From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Boat Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the simple change of setting: you leave Reykjavik’s city glow and head into darker water, where the Northern Lights have a better chance to show. From the deck, you also get a fresh view back toward Reykjavik, with the sea and mountains replacing streets and buildings.

I like the warm flotation overalls and heated indoor cabins, since this is a waiting game and Icelandic nights are cold. I also like the free return ticket if the sky stays empty. The catch is plain: the aurora is wild weather, not a scheduled show, and some trips return with little or nothing to see.

Key points to know

• A two-hour cruise from Geirsgata 11: You sail into Faxaflói and return to the same harbor.
• Warmth is built in: Flotation overalls, heated cabins, toilets, and seasickness tablets are available.
• Guides add useful help: Lucas has helped with camera settings, photographs, and practical questions.
• No lights means another chance: You can use your booking number to reschedule for free if there is no sighting.
• Bring patience and warm layers: Even with the suits, the open deck can feel cold, and sightings may be faint.
• The price is $101 per person: It is fair if you value the boat setting and backup policy, but not if you want the cheapest possible aurora hunt.

Leaving Reykjavik for a darker sky

You meet at Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours office on the corner. Arrive about 30 minutes early. That gives you time to check in without rushing and to get ready for the boat before the search begins.

The cruise heads out from Reykjavik into Faxaflói Bay. The exact route is not a sightseeing circuit with several formal stops. The boat’s purpose is to move away from the strongest city lights and find a useful viewing position.

That makes the first part of the trip pleasant even before the aurora appears. You can look back at Reykjavik from the water, then turn your attention to the open sky. The change in surroundings matters because the Northern Lights can be faint to the naked eye when nearby artificial light washes out the sky.

The boat returns to Geirsgata 11 after roughly two hours. Some outings have lasted longer when the captain and crew waited for a possible opening in the clouds, but you should treat two hours as the normal planned duration, not count on an extended cruise.

What happens during the two-hour search

The cruise is part sightseeing trip, part waiting game. The boat moves out into the bay while the guide explains what you are looking for and why the lights appear. Commentary covers both the science of the aurora and Icelandic beliefs and stories connected with it.

That combination suits this kind of outing. You are not simply standing in the cold, hoping for green streaks. The guide gives you something useful to listen to while the sky changes. The information is delivered in English, and the tour has a live guide rather than an audio recording.

When the sky looks promising, you can head outside to watch. When the cold catches up with you, return to the heated indoor cabin. The cabin also has toilets, WiFi, and a bar area where you can buy food and drinks. The price does not include refreshments, so budget extra if you want something from the onboard service.

A practical tip is to use the toilet before putting on the flotation suit. One of the most useful details from the experience is also one of the least glamorous: getting out of a bulky warm suit in a small toilet is awkward.

Warm overalls and the cold reality

The warm flotation overalls are one of the strongest practical features here. They are designed to go over your own clothing, so wear layers underneath and ask for a size that leaves enough room. One useful suggestion is to choose a larger size if you are between sizes or plan to wear thick clothes.

The suits help a lot, but they do not make the deck tropical. You may still feel cold when walking outside or when the wind picks up. Gloves, a hat, and sturdy warm clothing remain sensible, even though the operator supplies the suit.

I would split your time between the deck and the cabin. Stay outside when the sky is active, then warm up indoors before heading back out. This is more comfortable than trying to endure the cold for the entire cruise.

The boat has room to move around, though wet seats can make the outdoor area less inviting. Bring care when walking in the suit, especially around stairs and narrow areas. The interior gives you a useful fallback, not just an emergency shelter.

The guide can make or break the waiting time

A good guide matters on an aurora cruise because much of the trip may pass without a sighting. Lucas received especially warm praise for his humor, patience, and practical help. He has helped people set up cameras, taken photos for them, and stayed late to help locate a lost phone after the boat returned.

Those details point to the kind of service you can expect from a strong guide on this trip. You can ask for help with camera settings rather than waste the entire night trying to guess the right exposure. You can also keep your attention on the sky instead of spending every second looking down at a screen.

The crew may take photos during the outing and make them available online afterward. That is useful because aurora photography is tricky. The lights can look stronger in a long-exposure photograph than they did to your eyes, while a phone set to automatic mode may capture very little.

You should still think of the guide as a helpful addition, not a guarantee of a show. The crew can explain the forecast, move the boat, and wait when conditions look promising. Nobody can order the aurora to appear.

When the Northern Lights appear

A good sighting can develop quickly. One account describes seeing the lights before the boat had even stopped, while other outings caught only a faint display near the end of the return trip. The contrast is important: you might see a clear, moving show, or you might see a pale glow that is easier to record than to notice with your eyes.

The lights can appear green, faint, or more active as the night goes on. The provided experiences include everything from spectacular displays to long periods of stargazing with no aurora at all. That range is normal for this activity.

The boat setting gives you a wide view in several directions. You are not limited by buildings or streetlights, and the water adds a quiet, open backdrop. Still, a boat is not automatically better than a land-based outing. If you prefer to stay on solid ground, or if you dislike motion, another type of aurora tour may suit you better.

For photographs, listen to the guide’s advice. Crew members have helped set camera settings and taken photos for people who wanted to watch the sky instead of handling equipment. Bring your own camera or phone if you want personal images, but do not let photography become the whole point of the night.

The free return policy matters

The free return option is the main protection against Iceland’s unpredictable sky. If there are no Northern Lights on your trip, you can use the booking number to join again. Several outings made use of this arrangement, and some people saw the aurora on a second attempt.

This policy does not guarantee that you will see the lights during your stay. It only gives you another opportunity, so it works best if you have at least one spare evening in Reykjavik. A tightly packed itinerary makes the benefit less useful.

There is also an important limit in practice: you need to be in town long enough to take the second trip. One person could not return because the holiday was ending. If your schedule allows it, book this cruise early in your stay rather than on your final night.

The policy gives the $101 price more weight. You are paying not only for a single boat ride, but also for the chance to try again if nature refuses to cooperate. If the lights appear on the first trip, the value feels strong. If not, the backup reduces the sting, provided you have time.

Is $101 good value?

At $101 per person, this is not the lowest-cost way to search for the aurora. You are paying for a boat, the darker setting offshore, warm flotation gear, indoor facilities, a live English-speaking guide, and the possibility of a free return trip.

I think the price is reasonable for someone who wants the boat experience itself. The sea views, the city lights from the water, and the ability to step inside a heated cabin give the night more shape than simply waiting outdoors. The free retry also adds real value.

The price is less appealing if your only goal is to see the Northern Lights as cheaply as possible. A boat cannot improve the weather, and you could finish the night with no sighting. That risk never disappears, even with a professional crew.

Food and drinks cost extra onboard, and hotel pickup is not included. You need to make your own way to Geirsgata 11 and arrive early. Those are small costs and tasks, but they matter when comparing this cruise with options that include transport.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would recommend it to you if you want an evening activity that combines aurora hunting with a short sea trip. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who like having a warm cabin nearby and appreciate a guide who can explain what is happening.

It is also a good choice if you have more than one night in Reykjavik. The free return ticket becomes much more useful when you can make another attempt.

You may want to choose something else if you get seasick easily, dislike waiting outside in winter, or have only one free evening. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available, but the boat still moves on the water. The heated cabin helps with cold, but you will get the best view from outside when the lights appear.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, which makes it more practical for many visitors than a rough outdoor search. Ask about your specific needs when booking, but the stated facilities include accessible participation.

Timing, meeting point, and small practical details

Check the available start time when booking. The meeting point is the Special Tours office at Geirsgata 11, and you should arrive 30 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your route to the harbor in advance.

The standard trip lasts two hours. In some conditions, the boat may stay out longer while the crew waits for clouds to move or for a possible sighting. Do not book another fixed activity immediately afterward.

The boat may sometimes be shared with a partner operator for environmental reasons. This reduces the number of boats on the water and supports the effort to keep the bay cleaner. The exact vessel can therefore vary.

You get free WiFi, heated cabins, toilets, and complimentary seasickness tablets. Pets and smoking are not allowed. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if you are still arranging your Iceland plans.

Should you book this Northern Lights boat cruise?

Book it if you like the idea of hunting for the aurora from Faxaflói, want warm gear and an indoor retreat, and have a spare night available for a second try. The best features are practical: the suits, the cabin, the helpful guides, and the no-sighting return option.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed result. No Northern Lights tour can provide that, and this one has had outings with faint displays or none at all. At $101, the experience makes the most sense when you value the boat ride, the Reykjavik views, and the chance to try again, not just the final photograph.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights boat cruise meet?

You meet at Geirsgata 11 in Reykjavik. Check in at the Special Tours office on the corner and arrive 30 minutes early.

How long does the cruise last?

The planned cruise lasts two hours. Some outings may run longer if the crew waits for clouds to clear or for a possible Northern Lights sighting.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You receive a free ticket to join again. Use your booking number to reschedule, provided you have another suitable evening during your stay.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm flotation overalls are provided. You should still bring weather-appropriate clothing, including warm layers for time spent outside on deck.

Can I buy food and drinks on the boat?

Yes. Food and drinks can be purchased onboard, but they are not included in the tour price. The boat has a heated indoor bar area.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to and from Geirsgata 11.

Is the cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. It is still sensible to share any specific access requirements when you book.