Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos

The best part of this cruise is the chance to watch Iceland’s northern lights from the dark waters of Faxaflói Bay, with the city lights behind you and open sky ahead. If the aurora appears, the setting can be magical. If it does not, you still have a warm indoor area, a guide, and the right to try again without paying another fare.

I like the thermal overalls, especially because the sea air can turn a mild evening into a cold one fast. I also like the free photo service and the crew’s help with camera settings. Guides such as Lukas have been praised for clear explanations, and the mix of science, Icelandic myths, stars, and shooting stars gives the cruise more purpose than simply standing on a dark deck.

The main consideration is that weather controls the experience. Clouds can hide an active aurora, and wind can make the boat roll. A full boat may also leave you with limited deck space, so this is not always the calm, roomy outing you might picture.

Key points to know before you book

• The boat heads into Faxaflói Bay: You leave Reykjavík’s harbor and search for darker skies over the water.
• Thermal overalls are included: Adult and children’s sizes are available, but you should still dress in warm layers.
• You can try again for free: If you join the cruise and see no lights, your ticket can be used on the next available day.
• Photos are included: Pictures taken during each tour can be downloaded free, and crew members can help you take your own.
• Indoor comfort matters: Heated seating, WiFi, toilets, and drinks or snacks for purchase make this easier than a roadside search.
• Conditions can change the plan: Poor sea conditions may lead to a bus tour instead, and a refund is not offered if you accept that replacement.

Leaving Reykjavík for the dark waters of Faxaflói Bay

The cruise begins at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, near Reykjavík’s harbor. The activity lasts about two and a half hours, although the actual time outside depends on weather, sea conditions, and the crew’s judgment about where the sky offers the best chance.

You board a sightseeing boat and head away from the brightest part of Reykjavík. That sounds simple, but it matters. The aurora can be visible from the city, yet darker surroundings make faint displays easier to see. On a clear night, you may also find the stars more impressive once the boat is away from shore.

The route is not a high-speed chase. The boat moves at a pace that allows the crew to monitor the sky and keep the experience comfortable when conditions permit. One drawback is that some people find the outward journey slow, especially under thick cloud. You are not guaranteed a dramatic change in scenery or a distant voyage into open ocean.

Still, the water gives the night a different feel from a bus tour. You are not driving from one roadside viewpoint to another. The boat becomes your base, with shelter, toilets, seating, and a deck where you can step out when the sky begins to change.

Thermal suits, heated seating, and the reality of sea air

The supplied thermal overalls are one of the strongest practical features. You can borrow a suit in an adult or children’s size, which saves you from buying expensive winter clothing for one evening. Put it on even if the harbor feels comfortable. Wind over the water can make the deck much colder than Reykjavík’s streets.

The suits are not a complete answer. I would still wear a warm base layer, thick socks, gloves, and a hat. You will be handling a phone or camera, so gloves that allow some finger movement are useful. The boat’s indoor seating gives you a place to warm up, but the best aurora viewing usually requires stepping outside.

The heated interior also helps make this a reasonable option for people who do not want to spend hours beside a road in the cold. You can watch through the windows, listen to the guide, buy a hot drink, and go outside when there is something worth seeing.

Food and drinks are not included in the price. Snacks and refreshments can be bought on board, with options reported to include simple packaged food and hot chocolate. The onboard service may be modest rather than café-like, so have realistic expectations. The value is warmth and convenience, not a full evening meal.

What the guide adds to the night

The guide explains how the aurora forms when particles in Earth’s atmosphere collide. That scientific explanation gives you a way to understand what you are seeing, rather than treating the lights as a random green glow.

You also hear Icelandic stories and myths connected with the northern lights. The two approaches work well together. Science explains the movement and colors, while local folklore shows how people once made sense of the sky before modern research.

Guides have different styles. Lukas has received praise for being lively and informative, while other guides have used humor and stories to keep the group engaged during cloudy stretches. The commentary is especially useful when the sky is empty. A cruise with no aurora can feel long if nobody explains what is happening or why the boat is waiting.

The crew may also point out constellations and shooting stars on a clear night. These are not promised parts of the tour, but they can give you something to watch while the aurora forecast develops.

Waiting for the aurora on deck

The northern lights do not appear on a schedule. You may see a pale green arc soon after leaving the harbor, or you may wait until the last part of the cruise. On some nights, the crew extends the viewing time when the lights begin to show near the end.

That patience can pay off. A faint band may grow into a moving curtain, with green shapes rippling across the sky. Strong displays can be clearly visible to your eyes, not just to a camera. On weaker nights, your camera may record more color than you can see directly.

The deck can become crowded, particularly after earlier trips have been canceled and many people rebook on the same departure. A full boat may limit how easily you move between viewing areas. If photography matters to you, claim a sensible spot without blocking other people and be ready to adjust when the crew directs attention to another part of the sky.

Wind creates a second challenge. The boat can rock, making it harder to keep a phone or camera steady. One person who saw an excellent display still preferred a land-based tour because the movement made photography difficult. You should choose this cruise for the combination of sea, shelter, and sky, not because it offers the most stable camera platform.

Photos, cameras, and getting a usable picture

Photos are taken on every tour and can be downloaded free. This is useful because many people arrive in Iceland without a tripod or with little experience photographing the aurora. Crew members can also offer photography assistance if you ask.

You should keep your camera ready rather than waiting until the lights become dramatic. The first glow may appear quickly, and the boat can move to a better position while you are still searching through menus.

A modern phone may capture more than your eyes can see, but do not assume every picture will be sharp. Wind, boat movement, cold fingers, and a crowded deck all work against you. The crew’s help is valuable, but it cannot remove the physical problem of taking long-exposure photos from a moving boat.

The free onboard photos are best viewed as a bonus, not a guarantee of a perfect personal portrait. You may get attractive images of the aurora, the boat, or the group. If you want control over framing, bring your own device and ask the crew for practical help.

The free second attempt is useful, but not instant

If you join the cruise and see no northern lights, you receive another ticket for the next available day. The offer does not expire, so it can also be used years later. That unusual flexibility protects the value of the ticket if your Iceland visit is long enough for another attempt.

The catch is availability. A rebooking may be difficult if the next departures are full, particularly after several weather cancellations. It is wise to book this experience early in your stay, not on your last night.

The rebooking process can also be confusing if you are unsure whether to contact the booking company or Special Tours. Keep your confirmation details and ask the staff on site exactly how to claim the return trip.

This is not an aurora guarantee. It is a free second chance. The sky still has the final say.

Weather cancellations and the bus replacement

The activity requires favorable conditions. If poor weather cancels the cruise before you join, you can normally reschedule or receive a full refund, provided you have not used the tour previously. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure. Inside that window, the payment is not refunded.

The policy becomes more complicated when the aurora forecast looks promising but the sea is too rough. In that case, the company may offer a Northern Lights by Bus tour instead. The bus tour is treated as the same-priced replacement, so accepting it does not bring a refund.

That alternative may suit you if your main goal is simply to find clear sky. It may disappoint you if you chose the boat specifically to avoid road travel. Before departure, check the forecast and sea conditions, then decide what kind of backup you would actually want.

A difficult judgment call is whether the company should sail in poor rain or cloud when there appears to be little chance of a sighting. Some departures may continue when other operators cancel. If you strongly dislike spending two hours on a wet, rolling boat with no visible sky, ask about the decision before you commit to the departure.

Is $108.13 a fair price?

At $108.13 per person, this is not the cheapest way to look for the aurora. You are paying for a boat, crew, thermal overalls, heated indoor seating, free WiFi, onboard photography, and the possibility of a free repeat trip.

The price makes more sense if you value comfort. You do not need to purchase a special outer suit, find a remote driving route, or spend the entire evening outdoors. The indoor area and toilets are important advantages for families and for anyone who wants a gentler night.

The value drops if the sea is rough, the deck is packed, or the company sails in conditions where clouds cover the sky. You could spend the full two and a half hours seeing only harbor lights and low cloud. Since the aurora itself is free and unpredictable, no operator can honestly promise the main event.

I see this as a fair price for a comfortable second chance, especially if you can stay in Reykjavík for several nights. It is a less convincing purchase for a short visit with only one free evening.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this experience if you want an aurora outing with shelter nearby. It suits families because children’s thermal suits are available, and it works well for anyone who wants regular access to warmth and a toilet.

It also fits first-time aurora watchers. The guide explains what to look for, separates myth from science, and can help with photos. You do not need to arrive as a photographer or amateur astronomer.

You may prefer a bus or private land tour if you want more freedom to move around, a steadier place for long-exposure photography, or a better chance of escaping local cloud cover. A land option can also feel more active if you dislike waiting on a slowly moving boat.

The cruise is less suited to anyone who becomes seasick or dislikes wind. The water can move the boat enough to make the deck uncomfortable and photos difficult. If you are sensitive to motion, ask about sea conditions before setting out.

Practical details for a smoother evening

The meeting point is Special Tours at Geirsgata 11 in central Reykjavík. The tour ends back there. Hotel pickup is available through the supplier for an extra fee, but it is not part of the standard price.

The experience is offered in English and can accommodate most people. The maximum group size is listed as 198, so do not assume an intimate small-boat outing. Some departures may feel spacious, while a rescheduled sailing can be very full.

Bring a charged phone, spare battery if you have one, and warm layers beneath the provided suit. Keep your camera ready, listen for crew directions, and step indoors at intervals rather than trying to endure the cold for the whole cruise.

I would also schedule it early in your Reykjavík stay. That leaves room to use the free repeat ticket if clouds win on the first night.

Should you book the Reykjavík northern lights cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable sea-based search with thermal clothing, indoor seating, photo help, and a free second attempt. The strongest nights can be unforgettable, with green arcs, moving curtains, clear stars, and even shooting stars above Faxaflói Bay.

Think twice if your schedule allows only one night, you need a guaranteed sighting, or rough water would ruin the evening. The cruise can be crowded, slow, windy, and weather-bound.

My advice is simple: reserve it near the start of your Iceland stay, check the forecast on the day, wear the thermal suit, and treat the rebooking policy as part of the value. You are buying a well-equipped chance to see nature at work, not a scheduled light show.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavík depart?

The cruise departs from Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Are thermal overalls included?

Yes. Thermal overalls are included, with children’s sizes available. You should still wear warm layers because the sea air can be cold and windy.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You receive a free ticket to try again on the next available day. The ticket does not expire, but another departure may be full.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are available to purchase on board. Heated indoor seating and free WiFi are included.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the cruise, you can be offered another date or a full refund if you have not already joined the tour.