The Northern lights are elusive. I always tell people that you should not visit Iceland just to see the northern lights. The country has so much else to offer. Remember, the northern lights are a complex natural phenomenon. The appearance of the northern lights depends on many factors such as he sun’s activity, time of day (or night), the season (bright sky in the summer, dark in winter) clouds, the amount of light pollution, and the weather in general. But if you are determined to experience the northern lights in Iceland, you can do much worse than to book the Northern Lights By Boat with a Backup Plan from Special Tours. Sign up for my newsletter to get a promotional discount for this tour and many others.

Northern lights from a boat in Iceland
Getting away from light pollution increases the odds of seeing the northern lights in Iceland.

Tell me more about this northern lights tour by boat with plan b

So how does the tour work? It is simple. Book the tour online, but if the weather is bad, you are guaranteed a Northern Lights-themed visit to Whales of Iceland called Auroras at the Whales of Iceland. You will keep your ticket for the Northern Lights by Boat. Just know that this tour is non-refundable.

Free road trip plans with maps

Day-by-day plans for the four drives most people take, each on an interactive map with where to sleep, fuel stops, waterfalls and reader discounts along the way. Built for a relaxed pace, not a race.

See all road trip plans

Map of hot springs, spas and pools

Every lagoon, wild hot spring and town pool in Iceland on one map. Find warm water near you, and see which spas give my readers a discount.

  • 57 places to soak
  • % Reader discounts
Open the hot springs map

 

The safe way to go

It will take only about 15-20 to sail away from the city’s light pollution and enjoy the starry sky. A guide will explain everything there is to know about the northern lights.  You get a a complimentary ticket for a retry if the aurora is not seen. Warm indoor seating, area overalls for the cold winter nights, and a bar is on the boat.

The whales of Iceland exhibition
The Whales of Iceland is a fantastic exhibition.

Auroras at the whales of Iceland is Plan B

If the weather is not conducive to aurora hunting, there is a backup plan. It is the Auroras at Whales of Iceland. I This exhibition is located close to Reykjavik Harbour. The exhibition features 23 life-sized models of the whale species that roam the seas around Iceland. You will also see a new 25-minute documentary about the northern lights.