From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the simple change of setting: you leave Reykjavik’s city glow and sail into darker water, where faint aurora may be easier to spot. I like the heated cabins and the warm flotation overalls, and I like the free return ticket if the sky stays empty. Your main risk is clear: the Northern Lights may not appear, even after two hours at sea.

I also appreciate the human touch. Guide Lucas has helped with camera settings, taken photos, and even stayed late to help find a lost phone. Just remember that the boat can be cold when you step outside, the lights are never guaranteed, and the return trip may be your best chance.

Key points to know before sailing

• The boat leaves the city lights behind: You cruise into Faxaflói for a darker view of the sky, with Reykjavik and the mountains behind you.
• Warm flotation overalls are provided: They make deck viewing possible, but you should still wear proper cold-weather clothing.
• The free retry matters: If no Northern Lights appear, your booking number can be used to join again without paying another fare.
• The guides add more than directions: Expect explanations of aurora science, local beliefs, and practical help with photography.
• The indoor cabin is a real advantage: You have heating, toilets, WiFi, and a place to buy refreshments when the deck gets too cold.
• The cruise may run longer than planned: The advertised trip is two hours, but one outing lasted about four hours while the crew waited for a better chance.

Sailing from Geirsgata 11 into the dark

You meet at the Special Tours office at the corner of Geirsgata 11, with check-in recommended 30 minutes before departure. That early arrival is worth taking seriously. This is a boat trip, not a flexible street tour, and arriving late can turn a calm evening into a hurried start.

From the harbor, the boat heads into Faxaflói. The point is not to visit a series of sights. You are going out to create distance from artificial light and give the aurora a better setting. The cruise also gives you a fine view back toward Reykjavik from the water, with the city lights and nearby mountains forming a backdrop while you wait.

The route is useful because it removes some of the glare you would face on land. It cannot control cloud cover or solar activity, though. Even a clear night can produce no visible lights, and a promising forecast can still end with nothing. I would book this as a chance to see the aurora, not as a guaranteed show.

The standard duration is two hours, though the included information also describes the trip as lasting two to three hours. At least one outing continued for around four hours while the captain waited for the sky to improve. That may be welcome if you are close to seeing the lights, but it can affect dinner plans, transport, and bedtime. Keep your evening open.

Waiting for the aurora on deck

The Northern Lights are often less dramatic to the naked eye than photographs suggest. You might see a pale green band, a faint gray veil, or a stronger display that shifts and curls across the sky. You might also see nothing. That uncertainty is part of the experience, but it is also the central drawback.

The deck is where you want to be when the sky begins to change. The supplied flotation overalls are a major help, especially when the boat is moving and the air feels sharper. Still, treat them as an extra layer, not a replacement for your own warm clothing. Wear weather-appropriate clothes underneath, including proper footwear and gloves if you have them.

Some outings have produced clear, powerful displays. One passenger reported seeing the lights almost as soon as the boat stopped, while another described only a faint sighting. That wide gap is normal for an aurora cruise. Conditions decide more than the operator does.

The crew may pause or extend the search when conditions look promising. That patience can pay off, but it means you should not schedule a tight activity immediately afterward. One outing returned with an extra 40 minutes of viewing time, and another lasted about four hours. Those longer waits show a crew willing to give the sky more time, but they also make the timetable less exact.

The heated cabin, bar, and practical comforts

When the cold catches you, head inside. The boat has heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, and an indoor bar where you can buy food and drinks. The comfort matters because aurora viewing involves long periods of standing still, looking up, and waiting.

Food and drinks are not included in the $101 price. You can purchase refreshments onboard, and complimentary seasickness tablets are available. If you are prone to motion sickness, take advantage of that option early rather than waiting until the boat is already moving.

A practical tip: use the toilet before putting on the full overalls. One person found the small restroom awkward while wearing the suit, especially when trying to get in and out quickly. The outfit is warm and useful, but it is not elegant equipment.

You may also find wet seats or damp surfaces after people come in from the deck. Bring a small layer you do not mind placing on a seat if needed. The indoor cabin is a strong feature, but it is still a working boat rather than a polished restaurant.

The boat offers free WiFi, though your phone connection is not the reason to book. The value is having somewhere warm to wait without ending the search. You can move between the cabin and the deck instead of choosing between comfort and a possible sighting.

Guides, stories, and help with photographs

The live commentary is in English. Guides explain the science behind the aurora as well as Icelandic beliefs and local legends. This makes the waiting time more useful, particularly on a night when the sky refuses to cooperate.

Guide Lucas has received especially warm praise for his humor and practical help. He has assisted with camera settings, taken photos of couples, and helped with a lost phone after the boat returned. Another guide was described as friendly and professional while giving the group extra time to watch faint lights.

That personal help can make a real difference. Northern Lights photography is not a simple point-and-shoot task. You may need to adjust your phone or camera, steady it, and accept that the image can look stronger than what your eyes see. One outing produced lights that appeared more clearly in a photograph than in person.

The crew has also taken complimentary photos for passengers to view online afterward. Do not treat this as a private photo session or a guaranteed portrait service, but it is a useful bonus. Ask for help if you need it. The guides may be able to suggest settings or capture a picture of you and your companion.

The stories matter even when the aurora does not appear. You are still learning why the phenomenon happens and how people in Iceland have understood it. That turns the cruise into more than a cold wait on the water.

What the $101 price really buys

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Reykjavik. You are paying for the boat, crew, guide, heated indoor space, overalls, and the chance to return free if the first outing produces no sighting.

The free retry is the most important part of the value. If the weather or solar conditions fail you, your booking number can be used to reschedule. Several outings involved a second attempt, and some second nights produced the display that the first night lacked. That safety net makes the price easier to accept than a one-shot excursion.

It is still not a guarantee. You may return twice and see no aurora at all. One passenger had that experience and still enjoyed the guide, drinks, warm suits, and views of the water and mountains. If you need certainty, no Northern Lights activity can offer it.

Compared with standing in town, the cruise gives you a different view and gets you away from the strongest city glow. Compared with a land-based chase, it offers a stable boat setting with toilets and indoor heating, but less flexibility once you are on the water. The right choice depends on whether you value comfort and a set departure more than the ability to keep driving toward clearer skies.

Food and drink cost extra, and there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Walk or arrange your own transport to Geirsgata 11. Include that cost and effort when comparing this with other evening options.

The free second chance and the weather gamble

The rescheduling policy is generous in practical terms. If no Northern Lights are seen, you can use the booking number to join again free of charge. You still need another available departure, and the policy does not change the weather, but it gives you another roll of the dice.

Book this early in your Reykjavik stay if you can. That advice follows directly from the free retry: an early trip leaves room for another attempt before you leave Iceland. Booking it on your final night removes much of the benefit.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. These terms help if your schedule is still shifting, though you should check the available departure time before committing your evening.

Environmental conditions can also affect the boat arrangement. During certain periods, the operator may share a boat with a partner so fewer vessels use the water. That should not change the basic purpose of the trip, but you may not always board a boat operated only by the named supplier.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this cruise for someone who wants a straightforward Northern Lights outing without renting a car or joining a road chase. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who value a warm indoor retreat, toilets, and a guide who can explain what they are seeing.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy the process as much as the result. You will spend much of the evening watching the sky, listening to stories, checking the horizon, and moving between the cabin and deck. If that sounds peaceful, the trip can work even on a night with no aurora.

Photographers should bring realistic expectations. The crew may help with settings and take photos, but you should bring the camera or phone you actually know how to use. A tripod is not listed among the included equipment, so do not assume one will be available.

This is less suitable if you dislike boats, get cold easily, or need a firm return time. The deck can be cold, the sea may affect you, and the captain may stay out longer when conditions offer a chance. It is wheelchair accessible, but you should still confirm that the boat arrangement and boarding setup match your needs when booking.

Small details that make the night better

Arrive 30 minutes early at Geirsgata 11, not just at the general harbor area. One person had trouble because map coordinates led to the wrong place, then had to hurry after spotting passengers boarding from a distance.

Wear layers under the supplied overalls. Go one size larger if you want room for your own clothing. The suit is designed to keep you warm, but you will be more comfortable if it does not squeeze over a thick jacket.

Set aside time after the scheduled return. The usual trip is two hours, but waiting for a break in cloud can extend the outing. Also, use the restroom before going outside in the suit.

Do not smoke onboard, and leave pets at home. English is the tour language. If you do not see the aurora, keep your booking number and contact the operator to arrange the free return.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights cruise?

Book it if you want an easy evening at sea, a heated place to wait, helpful guides, and a genuine second chance when the sky stays dark. The warm overalls, indoor cabin, photo help, and free retry give the $101 fare solid value for an unpredictable event.

Skip it if you need guaranteed lights, dislike boat travel, or have only one narrow window in Reykjavik. For everyone else, I would schedule it early in the visit, keep the evening open, dress warmly, and treat the aurora as a possibility rather than a promise.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise start?

It starts at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before departure so you have time to check in and board without rushing.

How long is the cruise?

The advertised duration is two hours. The activity information also describes it as lasting two to three hours, and one outing lasted about four hours while the crew waited for better viewing conditions.

Where does the boat go?

The cruise sails into Faxaflói, away from Reykjavik’s brighter city lights.

Are Northern Lights sightings guaranteed?

No. The aurora is an unpredictable natural phenomenon, and the boat may return without a sighting.

Can I take the cruise again if I see no Northern Lights?

Yes. If there is no sighting, you can use your booking number to reschedule and join again free of charge.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing to wear underneath.

Is there a place to stay warm onboard?

Yes. The boat has heated indoor cabins with toilets. You can also buy food and drinks at the onboard bar.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they can be purchased onboard. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to Geirsgata 11, and hotel drop-off is not included.

What language is the tour in?

The live tour guide and commentary are in English.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. You may still want to confirm the boarding details for your specific needs.