Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik
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Reykjavik, Iceland
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Increase your chances of spotting one of Iceland's wildest natural attractions on a northern lights cruise from Reykjavik. Before boarding your sightseeing vessel, learn the science behind the aurora borealis from your guide. Then, wrap up warm and head onto the water. Enjoy unobstructed panoramas from the viewing deck, or slip into the heated lounge to purchase warm drinks. Leave the city lights behind in search of the aurora borealis.
- Cozy overalls are provided to keep you warm, even in winter
- Enjoy a boat with outdoor viewing decks and a heated cabin
- Rebook for a free cruise if you don't see the northern lights
- Experience an alternative kind of nightlife in Reykjavik
What's Included
- Excellent guidance
- Warm floatable overalls
- Wi-Fi on board
- Sighting guarantee - or try again for FREE!
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- SnacksAvailable for purchase at the onboard café
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Elding Whale WatchingÆgisgarður 5c, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Meet us in the ELDING ticket office located at Ægisgarður 5c by the Old Harbour district in Reykjavík. Once at the pier, simply follow the red colour to find us! Be sure to arrive at least 15 min. before departure to ensure enough time to check in and to board the boat.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Elding Whale Watching
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Passengers with limited mobility are warmly welcome. However, please note that our boats are not fully accessible, as steep stairs and high thresholds may limit access to inside areas and toilet facilities.
- Wheelchair users are welcome to bring a light-weight chair on board our larger boats. If possible, please notify us of your arrival in advance, as assistance with boarding may be required.
- If conditions are unfavourable, the tour may be cancelled at short notice. Should this happen, we will notify you by phone or email.
- The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can be highly unpredictable. If no sightings occur during your tour, you will be offered complimentary tickets to try again on another night at no extra cost.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 150 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Ken_C
The best way to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik. The ferry is sizeable, offers multiple floors for different viewing experiences and tolerances. In the winter, it will be very cold and windy on the top deck. Bundle up accordingly. The guide is very informative along the way. Small snack bar with hot chocolate and hand warmers is available. If you aren't staying out in the country at night, this is the best way to see the lights from the city. Incredible views from the water.
Reviews
4.5
based on 633 reviews
pauline_c, Apr 2026
It was cancelled two days in a row. Will be very sad to leave Iceland and not see the Northern Lights.
Meghan_F, Mar 2026
Thought this was well worth the money, we got very lucky with your views this night. I would highly recommend it to anyone and also would recommend braving the cold and sitting on the top deck for the best views. Also thought it was great that they sent photos to us afterwards as well.
Morgan_P, Mar 2026
Our Northern Lights boat cruise was a great experience overall. The cruise was initially canceled due to weather, but the tour provider was very proactive in communicating with us and letting us know about the change. They made it easy to rebook for another evening during our trip. The rescheduling process was seamless and required very little effort on our part, which we really appreciated. Once we went on the tour, it was a fun and unique way to see the Northern Lights while also getting out on the water. Overall, it was a great experience and we appreciated how smoothly everything was handled.
Rachel_H, Mar 2026
We had an incredible time on our cruise! The crew were excellent and although we only saw a glimpse of the aurora borealis on our booked night, we received complimentary tickets and booked on again to witness the most amazing couple of hours of the northern lights dancing in the sky! A truly magical experience!
Gisela_P, Feb 2026
The entire day was overcast, touring company should have canceled the tour and rescheduled for a different day, but they proceeded anyway the woman who was conducting the tour was very difficult to hear and understand over the microphone. Gave absolutely no direction and we basically sat in the middle of the ocean without knowing what to do for a good hour. Complete waste of money during company refuses to issue any sort of compensation. Book at your own risk, the tour company will make sure they don’t lose any money.
Ben_M, Feb 2026
A great way to try your luck with the Northern Lights. Never guaranteed but heading out to sea away from city lights has got to be one of the best ways to see the lights. The city itself looks stunning in the dark from the sea, we also managed to see the John Lennon tribute light beam into the dark night sky. The beautiful green ribbons and arcs of the Northern lights didn't arrive until we were about to turn around and head home but they were well worth the wait. Obviously it's cold so wrap up warm if you intend waiting on the deck but there is heating inside the three or four separate aaloona on the boat as well as a small selection of refreshments.
Richard_S, Feb 2026
The boat is spacious with many place to sit inside as well as observe outside. The guide was excellent at explaining the phenomenon of the northern lights, safety, and alerting passengers who were inside when to come out. He took great care in answering questions from children. The overalls make all the difference in staying warm. Hand and foot warmers are available for sale at the bar. Seeing the city lights at nice is a bonus as well.
Eileen_M, Feb 2026
This was absolutely the best way to see the Northern Lights!!! The crew was friendly and knowledgeable…the ship provided suits to keep you warm…refreshments were available. I would highly recommend this trip for a hassle free way to see the Northern Lights!!!
Sheryl_O, Feb 2026
Had a great time on the boat but unfortunately didn’t see much of the Northern lights . We did get a ticket to use anytime in the next two years free of charge tho .
Russell_G, Feb 2026
Disappointed we didn’t see the Northern Lights on a clear night with stars outside. Clear visibility.
The girl who spoke was very difficult to understand at times.
Ken_C, Jan 2026
The best way to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik. The ferry is sizeable, offers multiple floors for different viewing experiences and tolerances. In the winter, it will be very cold and windy on the top deck. Bundle up accordingly. The guide is very informative along the way. Small snack bar with hot chocolate and hand warmers is available. If you aren't staying out in the country at night, this is the best way to see the lights from the city. Incredible views from the water.
Gabriella_C, Jan 2026
The tour operators were amazing. We lucked out and the aurora was aglow for the entire time. The guide even helped with camera settings so we could all get the best photos.
Loretta_R, Jan 2026
The Northern Lights Cruise was a GREAT way to see the Northern Lights, albeit it’s all about luck. It’s a two hour experience vs the five hour bus tours. We were very, very, lucky and had an INCREDIBLE viewing of the Northern Lights which lasted the entire two hours. It was truly a majestic experience. We went on this tour in January and it was pretty cold so make sure to bundle up. You can go inside and they do offer water and wind proof coveralls. The staff on the boat were also helpful in figuring out the best settings for pictures.
sheralee_w, Jan 2026
Brilliant trip. Informative guide. We were very lucky that within 5 minutes and setting off the lights were out and pretty much there the entire 2 hrs. Got some really good pictures. We went in January and it was extremely cold, there was suits you could put on if needed though and hot drinks etc could be purchased inside (the hot chocolate was delicious)
Valentina_Z, Jan 2026
Flawless experience. Friendly and helpful crue. Comfortable and cozy boat. We found Aurora within 15 minutes after leaving the port. We highly recommend this experience.
James_W, Jan 2026
Disappointed with this trip, saw the lights for 5 mins( very faint to the eye) and the comments on the boatmadr it out like we'd seen the best show ever.
Did the coach trip the next day and it was much better. They choose where to go based on forecast etc..
If you see the lights for 1 min, that counts (dont expect a repeat trip)
Kat_G, Jan 2026
First, I didn't get to see the lights, which was very unfortunate. However, I'm still giving the 5⭐ review because of the company. My original date had to be rescheduled due to weather. Rescheduling was a breeze. Then, I realized that it was a longer walk to the local than I anticipated, so at the last minute. I requested a pick up. Not a problem. The boat itself was beautiful. Very spacious. The onboard staff was kind and helpful. The boat trip was fun regardless of catching the Lights. Finally, my driver was my favorite driver of the trip.
Sean_B, Dec 2025
Our tour guides were fantastic and shared some fascinating facts. On the first night, unfortunately, the weather was against us and we missed seeing the lights. However, we were given a free pass and were able to see them the following night. The boat was very stable though a bit rocky if you stood on top but they did provide sea sickness tablets to help with this.
Ricky_M, Dec 2025
Dress warmly! Boat ride was very smooth, even after a very windy day. The first day we saw nothing so were happy to have a chance to repeat. The second time we saw lights within minutes of leaving the dock.
Ronald_H, Dec 2025
We booked this after seeing the northern lights on a bus tour. While we were unable to actually see them from the boat, we were able to record some on our phones.
The boat was very crowded, probably because it was more accessible and cheaper than the bus tour.
The seats below were arranged around large tables, and because it was so crowded, we were forced to share a table with strangers.
Nobody would stop talking while safety instructions were being stated over the loud speaker, making it difficult to understand what was being said.
All instructions were made in English, including those explaining not to use camera flashbulbs while trying to take photographs. Because many of those onboard evidently did not speak English, these instructions were not followed, making it difficult to see much.
The boat pitched and rocked, even when the engines were at idle, and any long exposure photos often turned out blurry.
The length of the ride was too short to get very far from the harbor's light pollution.
The top most deck was so crowded, we found our view less obstructed on the bow.
Catching a taxi afterwards was challenging, even when were the first to disembark.
About the only positive thing we could say is that we were able to photograph the Peace Tower, which was difficult to see from Reykjavik.
Skip the boat and take a bus tour, instead!
Kay_M, Dec 2025
You go out into the harbour a short way, but enough to see the lights if it is a clear night.
We had a full moon and some cloud, so our view of the lights was a bit diminished, nothing during the first hour, but we had a good show for the second hour.
We had made a couple of changes to our booking. I phoned up twice, first to change the date, then to cancel 2 of our party of seven.
It was very quick and easy to get through on the phone to make the changes with no hassle, and an immediate refund for the cancellation.
Those of us that went really enjoyed it despite the cold!
Ryan_L, Dec 2025
This trip was great! The crew were very kind and informative about the northern lights, their formation and the conditions needed. We didn’t actually get to see the lights but they are natural and hard to predict! They provided us with vouchers to try again free of charge valid for two years, a great experience.
ErikaF, Nov 2025
Pretty good tour - we were able to barely see the lights but they were there! The woman leading the tour was hard to hear either because of mic issues or because they didn’t turn off the music while she was talking. Seeing the peace tower was an unexpected highlight
Celia_B, Nov 2025
Beautiful. We saw them from the harbour whilst we waited and then again on the water. Great experience.
Jade_E, Nov 2025
We were fortunate enough to see the northern lights on this tour after about an hour and a bit of waiting. Throughout it all, our guide was really entertaining and they played some nice music that added to the atmosphere. The hot chocolate was good too. We also went to the peace tower which was beautiful to see on the clear night.
I recommend wrapping up warm, it can get quite chilly on the top deck, although the cafe is warm and there are also overalls you can wear to help with the chill. Also check the aurora forecast and weather before you go, if it’s heavy cloud cover you won’t see anything and you need a high aurora forecast to know if they are likely to appear or not that night.
Therealjohnfromengla, Nov 2025
This was a very cool experience and we did see the lights during the cruise tour, the host was very informative and friendly with good English. We used the provided coveralls and they were a must because it was so cold out on the water. The host pointed out where the lights were visable, and what directions etc. There was toilets on board which was great, and also a warmer cafe area with seating, but mostly we stayed on the outer decks. The boat was very large not also not too large, not too small, just the perfect size. Even showed and talked about the peace tower too which was cool. 5 stars
Eileen_G, Nov 2025
Don’t be too disappointed if you don’t see any lights. We were on the boat for one hour before we saw the most beautiful northern lights! Our guide was great too! Dress warm if you go in October. The northern lights are so majestic especially seeing them out in the ocean!
Richard_B, Oct 2025
The trip was well organized and left on time, but the quality of the Northern Lights was poor, especially compared to the Viator advertisement. Not a "wow" experience, but I know they are not guaranteed.
Sarah_M, Oct 2025
If you get seasick, take your dramamine, but so worth it! They explained how to take the best pictures of the lights, instruicted us on where to stand - everything we needed to make some good memories!
Rich_C, Oct 2025
The boat was a good size for the amount of viewers. Their cold suits worked perfectly and everyone was very nice. It took approximately 25 minutes to get to the area where the northern lights were and they were spectacular
From $105.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik
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