Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

The sea can make the aurora feel bigger. This 2.5-hour cruise from Reykjavik carries you into Faxaflói Bay, away from some city glare, with thermal overalls, indoor seating, and a warm place to regroup. I like the free retry if the sky stays blank, and I like that the crew takes photos you can download at no extra charge. The catch is simple: the boat cannot control clouds, wind, or the aurora itself.

I also like the mix of folklore and science. Guides explain why the lights form, then point out what you are seeing overhead. But a boat is not automatically the darkest or best viewing platform, and a full departure can leave you with little room on deck.

Key points before you book

• Free second chance: If you join the cruise and see no northern lights, you receive a ticket for the next available departure. The ticket does not expire, but a busy schedule can make rebooking difficult.
• Warm clothing provided: Thermal overalls come in children’s sizes, a useful saving if you do not want to buy heavy Icelandic winter gear.
• Photos are included: Pictures taken during each cruise are available to download for free. Crew members can also help you set up your camera.
• Indoor comfort matters: The boat has heated seating, WiFi, toilets, and refreshments for purchase, though the café setup may be basic.
• The bay is not a guarantee: Moving away from Reykjavik can reduce some city light, but clouds, rain, wind, and sea conditions still decide the night.
• Watch the boat size: Departures can hold as many as 198 people, and a crowded sailing may limit your deck space.

Leaving Geirsgata for Faxaflói Bay

The meeting point is Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, in central Reykjavik. The cruise ends at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup after returning to shore. Hotel transfer is available for an extra fee, but you can also make your own way to the departure point, which keeps the cost down.

The listed price is $108.13 per person. That is not a small amount for a two-and-a-half-hour outing, but the value improves if you use the thermal suit, free photographs, indoor space, and retry option. A second cruise can otherwise become an expensive surprise on a short Iceland visit.

You receive confirmation when you book. The experience is offered in English, and it can accommodate most people. The maximum capacity is 198, so do not picture a private little fishing boat. It is a proper sightseeing cruise, with enough room for indoor seating but potentially limited space outside when the boat is full.

Departure times can vary, but the cruise itself lasts about two hours and thirty minutes. One reported sailing left around 9 p.m. and returned around 11:30 p.m., a schedule that fits the dark hours needed for aurora watching.

Thermal overalls before the boat gets moving

Once aboard, you can use the supplied thermal overalls. Put them on even if you feel comfortable at the harbor. Open water brings wind, and the temperature can feel much lower when you are standing still on deck while waiting for a faint glow to appear.

The suits are available in children’s sizes. If you are between sizes, choosing the larger option is sensible because you may be wearing several layers underneath. The overalls are one of the strongest practical features here. You avoid buying specialist winter clothing for one evening, and you can move between the outside deck and heated indoor seating.

That indoor area is important. Northern lights outings often involve a lot of waiting. You may spend several minutes outside watching a dark sky, then return inside to warm your hands and check the forecast or camera settings. Free WiFi is available, and refreshments can be bought on board.

Do not expect a full restaurant. The onboard food service may be limited to simple snacks, chocolate, crisps, and powdered hot chocolate. Some departures have offered hot chocolate with Baileys, but this is not something to count on as part of the ticket. Food and drink are not included, so bring a little money if you want something warm.

The guide turns waiting into part of the evening

The aurora does not appear on command, so the guide’s role matters. Explanations cover the basic science: charged particles collide with gases in the atmosphere, creating the colored light seen overhead. You also hear Icelandic myths and local stories, with a clear line between traditional tales and modern science.

This is more than filler if the sky is cloudy. A good explanation helps you understand why a bright green arc may fade, why a camera can record colors more strongly than your eyes, and why the crew may ask you to wait longer before returning. On one successful trip, the guide waited beyond the planned point when signs of the aurora appeared late.

Lukas has received special praise for his clear, lively guiding, though the guide on your departure may be someone else. The crew also helps with photography. Ask for advice before the lights appear, not after you have missed the best moment while trying to find a suitable camera setting.

There can be a tradeoff on a full boat. The guide may be easy to hear indoors, while people outside have to watch the sky, listen for updates, and move around other passengers. One poor experience described a guide missing brief sightings while inside. That is not the usual promise of the trip, but it shows why you should stay alert and check both the sky and the announcements.

What the cruise route actually gives you

The boat heads out across Faxaflói Bay to find darker viewing conditions. The aim is to put distance between you and Reykjavik’s strongest lights, not to take you on a long sightseeing voyage. You are searching for open sky, not visiting a string of coastal stops.

That distinction helps set expectations. The cruise is a slow search rather than a fast ride. One person found the sailing dull when no aurora appeared and wished the boat had gone farther and faster. If you need constant scenery or action, two and a half hours on dark water can feel long.

On a clear night, the slow pace works better. You can watch the sky without a vehicle stopping and starting, move between the deck and cabin, and see stars and constellations as well as the aurora. One successful outing included shooting stars, which added to the night but is not guaranteed.

The boat itself may vary. Andrea, a good-sized vessel with plenty of lower-deck seating, has been used for this experience. Other departures may feel more compact. The supplied details do not promise one specific boat, so boat size and deck space can change.

Sea conditions are another factor. Wind can make photography difficult and can cause noticeable movement. Some people find the rocking unsettling. If the sea is rough, the company may offer a Northern Lights by Bus tour instead when the aurora forecast remains promising. That replacement costs the same as the boat trip, so choosing the bus does not produce a refund.

Seeing the aurora with your own eyes

When the lights appear, the experience can change in seconds. A pale green arc may first look like a thin cloud or a rainbow. As the boat moves farther from shore, it may strengthen into a curtain that seems to wave across the sky.

Do not expect every display to look like the bright green photographs used in advertising. Several things affect what you see: cloud cover, aurora activity, darkness, your position on the boat, and the camera settings used for the included photographs. Sometimes the light is easy to see with the naked eye. At other times, your phone or camera may show more color than you can see directly.

Keep your camera ready. A tripod is not mentioned as part of the equipment, and a moving boat makes long exposures hard. Crew members can offer photography help, which is useful if you are unfamiliar with night settings. Free official photos give you a safety net, but they do not replace the fun of trying your own shots.

The crew may extend the cruise if the lights appear near the planned end. That happened on a successful departure and gave people time to watch properly. Still, an extension is not promised, so treat it as a bonus rather than part of the schedule.

The retry policy is useful, but read it carefully

If you join the cruise and see no northern lights, you receive another ticket for the next available day. The offer does not expire and can even be used years later. That is unusually helpful if your Iceland itinerary allows a spare evening.

The practical problem is availability. One person tried to rebook but found the next sailing full, with some confusion about whether to contact the booking platform or Special Tours. Ask the operator how to use the retry ticket before leaving the dock, and rebook as soon as you know you need another attempt.

The retry is not a cash refund. Once you have taken the cruise, the remedy for a blank sky is another departure. If you have already used the retry service, you do not receive another refund or unlimited series of replacement trips.

A cancellation before departure works differently. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations inside 24 hours are not refundable. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can usually choose another date or receive a full refund if you have not already joined the tour.

The company may continue sailing when conditions are poor but not officially unsafe. This has caused frustration for people who felt heavy rain made any sighting impossible. Check the forecast and ask about the cancellation decision before departure if the sky looks hopeless.

Is the boat darker than Reykjavik?

The cruise reduces some urban light, but it does not remove it completely. The bay can offer a better view than a bright city street, especially on a clear night, but the boat may still be within sight of harbor and coastal lights.

Do not book this simply because you assume a boat always beats a bus. A bus tour can move inland toward changing cloud conditions and may reach places with darker surroundings. The cruise wins on comfort, toilets, heated seating, and the simple pleasure of being on the water.

The tradeoff is control. A bus can stop at a dark viewing area. A boat is committed to the sea route and must balance viewing conditions with wind and waves. The best choice depends on what matters most to you.

Who will get the most from this outing?

I would choose this cruise if you want an organized aurora search without sitting in a car for hours. It suits you especially well if you dislike the idea of freezing beside a roadside or worrying about bathroom access. The heated cabin gives you a place to wait, and the thermal suit makes short periods on deck manageable.

It is also a good fit for families because children’s overalls are available. Most people can take part, though the boat’s movement, stairs, and outdoor conditions may be uncomfortable for anyone sensitive to rocking or cold.

You should think twice if you have only one night in Reykjavik and cannot accept losing two and a half hours to clouds. The free retry has real value only when your schedule includes another evening. If you are visiting for several nights, book earlier in the trip so you have time to try again.

A full departure can also change the feel of the experience. You may have to wait for a clear view on deck, and taking photographs can become a contest for space. A less crowded sailing would be more comfortable, but the operator does not guarantee one.

Value at $108.13

At $108.13, the cruise is a reasonable but not automatic bargain. The thermal suit saves you from renting or buying winter clothing, the photos cost nothing extra, and the free retry protects you from one unsuccessful night. Those extras make the price easier to justify.

The value drops if the weather is bad, the boat is crowded, and you cannot return. In that case, you have paid for a warm ride across the bay rather than the aurora itself. The crew can explain the science and provide a pleasant evening, but no operator can guarantee the main sight.

I would compare this price with the value of your time. If you have several evenings in Iceland, the retry policy is a strong advantage. If you have a tight itinerary, choose the night with the best available forecast and avoid treating the guarantee as a promise of a second sailing at a convenient time.

Should you book the Northern Lights Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, simple aurora search with indoor seating, supplied overalls, free photos, and the chance to try again. The best nights can be unforgettable, with green light spreading over the bay while the crew helps you find the right part of the sky.

Skip it if you need absolute control over darkness, route, or weather. A boat can be windy, crowded, and slow when the sky stays blank. My practical advice is to schedule it early in your Reykjavik stay, wear the thermal suit, keep your camera ready, and confirm how rebooking works before you leave the boat.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Cruise depart from?

It departs from Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. The activity finishes back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours and thirty minutes. One listed sailing ran from about 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Are thermal overalls included?

Yes. Thermal overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You receive a free ticket to try again on the next available day. The ticket does not expire, but another departure may be full.

Are photographs included?

Yes. Photos taken during each tour are available to download free of charge. Crew members can also help with photography on board.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, but refreshments can be purchased on board.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you can be offered another date or a full refund if you have not previously joined the tour.