Tours/Reykjavik/Northern Lights Cruise with Second Chance Guarantee
Northern Lights Cruise with Second Chance Guarantee
4.0(350)Reykjavik2h 30min
VIATOR3.9(266)TRIPADVISOR4.3(84)
+7 photos
At a glance
Duration
2h 30min
Price from
$280 / person
Location
Reykjavik, Iceland
Rating
4.0 / 5 · 350 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 198
Cancellation
Free cancellation
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Special Tours Iceland
Meeting point
Make your way to Special Tours ticket office located on Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík for check-in. We recommend being at the check-in 30 minutes prior to departure.
Description
Chase the Northern Lights aboard a comfortable boat sailing out from Reykjavík's Old Harbour. Watch the Aurora dance over Faxaflói bay with the city and mountains in the background.
Tour Options
10pm Cruise excl Transfer
Cruise departing at 10pm
9pm or 10pm Cruise
9pm or 10pm Cruise
What's included
Included
Crew members can be asked for photography assistance on board if needed
Pictures taken on every tour, available to download free of charge
Use of thermal overalls - also available in children's sizes!
Free WiFi & heated indoor seating
Free ticket to try again if nothing is seen on your tour
Not included
Food and drink (can be purchased on board)
Hotel transfers (can be added for an additional fee)
Traveller Ratings
4.0
350 reviews
5
168
4
86
3
42
2
22
1
32
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Subject to favorable weather conditions.
If cancelled due to inclement weather you will be given the option to reschedule or receive a full refund (if you have not joined the tour previously). If conditions to see the lights still look good, but sea conditions are poor, you will be offered a Northern Lights by Bus tour instead. Please note that the coach tour is the same price as the boat tour, and therefore if you choose to join the coach tour in these circumstances, a refund will not be offered.
If you join the tour and there are no sightings you will get another ticket to join on the next available day. No refund if you have already been on the tours and used the service. This offer does not expire and can also be used in a few years.
Hotel pick up: Available to book directly with supplier (Extra Fees Apply).
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Northern Lights Cruise with Second Chance Guarantee take?
Northern Lights Cruise with Second Chance Guarantee lasts about 2h 30min.
How much does Northern Lights Cruise with Second Chance Guarantee cost?
Prices start at $280 per person for this Reykjavik experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Can I cancel Northern Lights Cruise with Second Chance Guarantee for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Make your way to Special Tours ticket office located on Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík for check-in. We recommend being at the check-in 30 minutes prior to departure. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Northern Lights Cruise with Second Chance Guarantee offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 198 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Reviews(350)
P
pamelawe
April 14, 2026
Breathtaking Northern Lights
Boat trip out after dark to look for the lights.
Found the lights quite early on and they got stronger the longer we were there
Guide indicated where to point camera to get the best view. Amazing !!! Took so many photos and they all came out...just using my phone.
If you got too cold drinks and snacks available on the boat.
Operator response
Thank you for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that you were able to see the Northern Lights and capture such great photos, even with your phone. That’s amazing!
It’s also great to know that you found the guidance helpful and enjoyed the onboard amenities.
We hope to welcome you on board again in the future!
J
Jamille
April 3, 2026
Perfect!!
It was exciting, fulfilling a dream. Choosing this tour proved to be the best way to see the Aurora Boreal. And we really saw (not just by the camera lens) and many times. Being able to return to the boat's heated area whenever you want is very convenient considering the intense cold.
Operator response
Estamos muito gratos pela sua avaliação! Ficamos muito felizes em saber que gostou do nosso tour e que considerou o barco confortável, especialmente pela possibilidade de se aquecer do frio intenso da Islândia.
É maravilhoso saber que conseguiu ver a Aurora Boreal tantas vezes. Isso torna a experiência ainda mais especial!
Esperamos recebê-lx novamente no futuro!
F
F2432ZVjenniferw
March 18, 2026
Amazing experience, well run, friendly tour employees.
The tour was fantastic. Our guide Joe, was informative and funny. The captain was great, we had some rough seas but never felt unsafe. We were lucky enough to see the lights. Would recommend.
Operator response
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you found the tour fantastic.
It’s great to know that Joe was both informative and entertaining. He’ll really appreciate your kind words. We’re also glad you felt safe and well taken care of by our captain, even in the rougher sea conditions.
And of course, we’re especially happy that you were able to see the Northern Lights. That truly makes the experience unforgettable!
Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again in the future!
O
OnAir792446
March 14, 2026
Wonderful experience!
Wonderful experience! The guide told us exactly where to look in the night sky and how to set our phones for better views of the aurora. The boat was very comfortable and it was a treat to be able to get a hot cup of coffee with Bailey’s. Be sure to bundle up so you can stay outside. Also, our friends wore gloves that could be used with cell phones.
Operator response
Thank you for your kind review and for sharing helpful tips for future guests! We’re delighted to hear that our guide helped you set up your phone camera to capture the Northern Lights.
We’re also glad that you enjoyed the warm drinks on board. It can indeed get quite cold outside, but as you said, the views of the aurora make it well worth it.
We hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future!
F
F5033DAstephenb
March 14, 2026
Great trip
Great trip. Got to see the lights. Lovely to see. Great guide on board telling what to look for and how to take a picture of them
Operator response
Thank you for your review! We’re glad to hear that you were able to see the Northern Lights and that our crew could help you with tips on how to capture the best photos of the aurora. We hope to welcome you on board again in the future!
P
Picturesmith
February 8, 2026
Memorable and enjoyable evening
Start to finish, excellent experience and really worth doing. All the staff were friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable. The boat was clean, tidy and very comfortable and we did get to see the Northern Lights. Very happy indeed. As a tip, you can check in at the office during the day of your trip so you can take your pass straight to the boat in the evening
Operator response
Thank you very much for your kind review! It is a pleasure for us to hear all these highlights about our staff. We are also happy that you had the chance to see the Northern Lights! Amazing!
Thank you as well for sharing your helpful tip with our other guests.Thank you for sharing your tip with our other customers!
We hope to welcome you again on board soon!
A
Alvaro G
January 27, 2026
Good excursion if you see the auroras...
Everything was well organized. Timetables and different alternatives to do it on different days. Inside the boat it was hot and it was fine with the coffee shop. On top cold, but spectacular.
Operator response
Gracias por tu reseña, Álvaro! Nos alegra saber que encontraste el tour bien organizado y puntual, y que el interior del barco con la cafetería hizo la experiencia más cómoda. Aunque fuera haga frío, las vistas son realmente espectaculares. Esperamos verte de nuevo a bordo pronto!
P
Paul H
January 21, 2026
Your BEST Option for Darkness
Excellent experience hosted by a professional and humorous crew. This tour operator is focused on delivering a very memorable cruise. The forecast G3 magnetic storm produced beautiful overhead lights in the darkness of the sea just outside of Reykjavik harbor. Our narrator's explanation of the experience (often humorous) added to the overall enjoyment. Most strongly recommend this option to avoid light pollution.
Operator response
Dear Paul, thank you very much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a memorable Northern Lights by Boat experience and that the G3 magnetic storm delivered such spectacular displays. It’s great to know our crew’s professionalism and sense of humor added to your enjoyment. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on board again in the future!
O
occdoc
January 8, 2026
Magic in the sky
So ecstatic to view the Northern Lights almost as soon as the ship pulled out of the harbor, despite the forecast of low probability. Plus guide Celina provided a thorough, factual and very interesting commentary and some very practical tips on how best to capture the lights on our cameras. Totally awesome tour!
Operator response
Thank you for your kind review! We’re very happy to hear that you had such a great time and were able to see the Northern Lights so quickly, even with a low forecast. Celina is indeed very knowledgeable, and it’s great to know her commentary and photography tips made the experience even more special. We hope to welcome you on board again!
A
addict2holidays
January 8, 2026
Great view of the lights
Did a northern lights cruise, boat left on time, was out a good couple hours, saw the lights, so bright even without using phone/camera. Recommend to dress very warm, they do offer overalls to also put on if you need them as an extra layer. The host was very informative, looking for and finding where the lights were, inside there was a area you could get drinks and snacks, I had hot chocolate and I thought the price extremely reasonable and the drink was very nice. There is a decent amount of seating. A great evening was had
Operator response
Thank you for your review! We’re happy to hear that you had such a great evening and were able to see the Northern Lights shining so brightly. Enjoying them with a warm hot chocolate sounds perfect! We also appreciate you highlighting our guide’s efforts! Our team is indeed very informative and always doing their best to find the best viewing conditions. We’re glad you found the seating, refreshments, and extra overalls helpful, and we hope to welcome you on board again soon!
