Golden Circle & Northern Lights by Boat Combo Tour

Golden Circle & Northern Lights by Boat

Join our Minibus Golden Circle tour to explore Iceland’s top sights — Gullfoss waterfall, Thingvellir National Park, and the erupting geysers of Haukadalur Valley — then, as night falls, set sail to hunt the glittering Northern Lights by boat.

Highlights

Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)
Gullfoss Waterfall
Geysir Hot Spring Area
Kerid Crater
Northern Lights Hunt by Boat
Warm overalls (overalls also available in children’s sizes!)
Wifi on board Minibus & Boat tour

Itinerary

In just a few hours, this tour packs in Iceland’s most stunning sights. Stand at the edge of Gullfoss as glacial water thunders into the canyon, feel the tension before Strokkur erupts, and walk through the rift where continents drift apart. A stop at Kerid crater adds a splash of color with its red slopes and blue-green lake. Then, as night falls, set sail on a boat to chase the glittering Northern Lights, making it a full-day Icelandic adventure from land to sea.

Þingvellir National Park

We'll begin the day with a convenient and swift pick up in designated areas in Reykjavík. We will then travel through stunning landscapes to Þingvellir National Park, a place of both natural beauty and Icelandic history. Here, we’ll walk between the slowly drifting Eurasian and North American tectonic plates and explore the rift valley where the Alþingi, the world’s oldest parliament, was founded in 930. We’ll stop at the Law Rock (lögberg), where laws were once proclaimed, for an unforgettable photo opportunity.

Geysir Geothermal Area

Next, we will head to Haukadalur Valley, a geothermally active area. While the famous Great Geysir is now dormant, we’ll see Strokkur erupt every 8–10 minutes, sending superheated water up to 25–40 meters into the air. Witnessing these powerful eruptions is always an unforgettable experience.

Gullfoss Waterfall

We will then visit Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall, where the glacial Hvítá River plunges 32 meters in two stages through a dramatic canyon. Feel the spray on your face and marvel at the golden-hued mist that gives the “Golden Falls” their name—truly a breathtaking sight.

Kerið Volcanic Crater

The final highlight of the tour is the bright red Kerid crater lake. It's a 3000-year-old spot 55 meters deep and most recognized for its beauty – aquamarine-colored water surrounded by red rocks and greenery. This color scheme is what makes the lake look like a giant eye from above. For this reason, it's called "The Eye of the World." After exploring the Golden Circle, we will return to Reykjavík, giving you time to grab dinner before setting sail on the Northern Lights boat tour.

Northern Lights by Boat

We will then board our Northern Lights boat at Reykjavík’s charming Old Harbor. After a 15–20 minute cruise away from the city lights, we’ll take you to the best spot to hunt the aurora. While we can’t guarantee a sighting, our expert guide will share the science and folklore behind the Northern Lights, and you can enjoy our onboard video, cozy café, and souvenir shop while waiting. Overalls are provided to stay warm on deck, and as soon as the colors appear, we’ll bring you outside for the perfect view.

Pick-up & Drop off
Minibus Transport
Golden Circle Tour
English Speaking Tour Guide
Free WiFi on Board Your Bus & Boat
Northern Lights Boat Tour
Northern Lights Video
English Language Guide
Warm Overalls on Northern Lights Tour
Café/bar and souvenir shop on Boat

These are two separate tours and if one of the tours gets canceled, the other will still be available for you to join.

Pick Up

Pick up for the Golden Circle portion of the tour is at 12:00 pm from your hotel or a nearby meeting point in Reykjavík. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is much appreciated. Available pick-up points: Arctic Adventures’s pick-up list.

The meeting point for the Northern Lights by Boat tour is Geirsgata 11, 101 Reykjavík.