Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik

Night skies meet engine noise in Iceland.

This Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure from Reykjavik is interesting because you are not just watching from a bus window, you are self driving your own quad on dark trails while your guide scans for aurora. I like that the plan centers on proven local viewing spots like Lake Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell, so your night has structure.

Two things I really like are the small group size (maximum 10) and the included Reykjavik pickup and drop off, which makes it simple to fit into a busy trip.

The one possible drawback is the usual aurora reality: clouds can win, and if the weather is poor you may spend the time riding without seeing the lights, or the operator may switch dates or refund.

Key points before you go

• Small group, maximum 10: you get more attention and less waiting around in the dark.
• Target areas near Hafravatn and Hafrafell: the route is built around where the aurora is likely to show well.
• You drive the quad: it is a real nighttime adrenaline activity, not a sit and hope tour.
• Guide is actively searching: you are not just given a spot, you are taken trail to trail.
• Bring the right camera setup: a phone with night mode or long shutter can help you capture what your eyes see.

Reykjavik pickup and the 9:30 pm start that actually matters

This tour is scheduled for a late evening start, with pickup beginning around 9:30 pm. That timing is not random. For aurora chasing, the hours after dark matter because you want the sky fully settled and dark enough to spot the lights clearly.

What also makes this easy is the way they handle transportation. Pickup and drop off in Reykjavik are included, and you will meet the team at one of the designated city stops. The tour ends back at your pickup location, so you do not have to figure out a late night ride back across town.

You should expect that the exact pickup point depends on where you are staying. The information you receive after booking will confirm the stop for your hotel or neighborhood, with common pickup hubs like Hlemmur, City Hall, and central bus stops along Lækjargata and Skúlagata.

Self drive ATV at night, what it feels like and what to prepare

This is a self drive quad adventure. After you are picked up, you head to the ATV base camp, then you suit up with the safety gear they provide. There is a briefing before you start riding, and once you are lined up, the guide leads you out onto rugged trails.

Night riding changes everything. Your sense of speed feels stronger because you can only see what your headlights and the sky give you. Even when the terrain is not technical, it is still cold work because you are exposed while moving. That is why the packing advice is specific: you will want warm layers, warm shoes and socks, and a scarf or buff for your neck.

Hand and foot warmers are also a big deal here. The aurora might be the headline, but your comfort is what determines whether you can stay outside long enough to actually benefit from the sky watching. I would rather you show up warm than try to tough it out, because the ride is longer than the photos people take.

Driver rules and passenger minimums

If you plan to drive, you need a full driver’s license. Passengers can be from 6 years old, so this can work for some families, as long as the passenger can stay properly dressed and seated for nighttime riding.

If you are a first time ATV rider, the bright side is that the activity is guided. You will follow the guide along the trails rather than navigating on your own through darkness.

The aurora plan: Hafravatn Lake views and Mount Hafrafell skies

The aurora part of the night is focused on specific natural settings outside Reykjavik. Two key places are Lake Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell. When conditions line up, the lights reflect and shimmer in a way that looks dramatic in photos, and the higher vantage points also give you a skyline view back toward the city.

A big plus here is that they do not blindly go to the same exact spot every night. The approach includes a conditional plan, including a chance to drive toward the mountain if there is a possibility of clear skies. That matters because with aurora, a small change in cloud cover can make the difference between a faint glow and a full show.

On the route, you can also expect scenic overlooks that let you see Reykjavik and nearby towns from above. The information you get ahead of time references views back toward the city lights and nearby areas like Mosfellsbær. Even if the aurora is shy, city views at night from outside the city have a special feel, because you get the best of both worlds: light pollution on one side, and dark sky on the other.

What happens if the sky is cloudy: stargazing time and patience

Aurora chasing is not a vending machine. Clouds, fog, and wind can block the view. This tour is built with that in mind, which is why you are not just waiting in one place.

If you have to wait for the lights, the plan includes starchasing and looking for shooting stars while you are out there. That might sound like a small detail, but it helps you keep momentum on a cold night. It also gives you something to focus on besides staring at the same patch of sky.

If weather becomes too poor for the experience, the operator may cancel and offer a different date or a full refund. One of the reviews also described an ATV reschedule offer when conditions were overcast and rainy, so you should not assume every night ends the same way.

In other words, the experience is a combination of riding and sky watching. You will still be doing the ride, and your guide is actively working the conditions.

The itinerary in real life, step by step

This is a 2 to 3 hour adventure, and it generally flows like a nighttime loop: city pickup, base camp, briefing and gear, riding outward, sky spotting at key stops, then a return to where you started.

Stop at Action Adventures base camp

Your night begins with the drive from Reykjavik to the ATV base camp. Once there, you suit up and go through safety instructions. Expect this part to be practical and fast, because you are operating on a tight time window of darkness.

The base camp is also where you are set up for the kind of riding you will do on the trails outside. This is not just a quick demo; you will actually ride.

Trail riding into open country

After the briefing, you follow the guide into open country outside Reykjavik. The idea is to get far enough from city lights for the aurora to stand out, while still reaching spots where the reflections and skyline views are good.

This is where the self drive format shines. Sitting on a coach might be comfortable, but it is passive. Riding yourself gives you control of your pace and makes the whole night feel like an adventure instead of a ticketed viewing session.

Auroras by Hafravatn and views toward Hafrafell

As the route unfolds, you stop where the viewing conditions can be best. Lake Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell are central to the plan. If you get a break in the clouds, this is the moment when the sky can turn cinematic.

Even when conditions are not perfect, you often still get a memorable view from higher ground. One review described an impressive panoramic view of Reykjavik from the top, even when the aurora did not show.

Overlooks toward the city lights

Along the way, there are scenic overlooks that aim back toward the city lights. That creates a nice visual contrast: the motion of the ride, the grounded glow of town below, and then the dark sky overhead.

That combination is a big part of why this feels different from most aurora tours. You are not just looking up, you are moving through a dark geography.

Return ride back to base camp

At the end, you ride back to the ATV base camp and then head back to your drop off point in Reykjavik. In one review, the guide returned riders later than expected, even dropping people back to their hotel after the tour had gone long. That suggests the team is willing to spend time in the field when conditions are good.

Single ride vs double ride, and who will enjoy each

The standard setup is double ride, meaning two people per quad. That can be a fun way to share the experience if you are riding with a partner or friend and you do not mind coordinating around the same machine.

If you prefer more space and control, you can choose a single ride by selecting that option during booking and paying a little extra. That is a useful option if you want a solo go at steering, especially if you are anxious about learning with a second person on the quad.

Before you pick, think about your comfort. Single ride is great if you want to focus on driving. Double ride can be better for budget and for enjoying the night together.

What to bring: layers, warm accessories, and a phone that can see in the dark

The most repeated practical advice is also the most important: dress for real cold. Wear all your layers, bring warm shoes and socks, and use a scarf or buff for your neck. The cold on a quad at night is not just about air temperature, it is wind exposure while you ride.

Also plan to bring warm accessories. Hand warmers and foot warmers are explicitly recommended, and I agree they are worth it. Once your fingers and toes get cold, your attention shifts away from the sky, and you start rushing every stop.

Your phone camera can help, if it supports night mode

This tour advice includes camera tips that are genuinely useful. Bring a phone with a good camera. If you have an older phone without night mode, the results can be disappointing. The recommendation is for phones like iPhone 11 or better, newer Google phones, and models that support night mode or a few seconds of shutter time.

Even if your phone does not capture everything your eyes see, it can still help you document the night and share it later.

How to judge the value of $199 per person for this kind of night

At $199 per person, this is not a casual add on. You are paying for three things at once: transportation from Reykjavik, guided nighttime ATV riding, and the effort to search for aurora in good conditions.

Here is the value logic for your decision:

• If you want the aurora but also crave action and movement, you are getting a double experience: adrenaline riding plus sky spotting.
• If you only want passive viewing, you might feel the price is high compared with bus based tours.
• If you can handle cold and want a hands on activity, the cost starts to make sense because you are not just buying a view, you are buying time outside, gear, instruction, and route planning.

The small group limit matters too. With a maximum of 10, it is easier to manage driving confidence, safety, and photo stops without turning into a chaotic group shuffle.

Safety and comfort: the “adrenaline, but guided” balance

The reviews consistently point to easy operation and attentive guidance, including a first time rider benefit. For example, one review described how the guide was very attentive and helped with stopping and turning on and off the machine.

That matters because ATV riding at night can feel intimidating if you have never done it. The more confident you feel, the more you enjoy the rest of the experience, including the aurora scanning.

The guide also plays a practical role during unpredictable conditions. If the aurora does not appear right away, your guide does not just shrug. One account mentioned that the guide took lots of photos even with overcast and rainy weather, and another described that the team actively kept searching.

What the best nights include, and what to do on a night without aurora

On a good night, you get aurora over mountainous terrain, reflection effects near Hafravatn, and city views from the overlooks. One review described seeing the Northern Lights immediately, then continuing with driving up the mountain to see more.

If you get unlucky with cloud cover, you still get a memorable nighttime ATV ride. Several reviews mention still enjoying the ride and scenic views even when aurora conditions were not perfect. One review also noted that the moon was too bright and aurora did not show, but the night driving and views were still worth it.

So I would not book this expecting a guaranteed aurora. I would book it expecting a solid nighttime adventure with real chances based on weather.

Should you book this Northern Lights ATV Quad Adventure?

Book it if you want an aurora night that is active, not passive. You will enjoy it most if you are comfortable riding outdoors in winter and you want to do something hands on with a guide leading the way.

Skip it, or at least keep expectations flexible, if you are mainly chasing aurora as a must see event and you hate cold. Weather can take control, and on a cloudy night you may come home with great ATV memories but no aurora photos.

If you do book, dress for cold like you mean it, choose single ride if you prefer your own control, and bring a phone with night mode so you can try capturing the sky.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 9:30 pm.

How long is the Northern Lights ATV adventure?

It runs about 2 to 3 hours.

Is pickup and drop off in Reykjavik included?

Yes, pickup and drop off in Reykjavik are included.

Where is the ATV base camp?

The starting point listed for the activity is Flugumýri 18, 270 Mosfellsbær, Iceland.

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

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

What is the minimum age to ride as a passenger?

Passengers can be from 6 years old.

Is a single ride option available?

Yes. Single ride is available by selecting it during booking and paying a little extra. The standard rate is double ride, with two people on each quad.

What if the weather is poor or clouds block the lights?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. On nights with cloud cover, you may still spend time riding while the guide searches.

What camera should I bring?

Bring a phone with a good camera. Newer phones with night mode or a few seconds of shutter mode are recommended, such as iPhone 11 or better and newer Google phones.

What should I wear for the ride?

Wear all your layers, warm shoes and socks, and bring a scarf or buff. Hand warmers and foot warmers are recommended for staying comfortable outdoors.