Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

Reykjavik’s Northern Lights Cruise takes you just far enough out into Faxaflói Bay to leave some city glow behind, while keeping the evening short and simple. You get skyline views, a look at the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit, and a chance to watch the sky from several boat decks.

I like the warm floatable overalls, which make a real difference in Iceland’s wind, and the free rebooking promise if the aurora does not show. The heated cabin, café, toilets, and Wi-Fi also make this easier than standing outside for hours on a remote road.

The catch is simple: the boat cannot control the weather or the aurora. Some nights produce a spectacular show, while others bring only faint streaks, clouds, or nothing at all. The boat can also feel crowded, and the upper deck gets very cold and occasionally rocky.

Key things to know before sailing

• The cruise lasts about two hours: It is a compact evening activity, much shorter than many five-hour coach outings.
• You can watch from several places: Use the outdoor decks for the clearest view, or warm up inside the heated saloon.
• Warm overalls are supplied: Bring your own hat and gloves, since the borrowed suits do not cover every exposed spot.
• The aurora guarantee means a free second chance: If you see no Northern Lights, you receive complimentary tickets for another attempt, valid for two years.
• The city views are part of the experience: Harpa Concert Hall, Hallgrímskirkja, Reykjavik’s lights, and the Imagine Peace Tower add interest even when the sky stays dark.
• The boat may carry up to 150 people: That gives you room to move around, but busy departures can feel crowded below and on the top deck.

Leaving Ægisgarður for Faxaflói Bay

You meet Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, in Reykjavik’s harbor. The cruise returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point at the end of the night.

The boat heads out from the harbor and into Faxaflói Bay. This first part matters more than it may seem. You get a changing view of Reykjavik from the water, with the city lights behind you and a darker northern horizon ahead. The crew points out landmarks and explains the conditions needed for an aurora display.

Harpa Concert Hall is one of the most recognizable sights from the harbor. Its glass facade catches the city light, giving you something to look at while the crew checks the sky. Hallgrímskirkja also helps you place Reykjavik from the water, especially if you have spent the day walking around the city and want to see its familiar church from a new angle.

The route is not a long expedition into the open sea. That is both a strength and a limitation. You do not lose an entire night to transport, but the boat may remain close enough to Reykjavik that some light pollution is still visible. If the aurora is weak, that glow can make faint colors harder to see with your eyes.

When the Imagine Peace Tower is lit between October and December, the boat sails past it. The tower sends a bright beam upward from Viðey Island. It is an unexpected extra, and several people find this one of the most memorable parts of the evening, especially on a night when the Northern Lights are modest.

Finding a comfortable place on the boat

The boat offers outdoor viewing platforms and a heated indoor saloon. I would treat both as essential, not optional. The best strategy is to move between them rather than trying to stay outside for the entire cruise.

The outdoor decks give you the widest view. They are also where you have the best chance of seeing a faint aurora without reflections from windows or indoor lighting. On a clear night, you can scan a broad section of sky and follow the crew’s directions about where the lights are appearing.

The upper deck can be cold and windy even when Reykjavik feels manageable on land. The water adds chill, and standing still while looking upward makes the cold arrive quickly. Put on the provided overalls, then add a hat, gloves, and warm layers underneath. The overalls are water and wind resistant, and the supplied suits have been especially useful during January and October departures.

The top deck may also rock more than the lower parts of the boat. The ride is often smooth, but wind and speed can cause movement. If you are prone to seasickness, bring or take your usual medication before departure. Staff have also provided seasickness tablets on some sailings, but you should not depend on that as your only plan.

Inside, the heated cabin has seating, toilets, free Wi-Fi, and a small café. You can buy hot chocolate, other hot drinks, snacks, and hand warmers. The cabin is a welcome refuge when your fingers go numb, although busy trips can make the seating feel tight. Tables may be shared, and it can be difficult to hear announcements when people are talking.

What the two-hour search is really like

A Northern Lights cruise is a search, not a scheduled performance. The aurora may appear within minutes of leaving the harbor, or it may wait until the final part of the outing. On some successful trips, the lights remain visible for most of the two hours. On others, you may see only a faint green arc for a few minutes.

That uncertainty is worth accepting before you board. A clear, starry sky does not guarantee a strong display. The aurora needs the right combination of solar activity, darkness, and clear skies, and the boat cannot simply steer to a guaranteed show.

The crew explains how the lights form and what conditions help you see them. Guides also point out where to look and help with camera settings. This practical help matters because a phone or camera may record colors that look stronger than what your eyes can see. At the same time, a camera image is not proof of a great visual show. If the aurora is faint, you may photograph it more clearly than you see it.

The crew has also helped passengers find better positions for photographs. Keep your camera steady, avoid flash, and be patient. The boat’s movement can blur long exposures, especially when the vessel is moving faster or the upper deck is pitching.

The audio presentation is not perfect on every departure. Music, wind, crowd noise, or a microphone problem can make the guide hard to hear. If the explanations matter to you, stay near the speaker or ask staff to repeat an instruction. English is the operating language for the cruise.

The free return ticket is useful, but not a refund

If no Northern Lights appear during your cruise, Elding offers complimentary tickets to try again. The return tickets are valid for two years, and changing to another date is generally straightforward when poor weather forces a cancellation.

This policy protects you from treating one cloudy night as your only chance, but it is not the same as getting your money back. If you are visiting Iceland once and will not return, the voucher may have little practical value. You should book early enough in your stay to leave room for a second attempt.

I would schedule this cruise near the start of an Iceland visit, not on your final night. That gives you a chance to rebook if the weather turns bad or the aurora refuses to appear. A flexible itinerary also lets you compare the forecast before deciding which night gives you the best odds.

The tour can be canceled at short notice if conditions are unsafe or unsuitable. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. Normal cancellations receive a full refund if made at least 24 hours before departure. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

How the cruise compares with a coach outing

At $105 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora, but the value depends on what you want from the evening. You get roughly two hours on the water, city views, warm gear, a heated cabin, a café, and a return option if the sky stays empty.

A coach tour can drive farther from Reykjavik’s light pollution and change direction based on the forecast. That may give it an advantage on a night when the lights are weak or cloud cover is patchy. A coach outing can also last around five hours, which gives the driver more time to search.

The cruise has its own advantages. You avoid a long night in a bus, there is no need to sit in the same seat for hours, and the water adds a distinct Reykjavik setting. You also get views of the illuminated city and, in the right season, the Peace Tower.

I would choose the boat if you want a shorter activity that fits neatly into an evening in town. I would lean toward a coach if your main goal is maximizing the distance from city lights and you are willing to spend much longer searching. Neither option can guarantee the aurora.

Crowd levels, movement, and practical comfort

The maximum group size is 150 people. That is a large group for an intimate nature experience, though the size of the boat gives you several places to spread out.

On a quiet departure, the boat can feel comfortable and spacious. On a busy one, the indoor seating may fill quickly, and the top deck can become crowded when the aurora appears. You may need to move around to find an unobstructed view, especially if people are raising phones and cameras.

The bow can offer a better view than the highest deck when the top level is packed. It may also feel less enclosed than the cabin, but remember that any outside position exposes you to wind. Take advantage of the overalls rather than assuming a standard winter coat will be enough.

The vessel is generally stable, though it can rock when moving or in rougher conditions. If you have a sensitive stomach, choose a position with a clear horizon when possible and take your preferred seasickness remedy. The boat has toilets, but steep stairs and high thresholds limit access to some interior areas and toilet facilities. Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but the boat is not fully accessible.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your route to the harbor before the evening begins. After the cruise, taxis may be hard to find at busy times, so it is sensible to know your walking or public transport option in advance.

Photographing the Northern Lights from the water

The water creates a memorable setting for photographs, but it also makes photography harder. Even a mild rocking motion can spoil a long exposure. If the boat is moving quickly, your first priority should be enjoying the display rather than chasing a perfect image.

Use the crew’s advice on camera settings. They regularly help passengers adjust their equipment and point out the best direction. Avoid flash, since it ruins night vision for people around you and does nothing to illuminate the aurora at useful distances.

A phone can capture more than your eyes see, especially when the lights are faint. That is helpful for recording the moment, but do not judge the entire experience by the screen. Put the phone away from time to time and look up.

The city skyline and the beam from the Imagine Peace Tower give you subjects for photographs even before the aurora appears. This helps make the cruise worthwhile on an ordinary night, though it cannot replace strong Northern Lights activity.

Who should book this cruise

This outing suits you if you are staying in Reykjavik, want a short evening activity, and like the idea of combining city views with a natural phenomenon. It is also a good fit if you value a warm indoor area and supplied outerwear rather than spending hours outdoors on land.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the toilets, café, cabin, and ability to move around the boat. Most people can participate, and the crew can assist with general comfort. People with limited mobility should contact the operator before booking because of the stairs and thresholds.

Photography fans will like the crew’s help, but the boat’s movement can frustrate anyone expecting tripod-sharp images. People who dislike crowds or get seasick should think carefully about the group size and the possibility of rocking.

The cruise works best as part of a flexible Iceland schedule. Book it early in your stay, check the aurora and weather forecasts, and keep another evening available. A high aurora forecast improves your odds, while heavy cloud cover is a strong warning sign.

Is the $105 cruise worth booking?

I would book it if you want a manageable two-hour search from central Reykjavik and understand that the aurora is never guaranteed. The warm overalls, heated cabin, city views, Peace Tower visit in season, and free return ticket give the cruise more substance than a simple boat ride into the dark.

I would not choose it as my only Iceland activity if seeing strong Northern Lights is your top priority. A longer coach search may reach darker areas and give you more time to adjust to the forecast. Still, the cruise offers a pleasant way to try your luck without giving up an entire night.

My practical advice is to book for an early evening in your trip, dress more warmly than you think necessary, and treat the city views and water setting as part of the experience. If the sky delivers, you may see a show that lasts the full two hours. If it does not, the free return option gives you another chance, provided you can use it.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights Cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours and returns to the Elding Whale Watching meeting point at Ægisgarður 5c in Reykjavik.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You are offered complimentary tickets to try the cruise again on another night at no extra cost. The return tickets are valid for two years.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm floatable overalls are available to borrow. You should still bring a hat and gloves, along with warm layers for the outdoor decks.

Is there a heated area on the boat?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with seating, toilets, free Wi-Fi, and a café selling hot drinks and snacks.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. The cruise requires suitable weather and may be canceled at short notice if conditions are unfavorable. You will be offered another date or a full refund if that happens.