Finding your aurora boat at Reykjavik's Old Harbour
Every northern lights boat on this site leaves from Reykjavik's Old Harbour, along the pier called Ægisgarður. The tours check in at two different places, and in the dark it is easy to walk to the wrong one. This guide covers where to go and when to arrive, then how to get back.
Two check-in points on one pier
The Old Harbour sits on the western edge of the city center, and the aurora boats all tie up along Ægisgarður. Which building you go to depends on the company that runs your trip.
- Elding checks in at its own ticket office, Ægisgarður 5c
- Sea Trips and Harpa Yachts both use the Old Harbour House, Ægisgarður 2
- Reykjavik Sailors starts from the Old Harbour too; check the meeting point on your ticket
The two buildings are close, but on a dark winter evening a short wrong turn costs minutes. Look up your operator's name on the ticket before you leave the hotel.
Elding at Ægisgarður 5c
Our pick, Elding's cruise from ~$105, checks in at Elding's ticket office at Ægisgarður 5c. Its red and white boat is a classic whale-watching boat that carries up to 150 guests, by Viator's figure.
Elding lends warm overalls and raincoats for the open deck. Arrive with time to spare, since pulling overalls on over a winter coat takes a few minutes and the queue grows on busy nights.
Elding's office is a separate building from the Old Harbour House. If you booked Elding through GetYourGuide or Viator, you still check in at Ægisgarður 5c.
The Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2
The Sea Trips boats and Harpa Yachts share the Old Harbour House at Ægisgarður 2. Instead of a ticket desk, you scan the code on your ticket at a self-service kiosk.
The Sea Trips listings ask you to check in 30 minutes before departure. Use the same margin for Harpa Yachts, since both firms load guests from the same building.
Several boats load from this one building. Read the boat and company name on your ticket before heading out to the pier. Departure times vary by month, so check the start time on your listing.
The two Sea Trips cruises and Harpa Yachts sail from here. Both Sea Trips boats carry up to 98 guests, and Harpa Yachts uses either MY Harpa for up to 35 or MY Amelia Rose for up to 95.
Have your phone charged and the ticket open before you reach the kiosk. Fumbling for a code with cold fingers is slower than it sounds, and the queue moves at the pace of the slowest phone.
Walking from the center
Most central hotels are a short walk from the pier. From Hallgrímskirkja the Old Harbour is roughly a 10–15 minute walk downhill, and from the main shopping streets it is less.
Follow the waterfront west past Harpa and the harbour opens out ahead of you. The streets are lit, but the last stretch along the pier is darker.
The pier itself can be icy in winter. Wear boots with grip, and our guide on what to wear covers footwear for icy ground.
Pickup, and what it costs
Hotel pickup is the easy option if you are staying further out, but the terms differ. Elding charges extra for it, while the Sea Trips boats offer it as an option you pick when you book.
Reykjavik Sailors' combo lists pickup on its page. On every tour, check what your chosen option includes, because the cheapest fare often means you make your own way.
Pickup adds to the bill, and our price comparison sets the fares side by side so you can see the total. Wondering whether a land tour with pickup suits you better? Read boat or bus.
A budget cruise from the Old Harbour House
Sea Trips' two-hour sightseeing cruise with a double observation deck. Check in at the kiosk, and keep the free return ticket if the sky stays dark.
Getting back after the cruise
The boats come back to the same pier, and a late trip can end after 11 pm. The walk back into the center is short. Expect it to be dark and cold, and often slippery.
Walk in a group with others from the boat if you can, and keep a phone charged for the map. The cold drains batteries quickly, so carry it in an inside pocket.
If your hotel is further away, a taxi from the harbour saves a long walk in the wind. If you booked pickup, check on your listing whether it covers the ride back as well.
Before you leave the hotel
- Check the operator name and address on your ticket
- Have the ticket code ready on your phone for the kiosk
- Leave time for check-in 30 minutes before departure
- Dress for wind on deck, even if town feels mild
- Take a seasickness remedy before boarding if you need one
Seasickness is less common on the sheltered bay, though winter swell happens; our seasickness guide has the details. Our yacht or big boat guide covers the size and feel of each boat.
If the trip is cancelled
Operators call off sailings in rough weather, so check your messages before you leave the hotel. A cancelled trip gets you a new date or a refund.
If the boat sails and the sky stays dark, most companies offer a retry instead. Our guide to the free retry rules explains each one, and the best months guide covers when to go. The lights are never guaranteed.