The 10 Best Iceland Yacht Cruises

1.Whale Watching Cruise on the Amelia Rose Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,911 reviews · 3 hours · from $107 a seat Our pick

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor on the Amelia Rose, a comfortable offshore yacht with three panoramic decks, a warm lounge, bar, WiFi, and blankets. Your English-speaking guide helps you spot minke and humpback whales, dolphins, and porpoises among the islands of Faxaflói Bay. Pickup is optional, and the cruise usually lasts about three hours.

“Good instructions and easy booking system. Very helpful even when we wanted to book on two more people the same morning. lovely boat. We saw humpback Wales 10 minutes after leaving the harbour. It was a wonderful experience and definately worth the money. Plenty of space on three different viewing decks and a lovely indoor area and bar serving the best hot chocolate!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Northern Lights Yacht Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,253 reviews · 2 hours · from $93 a seat

Meet your captain and English-speaking guide at Reykjavik’s Old Harbor for a two-hour yacht cruise into Faxaflói Bay. Watch for the aurora from three panoramic decks, warm up inside with a drink, and get help with phone photography. Hotel pickup, blankets, Wi-Fi, and sea-sickness tablets are available.

“We got very lucky with totally clear skies and a high probability of a sighting, saw the lights within 10 minutes of the boat sailing out and then they put on a show for a good hour. The guide was very helpful, explaining how to take the best photos, that the lights come in waves and she alerted those of us who were sitting inside shielding from the cold whenever a new wave of lights would come up. It is very cold on the boat (it was minus 10 degrees that evening) so I advise wearing a lot of layers, coat, gloves, snow shoes. Would definitely recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 707 reviews · 3 hours · from $106 a seat

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor for three hours aboard MY Harpa or MY Amelia Rose. Guides such as Lucky and Rebecca have helped spot humpbacks, minkes, dolphins, puffins, and porpoises. You get warm blankets, WiFi, a bar, indoor seating, and a free return ticket if wildlife stays out of sight.

“We saw puffins, dolphins and a humpback. Nice warm cabin & plenty of deck space. Really friendly team. We actually got 4 hours on the water as they were really keen for us to see a whale which came right at the end. Fantastic experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Whale Watching Cruise on a Yacht in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 684 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $102 a seat

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour into Faxaflói Bay on a three-hour whale-watching yacht cruise. Your guide explains whale behavior while the crew searches for minke and humpback whales, dolphins, porpoises, and possibly orcas. The boat has indoor seating, outdoor viewing areas, toilets, and a bar with hot drinks. If you see no whales, you can return free.

“Did not expect much in January but were so excited Humpback jump totally out of the water near our tour boat. There were 2 other boats out searching as there were numerous reports about whale sightings in previous days.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Whale Watching & Dolphin Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 488 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108 a seat

Sail from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor aboard the Harpa or Amelia Rose for about three hours in Faxafloi Bay. An English-speaking guide looks for whales, dolphins, porpoises, and summer puffins while you watch from several outdoor decks or warm indoor areas. The boat carries up to 95 people, with blankets, Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, and free seasickness tablets.

“The experience was nice but cold, literally 🥶. It was unfortunate that whales 🐳 decided not to show up, but regardless it was cool to see the amazing views, despite the cold 🤭.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Northern Lights Yacht Cruise in Reykjavik

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 428 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $94 a seat

From Reykjavik’s Old Harbour, you’ll spend about two hours on a yacht searching Faxaflói Bay for the northern lights. The crew explains the aurora, helps with photos, and points out wildlife and constellations. Expect a warm cabin, viewing decks, Wi-Fi, a bar, and a free return trip if the lights do not appear.

“We got to see the lights and was very nice being able to sit inside & warm while we waited for the crew yo tell us when it was visible.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Northern Lights Motor Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 133 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $99 a seat

Sail from Reykjavík Old Harbor into Faxaflói Bay for 2.5 hours in search of the aurora. You may ride the 35-seat MY Harpa or 95-seat MY Amelia Rose. Expect an English or Icelandic guide, indoor seating, Wi-Fi, blankets, city views, and a bar serving hot drinks.

“Clean,cosy jacht ,nice staff.We saw the Northen light,unforgivable experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 35 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $100 a seat

Cruise from Reykjavik’s Old Harbour past Harpa, Viðey Island, and Faxaflói Bay while watching for the aurora. The yacht has heated indoor space, blankets, bathrooms, a bar, café, and Wi-Fi. Captain Einar and the crew help with camera settings and aurora spotting. If the lights do not appear, you may return on another trip at no charge.

“The tour guide was very helpful with getting phone settings prepared to take pictures and was exceptional with identifying aurora and where to focus on taking pictures. A wonderful experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Puffin Watching Yacht Cruise from Downtown Reykjavík

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 29 reviews · 1 hour · from $75 a seat Best value

From Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, sail for one hour around Engey, Lundey, and Viðey with an English-speaking guide such as Claudia. You’ll look for puffins and migrating seabirds while Mount Esja and the city skyline frame the trip. Seals, dolphins, and whales are possible, but wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Loved the yacht and small group size. Guide was fantastic!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.New Year’s Eve Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $140 a seat

Spend 1.5 hours aboard a comfortable motor yacht off Reykjavík, first searching for the Northern Lights near Videy Island and the Imagine Peace monument, then moving toward shore for the midnight fireworks. English and Icelandic guides lead the cruise, with champagne served at midnight. The tour costs $140 per person and is for ages 13 and up.

“Fireworks & random whale sighting was exciting however staff were not trying hard to hunt for Northern lights on a clear sky even though we had lots of time prior to midnight champagne & fireworks. Staff were nice but engaging.”

Check availability →Read our full review