Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik
Reykjavik, Iceland
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Take a nighttime cruise from Reykjavik for a chance to see the awe-inspiring northern lights from the water. Head away from the city and gaze up at the dark sky where Mother Nature shows off with this natural light display. Cruise in comfort aboard a boat that features outdoor viewing decks and an interior cabin where you can purchase drinks, if you wish.
- Maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights on a cruise from Reykjavik
- Opportunity to see the aurora from the water, an amazing vantage point
- Watch the natural light display from the boat's three outdoor decks
- Drinks and snacks available for purchase on board
What's Included
- 2-3 hours Northern lights tour
- Experienced and professional guides
- Free ticket to join again in case of no sightings
- Warm flotation overalls
- Free WiFi on board
- Heated indoor cabins with toilet facilities
- Complimentary seasickness tablets available
- Snacks and beverages sold on board
- Pickup is available for extra charge
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Meet us at Geirsgata 11, Special Tours ticket office, for your upcoming tour. Please arrive 30 minutes early at the meeting point.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- NOTE: You should schedule to be at our departure point at least 30 minutes before scheduled departure.
- Please, check our DAILY DIARY before you come for the tour, all the important daily information of all our tours will be notified on our website.
- If you have a boat tour booked, please check your email before the tour as all important daily information will be notified via email.
- We recommend wearing good footwear and warm clothing. Don´t forget to bring your camera to take amazing photos!
- Kindly notify us if you require wheelchair access, as not all of our boats are equipped for accessibility.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 198 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
Reviews
3.8
based on 54 reviews
Jonathan_N, Sep 2025
Unfortunately there was zero lights …so it’s just a very late night boat trip rounder the harbor…bitterly disappointed
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Dear Guest,
We are truly sorry to hear that you didn't have the opportunity to see the Northern Lights during your tour. We understand how disappointing that must have been. As a gesture of goodwill, we would like to offer you the chance to reschedule your tour free of charge for any day that suits you best.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@reykjaviksailors.is, and we will be more than happy to assist you with the rescheduling process.
Thank you for choosing Reykjavik Sailors. We look forward to welcoming you back for another chance to witness the breathtaking Northern Lights.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors Team
Michele_P, May 2025
Amazing experience. Friendly tour team. The location of the boat was difficult to navigate, but once onboard the tour team stayed out to ensure that we did get to see the lights and we were not disappointed.
Being a blanket as it does get cold.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hello,
Thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad to hear you had an amazing experience and that our crew helped make sure you got to see the lights – it's always worth the wait when nature shows up!
We appreciate your note about finding the boat location and will look into how we can make directions clearer for future guests. And great tip about the blanket – Icelandic nights can definitely get chilly!
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
Cheryl_M, Mar 2025
Book in October March and April they cancel a lot to to weather we did not know this so in future, so definitely will do my research in future bookings spent a lot of money for this short trip and do have 2 out of 3 events cancelled was a bummer 😞
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Hi,
We hope this message finds you well. We are truly sorry to hear that your tour has been cancelled due to the bad weather. We know how much you were looking forward to this adventure, and we share your disappointment.
Whenever you plan to return to Iceland, please let us know and we will be more than happy to reschedule your tour. We want to ensure you have the best experience possible, and we will do everything we can to make it happen.
Thank you for your understanding and patience. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Best regards,
Reykjavik Sailors
Janet_L, Jan 2025
It was cancelled twice due to bad weather, IE snow. This weather is very typical, but if professional generally puts likelihood of seeing n.lights then we have to go with it. Make sure you check email several hours and times before trip.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Hello
Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback. We're very sorry to hear about your experience on our tour. Whenever the sea conditions are rough, but still safe to sail, we notify our passengers before boarding. We will always cancel the tours if the sea conditions are not safe to sail out in. Passengers who are unfamiliar or uncertain about rough seas are always welcome to reschedule or cancel their booking.
Best regards
Reykjavik Sailors team
Tam_M, Oct 2024
Great tour. Our initial booking was canceled but we were rescheduled. The staff were very knowledgeable and accommodating. The Northern lights were amazing.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hello
Thank you for your kind words. We are truly happy that you enjoyed your experience with The Reykjavik Sailors.
Best regards
Reykjavik Sailors team
Leatha_G, Feb 2023
The Northern Lights Cruise was canceled due to weather conditions thru no fault of their own. However I recommend that you don’t travel in Feb since it’s the coldest & darkest month in the year. We had 4 out of 7 excursions cancelled due to weather and thinking we had a better chance of catching the Northern Lights during that time, we were completely wrong.
Response from Host, Feb 2023
Hello,
We are very sorry, but we cannot change the weather.
Best regards
Reykjavik Sailors team
Shane_K, Dec 2022
Very confusing with meeting point. Sent an email with a link to Google maps to meet and also same address but was not the correction location where we boarding the boat.
Response from Host, Dec 2022
Hi
All our passengers receive a reminder email 24 hours before departure, which describes in detail where the ship departs from. You have received an automatic email to your Viator account Dec 8, 2022, 08:59 PM. Our office sent a confirmation email that the tour will definitely start on Dec 9, 2022, 02:42 PM (There are times when we are forced to cancel due to the weather). The departure point of the ship is precisely specified in the email.
Best regards
Reykjavik Sailors
PJ H, Apr 2018
The boat was cold though they gave us protective gear to wear - but that was to be expected. What was not expected is that we did not go too far from the harbor and stopped so close to houses on a hillside that at one point I was blinded by a car's headlights which is not ideal you want to be in as dark a place as possible. The guide, though he was on our deck, was impossible to understand by any of us in the group of 8 ages 13 - 57 and spoke in a monotone - so it was not easy to even know what we were supposed to be looking at or for. Needless to say, we did not see any northern lights. When we tried to take advantage of the opportunity to go again if you don't see anything in the next two years guarantee, 5 of us heard back from the tour operator in a timely fashion,but 3 of us did not hear back until 8:16 pm when we needed to be on the boat by 9:30 - which was not enough time to get there. Overall felt like a scam where they pile up as many people on the boat as possible even if the probability of seeing anything is low and then don't really anticipate you will take advantage of the guarantee. My mother went on a different trip to a summit on land and they took her back 3x til she saw the lights and it was a better experience. I would not recommend this trip to anyone.
Peggy_H, Apr 2018
The boat ride was cold even though they provide special protective suits. That was to be expected. But the boat went not that far from the harbor to an area where there were so many lights on the hillside in front of us, at one point I got blinded by a car's headlights - so it was not conducive to seeing anything. Top that off with a monotone guide who, though he was on the deck with us, could not be understood by any of the 8 of us in our party - from age 13 - 57 - so it was really difficult to even know if we were supposed to be looking at one area or not. Needless to say, we did not see any northern lights. When we contacted the tour operator through Viator to take advantage of the you can try again within 2 years if you don't see anything guarantee, one of the reservations for 5 of us got approval at a reasonable time - but 3 of us did not hear back until 8:16 pm when we needed to be at the boat by 9:30 - which was way too late to travel there. All around it feels like a scam - they pile people on to boats even when there is no chance of seeing anything and then hope you don't take them up on the chance to try again. My mother went on a tour that took her on land to a peak and she was able to see them better - so overall, I think this boat is not a great option, and I would definitely not recommend it or do it again.
Samir_S, Jan 2018
The cruise was very nice with a beautiful boat and gracious staff. We were not able to see the lights but they offered to take us at any point in the future to hopefully see them!
Katharine_C, Jan 2018
This was incredible! At first the lights were faint, but then they came out in force and were dancing across the sky! I was surprised at how close to Reykjavik we could still see the lights as we came back in to the harbor. The tour operators even stayed out a little later than usual because the auroral activity was so good even though the KP was only 1.67 and the moon was still bright. And the hot chocolate on the boat was delish! Highly, highly recommended.
AURELIO L, Jan 2018
very poor tour ,we traveled only two hour just the time to go far from the port and to come back,no pick up,no organization ,hmmmm i did not like it
keri.jones2, Jan 2018
Fortunate enough to see a glimpse of the northern lights on the way out of the harbour. The overalls provided are a must as it's very, very cold but a cruise is better than a coach trip in my view.
claudialeaf, Dec 2017
We were prepared that we might not see the Northern Lights, and sure enough, we didn't, despite a positive forecast. The Reykjavic Sailors' admin person and ship's crew were friendly and did their best to keep us informed and entertained, although obviously there's little to see except coastal lights at night.
Our main issue with the trip was with the dangerous, un-gritted surfaces on the approach to the Reykjavic Sailors' offices, which made it necessary to take a cab adding to the cost of the trip on the way back. Also the offices were quite hard to find in the dark, so the whole approach to the trip was actually quite stressful. I'm over sixty but reasonably fit and mobile - can't imagine how it would work for someone with less mobility.
sam7737, Dec 2017
We were very fortunate to see this incredible show of nature. An hour and half into the tour, we only saw weak form of northern lights. Two shooting stars crossed the sky, my daughter prayed to see the lights. It showed up almost immediately from 3, 4, 9 and 11 o'clock of the sky, slowly forming and bursting. It was absolutely spectacular and wonderful to see the wonder of the nature. The show continues even as the tour ends and the boat pulls in the harbor. The staff is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They were caring and handing out motion sickness pill The sea was very rough. For a big man like me, my advice is to take 2 pills. We had a wonderful time. The best place to see Northern Lights is in Iceland!!! A truly incredible experience.
Elizabeth W, Dec 2017
Eh. We didnt see the lights which is nature, not the tour. But the boat itself is kind of boring. There were snacks and some booze for purchase but one of our fellow travelers described it best I feel like Im on a floating cafeteria.
Saltanat R, Nov 2017
we were lucky to see the northern lights on our first day! The weren't very vivid though, but still. The Guide was very nice and told a lot of useful information and stories about Aurora Borealis. It was freezing cold that night but still worth it.
Krystin O, Oct 2017
We were so grateful to see the Northern Lights. It is definitely a bucket list item. The crew was so kind and the lights danced for us that night. Great memories!
maximus, Feb 2017
Very good, pity lights didn't come out to play, but tix still valid for 2 years
Karen R, Feb 2017
We got lucky with the weather and saw the lights! The crew was knowledgeable, pleasant, helpful. A great experience
Michelle W, Jan 2017
The crew was friendly and knowledgeable. The lights were beautiful. I would do this again.
FuroraCeltica, Mar 2016
Heavily dependent upon the weather. The Icelandic Meteorology website has information on weather and on predicted Northern Lights activity levels. Check this forecast before you book.
david b, Feb 2016
An excellent tour with an attentive pleasant guide. Everything was on time and well organised. And we even saw the Northern Lights.
mauro_v, Sep 2023
Purtroppo non si è visto molto , il tempo non era buono , nuvolo … comunque l’organizzazione ha mantenuto valido il biglietto per ripetere l’esperienza un’altra volta
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Hello,
Thank you for your feedback.
If there are no sightings during the trip, the ticket holder can use the booking number to reschedule the tour for another time. The ticket is valid for another tour with the tour operator in the future.
Best regards
Reykjavik Sailors team
Winnie_H, Jan 2023
Vi oplevede dersværre ikke lyset, vi havde fået den første tur aflyst grundet vejret - men hellere ikke denne gang lykkedes det. Det er koldt og sen, vil ikke anbefale at have børn med
Response from Host, Jan 2023
Hello
If there are no sightings during the trip, the ticket holder can use the booking number to reschedule the tour for another time. The ticket is valid for another tour with the tour operator in the future.
Best regards
Reykjavik Sailors team
From $93.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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