From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

Reykjavik’s Northern Lights cruise gives you a different way to chase the aurora: from the water, with the city shrinking behind you and the mountains forming a dark outline ahead. When the lights appear, their reflection can shimmer across the sea, adding something a coach tour cannot offer. The moving viewpoint and open-air decks are the big attractions.

I like the warm indoor seating and the chance to step outside when the sky changes. I also like the patient guides, who point out faint aurora activity and help with camera settings. The catch is simple: nature decides the schedule. You can spend two hours at sea and see no lights at all, although the operator may let you return for free.

Key points

• Two-hour ocean search: Leave Reykjavik’s Old Harbour and sail toward darker water away from some city glare.
• Two viewing levels: Move between indoor lounges and outdoor decks as the weather and aurora change.
• Guides who help you look: The English-speaking crew direct you toward faint activity and offer photography advice.
• Blankets and a bar: You can warm up inside, use a provided blanket, and buy drinks on board.
• Free retry if needed: If the Northern Lights do not appear, you may be able to reschedule with the operator.
• Optional hotel pickup: You can make your own way to the harbour or arrange pickup from a Reykjavik-area hotel.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour after dark

Your evening begins at the Old Harbour House at Aegisgardur 2. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before departure, then scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk. This check-in setup is quick, but you do not want to arrive at the last minute and start the night feeling rushed.

Hotel pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavik area. If you are staying near the centre, walking or taking your own transport to the harbour may be simpler. The exact starting time varies, so check availability for your date before building the rest of your evening around it.

Once aboard, you can settle into a seat inside or make your way to one of the observation decks. The vessel has been praised for its clean, comfortable design, warm seating areas, lamps, cushions, and easy movement between levels. It is not just a bare sightseeing boat. You have somewhere to retreat when the Icelandic wind gets sharp.

The boat used on some departures is the Amelia Rose, described as a comfortable vessel with covered seating and outdoor viewing space. The exact boat can depend on the departure, so treat the ship name as a useful detail rather than a guarantee.

The first half hour: city lights fading behind you

The cruise starts with a quiet change of scenery. Reykjavik’s lights remain visible at first, then grow softer as the boat heads toward open water. You still have the city and mountains as reference points, but the sky becomes the main attraction.

This is one of the cruise’s best features. You are not simply standing in a dark field waiting for a forecast to come true. The sound of the sea, the movement of the boat, and the receding city give the search a sense of occasion.

The boat does not escape every trace of light pollution. One passenger found that the cruise remained far from a truly dark sky, and that is a fair point. A boat trip from the capital cannot match the darkness of a remote countryside location. Its advantage is comfort, easy access, and the drama of seeing Reykjavik from the water.

Your guide gives information in English and helps you understand where to look. Some guides have been praised for speaking often enough to be useful without talking constantly. That balance matters. You want clear direction when a pale band appears, but you also want time to listen to the sea and watch the sky in silence.

Finding a place on the two observation decks

The vessel gives you several ways to watch. You can stay inside near a window, sit in a covered area, or go outside to the deck for the clearest view overhead. The best place changes during the evening.

Inside, you can warm up, buy a drink, and wait for a guide to announce activity. Outside, you get the strongest connection with the night sky, but also the coldest conditions. Even with blankets, you should bring proper warm clothing, sturdy comfortable shoes, and enough layers for standing still in wind.

A useful routine is to begin inside while the boat reaches its viewing area. Then go outside in short periods, returning indoors when your fingers or face need a break. You do not lose the whole experience by warming up. In fact, staying comfortable gives you a better chance of lasting through the full two hours.

When the aurora becomes visible, most people naturally head outdoors. Indoor seating may feel limited if everyone moves to the same deck at once. One account described plenty of standing, despite the boat having seating across two indoor levels. If you want a seat inside, claim one early, but expect to give it up for a clear outdoor view when the sky comes alive.

Waiting for the aurora over the sea

Northern Lights hunting is not a show with a fixed start time. You may see a faint green smudge within 20 minutes, or you may wait until near the end of the cruise. On one especially lucky evening, the lights appeared early and continued for about an hour. On another, stronger activity emerged while the boat was already heading back, and the crew paused so everyone could look one last time.

That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but it is also the main risk. A clear sky does not guarantee an aurora. Cloud cover, solar activity, timing, and your position all matter. Sometimes the lights are visible to the camera more clearly than to your eyes. That can be surprising if you expect a bright green curtain every time.

The guides help by watching the sky and directing you toward activity. They may also explain why the lights appear and help you adjust your phone. If you are using a phone camera, keep in mind that photographs can show color and detail your eyes barely catch. Take your own look first, then work on the picture.

One guide, Nazifa, was specifically praised for walking around the boat to help people with photographs and camera settings. Guides such as Steingreimur and Holmar have also been singled out for being friendly and well informed. Christina was remembered for adding humor, facts, and recommendations while keeping the group engaged. Staff can change, but the guiding role is important here. You are not left to guess which faint patch is the aurora.

What happens if the lights never appear

The operator does not guarantee a sighting. That warning should shape your decision before you book. You are paying for a well-organized search by boat, not for a natural event that can be switched on at a certain hour.

If the Northern Lights are not visible, the operator may offer a free reschedule. Some passengers have returned the next night and had a strong display. Others have been allowed to rebook more than once, and one account noted the possibility of returning for up to three years. The precise arrangement can depend on the operator’s current terms, so ask at the time of booking and keep your confirmation.

This policy is useful only if your schedule allows a second attempt. If you have one evening in Reykjavik before flying home, a free return may not help. For that reason, I would book this cruise early in your stay rather than on your final night. You preserve the chance to try again if clouds or weak activity spoil the first outing.

Weather cancellations are also possible. In past cases, the company notified people in advance and offered a new date. That is a good reason to keep some flexibility in your Iceland schedule, especially during a short visit.

Even without the aurora, the cruise can still give you a pleasant evening at sea. You may see Reykjavik and the mountains from a fresh angle, and unusual natural events have occasionally added interest, including a distant volcanic glow and brief whale sightings. Those are not promised, so consider them lucky extras rather than part of the product.

Warmth, drinks, Wi-Fi, and practical comfort

The boat provides blankets, free Wi-Fi, and a double observation deck. Drinks are not included, but you can buy them at the onboard bar. A warm drink can make the waiting time much easier, though you should still dress as if you will spend part of the evening outside.

The indoor areas are a major advantage over a simple open-air boat. You can listen to the guide, watch the sea through the windows, and thaw out between aurora checks. Some departures have music in the bar area, while others offer a quieter mood. The overall setting is more relaxed than a crowded coach, since you can walk around and change your view.

The sea is usually part of the pleasure, but it can also affect comfort. The supplied information does not promise calm water, so anyone sensitive to motion should keep that in mind. The cruise lasts two hours, which is long enough to allow the boat to reach darker water but short enough that the wait does not become an all-night commitment.

Bring shoes with a good grip and warm layers. Gloves, a hat, and a wind-resistant outer layer are sensible choices even though only comfortable shoes and warm clothing are formally listed. The top deck can be freezing, especially when you are standing still for photographs.

Is $88 a fair price for two hours?

At $88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for the boat, crew, guiding, indoor spaces, outdoor decks, and the special setting of the ocean. You are not paying for guaranteed lights.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. I think the price makes more sense if you dislike sitting on a bus, want room to move, or like the idea of seeing Reykjavik from the water. The boat lets you step outside for a clear view, then return to warmth. That flexibility is worth something in Icelandic winter.

A countryside coach tour may reach darker areas, and longer excursions can give you more time away from the capital. On the other hand, those tours can involve several hours on the road. This cruise keeps the outing to two hours and avoids a long drive, which suits families, short stays, and anyone with dinner or other plans afterward.

The free rebooking option can improve the value if you have enough nights in Reykjavik to use it. If you cannot return, the price feels harder to justify on a cloudy or inactive evening. Book it early, then use the retry policy as a safety net rather than treating the first departure as your only chance.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this tour if you want a comfortable, simple aurora hunt without committing half a day to a coach excursion. It also suits photographers who want to move between open sky and warm indoor space, though serious night photography will still depend on conditions and your equipment.

It works well for couples and families because nobody has to remain outside for the entire search. You can watch the city disappear, listen to the sea, and make the night enjoyable even before the lights appear.

It is less suitable if your only goal is the darkest possible sky. A remote land-based trip may give you less city glow. It is also a weaker choice if you have no spare evening for a second attempt and would be disappointed by an ordinary boat ride.

The guides add real value for first-time aurora hunters. You do not need to know how to read forecasts or identify faint activity on your own. The crew can direct your attention and explain what you are seeing, which is especially helpful when the aurora is weak.

My verdict: book early, and treat the lights as a bonus

I recommend the cruise for a comfortable and atmospheric Northern Lights search, not as a guaranteed spectacle. The boat, indoor lounges, blankets, two viewing levels, and helpful English-speaking guides make the waiting easier than it might be on an exposed shore.

Book near the beginning of your Reykjavik stay so a free return remains useful. Arrive 30 minutes early, dress for a cold deck, and keep your phone ready for low-light photography. If you see a strong green display reflected on the water, the $88 will feel well spent. If the sky stays dark, the experience still offers a calm night on the sea, but you should know that possibility before you pay.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours. Check the available departure times for your chosen date before booking.

Where do I check in?

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

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavik area. You can also make your own way to the Old Harbour.

Is a Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The Northern Lights are a natural event, and a sighting is not guaranteed.

Can I reschedule if I do not see the lights?

The operator may offer a free reschedule if the Northern Lights are not visible. Ask about the current return terms, since you need enough time in Iceland to use the option.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live guiding is in English.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to buy on the boat.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and warm clothing. You should also prepare for very cold conditions on the outdoor deck, and blankets are provided for extra comfort.