The night sky over Reykjavík is doing a lot of the work here. You’ll cruise Faxaflói Bay and stack the odds for the Northern Lights while watching the city light up around Harpa and Hallgrímskirkja. Two things I really like are the heated indoor saloon with toilets (comfort counts on cold nights) and the warm overalls plus gear like raincoats and blankets so you can actually go outside to look.

One thing to keep in mind: the Northern Lights are never guaranteed by human plans, even with a weather-checking guide and a sighting guarantee. If your main goal is Northern Lights photos, this boat ride can make sharp images tricky because the vessel moves.

Key highlights at a glance

• Heated indoor saloon with ample seats and toilets, plus viewing decks when you feel brave
• Warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets so you can stay outside to watch
• Reykjavík skyline views from the water, including Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja
• Imagine Peace Tower beam during October to December when it’s lit
• Naturalist guide who keeps things moving with information and calls out when lights begin
• Sighting guarantee (or try again for free) if the lights don’t show during your outing

Faxaflói Bay Cruise: Why the Boat Beats the Shore

There’s a simple reason this works: you get away from city glow and give your eyes a darker sky. On this route you’re out on the water in Faxaflói Bay, looking up with Reykjavík’s lights behind you instead of blasting into your view.

What I like is that it’s not just a cold ride with a vague hope. The guide and captain check the weather and forecast before you go to optimize your chances, and the guide helps you know when to look harder. You’re not left guessing.

Also, you’re seeing two things at once. Even if the lights are shy, you still get that moment where Reykjavík turns into a glowing outline over the bay.

Leaving Reykjavík Old Harbour from Ægisgarður 5

You meet at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík. The dock area is the kind of place where you’ll feel the cold right away, so plan to bundle up before you arrive—then you can relax once you’re on board.

The cruise is run by Elding Adventure at Sea, and the crew level matters on Northern Lights tours. The most consistent praise is about the team being friendly and professional, which is exactly what you want when you’re waiting in the dark.

One practical note: there’s no hotel pickup included in the base price. If you’re staying farther from the Old Harbour, you’ll want to factor in getting yourself there on time (or pay extra if you choose pickup through the operator).

The 2.5-Hour Flow: What Happens After You Cast Off

This is a 2.5-hour cruise, and the timing is built around two phases: light viewing and city viewing.

After boarding, you sail out into Faxaflói Bay for the night-sky search. As you move away from the dock, you’ll start to notice how the skyline frames the bay—especially when Reykjavík’s main landmarks are lit up. You’re not just chasing lights; you’re also getting a moving panorama.

Then, during October to December, the route includes time to sail by the Imagine Peace Tower when it’s lit. After that, you keep searching out over the water, with your guide actively watching and guiding your attention once the lights start.

If this sounds too structured for something as chaotic as auroras, that’s the point. The sky is random, but the experience shouldn’t be.

Warm Overalls and a Heated Cabin You’ll Actually Use

Cold nights can make you miserable fast, even if you’re excited. This tour helps by providing warm overalls, plus raincoats and blankets. You borrow them on board, and that changes the whole comfort level of a Northern Lights cruise.

Even better, there’s a heated indoor saloon with ample seats and toilets. That means you can step inside when your hands start to complain. Then you can return to the outside decks for clear views without feeling like you’re signing up for a suffering contest.

The boat also has open viewing platforms, so you’re not stuck staring through glass. You’ll likely do a lot of switching—outside for the sky, inside to warm up and regroup.

Reykjavík Sights from the Water: Harpa and Hallgrímskirkja

This cruise gives you that best-of-both-worlds angle: architecture lit at night, with the sea acting like a dark stage for it.

As you sail, you get views of:

• Harpa Concert Hall
• Hallgrímskirkja

From the water, Harpa’s geometry tends to look crisp because there’s less glare than you’d get from standing too close onshore. Hallgrímskirkja’s silhouette also reads clearly against the darker bay background.

You also get the general Reykjavík shoreline effect: a glittering mix of warm windows and streetlights fading into the night. It’s a nice reminder that even on nights when auroras are faint, you’re still traveling through a real city view—not just waiting for a single moment.

Imagine Peace Tower (Oct–Dec): A Beam You Can Plan Around

From October to December, the Imagine Peace Tower is lit and the cruise sails by it so you can see the beam. That’s one of the easiest “extra value” features on the itinerary because it’s not just atmospheric—it’s a specific illuminated landmark.

If you’re traveling in those months, this small detour matters. It turns the cruise into more than a sky hunt. You’re also seeing a piece of Iceland’s nighttime visual culture from the water, with Reykjavík’s lights and the bay giving it a strong setting.

Northern Lights Reality Check: Odds, the Guide, and the Deck

Let’s talk about expectations, because Northern Lights tours are where optimism meets physics.

The guide and captain check the forecast before the cruise to improve your chances. Once you’re out on the water, your guide keeps things practical and calls out when the Northern Lights begin. That kind of “watch now” guidance matters when the lights are faint at first.

But nothing in nature is guaranteed. The good news is that you’re protected a bit: the tour includes a sighting guarantee (or try again for free) if the lights don’t show during your outing.

One more thing I’d trust from the tour notes: the crew handles real-time safety and comfort well. When conditions are cold and you’re on a moving boat, getting simple instructions right is more important than fancy speeches.

Photo Tips on a Moving Boat: Useful, but Not Easy

If you want photos, you’ll want to bring patience.

This tour is not recommended for people who are especially hoping to photograph the Northern Lights, and that’s fair. From a boat, the vessel’s motion can make sharp images harder, and auroras don’t always cooperate with camera settings.

That said, the crew can still help you make the most of what you get. I’ve seen mention of guidance on camera settings and practical help during the cruise, which is exactly what you want if you’re still learning how to shoot the night sky.

Plan your priorities like this:

• If you mainly want to see the lights with your own eyes, this cruise is a strong bet.
• If you want Instagram-grade aurora photos, you should adjust expectations and be ready for imperfect results.

On-Board Café: Hot Drinks to Keep You Comfortable

You can warm up with hot drinks and snacks from the onboard café. What’s included is comfort gear and the guide, but other refreshments are not included, so budget a little extra if you want drinks during the sailing.

This is a small thing, but it helps you stay focused. A warm cup can make the wait feel shorter, especially if you’re taking breaks between outside viewing sessions.

Price and Value: Is $111 a Fair Deal?

At $111 per person for a 2.5-hour cruise, you’re paying for a package that blends several things you’d otherwise have to cobble together:

• time on the water for darker-sky viewing
• heated indoor space plus toilets
• warm overalls, raincoats, and blankets
• a naturalist guide who enhances what you’re seeing
• a sighting guarantee with the option to try again if the lights don’t appear

That’s the value equation. You’re not just buying a seat on a boat—you’re buying gear, guidance, and structure. When you consider how quickly cold can shut down a night out, the included warmth kit can feel like part of what you’re really paying for.

What’s not included is equally clear: other refreshments (so plan for café spending if you want hot drinks).

Who This Cruise Suits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)

This is a great match if you:

• want a comfortable Northern Lights outing without freezing in place
• care about seeing Reykjavík’s night skyline from the bay
• travel during October to December and want the Imagine Peace Tower beam added in
• like having a naturalist guide instead of just drifting with the crowd

You might want a plan B (or manage expectations carefully) if you:

• are mainly focused on Northern Lights photography and need sharp, high-control results
• hate boat movement enough that even the heated cabin break won’t fix the vibe

If you’re flexible and want the whole experience—lights plus city views—this cruise is built for you.

Should You Book This Reykjavík Northern Lights Cruise?

If you’re going to Iceland and you want one night that’s actively set up for auroras, I’d book this. The combination of heated comfort, warm overalls, and a guide who keeps calling out what matters makes the waiting time feel more worthwhile.

I also like that you’re not banking everything on one outcome. With the sighting guarantee (or try again for free), you’re not walking away feeling like you rolled the dice on luck alone.

Just be honest about what you want from the night:

• For viewing and atmosphere: this is a strong choice.
• For serious aurora photography: it might still help, but it’s not the most reliable setup for crisp images.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavík Northern Lights cruise?

The cruise lasts 2.5 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at the Elding Whale Watching boat in Reykjavík Old Harbour, Ægisgarður 5, 101 Reykjavík.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is available for an extra charge.

What warmth and clothing is provided on board?

You’ll be provided with warm overalls, plus raincoats and blankets.

Is there a guarantee you’ll see the Northern Lights?

Yes. The tour includes a sighting guarantee, or you can try again for free.

What happens if the Northern Lights don’t appear?

If they don’t appear, the tour offers another night free of charge (via the sighting guarantee).

Is there an indoor heated area?

Yes. There’s a heated indoor saloon with ample seats and toilets.

Can I see landmarks like Harpa and Hallgrímskirkja?

Yes. The cruise includes views of Reykjavík’s illuminated shoreline, including Harpa Concert Hall and Hallgrímskirkja.

When can I see the Imagine Peace Tower?

The Imagine Peace Tower can be admired on the cruise when it’s lit, which is October to December.

Is the tour good for photographing the Northern Lights?

It can be challenging. Photographing the Northern Lights requires some skill, and this tour is not recommended if you’re especially hoping to photograph them.