The sky might light up, right from the bay. This Northern Lights by Boat outing gives you warm overalls and free Wi-Fi while you scan Faxaflói Bay for the aurora. I also like the built-in weather safety net, but one drawback to plan for is how tight space can feel if the group is large and the water is choppy.

What makes this one worth your time is the promise that you will not just sit and wait. If aurora conditions are not suitable, you are automatically set up for an alternative activity at Whales of Iceland, including a short film, guided tour, and a photography-focused add-on.

It runs about 2 to 3 hours, and it sails from the Reykjavik area near Geirsgata 11. With a maximum of 198 travelers, expect a busy vibe on the dock and a bit of competition for the best deck spots when the lights start to move.

Key things to know before you go

• Warm overalls and onboard comfort: you get gear for the cold, plus restrooms, free Wi-Fi, and a snack bar on board.
• A real backup plan, not just a reroute: Whales of Iceland replaces the aurora search if conditions are not suitable.
• Free resail if the aurora is a no-show: if they cannot sail under good viewing conditions, you get a ticket to go again on the next available date.
• Photo perks: pictures are taken during the tour and you can download them free of charge.
• Photography support included: there is a short Northern Lights photography workshop as part of the backup plan.
• It can get crowded and bumpy: the boat ride can feel tight, and sea motion affects how comfortable viewing is.

From Geirsgata 11 to Faxaflói Bay: what the sailing search feels like

Your evening starts at Geirsgata 11, in central Reykjavik, and the tour returns you back to the same meeting point. The actual sail takes you out into Faxaflói Bay, which is a practical choice because it gives you open water space for sky watching without having to drive out to a remote spot.

The core idea is simple. You are not just chasing a pretty sky. You are out on the water during the hours when the aurora is most likely to be visible, with staff helping you time your viewing. That matters, because the lights are not a constant on and off switch. They can start subtly and then brighten, which changes where you want to be standing.

This is also a weather-dependent activity. Iceland can turn quickly, and the crew’s decision is about safety and viewing quality. If conditions are not suitable for seeing the northern lights, you are not left hanging. You get a different experience that still fits the theme of the night.

Onboard comfort that actually helps, overalls, Wi-Fi, and the snack bar

Cold weather tours in Iceland usually fail for one reason: people arrive underprepared. This one does a lot of the heavy lifting for you. Warm overalls are included, which means you can dress in layers without worrying that your main warmth plan is going to collapse the second the wind picks up.

On board you also get free Wi-Fi and restrooms. That sounds like a small detail until you are on a boat for a couple of hours in windy conditions, with limited options for taking breaks or checking in with your group. A snack bar is available too, and while food and drink are not included, you can purchase items onboard.

One practical note from how this sort of tour tends to run: when the lights are happening, staff will often encourage people to move to the best viewing area. That can mean less time sitting inside. So even though there is onboard comfort, you should still plan your clothing for cold deck time.

The aurora viewing strategy, where to stand when lights start moving

When the aurora starts, it is usually a moment, not a slow announcement. In the best scenarios, the lights begin around the start of boarding or early in the sailing, and the team will tell you to go up top right away. The whole point is to put you in position before the show gets better.

You should also expect that boat motion changes the experience. Some evenings can be calm, and you get a stable view. Other nights are rougher, which makes it harder to watch from inside and can be tiring if you end up standing in a tight area. If you have motion sensitivity, you will likely feel that more on this style of outing than on a car tour.

That is why the boat’s included overalls matter so much. If you are comfortable enough to stay outside for the whole run, you will catch more of the changes in the sky. The aurora often intensifies later rather than on a perfect timer, and if you are warm enough to keep scanning, you increase your odds of seeing the stronger moments.

When the aurora does not cooperate: Whales of Iceland as your Plan B

Here is the part I like most, because it respects reality. You cannot control cloud cover or sea conditions, but you can control what happens next. If the northern lights are not suitable to view, the tour switches automatically to the backup activity at Whales of Iceland.

That alternate plan includes:

• Entry to Whales of Iceland
• A Northern Lights drink included
• A short film
• A guided tour

It is not just a waiting room. It is a structured indoor experience that fits the theme of the night while you stay out of harsh weather. And if you are the kind of person who wants to learn a bit instead of just watching, this is where the added education comes in.

As part of the backup plan, there is also a short Northern Lights photography workshop at Whales of Iceland. Even if you never see the aurora that evening, you walk away with more than photos on your camera phone. You get guidance you can use next time, including what to look for and how to set yourself up to capture the sky more effectively.

The free resail ticket that turns one try into two

A lot of aurora tours say they are weather dependent. This one goes further by giving you a safety net if conditions are not suitable to sail. You receive a free ticket to join the boat tour again on the next available date.

From a value standpoint, this is a big deal. If you are doing only one Reykjavik aurora night, the cost of missing out hurts. With a guaranteed path to try again, you are buying a chance, not just a scheduled ride.

There is also a psychology benefit. You can book this as part of a multi-night plan without feeling like you are gambling your whole trip on a single weather outcome. That lets you treat the night sky like what it is in Iceland: unpredictable, but worth chasing more than once.

Photo downloads and the small details that make it easier

This tour does not make you chase everything alone. Pictures are taken on every boat tour, and you can download them free of charge. That means you are not stuck with only shaky shots taken while you are trying to point and scan at the same time.

In addition, the photography workshop in the backup scenario gives you a practical framework. You are not just told that aurora photos are tricky. You get coaching on how to find the lights and how to capture them. That is especially helpful on a moving boat night, where your best viewing might not line up with your best camera angle.

Even if you are not a serious photographer, it is still useful. Knowing what to look for helps you spend less time guessing and more time actually watching. And on aurora nights, better watching beats better equipment.

Price and value for an aurora chase from Reykjavik

At $83.88 per person for about 2 to 3 hours, this is in the midrange for Reykjavik aurora experiences. The question is whether the package feels worth it. For me, the value comes from the combination of comfort, weather fallback, and photo extras.

You are getting:

• Warm overalls included
• Restrooms plus a snack bar onboard (snacks not included, but buying is easy)
• Free Wi-Fi
• Free photo downloads
• A guaranteed alternative activity if aurora viewing is not suitable
• A free ticket to try again on the next available date

Most aurora tours have one or two of those elements. Here you get several, which means you are less likely to feel like you paid for disappointment. The price also reflects the operational cost of running a boat out into open water, which is not a cheap task when weather changes fast.

If you are on a budget, you might still compare options. But if you want the most robust odds for a satisfying night, the backup plan and the free resail ticket pull the value in a clear direction.

Group size, crowding, and choosing your spot on deck

The tour has a maximum of 198 travelers. That number is not tiny, and it affects your experience in two ways.

First, check-in and boarding can feel busy. Second, deck space is limited, so you may not always get the exact viewpoint you want. One common complaint with aurora boat tours is that the inside area can be tight when people try to stay warm, and you might end up with limited seating.

So you should go in with a plan. When the team encourages people to go up top, follow their guidance early. If you wait for the perfect moment, you can miss the start of the stronger activity. And if the boat is rough, be ready to prioritize comfort and stability over finding the fanciest angle.

If you are sensitive to motion or claustrophobia, consider that crowding plus choppy water can make the tour feel less relaxing. In those cases, your best move is to dress for warmth and accept that your viewing may be more about being present than about perfect framing.

Who this tour fits best, and who should think twice

This experience is a strong match if you want:

• A guided search for the northern lights rather than self-driving
• Included cold-weather gear so you can stay outside longer
• A backup plan that stays connected to the aurora theme
• A way to bring home photos without doing all the work yourself

It is also a good fit for people who like structure. You are not left with a vague hope. You have an organized experience either way, aurora viewing or Whales of Iceland.

You might want to think twice if you:

• Hate crowds or want a quiet, intimate ride
• Strongly dislike motion at sea and cannot handle a bumpy ride
• Are hoping the experience is guaranteed in a literal sense, since weather still drives what you see

That said, the backup plan reduces the risk. Even when the lights do not show, you still get a full alternative activity.

Should you book this Northern Lights by Boat from Reykjavik?

I think it is a smart book for most first-timers, especially if you are only giving Reykjavik one or two nights for aurora chasing. The big selling points are the built-in backup plan at Whales of Iceland and the free ticket to try again when conditions do not work.

Book it if you want a night that stays productive, warm, and guided, and if you like the idea of learning something about aurora photography in the process. If you are very sensitive to crowds or sea motion, adjust your expectations, dress for cold deck time, and be ready to move quickly when the lights start.

If your priority is absolute comfort and you cannot tolerate bumpy water, you may prefer a more sheltered option. But if you want the energy of a boat search plus a strong safety net, this one earns its place.

FAQ

How long is the Northern Lights by Boat tour?

The tour lasts about 2 to 3 hours.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included onboard?

You get warm overalls, free Wi-Fi, restrooms, and access to a snack bar. Food and drink are not included, but you can purchase snacks onboard.

What happens if northern lights are not visible?

If conditions are not suitable for seeing the northern lights, you are automatically signed up for an alternative activity at Whales of Iceland.

Do I get photos from the tour?

Yes. Pictures are taken during the boat tour and you can download them free of charge.

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Yes, you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you will not receive a refund.