Reykjavík: Northern Lights Cruise

Northern Lights look better from a moving boat. This Reykjavík Northern Lights cruise takes you into Faxaflói Bay for a shot at the aurora, with the Reykjavik skyline glowing along the shoreline. I also like that you get a heated cabin with plenty of seating and toilets, so your night does not turn into one long endurance test.

What makes this feel like good value is the on-board human side. You are guided by a naturalist guide who stays on top of conditions, and the crew comes off as friendly and professional, including when it is time to keep everyone safe on the deck.

One possible drawback is simple: Northern Lights not guaranteed, even at sea. And if your main goal is crisp photos, photography can be tough because the boat moves and the tour is not built as a dedicated camera workshop.

Key points to know before you go

• Sailing into Faxaflói Bay gives you a wider view of sea and sky than staying right in the city
• Heated indoor area plus warm overalls mean you can watch comfortably without sacrificing deck time
• Reykjavik in the night is a real sightseeing bonus, not just a backdrop
• Imagine Peace Tower (Oct-Dec) is part of the route when it is lit
• Guide support for camera settings helps, even if results depend on the lights
• Sighting guarantee or free try again softens the natural risk of a no-aurora night

Reykjavik Northern Lights cruise, not just a boat ride

This is the kind of tour that works even if you are calm about the odds. You start in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, then head out into Faxaflói Bay for a night search. The aurora hunt is the headline, but the cruise also gives you something you can enjoy right away, Reykjavík’s waterfront turning into a glowing nighttime scene.

What you get is a balance of comfort and viewing. You are not stuck inside a warm bubble the whole time, but you also are not forced to freeze in one spot. The heated saloon gives you a place to warm up and reset your eyes, and then you can head back outside for the long look at the sky.

And the guide and crew matter here. Multiple firsthand reports highlight how helpful the staff are, especially when it comes to keeping people comfortable and safe, and when the lights start or do not start.

The 2.5 hours at sea: pacing that works for first-timers

The total duration is 2.5 hours. In practical terms, that is long enough to get out from the harbour area, settle in, and give your eyes time to adjust in a darker setting. It is also short enough that you are not stuck on the water for most of your evening.

The flow is usually straightforward. You sail out, watch the city shoreline drift by, then spend time scanning the sky and horizon. When the aurora begins, the guide calls it out, so you are not constantly wondering if what you are seeing counts.

One small thing I appreciate is the timing reality: a Northern Lights tour can start showing signs before you even fully leave the harbour area. If faint activity appears early, you can catch it while the group is still getting positioned. If it does not, you still have the city lights to keep you engaged.

What you wear: warm overalls, indoor heat, and real deck time

This tour is set up for Iceland weather, not just for the brochure version. You can borrow warm overalls, plus raincoats and blankets on board. That is a big deal because your viewing time depends on how long you can comfortably stay outside.

Inside, you get a heated saloon with ample seating and toilets. That means you can do what smart Northern Lights hunters do: alternate between warm and cold instead of “toughing it out” until your attention slips. Several reports mention that people were happy to go outside because they were properly insulated, not because they were pretending they enjoy the cold.

On board, there is also a café selling hot drinks and snacks. It is not required for the experience, but it helps when the weather turns your fingers into ice.

A practical note from real expectations: the boat is moving, so the ride can affect photography. Even when people did see the lights, some mentioned their photos were blurry due to movement. The comfort setup helps you stay in the moment, even if your camera results are not perfect.

Reykjavik by night: Harpa, Hallgrímskirkja, and the shoreline glow

If the aurora clouds over, you are still not just standing on a boat in the dark. The cruise passes major Reykjavík landmarks lit up for nighttime.

As you sail into Faxaflói Bay, you get views of Reykjavík’s glittering shoreline, including:

• Harpa Concert Hall
• Hallgrímskirkja church

These are worth the ticket even on a non-aurora night, because the city looks completely different from the street. From the water, you can see the lights stretch and reflect, and you get a cleaner line of sight to the horizon than you typically get on land.

And yes, the Imagine Peace Tower can be part of the route. During October to December, the tower is lit, and the tour sails by to admire its beam.

Imagine Peace Tower route (Oct-Dec) and why it adds value

The Imagine Peace Tower is one of those Reykjavík sights that feels tied to the season. When it is lit, seeing the beam from the water adds a symbolic and visual element beyond aurora-chasing.

Because the tower is part of the sailing route only during October-December, it can also help you choose timing within your trip. If you are traveling during those months and you want one extra “signature” moment, this itinerary gives it to you without extra driving or separate bookings.

Even if the aurora is weak, this kind of lighting moment can keep the evening from feeling like a waiting room. It gives your eyes something definite to look at while you wait for nature to do its thing.

The guide and captain: forecast checks, safety, and camera help

Northern Lights tours live and die by weather. This cruise is designed around that reality. The guide and captain check the forecast and weather conditions before going out to optimize your chances of seeing the aurora.

Once on board, the guide keeps things organized. You are not left guessing. When the lights start, the guide calls it out, which is especially useful when the aurora is faint at first.

Several reports also mention camera support. People describe the guide helping with camera settings and encouraging better results on the move. If you are new to aurora photography, this is a practical advantage over tours that treat photos as an afterthought.

Safety is also a clear strength. One report specifically points to how well the crew handled safety, which matters because you are going on and off an outdoor deck on a dark boat at night.

Still, the tour is not positioned as a pure photography class. If your main goal is high-quality, crisp aurora photos, the operator flags that photographing from a boat can be challenging. Add boat movement to low light, and you get occasional disappointment even when the aurora shows.

Odds, no-show risk, and the free try again promise

The honest truth: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed. Even at sea, the sky can stay stubbornly dark or cloudy. That is why the inclusion of a sighting guarantee is so important to your planning.

This tour includes a sighting guarantee (or try again for free). In real terms, that means your risk is lower than it is with tours that offer no remedy. One report notes they did not see much at first, but still appreciated the crew’s effort to help and the later opportunity that came with the guarantee.

Some evenings may also require changes if conditions are not right. The overall message from the experience is that the operator takes weather seriously and handles the situation in a sensible way, including offering a future night when the lights do not show.

Price and value: $111 for 2.5 hours, comfort included

At about $111 per person for 2.5 hours, this sits in the “mid” range for Reykjavík winter activities, but the value comes from what is included.

You are not paying only for a boat. Your ticket covers:

• warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets
• a naturalist guide
• a sighting guarantee or free try again
• access to a heated indoor area with seats and toilets

That matters because cold can ruin an otherwise great aurora night. If you have ever tried to watch northern lights while under-dressed, you already know the emotional cost. Here, the tour removes that risk.

It also helps that the evening is not a one-sight gamble. You get real city views of Harpa and Hallgrímskirkja, plus potentially the Imagine Peace Tower in Oct-Dec. If the aurora is light or brief, you still walked away with something visual from the water.

And the café option is reasonably priced in at least one report, which is a nice touch when you want a hot drink without leaving the boat.

Where this cruise fits best in your Iceland plan

This is a great first-night option in Reykjavík, especially if you want a structured way to chase the aurora without renting gear, driving out, or figuring out which spots are best that evening.

It also suits:

• couples who want a romantic city-by-night view with an aurora shot
• solo travelers who appreciate a guide calling out what to look for
• families who want warmth, toilets, and a straightforward schedule

Where I would be a bit cautious is photography-focused travelers who expect studio-style results. The tour can help with camera settings and provides the chance to shoot, but the movement of the boat and the operator’s own caution about photography difficulty mean your expectations should be flexible.

Should you book this Northern Lights cruise?

Book it if you want the best mix of comfort, city views, and organized guidance in a short Reykjavík evening. The biggest reasons to say yes are the warm overalls and heated saloon, the helpful crew and guide, and the sighting guarantee or free try again that reduces the no-aurora risk.

Skip or soften expectations if your entire reason for coming is perfect aurora photos. This tour is built for seeing and enjoying the night sky, not for guaranteeing camera-ready results from a moving deck.

If you are traveling in October through December, it is also a strong pick because the route can include the Imagine Peace Tower, adding another distinct nighttime landmark to the experience.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

You meet at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The duration is 2.5 hours.

Is there a heated indoor area on board?

Yes. There is a heated indoor saloon with ample seats and toilets.

What warm clothing is provided?

Warm overalls are available to borrow, and you also get raincoats and blankets on board.

What can I see during the cruise besides the Northern Lights?

You’ll view Reykjavík’s shoreline at night, including Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja church.

Does the Imagine Peace Tower ever appear on the route?

Yes. The cruise sails by the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit, from October to December.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not show?

There is a sighting guarantee. If the lights do not appear, you are offered to come another night, free of charge.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is available for an extra charge.

Is the tour good for Northern Lights photography?

The tour is not recommended for people who are especially hoping to photograph the Northern Lights. Photographing from a boat can be challenging.

What language is the live guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.