Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik

The best part of this tour is the chance to watch the aurora from Faxaflói Bay, where the city lights fade and the sky becomes the main show. Guides such as Anika and Patrick have helped make the evening lively and useful, offering advice on where to look and how to photograph the lights.

I like the free return ticket when conditions fail, and I like the practical backup at Whales of Iceland. Warm overalls, Wi-Fi, restrooms, and downloadable photos make the two-hour outing easier. The catch is space: the boat can feel crowded, with limited indoor seating and a tight viewing area on deck.

Key points to know before sailing

• You sail from Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavik and return to the same meeting point.
• The boat trip lasts about two hours, while the full outing is usually two to three hours.
• Poor conditions trigger a real backup plan, not simply a canceled evening: you visit Whales of Iceland and receive a free sailing ticket for the next available date.
• Warm overalls are supplied, a useful touch on a cold Icelandic night.
• Photos are taken during every boat tour and can be downloaded at no extra charge.
• Hotel pickup is optional, not included in the listed price, and must be arranged separately.

Sailing from Reykjavik into Faxaflói Bay

This tour begins at Special Tours on Geirsgata 11, a central Reykjavik meeting point near public transportation. You check in, board the boat, and head out into Faxaflói Bay for a search that lasts roughly two hours.

I like the simple shape of the outing. You are not being rushed between several stops or asked to spend the whole night on a bus. The focus is clear: get away from central Reykjavik, reduce the glow from streetlights, and watch the sky.

The route itself is part of the appeal. From the water, you get a different view of Reykjavik and the surrounding coast than you would from land. The boat gives you room to move between the inside cabin and outside decks, though the amount of usable space depends on how full the sailing is.

The northern lights are never a guaranteed performance. They need darkness, clear enough skies, and auroral activity in the right place at the right time. This tour deals with that uncertainty better than a basic sightseeing cruise because it includes both a replacement activity and another chance to sail.

What the two-hour boat ride feels like

The boat is fitted with warm overalls, restrooms, free Wi-Fi, and a snack bar. The overalls matter more than they may sound. Standing outside in Icelandic wind while waiting for a faint glow can get cold fast, and the supplied outer layer lets you spend more time watching the sky instead of retreating indoors.

Food and drinks are not included in the price. You can buy snacks and beverages at the onboard bar, but plan accordingly if you need a full meal before departure. The included Wi-Fi is handy for basic communication, though the main reason to carry your phone is to use it as a camera.

The viewing setup has one clear weakness. A full boat can feel crowded, especially indoors, and the outside deck may offer limited room for everyone to find a perfect position. One sailing was also described as bumpy, so if the sea is rough, you may spend some of the ride adjusting to the motion rather than concentrating on the sky.

That does not make the boat a poor choice. It means you should think of this as a shared expedition, not a private deck under the stars. If having plenty of elbow room matters most to you, check the expected capacity before booking. The tour can carry up to 198 people, which gives you a sense of its possible scale.

Finding the aurora from the water

The crew gives directions on where to look, and the timing can change quickly. On one particularly fortunate departure, the lights appeared as people were boarding, and the staff urged everyone to head straight to the top deck. That is useful advice: when the sky starts moving, you do not want to be inside searching for a coat or snack.

Some nights produce a brief glimpse. Others bring a longer display. The lights may begin weakly and become brighter or more active toward the end of the sailing. You should be ready to spend much of the time watching a dark sky with no dramatic color, then react quickly if the aurora appears.

Photography takes patience. The backup program includes a short northern lights photography workshop, and the guides also offer tips during the boat tour. You can learn how to hold your phone or camera steady and how to frame the lights, though the tour does not promise that every photo will come out well.

The free photo service is a welcome extra. Pictures taken during the boat tour are available to download afterward. I would still bring your own phone or camera, since the crew’s images and your personal view serve different purposes. The official photos can give you a record of the evening, while your own camera lets you capture the moment from your chosen spot.

The Whales of Iceland backup plan

Weather can cancel a boat trip even when the aurora forecast looks promising. Instead of sending you away with nothing, Special Tours automatically assigns an alternative activity when conditions are not suitable for sailing.

The backup takes place at Whales of Iceland. It includes entry to the exhibit, a northern lights drink, a short film, a guided tour, and a brief photography workshop. This gives you something worthwhile to do during the same general outing, especially if heavy weather makes a water crossing unpleasant or unsafe.

The museum visit is not an equivalent substitute for seeing the aurora at sea. If your main goal is standing outdoors under the northern sky, you may still feel disappointed. But it is a sensible safety net, and the museum itself can fill an otherwise lost evening in Reykjavik.

The key benefit is that the backup does not end your chances of sailing. You also receive a free ticket to join the boat trip on the next available date if conditions stop the original departure. You may need more than one attempt to see the lights, so this policy can save real money and protect part of your schedule.

One important detail: if poor weather cancels the entire experience, the stated policy offers either a different date or a full refund. The alternative activity is part of the planned backup arrangement, while the exact response depends on the operating conditions and cancellation decision.

The people who shape the evening

A northern lights cruise needs more than a boat and a dark sky. The crew must tell you where to look, explain what you are seeing, and keep the evening moving when the sky stays quiet.

The guides Anika and Patrick are named in the tour feedback, and both are noted for being informative and entertaining. That mix suits this kind of outing. You want clear instructions when the lights appear, but you also need a friendly voice during the long stretches of waiting.

The reception and check-in process has also been described as quick and easy. The boat is kept in good condition, and the crew is described as friendly and professional. Those details matter most when the sea is rough or the boat is full, since calm organization can make a cold evening feel much easier.

Do not expect a private guide assigned only to your group. With a possible maximum of 198 people, the level of personal attention will vary. Still, the crew’s role is practical rather than decorative: helping you spot the aurora, giving photography advice, and directing you outside quickly when activity begins.

Is $83.88 a fair price?

At $83.88 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Reykjavik. You are paying for a boat ride, crew support, supplied overalls, onboard facilities, the chance to get beyond the city glow, and the backup arrangement.

The value improves because of the free return sailing if conditions are unsuitable. A single failed night is less painful when you are not forced to buy another full-price ticket immediately. The Whales of Iceland alternative adds further protection, especially if you have limited time in Reykjavik and do not want a completely wasted evening.

The included photographs also add modest value. You do not need to treat them as a reason to book, but they are useful when your own camera struggles with darkness or movement. The photography workshop in the backup program is another practical touch for anyone hoping to capture the lights properly.

Hotel transfers cost extra. You can arrange them while booking or contact the ticket office at least two hours before departure. If you are staying near central Reykjavik, making your own way to Geirsgata 11 should be straightforward and avoids adding to the price. If you are farther out or prefer not to walk in cold weather, include the transfer cost when comparing tours.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would choose this outing if you want the northern lights to be the main event but prefer a boat to a coach. It suits you if you like being outdoors, can tolerate a little uncertainty, and value a second chance when nature does not cooperate.

It is also a good fit for photographers who want guidance and official photos without paying for a private session. The short photography workshop is especially useful if you are unsure how to photograph a faint aurora.

Families and first-time visitors to Iceland may appreciate the overalls, restrooms, snack bar, and clear backup plan. Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, you should consider the possibility of a crowded deck, limited indoor seating, and rough water.

I would hesitate if you need a guaranteed spectacle, dislike boats, or have only one narrow window for the northern lights. The free rescheduling ticket helps, but a second attempt still requires time in your itinerary. The tour requires good weather, and the aurora itself remains a natural event rather than a scheduled show.

Booking details that affect your plans

The outing is offered in English and takes about two to three hours, with the boat portion listed at two hours. It begins and ends at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik.

You receive booking confirmation at the time of reservation. The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 54 days, so I would not leave it until the final night of a winter visit if the lights are a priority.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you are offered a different date, another experience, or a full refund, depending on the situation.

Should you book the northern lights boat tour?

I would book it if you want a well-supported search from the water and like the security of a backup plan. The strongest reasons are the warm overalls, helpful crew, free photos, Whales of Iceland alternative, and free return ticket when sailing conditions fail.

I would not book it expecting a quiet private cruise or a guaranteed aurora. The boat may be crowded, the sea can be bumpy, and the lights may remain faint or invisible. For many visitors, that is a fair trade for the chance to see the sky from Faxaflói Bay without losing the whole evening when the weather turns bad.

FAQ

Where does the northern lights boat tour depart from?

The tour departs from Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The full activity takes about two to three hours. The boat portion lasts about two hours.

What happens if the weather is unsuitable for sailing?

You are automatically assigned an alternative activity at Whales of Iceland. This includes exhibit entry, a northern lights drink, a short film, a guided tour, and a short photography workshop.

Do I receive another boat ticket if the northern lights trip does not operate?

Yes. You receive a free ticket to join the boat tour on the next available date if conditions are not suitable for the sailing.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel transfers are not included in the listed price. They can be added for an extra charge through the supplier.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Snacks and drinks are not included, but you can purchase them at the onboard snack bar. The backup activity includes a northern lights drink.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.