Spend an hour in a traditional Icelandic baðstofa listening to sagas and modern lore, then board a vessel at Reykjavik’s Old Harbour to chase the Northern Lights. This compact cultural-and-aurora evening pairs storytelling with expert seamanship for travelers who want context with their spectacle.
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You slide open a low door into a baðstofa—a traditional Icelandic sitting room warmed by soft lights and a ring of strangers who feel like old friends by the time the storyteller clears their throat. Outside, the Old Harbour hums with diesel and distant gull calls; inside, the guide folds centuries of saga into an hour of speech, tracing how ash, sea, and isolation sharpened Iceland’s appetite for stories.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Minimal; suitable for most fitness levels since the activity is mostly seated in a storytelling room and on a stable boat
Wildlife
History
Iceland’s storytelling culture grew from isolation and oral tradition; the baðstofa originates in turf-house living rooms where stories, weather reports, and law were shared aloud.
Conservation
Tours limit engine idling and advise guests to avoid flash photography on seabirds; minimizing light and noise helps protect wildlife and dark-sky visibility.
Reserve your spot on the Icelandic Storytelling and Auroras Tour Legends Under the Lights today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in warm layers
Temperatures on deck drop quickly; pack wool base layers, an insulated midlayer, and a windproof, waterproof outer shell.
Bring motion-sickness prevention
Even stable boats roll; take medication or use acupressure bands if you are sensitive to motion.
Charge and stabilize your camera
A small tripod or beanbag and a camera capable of 5–15s exposures will get the best aurora shots.
Arrive early to find the meeting point
The guide waits upstairs at The Old Harbour House—arrive 15 minutes early to check in and warm up with the included welcome drink.
Insulated jacket
A warm, windproof jacket blocks sea spray and night air during the boat portion.
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Wool base layers
Wool retains heat even if damp and is essential for Arctic evenings.
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Tripod or beanbag
Stabilizes your camera for long exposures required to capture the aurora.
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Motion-sickness remedies
Patches, pills, or acupressure bands help if you’re sensitive to rolling motion on the water.
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