Northern Lights by Boat

Northern Lights by Boat
Northern Lights by Boat
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2101
  • Duration2-3 hours
  • Group SizeNo max
  • Meeting LocationReykjavik Old Harbour

Tour description

The original Northern Lights by Boat tour in Iceland!

Hunting the northern lights from the ocean is a fantastic experience; sailing away from the coastline of Reykjavik and seeing the aurora borealis out on the North-Atlantic ocean with beautiful mountains and the city in the background is something you won’t forget!

We sail out from the Old Harbour in Reykjavik, and in only 15-20 minutes, we will be in a prime location away from the city lights, perfect for viewing the auroras! The guide will share facts on the science behind the magical phenomenon of the Northern Lights and tell you about their stories & myths from different cultures around the world. The tour takes about 2-3 hours, depending on how early/late the lights might appear.

We recommend putting on board our free overalls (also available in children’s sizes!) that will keep you nice and warm out on the deck, listening to what the guide says about the lovely colors dancing in the sky.

Throughout the tour, we show our very own original Northern Lights video, full of interesting facts and folklore! If you are cold, you can grab a drink at the bar, cozy up inside watching the video or simply enjoy the view of the city lights in the distance with your friends/family.

Provided is an app for Android and Apple that is available for all travelers to download before or during the tour, with text and audio information in 5 languages (English, German, French, Spanish, and simplified Chinese). The app is as close to an audio-guided wildlife adventure as possible.

Helpful tip: A crew member always takes pictures throughout the night, so instead of taking a long time figuring out the correct settings for your camera, enjoy the moment and check our daily diary to see the photos! (If you are eager to learn, we can also assist you in getting the settings right).

Additional information

These tours are subject to correct weather conditions, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. We reserve the right to cancel the time due to unfavorable weather conditions. 

If the northern lights boat tour is canceled, but aurora conditions are favorable, we offer a replacement northern lights tour by bus, plus a chance to join the boat tour the next available day (even if you see the lights on the bus).

If the tour does not operate at all (boat or bus) during your stay due to unfavorable weather conditions, you can exchange your ticket/voucher with one of the following options*:

  • A Whale Watching Tour
  • The chance to join a night of fun at the Whales of Iceland Exhibition (while keeping your boat ticket!)
  • Or a full refund. (*All options have a value greater than or equal to the cost of your northern lights by boat ticket).

If you join the tour (boat or bus) and there are no sightings, you will get another ticket to join us on the next available day. This ticket is valid indefinitely – so if you don’t have another chance this time, we welcome you back when you revisit Iceland!

Please note that the starting point for this tour is the Special Tours Ticket Office, located at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik.

You will be asked to show a valid form of ID upon arrival for check-in.

Important information

We always try our best to give our passengers the best chance to see the Northern Lights – however, it is essential to know that we can never guarantee sightings as this is a hunt for a natural phenomenon.

We use the weather forecast to find out the clouds covering the night & the strength of the lights. We will always sail out when there is a chance of visibility as we do not want our passengers missing out on an opportunity to see the auroras.

We kindly ask you to be positive, embrace your patience and keep your fingers crossed!

Dress tip: Dress according to Icelandic weather, and don’t forget your hats & gloves. Our staff always does their best to keep the boat decks clear of ice/snow, but we recommend wearing good shoes on the tour as the weather can change quickly.

What's Included

  • Guided boat tour
  • Warm overalls (overalls are also available in children's sizes)
  • Wireless internet on board
  • Café/Bar & Souvenir shop
  • Our very own Northern Lights video
  • WCs on board

Why Your Friend in Reykjavik Recommends This Tour

The Northern Lights are great, seeing them out on the ocean is even better! Such a unique experience!

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