THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Ring in the New Year from the water with panoramic views of Reykjavík’s fireworks and a chance to glimpse whales or the Northern Lights. This 2.5‑hour cruise departs the Old Harbour and pairs celebration with coastal wildlife watching.
Ring in the New Year from the water with panoramic views of Reykjavík’s fireworks and a chance to glimpse whales or the Northern Lights. This 2.5‑hour cruise departs the Old Harbour and pairs celebration with coastal wildlife watching.
The Amelia Rose slips quietly from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour as the city below lights up with last-minute bonfires and rocket bursts.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Iceland Discover · Reykjavík, Capital Region
The Amelia Rose slips quietly from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour as the city below lights up with last-minute bonfires and rocket bursts.
From the ship’s three panoramic decks you’ll feel the bay tug at the hull and see Harpa’s faceted glass glow against the dark. The crew points out Lundey’s white specks—puffins clustering on the rock—and scans for blows and dorsal fins in Faxaflói Bay. If conditions cooperate, the sky offers both pyrotechnics and a faint green ribbon of aurora; if not, the champagne at midnight still tastes like celebration.
Reykjavík’s harbor has been a maritime hub since the settlement era, evolving from fishing piers to a center for cultural life; Harpa’s architecture echoes Iceland’s basalt columns and recent urban renewal. Geologically, the bay opens to the North Atlantic, shaped by glaciation and volcanic plate interactions—cold currents, steep underwater shelves and rich feeding grounds that attract minke and humpback whales.
Practical guidance: arrive 30 minutes early at Old Harbour House (Ægisgarður 2) for check-in. Dress in insulated layers and windproof outerwear; nights on open water can be significantly colder than the city. Bring a fully charged camera and binoculars; crew offer warm blankets and restrooms and sell snacks and drinks onboard. Seasickness tablets and accessible boarding make this suitable for most travelers, but expect some standing and movement between decks to get the best views.
Timing matters: set your meetup, charge devices, and plan transport back to town—post-midnight taxis can be scarce. Follow crew instructions when viewing fireworks and wildlife to keep the celebration safe for you and the animals.
Arrive 30 minutes before departure and check in inside Old Harbour House (Ægisgarður 2) when check-in opens.
Fireworks over Reykjavík are highly likely on New Year’s Eve, but aurora sightings depend on clear skies and geomagnetic activity; neither can be guaranteed.
Yes—infants must sit on laps and strollers are accommodated, but plan for cold temperatures and night-time conditions.
Common sightings include minke and humpback whales, porpoises and occasionally dolphins or orcas; sightings are never guaranteed.
Iceland Discover operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The Amelia Rose slips quietly from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour as the city below lights up with last-minute bonfires and rocket bursts.
The Amelia Rose slips quietly from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour as the city below lights up with last-minute bonfires and rocket bursts.
From the ship’s three panoramic decks you’ll feel the bay tug at the hull and see Harpa’s faceted glass glow against the dark. The crew points out Lundey’s white specks—puffins clustering on the rock—and scans for blows and dorsal fins in Faxaflói Bay. If conditions cooperate, the sky offers both pyrotechnics and a faint green ribbon of aurora; if not, the champagne at midnight still tastes like celebration.
Reykjavík’s harbor has been a maritime hub since the settlement era, evolving from fishing piers to a center for cultural life; Harpa’s architecture echoes Iceland’s basalt columns and recent urban renewal. Geologically, the bay opens to the North Atlantic, shaped by glaciation and volcanic plate interactions—cold currents, steep underwater shelves and rich feeding grounds that attract minke and humpback whales.
Practical guidance: arrive 30 minutes early at Old Harbour House (Ægisgarður 2) for check-in. Dress in insulated layers and windproof outerwear; nights on open water can be significantly colder than the city. Bring a fully charged camera and binoculars; crew offer warm blankets and restrooms and sell snacks and drinks onboard. Seasickness tablets and accessible boarding make this suitable for most travelers, but expect some standing and movement between decks to get the best views.
Timing matters: set your meetup, charge devices, and plan transport back to town—post-midnight taxis can be scarce. Follow crew instructions when viewing fireworks and wildlife to keep the celebration safe for you and the animals.