Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

Reykjavik’s northern lights cruise gives you a warm place to wait for the aurora instead of a cold roadside pullout. After dark, the yacht heads from the Old Harbour toward Viðey and sheltered waters in Faxaflói Bay, with views of Harpa, the coast, and the open sky.

I like the heated lounge, blankets, bar, and bathrooms, especially when Iceland serves up snow before clearing. I also like the crew’s practical help with camera settings and their willingness to wait when the lights begin to show. The catch is simple: you may remain fairly close to Reykjavik, and no boat can promise an aurora.

Key points at a glance

• A comfortable way to wait: Indoor seating, blankets, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and a café-bar make poor weather easier to handle.
• A coastal route first: You see the Old Harbour, Harpa from the water, Reykjavik’s shoreline, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay.
• Aurora sightings are never guaranteed: Clouds and solar activity decide the result, not the captain.
• Free return option: If the lights do not appear, the operator offers another yacht trip, subject to its stated terms.
• Boat size matters: The advertised maximum is 35 people, but the operator also uses a larger yacht, so confirm which vessel is scheduled.
• Bring serious winter clothing: You can warm up inside, but the best views are outside on deck.

Setting out from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

You meet at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2, close to the water and within reach of public transport. The activity lasts about two to three hours and returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a late-night transfer across town.

The first part is a short city-and-coast cruise. From the water, Reykjavik looks different from the street. Harpa’s glass façade catches the city lights, while the shoreline opens toward Faxaflói Bay. The route also gives you a look at Viðey Island, which sits just offshore and feels much quieter than central Reykjavik.

Do not expect a long expedition far into the bay. The operator explains that its yachts generally go behind the islands near Reykjavik, seeking shelter and a calmer patch of water. That choice has two effects: the ride can be more comfortable, but you do not get the same sense of distance from the city as you might on a bus that drives well beyond the urban area.

Viðey Island from the water

Viðey is one of the more interesting sights on this short cruise. The island is known for its walking paths, art, historical sites, and the Imagine Peace Tower, created in memory of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. On this activity, you view it from the yacht rather than stopping to walk ashore.

That distinction matters. If you want time on Viðey’s trails, this cruise is not a substitute for a dedicated island visit. If you want a calm coastal setting and a landmark to look toward while the sky darkens, the island adds welcome character to the route.

The yacht may pause in sheltered waters near the island rather than constantly chasing clear skies. The operator’s position is that cloud cover matters more than moving a few hundred meters left or right, since the aurora appears high above the earth. That may make sense on a clear night, but it also means this is not a roaming storm-chasing tour.

Waiting for the aurora over Faxaflói Bay

The northern lights portion is the main event, but it is also the part no company controls. You need dark conditions, breaks in the cloud, and auroral activity strong enough to see. A forecast that looks poor several hours before departure can improve quickly in Iceland, just as a clear afternoon can turn snowy by evening.

This uncertainty explains the mixed experience. On some nights, the boat leaves in heavy snow and later finds open sky. On others, the clouds stay put and the cruise becomes a pleasant boat ride without the green display you came to see.

The crew keeps watch and communicates with other boats. When the lights appear, you may be called outside to the viewing areas. One especially useful part of the service is help with phone and camera settings. The aurora can look faint to your eyes but show more clearly in a photograph, so a guide who helps you focus and adjust the camera can save a frustrating few minutes.

Still, keep expectations sensible. A cruise operator cannot create clear sky or stronger solar activity. Even a clear night may produce only a faint glow, while a cloudy night can produce nothing at all.

What the yacht adds to the evening

The strongest reason to choose this outing is comfort. You can step inside to warm up, use the bathroom, buy a hot or cold drink, and return to the deck when the sky begins to change. The bar and café may also serve beer, champagne, coffee, tea, and other drinks. Wi-Fi is provided as well.

That setup is useful because aurora watching involves waiting. A bus tour may drive farther and make more effort to seek clear sky, but you may spend much of the evening standing outdoors at a roadside stop. Here, you have a moving coastal setting and a heated place to sit while the crew watches conditions.

The deck is important. You cannot see much through a window if the boat’s lights or reflections get in the way, and the best views usually come from outside. Take a warm hat, gloves, sturdy shoes, and several layers. The indoor area is a backup, not a replacement for standing in the cold when the sky finally opens.

Music is played, and the crew gives information about the aurora. The amount of narration may feel brief to some people, while others will prefer a quiet evening with only a short explanation. If you want a detailed astronomy talk, this may not be the right format.

Choosing between the smaller and larger yacht

The advertised tour information lists a maximum of 35 people, which suggests a small-group experience. That is a real advantage when everyone moves outside to look up. You are less likely to feel packed shoulder to shoulder, and it should be easier to move between the indoor lounge and viewing areas.

There is one point to check before booking. Harpa Yachts says it operates two boats: MY Harpa, with space for 35 passengers, and MY Amelia Rose, with space for 95. Some departures therefore may use a larger vessel. The price and experience can feel quite different depending on the boat, so ask which yacht is scheduled if group size matters to you.

The smaller boat follows a set route and does not go as far as the larger ships. That is the tradeoff. You get a more relaxed setting and fewer people, but less range. The larger vessel may offer more room in absolute terms, yet it can feel busier, particularly if many people rush onto the deck at once.

Do not book this expecting a private or luxury charter. The boats are described as comfortable yachts, not exclusive vessels. That distinction helps set a fair expectation.

Is $100.82 a fair price?

At $100.82 per person, this costs more than a basic city walk or a simple harbor outing. You are paying for the yacht, crew, indoor space, onboard facilities, and the chance to see Reykjavik and the bay from the water while waiting for the aurora.

The value depends on how you want to spend a doubtful-weather evening. If your only goal is to maximize the odds of seeing the lights, a land tour that drives toward clearer conditions may suit you better. A boat has a fixed route and cannot cover the same distance as a vehicle.

If you value comfort and a more social setting, the price is easier to justify. You can have a drink, warm up, use a bathroom, and enjoy the coastline even if the aurora fails to appear. The free additional yacht trip also softens the risk, although it is only useful if you have another suitable evening in Reykjavik.

Some visitors have used the return option after missing the lights the first night and then succeeded later. Others have found the second attempt impossible because their schedule was too tight. If seeing the aurora is a once-only priority, leave more than one night in Iceland whenever you can. The free repeat cannot help if you fly out the next morning.

What happens when the lights do not appear

The operator offers another yacht trip if the northern lights are not seen. Its response to unsuccessful outings describes this as three years of free tours, allowing repeated attempts until you see the lights. Confirm the exact rebooking terms when you check in, since your schedule and the available departures still matter.

This is not the same as a guaranteed sighting or an automatic refund after a completed trip. The experience has still taken place, and the replacement offer is the main remedy when clouds or weak activity win the night.

If poor weather causes the company to cancel before departure, you are offered a different date or a full refund. For your own cancellation, you can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation within 24 hours is not refundable, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this for someone who wants the aurora hunt to feel like an evening outing, not only a weather gamble. Couples may appreciate the quieter boat, city lights, music, and the chance to step inside together between deck checks.

It also suits families and mixed-age groups because most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and the heated interior gives you a break from the cold. The short duration is manageable, though children and anyone sensitive to chilly wind will still need proper clothing.

Photographers should find the camera help useful. Ask the crew for guidance early, before the lights appear. A phone or camera may need different focus and exposure settings than you expect, and the aurora can be difficult to capture in the moment.

I would be more cautious if you have one free night only and care about the highest possible chance of clear sky. The fixed yacht route is part of the appeal, but it is also the main limitation.

Practical details before you book

The tour is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the meeting point is Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2. Plan to arrive early, since late arrivals can delay departure and may miss the pre-departure explanation about conditions.

Dress for standing outside beside cold water. Wear layers rather than relying on one thick coat, and keep gloves handy for using a phone. A fully charged phone matters because the aurora may appear quickly and the deck is where you will want to take pictures.

Ask about the scheduled vessel, especially if you selected the cruise for its advertised 35-person limit. Also ask how the free return works if you do not see the lights. These two questions remove the biggest sources of disappointment.

Should you book the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable aurora hunt with a harbor-and-coast cruise attached. The warm lounge, blankets, café-bar, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and friendly camera help make a long wait far more pleasant than standing beside a dark road.

Skip it if your only measure of success is getting as far from Reykjavik as possible. The boat stays near the city and follows a set route, so a mobile land tour may give you more flexibility with cloud cover.

For the best chance of enjoying it, schedule the cruise early in your Iceland stay, keep another evening available, confirm the boat size, and accept that nature gets the final say. If you see the lights, the yacht gives you a memorable setting. If you do not, you still get a short coastal outing and a practical chance to try again.

FAQ

How long does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately two to three hours and returns to the Old Harbour meeting point.

Where does the cruise start?

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

What sights are included on the route?

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

Can I go outside to watch the sky?

Yes. The yachts have outdoor viewing areas, as well as an enclosed interior where you can warm up with blankets.

Is food or drink available onboard?

An onboard bar and café provide hot and cold drinks. The available choices described for the yacht include coffee, tea, beer, champagne, and other beverages.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

The operator offers a free additional yacht trip when the lights do not appear. The company also describes a policy allowing free tours for up to three years, so confirm the rebooking details when you check in.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If the company cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.