From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

The sea gives the sky more room. This two-hour cruise leaves Reykjavik’s city glow behind, taking you into Faxaflói Bay for a better chance of seeing the Northern Lights. I like the warm flotation overalls and heated cabins, and I also like the free return ticket if the aurora stays hidden. The main catch is simple: no boat can control clouds, solar activity, or the lights themselves.

The trip costs $101 per person, which is fair if you value the boat setting, guide commentary, and chance to try again. Still, you may spend much of the evening waiting in darkness, and even a clear sky does not promise a show. Treat this as an aurora search, not a guaranteed performance.

Key points to know before you sail

• The cruise leaves from Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours office on the corner, with check-in 30 minutes before departure.
• Faxaflói Bay provides darker skies than central Reykjavik, plus open views back toward the city and surrounding mountains.
• Warm flotation suits are supplied, but you still need weather-appropriate clothing underneath.
• Guide Lucas has earned special praise for helping with cameras, taking photos, and looking after passengers when things went wrong.
• No lights means a free second chance, using your booking number to rebook the cruise.
• Food and drinks cost extra, though you can buy refreshments at the heated onboard bar.

Leaving Reykjavik from Geirsgata 11

Your evening begins at Geirsgata 11, where you check in at the Special Tours office. Arrive 30 minutes early. That gives you time to find the office, handle check-in, and get ready without rushing down to the boat.

The meeting point is close to Reykjavik’s harbor area, but one practical warning matters: confirm the exact location on your booking before setting out. A passenger once followed incorrect map coordinates and had to hurry after spotting people boarding from a distance. The safest approach is to use the stated meeting point and allow extra time if you are walking there.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You arrange your own way to and from the harbor, so this trip works best for people already staying in central Reykjavik or comfortable making their own way into town.

The boat may be shared with a partner company during certain times of year. This is part of an effort to reduce the number of boats on the water and limit pressure on Iceland’s environment. It can mean the vessel or onboard setup is not always identical, but the main service remains the same.

Crossing Faxaflói Bay in search of the aurora

Once aboard, the boat heads out across Faxaflói Bay. The exact route is built around finding darker skies and a useful view of the northern horizon. You also get a different look at Reykjavik, with the city lights behind you and open water ahead.

This is the central strength of the experience. From land, Reykjavik’s glow can wash out faint aurora activity. At sea, the boat can move away from the brightest part of town. That does not guarantee stronger lights, but it gives the sky a better chance to show what is there.

The usual advertised duration is two hours, though the activity is also described as lasting two to three hours. In some cases, the captain may stay out longer when cloud breaks or late activity offers a real chance of seeing the lights. One outing reportedly lasted about four hours while the crew waited for clouds to move and the aurora appeared near the return to port. You should not count on an extended cruise, but it is worth knowing that the timing can stretch when conditions look promising.

The boat is not just a transport platform. Guides explain the science behind the aurora and share Icelandic beliefs and local stories connected with it. That commentary helps fill the waiting time, especially on nights when the sky stays quiet.

Heated cabins, warm suits, and the cold reality

The boat has heated indoor cabins, toilet facilities, and an indoor bar area. You can buy food and drinks onboard, and seasickness tablets are available at no extra charge. WiFi is also provided.

The supplied flotation overalls are one of the most useful parts of the trip. They are designed to keep you warm on deck, and several passengers found them effective enough to remain outside for long periods. Even so, wear warm layers beneath the suit, along with a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear.

A smart fitting tip is to choose a suit size that leaves room for your clothing. One passenger found that taking an extra size made it easier to wear the suit over several layers. The deck can feel bitterly cold when the boat is moving, and you will probably switch between the outdoor viewing area and the warm cabin.

The suits can also make ordinary tasks awkward. It is wise to use the toilet before putting one on, since getting out of a bulky suit in a small restroom is not especially graceful. Wet seats can make the cold worse, so check your place before settling in.

The indoor cabin is a useful safety net, not a poor substitute for the deck. You can warm up, buy a drink, and then return outside when the sky begins to change. That flexibility matters because the aurora may appear for only a short period.

What the Northern Lights actually look like

The Northern Lights are not a scheduled stage show. You may see a faint pale band, a soft green haze, or a bright display that moves across the sky. You may also see nothing at all.

Several outings have produced clear, dramatic lights, with some passengers seeing the aurora before the boat had even stopped. Other nights brought only a faint glow, visible more clearly in photographs than to the naked eye. That difference is important. Cameras can collect light over several seconds, while your eyes may see only a dim gray or green shape.

Strong displays can be photographed, but phone cameras may struggle. Guides have helped passengers adjust camera settings, and on some trips crew members have taken photos for passengers to view online afterward. This is a helpful extra, but you should not book the cruise solely for a promised personal photograph.

If you bring a camera, learn its night settings before sailing. A tripod may be useful if you have one, though the boat’s movement can make long exposures difficult. The crew can offer practical help, but they cannot turn a phone into a professional night camera.

The best attitude is to watch first and photograph second. A screen can make you miss a brief change in the sky. Keep your eyes up, and use the camera when the conditions allow.

Guide commentary and the human side of the trip

The guides add much of the value during the search. Their role is not only to point toward the sky. They explain why the aurora appears, talk about local folklore, and help passengers understand what they are seeing.

Guide Lucas has received particular praise for being funny, patient, and helpful. He has assisted with camera settings, taken photos, and stayed late to help look for a lost phone. In one case, he even gave passengers a ride back to their hotel after helping with the search. That kind of care is not a standard feature you should assume is guaranteed, but it shows the personal service that can make an uncertain evening feel worthwhile.

The guides also help keep spirits up when the sky refuses to cooperate. On one no-show outing, the group enjoyed stargazing and drinks instead. On another, complimentary shots were offered as a consolation. These extras vary, so think of them as occasional gestures rather than part of the promised package.

The commentary is delivered in English. If you want a quiet private outing, this may feel too social. If you enjoy learning while you wait, the guide-led format makes the time more rewarding.

A clear look at what is included

The $101 price covers more than simply getting onto a boat. You receive:

• A two to three-hour Northern Lights cruise
• An experienced English-speaking guide
• Warm flotation overalls
• Heated indoor seating
• Toilets onboard
• Free WiFi
• Complimentary seasickness tablets
• A free return booking if no Northern Lights are seen

Food and drinks are not included, though you can purchase them onboard. Hotel transfers are also not included.

At this price, the strongest value comes from the no-sighting policy. If the sky is cloudy or the aurora does not appear, you can use your booking number to join again without paying another tour fee. That matters because the most expensive part of an aurora trip is often the risk of paying once for bad conditions. The free retry lowers that risk, provided you have another evening available.

The policy is less useful if this is your final night in Iceland or if your schedule is packed. Before booking, look at your itinerary and ask yourself if you can realistically return. A free second trip has real value only when you have the time to use it.

When the free second trip helps

If there is no sighting, the usual advice is to rebook for another night. Some people have done exactly that and seen the lights on the second attempt. Others have tried twice without success, which is a reminder that the return ticket improves your odds but does not create the aurora.

You should schedule this cruise early in your Reykjavik stay if possible. That gives you room to try again and lets you move the outing if weather or sea conditions change. Booking it on your last night removes much of the benefit.

The activity has free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, and you can reserve now while paying later. Those terms are useful for a weather-sensitive plan, but check the final booking conditions for your chosen date.

Is the boat comfortable for everyone?

The experience is wheelchair accessible, which makes it more practical than many outdoor aurora trips. Still, the deck, changing into warm suits, and moving through the boat may feel more demanding than the accessibility label suggests. If you need specific assistance, confirm the details before departure.

Pets are not allowed, and smoking is prohibited. Children are not specifically discussed in the available information, so ask the operator if you are planning to bring younger family members.

The boat suits people who want facilities close at hand. You can step into warmth, use a toilet, buy a drink, and return to the viewing deck. That makes it easier than standing outdoors for hours beside a road.

It is less suitable if you dislike motion, though free seasickness tablets are available. You should still dress warmly and prepare for a moving vessel, cold air, and a long period of looking at a dark sky.

How this compares with a land based aurora search

A boat cruise gives you open water, city views from the sea, and a memorable setting even if the lights do not appear. The heated cabin and supplied suits also make the search more comfortable than waiting outside without shelter.

The tradeoff is control. A road-based guide may be able to drive toward clearer conditions, while a boat follows its sailing route. The sea can also add movement, wind, and cold. You are paying for a different kind of search, not a guaranteed improvement in the aurora itself.

I would choose the boat if you like being on the water, want a short evening activity from Reykjavik, and appreciate the chance to see the city from offshore. I would consider another option if you want the greatest ability to chase clear skies across the countryside.

Who should book the Reykjavik cruise?

I think this trip suits:

• First-time visitors who want an easy aurora outing from Reykjavik
• People who prefer a heated cabin and onboard toilets
• Photographers who want guide help with night settings
• Couples and families who enjoy a shared evening activity
• Anyone with a spare night to use the free return ticket
• Visitors who like hearing science and Icelandic folklore while they wait

It may frustrate you if you need a guaranteed sighting, have no spare evening, or dislike cold, darkness, and waiting. The boat offers comfort, but it cannot remove the uncertainty that makes the Northern Lights special.

Should you book this Northern Lights boat cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized search with warm suits, indoor shelter, guide commentary, and a genuine second chance when the sky stays blank. The $101 price is reasonable for the facilities and rebooking policy, especially if you plan this early enough to try again.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed show. The most honest reason to choose this trip is that it makes the waiting manageable and gives you a memorable evening on Faxaflói Bay even when nature refuses to cooperate. Check in early, wear warm layers, use the toilet before putting on the suit, and leave room in your schedule for a second attempt.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise depart from?

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

How early should I arrive?

You should arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in.

How long is the cruise?

The listed duration is two hours, though the trip may be described as lasting two to three hours. Some outings can run longer when the crew waits for better viewing conditions.

Where does the boat go?

The cruise sails into Faxaflói Bay and returns to Geirsgata 11.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can use your booking number to join the tour again for free if there is no sighting.

Are warm clothes provided?

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

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but they can be purchased onboard.

Is there a heated area on the boat?

Yes. The boat has heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities and an indoor bar area.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.