If you like your peace symbols with a bit of Icelandic drama.

This Imagine Peace Tower tour turns the John Lennon tribute into a real nighttime outing: a boat trip from Reykjavik, a guided walk on a remote island, and the famous tower beam cutting through the dark. You also get a video narration by Yoko Ono while you’re on site, plus a warm-up drink before heading back.

Two things I really like: the intimate feel of the experience (limited group size, with many small-group sightings in the reviews), and the way the guide connects the tower to Viðey Island history and the surrounding marine ecosystem. One consideration: this is not a casual stroll. The walk includes an unpaved road and a steep climb to a viewing platform, and in dark conditions it can feel longer than you expect.

Key highlights worth planning around

• Evening tower lighting: Go at night so the beam is the main event, not a background detail.
• Yoko Ono narration: You’ll hear the story behind the world peace message through a guided video piece.
• Hot drink warm-up: Coffee/tea/hot chocolate keeps the cold from taking over your entire personality.
• Flash lights and crampons if needed: The operator prepares for slippery or icy surfaces.
• Northern lights bonus: Several departures reportedly catch the aurora during the visit or on the approach.
• Small group energy: With a max of 20, it feels less like a bus tour and more like a guided night walk.

Reykjavik After Dark: Why Viðey Island Works So Well

This tour makes a clever choice by leaving Reykjavik in the evening. The Imagine Peace Tower is designed to be seen from a distance, and at night the beam becomes the headline. Instead of just looking at an attraction, you’re stepping into the mood the artwork demands: quiet, cold, and focused.

I also like how the tour doesn’t treat the tower like a standalone selfie spot. The guide explains the tower’s meaning and ties it to the island around it. You’re there for the Lennon tribute, yes, but you also come away with a sense of place—what Viðey is, why it matters, and how the island environment shapes the experience.

The biggest “heads up” is physical. The schedule includes walking on dark, unsteady surfaces, and the steep climb is real. If you’re the type who hates slippery steps in the dark, plan to take it slow and use whatever gear they give you.

The Boat Ride From Elding’s Old Harbour Start

Your evening begins at the meeting point at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík. From there, you cruise out to Viðey Island. This matters because it sets the tone: you get that transition time from city noise to island silence.

A boat ride also helps with the story. Even before you reach the tower, the guide keeps the group engaged with what you’re about to see and what’s happening in the sky when luck is on your side. Some guides have reportedly called out northern light conditions as you approach, which turns the cruise into more than just transport.

Another practical win: this is run by a company used to operating in Icelandic weather. The night conditions can change quickly, so the boat portion is part of how the tour manages timing and safety rather than just an extra ride.

Meeting the Imagine Peace Tower: Lighting, Meaning, and Yoko Ono’s Narration

When you arrive, the core experience is the Imagine Peace Tower itself. You’ll learn about what the tower represents and the history of the island where it stands. Then you listen to a video narration from Yoko Ono about the tower and the broader idea of world peace.

This narration is one of the most praised parts of the experience because it gives context while you’re actually seeing the artwork. The tower isn’t just lit up; it’s framed. The guide helps you connect the message to the setting, and you end up watching the beam with a different kind of attention than you would if you arrived on your own.

A small but important consideration: one review mentioned disappointment about the advertised Yoko Ono video and a message-writing element. The response clarified that the video is available online and that there’s an option to write a peace message. Translation for you: if you care about a specific feature, ask or check what you’ll be able to do on the night (message format, how it’s handled), so expectations match reality.

The Island Walk and Church Stop That Turns a Tribute Into a Night Out

After the tower, you’ll walk around the island and visit a small church area. Several guides are praised for making this portion feel special, including time to appreciate the quiet surroundings. One review described the church as tiny and adorable, and that fits the vibe: this isn’t a big sightseeing circuit. It’s a night walk with meaning.

This is also where you can feel why the tour is limited to a small group. When the surroundings are remote and dark, you want space to slow down, look, and listen. In the reviews, people noted the difference between larger mass tours and the smaller group experience. With groups around 4 to 8 in some departures, it likely helps the guide tailor the pace and answer questions without rushing everyone.

If you’re into photos, this stop helps. The tower lighting and the church area give different angles and different moods. Just remember: your hands may get cold while you’re pointing a camera. Bring warm layers you can move in.

What You’ll Actually Do on the Ground: Unpaved Road, Steep Steps, and Gear

Here’s the part to take seriously: this tour involves walking on an unpaved road and a steep climb to a viewing platform. The tour provides flash lights and crampons if conditions call for it, but you still need to come prepared.

If you’re wondering what that means in real life, think of this: you’ll likely be walking on uneven footing in low light. A review noted that the amount of walking in dark, unsteady places wasn’t explained in advance. That doesn’t mean something goes wrong. It just means you should plan for the walk to be a bigger part of the trip than a casual evening stroll.

What to wear, based on the tour guidance:

• sturdy footwear with grip
• warm jacket
• thermals
• hat, scarf, gloves

Even if the night seems mild at the start, Iceland nights can turn fast. Dressing like you’re going to be outside for a while is the right move.

Northern Lights Timing: How the Tour Creates Real Chances

The northern lights aren’t guaranteed, but this tour is built for a good shot. Many reviews mention seeing the aurora during the experience, including times when it appeared as you approached the tower’s light beam.

The best part is that you’re not stuck in one random viewing spot. The tour includes time to climb toward a viewing area, and at least one guide led the group to a higher point (one review mentioned the top level of Bost) as the lights became visible. That’s exactly the kind of practical move you want in aurora watching: you want a better view and less obstruction.

Even when the aurora doesn’t show, you still get an incredible visual baseline: the tower beam itself. And that’s not nothing. On a cold evening, seeing that long, steady stripe of light over an island setting can be emotionally stronger than you expect.

Price and Value: Is $120 Worth It for This Evening?

At $120 per person for about two hours, this is not a budget tour. But it’s also not just you wandering to a landmark.

Here’s what you’re paying for:

• a professional guide for the narration and island context
• hot chocolate/coffee/tea to keep you warm
• flash lights and crampons if needed
• admission for the tower stop (listed as free at the tower visit)

You’re also paying for the logistics of getting to a remote island after dark. The return is part of the package too: the activity ends back at the meeting point. And the company operating the trip runs the whole thing in a way that’s clearly used to Iceland weather.

What’s not included matters for budgeting: food and drinks are not part of the price, and there’s no hotel pickup/drop-off. If you’re doing Reykjavik dinner plans, you’ll want to eat beforehand or bring extra snacks on your own.

One planning note: this tour is often booked about 71 days in advance on average, so if you want a specific evening, earlier booking usually helps.

Guides and Group Size: The Human Side of the Tower Experience

The vibe of this tour depends heavily on the guide, and the reviews are strong on that point. Several guides are named, including Emily, Rob, Megan, and Sila. People describe them as friendly, informative, and fun, with some guides going further into topics like marine biology and the local ecosystem.

That marine connection is a nice bonus because it changes what you’re looking at. Instead of seeing the island as only a “Lennon moment,” you start noticing it as an ecosystem. One review specifically credited Knut for marine biology knowledge, alongside the tower and the broader environment around Viðey.

Small-group format matters too. Reviews describe departures with around 8 people and even as few as 4. When that happens, the night feels personal: you ask questions, you get photo help, and you don’t lose time to crowd management.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Feel Frustrated)

This is a strong match if you:

• are a John Lennon or peace-art fan
• like night experiences where atmosphere is the point
• enjoy guided context rather than just seeing a landmark
• want a shot at the northern lights without trying to self-plan everything

It may be a frustrating fit if you:

• have limited mobility, since the route includes an unpaved road and a steep climb
• dislike walking in the dark on uneven ground (even with flash lights)
• expect the experience to be mostly indoor and mostly easy walking

And one more practical point: bring warm layers even if you think you’re tough. The tour includes hot drinks for a reason.

Should You Book the Imagine Peace Tower Tour?

If you want a meaningful, well-guided evening in Reykjavik that turns a pop-culture tribute into a real sensory nighttime moment, I think you’ll like this one. The combination of boat cruise + remote island walk + tower lighting + Yoko Ono narration is a lot for two hours, and the hot drink and provided safety gear make it more comfortable than you might fear.

Book it if northern lights are on your wish list. Just don’t treat aurora as a guarantee. Even without the sky show, the tower beam is the main attraction, and it’s visible because you’re there in the right conditions.

Skip it if mobility limits make the steep climb and unpaved sections a problem. For everyone else—especially people who can handle cold and short, uphill walking—this is a standout evening plan.

FAQ

How long is the Imagine Peace Tower tour?

It runs for about 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $120.00 per person.

What’s included in the tour price?

You get a professional guide, a hot drink (hot chocolate/coffee/tea), and flash lights. Crampons are provided if needed.

Is admission to the tower included?

Yes. The tower visit includes admission ticket free for the stop.

Do they provide crampons?

Yes, crampons are provided if conditions call for it.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Where do I meet and where does the tour end?

You start at Elding Whale Watching, Ægisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point.

Is it suitable for limited mobility?

It is not recommended for travellers with limited mobility because the route involves a walk on an unpaved road and a steep climb to a viewing platform.

What happens if weather is bad?

The tour is described as weather-dependent. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.