Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik

Seeing the northern lights from Faxaflói Bay gives you a different view of Iceland’s famous sky show. The boat gets you away from many city lights, and the open water can make the aurora feel wonderfully wide and exposed. I like the free return sailing and the fact that bad weather does not simply end your evening.

I also like the Whales of Iceland backup plan, which turns a canceled sailing into a useful indoor activity. Warm overalls, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and a snack bar make the boat more comfortable, though food costs extra. The main drawback is space: a boat carrying up to 198 people can feel crowded, and rough water may make viewing less easy than you expect.

Key points before you book

• The boat sails into Faxaflói Bay: You get an open-water setting for the aurora, but conditions can make the ride bumpy.
• A canceled sailing comes with two forms of backup: You can visit Whales of Iceland and receive a free ticket for the next available boat date.
• The indoor alternative is more than museum entry: It includes a Northern Lights drink, a short film, a guided visit, and a brief photography workshop.
• Guides help you react quickly: Anika and Patrick are among the guides praised for clear explanations, humor, and help with finding and photographing the lights.
• Photos are taken on every boat trip: You can download them later at no extra charge.
• The price is $83.88: That is fair if you value the retry policy and backup activity, but less attractive if you want a small, quiet boat.

Sailing from Geirsgata into Faxaflói Bay

You meet at Special Tours on Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik. The trip takes roughly two to three hours, with about two hours listed for the boat activity itself, and you return to the same meeting point.

The aim is simple: sail away from Reykjavik, look for breaks in the cloud, and wait for the aurora borealis to appear. A boat gives you a broad view in several directions. You are not tied to one patch of land, and the crew can guide your attention as the sky changes.

That freedom comes with a tradeoff. The water may be rough, and one account describes the boat as bumpy. Another points out that the best viewing spot was not always easy to reach. You can move between the outside decks and the heated indoor area, but the boat may feel tight when many people gather outside at once.

The timing can work in your favor. The lights have appeared as people were boarding, giving the crew a reason to send everyone to the upper deck right away. Keep your coat ready and pay attention during boarding. If the aurora begins early, you will want to get into position quickly instead of spending the first few minutes looking for gloves or a camera.

What the boat provides during a cold night

I like that the tour does not ask you to stand outside for two hours with no shelter. The crew provides warm overalls, and the boat has indoor seating, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a snack bar.

The overalls are useful even if you already have winter clothing. A boat ride adds wind, and the cold feels sharper when you remain outside waiting for a faint glow to strengthen. You can use the indoor area to warm up, then return to the deck when the sky becomes active.

Food and drinks are not included. You can buy them at the snack bar, so bring a payment method and do not assume the ticket covers refreshments. The backup visit includes a Northern Lights drink, but that is part of the museum alternative rather than the regular boat package.

The comfort level depends heavily on how full the boat is. The maximum capacity is 198 people, and a busy departure can leave limited indoor seating and a tight outdoor deck. If you prize quiet viewing and plenty of room for a tripod, this may not be your ideal northern lights outing.

Watching the aurora with help from the crew

The crew plays an important part because the aurora is not always obvious at first. Guides point out where to look, explain what you are seeing, and offer advice for photographing it. Anika has been praised for being informative and gracious, while Patrick is known for mixing useful explanations with humor.

That combination matters on a night when the lights remain faint. A guide can help you distinguish a pale green band from ordinary cloud and tell you when the display is becoming stronger. The crew may also direct people to the upper deck when the sky suddenly improves.

You should still bring realistic expectations. This is a search for a natural event, not a stage show. Even with clear skies, the aurora can be weak or fail to appear. A sailing can be pleasant and well run without producing the dramatic curtains shown in promotional photographs.

The tour’s photographs add value here. Pictures are taken on every boat trip and made available for free download afterward. That gives you a chance to enjoy the sky without keeping your eye glued to a phone. It also helps if your own camera settings are not quite right.

The Whales of Iceland backup plan

The strongest practical feature is the alternative plan when weather makes sailing unsuitable. You are automatically signed up for an indoor activity at Whales of Iceland, rather than being left to fill an evening on your own.

The backup includes entry to the exhibition, a Northern Lights drink, a short film, and a guided tour. It also includes a short Northern Lights photography workshop. That is a smart use of time, especially if cloud, wind, or sea conditions make a boat trip unwise.

A canceled boat ride can be frustrating, but the museum gives you something specific to do in Reykjavik. One evening included hotel pickup and return transportation for the person who arranged it, along with drinks at the museum. Keep in mind that hotel transfers are optional and cost extra, so you should not assume they come with the standard fare.

The backup does not replace the boat experience. You will not have the open-water view or the chance to see the aurora directly from the deck. Its value is that the evening still has structure, and you gain a second chance to sail.

The free retry policy and what it really means

If conditions are not suitable for sailing, you receive a free ticket for the next available boat date. That is particularly useful if you are staying in Reykjavik for several nights.

Do not read this as a guarantee that you will see the northern lights. It is a guarantee of another chance to take the boat when poor conditions prevent the sailing. If the boat operates but the aurora remains hidden, the retry rules may not apply in the same way. The sky remains outside the company’s control.

Plan this tour early in your Iceland stay if possible. The tour is booked, on average, 54 days ahead, which suggests that popular dates can fill well before arrival. Booking early also leaves room to use the free return ticket later in your visit if weather disrupts the first attempt.

The retry is only useful if you have another suitable evening. If you are leaving Reykjavik the next morning, the indoor activity may be the practical benefit, but you may not have time to sail again.

Is $83.88 a fair price?

At $83.88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora, but the price covers more than transportation across the bay. You receive the boat trip, warm overalls, Wi-Fi, restrooms, crew assistance, free photographs, and a no-cost return ticket if the sailing is canceled for conditions.

The backup activity improves the value. Museum entry, a guided visit, a short film, a Northern Lights drink, and a photography workshop would otherwise take time and money to arrange separately. You also avoid losing an entire evening to a weather cancellation.

The price is less compelling if your only goal is a private or quiet view. With up to 198 people aboard, the experience can feel crowded. A full boat may limit your choice of seating and make the deck uncomfortable when everyone moves outside at once.

I would judge the fare by your priorities. For a first-time visitor who wants an organized evening and a safety net, it is reasonable. For someone focused on photography, personal space, or a small group, the capacity could be a serious concern.

Hotel transfers, meeting point, and timing

The standard meeting point is Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik. The activity ends back there. The location is near public transportation, which makes it workable if you are staying in or near central Reykjavik.

Hotel transfers are not included, but you can add them for an extra charge through the supplier. They can be ordered during reservation or arranged by contacting the ticket office at least two hours before departure.

Allow yourself enough time to reach the meeting point without rushing. Check-in has been described as straightforward, and the boat has operated with prompt departures and returns. Since the aurora can appear at any moment, arriving on time matters more than usual.

The activity is offered in English. Most people can take part, but remember that this is a moving boat with outdoor viewing and possible rough water. Anyone who is sensitive to motion should consider that before booking.

How to make the most of the experience

Wear warm layers even when the company supplies overalls. The overalls help, but you will still want comfortable base layers, warm socks, gloves, and a hat for time on deck.

Keep your phone or camera ready as you board. The lights may already be visible, and the crew may direct you upstairs immediately. The included photography workshop on the backup visit can help you understand night-sky settings, but the boat trip itself moves quickly when the aurora becomes active.

Use the indoor area as a warm-up station, not as your entire viewing plan. You may miss a sudden display if you remain below deck. At the same time, do not force yourself to stay outside for the whole sailing. A short break indoors can make the rest of the night much more pleasant.

Download the official photos after the trip. They may provide a better record than quick handheld pictures, especially if the boat is moving or the lights are faint. Your own camera can still capture personal moments, but the crew’s images give you another option.

If the boat is canceled, take the museum visit seriously. The Whales of Iceland activity is not just a waiting room. The short film, guided tour, drink, and photography session give the evening real content while you wait for another sailing date.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you want an easy, organized northern lights outing from Reykjavik and value a clear plan when weather causes trouble. Families, first-time visitors, and people without a rental car can all benefit from the central meeting point and optional transfer service.

It also suits you if you want several chances during a longer stay. The free return ticket gives you a practical reason to book early in your trip, while the museum alternative keeps a canceled night from going to waste.

You may want another option if you dislike boats, get motion sick, or need a peaceful photography setting. Rough water and a crowded deck can undercut the magic. A land-based outing may suit you better if your main concern is stable footing and room to set up equipment.

The staff’s warmth is a real strength. Anika, Patrick, Lilja, and Andrea have been singled out for friendly, informative service, and the best outings clearly benefit from that energy. Still, even the most capable crew cannot control cloud cover, wind, or the strength of the aurora.

Booking, cancellation, and weather rules

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

The tour requires suitable weather and a minimum number of people. If the company cancels because of poor weather or too few bookings, you are offered another date, a different experience, or a full refund. Confirmation is provided when you book.

That policy is helpful, but read the weather distinction carefully. If the boat cannot sail, you have the Whales of Iceland alternative and a free boat ticket for the next available date. If the tour goes ahead but the aurora stays hidden, there is no promise of a refund simply because the sky did not perform.

Should you book Northern Lights by Boat?

Book this tour if you want more than a one-shot gamble. The open-water setting, warm overalls, helpful crew, free photos, museum backup, and return sailing ticket create a sensible package for $83.88.

Go in knowing that the boat may be crowded and the water may be rough. The best viewing can require patience and quick movement to the upper deck. I would schedule it early in your Reykjavik stay, keep another evening available, and choose it for the full plan rather than for a guaranteed aurora.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat tour start?

It starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at Geirsgata 11.

How long does the boat tour take?

The experience lasts about two to three hours, with the boat activity listed as approximately two hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included in the standard price, but you can add them for an extra cost through the supplier.

What happens if the weather is too poor for sailing?

You are automatically signed up for an alternative activity at Whales of Iceland. It includes entry, a Northern Lights drink, a short film, a guided tour, and a short Northern Lights photography workshop.

Do I receive another boat ticket after a weather cancellation?

Yes. You receive a free ticket for the next available date if conditions are not suitable for the boat trip.

Are food and drinks included on the boat?

No. Snacks and drinks can be bought at the onboard snack bar, but they are not included in the ticket price.

Are photographs included?

Photos are taken on every boat tour and are available to download free of charge afterward.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.