Reykjavik: Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise

The best part of this cruise is the change of setting. Reykjavík’s lights fade behind you, the sea turns black, and the northern sky becomes the main event. On the way, you see Harpa Concert Hall, the Sun Voyager, Höfði house, and Viðey Island from the water. The yacht gives you a steady platform for watching and photographing the aurora, if the clouds cooperate.

I like the warm indoor seating and blankets, which make waiting far more pleasant than standing in a cold field. I also like the small MY Harpa option, with room for only 35 people, though you may instead be assigned to the 95-seat MY Amelia Rose. The chief drawback is simple: the boat can search only a limited area, so a cloudy night may produce little or nothing, even when the crew works hard.

Key points before you book

• The aurora is never guaranteed: Clouds and solar conditions decide what you see, not the crew.
• Two boats are used: MY Harpa carries up to 35 passengers, while MY Amelia Rose carries up to 95.
• Faxaflói Bay adds more than a sky show: You pass Harpa, the Sun Voyager, Höfði, and Viðey.
• Warmth is built in: Indoor seating, blankets, and hot drinks help during the wait.
• The meeting point needs care: Check in at the self-service kiosk inside the restaurant at the Old Harbor.
• A second attempt may be possible: One passenger was helped by Seamus with a free rebooking after an unsuccessful first night, but ask the operator about current policy.

Leaving Reykjavík Old Harbor after dark

This is a northern-lights cruise first, but it begins as a short tour of Reykjavík from the water. You check in at a self-service kiosk inside the restaurant at the Old Harbor, then make your way to the assigned yacht.

Allow a little extra time to find the right indoor check-in point. The map can leave you wandering around the harbor if you expect a clearly marked outdoor office. Once aboard, the crew shows you the indoor seating area and the outside viewing spaces.

The cruise lasts about two and a half hours. That gives the boat time to leave the strongest city lights, wait for changing conditions, and return without rushing the experience. It also means you should treat this as an evening activity, not a quick hour-long boat ride squeezed between dinner and another appointment.

The group size depends on the yacht. MY Harpa has space for up to 35 passengers and gives the outing a more private feel. MY Amelia Rose can carry up to 95. That is still a controlled tour rather than a huge sightseeing ship, but the atmosphere will naturally feel less intimate.

Harpa, the Sun Voyager, and Höfði from the sea

As the yacht moves out, Reykjavík takes on a different shape. Harpa Concert Hall is especially striking from the water. Its glass front reflects the city lights, and its geometric design takes inspiration from Iceland’s basalt formations.

The Sun Voyager statue is another useful landmark early in the trip. Jón Gunnar Árnason’s steel sculpture looks toward the sea and works well as a quiet contrast to the bright concert hall behind it. From the boat, you see these familiar sights without the traffic and street-level distractions.

You also pass Höfði house, the white building associated with the 1986 meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. That meeting did not end the Cold War in one night, but it helped move the relationship between the United States and Soviet Union toward a new phase. Seeing the house from the bay gives the cruise a small piece of modern history alongside its natural spectacle.

The guide provides commentary in Icelandic and English. The best moments come when the explanation stays practical: what the crew is watching, how the aurora forms, and where to look. Some outings have included stories about Icelandic legends as well as the science behind solar particles striking Earth’s atmosphere.

Into Faxaflói Bay and away from city glare

The crew takes the yacht into Faxaflói Bay, aiming for darker water behind the islands, including Viðey. Getting away from Reykjavík’s glow matters because even a strong aurora can look faint when surrounded by streetlights.

The boat cannot roam as freely as a four-wheel-drive vehicle on land. That is the main trade-off with a marine tour. A land-based outing may be able to change direction and seek a clearer patch of sky farther inland, while the yacht works within its sailing route and sea conditions.

Still, the water offers its own advantage. The city remains visible on the horizon, giving you a sense of place while the sky grows darker overhead. The contrast can be beautiful: Reykjavík glowing behind you, open water below, and the possibility of green or white light beginning above the bay.

Viðey Island is part of the route and has a special seasonal detail. From October 9 through December 8, and on certain other dates, Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower shines from the island. It is not the northern lights, but it gives you another point of light to watch for during the cruise.

Waiting for the northern lights

Aurora hunting involves patience. The crew can read forecasts and watch the sky, but no operator can promise a display. Cloud cover is the biggest problem, and even on a clear night the aurora may be weak or appear only briefly.

That uncertainty is easier to handle on this yacht than on an exposed roadside. You can sit inside, look through the windows, and wait for updates. Warm blankets are supplied, and hot drinks and other refreshments are available at the bar. These extras matter because the cold tends to become more noticeable after you have stood outside for several minutes.

When the crew sees activity, you can head outside for a clearer view. One useful tip is to stay warm inside until the guide says something is happening. There is little point in spending the entire cruise outdoors if the sky is quiet.

The vessel also offers free Wi-Fi, though your phone is most useful as a camera once the lights appear. A stable yacht makes photography easier than a moving bus or a rough roadside stop, but you still need to dress warmly and keep your camera steady.

What the aurora may look like

Photos often show bright green ribbons filling the entire sky. Real life can be quieter. You might first see a pale streak, a faint gray-green patch, or a soft glow that becomes clearer as your eyes adjust.

On successful nights, the display can become dramatic. Some sailings have caught the lights overhead for a long stretch, while others have seen only a brief appearance as the boat returned to the harbor. One outing in rainy, cloudy weather produced a short show right at the end. Another saw the aurora after the yacht had nearly reached Reykjavík.

This is why I would not judge the trip only by the number of minutes the lights appear. The guide’s timing, the dark water, and the sudden change from ordinary cloud to visible aurora all form part of the event. But you should still book with realistic expectations. The sky may remain cloudy for the full two and a half hours.

Some passengers have been helped with a second outing after missing the lights the first time. Seamus at the Old Harbour House assisted with a free rebooking in one case. Policies can change, so ask directly before relying on a repeat trip. If seeing the aurora is your top goal, booking early in your Iceland stay gives you more room to try again.

Comfort aboard MY Harpa or MY Amelia Rose

The boat assignment affects the feel of the evening. MY Harpa, with space for 35, is the better match if you want a quieter, more personal setting. MY Amelia Rose holds up to 95 and may feel busier, but it offers the same basic plan: indoor seating, outside viewing, a crew, and a route into Faxaflói Bay.

The supplied information does not guarantee which yacht you will receive. You should therefore book for the cruise concept, not for a particular boat interior unless the operator confirms the assignment.

The indoor area is especially useful for children, older adults, and anyone who dislikes prolonged cold. One nervous passenger worried about being far from land and found the yacht’s moderate speed and visible city horizon reassuring. The vessel does leave shore, but you are not simply abandoned in darkness. Reykjavík remains visible at a distance, and you can return inside whenever you need to warm up.

Wear proper winter layers anyway. The blankets are helpful, but they do not replace a warm coat, hat, and gloves. The open deck is where you get the clearest view, and you may spend several minutes outside when the aurora appears.

The bar sells hot and cold drinks, with chocolate and other refreshments available on some sailings. These are additional purchases rather than part of the listed inclusions. The cruise price includes the yacht ride, crew, indoor seating, Wi-Fi, and blankets.

Is $99 a fair price?

At $99 per person, this is not the cheapest way to search for the northern lights in Reykjavík. You are paying for a two-and-a-half-hour boat outing, a staffed vessel, indoor shelter, blankets, and a distinct view from Faxaflói Bay. The value improves if you like being on the water even when the sky stays empty.

That last point matters. Several people have enjoyed the yacht, crew, city views, and commentary without seeing the aurora. If a no-show would make the evening feel wasted, a land-based tour may suit you better because it can sometimes cover more ground in search of clear skies.

The marine setting is the reason to choose this trip. You get a calm, scenic evening with Reykjavík behind you and a wide horizon ahead. If the lights appear, the reflection of the city and the open water can make the sight feel special. If they do not, you have still had a coastal cruise, though some may find the price high for that consolation.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 133 ratings, which fits the experience well: strong service and comfort, but an outcome controlled by nature. Praise has centered on friendly staff, clear explanations, clean boats, easy check-in once the restaurant is found, and the effort made to keep spirits up during poor weather.

Timing, check-in, and cancellation details

Check availability for the departure time that fits your evening. The cruise leaves from Reykjavík Old Harbor, and you check in inside the restaurant at the self-service kiosk.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if weather forecasts are still changing and you want to keep your plans flexible.

The tour is guided in Icelandic and English. Since the yacht may be MY Harpa or MY Amelia Rose, confirm the boat assignment if group size matters to you.

Who will enjoy this cruise most?

I would choose this outing for you if you want the aurora search combined with a relaxed Reykjavík evening. It suits couples, families, photographers, and anyone who prefers a warm cabin to a roadside minibus stop.

It is also a good choice if you enjoy the journey as much as the result. Harpa, the Sun Voyager, Höfði, Viðey, and the harbor lights give you something to see while the crew waits for activity.

I would think twice if your only goal is maximizing the chance of seeing the northern lights. A boat has a fixed operating area and cannot always reach the clearest skies. In that case, compare it with a land tour that can travel farther from Reykjavík.

Should you book the Reykjavík Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise?

Book it if you want a comfortable, scenic search with a touch of Reykjavík sightseeing and you accept that the aurora may not appear. The indoor seating, blankets, limited group size on MY Harpa, and helpful crew make the wait much easier than standing outdoors for hours.

For the best chance at a successful night, schedule it early in your stay and ask about a repeat sailing if clouds spoil the first attempt. At $99, it is best value for people who genuinely like the idea of being on the water, not just those chasing a guaranteed photograph.

FAQ

How long is the northern lights yacht cruise?

The cruise lasts 2.5 hours.

Where does the cruise depart?

It departs from Reykjavík Old Harbor. Check in inside the restaurant at the self-service kiosk.

Which boat will I travel on?

You may travel on MY Harpa, which holds up to 35 passengers, or MY Amelia Rose, which holds up to 95 passengers.

Are blankets and indoor seating provided?

Yes. The cruise includes warm blankets and an indoor seating area. Free Wi-Fi is also included.

Is seeing the northern lights guaranteed?

No. Sightings depend on cloud cover and aurora activity. The crew searches darker water in Faxaflói Bay, but nature controls the result.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.