The 10 Best Reykjavik Yacht Charters

1.Reykjavík: Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,911 reviews · 3 hours · from $107Our pick

Sail from Reykjavík’s Old Harbor aboard the Amelia Rose, a smooth offshore yacht with three panoramic decks, warm indoor lounges, WiFi, and a bar. Your English-speaking guide helps you spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, seabirds, and, with luck, orcas.

“We had sightings, but the guide could not always be heard very well, had to ask a couple of ti.es to turn the volume up. other than that, a great tour”

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2.Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,253 reviews · 2 hours · from $93

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay for a two-hour aurora hunt aboard a comfortable yacht. Guides such as Maria, Julian, and Lucky explain the lights, help with phone settings, and alert you when the sky changes. Use the three viewing decks, warm up inside, or order hot chocolate at the bar.

“we didn't get any lights on our trip but we were offered to return again for free anytime withing in 3 years. we returned 2 days later and got our reward by seeing a stunning display of the aurora”

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3.Reykjavik: Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 707 reviews · 3 hours · from $106

Set out from Reykjavik Old Harbor on MY Harpa or MY Amelia Rose with an English or Icelandic guide. Watch for humpback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, seabirds, and summer puffins while enjoying blankets, WiFi, a bar, and indoor and outdoor viewing areas.

“Our guide tried very hard to make us sight some whales which we did ! Remember its nature so you can’t really be sure of seeing whales … also another boat from another company really were v disrespectful and almost scared the whale .. but our guide was really patient and amazing”

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4.Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 684 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102

Spend about three hours aboard a whale-watching yacht from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour. An onboard guide explains whale behavior as you search Faxafloi Bay for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and sometimes orcas. The boat has indoor seating, outdoor viewing areas, toilets, and a small bar.

“Nice experience, I met new friends on the cruise, the view was wonderful and the whales as well ❤️‍🩹”

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5.Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 488 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor aboard Harpa or Amelia Rose for roughly three hours in Faxafloi Bay. An English-speaking guide, open viewing decks, warm blankets, indoor seating, a bar, Wi-Fi, and a free return trip if wildlife does not appear make this a practical choice for families and first-time whale watchers.

“We may have picked the wrong season, but the whales in April are small and the view we got was mostly of dorsal fins. The ship was well set up and comfortable.”

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6.Northern Lights Yacht Cruise in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 428 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $94

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay for about two hours, watching the sky for the aurora from an open deck or warm cabin. Guides such as Isabella explain the lights and help with photos. The yacht carries up to 125 passengers and offers a free return if the display does not appear.

“Wasted money, wasted time. Tried this tour Christmas week 2024. I get the feeling they don’t take the boat out far enough so that folks keep paying for more attempts. Both nights we attempted, they anchored the boat at a distance where you could clearly see the city and the skyline lights. How could that area possibly be dark enough for the NL?? Lame. Plus, the check-in spot (before boarding) is buried in a barely marked restaurant/bar. Weird setup.”

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7.Reykjavik: Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 133 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $99

Leave Reykjavík Old Harbor on a 2.5-hour motor yacht cruise into Faxaflói Bay. Your guide explains the aurora and local sights while you watch for northern lights beyond Viðey. Choose warm indoor seating or the open deck, with blankets, Wi-Fi, and drinks available onboard.

“Didn’t see any lights but such a nice experience anyway! The captain and his son were so so friendly! Totally recommend!”

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8.Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 35 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $100

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour past Harpa, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay while watching for the aurora. The yacht has indoor seating, blankets, bathrooms, a café-bar, Wi-Fi, and help with camera settings. Captain Einar is associated with the operation, which offers a free return trip when conditions hide the lights.

“Key failings 1) they take you about 500m from coast to the same fixed point and sit there for the evening - you are so close to shore and no effort made to find the right location to view Northern Lights 2) only a 5 minute spiel on NLs (probably from Wiki) and that is all you get - no updates on weather or best place to move to 3) the experience is not remotely luxury - it is mass market. So, you sail out 500m from coast, sit there for a while listening to cheesy music then sail back when the time is up. NLs by numbers. A massive…”

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9.Puffin Watching Yacht Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 29 reviews · 1 hour · from $75Cheapest seat

Join a one-hour yacht cruise from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour with an English-speaking guide. Sail around Engey, Lundey, and Viðey to watch puffins and seabirds, with Mount Esja and the city skyline behind you. Small groups, onboard restrooms, and a complimentary return ticket if wildlife stays out of sight.

“Comfortable boat ride across from harbour to island. The guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. Took an hour exactly. Travellers should know sighting puffins can be tricky as puffins usually leave Iceland shores in mid August after mating and having babies.”

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10.Reykjavík: New Year’s Eve Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $140

Join an English or Icelandic speaking guide aboard a comfortable motor yacht for a 1.5-hour New Year’s Eve cruise. Pass Videy Island and the Imagine Peace monument while searching for auroras, then watch Reykjavík’s midnight fireworks from offshore with champagne.

“An intimate way to spend NYE in Reykjavik... capped at 35 people on a luxury yacht, we got Earth's fireworks (Northern Lights) and the just insane fireworks show the citizens of Reykjavik put on every New Year's Eve! If visiting Reykjavik during the New Year's holiday, I definitely recommend taking this cruise!”

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