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A guide will meet you in the Whale Watching Centre, which is facilitated on board an old fishing vessel permanently placed by the pier. At night it takes on a magical form with a multimedia northern lights show. The 10 minute show includes images, time-lapse footage of the lights while explaining the science behind the northern lights. In the absence of the aurora borealis during the tour, no refunds are offered.
See the Glacier Lagoon
Your adventure begins at the scenic Old Harbour by Reykjavík's city centre. The Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre lights up the area with an incredible glass panel display, as you board your boat and set sails for Faxaflói Bay. See the Northern Lights from the open waters of Faxaflói Bay, on this boat cruise that sets out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour.
Alaska Cruises to See The Northern Lights
Additionally, excursions that include visits to Iceland’s other natural wonders, like glaciers and volcanoes, add value to the journey. Embarking on a Northern Lights cruise from Iceland is like stepping into a real-life fairy tale. Imagine sailing through icy waters, wrapped in the cozy warmth of a blanket, as the sky above dances in vibrant hues of green, purple, and pink. It's an experience that combines adventure with the magic of nature, offering memories that last a lifetime.
Northern Lights City Break
You won’t have to travel far from either port to be clear of city lights to catch a sighting. If you have a valid driver’s license in the Latin alphabet, you can rent a car and hunt for the northern lights yourself. This 3-day tour, in addition to a Northern Lights hunt, includes the South Coast in winter as well as Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, the famous Golden Circle, and engaging in some adventurous ice caving. So the chance of seeing the aurora borealis while you’re soaking in the mineral water there depends highly on luck. You can drive to the lagoon along the Ring Road from Vik or find one of the black sand beaches of South Iceland to enjoy the view of the lights dancing across the sky. We’ll cover each of them below, starting with the best places to see the northern lights in Iceland.
These tours take you out to sea, far from any light pollution, and offer you a fantastic opportunity for a sighting. Those on a budget will appreciate the cheap northern lights bus tour from Reykjavik, which takes you to the most promising locations without breaking the bank. You can book tours like this in Akureyri as well, like with this northern lights tour near lake Myvatn. When the auroras are incredibly vibrant, you might see them from urban areas, even with light pollution, such as from a garden, your hotel, or just from the street. But the darker your surroundings, the more intense the colors will be. Modern scholars have theorized that the Old Norse people might have thought the northern lights were the glinting of the shields and armors of the Valkyries.
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They serve excellent food, so you can enjoy a meal while waiting for the elusive northern lights. Contrary to popular belief, colder weather does not affect whether the northern lights in Iceland will appear. Finally, a fantastic way to enjoy the incredible phenomenon of the aurora borealis in Iceland is by watching them on a boat tour. This means no other group members will be distracting you on your tour, there are no time limitations, and you can choose where to look for the aurora borealis in Iceland yourself.
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Patience and optimism are your companions on this journey, as sightings are not guaranteed. This is a nature dependent tour and therefore it may get cancelled on short notice. The auroras cannot be predicted or guaranteed, but in case there are no sightings you can join the tour another night for free. Keep an eye on the sky until the auroras begin to descend; the guides on board will be doing the same, and are excellent at spotting signs of their arrival. As soon as they appear, you and your group will no doubt be mesmerised in silence, in complete awe of their unreal beauty. All that is needed for the Northern Lights to show is a clear, dark sky, enough solar activity, and a little luck.
Then, commune with nature at the world-famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa built on a lava field and heated with geothermal energy. Pamper yourself with mud masks and massages while wading in the soothing waters. Even though Akureyri has only 18,000 residents, it's called the Capital of the North for a reason. Head there to warm up in the steaming thermal pool at the head of Iceland's longest fjord, Eyjafjordur. Scanning night skies for northern lights requires patience and warm clothing. Besides a down coat, warm hat, and gloves, be sure to pack wind and waterproof pants (i.e., ski pants or rain pans), thermal long underwear, wool socks, and winter boots for walking on snow and ice.
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It has an observatory and wake-up service for the aurora, ensuring that guests won’t miss the aurora if it happens during their stay. Opting for layers is key; start with thermal base layers to retain body heat, followed by insulating middle layers, like a fleece or down jacket, to trap warmth. A waterproof and windproof outer layer is crucial to shield you from the elements, ensuring comfort as you gaze at the night sky.
After all, whales are common along Iceland’s shores, and both bodies of water are home to resident white-beaked dolphins and harbor porpoises. Minke whales are more commonly spotted from Reykjavik, while Humpbacks are regular visitors to the northern waters, though you’ll usually see these in the summer. The general rule is that the darker it is, the better for seeing the vibrant colors of the aurora. Iceland is very dark in the winter, reaching up to twenty hours of darkness during and around the winter solstice, which occurs on December 21 each year.
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A Northern Lights cruise takes the stress out of planning, lodging, and even transportation to destinations like Iceland, Alaska, and more. Prepare to see the Reykjavík shoreline in all its glory, until you escape the lights and are greeted by the darkness of winter. If the skies are clear, you will see the stars of the night sky shine brighter than before, with the only beacon of light being the luminous Imagine Peace Tower, where it rests in the island of Viðey.
But the routes of this coastal ferry company in Norway just happen to traverse the perfect latitudes to see the aurora. For the best odds of seeing the northern lights, we suggest the 12-day round-trip itinerary from Bergen up the coast of Norway and back. Considering the cruise line is named after the atmospheric phenomenon, it should come as no surprise that it offers a northern lights itinerary. At 19 to 22 days long, depending on the departure, there is plenty of time to hope for a northern lights appearance — or two, or three, or more. The longer itinerary continues with a visit to the Faroe Islands and disembarkation in Bergen, Norway.
Seeing the Northern Lights is one of those magical experiences on nearly every traveler’s bucket list due to the surreal way light moves in waves of green color across the nighttime sky. Extend your cruise vacation, and simplify your travel plans with a hotel stay at the beginning or end of your cruise. With a Cruise Plus Hotel Package, a Princess representative meets you at the airport and pier, transporting you to and from your hotel. The package includes the cost of your hotel stay, transportation, luggage handling and the services of the representative. It's difficult to imagine something more romantic than sailing through the alluring cities and charming countryside of Europe.
Remember, it's not just about the gear but also about embracing the moment. Dress warmly, be patient, and let the majestic dance of the lights fill you with wonder. These moments are fleeting, but with the tips shared, they'll live on in stunning photographs and cherished memories. So grab your camera, set sail under the Arctic skies, and prepare to be mesmerized by the celestial spectacle that awaits. When embarking on a Northern Lights cruise from Iceland, passengers are not only treated to the splendor of the Arctic skies but also a plethora of activities and amenities onboard.
Being in the middle of a pitch-black bay, with a dome of stars above, makes your odds of catching them much higher than if you were trying to find a spot in the city away from the lights and buildings. Endearing herself to readers with her warm, personable writing style, Judith has become a trusted voice in the cruising community. She is the go-to source for tips, advice, and comprehensive information on cruising. As a tireless explorer and devoted family woman, Judith Eve embodies the essence of the adventurous spirit, inspiring readers to set sail and create their own sea stories. Capturing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, on camera is a dream for many passengers on Northern Lights cruises from Iceland. However, photographing these elusive lights requires a bit of know-how and preparation.
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