Hunt the aurora on moving ice-gray water. This 2.5-hour Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik gives you a real shot at dark-sky viewing in Faxafloi Bay, plus a guide who explains what’s going on beyond the myths. I especially like that you get thermal overalls (so you skip the expensive gear hunt) and that the company takes photos on every trip. The main drawback to plan for: the boats can run full, so deck space can feel tight when everyone wants the same perfect view.

On board, you get heated indoor seating and free WiFi, which matters more than it sounds when the wind picks up. You’ll also get help with photography, and the staff do their best to keep the mood upbeat even when the aurora is late to the party. In past departures, guides have been singled out for being very chatty and informative, including Lukas.

One more reality check: the Northern Lights aren’t guaranteed. If weather and sea conditions don’t cooperate, you may be rescheduled or offered an alternate option, and if the lights stay hidden, you can try again with the free next-day ticket.

Key highlights worth knowing before you go

• Faxafloi Bay location: you’re cruising out from Reykjavík to a darker pocket for better viewing.
• Thermal overalls included: warm and practical, in children’s sizes too.
• Heated indoor seating + free WiFi: comfort while you wait for the sky to do its thing.
• Photos taken every tour: you can download the pictures at no extra charge.
• Free retry if no sightings: you can rejoin on another available day.
• Crew photography help: if you’re struggling, you can ask onboard for assistance.

Faxafloi Bay: why this cruise helps you see more sky

This tour is built around a simple idea: the darker the sky, the better your chances. You start in Reykjavík and then sail into Faxafloi Bay, moving away from the worst of city light pollution. Even if the aurora is active, faint bands and wispy motion are hard to notice under bright light, so getting out on the water actually makes a difference.

The vibe out there is part sightseeing, part stargazing practice. You’ll be on deck when conditions allow, and you can step back inside when you need a break from wind and cold. That rhythm helps because aurora hunting is not a steady, predictable show. Sometimes it appears fast; sometimes it teases you and waits.

Also, you’re not just chasing the lights blindly. Your guide provides context on what you’re seeing, including separating scientific explanations from folklore. That turns the experience from a guessing game into something you can understand in real time, which I think makes the waiting more enjoyable.

A typical evening flow on the water (and what you’re doing at each stage)

The cruise runs about 2 hours 30 minutes. You meet at Special Tours in Reykjavík (Geirsgata 11), then get boarded and underway. From there, the evening usually follows this pattern.

First, you gear up. You’ll put on the thermal overalls before you spend long periods outside. This is one of the smartest parts of the whole tour. In cold, windy weather, it’s not just “warmth” you need. It’s staying warm enough that you can focus on watching the sky and not just surviving the next five minutes.

Next comes the aurora briefing. Your guide talks through how the Northern Lights form and why they look the way they do. You’ll also hear local myths and then get a clear scientific explanation that sorts fact from fiction. It’s a good mix because Iceland has story traditions, and it’s fun to hear them—then still come away with real-world science.

After that, you watch and wait. You can spend time on deck stargazing, or you can sit in the heated viewing area with a hot drink. Refreshments are available for purchase onboard, so you’re not stuck without options if you want something warmer than what you brought.

Finally, you return. The tour ends back at the meeting point. If you added hotel drop-off, that’s included as an option—otherwise you’ll finish where you started.

Thermal overalls, heated rooms, and the comfort factor that saves the night

Let’s talk warmth, because this is Iceland. The company includes thermal overalls for adults, and children’s sizes are available too. This is the “why this tour is worth the price” piece for a lot of people. In Reykjavík, you can spend a small fortune trying to piece together proper winter gear. Here, you get the most important item for free.

Indoors, you’ll have heated seating, and free WiFi is part of the package. WiFi sounds minor until you’re on hour two, your phone battery is dying, and you want to message someone before the sky changes. Even without using it for much, it helps the whole experience feel less like you’re just trapped outside hoping for luck.

On deck, you’ll still feel the weather. Some nights get windier, and the boat motion can be noticeable at speed. That’s not a flaw in the tour so much as a reminder that you’re on the sea. If you’re sensitive to choppy conditions, plan to spend more time inside between sightings.

Also keep in mind that boat size and layout may affect comfort. Some accounts describe feeling tight on smaller or busier boats, while other departures have had a good amount of seating on the lower deck. Either way, the heated space is your safety valve.

Your guide and the aurora talk: myths plus real science

One of the most praised parts of this cruise is the guide work. You’re not just handed binoculars and told good luck. You’ll hear local myths and then get explanations grounded in what’s actually happening in Earth’s atmosphere.

That matters for two reasons. First, it helps you recognize aurora behavior. You start to understand why you might see curtains, waves, or sudden arcs across the sky instead of a single steady glow. Second, it keeps the experience from feeling like wasted time if the lights don’t show right away. When the guide is good, the waiting still feels purposeful.

You can also count on photography guidance. Crew members can help with taking pictures onboard, and the guide explains where to look and how to aim for better results. In multiple accounts, staff were proactive about helping people capture the moment, especially once the aurora appears.

In at least one mention, guide Lukas was called out as particularly great. I like that because it signals consistency: the tour isn’t only about transport and gear. The storytelling and practical tips are part of the product.

Photos included: how you get more than a memory

You don’t have to rely only on your own camera skills. The tour includes pictures taken on every tour, available to download free of charge. That’s a real help if you’re shaking from cold, struggling to frame a moving sky, or learning your camera’s low-light behavior on the fly.

The crew can also help with photography while you’re onboard. If you’re traveling solo or you don’t trust your ability to manage long exposures while holding a phone in a chilly deck environment, that extra hand matters.

One more thing I took from accounts: aurora can look subtle to the naked eye. In some conditions, you may see more through your camera than with your own eyes. So if you care about photos, bring a camera you’re comfortable using and keep it ready when the lights show up.

And yes, sometimes you’ll catch the aurora right near the end of the cruise. In those moments, the staff’s job becomes helping people stay focused and keep shooting instead of packing up early.

What if you don’t see the lights: the free retry safety net

The Northern Lights are weather-dependent. Cloud cover, rain, and fog can shut down viewing fast, even if the solar activity is decent.

The good news here is the free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour. If you get skunked one night, you can join again on the next available day. That offer doesn’t expire, and you can use it even years later if you’re still around for another Northern Lights window.

There’s also a second weather layer: if the lights are possible but sea conditions are poor, you may be offered a Northern Lights by Bus alternative instead of the boat. The bus option is described as the same price as the boat in those cases, and refund handling can differ based on the option you chose. Practically, that means it’s worth checking what you booked, so you understand what your fallback really is.

If the cruise itself is canceled due to inclement weather, you’ll generally be given the choice to reschedule or get a full refund, as long as you haven’t already joined previously.

Price and value: what you’re really paying for at about $108

At $108.13 per person for roughly 2.5 hours, this can feel like a splurge until you break down what’s included.

You’re not just paying for a boat ride. You’re paying for:

• Thermal overalls (a big winter cost saver)
• Heated indoor seating (so the experience stays tolerable)
• Free WiFi
• Photos taken on every tour
• A free retry if you don’t see the aurora

Then there’s the guide experience. Even when people don’t see the lights, they often describe the evening as informative and well organized, especially when the guide keeps things moving and explains both the science and the stories.

The value equation is strongest if you’re:

• In Reykjavík for a short time and want a structured plan
• Don’t already have proper cold-weather gear
• Want a realistic chance at aurora spotting without driving around in the dark for hours

The value equation is weaker if you hate being on boats, absolutely want lots of deck space, or are already extremely confident navigating the aurora on your own with zero help.

Space, crowds, and seasickness: the practical reality on a busy night

This tour has a maximum size of 198 travelers. On a great aurora night, that can mean a full boat and crowded viewing areas. Some accounts describe limited room outside, which is understandable because everyone wants to face the same direction when the lights appear.

Also, the deck can be hard to manage if the wind rises. Motion matters. Some people describe it as fine; others mention feeling cramped or even a bit unsettled when boats rocked due to speed or weather. If you’re prone to seasickness, consider bringing motion-sickness support and be ready to spend more time in heated areas between sightings.

Boat layout can also change your comfort. One account praised a good-size boat with plenty of seating downstairs, while another described a smaller, cramped boat feeling less like what they expected. That suggests you may have variability in the vessel assigned that night.

My advice: treat this as a night outdoors-adjacent activity. Even with comfort features, you’re still going to feel like you’re on the ocean in winter.

Who this tour suits best (and who should think twice)

This cruise fits best if you want:

• An aurora experience that mixes warmth, guidance, and photos
• A plan that does not rely on you driving around chasing clouds
• A safety net for a no-sighting night via the free retry

It’s also a good match for people who want a more guided, calmer experience than a DIY aurora chase. You’ll still get the thrill of the sky, but with a structure that keeps you warm and informed.

Think twice if:

• You’re highly sensitive to boat motion
• You need lots of open deck space no matter the conditions
• You expect the aurora to appear on schedule

If you want a purely guaranteed show, no aurora tour in Iceland can promise that. What you can get is the best chance, and this one focuses on comfort plus a strong viewing location.

Should you book this Northern Lights cruise?

If you’re doing Reykjavík in winter and you want a practical, organized shot at the aurora, I’d book this. The biggest reason is the package value: thermal overalls, heated seating, and free photos reduce the usual frustrations of chasing the Northern Lights. Add the free retry and you’re not walking away after one cloudy night.

But book with the right mindset. Aurora viewing is luck plus timing plus weather. The best outcome is you see the lights clearly and get photos with help from the crew. The second-best outcome is you stay warm, learn what’s happening, and return another night with a free ticket.

If you tell me your travel dates and whether you’re more prone to cold or seasickness, I can help you decide if the boat is the best format—or if a land-based plan might make you happier.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik?

It runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes.

What’s included with the ticket besides the boat ride?

The tour includes thermal overalls (available in children’s sizes), free WiFi, heated indoor seating, photos taken on every tour with free download, and the chance to join again for free if no lights are seen.

Is the cruise in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You’ll meet at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland.

Do I need to buy food or drinks during the cruise?

Food and drink are not included, but they can be purchased onboard.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel drop-off is available if you select that option, but hotel transfers are not included by default.

What happens if the weather makes it impossible to cruise?

If canceled due to inclement weather, you’ll be offered the option to reschedule or receive a full refund (if you haven’t already joined the tour previously). If the sea conditions are poor but lights viewing is still possible, you may be offered a Northern Lights by Bus option instead.

What if the aurora isn’t visible on my night?

If you don’t spot the lights, you can join again for free on the next available day. This offer does not expire.

What’s the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 198 travelers.