Reykjavik: Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the setting: you leave Reykjavík’s harbor lights behind and watch the Northern Lights over Faxaflói Bay, with the city glowing on the horizon. On the way, you get a fresh view of Harpa Concert Hall, the Sun Voyager, Höfði house, and Viðey Island.

I like the smallest yacht option, MY Harpa, which carries up to 35 people, and the fact that you can retreat indoors when the sea air turns sharp. I also like the patient approach. The crew keeps watching the sky, and the lights may appear late, even during the return to harbor.

The main drawback is simple: the aurora is weather dependent. Clouds, rain, and weak solar activity can leave you with a pleasant boat ride but no glowing sky. At $99, that makes this a worthwhile gamble only if you also value the coastline views and yacht experience.

Key points before you book

• Two yacht sizes: MY Harpa carries up to 35 passengers, while MY Amelia Rose carries up to 95.
• A 2.5-hour night cruise: You sail from Reykjavík Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay and return to the same area.
• The city remains part of the view: Harpa, the Sun Voyager, Höfði house, and Reykjavík’s shoreline add interest when the sky is quiet.
• Indoor comfort matters: Warm seating, blankets, and Wi-Fi help you wait without standing outside all evening.
• The aurora may arrive late: Several trips have seen the lights only near the end, so do not leave the boat early.
• The guide adds value: Expect Icelandic and English commentary about the science, local stories, and sights along the route.

Leaving Reykjavík Old Harbor after dark

Check in inside the restaurant at the Old Boat House, using the self-check-in kiosk. This is easy once you know where to go, but the meeting point can be confusing if you rely only on the map. One practical tip: go inside the restaurant rather than searching around the waterfront for a separate ticket office.

The cruise lasts about two and a half hours. That is long enough to get well away from the strongest city glow, but not so long that the outing takes over your entire evening. Starting from the harbor also makes this easy to fit around dinner or an afternoon in central Reykjavík.

As the yacht leaves shore, you will see Reykjavík from a different angle. The waterfront lights form a useful reference point, especially if you feel uneasy about being on open water at night. You are not simply sent into a blank black sea. The city usually remains visible in the distance, and the yacht moves at a steady pace.

The exact boat depends on the departure. MY Harpa is the more intimate choice, with room for 35 passengers. MY Amelia Rose can take up to 95. If having a quieter, more private feel matters to you, check which vessel is scheduled before booking. A larger boat can still offer plenty of room, but it will not feel quite as personal.

Harpa, the Sun Voyager, and Höfði from the water

The first part of the route gives you a useful introduction to Reykjavík’s waterfront. Harpa Concert Hall is hard to miss. Its glass exterior catches the city lights, and its geometric design draws on Iceland’s basalt formations. Seen from the water, the building feels less like a concert venue and more like a bright marker at the edge of the harbor.

You also pass the Sun Voyager, Jón Gunnar Árnason’s steel sculpture facing the sea. It resembles a Viking ship, though its meaning is more about hope, discovery, and travel than a literal historical vessel. From the yacht, it becomes part of a wider coastal view instead of a quick stop on a walking route.

Höfði house offers a different kind of interest. The building is linked to the 1986 meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev, an important moment in the ending of the Cold War. You will not tour the house during this cruise, but seeing it from the water gives the guide a chance to connect Reykjavík with a much larger political story.

These sights matter because they give the trip substance even if the aurora does not appear. A northern lights outing always carries some risk. Having recognizable landmarks, city views, and local stories along the route makes the time feel better spent.

Moving beyond the city lights into Faxaflói Bay

The yacht heads into Faxaflói Bay, where the darkness improves your chance of seeing the aurora. The goal is not to chase a specific light display in the way a vehicle might chase clear skies on land. The boat moves into darker water and waits for the right combination of cloud cover and aurora activity.

This setting has a clear advantage. The water gives you a wide, unobstructed view of the sky, and the city lights sit behind you rather than all around you. Reflections on the sea can also add atmosphere when the aurora appears.

There is a tradeoff. A boat can only travel within its planned route, while a land-based vehicle may have more freedom to search for a gap in the clouds. One passenger gave the practical advice to stay inside until the crew announces activity, then go out for the display. That makes sense. You have a limited area to work with, and moving around too early only means standing in the cold for longer.

The route may pass behind islands in Faxaflói Bay, including Viðey. From October 9 to December 8, and on certain other dates, Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower shines from Viðey. If it is operating during your cruise, it gives you another unusual point of light in the dark.

Waiting for the aurora without freezing

Northern lights tours involve a lot of waiting. The comfortable parts of this cruise help make that wait manageable. You can sit inside, look through the windows, and listen for updates rather than spending the full two and a half hours on deck.

Warm blankets are provided, and hot drinks and other refreshments are available at the bar for purchase. Wi-Fi is included. The boat also has outside space, which is important once the sky begins to brighten. You can step out for a better view and return inside when the cold catches up with you.

Still, bring a proper warm jacket. Blankets help, but they do not replace winter clothing, especially if you plan to stay outside for photography. The ocean air can feel colder than the temperature on land, and the best displays may require patience.

The yacht’s stable platform is useful for photographs. You avoid some of the movement associated with a smaller open boat, and the dark water can create a striking foreground. Keep your expectations realistic, though. A phone may capture little more than a faint glow unless the aurora is strong. The crew can help you know when it is worth heading outside, but photography equipment is not supplied.

What happens when the sky stays cloudy

This is not a guaranteed northern lights show. Clouds, rain, and solar conditions can all work against you. One cruise went out on a rainy, cloudy night and saw the lights only at the very end. Another had just a brief glimpse through cloud cover.

That uncertainty is not a flaw in the operator. It is part of the natural event. The important question is how the crew handles a quiet sky. The best trips keep you informed, explain what causes the aurora, and maintain interest through local stories and coastal sights.

The strongest feedback about the guides centers on their attitude and explanations. Seamus has helped with rebooking after an unsuccessful first attempt, and Einar has been praised for combining Icelandic history with northern lights knowledge. A guide has also explained the myths and science behind the aurora in a way that works for people who know nothing about it.

The quality of commentary can vary by departure. One passenger found the explanation of the aurora too limited, despite seeing the lights. That is worth noting if you want a structured astronomy lesson. You should expect live guidance in Icelandic and English, but not necessarily a long lecture every minute of the trip.

If the lights do not appear, ask about your options before leaving Reykjavík. One passenger received a free second trip after an unsuccessful first night. The available arrangement can depend on the operator and schedule, so do not assume a second cruise is automatic. Still, it is worth asking the staff at the Old Boat House.

How the two yachts affect your experience

MY Harpa, with capacity for 35, is the boat to prefer if you want a more intimate outing. A smaller group usually makes it easier to hear the guide, find a comfortable viewing spot, and ask questions. It also better matches the private-yacht feel suggested by the price.

MY Amelia Rose carries up to 95 passengers. That is still a controlled group rather than a huge ferry, but the atmosphere will be less personal. You may need to move around more carefully when the aurora appears, especially if many people head outside at once.

The vessel assignment is not fully in your control, so treat the smaller yacht as a possibility rather than a promise. Confirm the boat for your departure if this detail matters to you. A past mechanical problem also led to a boat change on one trip, with passengers moved to a larger fishing vessel. The operator communicated about the change and offered rebooking, but the replacement did not provide the same warm blankets or Wi-Fi.

That example points to a useful booking principle: you are paying for the overall experience, not just a particular boat. Equipment problems can happen, and the aurora itself is never guaranteed. If the exact yacht matters more than the chance to see the lights, ask about current vessel arrangements before you commit.

Is $99 a fair price?

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora. You are paying for a yacht cruise, crew, indoor seating, blankets, Wi-Fi, and a route that combines Reykjavík sights with darker water. The price makes more sense if you enjoy being on the sea and want a calm evening rather than an all-out hunt across the countryside.

The value is strongest when the aurora appears. Seeing the lights from the bay, with Reykjavík behind you and open sky above, gives the event a special setting. The stable boat also helps with viewing and photographs, and the included comforts reduce the strain of waiting.

The value is weaker if your only goal is maximizing the odds of seeing the lights. A land-based tour may have more freedom to move toward clearer skies. This boat follows a defined route, so cloud cover over the bay can remain a problem.

I would treat the $99 as payment for two experiences in one: a nighttime coastal cruise and a northern lights search. That is a fair deal for people who like boats, city views, and a slower evening. It is less convincing for someone who wants the most aggressive possible aurora chase.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this trip for couples, families, and first-time Iceland visitors who want a comfortable way to try for the aurora without spending a full night in a vehicle. It also suits anyone who gets anxious on open water, since you can stay inside, the yacht moves steadily, and the city often remains visible on the horizon.

Families may appreciate the indoor seating and the shorter two and a half hour format. Children can look for Reykjavík landmarks on the way out and return indoors when the cold sets in. The guide’s myths and science stories can also give the wait some structure.

Photography fans should like the stable yacht and open view, but they need to bring warm clothing and suitable equipment. If you are very serious about images, ask about the boat size and outside viewing space before booking.

I would hesitate if you dislike boats, become uncomfortable in cold weather, or have only one night available and need the highest possible chance of seeing the aurora. In that case, a land-based option may suit you better, though no tour can promise clear skies.

Small details that make the night easier

Arrive with enough time to find the Old Boat House and use the kiosk inside the restaurant. The meeting point has caused confusion for some people, so do not wait outside expecting a clearly marked office.

Dress warmly from the start. Wear layers, bring a hat and gloves, and plan to use the blanket rather than treating it as your only protection. You will enjoy the trip more if you can step outside quickly when the guide spots activity.

Keep your schedule flexible if possible. The lights may show up early, late, or only briefly through a break in the clouds. One particularly successful sighting happened near the return to harbor, which is a good reason to remain patient until the yacht is back at the dock.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the available starting times for your date, since the schedule changes.

Should you book this northern lights cruise?

Book it if you want the aurora search wrapped in a comfortable Reykjavík evening cruise. The harbor sights, darker water, warm interior, blankets, and friendly crew give you a worthwhile outing even when the sky refuses to cooperate.

Skip it if you care only about the strongest possible odds of seeing the lights and would rather have a vehicle search for clear skies on land. For everyone else, this is a pleasant, well-supported gamble. Check the assigned yacht, dress properly, and keep your expectations realistic. If the aurora appears over Faxaflói Bay, the setting can be unforgettable.

FAQ

Where does the northern lights cruise leave from?

The cruise leaves from Reykjavík Old Harbor. Check in inside the restaurant at the Old Boat House using the self-check-in kiosk.

How long does the cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $99 per person.

Which boats are used?

You may sail on MY Harpa, which carries up to 35 passengers, or MY Amelia Rose, which carries up to 95 passengers.

Is indoor seating available?

Yes. The yachts have an inside seating area, and warm blankets are provided.

Are drinks included?

Hot drinks and refreshments are available at the onboard bar, but they are not listed as included in the tour price.

What languages does the guide speak?

Live guiding is available in Icelandic and English.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.