Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik by Boat

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, this boat heads away from the city glow to look for the Northern Lights over the water. The sky sets the agenda: you may catch a bright display, or spend the evening watching for it beneath Iceland’s dark winter sky.

I like two things about the setup: the boat gets you away from port lights, and you can wait in a heated lounge rather than stay on deck all night. The crew can also help with camera settings, including phone settings, which is useful when the aurora appears and you have only a moment to react.

The trade-off is plain: no tour can promise an aurora, and the deck can be very cold. Dress warmly even though overalls are provided, and keep a flexible evening in your plans in case weather delays or cancels the sailing.

• Old Harbour departure: The meeting point is the Special Tours Ticket Office at Geirsgata 11.
• A 2 to 3 hour search: The route goes out from Reykjavik and returns to the harbor, with the captain choosing the sailing plan according to conditions.
• Warmth on board: Complimentary overalls and heated indoor seating let you move between the deck and lounge.
• Science and folklore: An English-speaking guide explains aurora science, myths, and legends; an audio guide and multilingual app offer added information.
• Photography help: Crew can advise on camera settings, and tour photos are available to download free.
• Weather-dependent plans: If wind prevents sailing, the operator may run a bus tour and offer a boat tour on the next available day.

Leaving Reykjavik’s Old Harbour

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The tour starts at the Special Tours Ticket Office, Geirsgata 11, in central Reykjavik. You need to arrive 30 minutes before departure, and the selected departure time is either 21:00 or 22:00. Return times are listed as 23:00 or 23:59, depending on the departure and how long the outing lasts.

This is a night-time excursion, so think about how it fits with your other plans. A late sailing can run close to midnight, and you will want warm clothing and sturdy shoes before you leave your hotel. The boat provides overalls, but they are an extra layer, not a reason to arrive underdressed.

There is no hotel pickup in the without-pickup package. A version with pickup is available at a higher listed price, so check the package details before booking if you would rather not make your own way to the harbor. The activity is wheelchair-accessible, but you may want to contact the operator about your particular needs before the tour.

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Sailing beyond the harbor lights

The boat leaves the Old Harbour and heads away from Reykjavik’s city lights to find darker water and a clearer view of the sky. That change matters: streetlights and other urban glare can make faint aurora harder to see, so getting away from the brightest parts of town gives you a better setting for watching.

The route is not a fixed sightseeing circuit with several named stops. The boat goes out, circles in the area, and returns to port; conditions determine where the crew can sail. That means you should treat the cruise as a search, not as a guaranteed viewing point with a set arrival time.

The open water can make the outing feel more remote than a city-based activity, but it also exposes you to cold and wind. The provided thermal overalls are available for all sizes and ages, and are meant to help you spend time outside. Bring warm layers and sturdy shoes all the same. On deck, you can watch the sky directly; indoors, you can warm up and keep looking through the windows.

Waiting for the aurora, indoors or out

The strongest feature of this tour is its choice of places to wait. You can stand on deck under the open sky, then head into the heated lounge when you need a break. That is a useful compromise on a long, cold evening: you do not have to choose between comfort and the chance to see the lights.

There is also a bar on board, but drinks are not included in the fare. Food and other personal expenses are not included either, so plan to pay separately if you want something during the cruise. The supplied information does not specify menu options or prices.

An original Northern Lights video plays indoors, with educational information about the aurora. This is a sensible use of waiting time, especially if the sky is quiet or the boat is still moving toward a darker area. The guide adds context about the science behind the lights as well as myths and legends from around the world. You get more than a silent watch, without losing the central purpose of the trip: looking up.

Getting useful photos in the dark

Aurora photography can be a challenge, particularly if you have not tried it before. The crew can help with camera settings and offer pointers for phones, as well as help you work out where to look in the sky. That practical assistance may be more useful than a long technical lecture when the lights appear and you want to take a picture quickly.

Photos are taken on every tour and are available to download free of charge. Think of these as a useful bonus, not a substitute for your own camera or a promise that the lights will show. If you want your own pictures, have your device ready before you go outside and be prepared to follow the crew’s suggestions.

WiFi is available on board, and the Special Tours Iceland app provides text and audio information in English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese. You can download it during the tour for added information. An English-speaking guide is included as well, so the app supplements the live commentary rather than replacing it.

What the weather can change

This tour depends on weather and is confirmed by the local operator by 17:00 on the day. Wind can make sailing unsafe even when the aurora forecast looks promising. In that case, the operator may take customers on a Northern Lights bus tour and offer a chance to join the boat on the next available day.

If the tour is canceled and you have not already taken part in a previous tour, the operator lists several alternatives: exchange the ticket for a whale-watching tour, join the Northern Lights Backup Plan at Whales of Iceland with the option to reschedule the boat trip, or request a full refund through reception. These choices are useful, but they are not the same as seeing the aurora from the sea, so leave room in your schedule if the boat trip is a priority.

Even a smooth sailing on a clear night cannot guarantee that the lights will appear. One useful expectation to carry is that the boat trip itself is the experience, while the aurora is the hoped-for bonus. Some people have been able to return for another sailing after a first trip without a sighting, but do not assume that every no-show night qualifies for a free repeat. Check the operator’s current terms for your exact situation.

Is the boat worth the price?

The listed starting price is $109.59, while the package options show $119.09 for the join-in tour without pickup and $137.99 with pickup. Prices and package details can differ, so check the amount shown for your chosen date before paying. The fare includes a guide, audio guide, WiFi, overalls, heated indoor seating, and downloadable tour photos.

For the price, you are paying for a guided search by boat, a warm indoor place to wait, and help interpreting and photographing the sky. That combination has real value if you want to get away from city lights without spending the entire night outdoors. The fare does not include meals or drinks, hotel transfers in the no-pickup option, or gratuities, so account for those extras.

Compare the boat with a bus-based aurora tour by asking what matters most to you. The boat gives you a sea view and a trip away from the harbor; a bus may offer different access on a night when wind keeps vessels in port. The operator’s bad-weather alternative helps, but the boat’s appeal is specifically the dark water and open deck.

Who will enjoy this night on the water?

This is a good fit if you want a guided outing that combines aurora watching with some comfort and practical help. It suits first-time visitors who would like the guide to explain what they are seeing, and anyone who wants advice with a phone or camera before trying to photograph the lights.

Families can bring children, but infants and children must be included in the passenger count. Children aged 0 to 6 go free, children aged 0 to 15 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and those aged 16 or older pay the adult rate. The supplied overalls are available for all ages.

It may be less appealing if you dislike cold, late nights, or plans that depend on the weather. You could spend much of the cruise waiting rather than watching a bright display. That is not a flaw unique to this operator; it is part of trying to see an unpredictable natural event. Book it when the boat outing itself sounds worthwhile to you, even if the sky does not perform.

Should you book this Northern Lights boat tour?

Book if you want to get out of Reykjavik’s light pollution, value an indoor lounge between deck visits, and like having a guide and crew available to explain the aurora and help with photos. The warm overalls, free downloadable photos, and clear weather backup options make the outing more practical than simply standing outside in the cold.

Skip it if you need a guaranteed sighting or have only one rigidly planned evening. The lights may not appear, and wind can change the transport plan. If you can spare a flexible night and see the cruise as a guided search rather than a promise, this is a comfortable way to try for one of Iceland’s great natural displays.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart?

Meet at the Special Tours Ticket Office, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 30 minutes before your selected departure time.

What departure times are available?

The listed departure choices are 21:00 and 22:00. The available return time depends on your selected departure and the tour duration.

How long does the tour last?

The guided boat tour lasts about 2 to 3 hours.

Are warm clothes provided?

Complimentary thermal overalls are provided for all sizes and ages. You should still wear warm clothes and sturdy shoes.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Meals and beverages are not included, though there is a bar on board.

What happens if it is too windy to sail?

If the aurora forecast is good but wind prevents sailing, the operator may run a Northern Lights bus tour and offer a boat tour on the next available day.

When will I know if the tour is running?

The local operator confirms the weather-dependent tour by 17:00 on the day.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children aged 0 to 6 go free, children aged 0 to 15 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and children aged 16 or older pay the adult rate. Infants and children must be included in the passenger count.

Is hotel pickup included?

Not in the join-in tour without pickup. A join-in option with pickup is also offered at a higher price.