return ticket if no lights appear, and I like not having to buy a winter suit for one evening. The main catch is simple: the sea, clouds, aurora forecast, and boat capacity all matter. Some nights bring a magical green curtain. Other nights bring wind, darkness, and a long wait with no reward.

Key points to know before booking

• Two and a half hours on Faxafloi Bay: The boat leaves Reykjavik harbor and searches for darker water offshore.
• Thermal overalls are included: Children’s sizes are available, and you should use them even if the harbor feels mild.
• Free photos from every departure: You can download the pictures later, and crew members can help with camera settings.
• No sighting means another chance: You receive a ticket for the next available date, with no expiration, though full departures can make rebooking difficult.
• Indoor warmth matters: Heated seating, WiFi, toilets, and drinks for purchase make this easier than standing beside a roadside for hours.
• Up to 198 people may join: A busy departure can mean limited deck space, especially after weather cancellations.

Leaving Reykjavik for the aurora hunt

You meet at Special Tours on Geirsgata 11, close to central Reykjavik and public transport. The cruise lasts about two hours and thirty minutes, and it ends where it starts. Hotel pickup is not part of the standard fare, though you can arrange it with the operator for an extra fee.

The boat heads into Faxafloi Bay, where the aim is to reduce the city lights around you. Do not expect a high-speed voyage. The point is to reach a useful viewing area, then wait and watch. One less-satisfied passenger found the slow pace dull, while others appreciated the calm ride and the chance to stay warm.

That difference comes down to expectations. This is not a sightseeing cruise packed with landmarks. It is a mobile night-watch for a natural event that may appear at any time. You could see an arc of green soon after leaving the harbor, or you could spend most of the evening waiting for clouds to shift.

The boat itself can vary in feel. One departure used the Andrea, described as a good-size vessel with plenty of lower-deck seating. Another departure felt small and cramped, with little room while putting on the suits. The maximum group size is 198, so I would not book this expecting a private outing or wide-open deck space.

Thermal suits, heated seating, and the real comfort factor

The included thermal overalls are one of the strongest practical features. Out on the water, cold and wind can make an ordinary coat feel useless. Put the suit on over your clothes, and choose a larger size if you are between sizes. A loose fit makes it easier to layer underneath and move your arms for photography.

Children’s sizes are available, which helps families avoid buying special outerwear. Still, bring your own hat, gloves, and warm shoes. The suit covers much of your body, but your hands and face remain exposed when you are looking up or holding a phone.

Inside, you have heated seating and free WiFi. You can buy food and drinks onboard, including hot chocolate and other simple snacks. The onboard service is not guaranteed to feel like a full cafe. One account described a small self-service area with chocolate bars, chips, powdered chocolate, and hot water, so treat refreshments as a useful extra rather than part of the main attraction.

The warmth is especially valuable because you will probably go outside more than once. You may start on deck, retreat indoors, then hear that the sky has opened and head back out. That freedom is far more pleasant than committing to a cold roadside viewpoint for the entire night.

The sea can be rough. Wind made one departure move enough to feel frightening, and another account described the last part of the trip as uncomfortable in bad weather. If you are prone to seasickness, the boat is a real consideration. The tour depends on favorable conditions, but favorable for aurora viewing does not always mean calm water.

What the guide adds to the darkness

A guide helps turn waiting into part of the evening. You hear how the aurora forms when particles in Earth’s atmosphere collide, along with Icelandic myths that give the lights a more human and cultural setting. The best guides keep the explanation clear, point out where to look, and help you understand why a forecast can promise activity without guaranteeing a visible show.

Lukas received specific praise for clear explanations and a lively approach. Other guides have helped with camera settings and told people when to move outside. On one successful evening, the crew extended the outing when the lights appeared just as the trip was about to finish. That kind of flexibility can make the difference between a weak glimpse and a proper viewing.

The quality of commentary may vary. One unhappy account described little explanation at the start and not enough guidance on deck. That is worth keeping in mind if you expect a formal talk from beginning to end. The crew’s main job is to run the boat safely and watch the sky, not provide a constant lecture.

The myths and science are useful, but they cannot create an aurora. If the sky is cloudy, you may hear a good explanation without seeing anything. The guide can improve the evening, not control the result.

Seeing the lights from the deck

When the aurora appears, the experience can be extraordinary. A pale green arc may strengthen into moving bands or a curtain overhead. In clear conditions, you might also see stars, constellations, or even shooting stars. Some displays are bright to the naked eye, while weaker aurora can show more clearly through a camera.

The boat gives you a wide horizon and the chance to view the sky from several positions. That is the main reason to choose it over a fixed city viewpoint. You are not standing under Reykjavik streetlights, though do not assume the bay removes all light pollution. One account found the boat was still more affected by artificial light than expected.

Deck space is another variable. A full boat can make it hard to move around or claim the best spot. After a canceled departure, the replacement sailing may be especially crowded because people from more than one date are combined. If you want clean photographs with no one nearby, this is not the right format.

For photos, keep your camera ready. Use the crew for help if you need it, and download the pictures taken on the tour afterward at no extra charge. The crew may know where to point and how to manage the dark conditions. You should still bring your own phone or camera if you want personal images throughout the night.

A useful detail from the experience is that the aurora may show up late. Several successful outings nearly ended before the lights appeared. The crew can wait longer when conditions suggest a display is close, but there is no promise that an extension will happen on every departure.

The free retry policy and its limits

If you join the cruise and see no lights, you receive another ticket for the next available day. The ticket does not expire, so it can remain useful if you return to Reykjavik later, even years afterward. That is a better safety net than a simple no-refund policy.

The practical limit is availability. One person tried to rebook but found the next departures full, and there was confusion about whether to contact the booking company or Special Tours. I would ask at the office or onboard exactly how to use the replacement ticket before leaving Reykjavik.

The offer applies after you have joined the tour and had no sighting. It is not the same as canceling before departure. If the operator cancels for poor weather and you have not previously joined, you can choose a new date or a full refund. If sea conditions are poor but the aurora forecast still looks promising, you may be offered a Northern Lights bus tour instead. The bus costs the same as the boat, so choosing that alternative does not bring a refund.

The retry is valuable only if you have spare time. I would book this early in an Iceland stay, not on your final night. An early booking gives you room to try again after clouds, and the tour is often reserved well ahead of time.

Is $108.13 a fair price?

At $108.13 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora. You are paying for the boat, crew, thermal overalls, heated indoor space, onboard facilities, a photo service, and the chance to return if the sky stays blank.

That package can be good value if you want comfort and dislike the idea of sitting in a bus or standing outdoors for hours. The free retry changes the calculation. A single successful viewing can make the price feel justified, while a no-show still gives you another opportunity.

The value drops if you have only one night available. A replacement ticket is no help when you fly out the next morning. It also drops if you want a quiet, uncrowded viewing point. With up to 198 people, the experience can feel more like a shared excursion than a personal night at sea.

You can buy food and drinks onboard, but they are extra. Hotel transfer is also extra. Add those costs if you want door-to-door service. The standard meeting point is central enough for many people to reach without paying for transport.

Booking advice for weather and timing

The cancellation rules are straightforward but important. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes are not accepted and the fare is not refunded unless the operator cancels because of weather.

Weather decisions can feel subjective. One departure went ahead in rain even though the aurora could not be seen, while other poor conditions led to cancellation and rescheduling. If the cruise is running, you should be prepared for the possibility of spending two and a half hours onboard with no lights.

Book for an early or middle night of your stay when possible. That gives you time to use the free retry. Check the forecast on the day, but remember that cloud cover and solar activity can change. The operator may offer a bus alternative if the sea is poor and viewing conditions still look worthwhile.

Do not treat the aurora as a scheduled performance. A clear night can produce nothing, while a show may break out after a long quiet spell. The cruise gives you a reasonable chance and a comfortable place to wait, not a guarantee.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for you if comfort is a priority, you want access to a toilet and heated seating, or you are traveling with children. The thermal suits remove one major expense, and the retry option is helpful for a multi-night stay.

It also suits photographers who want help from the crew and free downloadable tour pictures. Just remember that a moving boat, wind, darkness, and crowded decks can make photography harder than expected.

You may prefer a land-based or bus tour if you get seasick, dislike rocking water, or want the driver to chase clearer skies. One person specifically preferred a car after a windy night at sea. A boat does not always give you more sky or less light pollution than a road trip.

This is also a poor fit for a tight schedule. If you have only one evening, the risk is high because no aurora tour can control the clouds or solar activity. The cruise is best treated as one part of an Iceland stay, with time left for a second attempt.

Should you book the Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want a warm, organized aurora hunt from Reykjavik and have at least one spare night for a retry. The suits, indoor seating, guide commentary, free photos, and no-sighting ticket make it a practical choice rather than a bare boat ride.

Skip it if rough water bothers you, if you expect a quiet deck, or if you cannot accept losing the evening to clouds. For the best chance of enjoying it, dress warmly beneath the supplied suit, book early in your stay, keep your camera ready, and ask how rebooking works before you leave the dock.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights cruise leave from?

The tour starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and thirty minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included in the standard activity, but pickup can be booked directly with the supplier for an additional fee.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You receive a free ticket to try again on the next available day. The ticket does not expire, but rebooking depends on available space.

Are thermal overalls provided?

Yes. Thermal overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available.

Can I stay indoors during the cruise?

Yes. The boat has heated indoor seating. You can also go outside on deck for stargazing and aurora viewing.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard.

What happens if the cruise is canceled because of weather?

You can choose to reschedule or receive a full refund if you have not previously joined the tour. If sea conditions are poor but the aurora forecast remains promising, you may be offered a Northern Lights bus tour instead.