Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

The best part of this Reykjavik northern lights yacht tour is the setting: you leave the city behind, sail among Faxaflói Bay’s small islands, and watch the sky from open decks rather than a roadside pullout. When the aurora appears, the sea gives you a wide, dark view with no bus windows in the way. The yacht also has an indoor bar and lounge, so you can warm up between sightings.

I like the three panoramic decks and the friendly guides, who point out faint activity and help you adjust your phone for better photos. I also like the free rebooking policy when the lights do not appear. The main drawback is simple: it can be bitterly cold outside, and the moving boat makes long-exposure photography harder than it looks.

Key points at a glance

• Three viewing decks: Move around the yacht to find your best angle for the sky.
• A two-hour evening cruise: The route heads through Faxaflói Bay and away from Reykjavik’s city glow.
• Warm indoor refuge: The lounge has seating, a bar, hot drinks, snacks, blankets, and seasickness tablets.
• Helpful guides: Guides including Maria, Julian, Lucky, and Brianta have helped passengers spot the aurora and improve phone photos.
• Free second chance: If the lights are not seen, you may be able to reschedule with the provider.
• $93 price point: That is fair if you value comfort and a boat setting, but the natural show itself is never guaranteed.

Leaving Old Harbor for the dark water

Your evening begins at the Old Harbour House at Aegisgardur 2, where you should check in 30 minutes before departure. Scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk, then board the yacht nearby. If you select hotel pickup, transport is available from hotels in the Reykjavik area.

The first part of the sailing is pleasant even before the aurora hunt begins. You pass small islands in Faxaflói Bay and follow the Reykjavik coast while the yacht gradually moves away from the strongest city lights. That matters because a dark sky gives faint aurora activity a better chance of showing up.

This is not a fast ride to one fixed viewing point. The captain and crew adjust the outing to the conditions, and the boat may drift while everyone watches the sky. Some evenings produce lights within minutes of leaving the harbor. On others, the first glow appears during the final part of the trip, so patience is part of the deal.

At two hours, the outing is long enough to give the sky time to change without taking over your whole evening. That shorter duration works well for families, couples, and anyone who does not want a four-hour northern lights hunt. It also leaves room for dinner or another Reykjavik activity before or after the cruise.

Three decks, one very cold photo stop

The yacht’s main selling point is its three panoramic viewing decks. You can move between levels as the boat travels, choosing a more open view above or a somewhat sheltered position below. The upper deck gives you the clearest sweep of the sky, but it is also where wind and cold are most noticeable.

The boat has indoor seating too. I would claim a place inside early, ideally close enough to a door that you can step outside quickly when the guide calls out a new aurora wave. This is a useful strategy on cloudy or uncertain nights. You stay warm while waiting, then head outside when something starts to form.

The yacht is described as comfortable, with toilets, seating areas, and a full bar selling alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, hot beverages, and snacks. Hot chocolate with Baileys or amaretto has become a popular cold-night choice, though drinks are not included in the $93 price.

Warm blankets are provided, and seasickness tablets are available. Still, a blanket is not a substitute for proper clothing. Wear layers, gloves, a warm hat, and sturdy shoes. One evening reached minus 10 degrees, and even clear skies can feel harsh once you stand still on an exposed deck.

What the two-hour route feels like

The cruise usually has three distinct moods. First comes the departure from the Old Harbor, when you settle in and get your bearings while the yacht moves along the coast. The guide may begin explaining the aurora and tell you what to watch for in the sky.

Next comes the waiting period offshore. The yacht moves far enough from the city glow to improve viewing, then may slow or drift while the crew watches conditions. This can feel quiet and uneventful if clouds cover the sky. It can also turn into the most exciting part of the night when a faint gray patch becomes green, pink, or white light.

The final section is the return to Reykjavik. The aurora may appear on the way back, which is why you should not pack away your camera too early. One outing produced only a brief sighting near the end, while another gave passengers almost an hour of changing lights. Nature sets the schedule here.

The guides help make the waiting easier. Maria has been praised for alerting people inside when a new wave appeared. Julian and Lucky have been singled out for clear explanations and a lively approach. Some guides also take photos for passengers and show you how to change phone settings, which is useful because an ordinary automatic camera often records little more than a dark sky.

Why the guide matters more than you might expect

A northern lights cruise is not just a ride to a dark place. The guide’s job is to help you notice weak activity before it becomes obvious. A pale smear can look like cloud at first, and the aurora often strengthens in waves rather than appearing at full force.

The guide may explain the colors, point out stars, and tell you when a new band is developing. That turns waiting into part of the experience instead of dead time. On a clear night, you may see the lights form an arc, stretch across the sky, or appear to dance and shift.

Photo help is another real benefit. Guides have shown passengers how to use night mode and how to keep a phone steady. Some have also taken photos of couples and families when the lights appeared. That small service can save the evening for someone who wants a picture of the moment rather than a sky photograph alone.

There is one practical limit. You may not hear every word from every position on the yacht, especially when people are spread across several decks. One passenger found the guide difficult to hear from certain spots. If the explanation matters to you, stay near the guide when possible.

Aurora viewing is never guaranteed

No boat, bus, or private guide can promise the northern lights. You need darkness, clear enough skies, and auroral activity at the right time. Cloud cover can hide a strong display, and a high forecast does not guarantee that the lights will appear during your two-hour sailing.

That uncertainty should shape your expectations. A faint green line near the horizon is still an aurora, but it may not resemble the dramatic curtains shown in photographs. Cameras can also make the color look stronger than it appears to your eyes.

The good news is the provider may allow you to reschedule for free if the lights are not seen. Some people have returned two days later and been rewarded with a strong display. The stated policy allows a return within three years in some cases, though you should confirm the exact terms with the provider at the time of booking.

This option is valuable if you have several nights in Reykjavik. It is less useful on a one-night stop, when you may have no spare evening. If your schedule is tight, the cruise can still be worth taking, but buy it for the boat experience and the chance of an aurora, not as a guaranteed show.

Photography from a moving yacht

The yacht gives you broad, open views, but it is not a stable photography platform. The sea may be calm, yet the boat still rises and falls enough to blur a long exposure. Several people found it hard to keep a phone steady while the camera timer ran.

For better results, use a tripod only if you are comfortable carrying it and can position it safely. Otherwise, brace your phone against a railing or use a short timer. Ask the guide for help with camera settings, and take several images rather than relying on one shot.

Keep your camera accessible under your coat, not buried in a bag below deck. The aurora may appear suddenly, and the guide may give only a short warning before the best part fades. A camera with a wide lens is useful, but a modern phone can capture good results if you use its night setting and hold it steady.

Do not spend the whole cruise staring at a screen. The strongest moments are often brief, and the movement of the lights is more impressive in person than in a photograph.

Is $93 a fair price?

At $93 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the aurora, but the price includes more than a basic boat ride. You get the two-hour cruise, a live English-speaking guide, Wi-Fi, warm blankets, and access to indoor seating and the viewing decks. Hotel pickup can be added if you want to avoid arranging your own way to the harbor.

The yacht setting adds comfort and atmosphere. You can buy a hot drink, warm up inside, and move around instead of sitting in one coach seat for the entire outing. That makes the price reasonable for people who want a more relaxed evening.

Drinks and souvenirs cost extra. If you order several alcoholic drinks, the final bill will rise. I would treat the bar as a useful comfort rather than a reason to book the trip. The real value is the chance to watch from a dark bay while having shelter nearby.

The 4.4 rating from 1,253 reviews suggests a generally strong experience, but that number should not hide the central risk: the aurora is outside anyone’s control. The boat, guide, and organization can be excellent and still produce no lights.

Who should choose this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a short, comfortable northern lights outing from central Reykjavik. It suits couples, families, and anyone who prefers a yacht to a long coach ride. The two-hour format worked especially well for a family with a young granddaughter, since it offered enough time without becoming an all-night expedition.

It is also a good choice if you are uneasy about standing outdoors for hours. You can watch from the decks, then return to the lounge, buy a warm drink, and wait for the guide’s next alert.

The cruise is less suitable if your main goal is serious night photography. Boat movement, cold, and other people on the deck make precise long exposures difficult. A land-based trip may offer a steadier camera position, though it will not give you the same water-and-sky setting.

I would also think twice if you have only one night in Iceland and cannot reschedule. You might see a superb display, as some sailings have done, or only a faint glow. The experience remains pleasant, but the main natural attraction is always a gamble.

Booking and arrival tips

Book around your schedule, but leave room for a second attempt if the aurora is your top priority. The reserve-now, pay-later option can help you keep plans flexible, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure.

Arrive at Old Harbour House 30 minutes early. The kiosk check-in is simple, but arriving with time to spare lets you use the facilities, settle in, and choose an indoor seat before boarding.

Wear your warmest practical clothes, including gloves and proper footwear. Bring your camera, but also bring patience. If you are prone to motion sickness, ask for the available tablets before the boat heads farther into the bay.

The yacht does not require you to stay outside for the full two hours. A sensible pattern is to watch the opening departure from the deck, warm up inside during the waiting period, and return outside whenever the guide spots activity.

Should you book the Reykjavik northern lights yacht tour?

Book it if you want the aurora hunt to feel like an evening out, not just a cold wait in a parking lot. The yacht is comfortable, the guides are active and helpful, and the three decks give you several ways to view the sky. The free rebooking option also softens the risk when the forecast fails you.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed green curtain or perfect photographs. The boat moves, the wind can be fierce, and some nights produce only a faint glow or nothing at all.

For most people, I think the $93 price is fair, especially with a calm sea, a good guide, and a warm drink in hand. If you have two or more nights in Reykjavik, this is a strong option. If you have only one chance, choose it because you like the yacht experience as much as you want to see the aurora.

FAQ

Where does the northern lights yacht tour depart from?

The tour departs from the Old Harbour House at Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavik.

How early should I arrive?

You should check in 30 minutes before departure.

How do I check in at the Old Harbour House?

Scan the bar code or QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk.

How long is the cruise?

The cruise lasts two hours.

What language is the guided tour in?

The live guided tour is in English.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Hotel pickup is available from hotels in the Reykjavik area if you select that option.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Drinks are available to buy at the onboard bar.

Are blankets provided?

Yes. Warm blankets are included.

Are seasickness tablets available?

Yes. Seasickness tablets are available on board.

What happens if I do not see the northern lights?

Viewing is not guaranteed, but you may be able to reschedule for free with the activity provider if the lights are not seen.