The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is when they hit their peak activity around the time of the March and September equinoxes. In the Land of the Midnight Sun, the night sky never really materialises in midsummer. Because of the requirement to have a dark sky, the Northern Lights season runs from late August to April. If you’re keen to see the Northern Lights, the first thing you need to understand to plan your trip is how the weather in Iceland changes throughout the seasons. Northern lights hunting in iceland preparation begins at home Keep reading to find out all what you need to know. If you’ve decided to rent a car in Iceland and go on a self-drive tour of the island hunting the aurora borealis, preparation is key to increasing your chance of a sighting. The good news is that, though there are plenty of Northern Lights tours to choose from, you don’t need to book an expensive tour to see them. The Northern Lights figure on many a " Best Things to Do in Iceland" bucket list. We see the result as dancing curtains of green and purple light which are as fickle as they are breathtaking. This causes the air to light up temporarily. Electrically charged particles called electrons collide with air particles. Water and snacks can keep you going while you wait.More correctly known as the Aurora Borealis, they are a natural light display caused by disturbances in the earth’s atmosphere created by solar winds. It’ll be worth it, we promise.īring water and snacks – If you’re going to drive a little to see the Northern Lights, you might spend awhile stargazing and enjoying the night sky before seeing the wonderful light show. If you don’t spot them on the first night, don’t give up! Check the forecast again and give it another go. Head away from the light pollution in the cities to boost your chances of capturing the Iceland Northern Lights show on your camera.īe patient – It may take several tries before you spot the sometimes elusive Northern Lights. Venture out of the city – As we know by now, the darker the skies, the better. So, visiting Iceland around this time will give you a bigger opportunity to spot this Iceland natural wonder for yourself. The winter solstice on December 21st sees the longest night. Visit in winter – Seeing the Northern Lights requires dark skies, so the winter months are prime Aurora spotting time. The Aurora lights Iceland forecast mentioned above can help with this, as well as our list of top Iceland Northern Lights locations. Choose your place and time strategically to give yourself the best chance of seeing this colorful spectacle for yourself. Research beforehand – Make sure you research the best location and time to see the Northern Lights before you set out. View the dancing lights among the serene setting of floating icebergs and the Vatnajökull glacier at Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. The lagoon is widely regarded as one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Jokulsarlon Lagoon – This southeastern glacial lagoon offers amazing panoramic views. A black sand beach or a hilltop near the Myrdal Church is a great option. This southernmost village in Iceland has several picturesque locations from which you can see the Northern Lights. Vik – For a viewing location in South Iceland, the village of Vik is one to consider.
We recommend venturing to one of the nearby towns and villages instead for a clearer view. Although you may be able to see the Northern Lights in Akureyri, as the second-largest city in Iceland, the light pollution here can obscure your view of the Iceland Auroras. North Iceland – The long nights and sparse clouds in North Iceland also make this a brilliant viewing location.
This remote setting is home to several small fishing villages, which can be ideal bases from which to spot the Northern Lights. Westfjords – With longer darkness hours and typically less cloud cover than the rest of the country, Iceland’s Westfjords are one of our top picks for an Aurora Lights Iceland viewing location.
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