Recently Viewed
Northern Lights Cruise: Unique Reykjavik Experience with Expert Guide
3.9
313 Ratings
Reykjavík
Embark on a unique Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik and witness the mesmerizing aurora borealis away from city lights. Learn about the myths and scientific phenomena from an expert guide.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Special Tours - Board a comfortable viewing boat and sail out from Reykjavik’s coast toward Faxaflói Bay to begin your once-in-a-lifetime northern lights experience.
The northern lights (aurora borealis) create a natural light formation in the sky in the Arctic’s upper atmosphere, about 50 miles (80 km) high. The overwhelming appearance was named by the French philosopher Pierre Gassendi after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god of the north wind, Boreas.
Your expert guide will tell you all about the fascinating and beautiful northern lights, including the folklore and superstition behind them, as well as the underlying scientific facts that make this magical light show possible. Admire the stellar lights from the luxurious and cozy viewing area and warm yourself up with hot coffee, tea and chocolate and light refreshments (refreshments on own expense).
What's Included
- Free photography assistance from crew members
- Complimentary tour photos available for download
- Thermal overalls provided in all sizes
- Access to free WiFi and warm indoor seating
- New Special Tours App in multiple languages
- Free retry-ticket if no sightings occur on the tour
What's Not Included
- Food and drink (can be purchased on board)
- Hotel transfers (can be added for an additional fee)
Additional Information
Experience the mesmerizing northern lights, otherwise known as aurora borealis, aboard a cozy cruise embarking from Reykjavik. Step away from Iceland’s coastline to witness this natural marvel, detached from the city’s illumination. Embark on a unique lifetime journey as you gain insights into the legends and scientific aspects of the lights from your proficient local guide.
- Subject to favorable weather conditions.
- If cancelled due to inclement weather you will be given the option to reschedule or receive a full refund (if you have not joined the tour previously). If conditions to see the lights still look good, but sea conditions are poor, you will be offered a Northern Lights by Bus tour instead. Please note that the coach tour is the same price as the boat tour, and therefore if you choose to join the coach tour in these circumstances, a refund will not be offered.
- If you join the tour and there are no sightings you will get another ticket to join on the next available day. No refund if you have already been on the tours and used the service. This offer does not expire and can also be used in a few years.
- Hotel pick up: Available to book directly with supplier (Extra Fees Apply).
Location
Special Tours
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.9
(313 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Starpar6
May 8, 2024
Amazing experience - The northern lights cruise was nice! The boat was comfortable and we learned a lot about the lights. We did not see the lights the first time going, so we were given the chance to try again for free. Second time we saw them!
We are so glad we saw them especially given the time we went. There’s less of a chance in April, but the guides had hawk eyes and looked for any type of action for us. So happy with the tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Frances_b
Mar 31, 2024
Dancing lights in Reykjavík. - I had wanted to go and see the Northern Lights for ages. The challenge was to find a way to do this without having to freeze for hours driving around without access to a bathroom.
The boat tour was a perfect solution- 2 hours long and access to warmth and amenities throughout.
Some aspects of seeing the lights are down to luck. We were very lucky! We sailed slowly out into the harbour and almost immediately, there was an arc of lights above us, like a pale green rainbow. As we sailed on, further away from the shore, the lights grew stronger, eventually waving and dancing, a beautiful green curtain across the sky.
The lights we saw were spectacular and completely visible to the naked eye.
A true lifelong memory!
Review provided by Viator
Daniel
Mar 28, 2024
Informative and enjoyable boat tour - After trying to find the northern lights ourselves, we decided to bite the bullet and purchase the tour.
On the first night, although we did see a weak sighting, they decided that we would be able to come back another day free of charge, and we attended the following day. Our second visit was much more successful than the first night with plenty of sightings and even a couple of strong arches.
The staff aboard the boats both nights were kind, informative, and very helpful - teaching all on board how and why the lights form, what each country’s ancestors believed they were, and were very accommodating for all levels (children and adults).
Aboard the boats, there were hot and cold beverages, as well as snacks to keep us busy in between sightings.
If you are lucky to see some lights on the tour, you don’t need to worry about taking photos yourself if you’d rather focus on the moment - the staff take photos and upload them for you to download free of charge.
Overall, it was a really good experience and we’re all glad we chose to head out on the hunt with this company!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
282christopherk
Mar 14, 2024
Excellent Tour and Guide - Great boat and guides. Excellent tour with a great viewing of the Northern Lights. Would do again! Did a great job finding and explaining the Lights.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y2554lwangelaw
Mar 12, 2024
AMAZING !!! - AMAZING Northern Lights !! 2 hours cruise with Andrea along the coast line.
A very excisting tour.
Many thanks to Mother Nature and the Team of Special Tours :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrewmn8498fp
Mar 12, 2024
Spectacular!!! - This cruise was the highlight of out trip to Iceland. Of course, we lucked out that the northern lights were especially active that night, but the woman who narrated the experience on the boat was exceptional in her attention to the sky, where to look, and when to look. She likes her job and it shows. In contrast to this tour, the next night we took a bus trip leaving at ten p.m. with the purpose of seeing the Lights. The person who monitored that tour could not hold candle to the woman on our boat tour. This just shows how important the tour guide is and how he or she affects the customer's experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sunnyday118
Feb 20, 2024
Northern lights cruise - Unfortunately no lights on this trip, but they offer you a free trip on another visit. Returning this spring when they do not do northern lights trips but they were happy to substitute a whale watch cruise. the customer service was awesome. can't wait to return to Iceland
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oren12
Mar 12, 2024
Missed it , no transportation from hotel. - The boat seats were not comfortable , and we were very tiered . So we fell asleep inside and did not watch the northern lights after all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
E8369badanielab
May 8, 2024
Very disappointing - We went on the northern lights boat tour but it was very disappointing. There was a VERY SMALL glare of what could be considered as a northern light at the beginning of the tour and lasted around 2 minutes. After this, there was nothing else all night and with the 2 minutes of almost invisible light, they declared the tour successful and wouldn’t offer a reschedule for another day. They said that the tour would last 2-3 hours but at 2 hours exactly, we were parked in the port again regardless of the fact that we hadn’t seen almost anything. It takes some time to get away from the city lights and to get back so the time you really have to see an aurora is too short. They don’t really mind about customer satisfaction, and if you get to spot the lights or not, just marking the tour as successful for them. Luckily we had done other tours the nights before (bus tours with other companies) and were able to see amazing lights. The other companies guides were passionate about chasing the lights and that we had a good experience, looked for good spots and waited patiently as is needed to see the lights. I would not recommend a boat tour and I would not recommend the company. We also wrote an email the next day and their answer was rude.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G7308cfbrittanys
Mar 21, 2024
not great - The office staff was not very welcoming or friendly. We did a whale watching tour and a northern lights tour. The whale watching was okay. But honesly I would not book a northern lights boat tour. Your moving to much to take pictures bc you are on a boat. All the photos come out blurry it was honestly a waste of money and time. The whale watching tour was over way overcrowded. We got shoved constantly to the point that we went back inside instead of staying out on one of the decks because of being shoved there just wasnt enough room to move around and see the whales. This company worries more about making money from its tourists then providing good experiences. I would go with another tour company. The only good thing I will say is the guy that was on both on tours on the boat was very friendly and helpful.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
