Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

The best part of this northern lights boat cruise is the chance to leave Reykjavík’s city glow behind and watch the sky from Faxaflói Bay. The boat also gives you a fine evening view back toward the colorful waterfront, and some departures pass small islands where you may spot dolphins, porpoises, or whales.

I like the indoor lounge and onboard café, since you can warm up with a hot drink without ending the hunt. I also like the free return offer if the lights fail to appear. The drawback is simple: the boat sails in cold, changeable weather, and a comfortable vessel cannot force the aurora to show.

Key points at a glance

• Two hours on Faxaflói Bay: Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour along the coast and among small islands.
• Outdoor viewing deck: You get a wide view of the sky, city, bay, and distant coast.
• Warm indoor refuge: The boat has indoor seating, a café, restrooms, and Wi-Fi.
• Aurora sightings are never certain: Some evenings bring vivid green and red displays; others bring only faint light or nothing visible.
• Free return if needed: If you do not see the northern lights, you can take the cruise again, subject to the provider’s terms and available time.
• Small maximum group: The boat accepts up to 75 people, which is more manageable than a very large excursion.

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour after dark

Your evening begins at Old Harbour House, at Ægisgarður 2. The red building is also a restaurant, so it can be easy to mistake the check-in point for a dining stop. Collect your cruise ticket or check-in confirmation before eating if you want to use the reported 15 percent restaurant discount.

That small detail matters. Some people ate first and only learned about the discount afterward. If you plan dinner at the harbour, check in before you sit down.

The boat returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a late-night transfer across Reykjavík. The harbour location is also near public transportation, making this a practical choice if you are staying in the city centre.

The cruise lasts about two hours. The exact feel of the evening depends on the sky. On a strong night, two hours can pass quickly as you move between the deck and the warm interior. On a cloudy night, the same two hours may feel long, especially if you came only for the aurora.

What you see across Faxaflói Bay

The route takes you among the small islands in Faxaflói Bay and along Reykjavík’s coast. This gives you two different views: an open angle toward the sky and a backward look at the city lights.

Faxaflói is a broad bay on Iceland’s southwest coast. From Reykjavík, you can sometimes see the Akranes peninsula to the northeast. On a clear day, the distant Snæfellsjökull glacier can also be visible, about 120 kilometres away, though an evening aurora cruise is not the best setting for counting on that view.

The islands close to Reykjavík add interest to the trip. They break up the water and give the captain a route beyond the immediate harbour. You are not simply sitting at the dock waiting for the sky to change.

The route also has a wildlife angle. Minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises are common possibilities in the bay, while orcas are a less likely sight. This is not presented as a dedicated whale-watching trip, and darkness limits what you can see, but the wildlife possibility adds value to the boat ride.

I would treat any animal sighting as an extra, not the reason to book. The northern lights remain the main event.

The boat gives you two ways to watch

The outdoor observation deck is where you get the clearest view of the sky. It is also where the cold hits hardest. Several people found the upper deck freezing, even when the aurora appeared. Bring more clothing than you think you need: multiple warm layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy footwear are sensible.

You can step inside to warm up, buy a hot drink, and keep watching updates from the crew. The indoor seating is not just a backup for bad weather. It gives you a needed break during a long wait, particularly on a quiet night when the sky shows little.

The boat has an onboard café, restrooms, and Wi-Fi. Drink prices were described as reasonable, and hot chocolate received special praise. The café also gives you something to do during the slower parts of the ride.

The smooth ride and choice of indoor and outdoor seats are among the cruise’s strongest practical features. You can start outside, warm up inside, then return to the deck when the guide points out a new patch of sky.

How the northern lights viewing really works

The aurora is unpredictable. Clear skies help, but clear skies alone do not guarantee a show. You may see strong green and red curtains that last much of the trip, or only a pale streak that is easier to capture with a phone than with your eyes.

That difference is important. Cameras can record faint color and light that your eyes barely detect. One disappointing evening produced little visible color, with the best image coming through a phone. If you need a dramatic display, you must accept the risk that nature will offer only a weak one.

The boat can improve your position by taking you away from some of Reykjavík’s light pollution. It can also move beyond a cloud bank, which helped one group see the aurora when people on a bus excursion did not. That is a real advantage, but it is not a guarantee. Clouds can cover the bay, the lights may be weak, or the activity may simply be absent.

Crew members keep watch and point out where to look. Maria has been praised for staying outside and explaining where the lights were appearing. Captains and guides also give updates during the ride. Lucky has helped guests track the sky, while Isabella has worked behind the bar and added to the warm indoor atmosphere.

Staff enthusiasm helps, especially when the aurora is faint. Still, you should judge the sky with your own eyes. If the lights are barely visible, a guide’s excitement cannot turn them into a bright display.

Why the free return matters

The offer of another cruise at no charge if you do not see the lights is one of the most useful parts of the experience. It changes the risk calculation. You are not paying $78 for one single chance and then losing the opportunity if clouds roll in.

This works best if you schedule the cruise early in your Reykjavík stay. If you go on your final night, a free repeat may be impossible. Several people could not use the second opportunity because they were leaving Iceland the next day.

Give yourself more than one night if the aurora is a major goal. The operator may also reschedule a departure because of poor weather. A date change or refund is offered when the cruise is cancelled for that reason.

Check the precise return conditions when you book. The free-repeat policy is valuable, but you need enough time in Reykjavík to use it.

Is $78 a fair price?

At $78 per person, this is not the cheapest way to wait for the northern lights. You can walk to a dark edge of Reykjavík or try to watch from shore at no cost. A bus excursion may also offer a lower or similar price, depending on the date and provider.

The boat earns its price through the setting and facilities. You get a two-hour trip on the bay, a chance to move away from city light, indoor seating, hot drinks, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and staff who actively monitor the sky. You also get a waterfront view of Reykjavík that a road trip cannot provide.

The free return offer improves the value considerably. If you do not see the aurora and can return, the $78 buys two chances rather than one. If you leave the following morning, that protection has little practical value.

I would pay the price if you like being on the water, want an evening activity close to central Reykjavík, and have at least one spare night. I would hesitate if your only goal is maximum darkness and you dislike cold boat decks. In that case, compare the cost with a land-based option before booking.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

This trip suits you if you want more than a transfer to a viewing field. The boat ride itself becomes part of the evening, with city views, sea air, possible wildlife, and a café break.

It also works well for couples, families, and small groups who prefer the freedom to move between outdoor and indoor areas. The maximum of 75 people is not tiny, but it is less crowded than many large sightseeing departures.

You should consider another plan if you are highly sensitive to cold, have only one evening in Reykjavík, or would be upset by a faint aurora. No northern lights outing can promise strong color.

Most people can take part, service animals are allowed, and the departure point is near public transportation. The activity is offered in English.

Practical advice for the evening

Arrive with enough time to find Old Harbour House and complete check-in. If you want the restaurant discount, handle the ticket machine or check-in step before paying for your meal.

Dress for standing outside on cold water. The boat may be comfortable indoors, but you will want to return to the deck when the crew spots activity. A warm coat alone may not be enough.

Keep your phone or camera ready, but do not watch the entire sky through a screen. If the aurora is faint, a phone may record more color than your eyes can see. If it becomes strong, you will want to look up rather than spend the whole display adjusting settings.

Plan the cruise for early in your stay when possible. That leaves room for a second attempt and protects you from losing the free return because of a tight departure schedule.

If you are eating at the harbour restaurant, check the discount before ordering. The food has been well received, and the location makes dinner before or after the cruise convenient.

Should you book the Northern Lights Boat Cruise?

I would book this cruise if you want the aurora hunt to feel like a proper evening on the water. The boat is clean and comfortable, the crew keeps you informed, and the indoor café makes the cold easier to handle. The city and bay views give you something worthwhile even when the sky refuses to cooperate.

Book early in your Iceland stay, not on the last night. That is the key decision. With time for a free repeat, $78 is reasonable. Without that spare time, you are paying for a beautiful boat ride with no reliable promise of northern lights.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Boat Cruise depart?

It departs from Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the Old Harbour meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $78 per person.

What language is the cruise offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

What facilities are available on the boat?

The boat has an observation deck, indoor seating, an onboard café, restrooms, and Wi-Fi.

Can I see wildlife during the cruise?

You may see minke or humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Orcas are also possible, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You can take the cruise again at no charge, subject to the provider’s return terms and your available time in Reykjavík.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or insufficient bookings causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.