Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

The best part of this cruise is that you can search for the aurora without spending hours in a cold minibus. You sail from Reykjavik into Faxafloi Bay, put on thermal overalls, and move between the open deck and a heated indoor viewing area while the crew watches the sky.

I like the free return ticket if no lights appear, and I like having crew members help with camera settings and photo-taking. The boat also offers toilets, WiFi, indoor seating, and drinks for sale, which makes the wait far easier than standing outdoors in a snowy field.

The catch is simple: the aurora is never guaranteed. Cloud, wind, weak solar activity, and rough water can turn a promising outing into two and a half hours of darkness, and a full boat may leave you with little room on deck.

Key points to know before sailing

• Thermal suits are included: Adult and children’s sizes are available, a useful benefit on the cold, windy bay.
• You can try again: If you join the cruise and see no lights, you receive a ticket for the next available day. The ticket does not expire.
• Photos are free: Pictures taken during each trip can be downloaded without an added charge.
• The boat leaves city lights behind: Faxafloi Bay can offer darker skies, though it does not remove the effects of cloud or poor aurora activity.
• The trip lasts about two and a half hours: You have time to watch the sky, hear explanations, and warm up indoors.
• Full boats are possible: The maximum group size is 198 people, so deck space can feel limited after canceled sailings are rescheduled.

Sailing into Faxafloi Bay from Reykjavik

The meeting point is Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavik’s harbor and public transport. The tour returns to the same place, so you do not need to arrange a second meeting point at the end of the evening.

The boat heads out across Faxafloi Bay, away from some of Reykjavik’s artificial light. That is the basic logic behind a boat trip: a darker setting can make faint aurora activity easier to see. Still, this is not a magic escape from city glow. One outing reported little improvement in light pollution, so keep your expectations sensible.

The cruise lasts roughly two hours and 30 minutes. Departure times can vary, but one reported sailing left at 9 p.m. and returned around 11:30 p.m. That late timing matters if you have an early morning tour the next day. It also means you can fit the cruise into a busy Reykjavik visit, provided you leave enough time for the return.

At sea, the boat moves slowly while the crew checks conditions and points out areas of interest. This is not a fast ride or a dramatic sightseeing voyage. One drawback is that some of the trip can feel quiet and uneventful if the sky stays cloudy. You are there to wait for nature, not to follow a tightly packed sightseeing schedule.

Thermal overalls make the wait easier

The included overalls are one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this cruise. The boat supplies them in children’s sizes as well as adult sizes, so families do not need to buy expensive winter clothing just for one evening.

You should still dress warmly underneath. The open deck is cold and windy, and the suits are protection rather than a replacement for layers, gloves, a hat, and sturdy footwear. One useful tip is to choose a larger size if you are between sizes or wearing several layers. The suits need to fit over your normal clothing without restricting movement.

The boat has heated indoor seating, so you can come inside to warm up between checks of the sky. That is a major advantage over an outdoor land tour, where you may spend much of the night standing in a field or beside a road.

The indoor area also gives you access to WiFi and onboard refreshments for purchase. Food and drinks are not included, but snacks and hot drinks are available. A cup of hot chocolate can make a cloudy night more pleasant, though the quality and service of the onboard café may vary. Do not book this as a dinner cruise.

What happens when the sky cooperates

When the forecast works in your favor, the experience can be extraordinary. The lights may begin as a faint arc, then grow into moving bands or a green curtain across the sky. At times, you can see the aurora clearly with your eyes. At other times, a camera may show more color and detail than you can see unaided.

The crew explains why the lights appear, separating scientific facts from local stories and myths. The science concerns particles colliding in Earth’s atmosphere, while the stories give the phenomenon a human and cultural setting. A good guide helps fill the waiting time without pretending to control the sky.

Guides have been praised for being friendly, funny, and clear. Lukas has been singled out as an especially good guide, and other guides have helped people find the right part of the sky and adjust their cameras. The guide may also point out stars, constellations, or shooting stars on a clear night.

The crew sometimes extends the viewing time when the aurora appears late. That flexibility can make a real difference. The lights may show themselves just as the boat is preparing to head back, and an extra period on the water can turn a near miss into a memorable sighting.

Photography help and the free pictures

The tour includes pictures taken during every departure, with downloads available at no extra cost. This is useful because aurora photography is tricky, especially on a moving boat. Crew members can also help you take your own pictures.

Bring your camera or phone ready to use. The strongest displays can appear suddenly, and the boat’s movement makes long exposures harder. A clear, cold evening may offer the best chance for sharp images, but wind and waves can blur photographs even when the lights look beautiful to your eyes.

Do not judge the experience only by the photos. Several conditions affect the result: cloud cover, the strength of the aurora, the movement of the boat, and your camera’s ability to capture low light. The included images are a pleasant extra, not a guarantee of dramatic professional photographs.

The crew’s photo help is especially valuable if you have never photographed the northern lights. Ask early rather than waiting until the brightest display begins. You will have a better chance of getting a usable image and then returning your attention to the sky.

Weather cancellations and the free second attempt

The most important booking condition is the weather policy. The cruise needs suitable conditions, and the operator may cancel if weather makes the trip unsafe or the viewing prospects poor. If the company cancels before you join, you can choose another date or receive a full refund, provided you have not already taken the tour.

When sea conditions are poor but the aurora forecast still looks promising, you may be offered a Northern Lights by Bus tour instead. The bus option is treated as the same-priced alternative, so choosing it does not produce an additional refund.

If you go out and see no lights, you receive another ticket for the next available day. The offer does not expire, and it can reportedly be used even years later. That is generous on paper, but you need to be in Reykjavik on another available date to benefit. One person tried to rebook and found the next departure full, so do not assume a second trip will fit your schedule automatically.

If the northern lights are the main purpose of your Iceland visit, book early in your stay. That leaves room for a second attempt. Booking on your final night removes much of the value of the guarantee.

Full boats, rough water, and comfort limits

The maximum group size is 198 people. A boat of that size can provide plenty of indoor seating, but the outdoor viewing areas may feel crowded. This is especially likely after a cancellation, when many people are moved to the next clear departure.

A full boat does not automatically ruin the outing, but it changes the feel. You may need to take turns at the rail or wait for a clear view. If you want quiet, personal space, or easy movement between viewing spots, a smaller land excursion may suit you better.

Water conditions matter too. On a windy night, the boat can rock enough to make photography difficult and even make some people uneasy. Thermal clothing protects you from cold, but it does not prevent seasickness. The supplied information does not promise special seasickness facilities, so anyone sensitive to motion should consider that risk before booking.

The indoor seating helps, but it does not make every night comfortable. If the weather turns rainy and the sky is fully covered, you may spend much of the time listening to the guide and waiting for conditions that never arrive. Some people find that acceptable because the crew offers explanations and the return ticket protects a future attempt. Others may prefer a cancellation before departure when the forecast looks hopeless.

Price and overall value at $108.13

At $108.13 per person, this is not a cheap harbor ride. You are paying for the boat, crew, warm indoor space, thermal overalls, photo downloads, and the chance to return for free if the lights do not appear.

The value depends on how much you want comfort. If you already own excellent winter clothing and do not mind standing outside for hours, a bus or land-based tour may offer more flexibility. If you dislike the idea of freezing in a field or sitting in a vehicle without a bathroom, the boat’s facilities justify part of the price.

The retry policy adds real value, but only if your schedule allows another evening. Think of it as protection against one failed attempt, not an insurance policy that guarantees an aurora sighting. The company cannot control clouds or solar activity.

Food and drinks cost extra, and hotel pickup is not included in the standard arrangement. Pickup can be booked directly with the supplier for an added fee. Meeting at the harbor is usually the simpler and cheaper choice if you are staying in central Reykjavik.

Who should book this cruise

I would recommend this cruise to you if warmth, toilets, indoor seating, and a second chance matter as much as the actual search for the lights. It is also a sensible choice for families because children’s thermal overalls are available and you can step inside during the wait.

It suits first-time aurora watchers who want explanations and basic photography help. The guides can explain the science, share local myths, and tell you where to look. The free photos are helpful for anyone who does not want to manage a camera alone.

You should think twice if you get seasick, need a quiet small-group setting, or have only one night available. You may also prefer a bus tour if rough water worries you or if you want the flexibility to move between several land locations.

The experience earns its strongest praise when the lights appear. On those nights, the boat’s slow movement, the dark bay, and the open sky can create a striking setting. On a cloudy night, it becomes a comfortable but sometimes dull wait with a valuable retry option.

Final call: book early, and leave room for a second night

I think this is a reasonable northern lights choice for a Reykjavik stay, especially if you book it near the beginning of your visit. The thermal suits, heated seating, free photos, and return ticket solve several common problems with aurora outings.

Book it only after accepting the central truth: nature sets the schedule. You can improve your odds by choosing a clear night, but you cannot purchase a guaranteed display. If you have two evenings available, the free retry makes the price easier to defend. If you have one evening and demand certainty, skip it.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights cruise depart?

It departs from Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel transfers are not included in the standard price. Hotel pickup can be added by booking directly with the supplier for an extra fee.

Are thermal overalls provided?

Yes. Thermal overalls are included, and children’s sizes are available.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase onboard.

Is there heated seating inside?

Yes. The boat has heated indoor seating, as well as an outdoor deck for viewing the sky.

What happens if no northern lights appear?

You receive a free ticket to try the cruise again on the next available day. The ticket does not expire.

What happens if the company cancels because of weather?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the cruise is canceled due to poor weather and you have not previously joined the tour.

Can I cancel my booking?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.