Northern Lights Yacht Cruise in Reykjavik

Northern lights and a yacht hunt sounds magical. This 2-hour Reykjavik cruise puts you out on the water to search for the aurora with Reykjavik’s coastline sliding by behind you. I like that it’s built for real viewing time, not a quick photo stop, so you can actually settle in.

I also love the human side of the trip: an experienced onboard team looking for wildlife and helping you make sense of what you’re seeing. On nights with activity, guides such as Isabella do more than point upward—they explain what to watch for and coach people on photo basics.

Here’s the one thing to keep in mind: the lights are never guaranteed, and the yacht may still be near land enough that city glow can make faint aurora harder to see. If skies are cloudy or the aurora comes out weak, you may end up with mostly atmosphere and a plan to return.

Key things I’d watch for before you go

• Uninterrupted time on the water while you scan for aurora borealis, not just from the harbor edge
• Experienced spotting team focused on whales and the night sky, with guidance for photos
• Onboard Wi‑Fi so you can upload live photos while you wait for the lights
• Warm cabin + heated deck setup to keep you comfortable during Arctic waiting
• Free return if no aurora (availability-based), valid for up to three years
• Max group size of 125 so it’s big enough for availability, but not a cattle-car night

Old Harbour check-in and the yacht vibe you’ll feel fast

Reykjavik’s Old Harbour is a perfect starting point for this kind of evening. You meet at Old Harbour House | Food, Drinks & Tours, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, and the cruise ends back at the same place. That keeps the night simple: no long transfers into the dark, no complicated “meet at a pier at midnight” stress.

Once you’re onboard, the vibe is cozy and practical. You’re out in wild nature, so you’ll want to think winter gear and layers, but you also get a warm indoor cabin to retreat to. Reviews repeatedly highlight how comfortable the boat feels on a cold arctic night, with warm spaces and a spacious viewing deck for scanning overhead.

You’ll also appreciate the scale. The tour caps at 125 travelers, which usually means you can find a viewing spot without fighting your way to the rail every time the lights might show up.

The 2-hour plan: how the cruise actually hunts the aurora

This is an approximately 2-hour sailing focused on two goals: aurora viewing and a chance at marine wildlife. The ship sets off from Old Harbour and moves through Faxaflói Bay, including small islands, then sails along the Reykjavík coast while the crew searches for activity in the water and above.

That bay route matters. If you only stay in one tight area, you risk losing your view the moment cloud banks, land position, or light pollution complicates the night. With a moving cruise, you get a better chance to find darker stretches and adjust as conditions change.

One review detail that’s useful for your expectations: some people felt the yacht didn’t go far enough out to fully escape light pollution, while others reported very clear aurora. The lesson is simple—plan for the fact that Reykjavik’s light is nearby, and the aurora you get may vary based on cloud cover and how strong the aurora is that night.

Also, pay attention to what the captain and crew do once activity starts. When aurora appears, the boat may stay out longer to let you see more of it. That’s a small difference, but it can mean the difference between a quick flash and a full “why didn’t we just do this years ago?” moment.

What you can see besides the northern lights: whales and dolphins

One reason I like this cruise over a pure aurora-only outing is that the “main event” isn’t the only thing happening. As you sail, the itinerary is designed for possible wildlife sightings in Faxaflói Bay.

The most commonly mentioned species include minke and humpback whales, plus dolphins and porpoises. There’s also a chance at orcas, often called killer whales. I’d treat orcas as a bonus, not a promise—but it’s real enough that the crew is clearly set up to look for them.

What makes this part valuable is the onboard focus. The professional team is experienced at spotting whales and is dedicated to passenger enjoyment. Translation: they’re not just reading from a script. They’re scanning, communicating, and helping you understand what you’re seeing in conditions where your eyes are already dealing with cold, wind, and low light.

If you end up getting faint aurora, a whale sighting can still make the night feel complete. And if you get aurora and whales? That’s when this cruise becomes a very memorable Reykjavík chapter.

Comfort strategy: warm cabin, heated waits, and cold-water realism

Cold is the main challenge on any Northern Lights trip, and the good news here is that the boat is designed for comfort. You can stay inside when you need to warm up, then step out onto the deck when the crew says to look. Multiple reviews praise the warm, cozy feel below deck and the space to photograph from the deck.

For planning, think in terms of “time outside” versus “time inside.” If the lights don’t show immediately, you’ll still be outside at least part of the evening. That means thermals are not optional if you want to enjoy yourself instead of just enduring.

One practical point: the sea can affect your photos. A rocking boat makes long-exposure photography harder. If you’re serious about camera settings, be ready to accept that a slightly shorter exposure—or shooting from a steady stance—may work better than the perfect tripod fantasy.

On the comfort side, the boat experience also includes things like a bar and a place to grab drinks while you wait. Reviews mention a fully stocked bar and clean bathrooms, which sounds minor until you’ve spent an hour in freezing air. Then it becomes a big deal.

Onboard Wi‑Fi and live photo sharing that actually helps

This cruise offers onboard Wi‑Fi, and that’s more than a “nice-to-have” in a place like Iceland. Aurora nights often create a timing problem: you want to capture the moment, but you also want to share what you’re seeing in real time with friends back home.

With Wi‑Fi on board, you can upload live photos while you hunt the lights. That’s especially useful if you’re traveling with people who aren’t on your boat or who are still waiting for their own aurora moment.

Wi‑Fi doesn’t remove the need for basic camera skills, though. The crew provides help and tips for taking northern lights photos. If you’re using a phone, the guidance can still improve your results, since the hardest part is usually timing and aiming, not gear.

Price vs. value: what $94 buys you in a Reykjavik winter night

At $94 per person for about 2 hours, this isn’t the cheapest way to chase the aurora in Reykjavík. But it does offer a few things that are hard to copy on your own:

• A purpose-built night for aurora searching while you’re on the water
• A knowledgeable team that helps with whale spotting and night-sky viewing
• Warm onboard spaces so you don’t freeze through the entire hunt
• Onboard Wi‑Fi for live sharing
• A structured plan if you miss the lights (see next section)

The main value question is always risk. Since the aurora can’t be predicted or guaranteed, you’re paying for the best odds and best experience, not a guaranteed show.

That’s where the “another day” option matters. If you don’t see the northern lights, you’re issued a ticket for another day. The details also note that no refunds apply if there are no sightings, but you get a free return option depending on availability, valid up to three years.

If you’re the kind of traveler who can adjust plans later, this makes the price feel more reasonable. If your schedule is fixed and you can’t revisit, the risk feels higher.

If the lights don’t show: the return option and how to think about it

The key truth: sightings of the northern lights cannot be predicted or guaranteed. If you don’t see the lights on your cruise, there’s no refund. Instead, the operator offers a return option, with validity up to three years and dependent on availability.

In plain terms, that means you’re buying a chance plus a safety net. It’s a great model if you’re staying in Iceland long enough to benefit from a later attempt. It’s less comforting if you’re only in Reykjavík for a single night.

Also pay attention to weather. This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. So you’re not completely at the mercy of the forecast—just of what the night delivers once you’re already sailing.

Who this Northern Lights yacht cruise is best for

I think this cruise fits best if you want a “two-for-one” evening: aurora hunting plus wildlife potential. It’s also a strong match if you prefer a guided night with real searching rather than wandering in the cold hoping for the best.

Here are the types of travelers who usually get the most out of it:

• Couples and small groups who want a calmer, cozy onboard experience
• Photographers who want help with aurora basics and a stable deck for viewing
• Whale-watch lovers who don’t mind that the sky is the main timing challenge
• Travelers who value comfort options—warm indoor areas and an easy return to the same harbor point

If you’re the type who needs absolute control over a guaranteed viewing spot far away from city lights, you may find the results more variable. The cruise does sail among bay islands and along the Reykjavík coast, but it’s still in a living city area.

The honest takeaway: book it or keep looking?

I’d book this if you can handle the uncertainty that comes with the northern lights and you want the warmth, guidance, and chance at whales. The onboard setup makes the wait bearable, and the return ticket option is meaningful if you’re able to try again.

I’d think twice if your schedule is tight and you can’t revisit in the future, or if you’re especially sensitive to light pollution and want the darkest possible skies every minute. On some nights, you may feel that land and city glow reduce how dramatic the aurora looks.

In short: for many Reykjavík winter trips, this is one of the more comfortable and well-supported ways to chase the aurora—especially if you’re open to the idea that nature sets the agenda.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise from Reykjavik?

The cruise is about 2 hours (approx.).

Where do I meet for the cruise?

You meet at Old Harbour House | Food, Drinks & Tours, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $94.00 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Is the northern lights sighting guaranteed?

No. Northern lights sightings cannot be predicted or guaranteed.

If we do not see the aurora, what happens?

If there are no sightings, there are no refunds. Instead, you receive a ticket for another day, and there is a free return option depending on availability, valid for up to three years.

Does the boat have Wi‑Fi?

Yes. There is onboard Wi‑Fi, and the tour highlights that you can upload live photos.

What wildlife might we see during the cruise?

The most common sights include minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises. There is also a chance to spot orcas.

What is the cancellation policy if the weather is bad?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience requires good weather; if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.