Northern Lights Cruise From Downtown Reykjavik

OK, but no lights. No refund offered! Lame. Would've At been nice if the guide had told us information about lights/city, etc while we were just sitting there. At least we got a voucher to come back, but probably won't have time.

The northern lights boat tour was an enjoyable experience! While the lights were faint, they didn’t make an appearance.

This experience was amazing! The northern lights danced around us for over an hour. It was other worldly - something I never thought I’d see in person. No need to look through phones, they shone brightly! The boat was great, yummy hot chocolate and lovely staff

Overall the tour went well and the warm coveralls provided where incredibly helpful in the cold weather. However, the tour operators extended the tour by more than an hour and an half to keep searching for the Northern Lights. I appreciate that they wanted to deliver on the experience but this made the tour far too long for already tired travelers.

What an incredible experience. The guide went out of his way to make sure we saw as many lights as possible. He even extended the time of the tour because he thought the lights would peak. And they did! What a show. Staff was kind and patient . They provided warm overalls for us to wear. Amazing experience.

The company is excellent. The crew is very friendly, very helpful. I enjoyed it so much. I didn't even want to get off the boat. They give you the option if you don't see the nut lights the first time go again, which is what happened to me. And everybody was wonderful. I highly recommend this tour

Really good tour - very friendly guides and straightforward instructions.

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.

It was cancelled two days in a row. Will be very sad to leave Iceland and not see the Northern Lights.

Maria was excelent and lights came out to play

It was amazing! We were very lucky as the lights were quite strong that night. The views of the city line were also stunning!

Thought this was well worth the money, we got very lucky with your views this night. I would highly recommend it to anyone and also would recommend braving the cold and sitting on the top deck for the best views. Also thought it was great that they sent photos to us afterwards as well.

We are a couple travelling from the U.K. with a two year old. We were keen to get out to see if we could spot the northern lights but bus tours wouldn’t take us with the child. The boat would however accept us as there are warm inside places to rest. It is obviously very cold on a boat on the upper decks so dress well, our child was wrapped in a snow suit, carried in a sling with my fleece coat the wrapped around both of us. She was toasty and slept the whole way. If you get queasy at sea they also provide sea sickness tablets. Obviously the trip is entirely dependent on Mother Nature, our tour started with some gentle lights only properly visible through a camera lens and there is a lot of waiting. On this night however they developed into a beautiful sight and one of my bucket list was well and truly ticked!

We were very lucky to see the Aurora throughout our voyage. The lights were pointed out by our guide who provided a good commentary.

Trip was canceled by tour company because of rough seas How do I get a refund

Amazing views! Started off with a little arch and wasn’t sure if we would see much. Then, in the blink of an eye…this

Our Northern Lights boat cruise was a great experience overall. The cruise was initially canceled due to weather, but the tour provider was very proactive in communicating with us and letting us know about the change. They made it easy to rebook for another evening during our trip. The rescheduling process was seamless and required very little effort on our part, which we really appreciated. Once we went on the tour, it was a fun and unique way to see the Northern Lights while also getting out on the water. Overall, it was a great experience and we appreciated how smoothly everything was handled.

We had an incredible time on our cruise! The crew were excellent and although we only saw a glimpse of the aurora borealis on our booked night, we received complimentary tickets and booked on again to witness the most amazing couple of hours of the northern lights dancing in the sky! A truly magical experience!

It was a nice (but very cold!) evening - we only saw the slightest glimmer of northern lights, but we were aware that they are unpredictable and so we were very grateful to see them at all. Also a good bonus that you get a ticket to return, as they didn’t count the tiny bit we saw as a proper sighting. The tour guide was great, explaining how the northern lights happen and what affects their visibility. He also very quickly pointed out when they became visible so that everyone inside knew to come out. Wear lots of layers!

Fantastic experience of seeing the lights att sea with this fantastic company. Booked at the last minute and wasn't disappointed The lights were out in force. Great ride on tthe boat, very informative staff comfy seats

On the night we went all other companies cancelled and refunded as little chance to see lights. Tourist office said we would likely get a cancellation email. Elding went ahead so we went out and sat in a dark cabin for two hours! Clear that the guide on board was not suprised. She said next two nights also unlikely, we tried again on our last night, but that night they did cancel, not because of cloud but because of rough seas. Avoid this company as they just want to take your money for nothing!. Lots of well written, flowery, wordy emails when I complained, saying you cannot predict the lights. I know that, but when you are the only company going out - you need to look at your customer service. It is alot of money for nothing. My advice would be to only book on day, or day before, and use another company not Elding. The tourist office can advise. Such a shame as most companies we came across in Iceland where more genuine.

This was a fabulous excursion. We were blessed with clear skies and could see the Northern Lights as soon as we set sail from Ryekjavik, with some mindblowing displays as the evening developed. Kylie (not that one!) gave a running commentary all the way through the trip, and her enthusiasm was catching. The boat was clean and comfortable, the cafe served the most welcoming hot chocolate and there were overalls in case you needed extra warmth. This is definitley an excursion where you need every layer you pocess if you take it in the winter months. We would definitely recomend this excusion with this company. @eves_bimbles

The entire day was overcast, touring company should have canceled the tour and rescheduled for a different day, but they proceeded anyway the woman who was conducting the tour was very difficult to hear and understand over the microphone. Gave absolutely no direction and we basically sat in the middle of the ocean without knowing what to do for a good hour. Complete waste of money during company refuses to issue any sort of compensation. Book at your own risk, the tour company will make sure they don’t lose any money.

Completely frustrating. The guide told it was not possible to see the northern lights due the cloudy weather. My friend took this tour in a different boat, at the same time and they managed to see the lights!!! This is intriguing. I asked for a refund and they refused. I had a great time in Iceland, all tour were amazing (10 tours), this was the only one bad experience. I recommend you to evaluate another company to take this tour.

A great way to try your luck with the Northern Lights. Never guaranteed but heading out to sea away from city lights has got to be one of the best ways to see the lights. The city itself looks stunning in the dark from the sea, we also managed to see the John Lennon tribute light beam into the dark night sky. The beautiful green ribbons and arcs of the Northern lights didn't arrive until we were about to turn around and head home but they were well worth the wait. Obviously it's cold so wrap up warm if you intend waiting on the deck but there is heating inside the three or four separate aaloona on the boat as well as a small selection of refreshments.

This was a super way to see the northern lights and we were not disappointed. Warm inside the ship and wrap up well if going up on deck. Very relaxing and enjoyable evening.

The boat is spacious with many place to sit inside as well as observe outside. The guide was excellent at explaining the phenomenon of the northern lights, safety, and alerting passengers who were inside when to come out. He took great care in answering questions from children. The overalls make all the difference in staying warm. Hand and foot warmers are available for sale at the bar. Seeing the city lights at nice is a bonus as well.

We had a great experience! 5 minutes into the trip around the harbor the lights appeared and lasted about 20 minutes before they disappeared. The boat continued to circle the harbor in hopes of catching them again but alas the lights are fickle and decided to not give us more excitement. So we had some hot chocolate and enjoyed the views of the city from the harbor. February in Iceland at night is really cold so dress accordingly, but this tour operator anticipates everything so there are plenty of all-weather overalls for passengers to use if you feel underdressed. We highly recommend you take this tour for your shot at seeing the famous Northern Lights!

This was absolutely the best way to see the Northern Lights!!! The crew was friendly and knowledgeable…the ship provided suits to keep you warm…refreshments were available. I would highly recommend this trip for a hassle free way to see the Northern Lights!!!

Had a great time on the boat but unfortunately didn’t see much of the Northern lights . We did get a ticket to use anytime in the next two years free of charge tho .

Best Northern lights sightings ever! So many green and pink lights, it was awesome. Hot chocolate to keep you warm too

Disappointed we didn’t see the Northern Lights on a clear night with stars outside. Clear visibility. The girl who spoke was very difficult to understand at times.

The best way to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik. The ferry is sizeable, offers multiple floors for different viewing experiences and tolerances. In the winter, it will be very cold and windy on the top deck. Bundle up accordingly. The guide is very informative along the way. Small snack bar with hot chocolate and hand warmers is available. If you aren't staying out in the country at night, this is the best way to see the lights from the city. Incredible views from the water.

The tour operators were amazing. We lucked out and the aurora was aglow for the entire time. The guide even helped with camera settings so we could all get the best photos.

The Northern Lights Cruise was a GREAT way to see the Northern Lights, albeit it’s all about luck. It’s a two hour experience vs the five hour bus tours. We were very, very, lucky and had an INCREDIBLE viewing of the Northern Lights which lasted the entire two hours. It was truly a majestic experience. We went on this tour in January and it was pretty cold so make sure to bundle up. You can go inside and they do offer water and wind proof coveralls. The staff on the boat were also helpful in figuring out the best settings for pictures.

5/5 loved the outing. We had to cancel twice due to weather and the company made the rescheduling process easy and without any hassle.

Even though there were some clouds, we were able to see a spectacular light show. They provided the warmest full body suits and gave great info as we waited for nature's light show. John Lennon's Peace Tower was also lit up. Highly recommend

Our Northern Lights Cruise with Elding was superb. I was incredibly grateful for the great guide Emily who gave excellent commentary throughout and we also had access to the photos that were taken too which was a wonderful bonus. I would thoroughly recommend this trip.

A brilliant trip which delivered on the lights. We did this on our first day there and 5 minutes from setting off from the harbour, the lights were out and stayed there for our entire 2 hr trip. The guide was informative, you could sit inside to get out of the cold when needed and buy drinks (the hot chocolate was amazing and best I’ve had in a long time).

Brilliant trip. Informative guide. We were very lucky that within 5 minutes and setting off the lights were out and pretty much there the entire 2 hrs. Got some really good pictures. We went in January and it was extremely cold, there was suits you could put on if needed though and hot drinks etc could be purchased inside (the hot chocolate was delicious)

Was a lovely tour and the northern lights were amazing there was a waffel and hot drink van there as well to warm us up the tour guide was very helpful and nice to talk to and the driver of the bis was very nice as well

Flawless experience. Friendly and helpful crue. Comfortable and cozy boat. We found Aurora within 15 minutes after leaving the port. We highly recommend this experience.

This was incredible. We got a calm day and were told it was the most consistent the lights had been all winter so far. The boat was warm inside but if you get a good view you will spend most of your time sky gazing. Lovely friendly staff and an overall great experience. I would say the only issue some people may find is the rocking of the boat can make photos hard, but just enjoy the show!

Disappointed with this trip, saw the lights for 5 mins( very faint to the eye) and the comments on the boatmadr it out like we'd seen the best show ever. Did the coach trip the next day and it was much better. They choose where to go based on forecast etc.. If you see the lights for 1 min, that counts (dont expect a repeat trip)

First, I didn't get to see the lights, which was very unfortunate. However, I'm still giving the 5⭐ review because of the company. My original date had to be rescheduled due to weather. Rescheduling was a breeze. Then, I realized that it was a longer walk to the local than I anticipated, so at the last minute. I requested a pick up. Not a problem. The boat itself was beautiful. Very spacious. The onboard staff was kind and helpful. The boat trip was fun regardless of catching the Lights. Finally, my driver was my favorite driver of the trip.

Our host Knut was so knowledgeable & friendly. Despite some clouds we were blessed with a fantastic view of the lights! Highly recommend this trip!

Our tour guides were fantastic and shared some fascinating facts. On the first night, unfortunately, the weather was against us and we missed seeing the lights. However, we were given a free pass and were able to see them the following night. The boat was very stable though a bit rocky if you stood on top but they did provide sea sickness tablets to help with this.

Dress warmly! Boat ride was very smooth, even after a very windy day. The first day we saw nothing so were happy to have a chance to repeat. The second time we saw lights within minutes of leaving the dock.

We booked this after seeing the northern lights on a bus tour. While we were unable to actually see them from the boat, we were able to record some on our phones. The boat was very crowded, probably because it was more accessible and cheaper than the bus tour. The seats below were arranged around large tables, and because it was so crowded, we were forced to share a table with strangers. Nobody would stop talking while safety instructions were being stated over the loud speaker, making it difficult to understand what was being said. All instructions were made in English, including those explaining not to use camera flashbulbs while trying to take photographs. Because many of those onboard evidently did not speak English, these instructions were not followed, making it difficult to see much. The boat pitched and rocked, even when the engines were at idle, and any long exposure photos often turned out blurry. The length of the ride was too short to get very far from the harbor's light pollution. The top most deck was so crowded, we found our view less obstructed on the bow. Catching a taxi afterwards was challenging, even when were the first to disembark. About the only positive thing we could say is that we were able to photograph the Peace Tower, which was difficult to see from Reykjavik. Skip the boat and take a bus tour, instead!