Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

Green curtains overhead, then the sea moves. Reykjavik offers a fun, grounded way to chase the aurora borealis without spending hours freezing on the pavement, and this cruise is built for that exact mission. I like the thermal overalls and heated spaces, plus the fact that the guide explains both aurora science and local myths so you know what you are looking at. The main drawback is that sightings are weather dependent, and on some departures the boat can feel a bit tight outside when it gets busy.

The cruise heads out into Faxafloi Bay, where you have a better chance of seeing faint lights away from city glow. And if you do not see anything, you have the chance to join again for free on a later night, which is a big deal when you are planning a short trip. The flip side to keep in mind, because it shows up in real life, is that wind and sea movement can make deck time feel uncomfortable for some people.

Key highlights you should know before you go

Thermal overalls are included so you can skip the expensive winter gear shopping rush.

Guides mix myths and science so it is not just guessing where to look.

Faxafloi Bay reduces light pollution for better aurora visibility than staying near shore.

Free Wi-Fi, heated seating, and photos add comfort and reduce the stress of capturing the moment.

A free re-try ticket is offered when the lights do not show on your sailing.

Why a Reykjavik Northern Lights Cruise Works Better Than Waiting in Town

Reykjavik is one of the best bases for aurora season, but city lights can swallow the faint parts of the show. A boat cruise helps because you get away from that glow, and you can still return quickly to warmth when your eyes need a reset. You get the best of both worlds: outdoors for viewing, indoors for comfort.

This sailing also turns the experience into something you can understand. You are not just staring into darkness and hoping. Your guide explains why the aurora happens, then adds the human side with local stories and myths, so the whole night feels like Iceland rather than a generic night tour.

The other win is structure. The cruise is about 2 hours 30 minutes, which is long enough to give your eyes time to adjust and short enough to keep the experience from dragging.

Entering the warm layer: thermal overalls and heated comfort

The included thermal overalls are a practical gift. They are designed to keep you warm on deck, and they are available in children’s sizes too. In plain terms, this means you can pack lighter and avoid buying a whole bundle of winter clothing you might never use again.

On board, you also get heated indoor seating, plus free Wi-Fi. That matters more than people think. Aurora nights can swing from calm to windy fast, and you do not want your evening to become a misery contest. Use the indoor space strategically. Step out when you see a change in cloud breaks or when the guide calls it out, then warm up again.

Deck time is still cold time, even with overalls. If you run hot, you might be fine. If you run cold, treat this as a real cold weather event and plan to layer appropriately under the overalls.

The aurora briefing: myths, science, and photography help

What I like most here is the guide style. The goal is to help you spot the aurora and also understand what you are seeing. You hear local myths and then get scientific explanations for aurora borealis, including how charged particles interact with the Earth’s atmosphere to produce colored light in the sky.

This matters for two reasons. First, when you know what the aurora looks like and how it behaves, you waste less time guessing. Second, it makes the whole night feel smarter, not just luck-based.

On the practical side, the crew can help you with photography while you are onboard. You can also use the photos they take during the tour, available to download for free. That is a great safety net if you struggle with camera settings in the cold, or if your first attempt turns into a shaky night of blurry green.

Some guides you may run into, including Lukas, are described as especially good at combining humor with clear instruction. Even if your guide is different, the pattern is consistent: you get guidance, and you are not left alone with a cold deck and a confused sky.

The Faxafloi Bay route: maximizing your odds away from light pollution

This cruise heads out into Faxafloi Bay, which is the key geographic idea behind the experience. The aurora can be visible even when it is not pitch black everywhere, but less light pollution helps a lot with faint green and subtle motion. By going out on the water, you are buying yourself better viewing conditions than you can get from central Reykjavik.

The plan usually has two viewing modes. There is time outdoors for stargazing, and there is time back inside or in a viewing area with a hot drink. The exact timing varies with sea conditions and cloud cover, but the rhythm is built around keeping you engaged without making you suffer the entire night outside.

Sometimes aurora activity shows up earlier than expected, even soon after leaving the harbor. If your sailing starts with a clear window, do not assume you are too close to the city for it to count. Lights can arrive quickly on good nights, then brighten as you get farther out.

And when the lights do show, you will likely have a strong color display with motion, sometimes described as a curtain or arc effect. If you are chasing that classic look, the combination of outward sailing plus a guided search is the real value.

What a 2.5 hour cruise feels like minute by minute

A common complaint about aurora tours is that they either start too late, or they feel like an all-night wait. This one is shorter and more concentrated, at about 2 hours 30 minutes.

I think that is the right length for most people because it fits Iceland logistics. You get enough time for:

• Your eyes to adjust to darkness
• The guide to scan and explain
• The group to rotate between deck and warmth

On the boat, you will typically spend the early part settling in, getting suited up, and listening for the first instructions. Then you get the main search phase, with multiple moments where the guide checks the sky and tells you when it is worth stepping outside again.

If you are on a sailing that ends up windy, the experience can shift. Some people find the motion manageable, but others describe deck time as uncomfortable when the boat is rocking. If you know you get seasick, this is the part to think about before you commit.

Photos, free downloads, and onboard Wi-Fi that actually help

This is an experience where photos can be tricky. It is cold, your camera settings matter, and the sky is moving. That is why I appreciate two things are offered at once.

First, the crew can assist with photography on board. You do not have to guess everything by trial and error. Second, pictures are taken on every tour and are available to download for free. That reduces the pressure to nail every shot yourself.

Even better, the boat offers free Wi-Fi. That can help if you are sharing your night in real time, checking whether your settings are working, or just keeping yourself calm and occupied during pauses.

If you are using your own camera, prepare for the reality that the aurora can look different on your screen than to the naked eye. That is normal. The “best” photo is often the one you capture when you follow the guide’s direction and keep shooting in short bursts.

Weather reality check: what happens if the aurora does not show

Let us talk about the uncomfortable truth. Northern lights are never guaranteed. This tour is subject to favorable weather conditions, and that includes cloud cover, wind, and sea state.

The silver lining is the re-try system. If you do not see the lights during your cruise, you can join again for free on the next available day. This is the kind of feature that turns the aurora from a stressful gamble into a second chance plan.

Also, the operator has contingencies:

• If the lights remain promising but sea conditions are poor, you may be offered a Northern Lights by Bus tour instead.
• If weather cancels the cruise, you get an option to reschedule or receive a full refund, as long as you have not already used the service.

One more thing to watch: boat capacity and crowding can affect how much time you can comfortably spend outside. Some departures can feel full, with less room to move on deck. If your priority is constant outdoor viewing, it may be better to treat indoor warmth as part of the strategy rather than a backup plan.

Boat size and comfort: what to expect when the group is large

The maximum size is listed as 198 people. That tells you the event can scale up, which is great for availability but can mean you are not always in a quiet, roomy setting.

Real-world comfort can vary by boat and by how full the departure is. Some nights feel spacious, and others feel cramped, especially when everyone tries to crowd the best viewing angle on deck at once. If you are sensitive to cramped spaces or you hate waiting your turn to get outside, plan your expectations.

That said, the inclusion of thermal overalls and heated seating offsets a lot of that. You can still enjoy the explanations, warm drinks, and the stargazing moments without staying exposed the entire time.

If you are traveling with kids, this can be a strong option because children’s sizes are available for the overalls. The heated interior is a big win when you are managing attention spans in the cold.

Who this cruise is best for (and who should think twice)

This tour is a good match if you want:

• A guided aurora experience with myths plus science
• Less light pollution than staying near downtown Reykjavik
• Included winter protection, so you can pack and spend less

It is also ideal if you appreciate comfort. The heated interior, Wi-Fi, and the fact that crew help with photography all reduce friction. You can spend the night moving between warmth and viewing instead of committing to hours of freezing exposure.

I would think twice if:

• You get motion sick on boats
• You hate crowded deck situations
• You need total silence and solitude (this is a group night tour with active instruction)

Also, if you are choosing between options, pay attention to the ticket type. There can be different refund rules depending on whether you are buying a version with a back-up plan. The free re-try is included either way, but the refund conditions can differ.

Price and value: is $108.13 a good deal for the aurora gamble?

At about $108.13 per person, you are paying for three things at once:

1. Transport out onto the water where viewing conditions improve
2. Included cold-weather gear, meaning you do not need to buy expensive winter clothing
3. A guided experience plus safety nets like free photos and the free re-try if you miss the lights

Aurora hunting is inherently luck-based, so value is not just about getting lights. Value is also about not wasting your trip if the sky cooperates poorly. This cruise offers that in two ways: a re-try ticket and the indoor comfort so the night still feels worthwhile even if the aurora is shy.

The photos also matter. Many people come home with at least a few solid images from the provided downloads, even if their own shots are imperfect. That alone can justify part of the cost for anyone who came hoping for memories they can actually see.

Still, the tour is not a guarantee. If you are trying to maximize daylight and minimize randomness, you might prefer a more flexible planning approach. But if you want an organized aurora night that does not require you to become a cold-weather expert, this price is on the reasonable side for what is included.

Should you book this Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik?

Yes, if you want a guided aurora night that reduces planning pain. Book it when you have a clear window in your schedule and you can give yourself enough time to try more than one night, because the free re-try is the real confidence boost.

You should strongly consider booking if you:

• Want thermal overalls included
• Like having a guide explain what you are seeing
• Care about having photos, even if the aurora is faint

Skip or think carefully if you are prone to seasickness or you know you cannot handle wind and rocking boat conditions. In that case, you may want to look at a land-based option for at least one night.

If you can only do one night, treat it as a chance, not a promise. But if you can do two or you are open to the re-try, this cruise gives you one of the better safety nets for an aurora hunt in Iceland.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik?

It runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes.

Where do I meet the tour?

You meet at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

What is included in the price?

Thermal overalls are included, along with free Wi-Fi, heated indoor seating, and photos taken during the tour that you can download free of charge. You also get a free ticket to try again if no lights are seen.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drink are available to purchase on board.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

If there are no sightings on your tour, you receive another ticket to join the next available day. The offer does not expire.

Will I get hotel drop-off?

Hotel drop-off is available if you select that option. Hotel pick up can be added for an extra fee by booking directly with the supplier.

Is the tour dependent on weather?

Yes. It is subject to favorable weather conditions. If the cruise is canceled due to inclement weather, you can reschedule or receive a full refund if you have not joined the tour previously.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.