★★★★★
The small-group hunt with guide photos
A cloudy night, but the guide's equipment found two places where the lights came through. The second stop was the best of the evening.
Richard K. · Solo · September 2026
Reykjavik Northern Lights Tour Reviews
What people wrote after the night: on a big coach, in a small-group minibus, in a super jeep, on a boat from the harbour, and on the days that add the Golden Circle or a lava tunnel. Ready for Reykjavik Northern Lights booking? The operators’ own ratings and fares sit side by side below.
What travellers said afterwards
These are travellers’ own accounts, paraphrased, each tagged with the night it belongs to. The low scores stay in, because they are the useful ones. One boat showed the lights for five faint minutes. One hunt ran two hours longer than expected, and one jeep arrived 35 minutes late to a crowded bus stop.
★★★★★
The small-group hunt with guide photos
A screen on the bus tracked the space weather live. The guide knew exactly when to stop and get everyone outside to watch.
Stefan V. · Couple · September 2026
★★★★★
The small-group hunt with guide photos
Three different stops, and the lights were out at all three. The guide kept everyone engaged all night.
Brian D. · Couple · September 2026
★★★★☆
The small-group hunt with guide photos
We saw the lights, but the tour ran past five hours when we had expected three. If the forecast says a chance is coming, you wait for it, and there are no toilets out there.
Amanda O. · April 2026
★★★☆☆
The small-group hunt with guide photos
Too cloudy, and the window when the lights showed was very short. Still worth the risk, and I would go again.
Sharon G. · September 2026
★★★★★
The boat from the Old Harbour
Only a glimpse of the aurora on our booked night, so we were given free tickets for another sailing. The second night gave us a couple of hours of lights overhead.
Rachel H. · Couple · March 2026
★★★★★
The boat from the Old Harbour
Good value for the money. Brave the cold and sit on the top deck for the best view, and the photos they sent afterwards were a nice touch.
Meghan F. · Couple · March 2026
★★★★★
The boat from the Old Harbour
The aurora glowed for the whole sailing. The guide even helped with our camera settings so everyone got good photos.
Gabriella C. · Couple · January 2026
★★★★★
The boat from the Old Harbour
A good evening on the boat, though we saw little of the lights. We were given a free ticket to use any time in the next two years.
Sheryl O. · Friends · February 2026
★★☆☆☆
The boat from the Old Harbour
The lights showed for about five minutes and were faint to the eye. A coach hunt the next night, which chose where to go from the forecast, was much better.
James W. · January 2026
★★★★★
The Super Jeep hunt
Nothing appeared on a clear first night, but the second attempt brought a beautiful aurora. Riding in the jeep felt like a night safari.
Nicole M. · February 2026
★★★★★
The Super Jeep hunt
It was raining in the city and we expected a cancellation. We drove out to several places and found the lights, then had hot cocoa under the stars.
Deana H. · November 2025
★★★★★
The Super Jeep hunt
A cloudy night, and the guide found an opening in the sky with a strong display. Photos of us came at no extra cost.
bradreinhart · March 2025
★★★☆☆
The Super Jeep hunt
The jeep was big but crowded, with seats in rows of three, so not every couple sat together. We were moved to a bus stop near the hotel and the jeep came 35 minutes late.
Alan W. · December 2024
★★★★★
The minibus hunt with pastries
Three sightings in one night. The driver-guide knew the lights well, drove well and told funny stories on the way.
Cindy K. · Solo · September 2026
★★★★★
The minibus hunt with pastries
The guide set out the plan for the evening and explained the lights before we went looking. The show we got was the high point of five days in the country.
Michael M. · Friends · March 2026
★★★★★
The big-coach hunt
Nobody can promise you the lights, but the team did everything to improve our chances. Pickup and drop-off came with clear, easy directions, and we saw them.
Leesa M. · Family · September 2026
★★★★★
The big-coach hunt
Three stops, and the aurora showed up on our cameras. Expect a lot of waiting and watching the sky; the hot chocolate was better than expected.
Shahana B. · Family · September 2026
★★★★★
The late minibus hunt
The lights appeared soon after we left the city. The guide knew where to go and talked about the aurora all night.
Debrah H. · Friends · March 2026
★★★★★
The late minibus hunt
A weak display that night, but the guide took us to several spots and stopped for toilet breaks. The facts about the lights made the evening.
Nicole N. · Family · March 2026
★★★★★
The 4x4 minibus hunt
The odds were low that night. The guide took us to one of the few gaps in the cloud, and within minutes the lights filled the sky.
William T. · Friends · September 2026
★★★★★
The minibus hunt with photos
The forecast gave a low chance, but the small van reached places big coaches cannot, and we stayed out later. The photos were a real bonus.
Darren F. · Solo · November 2025
★★★★★
The boat with a café on board
A friendly crew and a roomy boat that never felt crowded while we watched. Blankets are provided, and hot drinks are sold at the bar.
Victoria W. · Friends · April 2026
★★★★★
The coach hunt with photo tips
The guide and the driver were informative and helpful. Two different stops, and the hot chocolate was a welcome extra.
Louise H. · Family · March 2026
★★★★★
The lava tunnel and hunt
Bring rain gear for the lava tunnel, where the caving guide was excellent. The lights escaped us, but the hunt was still an adventure.
Terri B. · Solo · September 2026
★★★★★
The Golden Circle and northern lights day
We were lucky with a clear night and a strong show at the end of a long day. Bring your patience.
Anabelle T. · Couple · April 2026
★★★★★
The Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and aurora day
The daytime half was a success, with the waterfall and the Secret Lagoon the highlights. The evening hunt was cancelled for weather two days in a row.
David F. · Couple · January 2026
★★★★★
The smaller-bus hunt
Punctual from the start, and the guide worked hard to find the best place to watch from. The view of the lights was worth it.
Cosimo C. · Couple · March 2026
★★★★★
The smaller-bus hunt
The guide's experience paid off. We got a sighting and hot chocolate to go with it.
France D. · Solo · September 2026
★★★★★
The small group with wool blankets
They did a great job finding a good spot to watch from. Hot cocoa was a welcome extra.
Cheryl D. · Couple · September 2026
★★★★★
The small group with wool blankets
The driver knew where the activity would be strongest. Nobody minded being asked to take photos.
Paula J. · Solo · March 2026
What travellers keep saying
The guide finds the gap
The best reviews come from cloudy nights where the guide drove to a gap and the lights came through. You are paying for that reading of the sky more than for the vehicle.
The retry turns a bad night round
Many five-star reviews describe a second night: a glimpse or nothing first, then free seats and a strong display. Keep nights free after your first booking.
Expect to wait
A hunt is a lot of standing and watching. The lights come in bursts, and a guide who sees a chance coming will keep you out for it, long past the stated time.
The camera sees more
Several travellers saw the aurora more clearly on a screen than by eye. On a faint night that is normal, and the guide’s photos are often the best record you get.
Operator ratings and review counts
These figures are the operators’ own, published on their booking pages and shown as they stand. They belong to the operators, not to us. The retry column is the listing’s own term.
| Tour | What the night is | If you see nothing | Rating | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Hot Chocolate & Photos | A minibus hunt with pastries | Free retry, count not stated | 4.7 | 2,192 | From $166 per person |
| Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik with Hot Chocolate | The big-coach hunt | One free retry | 4.2 | 2,025 | From $84 per person |
| Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Small-Group from Reykjavík | A late minibus hunt | Free retry, count not stated | 4.8 | 993 | From $135 per person |
| Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik | Two hours on the bay from the Old Harbour | Free re-sail if you see nothing | 4.5 | 635 | From $105 per person |
| Reykjavik Northern Lights Tour with Pro Aurora Photos Small Group | A small-group hunt with guide photos | Unlimited free retries | 4.9 | 524 | From $159 per person |
| Northern Lights 4x4 Tour with Pastries and Cocoa from Reykjavik | A 4x4 minibus hunt with pastries | Lifetime free rebooking | 4.8 | 514 | From $174 per person |
| Northern Lights Superjeep Tour from Reykjavik | The Super Jeep hunt | One free retry | 4.7 | 357 | From $244 per person |
| Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Photos, Snacks & Snowsuits | A small-group hunt with jumpsuits and chairs | Unlimited free retries | 4.6 | 322 | From $212 per person |
| Northern Lights and Stargazing Small-Group Tour with Local Guide | A super jeep hunt with a telescope | Unlimited free retries | 4.8 | 314 | From $221 per person |
| Northern Lights Small-Group Tour From Reykjavik with Hot Choco | A smaller bus, retry on the coach | One free retry, on a big bus | 4.5 | 306 | From $118 per person |
| Northern Lights Small-Group Tour with Free Photos & Hot Chocolate | A minibus hunt with photos | Free retry, count not stated | 4.4 | 205 | From $114 per person |
| Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik | Golden Circle by day, hunt by night | No free retry stated | 4.7 | 124 | From $151 per person |
| Northern Lights Small Group Tour from Reykjavik with Free Photos | A hunt that teaches your camera | Free retry on the coach hunt | 4.5 | 92 | From $134 per person |
| Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon and Northern Lights Tour | Golden Circle, Secret Lagoon, then a hunt | No free retry stated | 4.6 | 88 | From $185 per person |
| Reykjavik Private Northern Lights Tour with Pro Photographer | A private night with a photographer | One free retry | 5.0 | 86 | From $1,618 per group (up to 4) |
| Private Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik | A private car and local guide | No free retry stated | 4.8 | 80 | From $260 per person (minimum 2) |
| Northern Lights Boat Cruise from Reykjavik | Two hours on the bay, café on board | Free re-sail if you see nothing | 4.3 | 71 | From $86 per person |
| Reykjavik: Northern Lights Coach Tour with Local Hunters | A coach hunt with photo tips | One free retry | 4.6 | 71 | From $85 per person |
| From Reykjavík: Evening Lava Tunnel Tour and Northern Lights Tour | A lava tunnel, then a hunt | Free retry, lights part only | 4.7 | 68 | From $210 per person |
| 4-Day Iceland: Golden Circle, South Coast, Volcano Hike & Northern Lights | Four days of sights, hunts in the evenings | No free retry stated | 4.5 | 52 | From $1,389 per person |
| Northern Lights & Hot Choco: Private 4x4 Tour from Reykjavik | A private 4x4 night with hot chocolate | No free retry stated | 4.9 | 37 | From $649 per person |
| Northern Lights Small Group Tour from Reykjavik | A small group with wool blankets | No free retry stated | 4.5 | 27 | From $121 per person |
A listing with thousands of reviews and one with a few dozen are not a verdict on each other. The gap is mostly how long each has been on sale and how many seats it carries. The big coaches hold much of the review weight because they fill every night, while a private car takes one party at a time.
Remember too that the aurora itself is in every score. A good guide on a cloudy week collects lower marks than an average one on a clear week, so read the words as well as the stars.
Read the practical detail in the visitor guide and check the FAQs. Then compare every tour on Reykjavik Northern Lights Tours.