Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

The best seat may be under the stars. This two-hour cruise takes you from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay, away from the city glow and toward darker skies. I like the three panoramic viewing decks, which spread people out when the aurora appears, and the warm interior with its bar, seating, blankets, and hot drinks. The main drawback is simple: the lights are never guaranteed, and the open decks can be painfully cold and slightly unsteady for photography.

For $93 per person, this is a comfortable way to chase the aurora without spending four hours on a bus. I also like the provider’s generous approach when conditions fail. If the lights do not appear, you may be allowed to return free of charge, with some people reporting rebooking options lasting up to three years. Still, you need enough nights in Reykjavík to make that useful.

Key points to know before you book

• Three decks give you room to watch: You can move between panoramic outdoor areas instead of crowding onto one small platform.
• The cruise leaves Reykjavík’s city glow: The yacht sails among the small islands in Faxaflói Bay and along the coast before heading toward darker water.
• The bar makes the waiting easier: Drinks, snacks, hot chocolate, blankets, and sea sickness tablets are available on board, though drinks cost extra.
• Two hours is a sensible length: You get time to sail out, wait for the aurora, and return without committing to a long nighttime outing.
• Photography takes patience: The boat moves with the water, so long exposures can blur. Guides can help with phone settings and take pictures for you.
• The northern lights remain a gamble: Clear skies and solar activity help, but no cruise can promise a display.

Boarding at Reykjavík’s Old Harbor

Your evening begins at the Old Harbour House on Aegisgardur 2. Check in 30 minutes before departure, using the bar or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk. If you select pickup, transport is available from hotels in the Reykjavík area.

The meeting point is useful because you can arrive early, get your bearings, and have a drink before boarding. One practical bonus reported by several people is a 15 percent restaurant discount connected with check-in, though you should confirm that offer when booking because extras can change.

From the Old Harbour House, you walk a short distance to the yacht. The process is meant to be quick, and departures have generally been prompt. If you are traveling with children, older relatives, or anyone who dislikes standing around in the cold, arrive on time rather than very early. The boat has comfortable seating, but the harbor itself is no place to linger in light clothing.

Sailing across Faxaflói Bay

Once aboard, the yacht moves through the harbor and out toward Faxaflói Bay. You may pass small islands and see Reykjavík from the water before the crew takes the boat farther from the city lights.

This first part is not just dead time. The guide explains what to watch for, describes the aurora, and helps you understand that the lights may begin as a faint gray or green patch before becoming brighter. Guides such as Maria, Julian, Lucky, Brianta, and others have been praised for keeping people informed and alerting those inside when a new glow appears.

The route usually takes around 30 minutes to reach a darker viewing area, though the exact timing depends on weather, visibility, and where the aurora is active. On some evenings, the lights have appeared before the boat even left the harbor. On others, the yacht has sailed out, waited, and found only a short display on the return journey.

That unpredictability is part of the deal. The crew may keep looking rather than immediately turn back after a weak sighting. On one evening, a brief glimpse became several later viewings after the yacht searched farther afield. You should think of the cruise as a two-hour attempt under changing conditions, not a fixed show with a scheduled starting time.

Three decks and the best place to watch

The yacht’s biggest practical advantage is the choice of viewing areas. The three panoramic decks let you move around and find a sightline with fewer people, though the upper deck can become crowded when the aurora suddenly brightens.

The top observation area is open to the sky, which gives you the clearest view and the best chance of seeing the lights stretch across a wide part of the sky. It is also the coldest spot. On an evening near minus 10 degrees Celsius, you will want several layers, gloves, a warm coat, and sturdy shoes. The supplied blankets help, but they do not replace proper winter clothing.

Covered decks offer a compromise. You can stay out of the worst wind while keeping watch through open viewing areas. If you get cold, step inside for a while, then return when the guide announces another wave of aurora. That rhythm works well: warm up, check the sky, take a few pictures, and warm up again.

The boat has plenty of seating in the interior, but capacity can feel tighter when people who previously missed the lights return on another night. If having an indoor seat matters to you, board promptly and choose one near an exit or viewing area. You will then be able to move outside quickly without losing your place entirely.

The bar, lounge, and useful comforts

The interior bar and lounge give this outing more comfort than a basic sightseeing boat. You can buy alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snacks, coffee, and hot chocolate. Hot chocolate with Baileys or amaretto has become a popular cold-weather choice, although neither drink is included in the ticket price.

Warm blankets are available, and sea sickness tablets can be obtained at the bar. The tablets are a thoughtful touch, but you should still bring your usual medication if you are prone to motion sickness. The sea has been calm on some outings and choppy on others, and even a smooth yacht moves enough to affect phone photography.

The indoor area also helps if the aurora takes time. You are not forced to stand outside for two hours staring at clouds. You can sit in comfort, listen to the guide, and step outdoors when conditions improve.

There are toilet facilities on board. Wi-Fi is also included, though your main reason for being there is to watch the sky rather than scroll through your phone. The lounge is a real part of the experience, not simply an emergency shelter.

What the northern lights may actually look like

Expectations matter here. The aurora can appear as a faint line, a pale green smear, or a strong display that moves and changes across the sky. Cameras often show green more clearly than your eyes at first, especially when the lights are weak.

On good nights, the colors may include green, red, pink, and white. Some displays have lasted 45 minutes to an hour, while other outings have produced only brief glimpses. A few people have seen shooting stars or even whales during the cruise, but those are lucky extras, not part of the promised experience.

Cloud is the great spoiler. Reykjavík may look rainy or overcast when you leave, yet the boat can reach a clearer patch offshore. The opposite can happen too. You may have a high aurora forecast and still see nothing because clouds cover the sky or solar activity fades.

The guide’s role is important. A good guide tells you where to look, explains why the lights come in waves, and helps you recognize a faint arc before it becomes obvious. Guides have also helped people adjust phone settings and taken photographs for couples and families. That personal help can make the difference between bringing home a blurry black rectangle and a decent memory.

Taking photographs from a moving yacht

You can bring a camera or smartphone, but do not expect land-based sharpness. Long exposures are harder on a boat because the platform rises and falls with the water. A calm sea improves matters, but even a gentle swell can soften your pictures.

For your phone, ask the guide about night mode and camera settings. Keep the phone as steady as possible, and take several shots rather than trusting one. A tripod may help if you have one, but it will not remove every movement caused by the yacht.

Your eyes deserve attention too. It is easy to spend the whole display checking a screen. Take a few pictures, then put the phone away and watch the sky. The most powerful moments are often the sudden changes, when a faint band becomes a curved arch or begins to ripple overhead.

The crew may assist with pictures of you and your companions. That is especially useful on the open deck, where gloves, darkness, and cold make camera work awkward. Bring a camera if photography matters to you, but book this for the experience first and the pictures second.

Is two hours enough?

For most people, yes. The trip is long enough to sail away from Reykjavík, spend time waiting in a darker area, and return to the harbor. It is short enough for families, older passengers, and anyone with limited time in the city.

A two-hour cruise also avoids the fatigue of a long bus chase. You do not spend most of the night sitting in a vehicle, and you are never very far from Reykjavík. That makes it a good choice for the last evening of a short Iceland trip.

The trade-off is range. A longer land tour may drive farther under a wider variety of skies. This yacht relies on conditions around Faxaflói Bay and the nearby coast. If cloud covers the bay, the crew has fewer options than a vehicle that can travel inland.

I would choose this cruise if you want a relaxed evening with a comfortable base, a bar, and water views. I would choose a longer land-based outing if seeing the aurora is the single purpose of your Iceland trip and you are willing to spend more time chasing clear skies.

Price and overall value at $93

At $93 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to look for the northern lights. You can sometimes watch the sky from Reykjavík without paying anything, especially during strong activity. The cruise charges for the setting, the boat, the guide, the darker water, indoor seating, and the chance to escape some city glow.

I think the value is strongest when you would otherwise book a standard bus tour. You get a distinctive setting, three outdoor viewing areas, Wi-Fi, blankets, toilets, and a heated lounge. The bar costs extra, but the availability of hot drinks makes the cold more manageable.

The value drops if your priority is guaranteed aurora time. No provider can guarantee that. You could spend two hours on board and see nothing, although the free rescheduling policy can soften the disappointment if your schedule allows another attempt.

The average rating is 4.4 from 1,253 ratings, which fits the overall picture: strong organization and pleasant staff, but an outcome controlled by weather and nature. I would not buy this expecting a guaranteed show. I would buy it as a well-run aurora search with a comfortable setting.

Who should book this yacht cruise?

This outing suits couples looking for a special evening, families who prefer two hours to a long night tour, and anyone who likes the idea of seeing Reykjavík from the water. It also works well for people who want indoor seating between sightings.

It is a good match for first-time aurora watchers. The guide can explain what you are seeing and help with camera settings, which removes some of the guesswork. The bar and blankets also make it easier to wait through quiet periods.

You should think twice if you dislike cold, motion, or uncertainty. The outdoor decks are the heart of the trip, and they can be freezing. The yacht moves, so people sensitive to seasickness or focused on long-exposure photography may find the conditions frustrating.

Pack warm clothing, comfortable shoes, and a camera. Gloves matter more than you think. You may spend only a few minutes outside at first, then suddenly remain on deck for half an hour when the lights begin to dance.

Booking details worth remembering

Check in 30 minutes before departure at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavík. Pickup from Reykjavík-area hotels is available if you choose that option.

English is the tour language, and a live guide accompanies the cruise. Drinks and souvenirs are not included, while blankets, Wi-Fi, and sea sickness tablets are included. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your plans are still moving.

If the lights do not appear, ask about rescheduling before you leave. The stated policy allows a free return with the provider, but the exact offer can depend on availability and the terms attached to your booking.

Should you book it?

I would book this yacht tour if you want a polished, comfortable northern lights outing and you have at least one spare night in Reykjavík. The strongest reasons are the three viewing decks, the warm lounge, the friendly guides, and the chance to rebook after poor conditions.

I would not book it as your only chance to see the aurora if you have a one-night stop and no flexibility. The lights may appear spectacularly, or not at all. But if you accept that risk, $93 buys a pleasant two-hour evening with a real sense of occasion, and the water adds something a bus cannot.

FAQ

Where does the northern lights yacht tour leave from?

You check in at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavík, then walk to the yacht for boarding.

How early should I check in?

You should check in 30 minutes before departure.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts two hours.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavík area if you select that option.

Is the northern lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural event, so sightings are not guaranteed.

What happens if the lights do not appear?

You may be able to reschedule for free with the activity provider. The stated information also notes that some return options may remain valid for up to three years, depending on the provider’s terms.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

No. Drinks are available for purchase at the onboard bar. Hot drinks, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and snacks may be available.

What should I bring?

Bring warm clothing, comfortable shoes, and a camera. The open decks can be very cold, so layers, gloves, and a warm coat are especially useful.