Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik

The best part of this cruise is the change of setting. You leave Reykjavik’s harbor, watch Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja glow behind you, and search the dark northern sky from Faxaflói bay. When the aurora appears, it feels wonderfully removed from the city, even though downtown is only a short walk away.

I like the choice of viewing spots: you can stand outside for a clear view or warm up in the heated saloon. I also like the free return ticket if the lights do not appear, a fair safeguard for a natural show that cannot be scheduled.

The catch is simple: a boat cannot chase the aurora across the island. You remain fairly close to Reykjavik, so city light, cloud, wind, and a rocking deck can all affect the experience. A bus tour may reach darker areas, but this cruise is shorter and easier to fit into a city stay.

Key points to know before you sail

• About two hours on Faxaflói bay: A compact evening outing that works well when you have limited time in Reykjavik.
• Warm overalls are supplied: They help with wind and cold, but bring your own hat and gloves.
• Two ways to watch: Use the outdoor decks for the widest view, then retreat to the heated cabin, café, Wi-Fi, and toilets.
• The Imagine Peace Tower may be part of the route: From October through December, the boat passes its bright beam when it is lit.
• No aurora means a free second chance: Complimentary return tickets are offered, valid for two years.
• The boat can hold up to 150 people: That gives you room to move around, though busy departures may feel crowded.

Leaving Elding’s Reykjavik harbor

The cruise begins at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, in central Reykjavik. You make your own way there, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The location is near public transportation, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

That return to the harbor makes the outing easy to pair with dinner or an evening walk. Still, do not treat the meeting point as a doorstep pickup. Check your route in advance, especially if you are staying outside central Reykjavik or plan to take a taxi afterward.

Once aboard, the crew provides a short introduction and explains how the evening will work. The guides also talk about the aurora, the conditions needed to see it, and the sights around the harbor. Guide Mia received especially warm praise for making the boat trip enjoyable, and other guides have helped people find the lights and adjust camera settings.

The atmosphere is more relaxed than a long coach excursion. You are not spending five hours driving around Iceland. You sail out, watch the sky, and return to the same place in roughly two hours.

Faxaflói bay and Reykjavik’s lights

The route takes you out into Faxaflói bay, where the horizon opens up and the city becomes part of the view. On a clear night, you can turn toward Reykjavik and see the illuminated outline of its best-known buildings, including Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja church.

This city view is one of the cruise’s real strengths. You get more than a wait in a dark field. The harbor, the water, the skyline, and the changing sky give the evening some shape even if the aurora stays hidden.

The boat does not travel deep into the countryside. That matters. Reykjavik’s glow remains nearby, and the cruise cannot always escape light pollution as effectively as a land tour that chooses its location according to the forecast. If your only goal is the darkest possible sky, a bus trip may offer better odds.

On the other hand, the cruise avoids a long night in a vehicle. You can move between decks, get a hot drink, and enjoy the water instead of sitting in a coach. For a first attempt, or for anyone who dislikes long bus rides, that tradeoff may be worth the $105 price.

The Imagine Peace Tower from October through December

When the Imagine Peace Tower is lit between October and December, the boat passes by so you can see its beam shining into the night. This is a short but memorable part of the route, and it gives the cruise a local connection beyond the aurora hunt.

The tower is especially useful on a night when the sky is quiet. You may not get the natural display you came for, but you still have a distinctive Reykjavik sight to photograph from the water. The timing is seasonal, so do not expect this view outside the stated period.

The tower also shows why the cruise works best as an evening in its own right. You are not simply waiting for green light overhead. You are seeing the harbor from a different angle, with the city behind you and the open bay ahead.

Outdoor decks, heated saloon, and cold-weather gear

You have a choice between several outdoor viewing areas and an indoor heated saloon. The upper decks provide the clearest view of the sky, but winter conditions on the water can be much harsher than the temperature on land. Wind cuts through clothing quickly, especially when you stand still while waiting.

Elding supplies warm, floatable overalls. Put them on early rather than waiting until you are already cold. They were particularly useful during January outings, and they also helped in October when the wind made the deck uncomfortable.

Bring a hat and gloves. The overalls cover much of your body, but they do not replace warm accessories for your head and hands. Wear layers you can adjust, since you may move from the cold deck into the heated cabin several times.

The indoor saloon has seating, Wi-Fi, toilets, and a café selling hot drinks and snacks. Hot chocolate and hand warmers have been available during outings, and the hot chocolate received special approval. These are paid extras, so keep a little money available if you want something warm while you wait.

Do not feel that staying inside means you have missed the experience. You can warm up, listen to the guide, and step outside when someone spots activity in the sky. The cabin is also useful for anyone who finds the wind tiring or needs a break from the cold.

What the aurora search is really like

Northern Lights cruises involve patience. You might see the aurora within minutes of leaving the dock, or you might spend the first hour under stars and cloud before the sky changes. One strong outing produced lights for nearly the full two hours, while another showed only faint activity for a few minutes.

That range is not a flaw in the boat. The aurora is a natural event, and cloud cover can hide it even when the activity forecast looks promising. A clear sky helps, but clear weather alone does not guarantee a display.

You should also adjust your expectations about color. The human eye may see a pale or faint glow, while a phone or camera records stronger green streaks. Some outings have produced excellent photographs even when the lights were difficult to see directly.

The guides point out where to look and explain the conditions. They may also help with camera settings, which is valuable because automatic phone modes often struggle in the dark. Turn off flash, hold the camera steady, and listen when the crew explains where the best viewing spot is.

The boat can rock, particularly on the upper deck or during faster movement. Several outings were described as smooth, but some people felt seasick when the water was rough or the boat accelerated. If you are prone to motion sickness, bring or take your preferred remedy before sailing. The crew has also provided seasickness tablets on some departures.

How this compares with a bus tour

At $105 per person, the cruise is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora. Its value depends on what you want from the night.

I would choose this boat if you want:

• A short two-hour activity rather than a five-hour road trip
• A departure from central Reykjavik
• City and harbor views alongside the aurora search
• Indoor warmth, toilets, Wi-Fi, and a café
• A chance to move around instead of sitting in one seat
• A free return option when the lights do not show

I would lean toward a bus tour if you want the guide to make wider decisions about location. A coach can follow changing forecasts and may reach darker areas away from Reykjavik. The boat has less freedom to reposition, and its relatively short route leaves more city glow in the picture.

There is also a crowding question. The maximum group size is 150, and the boat is large enough to offer several decks. On a busy night, however, the indoor tables may be shared, the top deck may fill up, and safety announcements can be hard to hear if people are talking.

Try the bow or a less crowded section if the upper deck is packed. The top deck offers a wide view, but it is not automatically the best place. A lower outdoor area may give you a clearer sightline and less movement.

The free return policy and its limits

The sighting guarantee is one of the strongest practical features. If the aurora does not appear during your cruise, you are offered complimentary tickets to try again on another night. The tickets are valid for two years.

This is helpful if you are staying in Reykjavik for several nights. You can check the weather and aurora forecast, then return when conditions look better. The company has also been able to reschedule departures canceled because of poor weather.

The policy is less useful if you leave Iceland the next morning. You do not receive a cash refund simply because the lights failed to appear. The return ticket is the remedy, and the company considers it the fairest option for an unpredictable natural event.

That detail should shape your booking decision. If your schedule allows a second attempt, the guarantee adds real value. If you have only one night in Reykjavik, book with the understanding that the $105 pays for the cruise, guidance, harbor views, and chance to see the aurora, not a guaranteed light show.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

This experience requires good weather. If conditions are unsafe, the departure may be canceled at short notice, and you will be offered another date or a full refund. Keep your phone and email available on the day of the cruise so you can receive changes.

Book early if your Iceland itinerary is fixed. The activity is often reserved about 45 days ahead, and aurora trips are popular during the darker months. Booking near the start of your stay is a smart move because it leaves room for a free second attempt if the first night fails.

Check both the weather and aurora forecast before you go. Heavy cloud is a clear warning sign. A strong aurora forecast improves your odds, but neither forecast can promise what you will see from the boat.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but the boats are not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds may make the inside areas and toilets difficult to reach.

Who should book this cruise

This cruise suits you if you are staying in Reykjavik and want an easy evening without committing to a long drive. It is also a good fit if you like having a heated refuge nearby, need onboard toilets, or want a natural attraction paired with city views.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the choice of indoor and outdoor areas. You can warm up without ending the outing, and the boat is stable enough on many nights for a comfortable ride. Still, people who get seasick should prepare carefully.

Photography-minded visitors will appreciate the guide’s help with camera settings and the chance to photograph the city, the Peace Tower, and the sky from the water. Just remember that a moving boat is not ideal for long exposures. Rocking can blur pictures even when the aurora is strong.

I would hesitate if you have only one free evening and need the highest possible chance of seeing the lights. In that case, compare the cruise with a land tour that can travel farther from city lights. If you value the boat ride itself, the skyline, and a shorter schedule, the cruise makes more sense.

Booking and cancellation details

The price is $105 per person. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to Ægisgarður 5c and back from the same point.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Weather cancellations are handled separately with a new date or full refund.

Should you book the Northern Lights Cruise?

I would book it as a comfortable, compact aurora attempt, especially if I had two or more nights in Reykjavik. The warm overalls, heated cabin, useful onboard facilities, city views, and free return option make the $105 easier to justify.

I would not book it expecting a guaranteed spectacle. Some nights produce dramatic lights within minutes. Other nights offer only a faint glow, a view of the Peace Tower, or no aurora at all. Choose the cruise for the whole evening on the water, then treat the northern lights as the glorious bonus.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Elding Whale Watching at Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point where it begins.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Are warm clothes provided?

Warm, floatable overalls are available to borrow. You should still bring a hat and gloves for extra comfort.

Is there an indoor heated area?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with seating, Wi-Fi, toilet facilities, and an onboard café.

Can I buy food and drinks on the boat?

Yes. Snacks and hot drinks are available for purchase at the onboard café.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon and sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You are offered complimentary tickets to try the cruise again on another night at no extra cost. The return tickets are valid for two years.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is the cruise accessible for passengers with limited mobility?

Passengers with limited mobility are welcome, but the boats are not fully accessible. Steep stairs and high thresholds may restrict access to the inside areas and toilets.

How many people can join the cruise?

The maximum group size is 150 people.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.