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Sea Trips Reykjavík · Old Harbour, Reykjavík

The northern lights yacht cruise from the Old Harbour

A three-deck yacht from Sea Trips Reykjavík leaves the Old Harbour and sails among the islands of Faxaflói bay, away from the city lights, for about two hours. Pick it for the shortest night out with no long bus ride, and a warm lounge to retreat to between sightings.

Northern Lights Yacht Cruise from the Old Harbour

About this experience

This is the easy one. You walk to Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2 (or take the hotel pickup option), check in at the self-service kiosk by scanning your QR code at least 30 minutes before departure, and board. The yacht sails along the city coast and among the islands of Faxaflói bay, then heads out to dark water where the shore lights fall away behind you.

Three panoramic decks give everyone a rail. The indoor bar and lounge are the real luxury: you warm up between sightings instead of standing in the wind for two hours. Warm blankets, Wi-Fi and sea sickness tablets are included, and drinks and souvenirs are for sale. Guests mention a guide who points out the lights and helps with phone settings.

The catch is the same as on any boat. It can't chase a gap in the clouds the way a minibus can, so if the bay is under cloud, you sail under cloud. The listing is plain about it: "Viewings are not guaranteed", and if you see nothing you can reschedule free with the operator. For a boat with warm overalls and a land backup on windy nights, compare the Special Tours boat.

  • Leaves from the Old Harbour, a short walk from downtown
  • Three panoramic decks plus an indoor bar and lounge
  • Warm blankets, Wi-Fi and sea sickness tablets included
  • About two hours, the shortest night out on this site
  • Free reschedule with the operator if the lights stay away

How the day runs

  1. 30 min beforeCheck in at Old Harbour House

    Scan the QR code on your ticket at the self-service kiosk at Ægisgarður 2. If you booked hotel pickup, the transfer brings you here.

  2. DepartureOut of the harbour

    The yacht follows the city coast and threads between the islands of Faxaflói bay. Grab a spot on deck early if the sky is already active.

  3. Out in the bayDark water

    With the shore lights behind you, the crew watch the sky and call out the aurora when it shows. Warm up in the lounge between sightings.

  4. About 2 hoursBack at the Old Harbour

    Straight back to the harbour, so you can be in a downtown bar or in bed soon after. If you saw nothing, ask about the free reschedule.

Passengers in red overalls on a boat deck watching the aurora over the bayNorthern lights over a bay with Mount Esja on the far shore

What's included

Included

  • Two-hour cruise from the Old Harbour
  • Hotel pickup, if you choose that option
  • Warm blankets
  • Wi-Fi on board
  • Sea sickness tablets

Not included

  • Drinks from the bar
  • Souvenirs
  • Hotel pickup on the harbour-only option
  • A guaranteed sighting

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You want the shortest outing, about two hours
  • You're staying downtown and would rather walk than wait for a bus
  • You like a warm lounge between sightings
  • Someone in your group would get bored on a four-hour drive

Skip it if

  • You get seasick easily, even with tablets
  • You want a guide who can drive to a gap in the clouds: try the 4x4 tour
  • Strong wind is forecast for your only free night
  • You want overalls handed out: the Special Tours boat has them

What guests say

★★★★★

Super cool! Was able to see the northern lights on the second try

Dasia · Mar 2026
★★★★★

The guide pointed out the northern lights and spent time with us on how to change our phone settings

Tamzen · Jan 2026
★★★★★

Absolutely brilliant tour! Saw the northern lights really early on board too.

Chelsea · Jan 2026
★★★★★

ive always wanted to see the northern lights. and see them we did.

Gillian · Mar 2026

Tips before you book

  • Dress warmer than you think. On the top deck the wind off the bay cuts through jeans; the blankets help, but a hat and a windproof layer help more.
  • Take a sea sickness tablet before you sail, not once you feel queasy.
  • Turn off the flash and use your phone's night mode. Ask the guide for settings: guests say they help.
  • Book the cruise early in your stay, so the free reschedule has nights left to use.
  • Check the cloud map on the Icelandic Met Office aurora page before you go. A boat can't outrun a cloud bank.

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Frequently asked questions

Where does the northern lights yacht cruise leave from?

Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2, 101 Reykjavík. Check in at the self-service kiosk at least 30 minutes before departure by scanning the QR code on your ticket. An option with hotel pickup is also sold.

Can you see the northern lights from a boat in Reykjavík?

Yes, when the sky over Faxaflói bay is clear and the aurora is active. Once you're past the harbour the shore lights are behind you, which helps a lot. A boat can't move to clearer sky the way a minibus can, so cloud is the main risk.

What if the lights don't appear on the yacht?

The listing says viewings are not guaranteed, and that you can reschedule for free with the activity provider if the lights are not seen. Contact Sea Trips after your sailing to arrange it.

Is there somewhere warm on board?

Yes. The yacht has an indoor bar and lounge, and warm blankets are included. Drinks are paid for at the bar.

Ready to book

Book Yacht cruise from the harbour

Two hours on a three-deck yacht from the Old Harbour, out into dark Faxaflói bay. Free reschedule if the lights stay away.

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Plan your date before you go

Two hours on a three-deck yacht from the Old Harbour, out into dark Faxaflói bay. Free reschedule if the lights stay away.

Check dates for the northern lights yacht cruise