Midnight looks better from the water. I love the panoramic fireworks views over Reykjavik from Faxaflói Bay, and I like the champagne toast at midnight that turns the whole crossing into a real countdown party. You’re out on the water long enough to feel away from the shore, with the city lights still all around you.

There’s also a lot to like about the practical setup: coveralls are included, so you’re not stuck trying to guess what winter gear you’ll need. One possible drawback is that this is a short, timed outing on a boat that can feel small and packed, and it may be more stationary than some people imagine when they hear the word cruise.

Key things to know before you go

• Faxaflói Bay fireworks views: you’re positioned for wide sightlines over the capital
• Coveralls included: built for Icelandic winter weather, not guesswork
• Champagne at midnight: one glass included for your toast
• Indoor saloon plus open deck: you can swap between warmth and fresh air
• Audio commentary may be hit-or-miss: some nights it can be hard to hear if tech glitches happen

Reykjavik at 11:00 pm: where the night starts

The experience starts late—11:00 pm—right in central Reykjavik at Geirsgata 11 (Special Tours). That timing matters. Late in the year, Iceland gets cold fast, and New Year’s Eve also means lots of people moving around downtown. Starting at the harbor and then getting you out to sea helps you avoid spending the most exciting minutes pressed into a crowd.

When you arrive, plan for a quick rhythm: find your group, get set up, and get ready to go. You’ll get coveralls, which is a big deal in Iceland during winter nights. Even if you come with your own warm layers, having the official outer gear makes it easier to stay comfortable without overpacking.

You also get a professional guide and audio commentary during the trip. That’s useful when the fireworks go off—because you’re not just watching lights. You’re getting context for what you’re seeing and where Reykjavik sits from the bay.

The “cruise” part: timed viewing from Faxaflói Bay

The whole point is fireworks. Instead of staying right in the harbor, you’re taken out onto the water in Faxaflói Bay, where the display can read better against the night sky and the city lights below.

The trip is about 1 hour 30 minutes, so you’re not doing an all-night voyage. You’re doing a focused New Year’s Eve block: get to a good vantage point, watch the show as midnight hits, then head back. That short timing is part of the value. You spend your limited New Year’s Eve hours seeing the best part, not burning time in transit.

That said, here’s the expectation check. Some people go in imagining a long, moving-style cruise. On the water portion, there can be long stretches where the boat stays put for viewing, with only brief repositioning. If you’re the type who wants constant motion, you might feel let down by how the viewing time is handled.

Still, for most people, the payoff is the view: Reykjavik’s illuminated landmarks plus the fireworks overhead. From the bay, you get a wider sense of the city—lights spread across the shoreline—rather than only one slice of skyline.

Onboard comfort: coveralls, indoor warmth, and deck time

Comfort is handled in two layers: gear and space. Coveralls are included, which helps you handle the wind and spray that show up once you’re out on the water. The design also gives you options: there’s an indoor saloon to warm up, and there’s open deck time when you want the full effect.

That indoor-to-outdoor switching is exactly what you want on New Year’s Eve. Fireworks are a fixed moment, but the weather isn’t. Being able to step inside without losing the show keeps the whole experience from turning into a battle against cold.

The onboard bar is there too, and you can buy drinks during the cruise. That’s a nice flexibility if you want something beyond the one glass of champagne included for your midnight toast. One note from feedback: a few people weren’t impressed with the bar setup, so if your plan is to rely heavily on bar service, manage expectations. This is still primarily a viewing-and-toasting night.

Audio commentary is included as well. On the best nights, it’s helpful and fun; on some nights, it can be harder to hear if the connection cuts out. My practical advice is simple: don’t treat the commentary like a must-hear soundtrack. Use it as a bonus, and treat the fireworks as the main show.

Midnight toast: what’s included and how it feels

The emotional centerpiece is midnight. You’re given a glass of champagne on board to toast at midnight, and it’s designed to bring the group together around that exact moment. Even if you don’t drink much champagne at home, that included toast turns the viewing from passive to celebratory.

This is also where the night’s pacing helps you. Because the boat is out on the water with the city lit up, midnight doesn’t feel like just a countdown in the dark. It feels like Reykjavik is celebrating with you—lights, sound, and smoke all part of the same scene.

After the boat returns, you’re dropped back in the heart of downtown Reykjavik. The timing is built for you to continue on after midnight rather than missing the next phase of the party. If you like going from one planned moment to another spontaneous one—small bars, late-night streets, maybe a warm snack—that’s a good fit.

Price and value: is $183.84 worth it?

At $183.84 per person, this isn’t a budget activity. It’s priced like a New Year’s Eve experience—meaning you’re paying for the limited-time service, the nighttime guide, the boat access, and the included winter gear.

Here’s where the value can make sense. You get:

• Professional guide
• Coveralls
• Champagne glass at midnight
• A waterfront position in Faxaflói Bay for wide fireworks viewing
• Return timing that lets you keep celebrating downtown

If you’re planning to watch fireworks from land, you’ll still want warm gear, and you’ll still fight crowds. The cruise trades a chunk of money for comfort tools (coveralls) and a vantage point. For many people, that’s a fair swap on one of the busiest nights of the year.

Where it can feel less worth it is when your expectations are more like a long, cruising excursion with plenty of movement and lots of space. If you’re hoping for a roomy boat experience with constant sailing, you may feel the price doesn’t match the physical reality. Some feedback points to boats that feel tight when packed to capacity.

So I’d judge it this way: if you mainly want the fireworks and a guided, comfortable toast, it can feel worth it. If you mainly want space, nonstop cruising, and a big-event onboard bar experience, you may want to look at other options.

What the mixed feedback teaches you (without killing the fun)

The average rating is 3.4, which is a polite way of saying: this experience is good for many people, but expectations matter. The strongest praise clusters around three themes: the fireworks themselves, the view from deck, and the friendly, funny crew who help keep the mood light during the cold wait.

That aligns with what you’re paying for: view quality at the moment that matters. When the boat is positioned well, the fireworks feel spectacular because you’re seeing them over Reykjavik with the lights still visible.

The main complaints are practical and worth believing:

• The experience can be more stationary than a true cruising narrative suggests
• The boat can feel small and packed, which affects how comfortable it is for 1.5 hours
• Audio commentary may be hard to hear if tech glitches happen
• The bar may not meet people’s expectations

If you keep those in mind, you’ll likely enjoy it more. The goal isn’t a relaxing scenic cruise for hours. It’s a timed, winter-correct fireworks viewing plus a champagne toast.

Practical tips for a smoother night out on the water

Since weather and crowding control your comfort more than anything else, a little prep goes far.

First, plan to dress for cold wind, even with the included coveralls. The deck experience is the one you’ll remember most, and you don’t want to miss the fireworks because you’re shivering. Wear warm layers underneath and bring gloves/hat if you have them.

Second, arrive early enough that you’re not rushed. Late-night departures feel chaotic even when everything runs fine. You want time to get your coveralls sorted and find your spot.

Third, think of the onboard bar as optional, not essential. You’ll already have a toast glass at midnight, and the main show is outside. If you do plan to buy drinks, be ready for the service to feel more limited than in a full bar venue.

Finally, when fireworks begin, go with your instincts. If the commentary is clear, enjoy it. If it’s not, the show still works. Your job is to watch the sky and let the bay view do the heavy lifting.

Who should book this fireworks cruise?

This is a great pick if you:

• Want midnight fireworks viewing with Reykjavik lights in the frame
• Like the idea of warm coveralls and an onboard place to reset indoors
• Prefer a guided experience that still lets you continue celebrating in downtown Reykjavik right after

It’s less ideal if you:

• Need a boat that feels spacious and roomy
• Expect long, continuous motion rather than short repositioning for viewing
• Are counting on the audio commentary to be perfectly audible the whole time

If your New Year’s Eve in Iceland is about one big moment—midnight fireworks with a toast—this lines up well.

Should you book the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise?

I’d book it if your top priority is the fireworks from Faxaflói Bay, plus the comfort of included gear and a true midnight toast. The short duration is a feature, not a flaw, especially on a night when you still want energy for downtown.

I’d think twice if you’re sensitive to crowding or if you really want a long, moving cruise experience. In that case, the “packed to capacity” concern and the more stationary viewing approach could feel disappointing.

Bottom line: go for the best view at midnight and let the rest be a bonus.

FAQ

What time does the New Year’s Eve fireworks cruise start?

The start time is 11:00 pm.

How long is the cruise?

The duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Where do you meet for the tour?

You meet at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point in downtown Reykjavík.

Is food included?

Food isn’t included, unless specified. Drinks aren’t included either, unless specified.

What’s included in the ticket price?

Included are a professional guide, use of coveralls, and a glass of champagne to toast at midnight.

Is there a bar onboard?

Yes. There’s an onboard bar where you can purchase drinks.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t available.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid isn’t refunded.