The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Perfect Spot and Time to Witness the Northern Lights in Iceland

Seeing the Northern Lights is like no other experience, and it's one that people who dwell at lower latitudes and/or in cities rarely get to experience at home. Iceland is one of the best places on the planet to see the aurora borealis, but you need to know when to go and what to look for. On top of that, Iceland's spectacular scenery, including black beaches and dramatic landscapes, makes an excellent backdrop for the Northern Lights, so it's worth looking for great places to view and photograph the auroras. Because you are so far north, you don't need to stay up until 2 or 3 am to see them, either. Read on for our guide and tips on how to get the best to see Northern Lights in Iceland.

Introduction to the Northern Lights in Iceland

Iceland is one of the best places to view auroras for two reasons:

1. Because it is so far north, the nights are long in winter, giving a larger viewing window.
2. Iceland is sparsely populated outside Reykjavik. A relatively short drive takes you somewhere with little to no light pollution, which can rapidly wash out the auroras.

The Northern Lights are, thus, something people come to see in Iceland.

Experiencing the Northern Lights in Iceland Can be a once-in-a-lifetime journey. 

Understanding the Science Behind the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis are a spectacular phenomenon seen in the northern part of the northern hemisphere (the Southern Hemisphere equivalent is the Southern Lights or Aurora Australis). What people see are curtains of delicate light that range from green to light pink to, in some cases, red and purple. They are an active phenomenon that may appear to pulse or striate.

But this phenomenon didn't begin on Earth; the aurora actually originates from the surface of the Sun. They are caused by weather in the sun. Solar storms create vast clouds of electrically charged particles that are spit out into space. If the Earth is in the proper position, these clouds can hit us, and as these storms happen a lot, it's prevalent that we are in the right place.

When these particles hit our Earth's atmosphere, they "excite" gases in the upper atmosphere, which is a fancy way of saying they heat them, which causes them to glow and makes the collisions visible. The Earth's own magnetic field causes wavy patterns, curtains, and pulsations. The aurora is as close as we can see Earth's protective magnetic field with our own eyes.

The aurora starts about 130 km above Earth’s surface, and the different colors come from the oxygen and nitrogen in the Earth's atmosphere (other gases cause different hues, but they're in small quantities). The green is oxygen, while the pink is nitrogen. However, very high-altitude oxygen can cause the auroras to turn red. Red auroras only happen when the storm on the sun is particularly active.

During a major storm or a coronal mass ejection, the auroras can be seen as far south as the middle of the U.S., but these events are rare. Often, seeing the aurora requires travelling further north.

Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Iceland

First of all, you should take your Northern Lights viewing trip in the winter. Long nights mean more time to see the auroras, while Iceland crosses the Arctic Circle and has almost no summer night. The best time to view the Northern Lights in Iceland is between mid-September through the end of March, although you can get away with late August or mid-April.

If you have long-term plans, you want to travel during a solar maximum, when auroras are particularly spectacular. If you can make a trip these next couple of years, do it because it is expected that 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 will be the best ones this century according to expert. 

When you get there, plan to stay up. The best Northern Lights viewing times are typically between 21.30 and 02:00 when the sky is darkest. Further south, though, you will have to stay up even later.

Bear in mind that even if you do everything "right," the Northern Lights can be elusive, and there is no guarantee. Plan other fun stuff for your trip so you don't feel like you went all that way for nothing if you are unlucky.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is between mid September and the end of March.

Best Place to See the Northern Lights in Iceland

Foremost, if you want to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, you want to avoid light pollution. It is possible to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik if they are particularly intense, but you are better off driving a bit out of the city. You can go on one of our Northern Light Self Drive Tours (unless you decide to take a bus tour, but a car will give you more flexibility).

The darker the sky, the better, but be careful; winter travel in Iceland can sometimes be dangerous. We don't recommend going too far or going off-road at night. There are some great places close to Reykjavik, but you might also want to travel further afield, especially if you have other plans.

You also want a good backdrop, especially if you plan on attempting photography. Here are some great places to see the Northern Lights:

Thingvellir National Park

Beautiful at any time of year, Þingvellir National Park is the traditional location of Iceland's parliament and has been a centre of democracy for centuries. If you are brave enough to attempt winter camping, they keep the Nyrdri-Leirar campsite open. You can also simply park overnight here, although you will have to pay.

Spectacular rock formations and the knowledge that you are where the European and American plates meet make for some exceptional viewing and photography, and this is also a good place for winter hiking.

Reynisfjara Beach, Another Location to See the Northern Lights in Iceland

With no light and a vast open sky, the infamous black sand beach at Reynisfjara beach is a fantastic place to observe the Northern Lights (and another astronomical phenomenon). There's the beach itself, stacked basalt columns, and sea stacks associated with trolls.

However, stay at the very top of the beach. Even during the day, the beach is dangerous because of sneaker waves that can snatch you from the sand, and at night, it can be hard to tell where you are. It's a great place, but be careful.

Kleifarvatn

If you don't want to travel far from Reykjavik, Kleifarvatn makes a fantastic viewing point. It's the largest lake on the Reykjanes peninsula and is only 30km west of Reykjavik, so it's a very short drive. A beautiful lake with unique volcanic surroundings and pockets of geothermal activity, it's popular with birdwatchers and anglers.

The lake is smaller than it was before an earthquake drained part of it in 2000 and created hot springs that bubble into one corner of the lake. It combines well with a trip to the Blue Lagoon resort.

Diamond Beach

If you are venturing to the southeast of Iceland, consider Diamond Beach. The "diamonds" are not gems at all but large chunks of ice from a nearby glacier that tend to wash ashore on the beach. The translucent ice on its own is worth a photo during the day. It's next door to a glacial lagoon that's also a fantastic place to go to view the lights. They share a car park, too.

Lake Myvatn

Despite being more remote (an hour east of Akureyri), Lake Mývatn remains open in the winter. It's frozen and covered with snow, and there are also exciting lava formations, including pseudo-craters. Good place for winter hiking and busy enough to be safe.

If you're staying in Akureyri, it's a good day trip, and you can stay late enough to catch the lights, but be careful on the back roads.

Siglufjörður Village

This is a lovely little fishing town in a fjord on the northern coast. If you're doing the "circuit tour," it's always worth a stop. At one point, it was the world's herring capital and the northernmost settlement on mainland Iceland, making it one of the most northern towns in the world. Because it's a small town, the light pollution is minimal, and you can get great views of the Northern Lights over it. And because it's north of the Arctic Circle, it often stays dark here during the winter.

While you're there, check out the Herring Era Museum.

Snæfellsjökull Glacier

Going to Snæfellsnes in winter is an adventure. The Snæfellsjökull glacier is a glacier-capped stratovolcano, so it's one of the most spectacular sites of Iceland and an immaculate background for your Northern Lights viewing.

Getting to it might be a challenge, but it's worth it! Just stay on the roads.

Plan your destination, pack the right gear and have back up activities for bad weather

Aurora Forecast Tools

The Northern Lights are essentially weather. Like any weather, you may not be able to count on them. Knowing when to go out hunting and when to stay in your hotel with a cup of hot chocolate is part of the trip.

Aurora forecast tools can help you pick which nights to go out. The Icelandic Met Office has a good aurora forecast page that includes expected aurora intensity and predicted cloud cover. It makes predictions several days in advance and shows the time of sunset, darkness, sunrise, and moonrise (aurora viewing is often better if the moon is down or new).

If you prefer a phone, the Lumyros Aurora App is a good one that is available for Android and iOS phones. Iceland has surprisingly good cell phone coverage, so getting a local sim and an app to register your location and give you a hyper-local prediction is worth it. Useful when you've been out a while and are wondering whether it's time to give up, as well as for planning your route.

Using these tools can reduce the risk of standing there staring at a dark or, worse, overcast sky.

Weather Conditions and Their Impact on Northern Lights' Visibility

Terrestrial weather also impacts auroras. You need a dark and mostly clear sky to see the auroras. Given their height, they are above even the highest cloud cover, even if it might not look like it when you watch them.

Iceland's winter weather can be highly unpredictable. Plan your trip by following the local weather forecast and considering cloud cover and snowfall. If it is actively snowing, it's best to stay inside. While Icelandic winters are relatively mild for the latitude, they can still be cold, snowy, windy, and overcast due to the moderating influence of warm ocean currents. Expect there to be snow on the ground.

Look to go out hunting the Northern Lights on clear nights and make other plans for ones expected to be cloudy.

Tips for Capturing the Northern Lights on Camera

Getting that spectacular shot of the Northern Lights is also a challenge. You can't simply point a camera at the sky and click; the delicate veils of light simply won't show up.

The best tool is a good weather-sealed camera with remote shutter operation; even pressing the button can distort the photo. You can, however, still use your phone. Either way, you will need a tripod because capturing the Northern Lights requires a long exposure. Use night mode on your phone (to keep Flash from activating).

Set up your tripod on the flattest surface you can. Set your camera into manual mode and use these settings:

●     Aperture F / 2.8

●     Shutter speed is 20 to 30 seconds for dim lights and 1 to 5 for brighter ones.

●     ISO of at least 1600, ideally 3200 unless the moon is out, in which case use about 800

●     Shoot in RAW

If you use your phone, the best option is to install a unique astronomy or Northern Lights photography app that will adjust your settings.

Safety Precautions and Essential Gear for Northern Lights Viewing

First of all, you will be in Iceland in winter. Thankfully, it's a lot warmer than, say, Minnesota. Southern Iceland, including Reykjavik, sees winter temperatures of around 0°C (freezing), while the north averages around -10°C. However, the windchill can be pretty extreme if you are out in the open, like in some of our best viewing spots. Dress accordingly.

Expect there to be snow everywhere. Proper snow boots are an excellent idea; they will keep you warm and will also help you keep from slipping on snow and ice. Snowfall is common, and remember that it will also be dark much of the time. In December, days can be as short as five hours in Reykjavik and even shorter in the north. You will be out at night a lot. A small, lightweight flashlight will help keep you from using your phone's flashlight utility excessively.

When driving, expect poor conditions much of the time. Drive carefully and monitor road conditions. Stay on major roads and known routes as much as possible, as there is no guarantee of any given route outside of Reykjavik, and the main ring road has been ploughed. Don't park on the side of the road. The snow may be concealing mud where your car can quickly get stuck.

Get a local sim card or international service and keep your cell phone charged in case you have difficulty getting into it. Make sure to get an Iceland-specific (not multi-Europe) adaptor for your phone's charger).

Don't forget to wear snow boots to stay warm and safe in the snow.

Here are some things to pack for Icelandic winters:

●     Snow boots should be waterproof, lined, and with rugged soles.

●     Waterproof jacket and pants. Do not wear jeans or rain pants over them. Ski pants are a good idea.

●     Woollen base layers. Merino wool is a good choice. You can also wait and buy local wool when you get there.

●     Both mittens (for maximum warmth) and photographer's gloves.

●     A warm hat.

●     Some kind of scarf or neck gaiter.

●     Warm socks, ideally 100% wool.

●     Waterproof case for your phone.

●     Hand lotion. Iceland's winters can be a recipe for chapped hands.

●     Shoe spikes or ice cleats that go over your boots, especially if you plan on winter hiking

●     A thermos flask to fill with your favourite hot beverage.

●     A lightweight flashlight and or a headlamp. Choose a small LED flashlight that's easy to carry but produces a lot of light.

●     Your camera gear and tripod.

●     A power bank to ensure your cell phone stays charged in the cold.

●     Sunglasses. When the sun is up, there's a lot of glare from the snow.

●     Long underwear.

Depending on where you are from, Iceland's winter temperatures vary so keep in mind what you're used to, but remember that wool is the best.

And, again, if you're driving anywhere, ensure you have local cell coverage. Your winter adventure will be much better if you are comfortable and safe.

Ready to see the Northern Lights in Iceland? Experiencing the Northern Lights in Iceland can be the trip of a lifetime. However, ensure you have a good plan for where to go, the right gear, and backup fun activities if the weather (or the sun) doesn't cooperate. To find out about our Northern Lights trips and other tours, contact Tour.is today.