Reykjavik: Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise

The Northern Lights are never guaranteed, but this cruise gives you a memorable way to look for them. You sail out from Reykjavik Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay, where the city lights fade and the sky gets darker. On the way, you see Harpa Concert Hall, the Sun Voyager, Höfði house, and Viðey.

I like the small-yacht feel available on MY Harpa, which carries up to 35 people, and the chance to step inside for warmth without losing the view. I also like the crew’s practical approach: they explain the aurora, provide blankets, and keep you informed when activity appears. The main drawback is simple: clouds, rain, and weak solar activity can leave you with a pleasant boat ride but no Northern Lights.

Key points to know before sailing

• You sail beyond Reykjavik’s harbor lights: The yacht heads into Faxaflói Bay and behind islands such as Viðey for darker skies.
• Two different yachts may be used: MY Harpa holds up to 35 people, while MY Amelia Rose carries up to 95.
• The city sights come before the sky show: Harpa, the Sun Voyager, Höfði, and Viðey add interest even when the aurora stays hidden.
• Warmth is built into the plan: You get indoor seating and blankets, with hot and cold drinks available to buy at the bar.
• The Northern Lights remain a gamble: Several departures have seen only brief green glows, while others have enjoyed a strong display overhead.
• A second attempt may be possible: In at least one case, staff arranged a free return trip after an unsuccessful first night.

Leaving Old Harbor for Faxaflói Bay

Your evening begins at Reykjavik Old Harbor, a handy starting point for a night on the water. Check in inside the restaurant at a self-service kiosk. The meeting point has caused some confusion because the map does not make the indoor check-in location especially clear, so give yourself a few extra minutes.

Once aboard, you can settle in inside or head outside. The yacht moves at a manageable pace, and you continue to see Reykjavik’s lights on the horizon for much of the trip. That matters if you feel uneasy on open water. One passenger who was nervous about leaving solid ground found the ride calm and reassuring, with the city remaining visible in the distance.

The cruise lasts about 2.5 hours. That is long enough to get well away from the strongest harbor lights, but not so long that a cold night becomes exhausting. The crew chooses the route according to weather, cloud cover, and the best available chance of finding a darker patch of sky.

You are not simply taken to one fixed viewing point and left there. The yacht can adjust its position, although a boat has less freedom than a road vehicle. That limitation is worth keeping in mind if you are comparing this cruise with a land-based Northern Lights outing.

Reykjavik’s landmarks from the water

The first part of the cruise gives you a fresh look at Reykjavik. Harpa Concert Hall is especially striking from the bay. Its glass front reflects the city and the water, while the geometric design takes inspiration from Iceland’s basalt formations.

You also pass the Sun Voyager, Jón Gunnar Árnason’s steel sculpture near the waterfront. From the water, it becomes part of the shoreline rather than just another stop on a walking route. The view is brief, but it gives the cruise a sense of place before the focus shifts to the sky.

Höfði house is another worthwhile sight. This modest white building is tied to the 1986 meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, a key moment in the winding-down of the Cold War. You will not get a museum visit or a long stop here, but seeing the house from the bay adds a useful bit of context to the route.

The yacht may also pass near Viðey, one of the islands in Faxaflói Bay. From October 9 through December 8, and on certain other dates, Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower shines from the island. Its appearance depends on the calendar and visibility, so do not book this cruise only for that sight. Still, when it is lit, it adds a quiet, unusual detail to the dark shoreline.

Waiting for the aurora in the open bay

The crew’s main job is to find a darker area with a workable view of the sky. Once the yacht is behind the islands and away from the brightest city glow, you can watch from the outside deck or through the windows inside.

The guide explains what causes the aurora: charged solar particles interact with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, producing the shifting bands and curtains of light. The better guides also explain what you are seeing in plain language rather than treating the Northern Lights as a mysterious spectacle with no science behind it.

The sky may start with nothing more than stars and cloud. Then a faint gray or green smear can appear, sometimes so subtle that a camera detects it before your eyes do. At other times, the lights arrive with enough strength to ripple overhead. The supplied experiences include both kinds of night, from brief glimpses through cloud to a full display above the boat.

One useful feature is the crew’s updates. You can sit inside with a hot drink and a blanket rather than standing outdoors for the entire cruise. If the lights appear, staff let you know so you can go outside at the right moment. That makes the waiting period easier, especially in winter.

The yacht also offers a steadier platform than a small open boat. You can take photographs without dealing with the constant road movement of a minibus, and the dark water can make an attractive foreground. Bring a warm jacket anyway. A blanket helps, but it does not replace proper winter clothing when you are standing on deck in an ocean breeze.

MY Harpa and MY Amelia Rose

The boat you receive depends on the departure. MY Harpa is the smaller yacht, with room for up to 35 passengers. That gives the trip a more intimate feel and makes it easier to move between the indoor cabin and outside viewing area.

MY Amelia Rose can carry up to 95 passengers. That is still a limited size compared with a large sightseeing vessel, but it will not feel as private as the smaller yacht. If the type of boat matters to you, check which vessel is scheduled rather than assuming the name of the experience guarantees MY Harpa.

Both options include an inside seating area, free Wi-Fi, and warm blankets. Drinks and refreshments are available at the bar, including hot options that make a real difference on a cold night. The boat is comfortable, but this is still a marine outing, not a heated viewing room. Wear layers and shoes suitable for a wet deck.

The vessels have outside space for watching the sky. That is important because windows can reflect interior light and make photography harder. You can warm up inside, then return outdoors when the crew spots activity.

There have been occasions when a yacht was unavailable because of repairs or technical problems, with a different vessel used instead. If that happens, the replacement may be larger or less polished than the boat originally expected. The operator has also offered rebooking in such cases, but your practical choice may depend on your remaining time in Reykjavik.

The real value of a $99 cruise

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the Northern Lights. You are paying for the boat, crew, indoor seating, a stable photo platform, blankets, and a different view of Reykjavik. You are also paying for the atmosphere of being on the bay at night, which a land excursion cannot reproduce.

The value is strongest if you already plan to spend an evening in Reykjavik and want an activity that remains enjoyable even if the aurora fails to appear. The harbor sights, the coastline, and the quiet stretch behind the islands give you something to see along the way.

The value is weaker if your only goal is maximizing the odds of seeing the lights. A road-based vehicle can travel farther inland or change direction more quickly in search of clearer skies. A yacht has a set operating area and cannot simply drive toward a break in the clouds.

That does not make the boat a poor choice. It makes it a different choice. If the Northern Lights do appear over the water, the setting can be exceptional, with the city glowing behind you and the sky reflected in the bay. If clouds cover the sky, you still have the cruise, but you should be comfortable paying for the setting and the experience rather than a guaranteed sight.

Weather, clouds, and the Northern Lights gamble

Cloud cover is the biggest practical risk. Several departures have had rain or thick cloud, followed by a short appearance near the end of the trip. Other nights produced only a faint glimpse. A strong forecast does not guarantee a show, and a poor-looking evening can sometimes open at just the right moment.

The company has sometimes helped passengers try again after a missed sighting. A free second trip was arranged for one passenger after the first attempt failed, which can make the booking feel less risky if your schedule allows another evening. Do not assume a repeat trip is guaranteed in every situation, but ask the staff about the current policy if seeing the aurora is your main reason for booking.

You should also think about timing. The Northern Lights are more likely during the darker months, but winter weather can bring more cloud, wind, and rain. In September or early April, you may find milder conditions, but the darkness and solar activity still have to cooperate.

The best attitude is to treat the aurora as a possible bonus, not a promised event. I would book this cruise when you can enjoy the harbor views, the water, and the guide’s explanations even under a blank sky.

What the crew adds to the night

The crew has been one of the strongest parts of this experience. Staff help with check-in, explain when to go outside, and keep spirits up when the weather turns against the trip. The best commentary combines Icelandic stories and local history with a clear explanation of the aurora.

Guides have also shared useful advice beyond the Northern Lights. One guide, Einar, was praised for local recommendations during an outing, including places to eat and a less expensive geothermal spa. That sort of local help can be handy if this is your first evening in Reykjavik.

Seamus at the Old Harbor House has also helped arrange a free second attempt after a failed first night. The important point for you is not the name itself, but the willingness of staff to help when weather spoils the main goal.

Commentary can vary. Some departures have included steady explanations and stories, while one passenger found the information about the aurora rather limited despite seeing the lights. If you want a formal lecture throughout the trip, this may feel uneven. If you prefer the freedom to sit quietly and look at the sky, that lighter approach may suit you.

Practical tips for a better cruise

Wear more than you think you need. A warm coat, hat, gloves, and layers will let you spend time outside when the aurora appears instead of rushing back indoors after a few minutes.

Try to stay inside during the outward run if you are prone to cold. You can see the shoreline through the windows, warm up with a drink, and step outside when the crew reports activity.

Keep your camera ready, but do not spend the entire sighting looking at a screen. A stable yacht helps with photographs, yet low-light settings still require patience. The outside deck is the better place for shots because indoor light can reflect on the windows.

The kiosk check-in is inside the restaurant, not simply at the map pin outside. If you are unsure, ask at the Old Harbor House rather than wandering around the waterfront.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check the current departure when booking. The live guide service is offered in Icelandic and English.

Who should book this Reykjavik cruise?

I would recommend it to couples, families, and solo visitors who like the idea of a calm evening on the water. It is also a good fit if you want a Northern Lights outing without sitting in a road vehicle for hours.

The smaller MY Harpa is especially appealing if you value a quieter group and a more personal boat setting. If you are assigned MY Amelia Rose, you still get indoor seating, blankets, Wi-Fi, and outside viewing, but expect a less private feel.

I would hesitate if your schedule allows only one Northern Lights attempt and you want the greatest possible flexibility in chasing clear skies. In that case, compare the cruise with a land-based outing before committing.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if the thought of seeing the Northern Lights above dark water sounds as appealing as the lights themselves. The boat is comfortable, the route includes several worthwhile Reykjavik sights, and the crew can make the waiting time pleasant.

Skip it if you would be disappointed by a beautiful night cruise without an aurora. At $99, the price is fair for the boat, views, crew, and warm facilities, but the sky remains beyond anyone’s control. The strongest plan is to book early in your Iceland stay, leave room for a second attempt if possible, and treat the lights as the reward rather than the guarantee.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights yacht cruise depart?

It departs from Reykjavik Old Harbor. Check in inside the restaurant at a self-service kiosk.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts about 2.5 hours. Departure times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Which yacht will I be sailing on?

You may sail on MY Harpa, which holds up to 35 passengers, or MY Amelia Rose, which holds up to 95 passengers.

Is indoor seating available?

Yes. The yachts have an inside seating area, and warm blankets are provided. Hot and cold drinks are available to buy at the onboard bar.

Is the Northern Lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora depends on solar activity, cloud cover, rain, and visibility. Some trips see a strong display, while others see only a brief glimpse or no lights.

What languages are available on the cruise?

Live guiding is available in Icelandic and English.