Golden Circle & Northern Lights Boat Tour

You’ll begin the day in Reykjavík, where you’ll be picked up by a minibus. From there, the group travels through Iceland’s open landscapes before arriving at Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where nature and history meet. Here, you’ll walk between the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates, seeing firsthand the continental rift. This valley is also the birthplace of Alþingi, Iceland’s parliament, founded in 930. Nearby, you’ll find the Law Rock (Lögberg), the historic site where lawmakers once gathered. 

Next, we visit Haukadalur Valley, a geothermally active area. While the Great Geysir remains silent, Strokkur, located nearby, provides the spectacle—erupting every 5 to 10 minutes and shooting boiling water up to 40 m (131 ft) into the air. The power of these hot springs is accompanied by a shroud of rising steam drifting from fissures in the ground.

The Golden Circle continues to Gullfoss, the “Golden Falls” of Iceland. Fed by the glacier waters of the Hvítá River, this 32 m (105 ft) two-tiered waterfall plunges into a deep canyon, sending its roar echoing off the rocky walls and creating a fine mist in the air. Stand near the railing, and you may feel the cool droplets splash against your face. 

Kerið Crater Lake marks the end of the sightseeing portion of the tour. This volcanic formation, which is over 3,000 years old, features a deep blue lake surrounded by reddish volcanic slopes. When viewed from above, it resembles an eye—earning it the nickname “The Eye of the World.” 

After exploring the caldera rim, we’ll start making our way back to Reykjavik. 

After returning to Reykjavík, you’ll board a boat at Reykjavík’s Old Harbor and head out into the open waters to search for the Northern Lights. The boat features a café and a souvenir shop you can enjoy as you sail out. 

After about 15–20 minutes, we’ll be far enough from the city lights for a clear view of the night sky. If conditions are right, the heavens above us will become a canvas for Mother Nature’s work. An array of colors will drag against the dark Icelandic sky like paintbrush strokes. Your guide will announce when it’s time to step outside and take in the auroras. 

While sightings are not guaranteed, the crew will do their best to find the best viewing spot and explain how the Northern Lights form, as well as the folklore surrounding them. Warm overalls will be provided to keep you comfortable on deck. 

Once the viewing portion is complete, we’ll return to shore and conclude the tour. 

This is a combo tour, so starting points vary for each portion of the trip: 

Golden Circle: Pick-up begins at 12:00 PM. After the tour, you will be dropped off at Miðbakki 4, where you’ll have time to get dinner at nearby restaurants before the Northern Lights portion of the trip. 

Northern Lights by Boat: The meeting point is Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík. The boat tour starts at 9:00 PM. Please arrive at the Special Tours office at least 30 minutes before departure.