Two sights, one cold-weather evening. In Reykjavik, you start with a 6-course dinner at Kopar in the Old Harbour, then you head out for a Northern Lights cruise with onboard commentary and warm coveralls.

I really like that the Kopar’s Adventure Menu turns dinner into a set-piece Iceland night, not just another meal. I also like that the cruise is built for comfort with warm coveralls plus guidance on what you are actually looking at in the sky.

The main drawback is the aurora lottery: if the weather turns cloudy or rainy, the lights can stay elusive.

Key things to know before you go

• Two-part evening, minimal downtime: dinner first, then a quick hop over for your boat check-in.
• A real set menu: 6 courses can be filling; a take-away box is a common need.
• Warm gear is part of the deal: coveralls are provided for the time on deck.
• You are learning while you wait: onboard commentary and video help you read the sky.
• Lights are not guaranteed: the operator’s process can include a free retry when skies do not cooperate.

How this two-in-one Reykjavik night actually runs

This is a 5-hour-ish outing that stacks two Reykjavik highlights back-to-back: a gourmet dinner at Kopar, then a Northern Lights cruise. The dinner is about 3 hours, followed by a cruise that’s listed as 2 hours in the stop details and 2.5 hours in the included details—either way, you are planning for a long sit-up meal plus a couple cold-weather hours on the water.

The flow is also very practical. You begin at Kopar (Geirsgata 3). Dinner happens first at the Old Harbour restaurant, and once you are done, you head to the Special Tours Ticket Office at Geirsgata 11, which is about a minute walk from Kopar. That short distance matters. In Iceland winter, every saved minute is one less minute standing around.

The group size is small on paper—maximum 6 travelers—which is a nice comfort factor for a dinner setting. On the cruise side, expect that the boat can be a shared harbor-style vessel. One guest described it as a larger boat with around 75 passengers. So if you hate crowds, plan on being in a bigger mix on the water, even if your overall booking is small.

Kopar at the Old Harbour: what the 6-course dinner feels like

Kopar is the kind of place you book when you care about food. Your dinner is a 6-course set menu tied to Kopar’s Adventure Menu, and it is specifically included. Drinks are not included, so if you like wine pairings or cocktails, budget extra.

What you might eat (and why it matters)

The menu changes by season and theme, but the dishes you see in the wild give you a real sense of what the kitchen is doing: balancing rich seafood and meat with Iceland ingredients and playful presentation. In past servings from this exact concept, diners have listed courses such as goose soup, smoked arctic char, blueberry-cured salmon, lightly salted cod, and rack of lamb. Desserts have included skyr-based crème brûlée, chocolate brownie, and caramel cake variations.

You should also assume this is not light. Several people said they got stuffed by the end. One person mentioned needing a take-away box, which is a good reality check if you have a big travel day before this. The good news: bread is included at the start, which helps you settle in before the course parade begins.

Service and pacing

Most of the feedback for Kopar is strongly positive: the staff are attentive, service is friendly, and the experience feels special without being stiff. One detail that stands out is how much the view can affect the mood. Multiple diners specifically praised seating near a window over the harbor. If harbor views matter to you, ask for a window seat when you can. It’s the easiest upgrade in the whole evening.

One caution: the timing can feel tight if anything goes off-script. In one case, a diner had to send lamb cutlets back and then had to leave the restaurant before missing courses to make the boat. That is rare, but it’s your reminder to arrive hungry, but also be ready for the fact that dinner and cruise are chained together.

Dietary needs

One of the best surprises here is that Kopar can handle mixed eating styles. A guest reported the group included both vegan and non-vegans and that there were options for all. If that applies to you, don’t assume. Plan to confirm your needs during the dinner reservation process.

Northern Lights by boat: warm coveralls, smart narration, and cold reality

After dinner, you check in at the ticket office and head onto the boat. The cruise includes use of warm coveralls, plus onboard commentary and video. That sounds like standard tourism stuff, but it actually helps. When you are standing outside in the dark, you want to know what clouds look like, what aurora bands can do, and why you should keep your eyes adapted rather than checking your phone every two minutes.

Comfort on deck

Coveralls are included, and people consistently mention that they keep you cozy. At least one guest noted the suits seemed relatively new and that there were enough for everyone. Another guest warned that sizing can matter. If the smaller or bigger sizes are limited, you may feel it later. If you are between sizes, show up early so you can get the best fit.

Also: cold can still hit. One guest said they had never been colder in their life, even with coveralls. That doesn’t mean the tour is poorly run—it means winter in Reykjavik is no joke, and the deck time is real.

How far out you go

The goal is to improve your odds by positioning you away from the brightest light pollution near the harbor. Still, one diner described the boat going only about half a mile into the harbor on a cloudy night, which likely reduced their chances. The takeaway for you is simple: weather does the heavy lifting. If clouds roll in, the best boat in the world can’t fix that.

The aurora lottery and a possible free retry

Here is the uncomfortable truth—and it’s also what makes this package appealing to many people: you are paying to hunt, not to guarantee. Multiple guests said they didn’t see the lights on the first night, yet the operator’s process offered a second attempt for free. In one response, the company suggested holding your ticket and returning for another cruise when available. So even if you get skunked, you might get another shot depending on how the night plays out.

What you can do to help your odds

You can’t control cloud cover, but you can control your readiness:

• Dress warm beyond what you think you need. Coveralls help, but you will still want proper base layers.
• Stay outside on deck long enough for your eyes to adjust.
• Be patient if the guide slows down to show what to look for.

Price and logistics: is $204.24 good value for this combo?

At $204.24 per person, you are bundling two expensive-feeling items into one ticket: a 6-course fine dining dinner and a Northern Lights cruise. What makes this feel like value is the structure. You do not have to coordinate separate reservations, worry about transportation timing between dinner and the boat office, or buy separate cold-weather gear. The package includes the dinner, the cruise, coveralls, and the onboard narration/video.

What is not included is drinks at Kopar. That’s normal, but it can surprise people. If you typically order wine, beers, or cocktails with dinner, your final spend will climb.

The timing also matters for value. This is a concentrated evening that fits nicely if you want your first night in Reykjavik to be memorable. One guest even described this as a great start to their vacation.

One more logistics note: confirmation and dinner reservation. The details say you receive confirmation at booking time, but you must confirm your Kopar dinner reservation with the reception team after booking. They even provide an email contact for that: [email protected]. This is important because one negative experience came from a dinner reservation that wasn’t set up correctly until the guest called.

Practical details that can save you stress

This evening works best if you treat it like a plan, not a suggestion.

Where to go and where it ends

Your start is Kopar, Geirsgata 3 (Old Harbour area). The activity ends back at the meeting point. So you are not scrambling for the return leg late at night.

Check-in timing

Dinner is first, then you walk to the ticket office at Geirsgata 11. It’s about a minute walk from Kopar, but you still want a buffer. If dinner runs long, you are the one who pays the price in missed courses or missed boarding.

Group size reality

Maximum 6 travelers is stated for the activity. That’s a good thing for your dinner experience. On the boat, you may still be among a bigger number of people depending on the sailing.

Cold-weather readiness

This is Iceland in Northern Lights season. The information explicitly says to dress warm. You’ll have coveralls on the boat, but your under-layers, hat, and gloves (if you have them) can make the difference between fun and misery.

Service animals

Service animals are allowed. If that’s relevant to you, it’s a plus.

Who should book Kopar plus Northern Lights by boat?

Book this if you fit the profile:

• You’re a food-first traveler who wants a serious dinner in Reykjavik’s Old Harbour.
• You want a tight, efficient evening: dinner plus aurora hunting in one shot.
• You want warmth support. Coveralls are included, and the boat experience includes guidance.

You might skip it if:

• You want guaranteed Northern Lights viewing. You don’t get that in Iceland, and the cruise can be canceled or adjusted for weather.
• You hate set meals. The dinner is fixed and you are committed to the 6-course flow.

It also makes sense for mixed diets, since at least one group with vegan and non-vegans reported options. Just make sure you confirm your needs for the dinner reservation.

Should you book this tour or not?

If you want a Reykjavik evening that feels like a full experience—food that stands on its own, followed by an organized Northern Lights hunt—this is a strong pick. The biggest reason to book is that the price is doing real work: dinner, cruise, warm gear, and onboard interpretation are all included.

The decision comes down to your tolerance for the aurora uncertainty. If cloudy skies would ruin your night, then this combo might feel like money spent on what you cannot control. If you can handle that and treat it as an Iceland winter adventure—with the possibility of a free retry when the lights don’t show—then you’re likely to leave happy, even if the sky takes its sweet time.

FAQ

How long does the Kopar and Northern Lights cruise take?

It runs about 5 hours total. The dinner is about 3 hours, and the Northern Lights cruise is described as around 2 to 2.5 hours depending on the tour detail.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is Kopar at Geirsgata 3, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

Included are a 6-course dinner from Kopar’s Adventure Menu, a Northern Lights cruise (2.5 hours as listed in the included section), warm coveralls for the boat, and onboard commentary and video.

Are drinks included with dinner?

No. Drinks at Kopar are available to purchase, but they are not included in the tour price.

Do I need to confirm my dinner reservation?

Yes. Even though you receive confirmation at booking, you are asked to confirm your dinner reservation with the reception team after booking. You can contact [email protected] to confirm.

What should I wear for the boat portion?

Dress warm. The tour provides warm coveralls on the boat, but Iceland nights can still be very cold, so plan on layering.

Is there a chance to try again if I don’t see the Northern Lights?

Based on information shared in past experiences, you may be offered another chance to see the lights for free if the lights aren’t seen on your first cruise.

What happens if the cruise can’t run due to weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is this tour limited to a small group?

Yes. The activity lists a maximum of 6 travelers.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.