Scenic Northern Lights Cruise from Reykjavik

Forget a traditional bus tour; enjoy the Northern Lights from the ocean by taking a boat excursion from Reykjavík. This opportunity should not be missed by those eager to see the auroras in a less conventional way.

This tour begins at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, right by the downtown area, where you’ll exchange your voucher for a ticket and board a spacious boat. Your comfortable vessel boasts an indoor cafe, a large outdoor viewing area, a multimedia show about the Northern Lights and warm overalls to help you stave off the cold.

Once ready for departure, you’ll leave the city of Reykjavík; be sure to look back at glowing skyline at night as you sail away. You’ll head out into Faxaflói Bay until you are under clear skies and the city lights are nothing but a blur on the horizon.

From here, you’ll gaze at a canopy of stars, waiting as your eyes adjust to the darkness. When the Northern Lights will appear is never quite certain, as they are elusive forces of nature, but when they do, the rewards are unmatched.

Descending like precipitation from the sky, they will swirl and dance in a magnificent, otherworldly display, usually green but occasionally purple, pink, red, blue and white. It is little wonder why ancient peoples believed them to be messages from their ancestors, or signs that they were favoured by their gods.

The best Northern Lights shows are found where there is the least light pollution, and there are few places darker than the middle of the sea at night. A further advantage of watching the auroras by boat is that natural features such as mountains will not obscure your view.

You will return to the harbour after two hours, hopefully having witnessed an awe-inspiring example of this incredible phenomenon. In the case that the Northern Lights do not show, you will be offered a spot on another tour for free, and are sure to still have a mesmerising experience staring at the spectacular starry sky above.

Don’t miss this chance to witness the aurora borealis from Faxaflói Bay. Check availability by choosing a date.