Dinner first, lights later, in Reykjavik.

This combo turns a cold, dark winter evening into one planned block of fun: you eat a multi-course dinner at Kopar in the Old Harbour, then head straight into a 2.5-hour Northern Lights by boat experience. It’s a simple two-stop format that makes it easier to manage your time in Iceland, especially if you want one evening that actually delivers on both food and aurora chances.

I love that you get a serious sit-down meal, not just snacks—Kopar’s Adventure-style menu is the main event, and the restaurant location gives you a good shot at harbor views while you dine. I also like that you don’t have to figure out winter gear yourself: warm coveralls are provided for the cruise, plus there’s onboard commentary and video to help you understand what you’re seeing.

One thing to keep in mind: the aurora is never guaranteed. Even with a cruise meant to maximize your odds, cloudy skies and light conditions can spoil the show, and the experience can also be canceled due to poor weather.

Key points worth knowing before you go

• A real meal at Kopar: included dinner is a set multi-course menu in the Old Harbour area
• Short and efficient timing: about 5 hours total, dinner then quick transfer to the boat check-in
• Warmth isn’t optional here: coveralls are provided for the time on the water
• Cruise comfort + guidance: onboard commentary and video help you track the sky
• Small booking size: your group booking is limited, but you may still sail with other passengers on the boat
• Weather matters: the tour requires good weather and can be changed or refunded if canceled for that reason

Reykjavik at night: why this dinner-and-boat combo makes sense

If you’re in Reykjavik during Northern Lights season, you’re basically buying into randomness. Some nights are crystal clear and punchy; others are cloudy enough to blot out the sky. What you can control is structure. This package gives you that structure.

You start at Kopar in the Old Harbour and eat first—hot food, great service, and a comfortable indoor setting while the evening is still young. Then you move on when it’s time to chase lights by boat. That sequence matters because it reduces the stress of waiting around for hours with nothing to do but hope.

It also helps you avoid the common Reykjavik problem: trying to squeeze in dinner and a tour with winter logistics. Here, the flow is built in: dinner, then you check in at the Special Tours Ticket Office at Geirsgata 11, which is a very short walk from Kopar.

Kopar at the Old Harbour: what the 6-course Adventure Menu feels like

Kopar is a fine-dining stop that’s easy to understand on arrival: you’re in the Old Harbour area, you’re seated for a full evening meal, and you’re not doing the rushed tasting-menu shuffle that can happen at some places. Your included dinner is described as a 6-course experience, and the Adventure menu concept shows up in the operator’s details as a set tasting menu style (some descriptions also refer to it as a multi-course Adventure Menu).

Either way, the key is that you’re not ordering one dish at a time. You’re moving course to course as the kitchen sends out its planned sequence. Reviews also give you a sense of the kinds of dishes that may show up. Expect things like:

• seafood starters and Icelandic fish preparations
• mains that can include cod, lamb, and goose
• desserts that feature skyr and other Icelandic touches

One review highlighted how filling it can be—yes, it’s an adventure, but it’s not a tiny sampler. Another review praised how the menu offered options that worked for both vegan and non-vegan diners. That matters if you’re traveling with mixed diets.

A practical tip: if you care about views, ask for a window seat. A review specifically recommended it because the harbor view pairs nicely with dinner and, in some cases, gives you a nicer atmosphere while you wait for the boat time.

A small but important consideration: your reservation still needs confirming

The tour notes say you should contact the team to confirm your Kopar dinner reservation. That’s not just paperwork—reviews include examples where people showed up and found the reservation wasn’t properly in place until they called. So do this: once you book, make sure your dinner reservation is confirmed with the reception team so you don’t end up managing stress while your night clock is ticking.

The handoff: going from Kopar to the Northern Lights by boat

After dinner, you head to the Special Tours Ticket Office at Geirsgata 11 to check in for the cruise. The walk is stated as about a minute from Kopar, so it’s not a major transfer—more like a quick reset.

This handoff is part of the value. You’re not hunting down a distant pickup point in dark winter weather. You’re also not forcing the timing to work across multiple vendors. The cruise check-in is where your evening either flows smoothly or turns into last-minute scrambling. The tour is set up so you can stay calm—if you confirm your dinner reservation and keep an eye on your timings in the email confirmation you receive at booking.

One review also warned that the app version of timings can miss some details, so rely on your confirmation details rather than a shortened in-app schedule.

Northern Lights by boat: your 2.5-hour aurora plan

The Northern Lights cruise is about 2.5 hours, with onboard commentary and video. That’s useful because it turns the cruise from just sitting in the cold looking at darkness into something with context. You learn what you’re seeing and why.

Warmth and comfort on the water

Cold can be brutal on small boats, and this one provides warm coveralls. Reviews mention the coveralls were good, and some even noted that sizes seemed limited at times—so if you’re somewhere between sizes, consider asking early if your size is available.

Expect it to feel colder than you think once you’re outside and moving. A couple of reviews described the cold as extreme, even with the coveralls. Bring the mindset that you’re dressing for wind and exposure, not just a mild evening.

How far out do you go, and does it matter?

You’ll see different accounts of how the route feels. One review said the boat only went a short way into the harbor, which can reduce visibility chances on cloudy nights. Another review described getting lights soon after leaving port. The honest takeaway: the cruise is designed to maximize your odds, but it can’t change the sky, and it may keep the route closer depending on sea conditions.

Still, the concept is right for many people: you get away from some harbor light clutter, and you get time on open water long enough to matter.

If the aurora doesn’t show up

Northern Lights tourism includes a lot of nights where you don’t see much. Some reviews say the operator offered a free chance to try the boat again if lights weren’t visible on the first attempt. That’s not guaranteed in the official inclusions list you receive at booking, but it’s a real part of how this package has operated for some groups. If aurora visibility is a top priority, it’s worth asking about what options you’ll have if the first night is weak.

Value check: is $204.24 a fair deal?

At $204.24 per person, you’re paying for two expensive things in one go:

1) a high-end multi-course dinner at Kopar

2) a boat cruise experience with winter gear and onboard interpretation

For Reykjavik, that price starts to make sense because you’re not buying a cheap snack meal and a basic viewing spot. You’re buying a set tasting dinner plus a planned nighttime outing designed around aurora season.

Also, the bundled format has hidden value: you’re spending fewer hours figuring logistics. That’s real in Iceland, where weather and daylight shift quickly and evenings can get complicated.

One review also made the point that the food alone was worth the outing, with the cruise as the second bonus. That’s a good way to frame it: even if aurora conditions are average, you’re still getting a strong dinner experience you can actually enjoy fully.

Logistics that matter in the real world (not just on paper)

A few details will help you have a smoother evening:

• Start point: meet at Kopar, Geirsgata 3, 101 Reykjavík.
• End point: the activity ends back at the meeting point.
• Group size: your tour booking is limited (maximum 6 travelers), though the boat itself may sail with other passengers depending on the night.
• Language: offered in English.
• Service animals: allowed.
• Getting there: it’s near public transportation, which helps on days when taxis feel like a gamble.

The biggest real-world gotcha is timing. Dinner and check-in are close, but winter evenings run on clocks. Confirm your reservation, then show up calmly with enough buffer so you don’t feel rushed through courses.

Who this is best for (and who should think twice)

This package is a great fit if you:

• care about food and want a proper dinner while you’re chasing lights
• prefer a planned sequence rather than piecing together dinner + a separate tour later
• want warm coveralls and onboard guidance, not just standing on a windy dock

It may be less ideal if you:

• want a pure aurora-only night with maximum distance away from harbor conditions
• are easily disappointed by cloud cover (because the sky is the boss here)
• are very sensitive to tight dinner-to-cruise timing (a reservation hiccup can create stress)

If you’re the type who can be flexible—meaning you can roll with the idea that the aurora is unpredictable—this combo works well. You get a great meal no matter what, and you still get time on the water.

Practical advice to improve your odds (and stay sane)

You can’t force the Northern Lights to appear, but you can stack the odds in your favor:

• Dress warmer than you think you need, even with coveralls. Wind is the enemy.
• Ask for a window seat at Kopar if the view matters to you.
• Don’t guess on timings—use your booking confirmation email rather than a simplified app schedule.
• Have the mindset that the best aurora nights are clear and the average nights are still an experience.

And one more sanity tip: if you’re doing this on your first night in Reykjavik, consider planning it early enough that if weather cancels or shifts things, you still have backup time later in your trip.

Should you book the Kopar dinner and Northern Lights cruise?

Book it if you want one well-structured Reykjavik night: serious dinner at Kopar plus a 2.5-hour boat cruise with winter gear and guided viewing. The price becomes more reasonable when you think of it as dinner + a tour package, not two separate add-ons you have to coordinate yourself.

Skip it or rethink it if aurora visibility is your only goal and you can’t handle cloudy odds. In that case, you might prefer a more flexible aurora-focused plan, but you’d be giving up the strong “food is great no matter what” value this package includes.

FAQ

How long is the Kopar dinner plus Northern Lights cruise?

The total experience is listed at about 5 hours.

What’s included in the price?

You get a multi-course dinner at Kopar, a Northern Lights cruise of about 2.5 hours, warm coveralls for the boat, and onboard commentary and video.

Are drinks included with dinner at Kopar?

No. Drinks at Kopar are available to purchase, but they are not included.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You start at Kopar, Geirsgata 3, 101 Reykjavík.

What should I wear for the Northern Lights cruise?

Dress warm. Cold is expected during Northern Lights season, and the cruise provides warm coveralls.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What happens if the experience is canceled due to weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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