Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

Chasing green light over Icelandic water is hard to beat. This Northern Lights Yacht Cruise pairs a nighttime sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour with views of Harpa, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay. I like the warm cabin, onboard bar, bathrooms, and helpful aurora photography advice. I also like the free additional trip if the lights do not appear. The catch is simple: the yacht stays fairly close to Reykjavik, so this is not the best choice if you want a bus tour that actively follows clear skies.

At about $100.82 per person, this is a reasonable buy for a comfortable boat ride and a possible northern lights sighting, but it is not a guaranteed aurora ticket. Weather decides much of the evening. Snow can clear in minutes, yet a clear afternoon can turn cloudy by departure. Bring patience, warm clothes, and realistic expectations.

Quick take: what matters most

• A sheltered yacht setting: You can wait for the aurora in a heated interior with blankets, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a bar serving hot and cold drinks.
• A close-to-Reykjavik route: The boat heads behind nearby islands rather than far into Faxaflói Bay, keeping the ride calmer but limiting how far it can chase clear skies.
• Free repeat opportunity: If the northern lights do not appear, you may be offered another yacht trip, with the operator describing this as free repeat access for up to three years.
• Useful camera help: Guides can help with phone settings and explain where to aim when the aurora is faint.
• Small-boat appeal, with a caveat: The advertised tour has a maximum of 35 people, but Harpa Yachts also operates a larger 95-passenger yacht, so confirm which boat is scheduled.
• A full evening, not just aurora watching: The outing lasts about two to three hours and includes Reykjavik’s harbor, Harpa from the water, Viðey Island, and the coast.

Sailing out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

Your evening begins at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2. The boat returns to this same point, which keeps the logistics simple if you are staying in central Reykjavik.

The first part of the trip gives you a different view of the city. Harpa concert hall looks especially striking from the water, and the changing angle lets you see more of the waterfront than you would from land. The harbor itself is not remote or wild, but that is part of the appeal. You get a gentle introduction before the boat turns toward darker water.

The route is designed to stay behind islands close to Reykjavik. That can provide shelter from rough water, a useful advantage on a cold, windy night. It also means you are not sailing deep into the bay in search of every possible patch of clear sky.

That route choice is the main point to understand before booking. Some aurora bus tours can drive farther from the city and change position during the evening. This cruise generally follows a set route and waits in a sheltered area. If you prefer a warm boat, a seat, and a bathroom over standing beside a dark road, that trade is sensible. If your only goal is to chase the clearest sky, a land-based option may be more flexible.

Viðey Island from the water

Viðey Island sits just offshore and gives the cruise a peaceful focal point after dark. You will not normally get an extended island visit during this evening trip, but viewing it from the yacht adds a quiet, open-water moment to the ride.

Viðey is known for the Imagine Peace Tower, created in memory of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The island also has walking paths, historic buildings, and broad views across the sea. At night, you mainly experience its outline and setting rather than its daytime cultural details.

That makes this stop more atmospheric than active. Do not book the cruise expecting a guided walk on Viðey. Think of it as part of the setting, a dark shape that helps reduce the city glow and gives the boat a calmer place to wait.

Waiting for the Aurora Borealis over Faxaflói Bay

The northern lights are the reason most people book this outing, and also the reason no one can promise a result. You need darkness, enough solar activity, and clear sections of sky. Even a strong aurora can be hard to see if clouds sit between you and the upper atmosphere.

The crew watches the sky during the cruise and keeps in touch with other boats. The operator explains that the lights occur roughly 100 kilometers above the ground, so moving a short distance farther from Reykjavik does not automatically improve the view. Cloud cover matters far more than being several hundred meters farther offshore.

This is a useful explanation, though it may not satisfy everyone. The boat can make sensible decisions about shelter and visibility, but it cannot control the weather. One evening can begin in heavy snow and clear later. Another can look promising in the afternoon and deteriorate before sailing.

Some departures have produced spectacular results after a long wait. In one reported experience, the boat began turning home after only a faint green hint appeared. The crew stopped when the display strengthened, then directed everyone to the front for a much better view. That kind of patience is a real advantage when conditions change quickly.

Still, you should not assume the yacht will keep moving until it finds the aurora. The operator’s approach is to sail to a suitable area, wait, and return after the scheduled time. You may see a strong display. You may see only a pale glow through cloud. You may see nothing.

What the yacht is like during a cold night

The strongest part of this experience, apart from a successful sighting, is the ability to warm up. The enclosed cabin has heating, seating, blankets, a bar, and a café area. Hot drinks can make a major difference after you have spent time outside watching the sky.

There is also Wi-Fi and a bathroom onboard. Those are small comforts, but they matter during a two to three hour outing. You can step inside without ending the trip, then return outdoors if the crew spots activity.

The upper deck offers open viewing areas at the front, back, and sides on the smaller yacht. That gives you room to change position and avoid being stuck behind a tall person when the sky brightens. Keep in mind that the deck is exposed. You need a warm coat, hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear even if you expect to spend much of the time inside.

The bar serves hot and cold drinks, including beer and champagne. Prices may feel high compared with a supermarket, though the operator says they are reasonable beside other Reykjavik bars. A promotional drink offer at the end may be available, but it is not a substitute for a guaranteed sighting or a warm drink included in the fare.

Music plays onboard, along with a short explanation of the aurora and sometimes Icelandic Christmas traditions. The amount of commentary can vary in usefulness. Some people enjoy a little narration and a relaxed soundtrack. If you want a full astronomy lecture, this is not that kind of excursion.

Small yacht or larger boat?

The tour information lists a maximum of 35 passengers. That is an appealing size for an evening when everyone wants a clear view of the sky.

Harpa Yachts also operates a larger 95-passenger yacht, and the operator has confirmed that both boats may be used. This creates an important practical question: confirm the scheduled vessel before you pay if crowd size matters to you.

The smaller yacht offers a quieter feel and less competition around the viewing areas. The larger boat gives you more capacity but may feel less personal, especially if the evening becomes crowded on deck. The supplied information does not promise that every booking will use the smaller vessel, so do not assume that the phrase yacht means a private or luxury outing.

This is best described as a comfortable public cruise. It is more relaxed than standing at a roadside stop, but it is still a shared excursion with other passengers, music, announcements, and a fixed return time.

Aurora photography and seeing faint lights

The crew can help you prepare your phone camera. This matters because a weak aurora may look gray or almost invisible to your eyes while appearing green in a long-exposure photograph.

Ask for help before the lights become strong. You want your phone ready rather than fumbling through settings after everyone is called outside. A guide may also point out where to focus and when the display is worth photographing.

Do not judge the entire evening by the first green mark on your screen. A camera can record color that your eyes barely detect. That faint glow may later strengthen, or it may be the best you get.

The upper deck is the place for direct viewing, but the cabin is useful while you wait. The sensible routine is to stay warm, listen for updates, and go outside when the crew identifies activity. You do not need to stand in the cold for the entire cruise.

How the price compares with the experience

At $100.82, this cruise costs more than a simple harbor ride, and the aurora itself is not guaranteed. You are paying for the boat, crew, heating, toilets, viewing areas, and the chance to spend the evening on the water rather than in a parked vehicle.

I think the price works best for someone who values comfort and atmosphere. You get Reykjavik’s waterfront, Harpa from the sea, Viðey Island, a ride through Faxaflói Bay, and a possible natural light show. If the aurora appears, the experience can feel special. If it does not, you still receive a proper yacht outing, though some people may feel that is not enough for the money.

The free repeat policy improves the value. If the lights fail to appear, you may rebook another cruise at no extra cost. The operator says this offer can extend for three years. That is useful if you are staying several nights or returning to Iceland, but it does not help much if this is your final evening in the country.

The standard weather policy is also practical. You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for you if you want a comfortable night outdoors without committing to a long, cold wait on land. It suits couples, families, photographers who want help with phone settings, and anyone who likes a harbor cruise as much as the aurora itself.

It is also a good fit if you have more than one night in Reykjavik. You have a better chance of using the repeat offer if the first outing fails.

I would hesitate if this is your only possible northern lights night and you want the most aggressive weather chase. A bus may travel farther and change location more easily. You should also think twice if you dislike shared boat rides, onboard music, or the possibility of being assigned the larger vessel.

The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The meeting point is central and the cruise ends there, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

Should you book the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

Book it if you want the aurora hunt wrapped in a pleasant evening on the water. The heated cabin, blankets, bar, bathrooms, and patient crew make the waiting far easier than it can be on land. The best moments come when the sky opens unexpectedly and the boat gives you time to watch.

Skip it if your priority is distance and active sky chasing. The route stays near Reykjavik, and the experience may feel too fixed if you expect the crew to roam widely in search of clear weather.

Before booking, confirm which yacht is operating and keep your expectations honest. You are buying a chance to see the Aurora Borealis, not a promise. If you can accept that uncertainty, this is a comfortable and memorable way to spend a dark Icelandic evening.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise begin?

It begins at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2 in Reykjavik.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at the Old Harbour.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two to three hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $100.82 per person.

What places can I see from the yacht?

The route includes Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Harpa concert hall from the sea, the Reykjavik coastline, Viðey Island, Faxaflói Bay, and possible views of the Aurora Borealis.

Does the cruise guarantee northern lights?

No. Sightings depend on cloud cover, darkness, and aurora activity, so the company cannot guarantee that the lights will appear.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You may be offered a free additional yacht trip. The operator states that repeat trips can be taken as needed for up to three years.

Is there food or drink onboard?

Yes. The yacht has a bar and café with hot and cold drinks. Wi-Fi and bathrooms are also available.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If the company cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.