From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

The Northern Lights cruise gives you something a land-based hunt cannot: open water and a wide sky with Reykjavik’s lights behind you. You sail from Geirsgata 11 into Faxaflói Bay, where the city glow fades and the northern horizon opens up. On a good night, the aurora can appear as a faint green smear or a full, shifting curtain.

I like the free return ticket if the lights do not show, and I like the practical setup: heated cabins, warm flotation overalls, toilets, WiFi, and guides who can help with camera settings. The main catch is simple: no boat can order the aurora to appear. Some outings see nothing, and the sea air can feel cold even inside the provided suit.

Key points at a glance

• Sail into Faxaflói Bay: The boat takes you away from Reykjavik’s strongest city lights for a broader view of the sky.
• Warm flotation overalls included: You can watch from the outside deck without relying only on your own winter clothing.
• Guide Lukas and the crew add context: Expect stories about aurora science, Icelandic beliefs, and local legends.
• A free second chance matters: If there is no sighting, you can use your booking number to join again without paying another tour fee.
• Heated cabins make the waiting easier: Buy drinks or snacks onboard, warm up, and step outside again when conditions improve.
• The $101 price buys flexibility, not a guarantee: It is fair if you value the boat setting and rebooking policy, but frustrating if you have only one free evening.

Leaving Reykjavik for a darker sky

Check in at the Special Tours office at the corner of Geirsgata 11, arriving about 30 minutes early. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the harbor.

The outing lasts about two hours, though timing can change when the crew is trying to give the sky a fair chance. One past trip ran much longer while the captain waited for clouds to move, and another added extra time when the aurora appeared late. That is good news if the lights are close, but you should not plan a tight dinner reservation afterward.

As the boat leaves Reykjavik, you get a different view of the city. The harbor and waterfront lights sit behind you, while the bay gives you more room to watch the sky. This is one of the cruise’s quiet pleasures even when the aurora does not appear. You are not simply standing in a dark field waiting. You are on the water, with city views at the start and mountains visible across the bay.

The boat may be shared with a partner company during some periods of the year. This is an environmental measure intended to reduce the number of boats operating at once. It can mean the exact vessel varies, so focus less on a particular boat name and more on the facilities and route promised.

Two hours of waiting, watching, and warming up

The Northern Lights are not a scheduled performance. The crew can choose a dark route and check conditions, but cloud cover and solar activity remain out of anyone’s hands. That makes the way you spend the waiting time important.

The heated indoor bar is the practical heart of the trip. You can buy food and drinks, use the toilet, and warm your hands before heading back outside. Snacks and refreshments are not included in the $101 price, so budget a little extra if you want something onboard.

Outside, the provided flotation overalls are a major help. They are designed to go over your clothing and are meant to keep you warm on the deck. Still, bring proper layers, a hat, gloves, and weatherproof shoes. The suits help, but they do not turn a cold night at sea into an indoor experience.

One useful tip is to choose a larger overall size if you need room for thick layers underneath. The suit should fit over your own clothes without squeezing them flat. Also use the toilet before putting it on. Getting out of a bulky suit in a small bathroom is not the evening’s most graceful moment.

When the aurora forecast looks promising, you will probably spend much of the trip moving between the cabin and the deck. I like this arrangement because you can wait in comfort instead of forcing yourself to stand outside for two hours. The drawback is that wet outdoor seats may feel cold, and moving around in the suit can be awkward.

What the guide adds beyond a sky search

The guide provides live commentary in English, covering the science behind the aurora as well as Icelandic beliefs and local stories. That turns a silent wait into a more useful experience, especially if this is your first Northern Lights outing.

Guide Lukas has been praised for keeping the mood light and for helping people make sense of what they are seeing. He has also helped with camera settings and taken photos for people who wanted to watch the sky rather than spend the whole night looking at a screen.

That assistance matters. Cameras often show colors and detail more strongly than your eyes do, especially when the aurora is faint. If you see only a pale gray or green glow overhead, a long-exposure photo may reveal more. The crew also takes pictures during some trips and makes them available online afterward, including images of people on the boat.

Do not expect a formal lecture from start to finish. The best part of the guide service is its timing: stories and explanations fill the quiet periods, then practical help becomes available when the lights begin to show. If you have a camera, ask early about settings so you are ready before the sky changes.

Seeing the aurora from Faxaflói Bay

A successful sighting can begin quietly. You may notice a pale band that looks like a thin cloud, then see it shift, brighten, or stretch across the sky. Strong displays can move quickly, but even a faint aurora can feel special when the surrounding sky is dark and the boat is away from the city.

The sea gives you a wide viewing area. There are no trees or buildings blocking the horizon, and you can look in several directions without changing location. That is the main reason to choose a boat over a simple walk outside Reykjavik.

The setting also creates a tradeoff. On land, you can move around more easily and return to your hotel at once. At sea, you are committed to the boat’s schedule, and the cold feels sharper. Motion can also bother some people, though complimentary seasickness tablets are available onboard.

If the lights appear late, the captain may stay out longer or adjust the return timing. That can produce a memorable final stretch, as the aurora comes into view while the boat heads back toward port. It can also make the evening run past the advertised two hours, so leave some flexibility in your plans.

What happens if the lights do not appear

This is the most important part of the booking. You are paying for a search, not a guaranteed show.

If there is no sighting, you can use your booking number to reschedule for another trip. The additional outing is free, and the rebooking process is intended to be straightforward. This makes the tour a better bet for visitors spending several nights in Reykjavik.

The policy has limits in practical terms. If your trip ends the next morning, or your schedule is packed with other tours, a second chance may not be useful. One person had to leave Iceland before using the return trip. Another tried twice without seeing the lights but still enjoyed the boat, stars, mountain views, and guide.

That is why I would book this earlier in your Iceland stay rather than on your final night. You give yourself room to try again, and the weather may change from one evening to the next. You should also check the cancellation terms when booking: cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

Is $101 good value?

At $101 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the Northern Lights. You are paying for the boat setting, crew commentary, warm overalls, heated cabins, onboard toilets, and the option to return without paying again after a blank night.

The value improves if you have never seen the aurora and want a guided outing rather than arranging your own search. The boat gives you a clear reason to leave the city, and the indoor cabin means a poor forecast does not leave you standing outside in the cold for the entire time.

The price feels less attractive if your only goal is the lowest-cost chance of seeing green in the sky. It also may not suit you if you have only one night available. The rebooking promise is a major benefit, but only when your schedule allows you to use it.

Food and drinks cost extra. Hotel transfers also cost extra because pickup and drop-off are not included. Add those details to your budget before comparing this cruise with a bus tour or a self-guided outing.

Practical details that affect your night

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours office on the corner. Arrive 30 minutes early so you can check in without rushing. Bring weather-appropriate clothing even though warm overalls are provided.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, and the live guide service is in English. Pets and smoking are not allowed. Free WiFi is available onboard, though you will want to keep your attention on the sky when conditions improve.

The boat has heated indoor areas and toilet facilities. Seasickness tablets are available at no charge. If you are prone to motion sickness, take advantage of that option and spend more time near the center of the boat when possible, though the supplied information does not specify a particular seating area.

A shared boat may be used with another supplier during certain times of year. That arrangement is meant to reduce boat traffic and limit environmental pressure on the bay. It may affect the vessel you board, but not the central features promised by the outing.

Who should book this cruise?

I would choose this cruise if you want the Northern Lights search to be part of your evening rather than a quick stop on a larger bus route. The city views, open bay, indoor cabin, and deck access give the night some shape even if the aurora refuses to cooperate.

It also suits photographers who want guide help with camera settings. Just remember that a camera may record a brighter image than your eyes see. Bring your own equipment if you have it, but do not spend the whole outing staring down at a screen.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the heated cabin and the ability to step outside only when the sky looks promising. Couples may like the boat setting and the chance to see Reykjavik from the water. People who dislike cold, movement, or uncertain schedules should think carefully before booking.

Final verdict: a sensible Northern Lights gamble

I would book this cruise for the second or third night of a Reykjavik stay, not as a last-minute final-night bet. The open water gives you a good viewing position, the overalls and heated cabin make the wait manageable, and the free return trip gives the $101 price some protection against bad luck.

Book it if you value the experience of searching, not only the moment of a guaranteed sighting. Skip it if you need certainty, have no room for a second attempt, or prefer to spend the evening on land. When the lights appear, the boat can provide a memorable view. When they do not, the crew, city views, stars, and rebooking option help soften the disappointment.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise start?

The cruise starts at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office at the corner.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive about 30 minutes before departure for check-in.

How long does the cruise last?

The planned cruise lasts about two hours. Some trips may run longer if the crew waits for better conditions or if the lights appear late.

Where does the boat go?

The boat sails into Faxaflói Bay, away from Reykjavik’s brightest city lights.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You can use your booking number to reschedule for another trip at no extra charge if there is no sighting.

Are warm clothes provided?

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

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks can be bought onboard, but they are not included in the tour price.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the meeting point at Geirsgata 11.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.