Northern Lights in Iceland – Best Time & Places

Your possibilities of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland are very excessive, due to an 8-month aurora season, lengthy dead nights throughout the winter, and low gentle air pollution all through many of the island.

That’s why I journey to Iceland each September to {photograph} the aurora borealis. Iceland is likely one of the greatest locations to see the Northern Lights on this planet, which is why I journey to Iceland each September to {photograph} the aurora borealis. The unbelievable number of spectacular landscapes – waterfalls, seashores, mountains, cliffs, rock formations, glaciers, and extra – creates superb picture alternatives for capturing the auroras hovering overhead.

Still, there’s no level in going aurora chasing with out understanding the greatest time to go to Iceland for Northern Lights or the greatest locations to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. This information will inform you all the pieces it is advisable know to be in the best place on the proper time to see an unforgettable Iceland aurora show.

Ready to seek out out the right way to see the aurora borealis in Iceland? Let’s get began!

Best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

The Iceland Northern Lights season lasts from late August to mid-April, so that you’ll have probability of seeing the Northern Lights anytime throughout this era. The greatest time of 12 months to see Northern Lights in Iceland, although, is throughout September and March. Solar exercise will increase throughout each months, making a a lot increased probability of seeing an aurora show.

On high of that, September and March are inclined to have hotter climate and longer daytime than different fall and winter months, so that you’ll really feel extra comfy exterior and have the ability to do and see extra throughout the day. The climate can be often much less cloudy throughout these months, that means higher visibility for auroras.

The Iceland aurora season primarily corresponds with fall and winter, the occasions of 12 months which have essentially the most dead nights at evening and the greatest time to see the Northern Lights all through a lot of the world. The longer and darker the nights are, the higher the possibilities of seeing an aurora show.

During many of the spring and summer season, it’s simply not attainable to see the aurora borealis in Iceland, for the reason that days are lengthy, and the nights don’t all the time get darkish sufficient.

What is one of the best month to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

These are the greatest months to see Northern Lights in Iceland:

• August: Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland in August is just not a positive guess. If you journey on the finish of the month, nonetheless, be sure you verify the aurora forecast in Iceland – chances are you’ll simply get fortunate.

• September: During September, the nights begin to turn out to be longer. The climate is just not as chilly as in late autumn or winter, and photo voltaic exercise is often fairly excessive. That’s why September is likely one of the greatest months to go to Iceland for Northern Lights.

• October: The first snow falls on many of the island, that means clouds and low visibility for aurora shows. Solar exercise is often excessive throughout the first two weeks of the month, although, and the temperature is much less chilly than throughout the depths of winter.

• November: The ice and snow this month sign the start of winter in Iceland. The climate in November could be a bit unpredictable, however the variety of dead nights will increase, upping your possibilities of seeing an aurora show.

• December: The many dead nights and the small variety of vacationers on the island at the moment of 12 months make December month for aurora viewing in Iceland. Keep in thoughts that temperatures shall be very chilly, so put together to bundle up.

• January: If you wish to take Iceland Northern Lights photos with snow, that is one of the best time of 12 months to go to. The island is within the depths of the Arctic winter, so that you’ll take pleasure in lengthy, darkish nights, excellent for seeing aurora shows.

• February: February continues to be fairly chilly and snowy, and lots of smaller waterfalls are frozen. Tourism begins to choose up, as extra guests come to {photograph} the Northern Lights in Iceland.

• March: Winter’s snow and ice can linger into March, however on the finish of the month, the spring equinox brings elevated photo voltaic exercise and due to this fact glorious possibilities of aurora shows. There could be fairly just a few vacationers on the island, however March is unquestionably one of many greatest months for Northern Lights in Iceland.

• April: The variety of daytime will increase drastically, and the island’s environment modifications dramatically with the spring thaw. You’ll be extra prone to see an aurora show throughout the first half of April than throughout the second half.

Best locations to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

In abstract, these are the greatest locations to see the Northern Lights in Iceland:

1. Jökulsárlón: A glacial lagoon that’s a singular spot for seeing the aurora borealis in Iceland.
2. Skógafoss: See the Northern Lights in Iceland over a shocking waterfall.
3. Stokksnes: The greatest seashore for viewing and photographing an Iceland aurora borealis.
4. Kirkjufell: An iconic mountain that’s excellent for taking dramatic Iceland Northern Lights photos.
5. Hvítserkur: This unbelievable arched rock formation, often known as “The Rhino”, is a spot not like some other for Northern Lights viewing in Iceland.
6. Goðafoss: The northern orientation of this waterfall means you’ll be at precisely the best angle to see a vivid aurora show.
7. Valahnúkamöl: Striking cliffs by the ocean the place you’ll be able to see the Northern Lights in whole seclusion.
8. Reykjavik: The greatest metropolis in Iceland to see Northern Lights.

Ultimately, the whole island of Iceland is ideal for seeing the Northern Lights because it’s positioned to this point north and many of the island is sparsely populated, that means low gentle air pollution. Even in Iceland’s capital metropolis, Reykjavik, you’ll be able to see the Northern Lights when the show is especially giant and intense.

1. Jökulsárlón

Visiting Jökulsárlón is not like some other expertise you’ll have in your life. This deep lagoon is filled with floating icebergs and water from a close-by melting glacier, Breiðamerkurjökull. In reality, one of many greatest issues to do in Iceland is to take this boat tour across the lake to see Breiðamerkurjökull up shut.

Besides being a wonderful and distinctive pure function, Jökulsárlón can be one of many greatest locations to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. Since Jökulsárlón is positioned in Vatnajökull National Park, it’s in an out-of-the-way space that experiences virtually no gentle air pollution, so you need to have the ability to see any aurora shows that happen fairly clearly.

On high of that, seeing the intense colours of an Iceland aurora mirrored within the lagoon and icebergs is each a panoramic expertise in individual and an ideal shot for a Northern Lights picture.

2. Skógafoss

One of Iceland’s most iconic waterfalls, Skógafoss is a high spot for seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland. Since the waterfall faces north, it’s within the excellent place for optimum aurora viewing since aurora shows often begin from a northerly path. Even higher, Skógafoss’s distant location close to the Eyjafjallajökull volcano means no gentle air pollution by any means.

The draw back to Skógafoss being such a well known spot for aurora viewing in Iceland is that many photographers come right here once they know there’s probability for an aurora show. The crowds and digicam flashes could be distracting and make it harder to see an aurora, so attempt a distinct location if you would like a calmer Iceland Northern Lights viewing expertise.

An upside, although, is that certainly one of Iceland’s greatest Northern Lights motels, Hotel Ranga, is positioned fairly near Skógafoss. This lodging, which can be one of many greatest Northern Lights motels on this planet, is house to a stargazing observatory and provides aurora wake-up calls. The lodge even turns off all of its lights throughout an aurora show in order that company can have one of the best viewing expertise attainable.

3. Stokksnes

The panorama across the Vestrahorn Mountains, extra popularly often called Stokksnes, combines the staggering great thing about towering mountains with the awful splendor of a black sand seashore and dunes. As with most of Iceland’s pure options, Stokksnes advantages from extraordinarily low gentle air pollution, which is good for aurora viewing.

If you’re keen about taking visually participating Iceland Northern Lights photos, you’ll take pleasure in seeing the stark distinction between the darkish panorama beneath and the intense, dancing lights above.

Want to make your Iceland aurora chasing even simpler? Stay close by on the Aurora Cabins in Höfn. You’ll get a personal cabin all to your self, and on nights if you don’t really feel like heading to Stokksnes, you’ll have the ability to watch aurora shows from the consolation of your cabin’s deck.

4. Kirkjufell

Iceland’s most iconic mountain, Kirkjufell, or “Church Mountain,” was named for its putting cylindrical form, which is claimed to resemble a church. Whatever you assume the mountain appears to be like like, its northern orientation implies that you’ll simply have the ability to see Iceland aurora shows once they happen, even when the shows will not be notably intense.

While Kirkjufell is a effective spot to look at the Northern Lights in Iceland, in the event you’re not an expert photographer, the lights from the street, the close by car parking zone, and different photographers’ digicam flashes could make a pictures session right here a bit tough. If you wish to get nice pictures of the Northern Lights in Iceland, attempt to go to Kirkjufell throughout a much less fashionable time of 12 months or evening so that you gained’t be jockeying for area with different photographers.

One of the greatest locations to remain in Iceland on this space is Kirkjufell Guesthouse and Apartments. This cozy lodging is just a 12-minute stroll away from the seashore, and if there’s an aurora show, you gained’t even have to depart the guesthouse space to get view.

5. Hvítserkur

Hvítserkur, an arched basalt rock formation within the sea that’s often known as “The Rhino,” is yet one more of the greatest locations in Iceland to see the Northern Lights. This landmark faces north, supplying you with a excessive probability of seeing any burgeoning aurora shows.

Beyond that, the distinctive form of this formation and its location within the sea will make for distinctive Northern Lights Iceland pictures. Whether the aurora is framed by the arches or mirrored within the sea, you gained’t discover a extra magnificent view wherever else.

6. Goðafoss

Escape the crowds at Skógafoss and head to an equally stunning waterfall, Goðafoss, to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. Like lots of the different greatest spots to see Northern Lights in Iceland, Goðafoss faces north, which suggests you’ll be wanting in exactly the best path to see an Iceland aurora show.

Goðafoss can be one of many largest waterfalls in Iceland, so its sheer width and peak are breathtaking. In reality, in the event you watch an aurora show from Goðafoss, it might be troublesome to determine which is extra stunning: the waterfall or the Northern Lights. Either method, you’re in for a visible deal with.

An incredible place to remain within the space is Hotel Kjarnalundur in Akureyri. You’ll take pleasure in panoramic views of the encompassing space in addition to a sauna and on-site restaurant.

7. Valahnúkamöl

At Valahnúkamöl, you’ll discover all the pieces from a rocky boulder seashore and dramatic cliffs to putting sea stacks.

This beautiful seaside location is conveniently positioned on the Reykjanes peninsula, close to Keflavík (the place the worldwide airport is) and never too removed from Reykjavik. It’s due to this fact simple to succeed in whereas being far sufficient away from Reykjavik that gentle air pollution shouldn’t impression your Iceland aurora viewing expertise.

If you intend on staying within the space, ebook a room at Hotel Berg by Keflavík Airport. Not solely will you be near the airport, however you’ll additionally get to calm down within the rooftop pool and luxuriate in views of the close by marina.

8. Reykjavik

Seeing the Northern Lights in Reykjavik is unquestionably attainable however not a assure. The gentle air pollution in Iceland’s capital metropolis implies that it’s not one of the best place for Iceland Northern Lights viewing. If an aurora show is especially intense, nonetheless, there are particular locations inside and across the metropolis the place you need to have the ability to see it.

The “Sun Voyager” sculpture is positioned only some minutes away from town heart and makes an arresting foreground for Iceland Northern Lights pictures. Make positive you look in the direction of the north coast if there’s a promising aurora forecast. Þúfa, a close-by out of doors artwork set up that additionally faces north, is one other excellent spot to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik.

Another one of many greatest locations to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik is the rotating glass restaurant, Perlan. This restaurant is in a major location; it’s shut sufficient to town heart that it’s handy to get to however set above and aside from the remainder of Reykjavik on Öskjuhlíð Hill in order that it’s not as affected by gentle air pollution.

Of course, you’ll be able to all the time take a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik, which can take you out of town to extra distant spots with higher probabilities for aurora viewing.

If you’ll be staying in Reykjavik for just a few days, you’ll want to go to Reykjavik’s high sights.

Iceland Northern Lights excursions

Booking an Iceland Northern Lights tour will undoubtedly take the guesswork out of your aurora chasing. Instead of getting to determine the place to go at what time, an knowledgeable native information will care for all these calculations for you.

The most handy option to aurora chase is to ebook a Northern Lights trip package deal, however in the event you don’t have the time or vitality for a multi-day tour, there are many one-day Northern Lights excursions in Iceland. Most excursions depart from Reykjavik, so that they’re simple to affix. Our high picks for Iceland Northern Lights excursions are:

Our article on the greatest Northern Lights excursions from Reykjavik has a extra full checklist of aurora excursions if you would like extra choices.

We additionally run a Northern Lights Photo Tour in Iceland each September since that’s one of the best time to see the aurora in Iceland. If you wish to uncover one of the best places round Iceland for aurora viewing, chase and {photograph} the Northern Lights each evening, and be taught extra about pictures with a bunch of like-minded and passionate photographers, that is the tour for you. It’s positive to be an expertise you’ll always remember!

Note: If you aren’t actually keen about pictures, no matter your abilities or stage, this journey is not going to be the best match for you. The tour facilities on pictures and is particularly geared toward avid photographers.

Best pictures of Northern Lights in Iceland

If you’ve traveled to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, you’ll most likely wish to {photograph} the aurora show, so that you bear in mind it without end. My information to photographing the Northern Lights gives you recommendations on gear, composition, and digicam settings so you’ll be able to take the very best Northern Lights Iceland pictures.

To provide you with a fundamental thought of the right way to take nice aurora photos, beneath is a basic define of steps you’ll be able to observe. If you want inspiration, this gallery incorporates the entire greatest pictures of Northern Lights in Iceland I’ve taken.

How to {photograph} the Northern Lights in Iceland

These are the steps you need to observe to {photograph} the aurora borealis in Iceland:

1. Prepare your gear. The most necessary factor you are able to do is be sure you have digicam to {photograph} the Northern Lights.
2. Mount your tripod.
3. Set your focus so that you get sharp pictures.
4. Shoot in RAW if you wish to edit your photos later.
5. Raise the ISO in keeping with your digicam sensor.
6. Open up the aperture of your lens fully to seize extra gentle and get higher outcomes.
7. Set totally different shutter occasions.
8. Think about composition when capturing the aurora with unbelievable Icelandic landscapes.

Finally, as I discussed earlier than, if you wish to take pictures of the Northern Lights in Iceland with us subsequent September, be a part of our Iceland pictures tour!

Iceland Northern Lights calendar and aurora map

Below, you’ll discover a chart of historic information for the Northern Lights in Iceland in 2021, with Reykjavik as a reference. 

*KP is a price associated to the Aurora forecast and ranges from 0 to 9. To see the Northern Lights in Iceland, you often want a KP of three or increased. You can discover out extra about aurora forecasting right here.

 

Use this Iceland Northern Lights calendar as a reference, however understand that KP is random and can fluctuate from one 12 months to the following. Also, the calendar above doesn’t present what the extent of cloud cowl was, a key think about figuring out your possibilities of seeing an aurora show.

If you wish to know the cloud and aurora forecast in Iceland for right now, I like to recommend checking the Iceland Meteorological Office web site.

Check the map beneath to seek out all of the locations to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. You also can obtain it from our article on vacationer maps of Iceland.

The greatest locations to see the Northern Lights in Iceland are marked in inexperienced, whereas Northern Lights motels in Iceland are marked in purple.

I hope you take pleasure in your time in Iceland and also you seize some unbelievable pictures of the aurora borealis! If you want extra info or you may have a priority, don’t hesitate to depart me a remark beneath. Happy aurora chasing!