New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise in Reykjavik

Reykjavik’s New Year’s fireworks are best seen from the water, where the city glows below you and rockets burst across the dark sky. This 90-minute evening cruise takes you into Faxaflói Bay just before midnight, with a glass of champagne included for the toast.

I like the wide view of Reykjavik’s lights and the chance to watch the display from an open deck rather than a crowded city street. I also like the practical touches: warm coveralls are provided, and the boat returns to the harbor after midnight, putting you close to the center of the city’s late-night celebrations.

The main drawback is that this may feel more like a floating fireworks platform than a sightseeing cruise. Some departures travel only a short distance and remain in one spot for much of the 90 minutes, while a few people have found the boat crowded and the onboard bar disappointing.

Key points to know before midnight

• The fireworks are the main event: You get a broad view over Reykjavik from Faxaflói Bay, away from street-level crowds.
• The boat may stay mostly still: The best viewing position matters more than covering a lot of water.
• Champagne is included: You receive one glass for the midnight toast, while other drinks cost extra.
• Warm coveralls are provided: You can use them against the cold, though you should still dress for Icelandic winter.
• The timing is tight and useful: Boarding begins at Special Tours at 11 pm, with a return after midnight.
• Capacity can reach 198 people: The experience may feel lively, but it is not a small private outing.

Fireworks from Faxaflói Bay, not a street corner

Reykjavik’s New Year’s Eve is famous for its fireworks, and this boat gives you a different view from the usual street-level celebration. From Faxaflói Bay, you look back toward the capital as fireworks rise over the city and its illuminated landmarks.

That wider angle is the best reason to book. On land, buildings, hills, and nearby spectators can block part of the display. From the water, you have a clearer line of sight across the city. You also get the unusual sight of fireworks reflected on the dark bay, with Reykjavik glowing along the shore.

I would not book this expecting a narrated harbor tour or a long nighttime voyage. The boat reportedly travels only a short distance before settling into the viewing area. For the fireworks, that is sensible. The operator wants to place you where the city display is easiest to see, not take you so far out that Reykjavik becomes a distant strip of lights.

Still, the word cruise may set the wrong expectation. On some departures, the boat remains in roughly the same place for the first 75 minutes, then makes a short trip before returning. If you need constant movement, scenic stops, or a full tour of the bay, this could feel slow.

The 11 pm departure at Special Tours

You meet at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, in central Reykjavik. The meeting point is near public transportation, and the boat returns to the same location at the end.

The 11 pm start is well chosen. It gives you enough time to board, find a place inside or outside, and settle in before midnight. The full activity lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, so you should be back in the harbor soon after the toast.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Plan your route to the meeting point yourself, and allow enough time to find the boat and get aboard. Since the departure takes place late at night on one of Iceland’s busiest evenings, arriving with time to spare is a sensible move.

The boat can accommodate up to 198 people. That is a useful number to know when you are picturing the experience. This is a shared public outing, not an intimate sailing trip. A larger group can make the midnight atmosphere more social, but it also means less space and more competition for the best outdoor viewing spots.

Staying warm on a winter boat

The operator provides coveralls, which are included in the ticket price. That is helpful, but I would still wear proper winter layers, a hat, gloves, and sturdy shoes. The coveralls are a backup against the cold, not a reason to board in light clothing.

You can stay in the indoor saloon when the wind picks up. The inside space gives you shelter and a place to warm up before the fireworks. For the best view, though, you will probably want to step outside as midnight approaches.

Outdoor viewing has a real advantage here. Fireworks look more impressive when you have nothing between you and the sky, and the bay gives you a clear view back toward Reykjavik. The tradeoff is obvious: open decking exposes you to Icelandic winter weather.

I would treat the indoor area as a warm base and the deck as the main viewing area. Move outside for the display, then return inside when you have had enough of the cold. You do not need to remain outdoors for the entire outing.

Champagne, commentary, and the onboard bar

A glass of champagne is included, and it gives the evening a proper New Year’s touch. At midnight, you can raise your glass while fireworks spread over Reykjavik. This is one of the small details that helps justify the special-event price.

Other food and drinks are not included. The boat has a bar where you can purchase beverages, but you should keep your expectations modest. The available bar service has been described as limited, and one account found it particularly disappointing.

The tour also includes audio commentary from the onboard guide. The commentary is meant to add context as you look toward the city, and one past departure had a funny commentator who helped keep the mood light. However, technical trouble with the onboard Wi-Fi made the commentary difficult to hear on another outing.

That means you should see the commentary as an extra, not the central reason to book. If it works well, it adds character. If the connection fails, the fireworks and the city view remain the main attraction.

What the 90 minutes actually feel like

The first part of the trip is mostly about finding your position and waiting for midnight. You board at 11 pm, get settled, and watch the city lights from the harbor and bay. The boat may travel only a short distance before stopping in a good viewing position.

This waiting period can feel long if you expected a sightseeing trip. You are not moving past a series of landmarks at a steady pace. You are holding a place on the water for the midnight show.

That same pause can feel perfectly reasonable if your priority is the fireworks. The boat is acting as a stable viewing platform. You can talk with friends, order a drink, listen to the commentary, and watch Reykjavik prepare for the New Year.

At midnight, the experience becomes much more active. Fireworks rise across the city, and you can watch the display from the open deck or through the boat’s viewing areas. The broad view is the strongest feature of the outing, especially if you enjoy seeing the whole city take part in the celebration rather than focusing on one launch point.

After the display, the boat returns to the harbor. The end point is back at Special Tours, right in central Reykjavik, so you can continue your night on foot. This is a useful advantage over a remote event venue. You do not have to arrange a second transfer after midnight.

Is $183.84 a fair price?

At $183.84 per person, this is an expensive 90-minute activity. You are paying for a fixed-date New Year’s Eve event, a reserved place on the water, the crew, the special operating schedule, coveralls, and a glass of champagne.

The value depends on what you want from the night. If you already have a good plan for watching the fireworks from Reykjavik, the price may seem high for a boat that moves only a short distance. You can avoid the fare by celebrating on land, where the city’s own fireworks create a huge shared event.

I see the boat as a premium viewpoint rather than a sightseeing cruise. The fare makes more sense if you care about having a clear view over the city, prefer a structured plan, and want a champagne toast without spending the entire evening searching for a place to watch.

The price is harder to justify if you expect a full bay tour, generous food service, or a small boat with plenty of room. The capacity can reach 198 people, and the bar is not a major part of the experience. You are buying the position on the water and the convenience of returning to downtown, not a luxury dinner cruise.

It is also worth remembering that the booking is for a specific night. New Year’s Eve activities often cost more than ordinary harbor trips, and this event is built around the midnight fireworks rather than regular sightseeing. That makes it a reasonable splurge for a special occasion, but not an everyday value.

Who will enjoy this Reykjavik experience?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and families who want a clear New Year’s plan with a strong view and a festive setting. It suits anyone who likes being outdoors for a big public celebration but wants a little separation from the crowds on city streets.

It can also work well for people who want to continue celebrating after midnight. Since the boat returns to central Reykjavik, you can step back onto land and join the city’s late-night activity without arranging a hotel transfer.

You may want to skip it if you dislike cold weather, shared group outings, or waiting in one place. The boat can feel crowded, especially if everyone heads outside at once, and the experience does not provide a great deal of movement.

It is also not ideal if your priority is food and drink. The included champagne is a nice touch, but meals are not part of the package, and the onboard bar may have only a limited selection.

Practical details that matter on New Year’s Eve

You receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Because the outing is tied to one busy night and can sell out, booking well ahead is sensible. The average booking lead time is about 83 days.

The mobile ticket makes check-in simpler. Keep it ready on your phone when you arrive at Geirsgata 11. Hotel pickup is not offered, so you need to reach Special Tours independently.

Most people can take part, and the activity is near public transportation. The tour has free cancellation up to 24 hours before the 11 pm start time. Inside that window, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

Dress for a cold, windy night even though coveralls are supplied. You will have an indoor saloon, but the outdoor deck is where the fireworks view is likely to be most rewarding.

My take: book it for the view, not the cruise

I would book this New Year’s Eve boat trip if I wanted a dependable place on the water, a wide view of Reykjavik’s fireworks, and a champagne toast before returning downtown. The fireworks receive the strongest praise, and the friendly crew and lively commentary can add to the night.

I would not book it if the word cruise makes you picture a long, scenic trip around Faxaflói Bay. The boat may remain mostly stationary, the group may be large, and the bar is not a major attraction.

The clearest way to decide is simple: pay for the viewpoint, not the voyage. If that sounds worthwhile at $183.84, this can make New Year’s Eve feel special. If you mainly want to move around, eat well, or spend less, celebrate from Reykjavik’s streets instead.

FAQ

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

It starts at Special Tours, Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland.

What time does the cruise depart?

The scheduled start time is 11 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Where does the cruise finish?

It finishes back at the meeting point at Special Tours.

Is champagne included?

Yes. Each participant receives a glass of champagne on board.

Are food and other drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included unless specifically stated. Drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar.

Are warm clothes provided?

Yes. Use of coveralls is included.

Is hotel pickup available?

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

What is the cancellation policy?

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