Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

Aurora hunting feels better from a heated yacht. This Reykjavik cruise gives you a pleasant way to scan the dark waters around Faxaflói Bay, with indoor seating, blankets, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a bar for hot drinks. I especially like the chance to see Harpa concert hall and Reykjavik’s shoreline from the water, and the free return-trip offer if the northern lights stay hidden.

The main drawback is simple: this is not a fast-moving chase into the countryside. The yacht usually stays close to Reykjavik and waits in a sheltered area near the islands. That makes the evening warmer and easier than standing in a cold parking lot, but it may disappoint you if you want a guide constantly moving toward clearer skies.

Quick facts about the yacht cruise

• The cruise lasts about two to three hours, giving you time for a full boat ride and a proper wait for possible auroras.
• The route includes Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Harpa from the sea, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay.
• The yacht has indoor warmth, blankets, bathrooms, a bar and café, and Wi-Fi, useful during long stretches of waiting.
• The northern lights are never guaranteed, but an unsuccessful outing can qualify you for another trip at no extra cost.
• The listed price is $100.82 per person, which buys comfort and a smaller-boat setting rather than a guaranteed aurora.
• Vessel size can vary, so check which yacht is operating. One yacht holds 35 people, while another can carry up to 95.

Leaving Old Harbour after dark

You meet at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2, close to the waterfront in central Reykjavik. The cruise ends back at the same place, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from an unfamiliar part of town.

The first part of the evening is a sightseeing cruise. From the water, Reykjavik’s Old Harbour takes on a different character. The city lights reflect across the bay, fishing vessels sit along the waterfront, and the view back toward central Reykjavik gives you a useful sense of how compact the capital is.

Harpa concert hall is one of the first memorable sights. Its glass front looks especially striking after dark, when the building glows against the black water. Seeing it from the sea gives you a different angle than a normal city walk, though the view is brief rather than a full architectural visit.

The cruise then follows the coastline and heads toward the islands near the city. This is not a harbor sightseeing trip with many stops. You stay aboard, and the scenery gradually gives way to open water, island silhouettes, and a wider view of the sky.

The cruise is offered in English. Guides provide information about the aurora and may help you adjust your phone or camera settings. That practical help matters because the lights can look faint to your eyes but appear brighter in a photograph. Several outings have included advice on where to focus and when to watch for a stronger display.

Viðey Island from the water

Viðey Island is one of the most interesting parts of the route. It sits just off Reykjavik and offers a quiet contrast to the city. The island is associated with the Imagine Peace Tower, created in memory of John Lennon and Yoko Ono, as well as walking paths, open views, and historical buildings.

This cruise does not clearly promise a shore landing on Viðey. Think of it as a coastal and island-viewing route, not an island walking tour. You may see the island as the yacht passes or waits nearby, but if you want to walk its trails or visit the Imagine Peace Tower directly, you need a separate ferry or island excursion.

The island also matters for the aurora hunt. The operator says the yacht moves behind the islands and looks for a sheltered place with calmer water. That choice can make the ride more comfortable, especially when wind picks up. It also explains why the boat does not simply charge far out into the bay.

Some people see that as a weakness. A bus can cover more miles and make a quicker move toward a patch of clear sky. On this cruise, you trade that mobility for a heated cabin, toilets, blankets, and the ability to sit down with a drink while you wait.

Waiting in Faxaflói Bay for the aurora

Faxaflói Bay is a broad marine area outside Reykjavik, known for seabirds, whale watching, and open views across the water. The northern lights are the main event here, but the bay itself gives the cruise a sense of place. On a clear evening, you can watch the city recede and look toward the dark horizon.

The yacht generally does not travel far into the bay. Instead, it goes behind nearby islands and stops in a sheltered area. The operator argues that going several miles farther does not necessarily improve your view because the aurora occurs high above the earth. The important factors are cloud cover and aurora strength, not simply distance from the shore.

That explanation makes sense, but you should set your expectations carefully. You will still see Reykjavik’s lights from the boat. Many people have enjoyed strong displays from this position, while others have felt the city was too close and wished the crew had moved farther away. The best choice depends on what matters most to you: comfort and a calm setting, or a more aggressive search for darker skies.

The crew keeps watch and communicates with other boats. Some guides have years of experience hunting the aurora, and Captain Einar is specifically associated with the operation and its whale-watching and northern-lights trips. Still, no captain can control cloud cover or solar activity.

I would treat the cruise as a comfortable opportunity to see the lights, not as a promise that the crew can find them. Even a clear night may produce a faint display, and cloud can arrive quickly in Iceland. One outing began in heavy snow, then cleared later in the evening. Another night can look promising at departure and worsen before the yacht reaches its waiting area.

What the yacht is like during the wait

The onboard setup is the strongest reason to choose this tour over a basic bus outing. You can step outside for a clear view, then return indoors to warm up. Blankets are available, and the bar and café serve hot and cold drinks, including coffee, tea, beer, and other options.

Bathrooms are available on the lower deck. Wi-Fi is also provided, though the most useful feature remains the ability to move between the open viewing areas and a heated interior. Northern-lights watching often involves long periods when nothing happens. A warm place to sit makes that waiting far more manageable.

Music may play during the cruise, and the guide gives a short explanation of the lights and local traditions. The style is fairly relaxed rather than a full astronomy lecture. If you want a detailed scientific presentation, this may feel light. If you mainly want a pleasant evening with enough information to understand what you are seeing, it should suit you.

The boats are described as comfortable yachts, not luxury vessels. That distinction matters. One boat is limited to 35 people, while the operator also uses a larger yacht with capacity for 95. The booking information describes a maximum of 35, so confirm the assigned vessel before paying if crowd size is important to you.

A smaller yacht can feel much more personal, with less pushing for a place at the rail when the lights appear. The trade-off is that the smaller boat follows a set route and may not go as far as a larger ship. You are buying a calmer scale, not a mobile expedition boat.

How likely are you to see the northern lights?

Your odds depend on conditions outside anyone’s control. You need a clear enough patch of sky and aurora activity strong enough to show to the naked eye. Icelandic weather can change in minutes, so a poor forecast several hours before departure does not always mean a lost night.

The operator may cancel if weather is too poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the cruise runs but the lights do not appear, you can receive a free additional yacht trip. The operator has also stated that unsuccessful bookings can be reused for up to three years, allowing you to try again during your stay or on a later visit.

That policy improves the value, but it does not solve every problem. You may be leaving Iceland soon, or you may not have another evening available. For that reason, book the cruise early in your stay rather than on your final night. An average booking lead time of 44 days suggests that many people plan ahead, and early booking also leaves room for a second attempt.

Do not cancel simply because snow is falling before departure. The weather can change quickly, and strong winds higher up may clear the clouds later. At the same time, do not assume a daytime spell of sunshine guarantees a good night. The operator may make a conservative call based on changing conditions.

Is $100.82 a fair price?

At $100.82 per person, this is not the cheapest way to try for the northern lights. You are paying for the boat ride, the Reykjavik coastline views, indoor warmth, bathrooms, blankets, onboard service, and the chance to return free if the aurora does not show.

The price makes better sense if you dislike cold bus stops or crowded outdoor viewing areas. You can enjoy a full evening on the water even when the sky stays blank. That gives the outing some value beyond the aurora itself.

The value is weaker if your only goal is to reach the darkest possible sky. A land-based tour may drive farther from the city and change position more easily. This yacht is designed around comfort and a scenic maritime setting, not maximum range.

I also recommend checking the vessel before booking. A 35-person yacht offers a different atmosphere from a 95-person boat. One-size-fits-all descriptions can create the wrong expectation, particularly if you are paying extra for a smaller group.

Who will enjoy this experience most?

I would choose this cruise if you want a slower, more comfortable evening and like the idea of seeing Reykjavik from the water. It suits couples, families, and anyone who prefers a heated lounge to a roadside wait.

It is also a good fit if you have more than one night in Reykjavik. You can take the cruise early, then try again if the sky stays cloudy. The free return option is much more useful when your schedule has room.

You may want another type of aurora tour if you are visiting for one night only, have strong expectations about dark skies, or want a guide to drive wherever the forecast looks best. The yacht cannot promise that kind of flexibility.

Wear warm layers even though the boat has indoor heating. You will want to spend time outside when the lights appear, and the deck can feel cold while the yacht is stopped. Keep your phone or camera ready, and ask the guide for help with settings before the display begins.

The final call: book it or skip it?

Book the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise if you want comfort, a scenic boat ride, and a civilized place to wait for the aurora. The bar, blankets, indoor seating, bathrooms, and smaller-yacht option make it a pleasant alternative to standing outside in the cold.

Skip it if you expect a fast-moving chase into remote darkness. The route stays close to Reykjavik, and some outings spend much of the evening waiting at one location. The aurora may be spectacular, or it may never appear.

For the best chance of feeling good about the purchase, reserve it early in your stay, confirm which yacht is being used, and see the free repeat trip as a real benefit rather than a guarantee. At 4.1 out of 5 from 35 ratings, the experience has produced many memorable aurora nights, but its mixed record points to the central truth: you are booking a comfortable search, not a guaranteed show.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise start?

The cruise starts at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity ends back at the Old Harbour meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two to three hours.

How much does the cruise cost?

The listed price is $100.82 per person.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What sights are included along the route?

The route includes Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, views of Harpa concert hall from the sea, Reykjavik’s coastline, Viðey Island, Faxaflói Bay, and the northern lights when conditions allow.

Does the cruise include a stop on Viðey Island?

The route includes Viðey Island, but the provided information does not confirm a shore landing. Treat it as part of the boat route unless the operator confirms otherwise.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

You may attend an additional yacht trip free of charge. The operator has stated that unsuccessful trips can be used for up to three years.

Is there somewhere warm on the yacht?

Yes. The yacht has an indoor area, blankets, and a bar and café serving hot and cold drinks.

Can the cruise be canceled because of weather?

Yes. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time.