Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

Reykjavik’s Northern Lights Yacht Cruise gives you a warm, steady place to wait for one of nature’s most unreliable shows. The yacht leaves the Old Harbour after dark, passes Harpa from the water, and heads toward the islands near Faxaflói Bay, where the crew watches the sky.

I like two things here: you can step outside for a clear view, then retreat indoors for heat, blankets, a drink, and a bathroom. I also like the crew’s practical help with phone and camera settings, especially when the aurora is faint to the naked eye but stronger in a photograph.

The main consideration is that this is not a chase tour that races far into the countryside. The yacht follows a set route near Reykjavik, and city light remains visible. If the lights do not appear, you receive a free extra trip, but that does not help much if your schedule is tight.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat is your warm waiting room: You can watch from open decks, then warm up inside with blankets, hot drinks, and a bar.
• The route stays near Reykjavik: You sail around Viðey Island and sheltered parts of Faxaflói Bay rather than heading far offshore.
• Aurora sightings are never guaranteed: Clear skies and strong solar activity both matter, and Icelandic weather can change very quickly.
• Camera help is part of the value: Crew members can explain phone settings and point out where to focus when the lights appear.
• A free return trip is offered without an aurora: This is useful if you have more than one night in Reykjavik.
• Confirm the yacht before departure: The experience is advertised for up to 35 people, but the operator also uses a larger yacht, so the atmosphere may vary.

A northern lights hunt from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

You meet at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2, close to the waterfront attractions and Harpa Concert Hall. The cruise lasts about two to three hours and returns to the same point, making it easy to fit into a Reykjavik evening.

The first part is a city-and-coast outing. You see the old harbor from the water and get a different angle on Harpa’s glass facade as the lights of Reykjavik come on. This is not just a transfer to an aurora viewing spot. Even if the sky stays stubbornly gray, you still spend the evening on the water with views of the shoreline and nearby islands.

The yacht heads toward the area around Viðey Island. The operator’s approach is to find calmer, sheltered water behind the islands rather than push far out into the open bay. That choice matters in winter. A boat that pitches and rolls in rough water is a poor place to stand with a camera or wait outside in the cold.

The crew also points out that the aurora sits far above the ground, so moving a few miles from the city does not automatically improve the view. The key issue is cloud cover. This is a reasonable explanation, though you should know that the route will still feel close to Reykjavik compared with a bus tour into the countryside.

Viðey Island brings quiet scenery and a cultural stop

Viðey is one of the most appealing parts of the route. The island sits just offshore, yet it feels separate from the city. In daylight, you can walk its paths, see historical buildings and artwork, and look back toward Reykjavik across the water.

At night, the island becomes more of a dark shoreline and a useful reference point than a walking stop. The yacht does not present this as a long island visit. Instead, you see Viðey as part of the coastal setting while the crew chooses a sheltered place to wait.

The island is also home to the Imagine Peace Tower, created in memory of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. You may not get a clear view of it from the boat in darkness, but knowing its location adds meaning to the route. If you have time in Reykjavik during daylight, Viðey is worth visiting separately, since this cruise does not give you time to explore its paths.

I like this part of the itinerary because it prevents the evening from becoming a simple stop-and-stare operation. You get a little city, a little island, and a broad view across the bay before the focus turns fully to the sky.

Faxaflói Bay and the search for a clear patch of sky

Faxaflói Bay is known for its open water, seabirds, and whale activity. This cruise is not primarily a whale-watching trip, so do not book it expecting a dedicated marine-life search. The bay matters here because it provides the waterway and the wide sky needed for an aurora outing.

The crew watches for breaks in the cloud and listens for updates from other boats. The aurora can appear suddenly, and the crew may ask you to move outside when the display strengthens. One useful detail from the experience is that the boat may begin turning back and then pause if the lights suddenly improve. That flexibility can make the difference between seeing a weak green patch and catching a proper display.

You should also understand the limits. The boat does not drive toward every clear patch in the way a dedicated minibus guide might. Its route is more fixed, with the captain balancing visibility, shelter, safety, and comfort. One passenger praised the smaller yacht precisely because it felt calm and uncrowded, but also noted that it did not travel as far as larger vessels.

This is the basic tradeoff: comfort and a pleasant boat ride versus maximum mobility. I would choose the yacht if you want the whole evening to feel enjoyable even during a long wait. I would choose a land-based chase if your only goal is to find the darkest possible sky.

What the yacht feels like during the wait

The yacht has an enclosed interior where you can warm up, along with outdoor viewing areas at the front, sides, and upper deck. Blankets are available, and the bar and café serve hot and cold drinks. Wi-Fi is provided, and bathrooms are available on board.

That arrangement is more important than it may sound. Aurora hunting often involves standing around while nothing happens. On a bus, you may sit inside until the guide finds a viewing point, then walk out into the cold. Here, you can remain comfortable while the crew keeps watch, stepping outside when conditions look promising.

The bar serves items such as coffee, tea, beer, champagne, and other drinks. Prices have been described by the operator as reasonable compared with bars in Reykjavik, though one dissatisfied passenger found the drinks too expensive. Bring the right expectations: the bar is a convenience, not an included dinner or a free hot chocolate service.

Music may be played during the ride, and the guide gives an explanation of the aurora and, at times, local Christmas traditions. The quality of the commentary may depend on where you are standing and how clearly the microphone carries. If you want a long science lecture, this is probably not the right outing. The emphasis is on watching the sky, not attending a formal astronomy class.

The crew can make a faint aurora easier to see

The most useful crew service is practical rather than theatrical. Staff can help you prepare your phone or camera and suggest where to focus. That matters because modern phones often record colors that are difficult to see clearly with the naked eye.

A faint aurora may look like a pale smear or a vague green area at first. A phone photograph can reveal more detail, but only if the camera is steady and the settings are right. If you have a tripod or a phone mount, bring it. The crew’s advice is helpful, but no boat can turn a weak aurora into a dramatic one.

Capt. Einar is associated with the operation and has spent more than a decade working with whale-watching and northern lights trips in Faxaflói Bay. You may encounter him or another member of the crew, so I would not book on the assumption that one named person will lead every departure.

Several strong experiences came from guides who kept watching after the first weak signs appeared. In one case, the group was preparing to head home when the boat stopped turning and everyone was sent to the front for a much better display. That is exactly the kind of small decision that makes a cruise feel worthwhile.

At the same time, the commentary is not universally appreciated. Some people found the announcements too general, while others found the crew friendly, informative, and encouraging. Your experience will depend partly on the weather, partly on where you stand, and partly on how much guiding you want.

The biggest choice: small yacht or larger vessel

The advertised capacity is up to 35 people, which gives the smaller yacht a clear advantage over crowded harbor excursions. A lower passenger count means more room to move when the lights appear and less competition along the railings.

However, the operator has two yachts. One is described as carrying 35 passengers, while the other can carry up to 95. The larger vessel may be used on some departures, so confirm which boat is scheduled when you book or check in.

This detail can change the feel of the evening. On the smaller yacht, you can expect a quieter outing with a better chance of finding a place along the front or side. On the larger boat, you gain capacity but may lose some of that intimate feel. The available information does not promise a luxury experience, and I would treat the word yacht as describing the boat style, not a private charter.

The boat is comfortable, but it is still a working sightseeing vessel. You will be sharing the decks, listening to announcements, and waiting for conditions to improve. That is perfectly pleasant for many people, but it is not the same as a private aurora hunt.

Price, value, and the free return offer

At about $100.82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the northern lights. You are paying for the boat, indoor heating, outdoor decks, bathrooms, drinks service, Wi-Fi, and the coastal sightseeing portion of the evening.

I think the price makes better sense if you value comfort. You can combine an aurora search with a harbor cruise, and you do not have to spend the entire evening standing in a snowy parking area. The heated interior is a real benefit in Icelandic winter, particularly when the forecast is uncertain.

The free additional yacht trip is another important part of the value. If the aurora does not appear, the company allows you to return, and some passengers used that option successfully on a second night. The offer is useful only if you have enough time in Reykjavik and if another departure is available.

Do not treat the return offer as a guarantee or a refund. If the skies remain cloudy for your entire stay, you may leave without seeing the lights. The company explains that weather can change from snow to clear sky in minutes, but the reverse can happen too. A clear afternoon does not promise a clear night.

The cruise is offered in English. Confirmation is provided when you book, and most people can take part. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

How to dress and prepare for the deck

Dress as if you will spend the evening outside, even though the yacht has a heated cabin. Wear warm layers, a hat, gloves, and shoes with a good grip. The deck can feel cold when the boat is moving, and wind off the bay makes a calm temperature feel sharper.

Keep your phone or camera charged. Aurora photography uses more battery than ordinary sightseeing, especially in cold air. A portable charger is sensible, though the supplied information does not confirm charging facilities on board.

Give yourself time to reach the meeting point. The boat waits in the harbor, and arriving late can disrupt departure. One particularly unhappy outing involved a late arrival, which also meant missing the initial explanation about conditions and the route.

If you are prone to seasickness, consider that this is a boat trip rather than a stationary viewing platform. The sheltered route should help, but the water can still move. Take any precautions you normally use for boat rides.

Cancellation and weather rules in plain English

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside 24 hours are not refundable.

The company may cancel if weather conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is separate from a normal departure where the weather is acceptable but the aurora simply fails to appear. For that situation, the stated remedy is a free additional trip.

I would check the forecast before departure, but I would not assume a cloudy forecast automatically means failure. Icelandic conditions can shift quickly, and several successful outings began in snow or heavy cloud. The captain is making a judgment call, not controlling the sky.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a comfortable evening on the water, prefer a smaller group, and have at least one spare night in Reykjavik. It suits couples, families, and photographers who want help with basic camera settings without giving up access to warmth and bathrooms.

It is also a good choice if you regard the boat ride itself as part of the experience. The harbor, Harpa, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay give you something to see before the sky gets interesting.

I would be more cautious if you have only one night in Iceland or if seeing the aurora is your single purpose. In that case, compare the route with a land-based operator that actively drives toward clear skies. The yacht stays close to Reykjavik and follows a set course, so it cannot offer the same range.

Should you book the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, flexible waiting room on the water, and you accept that nature decides the result. The heated cabin, blankets, drinks, bathrooms, helpful camera advice, and smaller-group option give the cruise real value beyond a simple aurora gamble.

Skip it if you expect a luxury charter, a guaranteed sighting, or an aggressive chase across Iceland. The strongest reason to choose this outing is not that it can control the clouds. It is that you can enjoy a well-equipped yacht, a coastal view, and a reasonable chance of seeing the lights without spending the whole night cold and uncomfortable.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise start?

It starts at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2 in Reykjavik.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two to three hours.

Is the northern lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora depends on clear areas of sky and sufficient activity for the lights to be seen. Weather can change quickly, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You are offered a free additional yacht trip so you can try again.

What is available on the yacht?

The yacht provides an onboard bar and café, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, heated indoor space, blankets, and outdoor viewing areas.

How many people can join the activity?

The activity information lists a maximum of 35 people. The operator also uses a larger yacht, so confirm which vessel is scheduled for your departure.