Reykjavik nights are made for the Aurora. This Northern Lights boat cruise takes you out past the bright city lights so the Aurora Borealis has a real chance to show. I like that the ship gives you both deck time and a warm indoor base, and I really value the guide help with science, folklore, and even camera settings from friendly people like Lucas. The one drawback to plan for: the lights are never guaranteed, and some nights are more star gazing than fireworks.

After you meet at Geirsgata 11, you sail on Faxaflói while the guides talk you through what you are seeing, why it happens, and the Icelandic beliefs wrapped around it. Even if the sky stays stubborn, the tour is built to keep you comfortable and engaged, with warm overalls, heated cabins with toilets, and commentary that turns waiting into part of the experience.

Key things I’d bet you’ll notice on this cruise

• The move away from city glare helps your eyes and cameras, especially once you are on open water.
• Warm overalls plus heated cabins make it realistic to stay outside long enough to actually spot anything.
• Guides share both science and folklore, so you are not just staring, you are learning.
• Camera support and crew photos can save you from the usual Northern Lights frustration (cameras often miss what your eyes see).
• No-lights backup plan exists, with a free ticket to join again if the sky does not cooperate.

How the boat cruise turns Reykjavik darkness into Aurora time

Reykjavik can look bright at night, even when it is cold enough to make your nose sting. The smart move here is the same one astronomers and photographers use: get away from city light and give your eyes time to adjust. Once you are out sailing, the sky does not feel like a screen background anymore. It feels like the main event.

This is a 2-hour Northern Lights cruise, so you are not signing up for a long, slow night that burns daylight and energy. You are also not stuck pacing one cold pier. From the boat, you get open sky views, plus the bonus of seeing Reykjavik from the sea as you head out toward darker horizons.

The best part is that the experience is designed for the reality of Iceland: clouds happen, aurora timing is unpredictable, and the sky can surprise you late. The crew keeps the atmosphere focused, with indoor warmth for breaks and deck time when conditions look promising. In practice, that means you stay functional, not numb and miserable, while you wait for the lights to decide you are worth visiting.

Geirsgata 11 check-in: where the night actually starts

Your starting point is Geirsgata 11, at the Special Tours office in the corner. If you show up right on time, you will probably rush. If you show up early, you can settle in, get geared up, and be ready when they call groups.

The key timing tip from how the tours run is simple: get there 30 minutes early. That gives you enough time to check in, find the right boat group, and put on the warm flotation overalls before you head out into the wind. Several reviews also mention how helpful the overalls are, but the real trick is putting them on while you are still inside and not while you are already freezing.

From there, the first stretch of the trip is about transition. You leave the harbor and start trading bright, busy city energy for colder, quieter night air. You will likely notice how quickly the mood changes once you are out over the water, even before the aurora shows itself.

One more practical note: there is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You are going to need to get yourself to Geirsgata 11. For many people, that is a plus because it keeps the tour clean and punctual. For others, it means you should build buffer time if your hotel is not walkable to the center.

Faxaflói sailing: warm cabins, deck time, and waiting that feels worth it

Once you are out on Faxaflói, the tour becomes a “look, wait, learn, look again” loop. This is exactly what you want for aurora viewing. It also explains why this cruise works well even on nights without lights: there is a lot to do while you are waiting.

Inside, you get heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities. You also have free WiFi on board, plus access to a heated indoor bar where snacks and refreshments can be purchased. That matters because waiting for aurora usually takes patience, and patience is easier when you can warm up fast.

When it is time to go outside, you get warm overalls and the option to sit on the deck. Reviews mention people staying on deck comfortably, which is a big deal because the cold can ruin aurora viewing faster than clouds can. A couple of practical tips show up clearly in feedback:

• Some people recommend going one size up in the overalls if you plan to wear thicker layers underneath. That way the suit still fits comfortably over your clothes.
• If seats get wet, you will feel it. Bring a mindset of layers, quick drying, and patience.

Also, do not treat the deck time like a short photo break. If you can tolerate the cold and keep your layers tight, staying out longer gives your eyes time to adjust. That often makes the difference between seeing a faint glow and missing it entirely.

And yes, waiting can be slow. Some people reported the captain stayed out longer when conditions looked good. The official duration is 2 hours, but nature does not follow schedules, so it is smart to plan for a bit of flexibility rather than expecting everything to be perfectly exact to the minute.

The guide mix: science, folklore, and help that actually improves photos

This cruise is not just about being on a boat in the dark. The guides provide informative commentary on both the science behind the aurora and the local history and beliefs that wrap around it. That storytelling piece matters, because it helps you connect what you see to a reason it exists, and to the way Icelanders talk about it.

What I like most from the reviews is the way the guides turn observation into something you can do better. People specifically mention help with:

• Camera settings, because aurora photography is tricky, even with a decent phone or camera
• Photo capture by crew, which can be a lifesaver if you cannot get the exposure right yourself

A few names show up in feedback. Lucas and Lukas come through as friendly, helpful guides who make the experience feel fun even when the sky does not cooperate. That tone matters. Northern Lights tours can turn into tense waiting games if the host feels passive. Here, the guide presence helps keep the group engaged, and it also helps you troubleshoot what is not working in your photos.

There is also a strong local flavor. The cruise aims to explain the phenomenon with science, then adds the Icelandic folklore layer. That combo is more interesting than either approach alone. You can learn the mechanism, then enjoy the myths as a cultural way of making sense of something beautiful and unpredictable.

When the sky refuses: how the backup plan changes the value

Here is the honest deal with Northern Lights tours: you are betting on conditions. Even if aurora activity is strong, cloud cover can block visibility. Or the lights might stay faint until late. That is why this cruise includes a free ticket to join again if there are no sightings.

The important part is not just that it exists. It changes the way you should plan your expectations. If you are staying in Reykjavik for multiple nights, it is worth having at least one extra evening flexible. That gives you a real shot at seeing the aurora, instead of treating one tour like a single do-or-die event.

In practice, feedback shows two common outcomes:

• Some nights you get full-on aurora displays.
• Other nights you still get a guided star-staring session, and you feel taken care of while you wait.

One standout detail from feedback: on nights with no lights, guides may still offer a consolation like shots, and they take extra time to help with things that go wrong. That is not guaranteed in every situation, but the pattern tells you the crew tends to care about the overall experience, not just the weather.

If you are worried about missing the lights, the existence of the reschedule ticket is what turns this from a gamble into a more balanced value play.

What to wear: overalls help, but you still need a real cold-weather plan

The overalls are not a gimmick. Reviews back up that they keep you warm, especially for the deck portion of the cruise. Still, the cold in Iceland can slip under anything if you dress only for comfort in a city.

Your baseline packing advice:

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing, and treat it like a true winter outing.
• Layer. Think thermal base, warm mid layer, and a wind-resistant outer layer if you have one.
• Consider thicker layers under the overalls if you want extra warmth, and check sizing. A few reviews suggest going up a size for better fit.

Also, there are practical body issues nobody warns you about until it is too late. One review mentions that it helps to pee first. That is because the overalls can make bathroom access slower than usual. With heated cabins and toilets on board, you are not stuck, but you will move more comfortably if you plan ahead.

If you get motion sickness easily, you have a safety net: complimentary seasickness tablets are available. That is especially helpful on a night when you might not be sure how your stomach will handle the wind and chop while you are focused on the sky.

Finally, treat the deck as part of the experience, not a short extra. If you keep your layers dry and your circulation warm, you will probably spend more time outside, which increases your odds of seeing faint aurora activity.

Price and value: what you get for about $101 per person

At about $101 per person for roughly 2 hours, this cruise is not a budget activity, but it also is not priced like a private expedition. The value comes from the combo of things that would be annoying or expensive to replicate on your own:

• Transportation out of Reykjavik city light, on open water
• Warm gear (warm flotation overalls) and heated indoor spaces
• Guide time, with both aurora science and folklore explained
• Comfort extras like onboard toilets, free WiFi, and seasickness tablets

The biggest value lever is the backup plan. If there are no aurora sightings, you can use the free return ticket. That turns your cost from one shot into a better odds strategy, especially if you can book your second night quickly.

Food and drink are not included, but they can be purchased onboard. That is common on tours like this, and it keeps the ticket price from ballooning. If you plan to buy anything, budget a little and remember you can usually warm up indoors when you need a break.

One more value angle: reviews highlight camera help and crew photos. If you come without the right aurora settings knowledge, that support can save you from spending a vacation evening tweaking menus instead of looking at the sky.

Who should book this Reykjavik Northern Lights cruise

This is a great fit if you:

• Want guided aurora viewing without driving yourself to remote viewpoints
• Like the idea of a warm indoor break during a cold night
• Prefer a structured tour experience where the guides explain what you are seeing
• Are traveling with limited time and want a night activity that feels efficient

It is also a good choice if you have trouble photographing the aurora. The guide support for camera settings and the chance that crew helps capture images are especially useful for casual shooters who are tired of blurry, disappointing shots.

You might want to look at other options if you:

• Only have one night in Iceland and absolutely cannot be flexible
• Are the type of person who hates waiting. Even on strong aurora nights, there is a waiting phase built in.

Practical notes that affect comfort: there are no pets allowed and smoking is not allowed. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and it runs in English.

Should you book this Northern Lights boat cruise from Reykjavik?

I’d book it if you want a straightforward, guided aurora experience with real comfort infrastructure. The combination of city-light reduction by boat, warm overalls, heated cabins, and guide commentary makes it feel worth it even when the lights are faint.

I would also book it with the right mindset. Aurora viewing is never a guaranteed show, so plan like a pro: bring warm layers, expect some waiting, and keep one extra evening available if you can. The free return ticket helps, and it turns a cloudy night into a better shot the next time.

If you want a tour that treats the whole night as part viewing, part education, and part comfort, this Northern Lights cruise is a strong match.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights boat cruise from Reykjavik?

The cruise is about 2 hours long.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You start at Geirsgata 11. Check in is at the Special Tours office at the corner.

Do I need to bring food or drinks?

Food and drink are not included. You can purchase them onboard.

Are warm overalls provided?

Yes. Warm flotation overalls are included.

Is there a heated indoor area on the boat?

Yes. There are heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities.

Will I see the Northern Lights for sure?

No. The Northern Lights are unpredictable. If there are no sightings, your booking number can be used to reschedule, and the tour includes a free ticket to join again.

Are seasickness tablets provided?

Yes. Complimentary seasickness tablets are available.

Is WiFi available during the cruise?

Yes. Free WiFi is included on board.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.