Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

The best reason to choose this cruise is simple: the boat can carry you beyond some of the cloud cover around Reykjavik, while giving you city lights, stars, and open-water views along the way. You may also spot dolphins, porpoises, or whales, though the northern lights remain the main event.

I like the large, comfortable boat, with indoor seating, an outdoor observation deck, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a café serving hot drinks. I also like the free return trip if the lights do not appear, which makes this a sensible choice early in your stay. The catch is the same as with every northern lights outing: you can spend two cold hours on the bay and see only a faint glow, or nothing at all.

Key points to know before sailing

• The boat leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: You sail from Ægisgarður 2, close to the Old Harbour House restaurant.
• The cruise lasts about two hours: The route reaches into Faxaflói Bay and follows Reykjavik’s coast.
• Indoor and outdoor viewing both matter: The upper deck gives you the best sky view, while the lower section offers warmth, drinks, and shelter.
• The crew actively tracks the sky: Maria, Lucky, and the captain are named in passenger feedback as especially helpful guides.
• A free return trip is offered if you miss the lights: This is most useful if you book near the start of your Reykjavik stay.
• The price is $78 per person: That is reasonable for a boat-based evening, but less appealing if you have little time left for a repeat attempt.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your 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 a distant marina.

The departure point is useful if you are staying near central Reykjavik. It also gives you the option of eating before or after the cruise. There is a 15 percent discount at the Old Harbour Restaurant, but you need to check in for the boat first and collect the discount information before paying for your meal. Several people missed the saving simply because they ate first.

The check-in area can be a little confusing because the red building is also a restaurant. Give yourself enough time to find the correct desk or ticket machine. The booking is confirmed when you reserve, and the boat carries a maximum of 75 people, so this is not a tiny private sailing. It is a fairly social cruise with enough room to spread out.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. It is also close to public transportation, which makes the harbour a practical meeting point for an evening activity.

Sailing among the islands of Faxaflói Bay

Once the ship leaves the harbour, the city begins to open behind you. The route travels among the small islands of Faxaflói Bay and along the Reykjavik coast, giving you a different view of the capital than you get from the streets.

Faxaflói is broad and open on the south side of Iceland. From Reykjavik, you may be able to see the Akranes peninsula to the northeast. On a very clear day, Snæfellsjökull can be visible at a distance of about 120 kilometres, though that distant view is not the main purpose of this evening cruise.

The bay has relatively few islands, and most sit close to shore. That makes the route more open than the more island-filled Breiðafjörður farther north. In practical terms, this means you have a wide slice of sky above you, which is exactly what you want when searching for northern lights.

The cruise is not just a slow ride out and back. The changing view gives you something to watch while the crew checks the sky. Reykjavik’s shoreline looks particularly attractive after dark, with the city lit against the water. If the lights do not appear, the boat trip still gives you a pleasant evening view of the capital, though it cannot replace the main attraction.

Searching the sky from the open deck

The outdoor observation deck is the best place to watch for aurora activity. You have a broad view in several directions, and you are not boxed in by buildings or streetlights. The boat can also move away from some of the cloud cover that sits over the city, which helped one group see the lights from the water when a bus group did not.

This advantage is real, but it is not a promise. A boat cannot control cloud, solar activity, or the strength of the aurora. Some evenings produce bright green and red bands that last for a long time. Other nights bring only a weak gray streak, a faint glow, or nothing visible to the naked eye.

You should also know that a phone camera may record a little color that your eyes cannot easily see. That can be useful, but it can also feel disappointing if you are expecting a dramatic show. A good photograph is not always proof that the lights looked equally strong in person.

The crew keeps you updated about where to look. The captain has been praised for pointing out possible activity, while Maria has spent time outside explaining where the lights were appearing. Lucky is also singled out for helping people follow the action. Their guidance matters because the aurora can be hard to spot at first, especially when it is faint.

Warm up inside with a hot drink

I like the balance between outdoor viewing and indoor comfort. The lower section of the boat is warm, with seating where you can get out of the wind and cold. The onboard café sells hot drinks, including hot chocolate, along with other food and drink options.

The facilities make a difference because two hours outside on a winter night can be punishing. Even when the boat ride feels smooth, the upper deck is cold. Several people enjoyed the lights but warned that the deck became freezing, especially in February. One person said that extra layers would have made the evening much easier.

Wear more than you think you need. Bring several warm layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear. You can step inside to warm up, but the best moments may happen while you are outside, and you do not want to retreat just as the sky changes.

The boat also has restrooms and Wi-Fi. Those are ordinary details, but they make the cruise easier than standing outdoors at a remote viewing point with no facilities. The combination of shelter, seating, café service, and open deck is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose the boat.

Wildlife and coastal views along the way

The route also gives you a chance to look for wildlife in the water. Common possibilities include minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Orcas may appear as well, along with other species.

Treat this as an extra possibility, not a second guaranteed tour. The itinerary focuses on northern lights viewing, and the main value of the wildlife element is that it gives you another reason to keep watching the water during the journey. The professional crew has experience spotting marine life, but evening conditions and the short duration mean sightings can vary.

The city view is more dependable. Reykjavik looks colorful from the water, especially in the evening, and the coast gives you a calm setting for the wait. If the aurora refuses to cooperate, these views help prevent the trip from becoming nothing more than a ride around the harbour.

What the $78 price really buys you

At $78 per person, this cruise sits in the middle of the usual paid evening activity range. The cost includes the boat trip and access to the observation areas, but food and drinks from the café are extra.

The value is strongest for someone who wants more than a roadside search. You get a proper boat, an indoor refuge, a restroom, Wi-Fi, city views, and a chance to move beyond some local cloud. The free return offer also matters. If you do not see the lights, you can take the tour again at no extra charge, subject to the operator’s conditions and your remaining time in Iceland.

That last point changes how I assess the price. If you are in Reykjavik for several nights and book early in the visit, the cruise gives you a second chance. If it is your final evening, the offer may be of little use. One disappointing trip near the end of a short stay can still feel expensive, even if the boat and crew perform well.

The average booking time is 42 days in advance, so the cruise is often reserved well before arrival. Still, the weather can change, and the aurora forecast is not reliable far ahead. If your schedule allows, place the cruise early in your trip rather than saving it for the last night.

The free return policy needs careful planning

The return offer is one of the most useful features here, but it only helps if you can use it. If the lights are absent or too faint, the operator offers another tour for free. That gives you a practical reason to book on your first or second evening in Reykjavik.

Some passengers were unable to return because they were leaving the next day. Others had enough time to reschedule when weather affected the original departure. Give yourself a buffer of more than one night if seeing the aurora is a major goal.

The offer does not remove the natural risk. You might return and face another cloudy night. Still, it is a fair safeguard, especially compared with an outing that offers no second chance.

The crew and onboard atmosphere

The strongest part of the human service is the effort to keep you informed. The crew points out where to watch, explains what you may be seeing, and helps people move between the deck and the warm interior.

Maria receives particular praise for staying outside and offering commentary when the lights appeared. Isabella is mentioned for friendly bar service. Lucky is described as working hard to assist people, and the captain is noted for sharing information during the cruise.

That personal attention matters more when the aurora is faint. A guide cannot make weak lights brighter, but can help you understand what is happening and keep the group focused. On a successful night, the crew’s excitement adds to the mood. On a poor night, clear communication helps set realistic expectations.

There is also enough room for different travel styles. You can stand outside with a camera, sit indoors with a drink, or move between the two. The boat is described as clean, smooth, and comfortable, though the outdoor areas remain cold.

Who should book this cruise

I would choose this for you if you want a northern lights outing with a city departure and proper indoor facilities. It suits couples, families, and small groups who would rather have a café and warm seating than spend the entire evening at an exposed viewing spot.

It is also a good match if you are staying near the Old Harbour or want to combine dinner with the cruise. The restaurant discount is a useful extra, provided you check in before ordering.

This is less suitable if you need a guaranteed aurora display, dislike cold weather, or have only one free evening. No northern lights tour can promise strong colors, and the boat’s free return policy has little value if you are departing immediately after the first sailing.

You should also expect a shared boat rather than a quiet private excursion. With a maximum of 75 people, the group is limited compared with a large city attraction, but it is still a group outing.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

The experience costs $78 per person and lasts about two hours. It leaves from Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2 and returns there after the cruise.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.

The cruise requires suitable weather. If poor weather cancels it, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered another date or activity, or a full refund.

Because the northern lights are natural, the boat may still sail on a night with a weak forecast unless weather makes the trip unsafe or impossible. That is why I would use the free return option as part of your planning rather than treating one departure as your only chance.

Should you book the Northern Lights Boat Cruise?

Book it if you want the comfort of a real boat, the freedom of an open deck, and the option to warm up with a hot drink. The city views and possible wildlife give the evening some value even when the sky stays dark, and the free return offer is a useful safety net.

I would book early in your Reykjavik stay, not on your final night. Pack serious winter clothing, check in before eating at the harbour restaurant if you want the discount, and keep your expectations realistic. For $78, this is a solid choice for a flexible visitor who values comfort and atmosphere as much as the aurora itself.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Boat Cruise leave from?

It leaves from Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

How long does the boat cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the cruise finish?

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

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $78 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The cruise is offered in English.

What facilities are available on the boat?

The boat has a restroom, Wi-Fi, an onboard café, indoor seating, and an outdoor observation deck.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You are offered another tour for free if you do not see the northern lights. This is most useful if you have enough time remaining in Reykjavik for another attempt.

Can I see wildlife during the cruise?

Possible sightings include minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and occasionally orcas. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted. If poor weather or insufficient participation cancels the activity, you are offered another date or a full refund.