Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

Northern Lights chasing feels better from the water. This two-hour cruise leaves Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, slips into Faxaflói Bay, and gives you a wide view of the sky away from some city glare. I like the indoor café and warm lower deck, and I like the promise of a free return trip if the aurora does not show. The catch is simple: a boat cannot control clouds, solar activity, or the cold.

You may also spot whales, dolphins, or porpoises during the ride, though the northern lights are the main reason to book. The crew gets strong praise for keeping people informed, with Maria and Lucky singled out for helpful commentary, while the boat itself offers Wi-Fi, restrooms, drinks, and outdoor viewing space. Bundle up heavily, because the top deck can feel bitterly cold even on a calm night.

Key points to know before sailing

• The cruise leaves Reykjavík’s Old Harbour: Meet at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, then return to the same spot after roughly two hours.
• The boat gives you indoor and outdoor options: You can watch from the observation deck, then step inside for warmth, a hot drink, or a snack.
• The route crosses Faxaflói Bay: You may see Reykjavík from the water, small islands, Akranes, or distant Snæfellsjökull on a clear night.
• Aurora sightings are never guaranteed: If the lights do not appear, you can take the cruise again at no extra charge, subject to the operator’s arrangements.
• The price is $78 per person: That is fair if you value the boat setting, onboard facilities, and repeat-sailing policy, but poor value if you want only a guaranteed aurora photograph.
• Book with weather flexibility: Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, while poor-weather cancellations bring a new date or full refund.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour after dark

The meeting point is Old Harbour House, a red building at Ægisgarður 2. It serves food, drinks, and tours, so allow a little time to find the correct check-in point. The practical detail matters because the restaurant and the cruise operation share the area, and the check-in process has caused some confusion.

If you plan to eat before sailing, check in for the cruise first. A 15 percent discount at the Old Harbour restaurant may be available once you have collected the required ticket or confirmation. The discount is easy to miss if you sit down for dinner before checking in.

The boat carries a maximum of 75 people. That is not a tiny expedition, but it is also not a huge ferry crowd. You should have several places to sit and move between the lower interior and the outside deck. A restroom, Wi-Fi, and an onboard café make the ride much easier than a simple open boat outing.

The cruise lasts about two hours. That is enough time to get beyond the immediate harbor, search the sky, and enjoy the coast without giving up your entire evening in Reykjavík.

Faxaflói Bay gives the aurora room to appear

Once the ship leaves the harbor, it sails among the small islands of Faxaflói Bay and along Reykjavík’s coast. The water gives you a clean, open view in several directions, which is the main reason to choose this outing over watching from a city street.

Reykjavík itself can look especially attractive at night from the bay. City lights line the shore, and the view changes as the ship moves away from the harbor. Even without a strong aurora, you get a different angle on the capital and a quiet look back toward its waterfront.

Faxaflói is a broad bay on Iceland’s southwest coast. From Reykjavík, you may see the Akranes peninsula to the northeast. On a very clear night, Snæfellsjökull can appear far away, roughly 120 kilometers from the city. These distant views are not guaranteed, but they add interest to the cruise when the sky refuses to cooperate.

The route also passes near small islands. They are close to the coast, unlike the more island-filled Breiðafjörður farther north. This is not a sightseeing cruise with a long list of scheduled stops. The ship keeps moving while the crew watches the sky and the water, so think of the bay as the setting for the search rather than a series of shore visits.

Wildlife is a welcome extra, not the main event

The boat’s route can bring chances to spot marine life. Minke whales and humpback whales are among the most common possibilities, along with dolphins and porpoises. Orcas are less common but still possible.

The crew has experience looking for wildlife, and they may point out activity in the water as you sail. Still, you should not book this as a dedicated whale-watching trip. The evening focus is the aurora, and darkness makes wildlife spotting harder than it would be on a daylight cruise.

This wildlife angle is useful because it gives the trip a second purpose. If the lights stay hidden, you are not simply sitting in one place waiting for the sky to change. You can look over the water, watch Reykjavík recede, and keep an eye out for animals.

That said, the two-hour schedule may leave little room for extended wildlife viewing if the crew needs to move toward clearer skies. Your best approach is to treat whales and dolphins as a bonus, not a promise.

The viewing deck is rewarding and very cold

The top deck is where you want to be when the aurora appears. You get a broad view of the sky without a roof or window in the way, and there is room to take photographs. Several people describe seeing the lights more clearly from the boat, including one strong account of the cruise reaching clear air beyond cloud cover.

But the deck is cold. Not pleasantly crisp. Cold enough that a coat alone may not be enough, especially in winter. Wear extra layers, gloves, a hat, and warm footwear. The supplied comments include repeated warnings about freezing temperatures, including one February outing when the aurora was faint to the naked eye.

This is where the boat’s indoor setup earns its keep. You can go downstairs, warm up, buy a hot drink, and return outside when the crew spots activity. The lower area is described as warm and comfortable, with food and drink available at reasonable prices.

I like this arrangement because it removes the worst part of a long outdoor wait. You do not have to choose between staying outside for two hours or missing the show entirely. You can warm up, listen for an update, then head back to the deck.

The tradeoff is that every trip between inside and outside risks a missed moment. Keep your camera and coat ready, and pay attention to the crew’s announcements.

What the guide and crew add to the evening

The crew receives some of the strongest praise connected with this cruise. Maria is described as staying outside to explain where the lights were appearing. Lucky is also praised for trying to help everyone and for giving useful guidance. Other comments highlight friendly bar service, a smooth ride, and a captain who kept pointing out where to look.

That human help matters. A faint aurora can be easy to miss if you do not know where to look. The guide may direct you toward a pale green band or tell you when the lights are strengthening. A good guide also helps set expectations when the display is weak.

Do keep your own judgment. A guide’s enthusiasm does not turn a faint glow into a major show. One account describes a disappointing night when the lights were barely visible, even though the commentary suggested better conditions. If you see only a weak streak, your camera may record more color than your eyes do.

That is normal with aurora photography, but it can feel disappointing if you expected bright green and red curtains. The cruise is best for people who can enjoy the setting and the attempt, not just the final photograph.

How strong are your chances of seeing the northern lights?

No operator can guarantee the aurora. You need darkness, clear enough skies, and active solar conditions. The boat may improve your position by moving away from some city light and by sailing toward clearer parts of the bay, but it cannot create a display.

The experience can range from a spectacular two-hour show to a faint streak seen only through a phone camera. Some outings produce vivid greens and reds. Others reveal little more than a pale smudge. Several accounts also describe seeing the lights late in the cruise, so do not assume that a quiet first hour means the evening is over.

The free return policy is the main safety net. If you do not see the northern lights, you can arrange another trip at no additional charge. This is most useful if you are staying in Reykjavík for several nights. It is much less helpful if the cruise falls near the end of your visit or if you leave the next morning.

For that reason, I would schedule this early in your stay when possible. You then have time to try again. The official terms also allow the operator to cancel for poor weather and offer a different date or full refund.

Do not confuse the free repeat trip with a refund after an ordinary sailing. If the boat operates but the aurora fails to appear, the practical remedy is another sailing, not automatic cash back.

Is $78 a fair price?

At $78 per person, this cruise sits in a reasonable range for a two-hour evening activity in Reykjavík. You are paying for the boat, crew, indoor facilities, café access, Wi-Fi, restroom, and the chance to sail into the bay rather than stand on land.

The value improves if you use the indoor space, enjoy the harbor views, and have enough time to return if the lights fail. The value drops if you see the outing as a single-purpose photo hunt. A faint aurora or no aurora can leave you feeling that the ticket bought only a boat ride.

I think the price works best for three types of people:

• You want an evening activity that includes scenery even if the aurora is weak.
• You prefer a boat to a bus and like having an outdoor deck plus a warm interior.
• You have enough time in Reykjavík to use the free repeat sailing.

You may want to think twice if you have only one night in town, dislike cold weather, or need a guaranteed result. The last point is impossible with northern lights tours, but a boat will not solve that problem.

The maximum group size of 75 keeps the outing fairly manageable. You should still expect other people moving outside when the lights appear, especially near the best viewing areas.

The practical plan for a better night

Check the weather before you leave your accommodation, but do not try to predict the aurora from a single forecast. The operator may adjust or cancel for poor conditions, and official cancellation terms allow a date change or full refund in that situation.

Arrive with enough time to find Old Harbour House and complete check-in. If you want dinner there, handle the cruise check-in first so you can ask about the 15 percent restaurant discount before paying for your meal.

Wear more clothing than you think you need. Add a second warm layer, not just a heavier outer shell. Keep gloves and a hat accessible, because the top deck may be comfortable for only short periods without them.

Bring a phone or camera, but remember that a camera can record colors your eyes do not see. A photo of a faint aurora is not the same as a bright visual display. Use the crew’s updates to decide when it is worth staying outside.

If you do not see the lights, ask clearly about the repeat sailing before leaving the harbor area. You need enough time in Reykjavík to use that benefit, and the arrangements may require a new booking or confirmation.

The activity is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The operator limits the group to 75 people.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want the northern lights search to feel like a proper evening out. The water, city views, small islands, café, and warm indoor seating give the night more shape than a simple wait in a dark field.

It suits couples, families, and small groups who want options. One person can stay outside with the guide while another warms up downstairs. It also works well for anyone staying near the harbor and wanting a departure point within Reykjavík.

I would not choose it solely because you expect a better aurora than every bus tour. Conditions can change quickly, and no boat can guarantee stronger lights. The main advantage is the combination of open water, a wide viewing deck, crew support, and a free second chance.

Final verdict: book early in your Reykjavík stay

This is a good-value northern lights outing when you want comfort and scenery wrapped around the aurora search. The boat is clean and comfortable, the crew gets frequent praise, and the café and lower deck make the cold easier to manage.

Book it if you can keep another evening free. Schedule it near the start of your Reykjavík visit, dress for serious cold, and treat whales, dolphins, city views, and distant coastal sights as worthwhile extras.

Skip it if you need certainty or have no time to return. For everyone else, this cruise gives you a sensible second chance and a pleasant evening on Faxaflói Bay, even when Iceland’s sky refuses to put on a show.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2 in Reykjavík.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours and returns to the same meeting point.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. The experience 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 area.

Can I take the cruise again if I do not see the northern lights?

Yes. The tour offers another trip at no charge if the northern lights are not visible. You should confirm the rebooking arrangements before leaving.

What happens if poor weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.