Reykjavík: Northern Lights Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the change of setting. You leave Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, watch the city lights slip behind you, and wait for the sky to reveal something far less predictable. I like the combination of Northern Lights hunting and Reykjavík views, since even a cloudy night still gives you something to see. I also like the warm overalls, indoor saloon, blankets, toilets, and café, which make a long wait much easier.

The catch is simple: the Northern Lights do not take bookings. A moving boat also makes photography harder, and faint displays may be difficult to see with the naked eye. If the lights fail to appear, you receive a free chance to return another night, but you still need enough time in your schedule to try again.

Key points to know

• The cruise leaves Reykjavík’s Old Harbour: Meet at the Elding Whale Watching boat at Ægisgarður 5.
• Faxaflói Bay gives you darker skies: The boat takes you away from some city glare, though the city remains part of the view.
• Harpa and Hallgrímskirkja provide a fine opening scene: Both are lit after dark and easy to pick out from the water.
• The Imagine Peace Tower appears seasonally: The cruise passes it when it is lit from October through December.
• Warm clothing is supplied: You can borrow overalls, raincoats, and blankets, then retreat to heated indoor seating.
• The sighting guarantee has real value: If the lights do not show, you can try again free of charge.

Leaving Ægisgarður for Faxaflói Bay

You meet at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, at Ægisgarður 5. The cruise lasts about 2.5 hours, with departure times varying by date, so check the available start time before you book.

The harbour is a useful starting point because the evening begins with a clear sense of place. You are not whisked away to an anonymous roadside pickup point. You board beside Reykjavík’s working waterfront, then move out toward Faxaflói Bay with the city behind you.

Hotel pickup is not included. It can be arranged for an additional charge, but you should treat the harbour as your normal meeting point. One useful detail from the experience is that hotel pickup has run on time when arranged, and the ticket office has been easy to find for voucher exchange. Still, allow yourself enough time to reach the Old Harbour without rushing.

The boat is run by Elding Adventure at Sea. The crew handles the practical side well, including safety instructions, weather checks, and calls when a possible aurora appears. The guide speaks English and keeps the outing focused on both the night sky and the sights around Reykjavík.

Reykjavík’s lights make the first part worthwhile

The city views are not just filler before the main event. From the water, Reykjavík takes on a different shape, with the shoreline lights reflected in the bay and major buildings picked out against the dark.

You should be able to see Harpa Concert Hall, whose glass exterior is particularly striking after dark. The cruise also gives you views of Hallgrímskirkja, the tall church that rises above central Reykjavík. From sea level, its illuminated form helps you understand the city’s layout in a way a street walk does not.

This part of the trip matters if the aurora stays hidden. A Northern Lights excursion can otherwise feel like several hours of staring into darkness. Here, the city provides an attractive start and finish, and the boat ride itself gives you a calm nighttime view of Reykjavík.

From October through December, the route also passes the Imagine Peace Tower when it is lit. The tower’s beam is a seasonal feature, so it is not available on every departure. If you visit during that period, the sight adds a distinctive local detail to the cruise rather than another generic city landmark.

The city lights do create a tradeoff. The boat moves away from Reykjavík to improve the sky view, but it does not place you in total darkness. You gain the city panorama and lose some of the darkness you might find on a remote countryside tour. That balance makes this a good choice if you want an evening on the water, not just the strongest possible aurora conditions.

Waiting for the Northern Lights on deck

After the city sightseeing, the focus shifts to the sky over Faxaflói Bay. The captain and guide check weather conditions and the forecast before departure, then choose the route with the best practical chance of finding clearer skies.

There is no fixed stop where the lights appear. The boat moves into the bay, and the guide watches for activity while explaining what you are seeing. When the aurora begins, the guide calls it out so you do not have to spend the entire cruise guessing which pale patch of cloud might be important.

That support is useful. Early aurora can look like a faint white or gray streak to the naked eye, especially when the display is weak. One successful outing began with very faint lines and later produced a much stronger show, the kind of green movement people hope for when they picture the Northern Lights.

A sighting can happen before the boat has gone far from the harbour, or it may take much longer. One departure saw the lights begin before leaving the harbour, while another extended its time on the water beyond the expected two hours. You should think of the 2.5-hour length as the planned duration, not a promise that the aurora will appear at a particular moment.

The crew’s role is one of the strongest parts of the trip. The guide provides background about the phenomenon and keeps everyone informed, while the captain makes safety and route decisions. The staff has also helped with camera settings, which can be useful if you are unsure how to photograph a dark sky.

Warm overalls change the experience

Icelandic winter weather can make an outdoor boat trip uncomfortable quickly. The cruise deals with that problem in a practical way by offering warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets on board.

You can step onto the open viewing platforms for a full view of the sky, then return indoors when the wind cuts through your layers. The heated saloon has ample seating, and toilets are available. There is also an onboard café selling hot drinks and snacks, though refreshments cost extra.

This arrangement lets you choose your level of comfort. You do not need to remain outside for the entire cruise, which is especially helpful if the aurora is slow to show. Sit inside to warm up, listen to the guide, and head back out when the crew spots activity.

The supplied clothing is helpful, but do not treat it as a replacement for your own warm layers. The provided details confirm that overalls, rain protection, and blankets are available, but your personal clothing still matters for the walk to the harbour and the time spent moving between the saloon and deck.

The indoor area also makes this outing more suitable for people who dislike standing in the cold for hours. It does not remove the basic conditions of a winter cruise, but it takes away much of the strain. You can enjoy the sea and sky without making discomfort the main memory.

Photography is possible, but not easy

You can photograph the Northern Lights from the boat, but this is not the right trip if getting perfect aurora images is your main aim. The moving vessel makes long exposures difficult, and even a small amount of motion can leave lights blurred.

One camera user received help with settings and managed to capture a faint display, but the movement of the boat still affected the pictures. That is a fair picture of what you should expect. The crew may help you get started, but it cannot make the sea completely still.

For casual photography, bring your camera or phone and try your luck. The city lights, Harpa, and Hallgrímskirkja may be easier subjects earlier in the trip. For serious night photography, a land-based tour with a stable tripod position will usually be a better match.

Your own eyes may also see something different from your camera. A camera can record faint light that is hard to notice at first, while a strong aurora can look much more impressive in person than in a rushed handheld photograph. Keep your attention on the sky rather than spending the entire cruise adjusting settings.

What happens if the sky stays dark

This is the central risk, and it deserves a plain answer. The Northern Lights are a natural event, not a scheduled performance, so a cruise can leave in good faith and still return without a sighting.

Bad weather can also lead to a cancellation or rescheduling. That may disrupt your evening, but it is better than sailing into conditions where a sighting is highly unlikely or the trip would be unpleasant. The operator has rescheduled departures when conditions were poor.

If the lights do not appear, the sighting guarantee gives you a free return trip on another night. That makes the $111 price easier to accept, particularly if you are staying in Reykjavík for several nights. It is less useful if you leave the city the next morning or cannot fit another evening into your plans.

I would book this early in a Reykjavík stay, not on your final night. That gives you a chance to use the free return if needed and lets you move the outing around a weather cancellation. The flexible booking terms also allow cancellation up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

The guarantee does not mean you are guaranteed a dramatic green display. It means you have another opportunity. That distinction matters, especially if your main goal is the kind of strong aurora seen in promotional photographs.

How the $111 price works for you

At $111 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an evening in Reykjavík. You are paying for a boat, crew, heated indoor space, supplied outerwear, a guide, and the chance to see the city from the water as well as search for the aurora.

The value is strongest for you if comfort matters. A basic outdoor search can leave you standing in the cold with nowhere to sit, while this cruise gives you shelter, toilets, blankets, hot drinks for purchase, and a clear route into the bay.

The price also includes the free return option if the lights do not appear. That adds practical value, but only when your itinerary gives you another night. Hotel pickup is extra, and drinks and snacks are not included, so budget for those separately if you want something from the café.

I see the cruise as a combined evening experience rather than a pure Northern Lights guarantee. If you want Reykjavík at night, a boat ride, and a supported aurora search in one package, the cost is reasonable. If you care only about maximizing darkness for photography, you may find a land-based trip more suitable.

Who should choose this cruise

I would point this trip toward you if you want a comfortable first attempt at seeing the aurora. It works particularly well for a first evening in Reykjavík, when the city views help make the outing worthwhile even before the sky does anything.

It also suits you if you prefer an organized experience. The English-speaking guide explains what is happening, announces sightings, and can offer practical help with cameras. The crew has a friendly, professional approach, with safety treated seriously.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the heated saloon and indoor seating. You can go outside for the view without committing to the cold for the whole 2.5 hours.

I would be more cautious if you are visiting for only one night, need guaranteed photography conditions, or dislike the possibility of waiting without a result. The free rebooking option cannot solve a short schedule, and a moving boat is a poor platform for sharp long-exposure images.

Small details that make planning easier

Wear warm clothes even though the boat supplies overalls and blankets. You will still spend time outside if the aurora appears, and you need to stay comfortable while walking to the harbour.

Bring a camera if you want to try, but keep expectations modest. Use the earlier city views for easier photographs, and accept that the boat’s movement may blur Northern Lights images.

Plan your evening so you are not rushing to another fixed booking afterward. The standard trip lasts 2.5 hours, and some departures have stayed out longer when conditions made continued searching worthwhile.

If the cruise is cancelled for bad weather, or the lights fail to appear, contact the operator about the next available opportunity. The sighting guarantee is most useful when you have built flexibility into your Reykjavík schedule.

Should you book the Reykjavík Northern Lights Cruise?

You should book it if you want a comfortable aurora search with Reykjavík sightseeing built in. The city views, Imagine Peace Tower in season, heated saloon, supplied warm clothing, helpful guide, and free return option give the experience more substance than a simple ride into the dark.

I would choose an early date in your stay and leave room for a second attempt. Book it for the setting, the crew, and the chance of the lights, not because any tour can promise a spectacular display.

Skip it if your priority is serious aurora photography or if you have no spare night. For everyone else, this is a sensible, friendly way to spend a winter evening on Faxaflói Bay, with enough comfort and scenery to soften the disappointment if the sky remains quiet.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights cruise leave from?

The meeting point is the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, at Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts 2.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

What language is the tour guide?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is available for an additional charge, but it is not included in the standard price.

What happens if the Northern Lights do not appear?

You are offered the chance to come again on another night free of charge.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets are available on board.

Is there somewhere warm to sit?

Yes. The boat has a heated indoor saloon with ample seating.

Are toilets available on the boat?

Yes. Toilets are available on board.

Can I buy food and drinks during the cruise?

Yes. The onboard café sells hot drinks and snacks. These refreshments are not included in the tour price.

Is the cruise suitable for Northern Lights photography?

Photography is possible, but it can be difficult because the boat is moving. The experience is not recommended if your main goal is to take high-quality Northern Lights photographs.