Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik

The sea can sharpen the sky. This Reykjavik boat trip takes you into Faxaflói Bay to search for the aurora, with warm overalls and Wi-Fi making the wait more comfortable. I like the free repeat ticket if conditions fail, and I like the practical backup at Whales of Iceland, which gives your evening some value even when clouds win.

You get about two hours on the water, plus a snack bar, restrooms, and free photos taken during the sailing. The main drawback is space: the boat can feel crowded, with limited indoor seating and tight room on deck. Rough water is another possibility, so this is not the best choice if you dislike boats.

Key points to know before you book

• The backup plan is unusually useful: Poor conditions can lead to a Whales of Iceland visit, including a short film, guided tour, Northern Lights drink, and photography workshop.
• You can try again for free: If the boat cannot sail or the aurora conditions are unsuitable, you receive a ticket for the next available boat date.
• The best viewing may be outside: Several successful outings began with staff sending people to the upper deck as the lights appeared.
• The boat can fill up: The maximum group size is 198, and some sailings have felt crowded inside and on deck.
• Photos are included: Pictures taken during the boat trip are available to download without an extra charge.
• Hotel transport costs extra: The meeting point is at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik, with transfers available as an optional add-on.

Sailing into Faxaflói Bay for the aurora

The tour begins at Special Tours on Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik. It returns to the same meeting point, which keeps the evening simple if you are staying in the city and can make your own way there.

The boat heads out into Faxaflói Bay, away from some of Reykjavik’s street lighting, to look for the Northern Lights. That setting matters. You are not just standing on a city street hoping for a gap in the clouds. You are out on open water, with a wider view of the sky and less nearby light competing with the aurora.

The sailing lasts about two hours, though the full experience is described as roughly two to three hours. The exact payoff depends on nature. A strong display might begin while you are boarding, as happened on one successful trip, or the sky may remain stubbornly dark for the whole outing.

That uncertainty is part of the deal. A boat tour cannot make the aurora appear. It can give you a clear route away from the city and staff who can help you watch the sky, but clouds, solar activity, and sea conditions still decide the result.

One useful detail is the staff response when the lights do appear. On one evening, the crew told people to go straight to the top deck as boarding finished. On another, a full display continued until the boat returned to the dock. If you see activity near the start, do not linger by the snack bar. Get outside quickly.

What the boat setup means in real use

Special Tours supplies warm overalls, which are valuable in Iceland because you may spend long stretches standing still in cold air. You still need suitable clothing underneath, but the provided outer layer takes some pressure off packing and makes the waiting period more manageable.

There is free Wi-Fi on board, along with restrooms and a snack bar. Food and drinks are not included in the price, so plan to buy anything you need on the boat or eat before departure. This is a small point, but it matters on an evening tour when the cold and sea air can make a warm drink especially welcome.

The boat is described as comfortable and well maintained, yet comfort depends on how many people are aboard and how rough the water becomes. Some sailings have felt crowded, with almost no indoor seating and limited room on the deck. The maximum capacity is 198 people, so you should not picture a quiet private cruise.

The best strategy is to dress for outdoor viewing and treat indoor seating as a bonus rather than a guarantee. If the weather is calm and the aurora is active, the crowd may feel less important. If the sky is empty and the boat is moving sharply, the lack of space becomes much more noticeable.

Several outings received strong praise for the crew. Anika was described as gracious and informative, while Patrick was noted for his humor and clear explanations. Andrea and the crew of Lilja also received warm praise from a visitor who returned several nights before finally seeing a glimpse of the lights. The human side of the tour matters here because a long wait is easier when the crew stays upbeat and helpful.

The Northern Lights search: beautiful when it works

A successful evening can be remarkable. Clear skies and calm water gave one sailing ideal conditions, with the aurora growing brighter and more active toward the end of the trip. Another group watched the sky dance from the boat for the entire return journey.

The boat adds a sense of occasion that you do not get from simply looking up outside your accommodation. The city slips behind you, the open bay gives you a broad horizon, and the lights can appear above a moving vessel rather than over a car park or roadside viewpoint.

Still, you should keep expectations sensible. The tour is a search, not a guarantee. One sailing was described as well organized, friendly, and comfortable despite rough seas, but no lights appeared. That person still recommended the company, which tells you something about the quality of the operation, but you should not pay this price expecting a certain show.

Photography is another practical issue. Staff can offer guidance on locating the aurora and on taking pictures, and the backup program includes a short Northern Lights photography workshop. The boat also takes pictures during every sailing, and you can download them for free afterward.

Those included photos are useful because Northern Lights photography is tricky, especially when you are cold, moving on water, and trying to watch the sky at the same time. They are not a substitute for your own pictures, but they give you a chance to come home with a record of the evening even if your phone struggles.

When the weather cancels the boat

This tour earns much of its value from what happens when the main plan fails. If conditions are not suitable for sailing or for viewing the aurora, you are automatically signed up for an alternative activity.

The backup takes place at Whales of Iceland. It includes entry to the exhibit, a Northern Lights drink, a short film, and a guided tour. You also receive a short photography workshop focused on capturing the aurora.

That is a far better fallback than simply losing an evening. Whales of Iceland gives you something indoor and structured to do, and the photography session keeps the activity connected to the original purpose of the booking. One canceled sailing was followed by a positive evening at the museum, where the guides were praised for being fun and the drinks were well received.

The backup plan does not mean you should ignore the weather forecast. If you only want to sail, a cancellation will still disappoint you. But if you want a Northern Lights themed evening with a reasonable alternative, this arrangement reduces the risk.

You also receive a free ticket for the next available boat date when conditions are unsuitable. This is particularly helpful if your schedule allows several nights in Reykjavik. One visitor needed six nights before seeing even a glimpse, which is a useful reminder that persistence may be part of the experience.

If your Iceland trip is tightly scheduled, the repeat ticket may be hard to use. If you have spare evenings, it gives you another chance without paying the full price again.

Is $83.88 a fair price?

At $83.88 per person, this is not a casual short harbor ride. The price covers the boat outing, warm overalls, Wi-Fi, restrooms, crew assistance, free photographs, and the protection of a repeat ticket or indoor alternative when conditions are unsuitable.

The value is strongest when you use several parts of the package. You might sail successfully, download the photographs, and enjoy the convenience of the provided overalls. Or the weather may cancel the boat and you may visit Whales of Iceland instead, then try again on another date.

The value is weaker if you want a guaranteed aurora sighting or a quiet, intimate cruise. The tour does not control the sky, and the boat may be busy. Food and drinks are extra, and hotel transfers cost more, so your final spending can rise above the advertised fare.

Hotel pickup is available as an optional extra, but it is not included by default. You can arrange it while booking or contact the ticket office at least two hours before departure. If you are comfortable reaching central Reykjavik independently, skipping the transfer saves money.

The tour is often booked about 54 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve ahead during a popular Iceland trip, especially if you want a particular date. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time, which gives you some flexibility while your plans settle.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would choose this experience if you want the Northern Lights search to feel like a proper evening outing rather than a quick stop outside town. The open bay, upper deck viewing, crew support, and chance to see the aurora from the water give it a clear sense of occasion.

It suits you especially well if:

• You have more than one night in Reykjavik and can use a repeat ticket.
• You want a backup activity instead of losing the evening to bad weather.
• You like having crew help with aurora viewing and photography.
• You are comfortable sharing a large boat with many other people.
• You can handle some movement if the sea is rough.

I would think twice if you need guaranteed seating, dislike cold outdoor waiting, or have only one free evening in Iceland. A land-based option may be easier if you are prone to seasickness, although the supplied information does not specify any motion sickness arrangements.

Families and most able participants can take part, and the activity is offered in English. The tour is near public transportation, but you need to arrange your own route to Geirsgata 11 unless you pay for the optional transfer.

How to make the most of your evening

Arrive ready to spend time outside. The provided overalls help, but your own warm layers remain important because the main viewing happens on deck.

Keep your camera or phone accessible. If staff say the lights are active, move upstairs promptly. One of the strongest outings began with that exact advice while people were boarding.

Do not assume the first half hour tells you how the night will finish. On a successful trip, the aurora became brighter and more active near the end. Stay patient, but also accept that the sky may produce nothing.

If the boat is canceled, use the museum visit as more than a consolation prize. The photography workshop can improve your chances of taking better aurora pictures later, and the repeat boat ticket gives you another opportunity if you have time.

Finally, remember that the snack bar is not included. Eat beforehand or budget for food and drinks on board, especially if you are booking a later departure.

Should you book the Northern Lights by Boat?

Book it if you want a well-supported Northern Lights hunt with a genuine safety net. The free retry, Whales of Iceland alternative, photography help, warm overalls, and included photos make the $83.88 fare easier to justify than a simple boat ride with no backup.

Skip it if your priority is privacy, guaranteed indoor seating, or certainty about seeing the aurora. The boat can be crowded, the water can be rough, and nature keeps the final say.

For most visitors with at least two evenings in Reykjavik, I think the flexible setup makes this a sensible choice. Give yourself time to try again, head to the upper deck when the crew spots activity, and judge the tour by the whole package rather than by one unpredictable sky.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat tour start?

The tour starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the boat tour last?

The boat portion lasts about two hours. The total experience is approximately two to three hours.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What is included on the boat?

The price includes warm overalls, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and access to the onboard snack bar. Food and drinks are not included.

Are photographs included?

Yes. Pictures taken during every boat tour are available to download free of charge.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable?

You are automatically signed up for an alternative activity. This includes entry to Whales of Iceland, a Northern Lights drink, a short film, a guided tour, and a short Northern Lights photography workshop.

Can I take the boat tour again if conditions are poor?

Yes. You receive a free ticket for the next available boat date if conditions are not suitable for sailing or viewing the Northern Lights.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included in the listed price, but they can be added for an extra charge directly with the tour provider.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.