New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise in Reykjavik

Reykjavik’s New Year’s Eve sky is the real star here. From the water, you can watch fireworks burst above the city from several directions, with the harbor lights below and Faxaflói Bay opening around you. The boat carries you away from the crowds for a clear view, then returns you to downtown after midnight.

I like the panoramic setting and the included glass of Champagne. I also like having an indoor saloon and coveralls, since standing outside in Iceland at midnight can be a serious test of your winter clothing.

The main catch is that this is not a long sightseeing voyage. The boat may travel only a short distance and remain in position for much of the 90 minutes, so book it for the fireworks view, not for constant cruising or extensive sightseeing.

Key points before you book

• The fireworks are the main event: You watch Reykjavik’s famous New Year’s Eve display from the water, with a broad view over the city.
• The boat leaves at 11:00 pm: The 90-minute timing is designed to place you on the bay at midnight and return you downtown soon afterward.
• Expect a stationary viewing position: The boat may sail only a short distance before holding its position for the best fireworks sightline.
• One glass of Champagne is included: Additional drinks and food cost extra, and the onboard bar has received mixed feedback.
• Indoor and outdoor options are available: Use the saloon for shelter or head onto the open deck when the fireworks begin.
• Capacity can reach 198 people: A full departure may feel crowded, especially on a smaller vessel.

Reykjavik fireworks from Faxaflói Bay

New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik is not a single organized display over one fixed point. Fireworks light up the city from many directions, creating a wide field of flashes across the dark sky. That makes a boat a useful viewing platform. You are not squeezed into one downtown street, and you can look back toward the city from the bay.

The cruise leaves from Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, right in Reykjavik’s harbor area. The location is close to downtown, and the boat returns to the same meeting point after midnight. That is a practical advantage because you can continue your evening on foot instead of arranging a long transfer back to your hotel.

The most important thing to understand is the viewing strategy. The boat heads a short way into Faxaflói Bay, then may stay in roughly the same place for much of the trip. This is intentional: the crew wants to hold a strong position facing the city rather than spend the whole evening sailing away from the fireworks.

If you picture a traditional sightseeing cruise with a steady route, changing views, and lots of movement, you may feel misled. If you picture a floating viewing platform with a little boat ride at the beginning and end, the experience makes more sense.

What happens from 11:00 pm to midnight

You meet at Special Tours at 11:00 pm. Since there is no hotel pickup, you need to make your own way to the harbor. The activity ends back at the same meeting point, putting you close to the center of Reykjavik’s New Year’s celebrations.

Once aboard, you can choose between the indoor saloon and the open deck. The saloon gives you a break from the cold, while the deck is the place to be when the fireworks spread across the sky. I would treat the indoor area as a useful refuge, not as a substitute for outdoor viewing. Windows, reflections, and other people can make the deck the better choice at midnight.

The boat is equipped with coveralls for use during the trip. That is helpful, but I would still wear warm layers, sturdy shoes, gloves, and a hat. A coverall protects your body, but it does not magically make a cold, windy deck feel mild.

A professional guide provides commentary during the outing. The commentary is meant to add context while you watch the illuminated city and fireworks. Audio quality can vary, and one account reported that a poor Wi-Fi connection repeatedly interrupted the attendant’s speech. I would see the narration as a bonus, not the reason to book.

As midnight approaches, you receive a glass of Champagne. It gives the experience a festive touch without requiring you to bring your own drink aboard. The onboard bar also sells drinks, though the bar has been described as limited, particularly when the boat is full. Food is not included.

The best place to stand when fireworks begin

The outdoor deck offers the strongest version of this experience. You get open air, the cold elements, and an unobstructed sense of the sky above Reykjavik. The combination can feel memorable, especially when fireworks are bursting in several parts of the city at once.

The deck also brings the obvious tradeoff. Icelandic winter weather can be cold and windy, and the boat is on open water. You may enjoy the atmosphere for a few minutes, then need the saloon to warm up. That is why the indoor and outdoor setup matters more than it might on a summer harbor trip.

If you want the clearest view, go outside before midnight rather than waiting until the first burst appears. With a maximum capacity of 198 people, movement may become difficult once everyone wants the same deck space. The smaller the boat feels on your departure, the more useful it will be to choose your viewing spot early.

The boat itself has drawn mixed reactions. Some people have found it too small when loaded close to capacity. That does not cancel out the view, but it changes the mood. You should expect a shared event with a sizeable group, not a private celebration on a quiet yacht.

A short cruise, not a full harbor tour

The wording can lead you to expect a proper voyage around the bay. In practice, the boat may travel only a short distance and stay in place for about 75 minutes, with more movement near the end. The whole experience lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

That arrangement has a clear purpose. The fireworks matter more than the route, and holding position can give you a steady view back toward Reykjavik. You are less likely to miss the display because the vessel is constantly changing direction.

Still, the distinction matters when you compare this with other New Year’s Eve options. You are paying for an offshore viewing position, a warm indoor area, a professional guide, coveralls, and Champagne. You are not paying for a long scenic tour of Faxaflói Bay.

I would not choose this activity if your main goal is to see a large amount of Iceland’s coastline at night. Darkness limits normal sightseeing anyway. I would choose it if you want to make the fireworks the center of your evening while enjoying a little distance from the streets.

Champagne, drinks, and onboard comfort

The included glass of Champagne is one of the better details. It gives you a clear midnight ritual: watch the fireworks, raise your glass, and welcome the New Year from the bay. The drink is included, but additional food and drinks are not.

The bar is available for purchases, though expectations should stay modest. A small onboard bar may be enough for a drink, but it is not a substitute for a full meal or a lively cocktail venue. Eat before boarding unless you are comfortable treating this as a short celebration rather than dinner.

The indoor saloon is important for comfort. You can get out of the wind, listen to the commentary, and wait for the main display without standing outside for the entire trip. If you are sensitive to cold, ask yourself whether you will be happy watching some of the fireworks through windows or stepping outside only for the biggest moments.

Coveralls are supplied, which is a useful practical extra. I would still avoid light party clothing as your only layer. New Year’s Eve encourages dressing up, but the bay calls for warmth first. You can keep the festive look underneath and use the supplied gear over it.

Does the $183.84 price make sense?

At $183.84 per person, this is an expensive 90-minute activity. The price makes more sense if you value a reserved place on the water, the included Champagne, access to indoor shelter, and a quick return to central Reykjavik after midnight.

It makes less sense if you are mainly buying a view of fireworks that you could see from land. Reykjavik’s New Year’s Eve display fills the city sky, so you do not need a boat to see fireworks. The boat adds a different setting, a planned midnight toast, and distance from street-level crowds.

I would compare the cost with your entire New Year’s Eve plan. If you already have a restaurant booking, drinks, and another paid event, this cruise can become a costly add-on. If you want one organized centerpiece for the night, the price may be easier to justify.

The strongest value comes from the location. You are not simply sitting in a harbor before returning to town. You are watching the capital from the water, where the city lights and fireworks appear together. The weaker value comes from the limited movement and uncertain crowding.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I think this suits couples, friends, and families who want a simple plan for midnight. You arrive at the harbor, board, watch the sky, toast with Champagne, and return close to the city center. There is little planning required once you reach the meeting point.

It also suits anyone who likes the atmosphere of being outdoors in winter. Standing on deck with the cold air around you can be part of the appeal. If you dislike wind, cold, boats, or standing among a large group, the experience may feel less appealing than a land-based celebration.

This is a good choice for someone who wants fireworks without committing to a full-night party venue. You can continue celebrating after the boat returns, since the endpoint is downtown. That flexibility is useful if you have a bar, dinner, or private gathering planned afterward.

I would be cautious about booking it for a person who expects detailed sightseeing commentary. The audio commentary can be hard to hear, and the boat is not traveling far enough to provide a full tour of the bay. The main experience is visual and festive.

Practical timing and booking advice

The tour starts at 11:00 pm, so plan your evening around getting to Geirsgata 11 on time. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided. The meeting point is near public transportation, but you should still allow time to reach the harbor before the late-night departure.

The experience is listed for most people to participate in, and the maximum group size is 198. That capacity means you should not assume a quiet, small-group outing. If personal space and a clear deck position are important to you, arrive ready to board promptly.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since this is a New Year’s Eve activity, the date is fixed and demand is naturally concentrated around one night. It is commonly booked well in advance, with an average booking lead time of 83 days, so last-minute availability may be limited.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted. The cutoff follows local Reykjavik time.

The view after midnight

The return to the harbor is part of the practical appeal. You finish near downtown, not at an out-of-the-way departure point. That lets you continue celebrating on land without arranging a separate ride.

The timing also keeps the experience focused. You do not spend hours on the boat after the fireworks have ended. The short return trip brings you back while the city is still in its New Year’s Eve mood.

Keep your expectations realistic about what you will see after midnight. The supplied details promise a return to the center of Reykjavik, but they do not specify a particular post-cruise event, venue, or organized walking route. You are free to continue on your own, but the rest of the night is not part of the cruise.

Should you book the Reykjavik New Year’s Eve fireworks cruise?

Book it if your priority is a planned midnight view from the water, an included Champagne toast, and easy access to downtown afterward. The fireworks can be spectacular, and the bay gives you a broad view that feels different from watching at street level.

Skip it if you want a true sightseeing cruise, a large boat with lots of room, or a well-stocked bar. The vessel may stay nearly stationary for most of the outing, capacity can make it feel crowded, and the commentary may not always be easy to hear.

My practical verdict is simple: this is a fireworks platform with a short cruise attached. At $183.84, that is a premium way to spend 90 minutes, but it can be worthwhile for the right New Year’s Eve plan. Choose it for the setting, the Champagne, and the citywide sky display, not for the length of the voyage.

FAQ

Where does the New Year’s Eve fireworks cruise depart?

It departs from Special Tours at Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

What time does the cruise start?

The scheduled start time is 11:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the boat return?

The cruise ends back at the Special Tours meeting point.

Is Champagne included?

Yes. One glass of Champagne is included for the midnight toast.

Are food and other drinks included?

No. Food and additional drinks are not included, though drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar.

Is hotel pickup available?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not available for this tour.

Is there indoor seating?

Yes. You can stay in the indoor saloon or go outside onto the open deck.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted or refunded.