
Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 60 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik worth booking?
Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik is a 2-hour experience in Reykjavik, Iceland, from $80 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 60 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (60)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $80 per person
Sail from Reykjavík's Old Harbour for an evening chasing the beautiful northern lights. Your expert guide will tell you all about the science behind the lights, share stories & legends and answer all of your questions about this fantastic natural phenomenon. Northern Lights are dependent on correct weather conditions, so whenever the forecast does not look good we have an alternative activity planned for you! Join us at the Whales of Iceland Exhibition where you will join a guided tour, watch a northern lights video, enjoy a welcome drink and have a Q&A session with your guide. This alternative option always begins at 21:00. Please note that it's never guaranteed the lights will appear on the tour. If you don't see them, you will receive a ticket to try again. Once you join the boat tour, your ticket has been fully utilized and cannot be used to enter the exhibition. Please note that this tour is non-refundable, as an adventure is guaranteed regardless of weather conditions.
What you get
About this experience
Sail from Reykjavík's Old Harbour for an evening chasing the beautiful northern lights. Your expert guide will tell you all about the science behind the lights, share stories & legends and answer all of your questions about this fantastic natural phenomenon. Northern Lights are dependent on correct weather conditions, so whenever the forecast does not look good we have an alternative activity planned for you! Join us at the Whales of Iceland Exhibition where you will join a guided tour, watch a northern lights video, enjoy a welcome drink and have a Q&A session with your guide. This alternative option always begins at 21:00. Please note that it's never guaranteed the lights will appear on the tour. If you don't see them, you will receive a ticket to try again. Once you join the boat tour, your ticket has been fully utilized and cannot be used to enter the exhibition. Please note that this tour is non-refundable, as an adventure is guaranteed regardless of weather conditions.
What's included
Included
- As part of the back-up plan, a short Northern Lights photography workshop at Whales of Iceland
- Alternative activity: entry, Northern Lights drink, short film & guided tour of Whales of Iceland
- Pictures taken on every boat tour, available to download free of charge
- Guaranteed alternative activity if the weather is not suitable for northern lights
- Use of warm overalls, free wi-fi, restrooms & snack bar on board the Northern Lights boat tour
- Free ticket to join the boat tour on the next available date if conditions are not suitable to sail
Not included
- Snacks
- Hotel transfers are not included but can be added for an additional cost directly with supplier.
What you'll see and do
Join our Northern Lights by Boat tour, sailing out into Faxaflói Bay to search for the beautiful aurora borealis. If conditions are not suitable to see the northern lights you are automatically signed up for an alternative activity
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Reykjavik
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 12 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Special Tours Iceland
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 60 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
60 verified traveler reviews for Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
10/10
This was a ten out of ten! We had a great crew. Joe has a great sense of humor and kept us all lay while we were learning!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great time with our crew. It’s wonderful to know that Joe’s sense of humor made the experience even more enjoyable. He’ll be very happy to hear that! We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again in the future!
via Tripadvisor
Great experience
Such a wonderful experience getting to see the Northern Lights. Joe was absolutely incredible as our “guide” and the team is very knowledgeable on where to find the best spots to see the lights. Tour was 2 hours long.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful time on the tour and that you were able to see the Northern Lights. It’s great to know that Joe made such a positive impression. He will be very happy to hear your kind words. Our team always does its best to find the best possible viewing spots, so we’re glad this made your experience even more special. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another adventure in the future!
via Tripadvisor
One the best tours in iceland
It was one amazing tour. The staff was extremely helpful and friendly.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We are very happy you found our tour amazing and our guides friendly and helpful! :) We hope to welcome you on board again in the future!
via Tripadvisor
No Alternate Activity
Well, we certainly understand not sailing in bad weather; which is why we purposely booked the Northern Lights Tour WITH ALTERNATE ACTIVITY. So, if the yacht tour was cancelled or postponed, we still had something to do that evening. Well, they also cancelled the indoor alternative activity (Whale museum) WHY? We don’t know. So it left us scrambling to find something else to do. Viator did say they would issue a full refund (haven’t seen it yet, but in fairness the yacht tour was supposed to be last night). We knew the odds of actually seeing the Northern Lights was slim (perfectly understandable- you can’t predict nature) but we figured at least we would have a boat ride, or at worst, an alternate activity. Very disappointed. Don’t offer an alternative accommodation if you can’t provide it. The assumption was that we definitely would have something to do yesterday. That was not the case.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are very sorry that your evening did not go as planned. Unfortunately, due to unfavorable weather conditions, the Northern Lights by Boat Tour had to be cancelled due to heavy cloud coverage. On these occasions, we normally offer our guests the option to visit the Whales of Iceland Museum as an alternative activity. Some bookings, such as yours, already include this option in advance. However, this activity requires a minimum number of participants in order to operate. When the minimum number is not reached, we are unfortunately unable to run the alternative program and must cancel it as well. In such cases, the booking that originally was nonrefundable becomes fully refundable if guests prefer not to reschedule. We completely understand that this situation can be disappointing, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused. If you have not yet received confirmation regarding your refund, please feel free to contact us, and we will gladly help you.
via Viator
Nature failed me but Special Tours did all that they ciuld
The ship and the crew were marvelous. Despite all that they could do, Nature was not helping out any. Would recommend this trip to anyone AND before embarking on any other tour visit the Special Tours office as they have discounts for other must see items
Response from the operator: Thank you for your review! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the time with our crew on board, even though nature did not cooperate with sightings on that day. Thank you as well for sharing the tip about visiting our main office. We truly appreciate it! Your complimentary voucher has no expiration date, so feel free to contact us whenever you would like to book your next attempt. We hope to welcome you on board again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 21
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Special Tours Iceland, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 59.5.
See everything Special Tours Iceland runsWhy this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reykjavik.
How much does Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik cost?
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Prices start at $80 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Reykjavik usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Reykjavik is not rushed.
Is Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 60 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Reykjavik, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik?
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Around 21 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Reykjavik can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Reykjavik and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Reykjavik within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Reykjavik?
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On Outty we rank every Reykjavik experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Reykjavik Food Walk - Local Foodie Adventure in Iceland, Silfra Snorkeling Between Continents Photos Included- Self Drive, Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Reykjavik?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Reykjavik?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik?
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Included: As part of the back-up plan, a short Northern Lights photography workshop at Whales of Ice; Alternative activity: entry, Northern Lights drink, short film & guided tour of Whales of; Pictures taken on every boat tour, available to download free of charge; Guaranteed alternative activity if the weather is not suitable for northern lights; and Use of warm overalls, free wi-fi, restrooms & snack bar on board the Northern Lights boat. Not included: Snacks; and Hotel transfers are not included but can be added for an additional cost directly with sup. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; and Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Northern Lights by Boat with a Backup Plan from Reykjavik?
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Across 60 reviews averaging 4.3 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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