Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

Cold decks, big skies, and a big gamble. This Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik is interesting because it takes you out beyond the city lights and lets you watch the aurora from the water, with three outdoor decks for skyline views. I especially like that it mixes cold-weather comfort (warm gear and heated indoor space) with a real chance at seeing the lights dancing overhead.

Two things I really like: first, the boat setup gives you options, so you can bounce between outdoor viewing and indoor cabins without missing the moment. Second, the staff provides practical help for the night itself, like complimentary seasickness tablets and warm overalls, which takes the stress out of the whole experience.

One drawback to keep in mind is that aurora cruises are weather dependent. Even with good guidance and night sky forecasts, you can still end up with a dark sky or a cancelation, so go with flexible expectations and be ready to reschedule if needed.

Key Points That Matter for Your Aurora Night

• Three outdoor decks mean you can adjust your viewing angle quickly as the sky changes.
• Warm flotation overalls and heated indoor cabins help you last longer outside (and warm up fast).
• Seasickness tablets and WiFi onboard make the experience feel more “managed” than you might expect for a winter cruise.
• Free ticket to join again if there are no sightings is a big part of the value, but confirm details after booking.
• Meeting at Geirsgata 11, boarding can be easy to miss in the dark, so arrive early and follow the emailed directions closely.
• No pickup included without extra charge, so plan your route to the departure point.

Why a Reykjavik Harbor Cruise Works for Aurora Watching

Reykjavik is gorgeous at night, but the city lights can flatten the aurora experience. The whole point of this cruise is to get you away from that glow, so the sky has a better chance of showing its colors and motion.

What makes a boat night especially fun is perspective. Watching the Northern Lights over dark water feels different than watching from land, because the horizon gives the aurora room to spread out. The boat also has three outdoor decks, so you are not stuck in one spot for the entire cruise. If you notice faint movement or shifting glow, you can move where you have the clearest view.

The best mindset is simple: treat this as a night out on the ocean first, and an aurora hunt second. If you do that, even a weak show does not feel like a wasted evening.

The 2-3 Hour Ride: Boarding, Viewing Decks, and Coming Back

The tour runs about 2-3 hours total, and it ends back at the same meeting point where it starts: Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík. That means your night is long enough for real sky changes, but not so long that you lose patience when conditions are slow.

Here is what the experience structure feels like, in practical terms:

1) You board and get set up

You put on the warm gear (including warm flotation overalls) and get oriented to where to view. The boat has heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities, so you can step inside as you need to.

2) Aurora time on the outdoor decks

Most of the action happens out on the decks. If you want a better chance, you keep swapping between being outside and staying warm inside. The crew keeps you moving through the night in a way that matches what the sky is doing.

3) Return to the harbor

Even if the aurora is faint earlier on, sightings can happen at different moments, so you stay alert until you start heading back.

One more reality check from what people report: some nights are all about waiting. If you feel like the boat is not going far enough from the harbor, stick with it and follow the crew’s guidance anyway. The aurora can still show up, even when you are fairly close to town, but patience matters.

Comfort Wins: Overalls, Heated Cabins, Toilets, and WiFi

In Iceland in winter, comfort is not a “nice to have.” It decides whether you actually enjoy the night or just suffer through it.

This cruise is built around comfort upgrades that most winter tours do not include as clearly:

• Warm flotation overalls: You will be outside on decks, so you want proper thermal protection, not just a winter jacket and hope.
• Heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities: This is huge. You can warm up without missing the whole show if nature cooperates.
• Free WiFi on board: It is not why you booked, but it helps you stay sane while waiting and lets you share photos quickly if the connection works for you.

Also, you can get complimentary seasickness tablets. That does not change the ocean. It just makes your evening more manageable if you are sensitive to motion.

Practical tip: once you step inside, do a quick re-layer check. Fumbling with gloves and wet sleeves later wastes time when the sky suddenly puts on a show.

Drinks, Snacks, and What You Pay For On Board

Snacks and beverages are sold on board, not included. That usually means you should plan to either bring a little extra spending money or accept that the cruise is mostly a “watch and wait” experience rather than an all-inclusive dinner.

Some people also mention enjoying warm drinks during the night. If you see a hot option on the menu, it can be a nice way to warm up between deck rounds.

My advice: if your budget is tight, decide in advance what you want. It is easy to lose track when you are cold and waiting for the sky to light up.

The Odds Game: How to Improve Your Chance of Seeing the Aurora

Let’s be honest. The Northern Lights are not a human-controlled show. They follow solar activity and atmospheric conditions, and they change quickly.

Still, you can improve your odds with smart behavior on the night:

1) Check the daily diary and your email

Before you go, the operator asks you to check their DAILY DIARY, and also check your email for daily updates. Do not treat that as optional. On some nights, the plan can shift.

2) Get there early

You should plan to arrive at the departure point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure. This helps you find the exact boarding spot and get geared up before the cruise time window starts.

3) Use the decks as intended

With three outdoor decks, you rotate. If one section blocks your view due to angles or other passengers, move. If it clears, go back out.

4) Bring your camera, but protect your hands

You are encouraged to bring your camera for photos. In practice, that means you should expect cold battery drain and slow touchscreen response. Keep a spare battery warm inside your jacket.

One more tip: the aurora can be faint at first and then strengthen later. If the show starts weak, stay out long enough for it to develop rather than assuming the night is over.

Price and Value: Is $93 Worth It?

At $93 per person, the price is in the range where you should look beyond the ticket cost and see what is included.

The value boosters here are real:

• Warm overalls
• Heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities
• Professional guides
• Complimentary seasickness tablets
• Free WiFi
• A free ticket to join again if there are no sightings

That last item is the big one for decision-making. You are not only buying the chance to see the lights once. You are buying a chance at a second attempt, which matters when weather and sky conditions can be unpredictable.

The main way this becomes “not worth it” is if you hate uncertainty and cannot handle the possibility of either no aurora or cancelations. If you are the type who gets cranky when nature does not cooperate, you might want to pair this with another aurora plan in your itinerary. If you can be flexible, this can feel like a fair deal.

Meeting Point Reality Check at Geirsgata 11

This tour starts and ends at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík. That sounds straightforward until you do it in the dark, in winter, and you are trying to find the exact boarding setup.

The operator says you will receive reminder information, including directions. Some people also report that the meeting point information can be confusing in practice, with boarding happening at a spot that is easy to misinterpret from an address alone.

So do this:

• Arrive early, before you are cold and rushed.
• Follow the emailed directions closely.
• If you use maps, double-check the boarding location details from your messages, not just the street address.

Also note there is no pickup included unless you pay extra. Plan to get yourself to Geirsgata 11 using public transportation options nearby, or by taxi if weather is rough.

Who This Cruise Fits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This is a great fit if you:

• Want a low-effort aurora plan with real winter comfort included
• Like the idea of watching from the water, not just from shore
• Can handle cold decks and late nights without turning it into a misery contest

It may be less ideal if you:

• Need guaranteed sightings (no aurora tour can promise that)
• Dislike group settings, since the experience can have up to 198 people onboard
• Get easily stressed by finding the correct boarding spot in the dark

Families can work, but you should plan for cold and long waiting. If you are bringing kids, come prepared for the reality that the show might be weak, late, or absent on that specific night.

Language is English, so make sure you are comfortable with instructions and safety guidance in English.

If You See No Aurora: The Revisit Ticket and What to Do

The included benefit is clear: you get a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings. That is one of the best reasons to book an aurora cruise when you are not traveling at the peak of the season.

The practical catch is that you must handle the logistics at the right time after the trip. Some people report that communication about the revisit process can take time, so the safest approach is:

• Keep your booking details handy
• Follow the instructions you receive after the cruise
• If you need help, use the operator contact email provided on their correspondence

This is not a reason to panic, it is a reason to stay organized. If you want a second attempt, treat it like a real plan, not like an afterthought.

Should You Book This Northern Lights Cruise?

I think you should book this if you can handle uncertainty and cold, and you want a comfortable, structured aurora outing from Reykjavik. The combination of heated cabins, warm flotation overalls, and a free return ticket if the lights do not show makes the $93 price feel more reasonable than a bare-bones boat ride.

Skip it if you need certainty, hate waiting, or cannot manage winter travel stress like finding the boarding spot early in the dark. And if you are booking during weeks when sea conditions are often rough, be extra ready for possible cancelations or date changes.

Bottom line: this is a solid aurora bet for people who want comfort and options during the night, not a guarantee. If you approach it as a great winter cruise first, and an aurora hunt second, you are more likely to leave happy even on a slow sky night.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The tour runs about 2-3 hours.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

The meeting point is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included for staying warm and comfortable?

You receive warm flotation overalls, heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities, and complimentary seasickness tablets. There is also free WiFi on board.

Are snacks and drinks included?

No. Snacks and beverages are sold on board.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is available for an extra charge, so it is not included by default.

What should I do before the tour to get updates?

You should check the operator’s DAILY DIARY before you come, and also check your email for important updates.

What happens if there are no Northern Lights sightings?

The tour includes a free ticket to join again in case of no sightings.