Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

The northern lights are never guaranteed, but this two-hour yacht cruise gives you a pleasant way to wait for them. You leave Reykjavík’s harbor, pass small islands and the city coast, then move away from the city glow for darker skies over Faxaflói Bay.

I especially like the three outdoor viewing decks and the warm indoor lounge with a bar. You can step outside when the aurora appears, then retreat for hot chocolate or a blanket. The main drawback is simple: the boat moves, so long-exposure photos can blur, and the upper deck can feel very cold and crowded.

Key Points at a Glance

• Three viewing decks: Move around the yacht to find a clear view of the sky and the aurora.
• Old Harbor departure: Check in at Old Harbour House, then board close to the center of Reykjavík.
• Comfortable indoor option: Warm seating, blankets, toilets, Wi-Fi, and a bar make the wait easier.
• Helpful photo guidance: Guides such as Maria, Brianta, Lucky, and Julian have helped passengers adjust phone settings and take pictures.
• Free rebooking if conditions fail: If the lights do not appear, the operator may let you return, subject to its current terms.
• Good short evening plan: The cruise lasts two hours, making it easier to fit around dinner or other Reykjavík plans.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbor

Your evening begins at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, where you should check in 30 minutes before departure. Scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk. Hotel pickup is available from Reykjavík hotels if you select that option, but you can also make your own way to the harbor.

The harbor setting gives this outing a pleasant start. You are not being rushed onto a large coach for a long ride into the countryside. Instead, you check in near the water, board a yacht, and begin looking for the aurora almost at once.

The boat used for the cruise has several levels, with a main covered deck, an upper covered area, and an open observation deck. The lower level may be closed or less useful for viewing, but the main indoor areas provide a place to sit while the crew watches the sky.

The yacht is comfortable rather than bare-bones. There is a bar serving hot drinks, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, and small snacks. Drinks and souvenirs cost extra, so bring a card or budget for a warm cup of hot chocolate if the evening is cold.

Sailing Through Faxaflói Bay

Once underway, the yacht sails among the small islands in Faxaflói Bay and along the Reykjavík coast. The route then takes you away from the strongest city lights. That matters because even a powerful aurora can look faint when viewed through urban glow.

You may see the lights early, sometimes before the yacht has gone far from the harbor. At other times, the first sighting comes near the end of the cruise. The guides keep watch and alert people inside when a new patch or wave of aurora appears.

That timing is important. You do not need to spend the entire two hours standing outside with your neck tilted toward the sky. You can sit indoors, listen to the guide, and warm up while waiting for a clearer display.

The cruise normally lasts two hours, and that feels like a sensible length for this activity. A shorter trip might not give the crew enough time to find a break in the clouds. A much longer trip could become tiring, especially in winter when the cold wind reaches every uncovered part of you.

The sea can be calm, but conditions vary. A few people have found the boat’s movement makes phone photography difficult, especially when using a timer. If you are prone to motion sickness, sea sickness tablets are available at the bar, and the crew supplies warm blankets.

Three Decks for Aurora Watching

The yacht’s best feature is the choice of viewing areas. The open top deck gives you the widest view, with little between you and the sky. It is also the coldest place on board, so use it in short spells unless you are dressed for serious Icelandic weather.

The covered decks offer a useful compromise. You can remain outside with some shelter, then move inside quickly if the wind picks up. On a clear night, you may want to move between levels as the aurora shifts across the sky.

Space is usually a strong point, particularly compared with a packed coach stop. The yacht has plenty of seating areas, and the smaller scale can feel calmer than a very large excursion boat. Still, free rebooking can bring extra people onto later departures, so indoor seats may be limited on a busy evening.

I would claim a spot inside near an exit early in the trip. That gives you a warm base and lets you reach the deck quickly when the guide calls out an aurora sighting. If you want the clearest view, head upstairs, but remember that the upper deck can fill up when the lights become strong.

What the Northern Lights May Look Like

An aurora display does not always begin as the bright green curtain shown in photographs. It may first appear as a faint gray or green smear. Your camera can sometimes record color before your eyes pick it out clearly.

The guide helps you know what to watch for. Guides including Maria, Brianta, Lucky, Julian, and Torry have been praised for explaining the aurora, pointing out stars, keeping spirits up during slow spells, and helping with camera settings. Exact guide assignments vary, but the live commentary is an important part of the outing.

When conditions line up, the display can last for minutes or much longer. The lights may form an arc, spread across the sky, or pulse and shift in waves. Some departures have also included shooting stars and even brief sightings of humpback whales, though neither is part of the promised program.

This is still a natural event, not a stage show. Clouds, solar activity, moonlight, and the position of the aurora all affect what you see. You might get a faint line near the horizon, a short glimpse, or a dramatic display that fills the sky.

That uncertainty is the central point to understand before booking. The boat can move away from Reykjavík’s glow, but no crew can control the clouds or create the lights.

Staying Warm Inside the Yacht

The indoor bar and lounge make this cruise more forgiving than a land-based viewing stop where you stand beside a bus. You can sit down, warm your hands, use the toilets, and buy a drink while waiting for the sky to change.

Hot chocolate is a popular choice, and you can add Baileys or amaretto if you want an adult drink. The bar also serves beer and other alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, coffee, and snacks. None of these are included in the $93 ticket, but they give the evening a little character.

Warm blankets are available, and sea sickness tablets can be obtained at the bar. Wi-Fi is also included. These are small touches, but they make a difference on a two-hour trip when the best viewing may happen late in the sailing.

Do not treat the indoor lounge as a substitute for warm clothing. Bring a proper coat, gloves, comfortable shoes, and several layers. On one especially cold evening, the temperature reached minus 10 degrees Celsius, and the open deck was very cold even for people dressed well.

The crew may dim the boat for better viewing. That helps preserve dark skies but can make lower areas hard to navigate. Keep your phone or a small light handy, while avoiding bright screens when the aurora is visible.

Taking Better Aurora Photos

Your camera needs more help than your eyes. A phone may show a green glow that looks stronger on the screen than it did in person. The guide can help you adjust settings, and crew members may take pictures of you and your group when the lights appear.

The main challenge is movement. A boat is never as steady as land, so long exposure shots can blur as the yacht rises and falls on the water. A calm sea makes things easier, but you should still brace your phone or camera and keep expectations realistic.

A few practical habits help:

• Charge your phone fully before boarding.
• Keep your camera ready rather than buried under layers.
• Use the lowest practical brightness on your screen.
• Let the guide help you find a night mode or exposure setting.
• Take several pictures instead of relying on one long exposure.
• Step outside for the experience, not only for the photograph.

The guide may also point out stars and explain why the lights arrive in waves. That turns the wait into part of the experience instead of dead time.

Price, Timing, and Overall Value

At $93 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for the yacht, crew, indoor seating, multiple decks, a live English-speaking guide, blankets, Wi-Fi, and the chance to get away from Reykjavík’s strongest lights without a long bus ride.

I think the price makes the most sense if you value comfort and atmosphere. You get a bar, toilets, warm indoor space, and a proper boat setting. If you only care about reaching the darkest possible countryside, a land tour may suit you better, though that option is not part of this comparison.

The two-hour format is another value point. It works well for a last night in Iceland, a family evening, or a short visit to Reykjavík. You do not lose an entire day, and you can combine it with dinner or other plans.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure helps if your schedule changes. The operator may also offer a free return when the lights are not seen, and some passengers have been allowed to rebook for an extended period. Confirm the current terms at booking, since the exact arrangement can depend on the provider.

A key warning: do not book this as your only chance to see the aurora if you have just one night and a rigid schedule. Sightings are never promised. If the lights are your main reason for visiting Iceland, give yourself several nights if possible.

Who Will Like This Cruise Most

I would recommend this yacht trip to anyone who wants an aurora outing with a little comfort and style. It suits couples looking for a memorable evening, families who do not want an 11-hour excursion, and first-time visitors who appreciate a guide explaining what they are seeing.

It is also a good fit if you dislike standing outside in a remote field for hours. The lounge lets you warm up, and the bar gives you somewhere pleasant to wait. The boat itself becomes part of the evening, even if the aurora is faint.

Photographers should book with realistic expectations. The three decks provide good sky views, and the crew can offer phone advice, but the moving platform makes sharp long exposures harder. A land-based viewpoint is steadier.

You should think twice if you are very sensitive to cold, motion, or crowded decks. The open-air viewing areas can be windy, and the top deck may fill when the aurora appears. Stay close to the indoor exit, bring warm layers, and do not assume the blanket alone will keep you comfortable.

Should You Book the Reykjavík Northern Lights Yacht Tour?

Book it if you want a short, comfortable aurora search with a real sense of occasion. The yacht, three decks, warm lounge, helpful guides, and harbor departure create a better evening than simply waiting outside the city without a plan.

The strongest reason to choose it is flexibility during the wait. You can watch the sky from several levels, warm up inside, buy a drink, and get practical help with photos. The biggest limitation is the same one faced by every northern lights tour: clouds and weak aurora activity can defeat the best route.

I would choose this cruise for a two or three-night Reykjavík stay, especially if you have a backup night for rebooking. If you are in town for only one evening, book it only if you are happy with a beautiful yacht ride even when the sky stays dark.

FAQ

Where does the northern lights yacht tour depart from?

The tour departs from Old Harbour House at Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavík. You should check in 30 minutes before departure.

How do I check in?

Scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk inside Old Harbour House.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavík area if you select the pickup option.

Are the northern lights guaranteed?

No. Sightings are not guaranteed because the aurora depends on natural conditions. If the lights are not seen, the provider may allow you to reschedule for free.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a camera. Several layers, gloves, and a warm coat are especially important for time on the open decks.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Drinks and snacks are available for purchase at the onboard bar. Warm blankets, Wi-Fi, and sea sickness tablets are included.