From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

The best part of this Northern Lights cruise is the setting. You leave Reykjavik’s harbor, watch the city glow shrink behind you, and wait over open water with mountains on the horizon. The sea stays quiet, the sky grows darker, and even a short burst of green feels like a real event rather than a quick roadside stop.

I like the freedom to move between the two observation decks and the warm indoor areas. I also like the crew’s practical help, especially when the aurora is faint and hard to spot. The catch is simple: the lights are never guaranteed, and the open deck can be bitterly cold.

Key points to know before sailing

• The cruise lasts two hours, a manageable length for a late-night activity.
• You get two observation decks, indoor seating, blankets, and a bar where drinks can be bought.
• The crew actively helps you find the aurora and may offer advice for taking photos.
• Reykjavik pickup is optional, but the main meeting point is the Old Harbour.
• A free return can be offered when clouds or weak activity spoil the viewing.
• The $88 price is fair if you value comfort, but less attractive if you want the darkest possible sky far from town.

Leaving Reykjavik for a darker sky

Your evening begins at the Old Harbour House on Aegisgardur 2. Check in 30 minutes before departure by scanning the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk. You can also choose hotel pickup in the Reykjavik area, which is useful if you are staying outside the harbor district or do not want to arrange a late-night walk.

Once aboard, you can settle inside before the boat gets underway. The vessel used for this trip, the Amelia Rose, has comfortable indoor areas, lamps, cushions, a bar, and outside viewing spaces. The exact atmosphere depends on the sailing, but the boat gives you more room to move than a coach tour.

As you leave the harbor, Reykjavik’s lights remain part of the view. That is both attractive and a limitation. You get a pleasing city-and-mountain backdrop, but you are not heading into a truly remote dark-sky location. The boat goes far enough from the strongest city glare to improve your chances, yet this is still an urban departure rather than a wilderness expedition.

That tradeoff matters. A coach tour may drive for several hours into the countryside, while this cruise spends its full two hours on the water. You save road time and avoid sitting on a crowded bus, but you also accept more nearby light pollution.

Two hours of waiting, watching, and moving around

The first part of the trip is mostly a hunt. There is no fixed viewpoint or scheduled aurora performance. The captain and guide use the conditions available that evening, and you spend time looking upward while the boat moves into quieter water.

This waiting is easier on a boat than it sounds. You can step outside when the sky looks promising, then retreat indoors when the cold reaches your hands and face. Blankets are provided, and several people have found the warm interior useful between sightings. The outside deck is where you want to be when the lights appear, but you do not need to remain there for the entire two hours.

The two observation decks are a real advantage. You can change position as the boat turns, avoid being stuck behind another person, and find a clearer view of the sky. If you want photographs, moving around also helps you choose a place with fewer lights in your frame.

Indoor seating may be limited when the boat is busy. You might find yourself standing for part of the trip, especially if many people head inside at once. Still, the ability to move between covered decks, lounges, and open viewing areas gives the cruise a relaxed rhythm.

The sea itself becomes part of the experience. You hear the water, watch reflections from the boat and city, and see the mountains grow less distinct in the darkness. Even on a night without an aurora, the cruise offers a calm outing rather than a long drive spent staring through a coach window.

What the guide adds when the sky is uncertain

The guide’s job is not only to explain the science. It is also to keep the hunt organized. When the aurora is faint, a good guide tells you where to look and helps you decide if the pale streak in the sky is actually the beginning of a display.

Guides such as Steingreimur, Hólmar, and Christina have been singled out for being friendly, funny, and attentive. Do not expect the same person on every departure, but the guiding approach is clear: you get regular updates without constant chatter, and you are directed toward stronger activity when it appears.

That help matters because the Northern Lights often begin quietly. The first sign may look gray or whitish to your eyes, while a camera records more green. Later, the color can strengthen and the movement can become easier to see. One guide even paused on the return to point out stronger lights that were developing behind the boat.

You may also get help with camera settings. A guide has walked around assisting people with their phones, and one useful tip from the experience is to use a manual or Pro setting on an Android phone with about a one-second exposure. Keep your phone steady, and remember that photographs may show more color than your eyes can see.

This is not a photography workshop, so the amount of help depends on the guide and the crowd. But the staff clearly understand that many people have never photographed the aurora before. Their advice can turn a blurry green smear into a usable memory.

The cold is real, even with blankets

I would not book this trip with ordinary city clothing and hope for the best. Bring warm layers, comfortable shoes, gloves, and a hat. The boat interior can be warm and pleasant, but the upper deck is exposed to cold air and wind.

The cold is part of the price of a clear view. Glass and indoor lighting make photography harder, and you will probably want to step outside when the aurora appears. Blankets help your body, but they do not replace warm clothing for your feet and hands.

A sensible plan is to begin inside, listen for updates, then go outside when the guide signals activity. If nothing is happening, return indoors rather than standing in the dark for two hours. This simple back-and-forth is one of the cruise’s strongest practical features.

Drinks are not included, but you can buy them at the bar. A warm drink can make the waiting period more comfortable, though you should treat it as an extra cost rather than part of the ticket.

When the Northern Lights finally appear

Aurora sightings can happen soon after departure or near the end of the sailing. Some people have seen activity within 20 minutes. Others have waited almost the full two hours before the sky responded. One especially strong outing produced a wide green display, while other nights offered only a faint glow visible more clearly through a camera.

That range is normal. The aurora depends on solar activity, cloud cover, darkness, and your position at sea. A forecast can suggest good conditions and still be wrong for your particular departure. A weak prediction can also turn into a pleasant surprise.

The boat gives you a wide view of the sky, which is useful when the lights are low on the horizon or spread across several directions. The water can reflect the glow, adding a second layer to the scene. You also get the mountains and distant city lights as reference points, which makes the sighting feel tied to Reykjavik rather than detached from it.

When activity begins, the mood changes quickly. People leave the warm areas and gather on deck. This can make the viewing area crowded, but it also creates the shared excitement that makes an aurora cruise memorable. If the lights strengthen, the crew may stay out longer or pause to give you one last look before returning.

If you do not see the aurora

You need to be honest with yourself about the risk. No operator can promise a sighting, and several departures have returned without one. Weather can also cancel the sailing entirely, sometimes with notice before the scheduled departure.

The useful safety net is the option to reschedule or return for free when the lights are not visible. The exact arrangement should be confirmed with the operator, but the experience allows repeat attempts, and some people have rebooked more than once before seeing the aurora. One person returned two times before finally getting a display.

This policy adds real value if you have several nights in Reykjavik. I would book the cruise early in your stay, not on your final evening. That gives you time to try again if clouds intervene or the first outing produces only a faint glow.

A free return is less useful on a very short visit. If you fly home the next morning, a second sailing may not fit your schedule. In that case, you are paying for one chance, plus the boat ride and harbor views, so set your expectations before you book.

The company has also handled weather cancellations by notifying people and offering a new date. That flexibility cannot fix a short itinerary, but it can prevent a wasted trip when conditions are plainly poor.

Is $88 good value for two hours?

At $88 per person, this is not a cheap way to see the Northern Lights. Iceland activities add up quickly, and the price may look high for a two-hour sailing that stays fairly close to Reykjavik.

The value improves if you want comfort and convenience. You avoid a long coach ride, can walk around instead of sitting in one seat, and have indoor areas available when the cold becomes too much. The boat, guide, Wi-Fi, blankets, and observation decks are included, while drinks cost extra.

I would compare it with what you want from the evening. Choose this cruise if you like being on the water, prefer a shorter outing, or dislike the idea of spending three or four hours on a bus. It also works well for a final evening when you want a simple activity near the city.

Choose a longer countryside tour if your main goal is the darkest possible sky. A remote location can offer better viewing conditions, though it may mean more road time and no guarantee either.

The free return policy can make the $88 easier to justify, especially for a stay of several nights. If you see a strong aurora on your first attempt, the cost feels reasonable. If you see nothing and cannot return, the outing becomes expensive for a scenic night cruise with an uncertain result.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I think this trip suits couples, families, and solo visitors who want the Northern Lights without committing to a full night on the road. The boat is comfortable, the route is simple, and you can choose how much time to spend outside.

It is also a good fit if you want photographs. The open decks give you more angles than a coach window, and the guide may help with phone settings. Just remember that camera color can be stronger than what your eyes see.

People who dislike cold should not rule it out, but they should plan carefully. You can warm up inside, yet you cannot expect the best view from a heated lounge. Bring serious winter clothing and be ready to step outside when the moment arrives.

The cruise may be less satisfying if you want a remote, silent wilderness setting. Reykjavik remains part of the view, and the city glow never disappears completely. The reward is convenience and comfort, not total isolation.

Practical details before you book

Arrive 30 minutes early at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik. The self-service check-in uses the bar code or QR code on your ticket, so keep it easy to access on your phone.

The tour lasts two hours, with departure times varying by date. Check availability for the exact start time. English is the guide language, and hotel pickup is available in the Reykjavik area if you select it.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your weather plan is still taking shape.

The activity includes the Northern Lights cruise, guides, Wi-Fi, blankets, and access to the double observation deck. Drinks are available to buy but are not part of the ticket.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, compact aurora hunt with room to move, warm indoor seating, and a helpful crew. The boat setting gives you city lights, mountains, stars, and water in one evening, and the free return option is valuable when your schedule allows another attempt.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting or want a truly dark rural location. The sky controls the outcome, and even a well-run cruise can return without green light.

For the best odds, schedule it early in your Reykjavik stay, check the weather, bring proper winter gear, and keep a spare evening available. At $88, it is a fair choice for convenience and comfort, but the real value comes when you treat the outing as an aurora hunt, not a guaranteed show.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours.

Where do I meet the boat?

Check in at Old Harbour House, Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik. You should arrive 30 minutes before departure.

How do I check in?

Scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk inside Old Harbour House.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Optional pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavik area.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on the conditions, and the lights are not guaranteed.

What happens if I do not see the Northern Lights?

You may be able to reschedule or return for free with the tour operator if the aurora is not visible. Book early in your stay so a second attempt is possible.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the Northern Lights hunting cruise, guides, Wi-Fi, blankets, and access to the double observation deck.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available for purchase on the boat.