A northern lights hunt, but on an ATV. Iceland gives you dark skies, and this tour gives you wheels. I like that you ride with a local guide who searches for the aurora in the countryside outside Reykjavik, aiming for spots around Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell when the sky is clear.

My favorite part is the way the experience feels active instead of sit-and-watch. You suit up, get a safety briefing, then self-drive your quad down rugged trails at night, with skyline views back toward Reykjavik and the nearby towns of Mosfellsbær. The second thing I really like is the small-group setup, capped at 10 travelers, so you’re not lost in a crowd when you’re trying to spot faint lights.

One drawback to plan for: aurora viewing is never guaranteed. If the sky is overcast, you might still have a great ATV ride and viewpoints, but the northern lights may not show up.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik make the night start less stressful
• Self-drive ATV through the countryside gives you real freedom to explore
• Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell are built into the route for big sky-and-city views
• Small group (max 10 travelers) keeps the vibe relaxed and easier to manage at night
• Light-chasing strategy depends on clear sky, with stargazing time if you need to wait
• Warm gear and phone camera tips help you stay outside longer and capture the aurora better

Night ATV basics: what this tour is really like

This isn’t the usual northern lights routine where you’re bundled on a coach and pointed toward the dark. Here, you’re actually driving an ATV at night, which changes how you experience Iceland’s cold air, darkness, and wide-open terrain. The motion, the sound, and the headlights make everything feel more immediate—and the views out over Reykjavik look extra dramatic when you crest a hill and the city glow spreads below you.

You’ll also get a guide who actively hunts rather than just hoping. Iceland’s aurora season is famously unpredictable, but a guide who knows where to go can help you aim for the best combination of darkness, open sky, and scenic vantage points. When the lights are visible, they can reflect in the dark water around Hafravatn, and that’s exactly the kind of “this is why we came” moment aurora tours chase.

The time window matters too. You start late, around 9:30 pm, so you’re out when the sky is truly dark. Expect a tour time of about 2 to 3 hours, give or take depending on conditions and how long you wait for aurora activity.

Getting picked up and reaching the ATV base camp

Pickup is included, and you’ll be shuttled from central Reykjavik meeting spots to the ATV base camp area. The operator serves a long list of Reykjavik pickups (hotels and bus stops), and they’ll send your exact pickup details later. If you’re staying outside the center, still plan to meet at one of the listed city stops rather than expecting a direct-to-door visit.

Once you arrive at Action Adventures, the flow is straightforward:

• You suit up with the required safety equipment
• You get a briefing so you understand how the ATVs work in the dark
• Then you start riding and follow the guide along the route

Because this is a night activity, the early minutes matter. I’d treat the briefing like part of the fun—ask questions while you’re still warm, not after you’re already outside with wind cutting across your layers.

Also note the tour has a moderate physical fitness requirement. You don’t need to be an athlete, but you should feel comfortable standing, walking on uneven ground, and staying outside while you wait for sky conditions to improve.

The ride plan: Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell at night

The “why” behind this route is clear. You’re heading away from Reykjavik’s glow and toward areas where the aurora can show in a wide, dark sky. A key part of the experience centers on Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell.

Here’s what you can realistically expect while riding:

• You follow trails through the countryside outside Reykjavik
• You keep an eye on the sky while the guide positions you for the best chance of lights
• When skies allow, you ride toward scenic overlooks
• If the sky supports it, you may also get a view from higher ground—often with a skyline look back toward Reykjavik and towns like Mosfellsbær

That “city lights below you, aurora above you” setup is a big part of what makes this tour feel special. It’s not just a light show; it’s the whole sense of place—mountains, dark water, and the glow of Iceland’s capital far behind you.

If conditions aren’t perfect, the strategy shifts. The operator only goes if there’s a possibility of clear sky, and if you need to wait, you’re not stuck staring into the air. You get stargazing and time for shooting stars—plus a little wish-making moment, which is a nice morale boost when your phone is pointed at clouds.

Following a guide’s light-chasing instincts

The guide is the difference between random searching and a purposeful hunt. This kind of night driving depends on fast decisions: clouds roll in, darkness shifts, and sometimes you have to move to keep a view of the sky. A local guide can also guide your expectations about what you’ll see and when.

One stand-out detail from guides in the real-world experience: Helga is specifically praised for being informative and attentive, especially for riders who are new. If you’re a first-timer, this matters. You want someone who can explain how to handle the ATV safely and confidently—without rushing you.

I’d also pay attention to the photo side of the experience. When aurora conditions cooperate, you’ll be encouraged to watch the lights with your own eyes, but you’ll also want help with timing and angles. Many tours handle this by telling you what to do. This one goes a step further by supporting photo moments so you don’t feel like you’re guessing settings with freezing fingers.

And yes, the aurora is unpredictable. Sometimes you get lucky fast, sometimes you wait. Either way, the guide keeps the energy moving—driving, repositioning, and making sure the night doesn’t turn into disappointment.

Choosing single ride vs double ride on the quad

One of the practical choices you’ll make while booking is ride format.

• Double ride is the standard setup: typically two people on each quad.
• Single ride is an option you can select in the booking progress, usually for a little extra.

If you hate sharing space—your height, your comfort, your ability to move your hands for photos—single ride can be worth it. If you’re traveling with someone you trust and you’re comfortable co-riding, double ride keeps the experience more social and can save you money.

Either way, this is still a self-drive experience for whoever is assigned to operate. Make sure you’re ready to follow instructions in low light, and be prepared for the fact that winter cold can make gripping and steering feel different than daytime riding.

What to wear and bring so the cold doesn’t ruin it

This is the biggest make-or-break factor for night ATV tours. You’re outside in Icelandic winter or near-winter conditions, and on a quad you feel wind more than you do walking.

I recommend packing for endurance, not comfort:

• Wear all your layers (multiple thin layers beat one bulky item)
• Bring warm shoes and socks
• Use handwarmers and footwarmers
• Add a scarf or buff to protect your neck area

The tour provides safety gear, but you’re still the one wearing your body insulation. If you show up underdressed, you’ll spend the whole ride thinking about getting warm instead of watching the sky.

For photos, bring a phone with a camera that can handle night scenes. The operator specifically recommends newer models and night features—an iPhone 11 or better, newer Google phones, and other models with night mode or a few seconds open shutter mode. If your phone is older and struggles with night shots, your photos may look darker or blurrier than what you see with your own eyes.

Tip: treat your phone like a tool, not your only job. The best photos come when you catch the lights quickly, but the best memories come when you’re actually watching the sky shift.

How long you’ll actually be out there

Expect around 2 to 3 hours total time. In practice, it depends on two things:

1. Whether skies give you enough clarity to ride toward the best viewpoints
2. How long you wait for aurora activity once you’re positioned outside

If it starts clear, you may ride and see lights sooner. If clouds move in, the guide may adjust the route and you might spend more time riding and stargazing without a guaranteed show.

Either way, the structure stays similar: pickup, base camp gear up, briefing, ride and aurora searching, then return for drop-off. The late start and nighttime riding make even the “no lights” scenario feel like a full, active night out.

Price and value: is $199 a smart deal?

At $199 per person, this isn’t the cheapest northern lights option—but it’s also not trying to compete with low-cost coach trips. You’re paying for several things that matter in Iceland:

• Pickup and drop-off from Reykjavik
• A small-group experience (max 10)
• Self-drive ATV with a guide
• Safety equipment and night-riding briefing
• A route specifically aimed at aurora viewing around Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell

The value gets better if you want an experience that combines two big Iceland elements: aurora hunting and adventurous winter riding. If northern lights are your only goal and you’re fine watching from a distance, you might find cheaper alternatives. But if you want the night to feel like a story—with driving, viewpoints, and a real reason to be outside—you’re paying for the “whole night,” not just the sky.

Also, this is often booked in advance (on average around 44 days ahead). That’s a good sign: it suggests a lot of people feel it’s worth securing early, especially in busier weeks.

If you’re considering single ride, factor that extra cost into your decision. For some people, privacy and comfort on the ATV is the best upgrade money can buy.

If the aurora doesn’t appear: how the night still holds up

The aurora is not something you can force. If the sky is too overcast or bright conditions limit visibility, you may not see the lights during your slot. The payoff in that case becomes the ATV part: night riding, mountain views, and the chance to see Reykjavik’s glow from outside the city.

Some people get lucky quickly and end up seeing lights right away. Others watch clouds roll past and still find the ride worth it because it’s a genuine nighttime adventure. Either way, you’ll still be out on rugged trails with a guide focused on finding the best viewing opportunities.

A helpful planning mindset: you’re booking an aurora hunt, but you’re also booking a night ride. If you mentally separate those two expectations, you’ll feel happier regardless of what the sky does.

Who should book this ATV northern lights adventure

This tour is a great match if you:

• Want active sightseeing rather than a sit-and-wait night
• Are comfortable riding in cold weather and staying outside for a while
• Like a small-group pace and want the guide close by
• Can handle self-driving rules and night instructions

It may not be your best fit if:

• You don’t have the required license to drive the ATV (drivers need a full driver’s license)
• You’re very sensitive to cold or wind
• You’re expecting a guaranteed aurora show (it’s always weather-dependent)

Passengers can be from 6 years old, as long as they meet the tour’s conditions and their role fits the ATV arrangement. If you’re bringing kids, dress them even warmer than you think you need.

Should you book this from Reykjavik?

If you want northern lights with real momentum, I’d book it. The combo of self-drive ATV, a route planned around Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell, and a small-group cap of 10 travelers is exactly the kind of “only in Iceland” night that feels worth the airfare.

Book it especially if:

• You’re staying in Reykjavik and want pickup handled for you
• You can dress warmly and you’re excited to ride at night
• You want to boost your chances with a guide who actively searches for clear-sky windows

Skip it if:

• You hate cold wind and don’t want to be outside for extended periods
• You’re not confident with night driving rules
• You need a purely guaranteed aurora viewing, no weather risk at all

FAQ

What time does the northern lights ATV tour start?

The start time is listed as 9:30 pm.

How long is the adventure?

It runs about 2 to 3 hours (the tour duration is listed as approximately 3 hours).

Is pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik included?

Yes. Pickup is offered from Reykjavik meeting points, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour depart from in the Reykjavik area?

The ATV base camp meeting location is listed as Flugumýri 18, 270 Mosfellsbær, Iceland, with city pickup arranged from the Reykjavik stop locations.

Do I need a driver’s license to drive the ATV?

Yes. Drivers need a full driver’s license to drive the ATVs.

How old does a passenger need to be?

A passenger can be from 6 years old.

Can I ride alone instead of sharing a quad?

There is a Single Ride option you can select during booking, and double ride is the standard setup.

What should I bring for aurora photos?

Bring a phone with a good night-capable camera. The operator recommends newer models such as iPhone 11 or better, newer Google phones, and devices with night mode or a few seconds open shutter mode.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and cancellations within 24 hours of the start time are not refundable.