Reykjavik Northern Lights boat tours sail from the Old Harbour for about two hours on the bay, with no pickup and no long drive. You walk to the quay, and if you see nothing you sail again free.
Two hours on the bay from the Old Harbour quay, with warm floatable overalls and Wi-Fi. Drinks are sold in the heated lounge. See nothing and you sail again free. Arrive 15 minutes early; there is no pickup.
From $105 per person
Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Observation decks, a restroom and Wi-Fi on board for two hours on the bay from the Old Harbour. The café sells drinks and snacks. Arrive 30 minutes early and make your own way to the quay.
From $86 per person
Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.
Warm floatable overalls, Wi-Fi and a heated lounge, from the quay at Ægisgarður 5c at $105. Pick your evening and see the sailing time before you pay.
Check availabilityA boat hunt is a two-hour evening cruise from Reykjavík's Old Harbour onto Faxaflói bay. You make your own way to the quay, board, and sail out of the city's light with the skyline behind you. On the Old Harbour cruise, the guide explains the science of the aurora on the way. From October to December the larger boat sails by the lit Imagine Peace Tower.
The Old Harbour cruise leaves the ticket office at Ægisgarður 5c and carries up to 150. The other leaves Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2 and carries up to 75. The pickup points page shows the quays.
Two hours against four or more on land. One traveller put it simply: a two-hour experience against a five-hour bus tour. With children, after a long day, or before an early start, that matters.
No pickup window, no numbered bus stop: you walk to the Old Harbour and board. If you are staying in the centre, you may not need transport at all.
The Old Harbour cruise has an infant band from 0 to 5, and the other boat's child band starts at 0, with infants on laps. Most land hunts state a minimum age of 5 or older.
The Old Harbour cruise's "Sighting guarantee - or try again for FREE!" is a free re-sail, not a promise of lights. The other boat promises a free tour in its overview.
This is the choice that matters. A boat is shorter and simpler; a land hunt can move.
| Boat | Land hunt | |
|---|---|---|
| Fares | $86 to $105 | $84 to $244 shared |
| Hours | About 2 | 3 to 6 |
| Start | Walk to the Old Harbour | Hotel pickup or a bus stop |
| On a cloudy night | Stays on the bay | Drives to a gap in the cloud |
| If you see nothing | A free re-sail | None stated up to unlimited |
| Youngest | Infants | From 5 on most |
The boat's limit is cloud. If the bay is overcast, you stay under it. A land hunt can drive inland to clearer sky, which is why one traveller who saw only faint lights on the boat did the coach trip the next day and found it much better. Compare the northern lights bus tour from Reykjavik options if that matters to you.
On the Old Harbour cruise you get warm floatable overalls, Wi-Fi, a heated cabin, outdoor viewing decks and a guide. On the other boat you get observation decks, a restroom, Wi-Fi and a guide. Each gives you a second sailing if the lights stay away.
You do not get hotel pickup on either. Snacks are not in the Old Harbour cruise's fare, and drinks are bought in its heated lounge; the other boat's café sells drinks and snacks. Neither takes photos for you. And a boat can be crowded: one traveller found it very crowded, and another noted it was a bit rocky on the top deck. Sea sickness tablets were offered.
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Fares | $86 to $105 per person |
| Length | About 2 hours |
| Quays | Ægisgarður 5c (arrive 15 minutes early) or Ægisgarður 2 (30 minutes) |
| Youngest | Infants on both |
| If you see nothing | A free re-sail |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours ahead; the boat may cancel at short notice |
Arrive at the quay early: 15 minutes for the Old Harbour cruise, 30 for the other. Dress for wind on deck even with the overalls. Check the cloud forecast before you go, because a boat cannot outrun an overcast bay. Moonlight washes the aurora out too; one party sailed under a full moon and some cloud.
Wheelchair users are welcome to bring a light-weight chair on the larger boats. Steep stairs and high thresholds may limit access to inside areas and toilets.
Observation decks, a restroom and Wi-Fi for two hours on the bay, with a café for drinks and snacks. Pick your evening before you pay.
Check availabilityNext: Weigh sea against land in boat or land tour, or go without a tour in northern lights without a tour. Every fare sits side by side on Reykjavik Northern Lights Tours.