Northern Lights Yacht Cruise in Reykjavik

The sky is the real tour guide. This two-hour cruise offers open-water aurora views, a warm cabin, a bar, Wi-Fi, and a spacious deck while you search the darkness around Faxaflói Bay. I like the helpful crew and the chance to return for free if the lights do not appear, though city glow and cloudy weather can limit what you see.

I also like that you are not stuck outside for the whole outing. You can warm up indoors, then head onto the deck when the crew spots activity. The main concern is simple: this is a boat trip in wild nature, not a guaranteed light show, and some departures stay close enough to Reykjavik that light pollution remains noticeable.

Key points before you book

• Two hours from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour: The yacht sails among small islands in Faxaflói Bay and along the city coast before returning to the same meeting point.
• A free return trip if the aurora does not appear: You do not receive a refund for missing lights, but you can return when space is available, for up to three years.
• Warm indoor spaces matter: The boat has heated cabin areas, seating, bathrooms, a bar, blankets, and a viewing deck.
• Photography takes patience: The moving boat makes long-exposure shots harder, even when the lights are strong.
• Wildlife may add to the outing: You might spot dolphins, porpoises, minke whales, humpback whales, or, less commonly, orcas.
• The price is $94 per person: That is reasonable if you value the boat, crew, and repeat-trip policy, but costly if you only want the darkest possible sky.

Leaving from Old Harbour House

Your meeting point is Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, near Reykjavik’s waterfront. The check-in area is connected with a food, drinks, and tours venue, so it may feel more like entering a restaurant or bar than arriving at a formal cruise terminal. Give yourself enough time to find the right door and confirm where to board.

The yacht carries up to 125 people. That is not a tiny private sailing trip, but it is also not an enormous ferry. The size gives you room to move between the cabin and deck, while still allowing the crew to make announcements and point out the aurora.

The cruise is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the meeting and return point are the same, which keeps the evening simple. The tour is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Sailing across Faxaflói Bay

Once the yacht leaves the Old Harbour, the route takes you among small islands in Faxaflói Bay and along the coast of Reykjavik. The aim is to find a darker patch of sky while keeping the ride practical and safe.

The trip does not always travel far from the city. That is the most important point to understand before paying for a ticket. You can still see the coastline and city lights from the boat, but some people find the glow makes faint aurora harder to see. If your first priority is the darkest possible sky, a land-based outing away from Reykjavik may suit you better.

On the other hand, staying in the bay has benefits. The ride can be calm and smooth, and you avoid a long drive into the countryside. One particularly good departure stayed out almost an hour after the lights appeared, giving everyone time to watch the glow change and move. The captain decides how long the yacht remains out, so the actual experience can depend on conditions and what is happening overhead.

The water also gives you a second reason to keep looking. The route can bring sightings of dolphins, porpoises, minke whales, and humpback whales. Orcas are possible but not common. Wildlife is never assured, but the crew has experience scanning the water, so you may get more than an aurora hunt.

Waiting for the northern lights

A northern lights cruise involves plenty of waiting. The yacht gives you a better waiting room than a roadside pullout, since you can sit in a warm cabin, order a drink, and listen for updates from the crew.

The guides explain what to watch for and tell you when the aurora appears. They also point out stars and constellations during quiet periods. That helps turn a blank sky into part of the evening instead of making you stare at the darkness and wonder if you are missing something.

The crew’s attitude is one of the strongest parts of this experience. They help with camera settings, direct you toward the best side of the boat, and keep people informed when the lights become visible. Guests have singled out guides such as Isabella for making the moment easier to follow.

Keep your expectations realistic. The aurora may appear as a faint gray or white haze to your eyes, while a camera records stronger green or purple color. That does not mean the crew is pretending something is there. Cameras can collect light over a longer exposure than your eyes can, especially on a dim night.

The yacht’s warm cabin and open deck

The yacht is built for cold-weather sightseeing. The indoor areas are warm and comfortable, with seating, clean bathrooms, and a stocked bar or beverage area. Blankets are available, and you can move inside whenever the wind becomes too much.

The deck is where you want to be for the clearest view, but it can become bitterly cold over the water. Wear thermal layers, a hat, gloves, and a coat that handles wind. Even if the evening feels mild on land, the temperature on deck may feel much lower once the yacht is moving.

The viewing deck is spacious enough for photographs and for spreading out rather than crowding around one small rail. You can also upload photos during the cruise because Wi-Fi is available. Do not treat that as a replacement for a proper camera, but it is useful if you want to send a quick image to family or post a live update.

The boat’s movement creates one photographic problem. Long exposures are harder when the deck is rocking, even on a fairly smooth bay. A phone may capture the aurora more easily than you expect, but sharp, dramatic images require patience and a steady grip. Follow the crew’s advice, and do not spend the whole night staring at your screen.

What happens if the lights do not appear

The return-trip policy is the biggest practical safety net. If no northern lights are seen, you are offered a free ticket for another departure, subject to availability. The offer remains valid for up to three years.

This is not a cash refund. That distinction matters, especially if you are visiting Reykjavik for only a short stay or flying home the next morning. You need another chance to be useful, so I would schedule this cruise early in your Iceland visit whenever possible.

The policy can still help on a longer trip. Bad weather may postpone a sailing, and the operator may communicate a new date. If the tour is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or request a full refund. A cancellation caused by too few bookings also leads to a different date, another experience, or a full refund.

The free return does not solve every problem. A faint aurora may be visible to a camera but not to your eyes, and the operator may still offer another trip as a goodwill option. You must decide if returning is worth rearranging your plans.

Is $94 a fair price?

At $94 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for a two-hour cruise, the yacht itself, indoor warmth, onboard facilities, a crew that watches the sky, and the chance to return without buying a second ticket.

I think the value is strongest for first-time visitors who like the idea of seeing Reykjavik from the water. The coastline, islands, possible wildlife, and city lights give the trip something to offer even during a quiet aurora night.

The value is weaker if you judge the cruise only by darkness. Some departures remain close to shore, and the city glow can make faint lights difficult to see. In that case, you may prefer a tour that drives farther from Reykjavik, though that would bring its own tradeoffs in travel time and comfort.

A useful way to think about the price is this: you are buying a chance, not a result. The return policy reduces the risk, but only if you have time to try again. Book it early, keep a spare evening open, and do not count on the cruise as your only opportunity to see the aurora.

Weather, seasickness, and timing

The tour requires good weather, and the operator may cancel or postpone a sailing when conditions are poor. This protects the experience and the boat, but it can disrupt a tightly planned holiday. Keep some flexibility in your Iceland schedule.

The bay can be smooth, and several departures have had calm water. Still, nobody can promise that every night will feel the same. If you are prone to seasickness, the enclosed cabin gives you a place to sit, but you should still plan carefully for being on a boat.

Cold is the more common complaint. The cabin may be warm, but you cannot expect the deck to feel comfortable without proper clothing. I would dress for an hour outside, then treat the heated cabin as a welcome break.

For cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted and are not refunded. The local Iceland time controls the cutoff.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this for you if you want a relaxed evening with a mix of city views, sea air, and aurora watching. It suits couples, families, and first-time Iceland visitors who prefer not to spend an entire night in a van.

It is also a good fit if warmth matters. You can watch from indoors, listen for the guide’s updates, and step outside when something appears. That is much easier than standing in a dark field for two hours with no shelter.

Photographers should know what they are getting. The deck gives you open views, and the staff can offer tips, but a moving yacht is not a tripod-still viewpoint. You may get beautiful images, but the boat’s motion can frustrate anyone chasing perfect long exposures.

I would hesitate if your only goal is the darkest sky possible. The city remains visible on some trips, and the route may not go as far from Reykjavik as you expect. I would also hesitate if you have only one free night and cannot use the return-ticket policy.

My verdict on the Reykjavik yacht cruise

Book this cruise if you value comfort, helpful crew, and the chance to see the aurora from the water. The warm cabin, bar, blankets, Wi-Fi, clean facilities, and spacious deck make the waiting time manageable. The possible wildlife sightings and views of Reykjavik add welcome interest.

Do not book it expecting a private yacht or a guaranteed show. The group can reach 125 people, the city glow may remain visible, and nature decides what happens. For the best value, schedule it early in your stay so the free return option can actually help.

I see this as a pleasant aurora hunt rather than a sure-fire northern lights machine. On a clear, active night, it can deliver a memorable hour of dancing color over the bay. On a cloudy or quiet night, the experienced crew, warm cabin, and repeat-trip policy are what keep the evening from feeling like a total loss.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the cruise begin?

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

Where does the cruise finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

You are offered a free return trip, subject to availability. The offer is valid for up to three years, but it is not a cash refund.

Is the cruise canceled in bad weather?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

How far in advance can I cancel for a full refund?

You must cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded.