Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

Three decks make the aurora feel close. This 2-hour Northern Lights yacht cruise takes you from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor out toward darker skies in Faxafloi Bay, with viewing possible from three panoramic deck areas plus a warm onboard bar and lounge.

I love how the layout gives you real options for standing, sitting, and photographing. I also like the comfort touches, like warm blankets and sea sickness tablets, so you can stay out longer without suffering.

One thing to plan around: northern lights are never guaranteed. If clouds roll in or the aurora stays faint, you may get only brief glimpses.

Key things that make this yacht tour work so well

• Three panoramic deck zones for better sightlines and photo angles
• A warm bar and lounge inside when the wind bites
• Blankets and sea sickness tablets included for comfort at sea
• A guide who helps you spot the aurora and improve photos with camera and phone tips
• Time on the water away from city glow, sailing among Faxafloi Bay islands and along Reykjavik’s coast
• Free rebook if the lights do not show, so a cloudy night is not always the end of the story

Reykjavik Old Harbor to Faxafloi Bay: why the route matters

This cruise starts in Reykjavik’s Old Harbor area, where you check in at the Old Harbour House (Aegisgardur 2, 101 Reykjavík). From there, the yacht heads out through Faxafloi Bay and along Reykjavik’s coastline, then gradually moves away from the city lights. That is not just scenery, it is the whole point.

Aurora hunting is a lighting game. City glow, headlamps, and bright shore lights can wash out faint curtains of color. By putting you on the water and taking you farther from Reykjavik, the tour improves your odds of seeing stronger green arcs or pinkish-white highlights when the sky wakes up.

You also get a calm, “out on the bay” vibe rather than being stacked in a bus line. The yacht setting matters when you are out for a slow-moving natural show. People tend to settle in, watch the horizon for changes, and then swap between decks without the stress of constant crowd movement.

Three viewing decks, real photo options, and a less cramped feel

The best part of this tour is how it is designed for watching the aurora. You are not stuck in one spot. The yacht offers three panoramic deck areas, so you can pick where you want to stand or sit depending on wind, cloud cover, and how active the sky looks.

That flexibility helps in two ways:

1. If the aurora is faint at first, you can keep your eyes on the horizon while repositioning for a clearer view.
2. If the lights intensify, you can move closer to an area with better sightlines for photography.

Many guests also highlight that the boat feels less packed than larger mega-boat setups. Even when the viewing decks get busy, you are still able to find a workable rhythm, warm up inside, then rejoin the outside watch. That makes a big difference on a night when you might spend 30 to 90 minutes with your eyes moving between sky and horizon.

For photos, the deck layout is especially helpful. One guest noted that the lights can shift and dance across the sky, so having more than one angle matters. Another guest described how you might still get good shots, even if the sea makes it harder to hold the phone steady, because you can change positions and try again.

Inside comfort: the bar and lounge that keep your night going

On a cold aurora cruise, comfort is not a luxury. It is what keeps you outside long enough to catch the show when it finally appears.

This yacht has a bar and lounge area inside, with a space where you can sit and warm up between bursts of aurora activity. Comfort items are included, including warm blankets. There are also sea sickness tablets included for anyone who needs them.

Then there is the simple, practical comfort of warm drinks. Several guests mention hot chocolate on board, including versions with Baileys. You can also buy drinks from the bar, but the included warm-up options help you avoid the feeling that you have to freeze for the full two hours.

One more detail that is easy to overlook until you need it: people mention toilet facilities on board. On a short, two-hour cruise, that is still a big deal for keeping things smooth, especially if you are traveling with older family members.

What you will actually do during the two hours

The tour is built around the reality that aurora timing is unpredictable. You are out on the bay, scanning the sky, waiting for the colors to grow more obvious.

Here is how the experience typically plays out in a way that will help you mentally prepare:

• You board at the Old Harbour House area and head away from the densest city lights.
• The crew and guide start spotting. You often get the first signs as a change near the horizon rather than instant fireworks.
• When aurora activity appears, you spend time watching as it moves in waves, sometimes strengthening for a stretch, then dimming.
• You rotate between decks and the indoor lounge as needed to manage cold and fatigue.
• At the end, you sail back toward the harbor, usually with everyone grateful you stayed ready long enough.

A few guests also mention extra marine sightings during the cruise, like whales appearing while you are out offshore. That is not something to count on, but it is a nice reminder that the bay can surprise you even when you came for the aurora.

Guides, spotting tips, and photo help that can save your pictures

On a good northern lights cruise, the guide does two jobs: help you find the lights faster, and help you record them.

English-language live guidance is part of the experience. Guests often praise the way the guide explains aurora behavior in plain terms. You are not just told to look up. You learn what you are likely to see, how the lights can come in waves, and how to adjust your expectations when clouds shift.

Photo help also comes up often. A guest described the guide walking through how to adjust phone settings for better aurora photos. Another guest mentioned camera phone settings changes to get a better result, and staff even stepping in to help with photos during the active moments.

One practical lesson that comes through clearly: even if the aurora is not blaring green curtains right away, you might see faint glow or a thin line at first. Staying patient and knowing what counts as a start improves your experience a lot.

Also watch the way guides manage people on deck. One guest mentioned the guide alerting passengers when new activity was coming and guiding people on where to stand and when to move out. If you are the type who gets cold fast or worries about missing the moment, that guidance is reassuring.

Drinks, Wi-Fi, and what is worth buying versus saving

The bar and lounge is part of the experience, but it is not only about alcohol. Drinks are available for purchase, and the included setup still makes it easy to stay comfortable.

Wi-Fi is included on board. That means you can share your first photo, pull up aurora photo settings guides if you want, or simply message home without burning through your mobile data plan.

What you should bring your brain to the bar with is moderation and purpose. The tour is short. The biggest win is stepping outside for each burst of aurora, then returning inside for warmth. If you treat the bar as a second home base, you will lose valuable seconds under the sky.

If you do plan to buy a drink, hot chocolate is repeatedly mentioned as a crowd favorite for a reason. It is warm, it feels like a real Iceland winter treat, and it makes the deck watch more doable.

Weather reality: when the aurora is faint or clouds win

Northern lights tours live and die by the sky. The tour does not promise you will see strong aurora every time, and that is honest.

What is useful is how the experience handles disappointment. The info you are given is that viewings are not guaranteed, and if the lights are not seen, you may be able to reschedule for free with the provider. Multiple guests describe cases where the first attempt was clouded or aurora was too faint, then a rebook later resulted in a proper display.

That matters for your planning because it changes how you think about your Iceland days. If you are only in Reykjavik for a very short time, you can still book, but you should understand that the night is a gamble. If you can schedule an extra attempt on another evening, you give yourself a better shot.

One drawback that shows up in cold weather: even if the boat is comfortable inside, you will still want time outside. Guests mention that the deck can get crowded when activity is expected, and there can be times when people stay outside longer because they do not want to miss it. Translation: dress for standing outside, even if you plan to warm up frequently.

What to pack so you enjoy the deck instead of rushing inside

This is a two-hour cruise, so you do not need a huge kit. You do need the right basics.

Bring:

• Warm clothing in layers. Think base layer, insulating layer, and a windproof outer layer.
• Comfortable shoes you can stand in on a moving deck.
• A camera, and if you use a phone, be ready to adjust settings.
• Something for cold hands, like gloves, even though the tour provides blankets.

A key practical tip from guest experiences: it can feel extremely cold on deck. One guest described minus temperatures and advised heavy layering. Even if it is not that cold on your night, Iceland winters can turn a “quick look up” into a numb-fingers situation fast.

If you tend to feel motion sickness, take advantage of the included sea sickness tablets instead of toughing it out.

Price and value: is $93 per person fair for what you get?

At about $93 per person for a two-hour cruise, this is not the cheapest way to chase the aurora. But it also is not trying to be. Yacht tours cost more than standard bus trips because you are paying for the boat experience, the deck space, and the onboard comfort setup.

Here is what you are getting for the price:

• A guided northern lights cruise
• Warm blankets and sea sickness tablets included
• Wi-Fi on board
• English live guide
• Three panoramic deck areas plus a bar and lounge inside
• Hotel pickup is optional if you select it
• Drinks not included, but available to buy

The value angle is simple. If you care about comfort, viewing angles, and not being stuck in a crowded platform, the yacht layout justifies the cost. If you are purely chasing the cheapest option, you might choose a bus. But if you want a more controlled, calmer experience, this price often feels like a fair trade.

And if the lights do not show, the potential free reschedule can change the math. That is the kind of safety net you really feel when you are already in Iceland and the sky does what it wants.

Who should book this northern lights yacht cruise

I think this tour is a strong match if:

• You want better viewing comfort than a long bus ride or packed outdoor viewing.
• You like the idea of multiple deck angles for photos.
• You appreciate a guided experience with photo help, not just a vague instruction to look up.
• You are traveling as a couple, with friends, or with family members who will benefit from indoor warmth and short time commitments.

It is also a good choice if you value the vibe of Old Harbor and want an evening plan that feels like part of the trip, not just a transfer to somewhere else.

Should you book the Reykjavik Northern Lights yacht tour?

If you have one clear priority in Iceland evenings, this is a very reasonable way to chase it. The strengths are practical, not flashy: three panoramic deck areas, a real warm indoor lounge, included blankets and sea sickness help, plus a guide who can explain what to look for and how to photograph it.

Book this if you can handle dressing warmly and you accept that the aurora is not guaranteed. If you can be flexible, the ability to reschedule for free when lights are not seen makes it even easier to justify.

Only second-guess it if you hate cold wind and cannot tolerate standing outside at all, because even with indoor warmth, the best aurora moments usually happen up on deck.