Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the wait itself. Instead of standing in a cold parking lot, you watch Reykjavik’s coast slide past from a yacht, then warm up inside with a hot drink while the crew keeps watch for the aurora. Captain Einar’s experience and the crew’s help with phone settings can make the difference between a faint green blur and a photo you can actually keep.

I like two things in particular: the heated indoor lounge with blankets, bathrooms, and a café-bar, and the chance to step outside onto several viewing areas when the sky clears. I also like that you can return for another yacht trip if the lights do not show, though you should clarify the exact repeat-trip terms before booking.

The main drawback is that this is not a long-ranging chase into the open bay. The yacht generally heads behind the islands near Reykjavik and waits in a sheltered area, so a bus tour may cover more ground in search of clear skies. You may also encounter a larger vessel, despite the small-group description, so confirm which yacht is scheduled.

Key points to know before sailing

• The cruise usually leaves Reykjavik’s Old Harbour after dark, with views of Harpa concert hall, the shoreline, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay.
• The northern lights are never guaranteed. Cloud cover, wind, and aurora strength can change quickly, even within minutes.
• You wait in comfort rather than on a roadside, with an indoor lounge, blankets, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a bar serving hot and cold drinks.
• The crew can help with camera and phone settings, an especially useful service when the aurora looks faint to the naked eye.
• The standard experience lasts about 2 to 3 hours and returns to the Old Harbour.
• The small yacht holds up to 35 people, but Harpa Yachts also operates a larger vessel with capacity for 95, so ask which boat you will board.

Leaving from the Old Harbour beside Harpa

Your meeting point is Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, a short walk from central Reykjavik. The cruise begins with the harbor itself, then opens to views of Harpa concert hall from the water. Harpa’s glass facade is one of Reykjavik’s most recognizable sights, and seeing it lit up from the bay gives the first part of the evening a clear sense of place.

This is not simply a transport ride to an aurora viewing spot. The harbor departure lets you see Reykjavik from a different angle, with the waterfront and coastal outline providing a gentle introduction before the search for the lights begins.

The timing matters. The trip leaves after dark, and the exact success of the evening depends on conditions at departure and later in the night. Icelandic weather can shift from snow to clear sky very quickly, so a cloudy departure does not automatically mean a wasted outing. One especially memorable pattern reported from this cruise is heavy snow leaving the dock, followed by a clear sky around 10 p.m.

You should arrive early enough to check in without stress. The operator has explained that late arrivals can delay the yacht for the rest of the group, and the requested arrival time is 15 minutes before departure. That is sensible advice in Reykjavik, where a simple drink stop or slow walk along the harbor can make you late.

Harpa, the coast, and Viðey Island from the water

After leaving the harbor, the route takes in Reykjavik’s coastline and views toward Viðey Island. You should think of Viðey as a scenic point of interest viewed from the yacht, not as a shore excursion. The supplied itinerary does not promise time to disembark or walk its paths during this evening cruise.

Viðey is known for its quiet setting, historic sites, artwork, and the Imagine Peace Tower, created in memory of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. From the water, you get a sense of the island’s position just offshore and its open relationship with Faxaflói Bay. The views are likely to be atmospheric rather than detailed, especially in darkness, but the island helps frame the route away from the city.

The coastline also gives the crew practical shelter options. According to the operator, the yacht heads behind islands close to Reykjavik and stops where the sea is calmer. That choice may disappoint anyone expecting a fast-moving hunt across the bay, but it has a real benefit: you can spend the waiting time on a stable, comfortable boat rather than enduring a rough ride farther offshore.

Faxaflói Bay and the search for the aurora

Faxaflói Bay is a broad marine area known for seabirds, whales, and open views toward the sky. A daytime cruise here might focus on humpback and minke whales, but this evening trip is centered on the northern lights. The bay provides the setting, not a promise of whale sightings.

The aurora is high above you, so moving a few hundred meters does not always change what you can see. Cloud cover is the crucial factor. The crew’s stated approach is to get far enough from the strongest city glare while remaining near enough to use sheltered water. This explains why the yacht can appear close to Reykjavik on a map yet still offer a useful view upward.

That point is worth understanding before you spend $100.82. If your idea of an aurora hunt means driving deep into the countryside and changing locations several times, this cruise may feel limited. The yacht follows a set pattern and waits. If you value a warm cabin, toilets, drinks, and the pleasure of being on the water, the fixed route makes more sense.

The sky can also fool your eyes. Several accounts describe the lights becoming visible in photographs before appearing clearly to the naked eye. Your phone camera may record green or gray color that you cannot yet see directly. The crew can assist with settings and explain where to focus, which is one of the more useful parts of the service.

A comfortable place to wait for nature

The biggest practical advantage is comfort. The upper deck and outdoor viewing areas let you move around when the sky becomes active, while the enclosed lounge provides warmth when the wind bites. Blankets are available, and the lower deck has bathrooms.

The bar and café serve hot and cold drinks, including coffee, tea, beer, champagne, and other beverages. Prices have been criticized by some people, while the operator describes them as reasonable compared with bars in Reykjavik. I would treat the bar as a convenience, not a reason to book the cruise. A hot drink can be very welcome, but it adds to the evening’s cost.

Wi-Fi is also provided. That can be handy for checking conditions, sharing a first photograph, or staying in touch, though your main reason for being outside is the sky. Relaxed music plays onboard, and the crew gives an explanation of the aurora and, at times, local Christmas traditions.

The quality of the narration may depend on where you stand and how clearly the microphone carries. Some people have found the commentary helpful, while others felt it was brief or too general. You should book this as a scenic yacht ride with aurora guidance, not as a long scientific lecture.

The small yacht question: 35 people or 95?

Group size is one area where you need to read the details carefully. The experience information gives a maximum of 35 people, which matches the stated capacity of MY Harpa. A smaller boat means more room to move between the front, sides, rear, and upper deck when the lights appear.

Harpa Yachts also operates MY Amelia Rose, which holds up to 95 people. The provider has acknowledged using both yachts. That creates a meaningful difference in atmosphere, so contact the company before departure if a smaller group is important to you.

The smaller vessel does not necessarily travel as far as the larger ship. That is the tradeoff: you may get a calmer, less crowded setting, but not the broadest search area. Some people prefer the yacht because a bus can leave you standing outside in a cold car park. Others prefer a bus because it can drive toward clearer skies.

I would choose the yacht if your ideal evening includes a drink, a warm cabin, several viewing spots, and the simple pleasure of being offshore. I would choose a land-based chase if your top priority is mobility and the greatest possible effort to follow breaks in the clouds.

What happens when the lights do not appear

No company can control the aurora. The lights must be strong enough to see and the sky must have clear patches. A promising forecast can fail, while a snowy departure can turn into a beautiful display later.

The operator offers a free additional yacht trip when the lights do not appear. One response also describes free repeat trips for up to three years. Since the wording varies, ask the ticket office to confirm how the offer applies to your booking, how long it remains valid, and whether you must reserve the next trip during your stay.

This policy improves the value, but it does not remove the risk. A free return trip helps if you have several nights in Reykjavik. It is far less useful if this cruise is booked for your final evening or if you leave Iceland the next morning.

For that reason, I would not schedule it as your only aurora attempt on the last night of your trip. Book it early enough to leave room for another try. The cruise itself lasts 2 to 3 hours, and you return to the same Old Harbour meeting point, so it can fit neatly into a multi-night stay.

Price, value, and the right expectations

At $100.82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the northern lights. You are paying for the yacht setting, crew support, indoor warmth, drinks service, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, and a more relaxed alternative to standing outdoors on land.

The price is easier to justify when you value the whole evening, not just the aurora. Even without a sighting, you receive a coastal cruise past Harpa and Viðey, time on Faxaflói Bay, and a chance to return without another fare if the lights fail to appear.

Still, the price will feel poor if you mainly want an aggressive weather chase. The yacht does not promise to travel far into the bay, and it may remain in one sheltered area for much of the evening. You should also budget for drinks if you plan to use the bar.

The overall rating of 4.1 from 35 ratings suggests a generally positive experience with real limits. The most praised features are consistent: a comfortable boat, friendly crew, helpful camera advice, and spectacular aurora displays when the conditions cooperate. The sharpest complaints focus on city lights, limited movement, crowded vessels, and the frustration of paying for a natural event that did not appear.

Clothing, cameras, and booking timing

Bring warm layers even though the cabin is heated. The best views require stepping outside, and the upper deck can feel cold while the yacht waits. A hat, gloves, and footwear with good grip are practical choices.

If you want photographs, prepare your phone before departure. The crew has helped people adjust camera settings and find a focus point, but you will get more from the assistance if your phone is charged and ready. Keep your device warm when possible, since cold can reduce battery life.

The experience is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The cruise operates near public transportation, and it begins and ends at the Old Harbour.

Bookings are often made well ahead, with an average lead time of 44 days. That does not mean you must book exactly that early, but it does show that popular dates can fill before arrival. Since weather determines whether the trip runs, choose a booking that leaves you some flexibility.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded, except that if the company cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book this Reykjavik yacht cruise?

I think this cruise suits you if you want the northern lights search to feel like an evening out rather than a cold expedition. Couples may like the quieter yacht setting, and families or older people may value the heated lounge, toilets, and shorter exposure to the wind.

It also works well for anyone who wants help with photography. The crew’s advice on phone settings is a small service, but it can be useful when the lights are weak or difficult to see.

You may prefer another type of tour if you want a guide constantly changing locations according to the forecast. You should also think twice if you have only one night in Reykjavik, if you strongly dislike boats, or if you expect a luxury cruise with a long, detailed presentation.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise begin?

It begins at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours and returns to the original meeting point.

Will the cruise guarantee northern lights?

No. Sightings depend on clear areas of sky and aurora strength, both of which are outside the company’s control.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You are offered a free additional yacht trip if the lights do not appear. The provider has also described a longer repeat-trip offer, so confirm the exact terms for your booking.

Which places can I see during the cruise?

The route includes views of Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Harpa concert hall from the sea, the Reykjavik coastline, Viðey Island, Faxaflói Bay, and the night sky where the aurora may appear.

Are food and drinks available onboard?

Yes. The yacht has a bar and café offering hot and cold drinks, including coffee, tea, beer, champagne, and other beverages.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if you want a comfortable, scenic aurora outing with indoor warmth, outdoor decks, camera help, and the possibility of returning for free after a failed attempt. It is a sensible choice for a multi-night Reykjavik stay, especially if you prefer a yacht to a bus and roadside waiting.

Skip it if your only goal is to chase every break in the clouds. The route stays near Reykjavik, and the boat may wait in one sheltered area rather than roam widely. Before paying, confirm whether you will board MY Harpa or the larger MY Amelia Rose, then schedule the cruise early in your stay. That small bit of planning gives this natural gamble its best chance to pay off.