Northern Lights Yacht Cruise

If you like your northern lights with a little comfort and a lot of ocean air, this Reykjavík yacht cruise is a smart way to spend the night. I like that you’re out on the water instead of stuck in a cold parking lot, and the crew actively helps with seeing and photographing the aurora.

Two things I really like: the boat setup is cozy (warm lounge, blankets, and toilets), and the experience includes a real itinerary, not just driving to one spot and waiting. One drawback to plan for: the northern lights are never guaranteed, because cloud cover and timing are out of everyone’s control.

Quick hits before you go

• Smaller-group feel on the capped yacht (maximum 35 travelers)
• Harpa and Reykjavík coastline views from the sea, with the city lit up below
• Viðey Island and the Imagine Peace Tower in John Lennon and Yoko Ono tribute views
• Faxaflói Bay cruising in an area associated with whale watching (humpback and minke are mentioned)
• On-board bar, café, and Wi-Fi, so you can warm up without leaving the deck
• Free return trip if the aurora doesn’t show on your night

Why this northern lights yacht cruise feels different in Reykjavík

Reykjavík winters can move fast. Snow can vanish into clear skies, or a cloud layer can roll in at the worst possible time. This cruise is built for that reality, because you’re not just waiting somewhere exposed, you’re on a heated yacht with a crew that watches the sky and keeps you moving when conditions change.

I also like the “you can enjoy the whole evening” approach. Yes, the goal is the aurora, but you’re also cruising past iconic Reykjavík waterfront sights and around nearby islands, with plenty of onboard comfort while you wait.

The one thing to keep straight is this: the northern lights are weather and luck dependent. Even with the best setup, you can still get skunked. The upside is that the operator offers a free additional yacht trip if the lights don’t appear on your outing.

From Old Harbour House to open water: what happens right after you meet

Your starting point is Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2, Reykjavík. The cruise runs about 2 to 3 hours, so you’re not committing to a full evening ritual. That matters in Reykjavík, where you’ll often want to pack in other winter sights on the same trip.

Once you’re aboard, the early minutes set the mood. You’ll head out to take in the area by sea, with views of the old harbor and Reykjavík’s coastline. Harpa, the musical hall, is part of the route from the water too, so you get a different angle than you would standing on land.

The practical advantage of starting this way is that even if the aurora takes a while, you’re still moving through the scenery. On nights where you do see green in the sky, those first moments on deck turn into a slow build instead of a long, empty wait.

Harpa from the sea and the Reykjavík coastline: the daytime part that helps at night

The cruise itinerary includes Harpa from the sea and time cruising the Reykjavík coastline. From a traveler’s perspective, this is more than sightseeing fluff. It gets you out of the densest light zones early and helps you settle into the rhythm of “watch, warm up, and watch again.”

One review theme was simple and helpful: the crew is active about getting people ready to capture what they see. That’s a real benefit because Reykjavík lights can show up fast, then fade. If your camera or phone settings are a mess, you’ll lose the moment you came for.

If you’re the kind of person who gets nervous outdoors, this start helps. You’re on board, with heating and bathrooms, and you can stay comfortable while you locate the best spots to look.

Viðey Island and the Imagine Peace Tower views you can only get from the water

The cruise heads toward Viðey Island, described as a serene escape just off Reykjavík’s coast. On the water, you also get views of the Imagine Peace Tower, a tribute to John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Even if you’ve seen photos of the tower, getting it from the yacht changes the scale. The island sits close enough to feel like part of the same scene as the city, but you’re looking outward over ocean instead of into a street grid. That visual shift matters at night, because it makes it easier to judge the sky and watch for clarity.

A realistic consideration: you’re not guaranteed to get perfect conditions. Some visitors prefer operators who chase the clearest patches of sky aggressively. This cruise does position you to reduce the effect of city light, but no operator can control clouds across the whole sky.

Still, the Viðey portion gives you a meaningful “second act” in the itinerary. Even on a slower aurora night, the island views keep the evening from feeling like a one-idea gamble.

Faxaflói Bay: why this part is worth it even when the lights are late

After Viðey, the route continues into Faxaflói Bay. This is the part of the itinerary that’s about more than aurora timing, because Faxaflói Bay is framed here as a strong whale-watching area.

The cruise notes mention the chance of seeing humpback and minke whales, along with seabird colonies. In practice, whale spotting is never guaranteed, but including a known wildlife corridor is a good value add. If the aurora takes its time, you still have a reason to watch the water, not just the sky.

This also explains why you might feel like the cruise is hunting conditions rather than simply going in a straight line. The bay and islands provide shelter, which can make the ride calmer and keep the experience comfortable while you scan for aurora.

The aurora viewing window: crew guidance, photo help, and patience

Your best chance at the Aurora Borealis comes after dark, once you’re out in a viewing zone positioned away from the worst of the city glow. The operator’s approach, based on how the cruises are run, is to find shelter and calmer sea conditions while still keeping visibility of the sky in mind.

This is where the crew really influences your experience. Multiple reviews highlight helpful coaching, including guidance to get phone settings ready for pictures and advice on what to focus on when the lights appear. One standout point: they don’t just point and hope, they actively help people get their gear ready.

There’s also a human side. A guide’s job is to keep your attention when you’re cold and waiting. On good nights, you’ll feel it: calm narration, relaxed music, and then a sudden shift when the green shows up and the whole mood changes.

A practical drawback to consider: waiting on the water is still waiting. If you’re the type who wants nonstop action, the “watch and wait” part might feel long. The upside is that you’re warm inside the yacht, and you can step out to the viewing areas when conditions look promising.

Comfort on board: warmth, blankets, Wi-Fi, and the bar

This cruise is built around comfort for a winter night. You’ll find a warm interior lounge, and several reviews specifically mention blankets for staying cozy while you look out at the sky. There are also bathrooms on board, with one review noting them on the lower deck.

You’ll also have access to an on-board bar and café, plus Wi-Fi. That combination is not just a convenience. It helps you manage time and energy, especially if you’re taking photos and checking settings repeatedly.

One review singled out how helpful the crew was with camera and phone setup. That matters because Wi-Fi lets you share photos and stay connected without leaving the boat, but the bigger win is that you’re not stuck guessing what to do when the aurora is faint.

Group size and yacht choice: MY Harpa versus the bigger boat reality check

The cruise is capped at 35 travelers, which is a key part of the value. Smaller groups typically mean you get a better line of sight when the sky delivers.

That said, the provider runs more than one yacht. They mention MY Harpa with 35 passengers and MY Amelia Rose with up to 95 passengers. This matters for your expectations. If you’re choosing this cruise for crowd comfort, it’s worth confirming the yacht you’re booked on before you show up.

Some reviews described the small yacht as having only around 20 people, which is exactly the kind of spacing that makes aurora viewing less stressful. If you end up on a larger vessel, you’ll still enjoy the experience, but the deck can feel busier and harder to move around quickly.

Price and value: what $100.82 buys you for 2 to 3 hours

At about $100.82 per person for a 2 to 3 hour cruise, you’re paying for three things: time outside with aurora potential, comfort equipment for winter, and crew time spent monitoring conditions.

This isn’t a bargain ticket in the way a basic bus to a viewpoint can be. But it is value if you care about being warm, having bathrooms, and getting actual help with spotting and photographing the lights. The bar and café also mean you can warm up without hunting for another stop after the cruise.

The best value kicker is the free additional yacht trip if the lights don’t appear. Northern lights tours are essentially a probabilistic experience. This one reduces the “I spent good money and got nothing” heartbreak, because you get another shot without paying again.

When the lights do not show: how the rebooking offer changes the stakes

Some nights will be cloudy, and some will turn cloudy at the last minute. That’s why cancellation and postponement happen. When a tour runs and you still don’t see aurora, the operator’s response has been to offer rebooking for free.

In one case shared with their reply, they described offering 3 years of free tours for guests who did not see the northern lights. Even if you take that as an exception, the core point is consistent: they’re not treating the aurora as a one-time lottery with no recovery path.

Still, you should go in with honest expectations. If you’re only in Iceland for one night, you may not be able to schedule your return trip. In that case, it’s smart to build flexibility into your itinerary, or choose this cruise earlier in your trip so you can recover if the first try fails.

Who should book this cruise, and who should skip it

This is a good match if:

• You want a warm, comfortable aurora hunt instead of a cold viewpoint wait
• You like having staff who help you with phone settings and focusing for photos
• You care about small-group comfort, since the tour is capped at 35
• You’d enjoy a whole evening at sea even if the sky is slow to cooperate

You might want to skip or choose carefully if:

• You want a guaranteed aurora sighting. No operator can promise that.
• You’re sensitive to being near harbor lights. The cruise aims to reduce light impact by positioning away from the brightest zones, but it’s still near Reykjavík.
• You only have one night in the city and can’t make up a rebooking if the aurora doesn’t show.

For most people, though, it’s a strong “balance” choice: comfortable boat, real sightseeing route, and a plan for when nature says no.

Should you book the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

I’d book it if you want the aurora with warmth, bathrooms, and staff guidance, and you’re okay with the weather being the boss. The cruise feels like a practical way to chase the lights while still doing something worthwhile along the Reykjavík coast, plus the free return trip takes the edge off the main risk.

If you hate waiting outdoors and you need constant action, you might find the “watching window” tedious. If that’s you, plan to stay warm inside and treat the boat ride as the real experience, not just the moment the aurora appears.

If you can, book with earlier flexibility in your Iceland schedule. That way, if your first night is cloudy, you can take advantage of the chance to try again.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights Yacht Cruise?

It runs about 2 to 3 hours.

What does the cruise cost?

The price listed is $100.82 per person.

Where do I meet the yacht?

The meeting point is Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Is Wi-Fi available on board?

Yes, Wi-Fi is provided on the yacht.

What if we do not see the northern lights?

If the northern lights don’t appear, the experience includes a free additional yacht trip.

Can I bring a service animal?

Service animals are allowed.

Is the group size limited?

Yes, the maximum number of travelers is 35.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours, the amount you paid is not refunded.