Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

The best part of this Reykjavik cruise is the chance to wait for the northern lights from a warm yacht rather than a cold roadside pullout. After dark, you sail past Harpa and Viðey Island, then pause in Faxaflói Bay while the crew watches the sky.

I like the heated indoor lounge, blankets, bathrooms, and on-board bar. I also like the crew’s practical help with phone and camera settings, especially when the aurora is faint to the naked eye but shows more clearly in a photograph. The main drawback is simple: the yacht stays fairly close to Reykjavik, and the northern lights are never guaranteed.

Key points to know

• Aurora watching from the water: You cruise along Reykjavik’s coast and into sheltered waters near Viðey Island.
• Comfort in bad weather: A warm indoor area, blankets, café, bar, bathrooms, and Wi-Fi make waiting easier.
• Useful photography help: The crew can advise you on phone settings, camera focus, and when to head outside.
• Two possible yacht sizes: The operator uses a smaller yacht for up to 35 people and a larger vessel that can carry up to 95, so confirm the boat before booking.
• Free repeat opportunity: If the lights do not appear, the operator offers another trip at no charge, subject to available departures.
• Weather controls the evening: Snow and cloud can clear quickly in Iceland, but a good forecast still cannot promise an aurora.

A northern lights cruise with a proper place to warm up

Northern lights tours often ask you to wait outside in freezing conditions. This one gives you another option. You can step onto the viewing deck when the sky looks promising, then return inside for warmth, a hot drink, or time at the bar.

The cruise begins at Old Harbour House on Ægisgarður 2, close to the center of Reykjavik. The boat returns to the same meeting point after roughly two to three hours. The route gives you city views, coastal scenery, and a chance to see the aurora without spending the whole evening on a bus.

That comfort matters. Waiting for the northern lights can mean long stretches when nothing happens. On this cruise, you have somewhere to sit, a bathroom nearby, and room to move around. I see this as the strongest reason to choose a boat instead of a land tour.

The tradeoff is range. The yachts used here generally remain near Reykjavik and travel behind the islands rather than heading far out into Faxaflói Bay. That can provide calmer water and a shorter trip, but it does not offer the same ability to chase clear skies as a bus that can drive well beyond the city.

Leaving Old Harbour beneath Harpa’s lights

The departure point is easy to identify: Old Harbour House, where you check in before boarding. From the water, Reykjavik looks different. Harpa concert hall becomes a glowing shape along the waterfront, and the city lights form part of the evening view.

The first part of the trip is not only about the aurora. You get a short cruise along Reykjavik’s shoreline, with views of the old harbor, Harpa, and nearby islands. The yacht itself gives you a moving viewpoint that you will not get from a hotel room or city street.

The crew provides information about the northern lights and may explain why the aurora can appear suddenly or remain faint. Some commentary is delivered over the boat’s microphone, and hearing it clearly may depend on where you are standing and how noisy the deck is. The information is useful, but this is primarily a viewing trip rather than a long educational lecture.

You should arrive prepared for a late departure and cold outdoor conditions. Even if you plan to stay inside most of the time, the best views come from the deck. Wear warm layers, a hat, gloves, and shoes that can handle a wet surface.

Viðey Island gives the route more than a sky show

Viðey Island lies just off Reykjavik and brings a quiet, open feeling to the route. From the yacht, you can see the island’s shore and the surrounding sea, even if you do not go ashore during this activity.

Viðey is known for the Imagine Peace Tower, created in memory of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The island also has walking paths, historic sites, and broad views toward Reykjavik. On a dark evening, the island helps frame the sky and gives the cruise a stronger sense of place than simply stopping offshore.

The route does not appear to include a landing on Viðey. Think of it as a coastal viewing point, not an island visit. If you want to walk the island, you will need a separate ferry trip and more time.

The island is also useful from a practical point of view. The yachts travel behind the islands and look for shelter from movement on the sea. The operator’s approach is to find calmer water close to Reykjavik, rather than spend the evening racing around the bay.

Faxaflói Bay and the search for clear sky

Faxaflói Bay is the open-water setting for the cruise. The bay is known for seabirds and whale watching, although this activity is focused on the northern lights rather than marine wildlife. You may see the broad sweep of the bay and the dark outline of the coast as the boat moves away from the harbor.

The crew keeps watch for changes in the sky. Several accounts describe the boat stopping for a period, then changing course when the aurora became visible. The yacht may not travel far, but the staff can still decide when to turn, where to point passengers, and when to bring everyone outside.

Here is the important distinction: the crew cannot control the cloud cover. The aurora forms high above the earth, so moving a short distance farther from the city does not automatically improve the view. Clear sky is the key factor. A few extra miles may help with city glow, but they will not reveal lights hidden behind thick cloud.

This explains the mixed experience people can have on the same type of trip. One evening can begin in heavy snow and clear later when high winds shift the cloud. Another can look promising during the day and deteriorate by departure time. Iceland’s weather changes quickly, and the operator must make an educated call about conditions.

What you can expect from the yachts

The operator uses two yachts. The smaller MY Harpa carries up to 35 people, while MY Amelia Rose can carry up to 95. The booking information gives a maximum of 35, but the operator has also stated that both boats may be used. Confirm the vessel and expected group size before you pay if a small group is central to your decision.

This matters because the experience can feel quite different on a small yacht and a larger one. A smaller boat gives you easier access to the deck and a quieter feel. A larger vessel may provide more capacity but can feel less personal when everyone heads outside at once.

The boats are described as comfortable yachts rather than luxury vessels. You have indoor seating, an outdoor viewing area, bathrooms, and a bar or café. Hot drinks are available, along with beer, champagne, and other beverages. Wi-Fi is also provided.

One small point about the bar: drinks are not included in the $100.82 ticket price unless a particular booking arrangement says otherwise. Some departures may offer a drink coupon afterward as a goodwill gesture, but you should not count on that as the main value of the trip.

The nicest feature is the ability to switch between inside and outside. You can listen to music, warm up under blankets, and wait for an update. When the crew spots a green glow, you can move to the deck instead of stepping out from a parked bus into a dark field.

Seeing the aurora, and seeing it with a camera

The northern lights may look white or gray to your eyes when they are weak. A phone or camera can capture more color than you see directly, especially with an exposure long enough to collect light. The crew can help you prepare your phone settings and explain where to focus.

That assistance is valuable if you have never photographed the aurora. You may need to adjust focus, reduce movement, and keep the phone steady. The crew can also tell you when it is worth heading outside, rather than leaving you to stare at a dark sky for two hours.

Do not expect a professional photography workshop. The useful help is practical and brief. You are still responsible for your own equipment, settings, and timing.

A tripod can help, but the supplied information does not confirm that one is available on board. If you bring a camera, pack spare batteries and keep them warm when possible. Cold conditions can reduce battery life. A phone with a night mode may produce a better image than your eyes suggest, but do not let photography replace watching the sky.

The best moments can arrive just as the boat begins to turn for home. Keep your coat close and stay alert when the crew calls people to the front or upper deck.

The free repeat policy changes the value

At $100.82 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. The price makes more sense if you value a warm boat, a bathroom, a bar, and a coastal cruise even when the aurora stays hidden.

The repeat-trip policy is the major protection. If the northern lights do not appear, the operator offers another yacht trip at no charge. The response to one unhappy customer explained that the free opportunity can be used for up to three years, though you should confirm the current terms when booking.

This is useful if you have several nights in Reykjavik. It is less helpful if the cruise takes place on your last evening, when you may have no chance to return. For that reason, I would schedule this activity early in your stay if the aurora is a major reason for visiting Iceland.

The repeat policy is not the same as a guaranteed refund. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. If the boat sails but the sky remains cloudy, the free repeat option applies, but you need enough time in Iceland to use it.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this trip if you want a comfortable night out with a real chance of seeing the aurora, but you do not want to spend hours standing in a cold parking area. It suits couples, families, and first-time visitors who appreciate an easy city departure.

It also suits anyone who likes a calm boat ride as part of the evening. Even without green lights, you see Reykjavik from the sea, pass Harpa and Viðey, and spend time in Faxaflói Bay.

I would be more cautious if your only goal is finding the darkest possible sky. A land-based operator with transport may travel farther and adjust its route more aggressively. The yacht follows a set coastal pattern and stays relatively close to the city.

You should also check the expected vessel size. If you specifically want a small-group experience, book only after confirming that MY Harpa is being used. The listing information identifies a maximum of 35 people, but the operator has two yachts with different capacities.

Practical details before you book

The cruise is offered in English and lasts about two to three hours. It starts and ends at Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2 in Reykjavik.

Confirmation is provided when you book. The meeting point is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed. Most people can take part, but you should still be ready for cold, wind, snow, and movement on a boat.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made inside that window are not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The operator may cancel for poor weather and then offer another date or a full refund.

I would keep the evening flexible. Do not schedule a tight dinner reservation immediately afterward, since the cruise can last close to three hours and weather may affect the timing.

Should you book the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

Book it if you want comfort, city convenience, and a warm place to wait for the aurora. The crew’s camera help, outdoor viewing areas, blankets, bathrooms, and bar give this trip a clear advantage over standing outdoors for hours.

Think twice if you want a mobile aurora chase that follows every patch of clear sky. This yacht stays near Reykjavik, and that limits its ability to outrun bad weather. I would book early in your Iceland stay, confirm which vessel is operating, and treat the northern lights as a possibility rather than a promise.

For the right visitor, the cruise offers a pleasant evening even when nature refuses to cooperate. If the sky clears, the setting can be magical. If it does not, the free repeat opportunity gives you a second chance, provided your schedule allows one.

FAQ

Where does the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise depart?

The cruise departs from Old Harbour House, Food, Drinks & Tours, at Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland. It returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the cruise last?

The activity lasts approximately two to three hours.

What places can I see from the yacht?

The route includes Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, Harpa concert hall from the sea, the Reykjavik coastline, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay. The cruise also includes time looking for the Aurora Borealis.

Is the northern lights sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora depends on clear skies and natural conditions, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.

What happens if the northern lights do not appear?

The operator offers a free additional yacht trip if the lights do not appear. The operator has also stated that this free repeat opportunity can be used for up to three years.

What facilities are available on the yacht?

The yacht has an on-board bar and café, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, heated indoor space, and blankets. You can also use outdoor viewing areas when conditions are suitable.