Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos
Reykjavik, Iceland
- 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Searching for the northern lights on your own can be frustrating due to unpredictable weather and dark locations outside the city. However, this guided boat tour from Reykjavik makes it easier and far more comfortable. Cruise into the calm waters of Faxafloi Bay, where conditions are ideal for stargazing and spotting the elusive aurora. Learn about the science and folklore behind the northern lights while you relax on board and enjoy a warm drink (own expense).
- Hear local myths and scientific explanations about the aurora borealis from your guide
- Maximize your chances of spotting the lights from an area with less light pollution
- If you don't spot the lights, benefit from the chance to join the cruise again for free
- Included thermal overalls keep you feeling warm and cozy throughout—no need to buy expensive winter gear
Why Travelers Choose This Tour
Being on the water gets you away from the crowds and light pollution on land.
What's Included
- Use of thermal overalls - also available in children's sizes!
- Free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour
- Free WiFi & heated indoor seating
- Pictures taken on every tour, available to download free of charge
- Crew members can be asked for photography assistance on board if needed
- Food and drink (can be purchased on board)
- Hotel transfers (can be added for an additional fee)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Special ToursGeirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Make your way to Special Tours ticket office located on Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík for check-in. We recommend being at the check-in 30 minutes prior to departure.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Step aboard a sightseeing boat and cruise out into the waters of Faxafloi Bay to search for the northern lights.
The natural phenomenon occurs when particles in the Earth’s atmosphere collide, producing vivid colors in the sky. Learn all about the phenomenon from your guide, and separate scientific facts from fictional myth.
Get out on deck to stargaze outdoors, or hunker down in the viewing area with a hot drink. Refreshments are available to purchase, if you wish.
After your tour, return to the start point and finish with hotel drop-off (if option selected).
The natural phenomenon occurs when particles in the Earth’s atmosphere collide, producing vivid colors in the sky. Learn all about the phenomenon from your guide, and separate scientific facts from fictional myth.
Get out on deck to stargaze outdoors, or hunker down in the viewing area with a hot drink. Refreshments are available to purchase, if you wish.
After your tour, return to the start point and finish with hotel drop-off (if option selected).
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Subject to favorable weather conditions.
- If cancelled due to inclement weather you will be given the option to reschedule or receive a full refund (if you have not joined the tour previously). If conditions to see the lights still look good, but sea conditions are poor, you will be offered a Northern Lights by Bus tour instead. Please note that the coach tour is the same price as the boat tour, and therefore if you choose to join the coach tour in these circumstances, a refund will not be offered.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- If you join the tour and there are no sightings you will get another ticket to join on the next available day. No refund if you have already been on the tours and used the service. This offer does not expire and can also be used in a few years.
- Hotel pick up: Available to book directly with supplier (Extra Fees Apply).
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- 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
Featured review
Martin_P
First trip on the boat we were unable to see the Northern Lights due to the weather. Was informed that we could come back again at no extra charge.
The next night was amazing!! Took many great photos!!! Great guide and very informative!!
Reviews
4.0
based on 349 reviews
Martin_P, Dec 2025
First trip on the boat we were unable to see the Northern Lights due to the weather. Was informed that we could come back again at no extra charge.
The next night was amazing!! Took many great photos!!! Great guide and very informative!!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your review! It’s great to hear that you were able to see the Northern Lights on your second try and capture so many great photos. We’re also happy to know that you found the tour informative and enjoyed the time with our guide. Thank you for joining us, and we hope to see you again!
Sharon_D, Oct 2025
We booked for fri, it was canx, we rebooked for sat, easy process. Kept well informed
V full boat, so not much room to move outside, but we saw the lights! Great movement and v hapoy group
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your review!
We're glad you were able to see the lights!
Unfortunately, our boats can sometimes be busier than usual due to rescheduled departures from earlier cancellations.
We always do our best to accommodate everyone in a comfortable way so that as many guests as possible can enjoy this incredible experience.
We hope you’ll take wonderful memories of the Northern Lights back home with you, and we look forward to welcoming you on board again soon!
EllenA, Apr 2025
This was ok. We didn’t get to see lights but that was due to weather. Wish we would’ve gone out further and wish boat went faster because it was kinda boring. But it was warm and comfortable and plenty of things to purchase if you wanted.
Erin_M, Oct 2024
The tour company was great and accommodating. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to see the Northern Lights on our night, but it is nice to have the option to rebook.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thanks for the review and support, Erin! The northern lights have been powerful lately so these clouds are really unfortunate. Hopefully, you'll be able to join us for another try in the upcoming days.
Michael_K, Sep 2024
Seeing the lights was Awesome! The staff on the boat was pleasant and helpful. There was plenty of food options if you chose to buy food.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Thanks, Micheal! The lights have been very active lately and it's been an absolute delight to see them so well!
FRANCES_B, Mar 2024
I had wanted to go and see the Northern Lights for ages. The challenge was to find a way to do this without having to freeze for hours driving around without access to a bathroom.
The boat tour was a perfect solution- 2 hours long and access to warmth and amenities throughout.
Some aspects of seeing the lights are down to luck. We were very lucky! We sailed slowly out into the harbour and almost immediately, there was an arc of lights above us, like a pale green rainbow. As we sailed on, further away from the shore, the lights grew stronger, eventually waving and dancing, a beautiful green curtain across the sky.
The lights we saw were spectacular and completely visible to the naked eye.
A true lifelong memory!
Response from Host, May 2024
Thanks for the review! That sounds perfect - The comfort of the boat, the primal movement of the ocean, and the aurora dancing in the sky!
Cesario_O, Jan 2024
I can understand that they have to cancel the trip because of weather condition, but the back up plan to make up for this cancelation was to go to Whale Museum which the staff claimed it would be a good alternative. That was disappointing, it's not worth it. I could have stayed in California and visit the Monterey Bay or San Diego Sea world.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thank you for the feedback, we regret that you had a disappointing experience, especially since it seems to have been completely avoidable.
The Northern Lights by Boat with a Back-up Plan – is the budget option that we have on offer instead of the full-price option “Northern Lights by Boat!” It is essentially the same cruise but the one with the back-up plan is cheaper but also non-refundable. For both options you can re-book for free in case of cancellation or if there are no sightings during the cruise. On the full-price option, if the boat is canceled and you don’t want to or can’t try again another night you can have a refund, in the back-up plan option you can still try another night until the excursion is successful and enjoy the back-up plan. This means that if you are still around and the clouds clear up you are welcome to join us again for another try to see the northern lights.
Oliver_H, Nov 2023
Friendly crew, great comfortable ship. Did not see the Aurora but was still a nice evening on the sea.
Response from Host, Jan 2024
Thanks for the review! We are glad enjoyed our cruise even without seeing the northern lights. Incidentally, this means that your ticket is still valid to try again so please be in touch when you come back to Reykjavík.
AnneMarie_S, Apr 2023
Booked this for the first night of our trip. Unfortunately did not see the northern lights. Tried to re book but was full which was disappointing given the guarantee they offer. Was some confusion over who we contact, whether it be Viator or the tour company.
Marco_L, Apr 2023
Excellent trip, crew, ship, but… did’t see any northern lights at all. No complaints, was offered another trip for free.
Mohammed_a, Mar 2023
Absolutely fantastic and memorable trip. Crew ere attentive and knowledgeable and made the experience thoroughly worthwile
Carol_K, Mar 2023
Great crew and knowledgable guides . The lights don’t always appear to order, luckily they came out just as we we about to abort the evening, and then crew extended the trip to allow full viewing .
Louise_W, Mar 2023
Great night on the boat, crew were friendly and happy to wait longer to see the lights once they had heard they may appear. Fantastic night
Luke_E, Feb 2023
The staff Friendly, informative and helpful. Difficult to see them on the cruise might have a better chance on a snow mobile but can't fault the service itself
Georgina_G, Feb 2023
Great tour, well organised and very informative guide Lukas was fab and so was the rest of the staff.
We were lucky enough to get a glimpse or two of the lights which was amazing
Martin_I, Feb 2023
Disappointing and not just because we saw no northern lights. The boat we were placed in was very small and cramped. Nothing like what was described to us. Very little explanation at the beginning, just everyone struggling to put on the weather-proof suits on a shaky boat with little space to move. The toilet seat even had tape on the seat. The promised hot chocolate/bar/cafe advertised was simply a tiny dark kitchen in the back with nobody attending it, no explanation as to whether or not we had to pay (there was a cash register), with chocolate bars, doritoes and Swiss mix powder choco and a hot water kettle, no milk. Nobody made use of it. Little to no explanation by the guide up on the deck, she missed the 2-3 sightings of lights while distracted hanging out with the crew inside the captain’s room. We froze, didn't get to see any lights and lights and the last 40 minutes were simply miserable, with the boat rocking excessively due to the speed and the weather conditions. Overall a waste of 90 dollars with and a very unpleasant experience. The hospitality displayed as well as the boat itself felt more like a third world country product, sadly.
Yolanda_S, Jan 2023
We scheduled this Northern Lights cruise hoping for good weather. The day of the cruise it was pouring rain and there was absolutely no chance of anyone seeing the Northern Lights. Other northern lights tours canceled when the weather made the viewing impossible. We sat on the boat for two hours listening to the Captain giving trivia about the Northern Lights and telling lame jokes. What a waste of money and time. They should have been honest, canceled and refunded our money.
Maureen_J, Jan 2023
We went in the boat as we thought there would be less light pollution however this was not the case.
ajtplumbing, Dec 2022
Sailed at 9pm back in for 11:30pm
Didn’t take long for the lights to appear.
Crew were helpful with best ways to take photos
When you put the cold weather suits on go larger
Patrick_W, Dec 2022
They predicted the aurora that they hit it. Never a guarantee but these guys give you the best chance of seeing the lights.
Dawn_H, Dec 2022
We travelled on the boat called Andrea. It's a good size boat with a lot of seating on lower deck. The guide was very chatty and knowledgeable. We were fortunate enough to see the lights and the guide explained how to take the best photos. We also saw shooting stars and constellations as it was a very cold, clear note. Great trip.
Alejandra_V, Dec 2022
I was so lucky to see the Northern Lights. They were AMAZING!! This has been one of the best experiences in my life!!
The boat and the guide were good. However, that night was so windy and the boat was moving a lot, a bit scary. Besides, it was difficult to take good pictures... I would prefer to do the tour by car.
LesleyAnne_G, Dec 2022
If you get the chance to book this boat trip I would highly recommend it. We originally booked for last night however the lights were not visible due to cloud cover. We were offered the chance to return on another trip for free and I'm so glad we did tonight as the lights were visible and wonderful to see!
Sarah_M, Nov 2022
The weather was good so the northern lights were visible and plenty of them. The tour guide was brilliant
calum_s, Nov 2022
We were lucky enough to see the famous Northern lights on our first evening in Iceland. Travelling by boat and away from the city was the perfect location for them and what a display it was. Its hard to explain how good they were. If we were unfortunate and didnt see them it would of still been a fun trip with the guide being really informative. Wrap up as it gets cold out at sea!
Ellen_C, Oct 2022
Despite the wind and cold and rain and especially the clouds that rolled in instead of out…it was a fun adventure. The stories our guide shared and his humor way of story-telling were great! So was the hot chocolate with Bailey’s!
Andrea_R, Oct 2022
Unfortunately we didn’t see any northern lights, but obviously that is not the crew’s fault. Despite that the crew was informative, nice, and tried to give us the best experience they could.
Michelle_W, Oct 2022
After it had rained all day, the clouds finally parted and we got clear skies and we had a beautiful light show.... Most of the lights you see cannot be seen by the naked eye. You have to use your camera, so make sure you have your camera ready at all times. The staff are super friendly and told us exactly where to look. Highly highly highly recommend putting on the jumpsuit. It's very cold and windy out on the water.
James_K, Mar 2022
So .. it turns out - this is really weather dependent on the sun and in iceland ! So chances can be slim. Our first night was cancelled - so they offered a refund or deferral to second night. We (stupidily) went for the second night.
The weather was worse on the second night, and solar forecast was very low - so I rang around 2pm to say - is it stil on ? and id prefer to cancel (as there was zero chance) and didnt want to be stuck on a boat for 2 hours in the rain. They said the 24 hour policy is no refund.
Turns out - most other operators cancelled their trips but our crowd didnt cancel so we just lost the money. They really should have just cancelled it.
My advice ? It a big boat - dont book this until the morning of the day - wait t see the weather. Otherwise you might end up paying when you dont need to.
abigail_n, Feb 2022
One of the best experiences of my life, everyone was so friendly and the man doing the voice over was very informative, the lights were incredible. 1000% recommended
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$91.48
per personWas $107.62
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik Including Photos
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2 hours 30 minutes
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