That first aurora streak feels like cheating.

This 2.5-hour cruise sails out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay, giving you a dark-sky shot with city lights still sparkling behind you. I love the heated indoor saloon for warm-up breaks and toilets without fuss. I also like that the crew keeps things practical: they check the weather and forecast, then guide you on deck once conditions look good. One thing to know up front: the lights are never guaranteed, and if the aurora is faint you might leave wishing it were stronger.

You’ll also be in a moving boat on open water, which can make some photos harder than you’d expect. Still, between the warm gear and the crew’s help, this is a very doable way to hunt for the Northern Lights without turning your night into a misery test.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Faxaflói Bay gives you real darkness away from the city glow
• Heated cabin, lots of seating, and toilets keep the night from getting miserable
• Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets are provided so you can focus on the sky
• Reykjavík’s landmarks are lit up as you sail by Harpa and Hallgrímskirkja
• Imagine Peace Tower is on the route (Oct–Dec) when it’s lit
• Try-again guarantee if the lights don’t show during your trip

Reykjavík Northern Lights by Boat: Why This Works

If you only do one aurora outing in Iceland, I get it. The Northern Lights are the whole reason people show up to Reykjavík in winter. The trick is choosing a plan that doesn’t rely on perfect timing and patience at the dock.

This cruise is built around two smart ideas. First, you’re not just standing in the city hoping the sky cooperates. You sail out into Faxaflói Bay, where darkness has a chance to beat artificial light. Second, the tour doesn’t leave you frozen. You get warm overalls and a heated indoor saloon with comfortable seating and toilets, plus a place to regroup when your cheeks start begging for mercy.

And you’re not sacrificing Reykjavík’s charm, either. As you head out, you still get sweeping views of the shoreline and the glow of major landmarks. That matters on nights when the aurora is slow to show—or when it’s faint but still worth watching.

The 2.5-Hour Flow: What You’ll Do and When

This trip runs about 2.5 hours, which is a sweet spot for a lot of people. Long enough to wait for conditions, but not so long that you burn your whole evening.

Here’s the way the night typically feels, step by step:

1) Meet at Elding in Reykjavík Old Harbour

You meet at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. This is handy because you can arrive, orient fast, and get settled without complicated transfers.

Once you’re on board, the boat becomes your warm base. The tour includes warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets, plus a heated indoor area with plenty of seating and toilets.

2) Cruise past the lit skyline toward Faxaflói Bay

As soon as you sail, the shoreline turns into a moving postcard. You’ll see Reykjavík’s glittering nightscape, including:

• Harpa Concert Hall
• Hallgrímskirkja church

Watching from the water gives you angles the city can’t offer. It also helps you enjoy the trip even before the aurora shows up. On a dark, clear night, the skyline reflections on the water add a little bonus magic.

3) Imagine Peace Tower if you’re going Oct–Dec

Between October and December, the tour route includes a pass by the Imagine Peace Tower when it’s lit. If you’re visiting during those months, this is a nice cultural add-on that doesn’t steal time from aurora watching.

4) Deck time under a guide-led sky search

The main event is, of course, the sky. The guide stays on top of things and keeps you informed. When conditions look right, they call out once the Northern Lights begin.

You’ll have a choice as the night goes on:

• Hang out inside for warmth while you wait
• Step out onto the open viewing platforms for less obstruction and a broader view

The guides and captain also check the weather and forecast before you go, aiming to optimize your odds. Nothing is guaranteed, but this reduces the chance you’ll waste the whole night in the wrong conditions.

5) Return after your aurora window

The tour duration stays about 2.5 hours, so you’ll be back in Reykjavík after that window. On nights when the lights cooperate early, it can feel like the trip is just beginning. On nights when they’re slow, you’ll still have the skyline, warm breaks, and onboard comfort to keep it from feeling like a long wait in the cold.

Comfort That Actually Helps on an Aurora Night

Northern Lights tours fail in one of two ways: people freeze, or they stand around with nothing to do. This one takes the edge off both problems.

Warm gear is included

You’re provided with warm overalls, plus raincoats and blankets. That’s a big deal in Icelandic winter because wind and wet cold can drain you fast. You don’t have to guess what to pack—just dress smart underneath (layers help).

Heated indoor saloon with real basics

Inside, you get a heated cabin with ample seats and toilets. That turns the evening from an endurance event into a manageable wait. The reviews also mention a warm indoor area downstairs, plus places to grab snacks and drinks.

Open deck with great views

When you step outside, you’re rewarded with fewer light distractions and a more direct view of sea and sky. The viewing platforms are part of why this works better than staying in town.

One practical note: if you’re hoping to photograph the aurora, the boat’s motion can make long exposures blurry. The tour staff can help with camera settings, which helps a lot, but it’s still a moving platform.

Reykjavík’s Skyline From the Water: The Bonus You Get

Even on nights when aurora activity is weak, this cruise still has value.

You get Reykjavík’s illuminated waterfront in motion—Harpa and Hallgrímskirkja stand out in the night glow. There’s something reassuring about having something visual to watch while you wait for the sky to act.

That matters because Northern Lights watching has a rhythm. Sometimes it starts early. Sometimes it takes time. Sometimes it’s faint before it gets better. Having the skyline to enjoy means you’re not stuck staring at darkness with cold dread.

Imagine Peace Tower: A Small Detour With Real Charm

If you’re traveling October through December, the boat sails by the Imagine Peace Tower when it’s lit. It’s one of those sights that gives the trip more personality than just airport-style sightseeing with a side of aurora hunting.

And because it happens during the outbound sailing, it doesn’t feel like an extra stop that eats your aurora time.

Food and Drinks: Plan for Warm-up Fuel

Onboard, there’s an onboard café that sells hot drinks and snacks. Reviews also mention a bar-like setup with snacks and drinks.

This is useful even if you’re not hungry. A warm drink helps you stay outside longer, and snacks keep your energy steady if the sky takes its time.

(Hot tip: if you’re sensitive to cold, don’t treat this as optional. The comfort level on board is a major part of why the tour feels good.)

The Northern Lights Hunt: Odds, Guidance, and the Reality Check

Here’s the honest part: nothing in nature is guaranteed. The tour is designed to improve your chances by going out to Faxaflói Bay and checking forecast conditions ahead of time.

The guide plays a key role. You’re not left guessing what you’re looking at. Once the Northern Lights begin, they call it out. That is especially helpful if you’ve never seen the aurora before, when your brain keeps asking if it’s real or just a weird cloud effect.

If you see faint lights

On some nights, you might catch faint streaks at first. Then, over time, it can strengthen enough to look like what you’ve seen in photos and TV. That gradual build is part of the experience, even if it can test your patience.

If you do not see the lights

This tour includes a sighting guarantee (or try again for free). That doesn’t magically make the sky predictable, but it does reduce the stress of betting your whole trip on one night.

Photography reality: not impossible, but not effortless

The tour isn’t recommended for people who are hoping for easy Northern Lights photography from the boat. The boat moves, which can cause blur, and photographing auroras often requires more skill than people expect.

That said, the staff can help with camera settings, and some nights you’ll get just enough clarity to capture something satisfying. If you’re serious about photography, treat this as a learning-friendly outing—not a guaranteed tripod-in-a-still-sky situation.

Price and Value: Is $111 a Good Deal?

At $111 per person for about 2.5 hours, the question isn’t just the sticker price. It’s what you’re buying: transportation out onto the water plus structured guidance plus the comfort package that keeps you watching longer.

Here’s what you get that directly affects value:

• Sail out to Faxaflói Bay for better darkness than staying in town
• Heated indoor saloon with toilets and lots of seating
• Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets (you don’t have to rent or guess)
• A naturalist guide who watches conditions and helps once aurora activity starts
• A try-again promise if you don’t get a sighting
• Reykjavik landmark views during the sailing time, so you’re not paying only for a chance

If you hate the idea of spending hours outside freezing for unclear results, the included comfort is the deal. If you already have your own waterproof gear and you’re determined to DIY aurora watching from shore, you might question the price. But for most first-timers, paying for comfort and guidance is a smart trade.

Who This Tour Fits Best

I think this tour is a great match if:

• You’re in Reykjavík for a short trip and want a structured plan
• You want to maximize your odds without becoming an aurora logistics expert
• You appreciate warm breaks, toilets, and not having to bundle up every hour from scratch
• You want skyline views plus the Northern Lights, not just one or the other

It may not be ideal if:

• You’re laser-focused on getting crisp aurora photos from a boat. The motion and skill requirements can be frustrating.
• You feel uncomfortable on boats in rough or choppy conditions (the tour does include proper gear and safety focus, but it is still open water).

Quick FAQ for Your Aurora Planning

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavík Northern Lights cruise?

It lasts about 2.5 hours.

Where do I meet the boat in Reykjavík?

Meet at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

Is warm clothing provided on board?

Yes. You get warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets.

Do you guarantee that we will see the Northern Lights?

There is a sighting guarantee, or you’ll be offered to try again for free.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is not included, but it’s available for an extra charge.

Can I photograph the Northern Lights from the boat?

You can try, but it can be challenging due to the boat setting. The tour is not recommended for people who are especially hoping to photograph the lights.

Should You Book This Northern Lights Cruise?

Yes, I’d book it if you want an evening that feels supported from start to finish. The combination of Faxaflói Bay sailing, heated comfort, warm overalls, and a guide who actively manages the experience makes this a practical way to chase the aurora without turning it into an all-night misery festival.

I’d hesitate only if your main goal is high-success photography. In that case, you might still learn a lot here, but you should expect it to be trickier than a still, shore-based setup.

If you’re ready for the real deal—chasing the sky, enjoying Reykjavík’s glow, and staying warm while the universe decides—this cruise is one of the most sensible ways to do it.

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