
Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 634 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik worth booking?
Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik is a 2-hour experience in Reykjavik, Iceland, from $105 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 634 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (634)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $105 per person
The Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavík is all about connecting you with Iceland’s stunning natural beauty. There’s something magical about sailing under the Arctic night sky, searching for the Aurora Borealis, and cre
What you get
About this experience
The Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavík is all about connecting you with Iceland’s stunning natural beauty. There’s something magical about sailing under the Arctic night sky, searching for the Aurora Borealis, and creating moments you’ll never forget. It’s an experience designed to let you experience the magic of the Northern Lights in an enjoyable and unique way.
What's included
Included
- Sighting guarantee - or try again for FREE!
- Wi-Fi on board
- Warm floatable overalls
- Excellent guidance
Not included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Snacks
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Reykjavik
Meet us in the ELDING ticket office located at Ægisgarður 5c by the Old Harbour district in Reykjavík. Once at the pier, simply follow the red colour to find us! Be sure to arrive at least 15 min. before departure to ensure enough time to check in and to board the boat.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet us in the ELDING ticket office located at Ægisgarður 5c by the Old Harbour district in Reykjavík. Once at the pier, simply follow the red colour to find us! Be sure to arrive at least 15 min. before departure to ensure enough time to check in and to board the boat.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Elding Whale Watching
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Passengers with limited mobility are warmly welcome. However, please note that our boats are not fully accessible, as steep stairs and high thresholds may limit access to inside areas and toilet facilities.
- Wheelchair users are welcome to bring a light-weight chair on board our larger boats. If possible, please notify us of your arrival in advance, as assistance with boarding may be required.
- If conditions are unfavourable, the tour may be cancelled at short notice. Should this happen, we will notify you by phone or email.
- The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can be highly unpredictable. If no sightings occur during your tour, you will be offered complimentary tickets to try again on another night at no extra cost.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 634 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
634 verified traveler reviews for Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Lovely tour - really recommend
Really good tour - very friendly guides and straightforward instructions.
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic northern lights.
I almost didn’t book this. It was our last night in Reykjavík, the forecast said “possible aurora activity” — which felt like a polite way of saying don’t get your hopes up — and after a week of hot pots and lava fields I thought I was too tired for another excursion. My partner convinced me. I will be grateful for that for the rest of my life. We boarded just after 9 PM from the old harbour. The vessel was well-heated below deck with complimentary hot chocolate and Icelandic lamb soup that tasted like someone had slow-cooked it since the Viking Age. The crew — all three of them — had this easy, unhurried manner that immediately took the edge off the cold and the anticipation. We motored out into Faxaflói Bay and the city slowly became a warm amber smudge behind us. About forty minutes out, someone on the upper deck let out a quiet “oh.” That was it. No screaming, no dramatic announcement. Just oh. A pale green ribbon had appeared above the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Then it widened. Then it started to move — not slowly, but in rolling, deliberate waves, like something breathing. At one point it turned faintly violet at the edges and our guide, a young Icelander named Sigurður who clearly still hadn’t gotten used to it himself, just shook his head and smiled. Being on the water made it completely different from standing on a roadside viewpoint. No light pollution. A 360° horizon. The aurora reflected — faintly, ghostily — on the surface of the sea below us, so it felt like you were suspended inside it rather than just watching from underneath. I took maybe thirty photos. I stopped after a while. Some things you just have to let happen to you. The boat stayed out for nearly three hours. Nobody wanted to go back. The crew extended the trip without anyone asking. That tells you something about the kind of people running this operation — they’re not watching the clock. They’re out there because they love it, and that feeling is completely contagious. If you are in Reykjavík between September and April and you do not do this, you will think about it later. I promise you that.
via Tripadvisor
Disappointed person
It was cancelled two days in a row. Will be very sad to leave Iceland and not see the Northern Lights.
via Viator
Dancing lights
Maria was excelent and lights came out to play
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful
It was amazing! We were very lucky as the lights were quite strong that night. The views of the city line were also stunning!
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
- 222
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Reykjavik.
How much does Northern Lights Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik cost?
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Prices start at $105 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 Cruise from Downtown 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 Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 634 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 Cruise from Downtown 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 Cruise from Downtown 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 Cruise from Downtown Reykjavik?
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Around 222 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 Cruise from Downtown 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, Small-Group Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon with Ticket & Kerid Crater, Reykjavík Small group Walking Tour - by CityWalk. 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.
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