The aurora belt · NORTHERN LIGHTS CRUISES IN ICELAND

Top 15 Northern Lights Cruises in Iceland

22 tours  ·  from $78 a head

Good northern lights cruises in Iceland fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour - Sailing Through Faxaflói Bay
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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

1.Northern Lights Yacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,253 reviews · 2 hours · from $93Our pick

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay for two hours of aurora watching. Your English-speaking guide points out the lights, stars, and photo settings, while three decks, blankets, Wi-Fi, and a full bar help you stay comfortable. Hotel pickup is optional.

“Was an incredible evening seeing the Northern Lights whilst in the sea. Could see the Northern lights within 5 minutes of sailing. Initially not to dissimilar to seeing them in the UK (faint green) however after about 30 minutes then lights came alive and illuminated the sky. Dancing across they looked incredible, even seeing a meteor during the spectacle. Reduced my mother to tears! Incredible evening experienced by the whole family.”

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Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik - Outdoor decks or the heated saloon
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Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

2.Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 610 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $105

Sail from downtown Reykjavik for about two hours in search of the aurora. You get heated indoor seating, outdoor decks, Wi-Fi, warm floatable overalls, skyline views, and a free return cruise if the lights do not appear.

“This trip was great! The crew were very kind and informative about the northern lights, their formation and the conditions needed. We didn’t actually get to see the lights but they are natural and hard to predict! They provided us with vouchers to try again free of charge valid for two years, a great experience.”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise - Finding a good place to watch
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

3.Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 438 reviews · 2 hours · from $88

Set out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour for a two-hour Northern Lights cruise with an English-speaking guide, indoor lounges, two observation decks, blankets, and Wi-Fi. You can watch from the open deck, warm up inside, and rebook if poor conditions prevent a sighting.

“Northern lights were not what I expected, but I’m delighted to have had a chance to see how they typically look to the naked eye and a camera. Our guide was very helpful.”

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Northern Lights Yacht Cruise in Reykjavik - Leaving from Old Harbour House
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Northern Lights Yacht Cruise in Reykjavik

4.Northern Lights Yacht Cruise in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 428 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $94

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay for about two hours of aurora watching. You’ll have heated indoor seating, a viewing deck, Wi-Fi, a bar, and guides such as Isabella helping with sky updates and photography. Wildlife sightings are possible, but the northern lights are never guaranteed.

“While we didn’t see the northern lights on this trip, the crew were fantastic, pointing out constellations etc When we left they told us too come back as we hadn’t seen the lights … Fast forward 2 years and I emailed asking if the offer still applied. They replied quickly and we were able to go while on a return visit. We saw an amazing display and again the crew were fantastic.”

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Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos - What the guide adds to the darkness
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Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

5.Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 345 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $108

Cruise from Reykjavik into Faxafloi Bay for about two and a half hours, with guides explaining aurora science and Icelandic myths. Thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, WiFi, and free tour photos are included. If the lights stay hidden, you can return on another available night at no extra cost.

“The weather was good so the northern lights were visible and plenty of them. The tour guide was brilliant”

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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour - What happens once the boat reaches darker water
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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour

6.Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 202 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $106

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour on Rósin or Andrea, reaching darker waters in 15 to 30 minutes. Your English-speaking guide explains the aurora, points out faint activity, and helps with photos. Warm overalls, heated seating, WiFi, and a free return ticket are included if the lights do not appear.

“Trip was well run and thank god for the inside warm area. Only thing to note, never received link for photos. But well worth going if your visiting Iceland.”

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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise - Harpa, Sun Voyager, and Höfði from the water
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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise

7.Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 133 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $99

Sail from Reykjavík Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay on the MY Harpa or MY Amelia Rose. Your guide watches the sky for the Aurora Borealis while you enjoy views of Harpa, Sun Voyager, Höfði, and Viðey. Inside seating, Wi-Fi, blankets, and hot drinks make the wait comfortable.

“Great trip, the guides were great and gave great commentary throughout, my only minor point was the meeting point was a bit of a mess in that the map location didn’t say go into a an office so I was wandering around for a while looking where to go but other than that great trip and we were blessed with a great northen lights show !”

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Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise - What the guides add to the cruise
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Reykjavik: Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise

8.Whale Watching & Northern Lights Combo Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 127 reviews · 6 hours · from $205

Spend the day looking for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and harbor porpoises in Faxaflói Bay, then return after dark for a two-hour Northern Lights cruise. Guides such as Rebekka, Lucas, and Daniel have helped make past trips memorable. Warm overalls and heated cabins are provided.

“Brilliant tour, we were lucky enough to see humpback whales”

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Reykjavík: Northern Lights Cruise - Key points to know before you book
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Reykjavík: Northern Lights Cruise

9.Northern Lights Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 104 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $111

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay for a 2.5-hour Northern Lights search. An English-speaking naturalist guide explains the sky, warm overalls and a heated saloon keep you comfortable, and the boat passes Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the Imagine Peace Tower in season.

“The Northern Lights were super beautiful and the tour guide was great!”

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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise - Waiting for the aurora on deck
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From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

10.Northern Lights Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 87 reviews · 2 hours · from $101

Join Reykjavik Sailors for a two-hour evening cruise from Geirsgata 11 into Faxaflói. Guide Lucas can help with camera settings while you watch from the deck in warm flotation overalls, or wait inside at the heated bar. If the aurora stays hidden, you can return free.

“Obviously weather plays a big part in this trip & it’s something that can’t be controlled. 1st night we didn’t see anything & therefore booked to go back the following night, free of charge & no hassle to book again. Luckily, 2nd time round we saw the northern lights”

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Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik - Sailing among the islands of Faxaflói Bay
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Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

11.Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 60 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $78Best value

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay for about two hours, watching the sky from the open deck and warming up inside with a hot drink. Guides such as Maria, Lucky, and the captain keep you informed, while the free return offer gives you another chance if the lights stay hidden.

“We were blessed and very comfortable. The captain was informative and the hot chocolate delicious! Bundle up!”

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Reykjavik: 2-Hour Northern Lights by Boat with Backup Plan - The guide adds meaning while you wait
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Reykjavik: 2-Hour Northern Lights by Boat with Backup Plan

12.2-Hour Northern Lights by Boat with Backup Plan

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 58 reviews · 2 hours · from $82

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay for two hours of aurora watching. Your English-speaking guide covers science, myths, and photography. If clouds cancel the boat trip, you get a private Whales of Iceland visit, a drink, a short photo workshop, and a return boat ticket.

“Great - after a long, cold wait, we had a great light show!”

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Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour - Meeting at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour
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Reykjavik: Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

13.Whales and Northern Lights Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 55 reviews · 7 hours · from $212

Spend about seven hours on Faxaflói Bay, watching for minke whales, humpbacks, dolphins, and harbor porpoises by day before returning at night for the Northern Lights. Special Tours provides heated indoor seating, warm overalls, Wi-Fi, guides, and a free retry if the lights do not appear.

“The boat was comfortable and a good size. We saw both hump back and minke whales and our guide was very knowledgeable.”

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Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik - What Happens During the 2.5-Hour Search
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Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

14.Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $93

Cruise from Reykjavik for about 2.5 hours in search of the aurora. You’ll have three outdoor decks, heated cabins, WiFi, toilets, warm flotation overalls, and guides who explain the sky. Drinks and snacks cost extra, and a free repeat trip is offered if no lights appear.

“Heavily dependent upon the weather. The Icelandic Meteorology website has information on weather and on predicted Northern Lights activity levels. Check this forecast before you book.”

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Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik - What the main boat experience includes
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Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik

15.Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $83

Sail from central Reykjavík into Faxaflói Bay for about two hours while guides help you watch and photograph the aurora. You get warm overalls, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and a snack bar. If weather stops the boat, visit Whales of Iceland with a Northern Lights drink, film, tour, and photography workshop.

“Chasing the Northern Lights from the sea is an amazing experience. This is a wonderful, well organized boat tour. The staff are absolutely lovely, kind, friendly and professional. The boat is well-maintained and comfortable, which helped as the sea was quite rough. If we'd seen the elusive Northern Lights, it would have been perfect. I would highly recommend this tour and company to anyone.”

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Kopar Fine Dining Dinner and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik - Keep the 10 p.m. boat departure in mind
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Kopar Fine Dining Dinner and Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

16★ 4.0Kopar Fine Dining Dinner and Northern Lights Cruise from ReykjavikFrom $20449 reviews
Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour with Photos - What the boat ride feels like
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Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour with Photos

21★ 4.3Northern Lights Guided Boat Tour with PhotosFrom $1069 reviews

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★ 3.5Golden Circle Tour and Evening Northern Lights Cruise from ReykjavikFrom $1974 reviews

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