Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik

Chasing the aurora from a boat feels different. On this Reykjavik night cruise out of Old Harbour, you spend about two hours scanning the sky while also watching for marine wildlife like minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. I love the on-board light spotting commentary from the crew, and I also love that you are not stuck outside the whole time thanks to a warmer lower section and an onboard café. One thing to keep in mind: the top deck gets brutally cold, and the northern lights are never guaranteed.

This is a small-group style trip with a maximum of 75 people, and it runs in English. Most people book about 42 days ahead, but you still benefit from the big-picture advantage of being out on the water rather than just waiting on land.

Key Things I’d Use to Choose This Tour

• Old Harbour departure with real evening-city views as you glide along the Reykjavík coast at night
• Faxaflói Bay cruising where the crew watches for whales and other wildlife (including a chance at orcas)
• Toasty lower seating plus an outdoor observation deck, so you can alternate cold air and warmth
• On-board café, restroom, and Wi‑Fi, which makes the wait more bearable
• Free return if you do not see the northern lights that night

Reykjavik Northern Lights by Boat: why open water changes the hunt

If your only northern-lights plan is standing in one spot in town, you are limited by local conditions. On this cruise, you are moving across Faxaflói Bay and along Reykjavík’s coastline while you look for aurora activity. That simple difference can make the whole evening feel more like a search than a fixed waiting game.

I also like that this trip gives you a second reason to stay focused: wildlife. Even when the aurora is slow to appear, the crew is actively scanning the water for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. And yes, there is always a chance of seeing orcas, which is the sort of bonus that turns a cold night into a story you keep telling.

Sailing Route and What You’ll Actually Do on the Trip

Leaving Reykjavík’s Old Harbour

You meet near the Old Harbour area at Old Harbour House (Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík). The ship sets sails from there, and the early part of the cruise is all about getting you into a good viewing rhythm: stars, sky, city lights behind you, and water activity in front of you.

This part matters because you can ease into the evening without rushing. You see the shape of Reykjavík at night, and you start learning what to look for. Several people praised the staff for being active about pointing out where lights tend to appear, and that’s exactly what you want when the sky is mostly dark.

Cruising among islands and the Reykjavík coast

As you head out, you sail among small islands in Faxaflói Bay, then along the Reykjavík coast. This is when you get those “how is it possible to see this much from one cruise?” moments—especially if you like night photos. The water view also helps you keep your eyes on the horizon, which is where aurora activity often becomes obvious.

On this stretch, the professional onboard team uses its experience to spot marine wildlife. Expect the most common sightings to be minke and humpback whales, with dolphins and porpoises also in the mix. If orcas are around, this is the kind of outing where a skilled crew can often spot that change faster than you would on your own.

Faxaflói Bay on the southern shore: distant scenery while you wait

Later in the cruise, you spend time in Faxaflói Bay’s southern shore area. From this part of the bay, you can sometimes see distant landmarks: the peninsula of Akranes and even Snæfellsjökull in the distance (about 120 km / 75 mi away). Even if the lights decide not to cooperate, that view gives the evening shape and keeps it from feeling like a one-track attempt.

This is also where the crew can keep repositioning your attention. When you are hunting aurora, the sky does not always light up all at once. The more eyes and the more guidance you get, the better your odds of catching that moment when the colors start to show.

Back toward Reykjavík

The cruise ends back at the meeting point at Old Harbour House. On the way in, you tend to get a final round of evening-city viewing from the water—helpful if you want photos even when aurora intensity is faint. A few folks noted that Reykjavík’s evening atmosphere still made the trip worthwhile even on nights without strong aurora.

Wildlife Spotting Isn’t a Side Quest

I like that this is not an either-or tour (either lights or nothing). The wildlife angle makes the cruise feel alive even if the aurora is shy.

Here’s what the itinerary supports: minke and humpback whales are the most common, with dolphins and porpoises also possible. There’s also a chance of orcas, which is a big deal in Iceland. The crew being experienced matters because whale watching is partly about being in the right place and partly about knowing what you’re looking at when visibility is low.

And if you do catch aurora and wildlife together, you get that rare “I’m inside the wild” feeling: dark sky, moving water, and living animals all in one frame.

Staying Comfortable: warm deck, restroom, Wi‑Fi, and the onboard café

Let’s be honest. The biggest enemy on northern lights cruises is not disappointment. It is cold. This trip is built to help you manage it.

You get:

• a restroom
• Wi‑Fi
• an on-board café
• an observation setup where you can enjoy the top view, but also return to warmth

Many people called out that there’s a toasty lower section where you can warm up and buy hot drinks. A hot chocolate moment on a freezing February night sounds simple, but it changes your mood. Instead of standing there suffering until your fingers stop working, you can step inside when needed and keep your energy for when the aurora actually shows.

One practical tip: even if you think you brought enough layers, add more than you think you need. A cold night can turn a good evening into an exhausting one fast.

The Crew’s Role: Maria, Lucky, and Isabella make a difference

On tours like this, the scenery is half the product. The other half is guidance—when the sky is dark and the aurora is subtle.

Some of the names that came up in feedback include Maria (providing commentary on where lights appear), Lucky (described as a wonderful guide doing her best for everyone), and Isabella (helping behind the bar). People also talked about the captain and crew giving frequent updates, staying excited, and trying hard to help passengers track changes in the sky.

What this means for you: you are not just paying to be on a boat. You are paying for active light-spotting support, plus real wildlife scanning. That combination is exactly how you turn a “maybe” into a “we saw something.”

If the Northern Lights Don’t Show: how the free return works in real life

This tour offers a major safety net: another tour for free if you don’t see the northern lights. On nights when the aurora is faint, missing, or hard to see with naked eyes, having that option can be the difference between frustration and relief.

The catch is simple: you still have to get through the original evening. Some people noted that they could not see much with the naked eye on certain nights, even if their camera captured something. The upside is that the tour is designed for follow-through rather than “pay and pray.”

If you have more than one night in Reykjavík, this kind of policy is especially valuable. It gives you a plan for the uncertainty of aurora season.

Price and Value: is $78 worth it compared with bus tours?

At $78 per person for about 2 hours, the value comes from three things:

1. Time on the water

You’re not just traveling to a viewpoint. You’re out where the view angles and conditions can be different as the night progresses.

1. More than aurora watching

You are also scanning for wildlife: whales, dolphins, porpoises, with a chance at orcas. If the lights are weak, the water activity may still keep your attention.

1. Comfort built into the cost

Restroom, Wi‑Fi, and a café reduce the “freeze for hours” problem. Several reviews highlighted warm indoor seating and drink options as part of why the experience felt worth it.

Would I consider this over a bus tour? If you’re staying near the harbor and you want something that feels like an event, the boat format is a strong pick. If your priority is minimizing cold exposure at all costs, you might prefer a land option with more controlled warmth. But for many people, the trade-off is worth it.

Who This Cruise Suits Best

This is a great fit if:

• You want a northern lights plan that is not just standing on land
• You enjoy night photography and want city views from the water
• You like the idea of adding whale watching to your aurora hunt
• You can dress for cold weather and do a bit of standing outside when the aurora shifts

It may be less ideal if you hate cold and you expect that aurora viewing will be easy with your eyes. On some nights, the lights can be faint, and you might end up relying on camera views more than you hoped.

My Take: should you book this Reykjavik boat cruise?

I think you should book this if you want a practical, flexible way to chase the aurora while also getting an actual “Reykjavík at night” experience. The combination of active guidance, warm comfort options, and the free return if you miss the lights makes the risk feel smaller than it does with many fixed-viewpoint tours.

One final decision rule I use: go into it with the right mindset. Bundle up, expect the sky to change slowly, and treat the cruise as both aurora hunting and a wildlife watch. Do that, and even a partial night can still feel like a win.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights boat cruise?

The cruise lasts about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start in Reykjavik?

The tour starts at Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

What marine life might we see during the cruise?

The most common sightings are minke and humpback whales, plus dolphins and porpoises. There is also a chance of orcas.

What facilities are available onboard?

The boat has a restroom, Wi‑Fi, and an on-board café.

What happens if I don’t see the northern lights?

The tour offers another tour for free if you don’t see the northern lights.

How big is the group and are service animals allowed?

The tour has a maximum of 75 travelers, and service animals are allowed.