ATVs and the aurora are a perfect match. This night ride puts you on your own quad in Iceland’s best “watch-and-wait” setting, with a guide steering you toward the spots most likely to deliver northern lights.

I love the hands-on nature of this tour: you’re not stuck behind a window or seated through a long drive. You’re suited up, briefed, and then you’re actually riding the countryside at night, with breaks for views and light-hunting.

My second big win is the small-group feel and the guide’s focus. The tour runs with a maximum of 10 travelers, and I like that the guide work is personal, including lots of photo guidance; one review even calls out Helga being especially helpful. My only real caution is also the core reality of aurora trips: the lights are unpredictable, and if the sky is overcast or rainy, you may end up with an amazing ATV night but no aurora show.

Key highlights worth knowing

• Self-drive ATV time, not just a scenic stop
• Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell for classic aurora reflections
• Small group size (max 10) for a calmer experience
• Pickup and drop-off around Reykjavik for less hassle
• Guide-led stargazing and star-hunt if you’re waiting for clear skies

Why this ATV northern lights tour feels more fun than a bus ride

Iceland is built for winter nights: long darkness, low clouds that can vanish fast, and sky conditions that can change minute to minute. That makes it tempting to book whatever looks easiest. But an ATV trip works because it matches the mood of aurora hunting: you want movement, open views, and the ability to follow the action when conditions shift.

This is also one of those tours where your effort shows. You’ll suit up, listen to a safety briefing, and then you’re riding your quad along trails outside Reykjavik. Instead of watching the countryside pass by, you’re part of it—wind in your face, city lights far behind you, and the quiet that only shows up when you’re away from traffic.

Another reason I think this is a smart way to do the northern lights is that you’re not choosing between adventure and the aurora. The tour’s whole plan is built around chasing the lights from scenic high ground with a guide who knows where to look.

The Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell plan: what you’re likely to see

Your aurora hunt is centered on Hafravatn Lake and Mount Hafrafell. That matters because it’s not just about seeing colored lights overhead. When conditions cooperate, aurora activity can reflect in Lake Hafravatn and help frame the skyline around Hafrafell—exactly the kind of scene that makes people pause, raise their phones, and forget they’re cold.

The guide doesn’t treat the ride like a one-stop photo moment. You ride out into the open countryside outside Reykjavik, then keep watch for the lights. If they appear, you’ll likely spend time at scenic overlooks so you can watch the sky without feeling rushed, and also get those city-light backdrops in your photos.

If the guide has the chance to get higher—especially toward Mount Hafrafell—you can get panoramic views back toward Reykjavik and nearby towns like Mosfellsbær. That’s a big deal because even on nights without a full aurora show, the view from a mountain at night can still feel surreal.

And if the aurora doesn’t show right away, you’re not just standing there. The tour includes stargazing while waiting, including time for shooting star watching while you wait for the sky to improve.

What happens at Action Adventures before you start riding

At the core, this tour follows a simple rhythm. You begin with pickup from Reykjavik, then travel to the quad base camp area. From there, you’ll get safety gear on, complete a briefing, and then start riding.

This matters for two reasons. First, ATV night riding has a learning curve even if you’re comfortable driving a vehicle. A clear briefing helps you get your bearings fast—how to start, stop, and turn, and how to follow the guide on rugged terrain. Second, the gear setup helps you stay outside longer. Winter air can drain your energy quickly, so staying warm affects your ability to enjoy the waiting time for the sky to light up.

Once you’re on the trail, you’ll ride through rugged countryside outside Reykjavik. The goal is to keep you in places where visibility is better and you have enough darkness around you for the aurora to show.

The night doesn’t end abruptly either. When your aurora hunt wraps up, you return to the base camp and then head back to your departure point.

ATV practicalities: licensing, who can ride, and safety expectations

This is a self-drive tour, but it isn’t “license optional.” If you plan to drive an ATV, you need a full driver’s license. Passengers can be from 6 years old, which can be useful for families where one adult drives and kids ride as passengers.

The tour also lists a moderate physical fitness level requirement. That usually means you should be comfortable handling cold conditions and being active for a few hours, not that you need to be a gym person. If you know you get shaky in unfamiliar driving situations, it can still be worth it—guides tend to take care with beginner riders, and at least one review specifically calls out help for first-time ATV drivers.

There’s also a real-world gear note I’d treat as serious: it can be cold on the quads at night. You’ll be outside longer than you expect, especially while waiting for aurora activity or looking toward the best sky area.

Pickup, timing, and how the night flows

The tour starts at 9:30 pm, with pickup offered in Reykjavik. You’ll see lots of possible pickup points around town, including major bus stops like Hlemmur, and areas near popular hotels and guesthouses. The exact pickup details are messaged to you later, so plan to watch for that message after you book.

Even though the active riding and tour window is listed at about 2 to 3 hours, your night can stretch depending on waiting time for clear sky. One review describes being out until around 1 am, which gives you a good sense that this is an evening experience, not a quick in-and-out.

Expect to spend time moving from the city into darker countryside, then time at overlooks if the sky cooperates. The key is that the guide is actively managing conditions and visibility, rather than running a rigid checklist regardless of the weather.

If you want your schedule to stay flexible, this tour is a good candidate. If your night is already packed with tight plans after 10 pm, you may feel rushed.

Camera and cold-weather tips that actually help

If you want aurora photos, your phone matters. The tour recommends bringing a phone with a good camera, and it specifically suggests newer models like iPhone 11 or better, newer Google phones, and devices with night mode or a few-seconds open shutter option.

That advice is practical: older phones often can’t handle the darkness well, and aurora light is faint. Night mode or a longer shutter burst can help your phone collect more light and show what your eyes are seeing in a more reliable way.

Now the cold part. Wear all your layers. Warm shoes and socks help more than you think, especially when you’re stopped for views. The tour recommends handwarmers and footwarmers, plus a scarf or buff for your neck. If you’ve ever tried to hold still in winter wind, you know how quickly fingers stop cooperating with phone buttons.

One review also highlights that guides can take lots of photos and share them afterward. I can’t promise that will happen every night, but it’s a nice bonus when the aurora shows up and you’re focused on actually watching.

Price and value: what $199 really covers

At $199 per person, this isn’t the cheapest way to hunt the northern lights. But you’re paying for a few things that add real value: self-drive ATV time, a guide who actively hunts for the best sky locations, and pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik.

A bus tour might get you to a viewing area. This tour gets you to the countryside and then lets you ride through it, which changes the experience instantly. You also get a small-group setting (maximum 10), which usually means less waiting and less crowding around photo spots.

The timing is another part of value. A 9:30 pm start lines up with the period when you’re outside longer and the sky has time to settle into darkness. That gives the guide a real window to react to changing clouds.

If you’re considering alternatives, I’d compare the total experience, not just the price tag. For $199, you’re buying movement, night driving, and guide-led aurora strategy, not only a chance to stand under the sky.

Who should book this tour, and who should skip it

I’d book this if you want an active northern lights experience. If you’re the type who gets bored by slow-paced tours, this fits. It’s also great if you like practical adventure: a briefing, then riding trails, then pausing for the sky.

You should also consider it if you’re comfortable being outside in winter for a while. The cold is part of the deal here, and dressing well affects your enjoyment more than any guarantee about aurora visibility.

You might skip it if you’re not comfortable driving or you don’t have the right license. Also, if you want a guaranteed aurora show, no northern lights tour can promise that. This one can still be worth it for the ride and views, but you should go in with the right mindset: plan for the hunt, not only the payoff.

Should you book this ATV aurora adventure?

If you’re looking for a northern lights tour that feels like a real winter adventure, I think you’ll be happy booking this one. Self-drive ATV riding at night is rare, and pairing that with a guide-led hunt near Hafravatn and Mount Hafrafell is a strong plan for both aurora visibility and night views.

My final advice is simple: dress like you’re staying outside longer than you think, bring a phone that can handle night shots, and keep your schedule flexible for weather. The aurora is a bonus; the ride and the night sky atmosphere are the reason this tour works even when clouds show up.

FAQ

What time does the Northern Lights ATV tour start?

The start time is 9:30 pm.

Is pickup in Reykjavik included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off in Reykjavik are included. Pickup details are shared later by message.

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

Yes. Drivers need a full driver’s license to drive the ATVs. Passengers can be from 6 years old.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum group size of 10 travelers.

What should I bring or wear for the night ride?

Wear all your layers, warm shoes and socks, and bring a scarf or buff. The tour recommends handwarmers and footwarmers, and a phone with good camera/night mode capability helps for northern lights photos.

What if the weather is bad and there are no northern lights?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. On cloudy or overcast nights during the tour, you may still enjoy the ATV ride and stargazing while the guide looks for clear conditions.