Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

The best part of this tour is the change of setting. You leave Reykjavik’s harbor, sail among the small islands of Faxafloi Bay, and watch the city glow fade behind you. I like the three viewing decks and the fact that you can retreat to a warm lounge without ending the experience. The bar, blankets, and sea sickness tablets are useful touches, too.

I also like the short two-hour format. It gives you a focused evening rather than tying up half a night. The catch is simple: the aurora is never guaranteed, and the open decks can be brutally cold. You may also find the boat moves too much for sharp long-exposure photos.

Key points at a glance

• Three panoramic decks: Move between open-air levels to find the best view and avoid being stuck behind a crowd.
• A comfortable indoor escape: The bar and lounge offer seating, warm drinks, alcoholic drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi, and blankets.
• A short harbor departure: The yacht sails along Reykjavik’s coast and into darker water, usually spending much of the trip waiting for a clear show.
• Helpful guides: Guides such as Maria, Brianta, Julian, Lucky, and others have helped explain the aurora and adjust phone camera settings.
• Free rebooking may be available: If the lights do not appear, the operator may let you return, sometimes for up to three years.
• Good value at $93: The price makes most sense if you want the boat setting, indoor comfort, and a guided search rather than simply walking outside in Reykjavik.

Leaving Old Harbor for the dark water

Check in 30 minutes before departure at Old Harbour House on Aegisgardur 2. The process is straightforward: scan the bar or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk, then board the yacht nearby.

If you select hotel pickup, transport is available from hotels in the Reykjavik area. Pickup is not included in the basic price, so check the exact option when booking. If you are staying close to the harbor, walking there may be simpler than waiting for a vehicle.

The harbor start gives the evening a pleasant rhythm. You are not rushed straight onto a dark deck. You have time to check in, find a seat, and get your bearings before the yacht leaves. Some departures have also included a discount at Old Harbour House, but treat that as an extra rather than part of the cruise itself.

Once aboard, you can choose between indoor seating and several outdoor levels. The lower areas are calmer and better for warming up. The upper deck gives you the widest view, though it is also the coldest and may become crowded when the sky begins to glow.

A two-hour search across Faxafloi Bay

The yacht sails among the small islands in Faxafloi Bay and along the Reykjavik coast before moving away from the city lights. The exact route and timing depend on weather, clouds, sea conditions, and aurora activity.

Many people see faint shapes first. To your eyes, the lights may look gray or pale at the beginning, while a phone camera picks up green more clearly. If the aurora strengthens, green, pink, and white tones can become visible across the sky.

The boat may pause in darker water while the guide and crew watch for an opening in the clouds. This waiting is part of the experience, but it can test your patience. On some nights, the lights appear within minutes of leaving the harbor. On others, the first sighting comes during the final part of the return trip.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the cruise. It is the nature of the aurora. A clear forecast and a strong activity reading improve your odds, but no operator can promise a display. Clouds can close in quickly, and even a strong aurora may remain low on the horizon.

The crew has sometimes continued searching after a weak first sighting. That matters. A short glimpse may turn into a much better show later, as several departures have found after initially seeing little or nothing.

Three decks, three ways to watch

The yacht’s main selling point is space to view the sky from more than one level. You can step outside when the guide calls out a new wave, then return inside without losing the whole evening.

The upper observation deck gives you the broadest view and the least obstruction. It is also the spot most exposed to wind, spray, and freezing air. Wear gloves that allow you to handle your phone, and keep spare layers easy to reach.

Covered decks offer a practical middle ground. You can look upward while gaining some shelter from the wind. These areas may fill up quickly if the weather turns rough or the aurora becomes active, so arriving early and choosing a good indoor-outdoor position can help.

The lower deck may be less useful for sky watching because visibility is more limited. One small lighting issue has been noted: the dark lower areas can be hard to navigate, though keeping the boat dim helps protect your night vision and avoids unwanted light in photographs.

Do not assume you must stand outside for the entire cruise. I would choose a comfortable indoor seat near an exit, then step out when the guide announces activity. This approach works especially well for children, older family members, and anyone who finds cold wind difficult.

Warm drinks, blankets, and the bar

The indoor bar and lounge make this more than a simple open-boat outing. Drinks are available to buy, including hot chocolate, coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic options. Hot chocolate with Baileys or amaretto has become a popular cold-weather choice, while beer is also available.

Food is limited to snacks such as chips and candy bars, so eat before boarding if you need a proper meal. The bar is best viewed as a place to warm up and enjoy a drink, not as a full restaurant.

Warm blankets are provided, and sea sickness tablets are available at the bar. Wi-Fi is also included. These details may sound minor, but they matter when you are spending time on cold water and waiting for a natural event that may take an hour to appear.

The yacht has toilets and indoor seating. On a smooth night, the ride can be comfortable and easy. On a choppy night, you may want to use the tablets before feeling ill rather than waiting for symptoms. The operator also advises comfortable shoes, which is sensible on wet or moving decks.

Guides who make the waiting worthwhile

The English-speaking guide does more than point at the sky. Guides including Maria, Brianta, Julian, Lucky, and others have explained how the aurora forms, what to watch for, and how to photograph it.

A useful guide can change the whole evening. A faint patch that looks like cloud to an untrained eye may actually be the aurora. The guide can also tell you when a new wave is forming, which saves you from standing outside in the cold while nothing is happening.

Photography help is another strong point. Guides have shown people how to adjust phone settings and have taken photos for couples and families. If you want a picture of yourself beneath the lights, ask early and keep your phone ready.

Sound can be uneven on a large boat. One issue noted during a departure was that the guide was difficult to hear from certain positions. Try to stay near the guide when the explanation begins, or ask a crew member to repeat key information.

Photographing the aurora from a moving yacht

A yacht gives you dark water and a wide horizon, but it is not a stable tripod platform. The motion can make long-exposure photographs blurry, especially when your phone timer takes several seconds.

For better results, brace your phone against a solid surface when possible. Use the night mode your phone provides, avoid touching the screen during the exposure, and take several images rather than trusting one shot. A camera with a tripod may produce better results, but it will not remove the movement of the boat.

Your eyes may not see the same colors that your camera records. A faint green arc can appear much stronger in a photograph. That does not mean the experience is fake or disappointing. It simply reflects how phone sensors gather light over time.

Keep one goal in mind: enjoy the sky first and treat the photo as a bonus. If you spend the whole cruise trying to hold a phone perfectly still, you can miss the display itself.

Cold weather is the real challenge

The deck can feel far colder than Reykjavik’s streets because of wind and open water. One particularly cold evening reached minus 10 degrees Celsius, and even people who saw a superb display were eager to return inside afterward.

Wear several layers, a warm coat, gloves, a hat, and sturdy winter footwear. Comfortable shoes are part of the official advice, but warmth matters more than fashion. You should be able to stand on deck for several minutes without losing feeling in your hands.

The provided blankets help, but they are not a substitute for proper clothing. If you are traveling with children, plan short outdoor viewing periods and use the lounge between sightings.

The sea conditions also affect the mood. Calm water makes it easier to stand, watch, and photograph. Choppy water can make the boat move enough to blur images and unsettle your stomach. Sea sickness tablets are available, but anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare before departure.

What the $93 price really buys you

At $93 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the northern lights. You can sometimes see the aurora from Reykjavik’s waterfront or a dark park without paying for a boat.

The price becomes easier to justify if you value the full evening setting. You get a two-hour cruise, access to three viewing decks, an indoor lounge, Wi-Fi, blankets, a live English-speaking guide, and the chance to get away from the city glow. Hotel pickup costs extra if you choose it.

I see this as a good middle option. It is more atmospheric than standing on land, but shorter and usually less expensive than a long northern lights bus trip. It also suits people who do not want to spend four or more hours on the road.

The main value comes from comfort and flexibility, not a guaranteed sighting. If the lights fail to appear, the operator may offer free rebooking. The exact arrangement can vary, but some people have been allowed to return within three years. That policy is especially useful if you have several nights in Iceland.

If you have only one night in Reykjavik, rebooking does not solve the risk. In that case, choose the cruise because you like the yacht experience as much as the aurora search. The boat, guide, lounge, and harbor setting should still make the evening worthwhile if clouds win.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a relaxed introduction to the northern lights. The two-hour length is manageable for children and for anyone fitting the cruise between dinner and an early morning departure.

It also works well if you want to avoid a long coach ride. You stay close to Reykjavik while still reaching darker water. The indoor seating makes it less demanding than an entirely outdoor aurora hunt.

Photography-focused visitors should understand the tradeoff. You get a wide, unobstructed sky and helpful camera advice, but the moving deck makes sharp long exposures harder. For serious night photography, stable land may be better.

This is less suitable if you dislike cold, motion, or waiting. The bar and lounge soften those problems, but they do not remove them. You still need to step outside to see the sky clearly, and the best display may happen after a long quiet stretch.

Booking details worth keeping in mind

The tour lasts two hours, but check the available departure time for your date. Check in 30 minutes before sailing at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik.

English is the tour language. Hotel pickup is optional from the Reykjavik area. Drinks and souvenirs cost extra, while blankets, Wi-Fi, and sea sickness tablets are included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plans are still changing.

The tour provider is Sea trips Reykjavík. The current rating is 4.4 from 1,253 ratings, which suggests a strong overall experience with the usual uncertainty attached to a natural event.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights Yacht Tour?

Book it if you want the aurora search to feel like an evening outing rather than a cold wait on land. The yacht is comfortable, the three decks give you options, and the guides can help you spot and photograph faint activity. The two-hour schedule is a practical fit for most Reykjavik trips.

I would be cautious if seeing the aurora is your only goal and you have no spare night. The display may be faint, brief, or hidden by cloud. But if you can accept that risk, the boat, bar, warm lounge, and possible free rebooking make this a well-rounded choice at $93.

FAQ

Where does the northern lights yacht tour depart from?

Check in at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure and scan the bar or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts two hours. Check the available starting times for your chosen date.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is available as an optional extra from hotels in the Reykjavik area. It is not part of every booking.

Is the northern lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural event, so sightings are not guaranteed. If the lights do not appear, you may be able to reschedule for free with the activity provider.

What happens if I do not see the lights?

The operator may allow you to return on another departure. Some bookings have included the option to rebook for up to three years, but confirm the exact terms for your reservation.

Are drinks included in the tour price?

No. Drinks are available to buy at the onboard bar. Options include hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and some snacks.

What should I wear?

Wear warm clothing, comfortable shoes, and several layers. The open decks can be very cold and windy. Bring gloves, a warm coat, and a camera if you want to take photographs.

Is there somewhere warm to sit during the cruise?

Yes. The yacht has an indoor bar and lounge area with seating. Warm blankets are provided, and sea sickness tablets are available onboard.