10/23/2024 | 10:00 AM
The northern lights are a spectacular phenomenon, filling the dark nights with dazzling, colorful lights that dance and move across the sky.
Iceland is one of the most magical destinations to see the northern lights – we recommend you add it to your travel bucket list, if it's not already on it! With plenty of amazing places from which to view the lights and optimum conditions throughout the country, you can see some of the most vibrant auroral displays across Iceland.
If you’re planning a trip to see the northern lights in Iceland, we’ve compiled some essential northern lights facts and advice into this guide to help you prepare for your vacation. Learn about what conditions are needed to see the aurora, different ways to experience the lights, what to pack for your trip, and more.
And for the best chance at getting the ultimate vacation souvenir, check out our guide for photographing the northern lights.
Where, when, and how to see the northern lights
In Iceland, the official northern lights season runs from September/October until March. During this time of year, days are darkest and shortest, translating to northern lights peak viewing time. Iceland’s aurora is also often strongest during the September and March equinoxes, when the sun is directly above the Earth’s equator and day and night are about the same length. However, the lights have been spotted as early as August and as late as April. Though uncommon, you can’t rule out aurora sightings in these months.
From May to July, Iceland enjoys almost round-the-clock daylight thanks to the midnight sun season, and this means that it never gets dark enough to see the lights. The best time of year to see the northern lights in Iceland is therefore during the fall, winter or early spring, which provide plenty of darkness and increased chances for spotting this beautiful natural phenomenon.
What weather and conditions do you need to see the northern lights in Iceland?
The northern lights are a fickle beast – often taking even the most avid hunters by surprise with their appearance and/or intensity. However, there are certain conditions that you need in order to be able to see them at all. These include:
- KP index score: The KP index measures geomagnetic activity, and is arguably the most important factor for seeing the northern lights. The index shows the most likely time that you can spot the aurora borealis in Iceland and how strong they will appear. The higher the KP index score, the better your chances of seeing lights, and the more likely you are to see the pink and purple colors, alongside the green, light up the sky.
- Dark and clear skies: The darker the nights, the brighter the lights! are also important for seeing the lights. With darkness being crucial for northern lights hunting, the Icelandic winter brings even more opportunities to see the aurora borealis in Iceland. Heading away from light pollution will maximize your chances of a glimpse, although the brightest aurora can still be seen from cities and even through thin clouds. It’s also worth noting that a full moon can significantly brighten the sky, making it more difficult to enjoy the show.
- Time of night: The time of night can also have an impact on how easy it is to see the aurora in Iceland. Generally, 9pm or 10pm until 2am is considered peak time. The lights also tend to get more visible as the night goes on, so the show can be a long but extremely rewarding one. If you need your beauty sleep, you'll find that many hotels offer an aurora alarm service, calling your room to wake you if there are hints of color in the sky.
You may have also heard that you need cold temperatures to see the northern lights, but this is a common misconception! Cooler weather often brings clearer skies, and it's the lack of clouds that creates the best conditions for seeing the lights, not the temperature.
Iceland's northern lights forecast
If you’ve already got a vacation to Iceland booked and are planning a trip to see the northern lights, the Icelandic Met Office provides a northern lights forecast with predictions for the coming three days. The map shows cloud coverage over Iceland, and there's a numbered KP index scale in the top right corner that shows the level of solar activity. The scale ranges from 0 to 9 (very low to very strong).
The interactive tool allows you to easily view the northern lights forecast for Reykjavík or any other part of Iceland. However, it’s important to bear in mind that the aurora forecast can fluctuate throughout the day. For the most reliable reading, we’d suggest checking Iceland’s aurora borealis forecast at around 6pm on the day you're hoping to try to see the lights.
And if you want up-to-date readings on the go, we also recommend downloading the Aurora Forecast app. It shows the position of the auroral oval around the Arctic Circle and features a probability indicator so you can predict how likely it is that you’ll see the lights where you are.
How to hunt for the northern lights in Iceland
So, now that you know what you’re looking for and what to expect, the next step is deciding how you want to experience the lights. There are plenty of ways to search for the aurora in Iceland, from guided tours to self-led adventures.
Choosing an experience can depend on several factors, like who you’re traveling with and how long you’ll be in Iceland for. While long weekends and city breaks are a popular way to visit Iceland, the more days you spend in the country, the higher your chances are of seeing the lights, so bear this in mind when planning your trip.
Below are some of our recommended ways to see the northern lights when you’re in Iceland:
How to pack for watching the northern lights in Iceland
If you're traveling with the goal of northern lights hunting, chances are you’ll be visiting Iceland in winter or fall. This means that most of your packing should be dedicated to preparing for the cold, as temperatures can drop as low as -10°C / 14°F in the colder months.
You’ll want a suitcase full of warm clothing that you can layer to suit the weather conditions of the day, and be sure that your outer layer is wind- and waterproof.
Here are some ideas of what to wear for hunting the northern lights in Iceland:
- An underlayer or base layer of clothing – both top and trousers or long johns
- Thick, warm socks – possibly multiple pairs
- Warm fleece or woolen layers – especially jumpers/sweaters
- Scarf, hat and gloves
- Sturdy and warm walking boots (it can get icy underfoot!)
- Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers
Other items on your northern lights packing list could include some glasses or goggles to protect your eyes from the icy winds, swimwear if you’re planning to watch the lights from a geothermal spa, and of course, your camera gear. You might also like to pack a warm thermos of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate to give you a little boost of heat during the coldest part of the night. Perhaps you might pack a good book, too, for the nights when the aurora remain elusive!
Staying safe while out northern lights hunting
Going northern lights hunting in Iceland is an exciting, and often once-in-a-lifetime, experience. To enjoy it to its fullest, be sure to stay safe.
There's plenty of advice for staying safe when traveling in Iceland in winter, including tips on weather and safe driving.
You'll also find up-to-date weather and aurora forecasts from the Icelandic Met Office, and information on road conditions from the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration.
If you plan to visit a remote area, it's a good idea to let someone know where you're heading. Safe Travel, from the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue, allows you to submit a travel plan so that authorities can know where you are in case of an emergency.
We recommend taking a fully charged cell phone and a power bank with you when you go out – when temperatures are low, a phone battery can drain faster than normal.
A big part of staying safe is also dressing well for the weather. It's important to wear warm and waterproof clothing that you can layer up, so that you stay cozy well into the night.
Final northern lights planning tips
Ready to plan a trip to Iceland for the northern lights? Here’s a reminder of everything you’ll need to think about before you travel:
- From the month you’re visiting in to the time of night you’re planning on heading out to hunt for the aurora, make sure to time your trip well (year, month, time of night).
- Whether you want to go on a guided tour, combine your trip with other experiences, or head out into the wilderness, decide which style of trip is right for you.
- Do your research on where you want to stay. Choose where you’d like to be based - in the city or somewhere more remote- and then think about whether a hotel, motorhome, or camping is best for you.
- Prepare for the cold conditions with our northern lights packing list. Since you’ll need to bring bulky items, being smart with space is key. Remember to wear your bulkiest clothing while you travel to free up space in your suitcase.
- Reading up on road / general safety info ahead of your trip so you can have a safe and enjoyable time whilst you’re in Iceland.
- And finally, don’t forget to check the aurora forecast for where you’re staying. Even if chances are low, be patient, and you might be rewarded with a glimpse of the lights.
Come visit us!
We hope you’ve learnt some interesting northern lights facts and that you now feel inspired and prepared to plan your trip to see the aurora borealis in Iceland.
We can't wait to welcome you to Iceland, and we hope the skies light up with the aurora during your visit. Book a flight to, from, or via Reykjavík today, or view our northern lights packages for a complete vacation experience.