The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Iceland

The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Iceland

For the northern lights to be visible, you need dark skies and no cloud cover. This means that you can only see the northern lights in winter, as there is much less daylight.

The best time to see aurora borealis in Iceland is between September and early April. It’s when the nights become long and dark enough for the aurora to be visible. Iceland only gets 4-5 hours of daylight in midwinter, providing endless opportunities to hunt for the aurora lights during that time.

The Best Month To See the Northern Lights in Iceland

The northern lights months in Iceland are between September and April, and while there’s no particularly optimum time between this range, the nights are the darkest from November to January. This means you can seek the aurora in Iceland from late afternoon until nearly noon the next day, which provides good conditions to photograph the northern lights.

Winter can be a beautiful time to visit Iceland, as you'll see nature covered by a blanket of snow. Many of the main sites will remain accessible, such as the Golden Circle and the South Coast.

There are also plenty of winter activities you can enjoy. You can go snowmobiling and glacier hiking before setting out to explore the northern lights each night or see the beautiful crystal blue ice cave in the Vatnajokull glacier!

• See also: Best Winter Activities in Iceland
• Learn more: How to Find the Northern Lights in Iceland

Best Time of Night To See the Aurora Borealis in Iceland

You can see the aurora borealis in Iceland whenever the sky is dark. Therefore, in December, they may be visible from three in the afternoon until nine in the morning. While the weather in Iceland in December can be unpredictable, it's usually not as cold and snowy as in January, so you may have more luck with clear skies.

However, due to the Earth’s rotation, atmosphere, and magnetosphere relative to Iceland’s position on the globe, they are most likely to be seen between 10 PM and 12 AM.

This is when most northern lights tours set off. It also means that when the tours end, you’ve searched through the optimal time and back home early enough that it won’t compromise your plans the next day.

If you’re renting a 4x4 car in Iceland and taking a winter self-drive tour tailored to the aurora borealis, you can search for the northern lights throughout the night. But you should remember to avoid sunrise and sunset when light pollution significantly dims them. If you are out well into the early hours hunting for the auroras, it’ll be noticeably colder, so dress accordingly.

What Are the Best Conditions to See the Northern Lights?

1. Strong Solar Activity

The solar wind is the reason behind the appearance of northern lights. The Kp-index forecast is the measurement unit used to indicate the level of solar activity. The optimum level is above three, and you can check this on the Northern Lights Forecast in Iceland.

2. Clear Skies

The Icelandic Meteorological Office also has a cloud cover forecast to help you find the best place to spot northern lights in Iceland.

3. As Little Light as Possible

The darker it is, the easier it is to spot aurora borealis. You can still see the northern lights in Reykjavik and other cities, but the best results are from the remote countryside, where there are no lights to distract you.

So there is no straight answer to when you can see the northern lights in Iceland since it isn’t just dependent on the season or month but also the weather and solar conditions.

Can You See the Northern Lights in Reykjavik?

Photo from Mesmerizing 25-Minute Northern Lights Show at Perlan Museum in Reykjavik

Though the urban light pollution usually hampers visibility, you can sometimes see the northern lights from the city center of Reykjavik. There are also areas within and around the city where the lights are more visible. Look for parks and coastal areas, like the Grotta nature reserve or the Sun Voyager sculpture, that are more isolated.

If you want some unique northern light experiences while in Reykjavik, you can combine a northern lights tour with a visit to Aurora Reykjavik, an exhibition dedicated to the aurora borealis. Alternatively, check out the award-winning Northern Lights Show at the Perlan Museum observatory!

• For more, check out the Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Reykjavik

FAQ's About Iceland’s Northern Lights Season

Here are some frequently asked questions about northern lights in Iceland!

How far in advance should I check the aurora forecast?

Aurora forecasts are updated daily, and solar activity can be predicted up to three days in advance. However, weather conditions can change quickly in Iceland, so it’s best to check both the aurora and weather forecasts on the day you plan to go aurora hunting.

Can I See the Northern Lights in Iceland During Autumn and Spring?

You can see the northern lights in late fall and early spring, but you will have a smaller window of opportunity to see them due to the longer daylight hours. The weather in Iceland is milder during this time, so you may have less cloud cover, although the weather can be unpredictable in Iceland, even during the warmer months.

The main benefit of visiting Iceland during fall or spring is that many summer tours extend into these months, allowing you to do more when the auroras are not visible.

You can travel around the country in a rental car during this time and to most of the major sights. For unique experiences, you'll also have many options.

For example, the most popular whale-watching tour from Husavik in North Iceland, the whale-watching capital in Europe, begins in April and lasts until November, providing you the chance to marvel over the giants of the deep. The Thrihnukagigur Inside the Volcano Tour close to Reykjavik continues until October and will enable you to descend into and explore a vast, unbelievably colorful magma chamber.

Keep in mind the best time for northern lights in Iceland is the winter months. However, seeing them in late autumn and early spring is still possible.

Can I See the Northern Lights in Summer?

In the summer equinox weeks at the end of June, the sun never sets in Iceland. Instead, it circles the sky, touching the southern horizon but never quite sinking below it. The brightness of this "Midnight Sun" entirely obscures the northern lights. Through the end of May, the entirety of June and July, and the beginning of August, the nights are still too bright to see the auroras.

Despite this, there is a slim chance of seeing the aurora borealis faintly during the short hours of darkness at the very beginning and end of summer. Even so, you have much less chance of seeing Iceland’s aurora borealis during these times, as they will need to be particularly intense to be visible, and there’s a much smaller window of opportunity to seek them.

If you want to see the aurora borealis in Iceland while still enjoying relatively mild weather and the option to partake in most summer activities, it's a good idea to visit in late September.

• See also: The Midnight Sun in Iceland

Tips For Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland

Witnessing the northern lights in Iceland always requires some luck. Some travelers dead set on aurora hunting may encounter cloud cover or a lack of solar activity every night of their holiday. Others, traveling for one night in August, might be blessed with a fantastic show without even looking for it.

Other than waiting for a clear winter’s night, there are several ways to optimize your chances of enjoying a fantastic display of the aurora borealis in Iceland.

Just hoping you see a northern lights display without laying any groundwork is probably not the wisest option. There are several easy steps you can take to increase your chances:

1. Avoid Urban Areas When Northern Lights Hunting

All lights have the same dimming effect on the auroras as the sun. If you’re in Reykjavik and want to see the northern lights, you must move away from the light pollution. You can take a city bus to the Seltjarnarnes Nature Reserve, which is fairly dark compared to the rest of the city. However, you are more likely to achieve better results by booking a tour or driving out into the dark surrounding landscapes.

If you are on a guided package or self-drive tour, your route will take you out into the reaches of Iceland’s nature, maximizing your chances of catching a show every night.

2. Extend the Length of Your Holiday

If traveling to Iceland for just a weekend, you only have two or three nights in which to go aurora hunting. Considering the unpredictable weather and fickle nature of the aurora borealis, you’re not setting yourself up for success.

You’re statistically more likely to see the northern lights by staying in Iceland for an extended time.

3. Travel Across Iceland

A two-week-long vacation spent in different parts of the country can significantly increase your chances of a lucky night in perfect conditions.

Travelers could also consider spending much or all of their holiday in North Iceland. The nights here are longer, and the sky is usually less cloudy, providing increased opportunity. During the northern lights season, the north is also less busy than the Reykjavik area, allowing you to avoid the crowds at the most scenic viewing spots, such as the marvelous Myvatn lake or the frozen waterfall Godafoss.

4. Check the Weather Forecast for Northern Lights

Iceland’s weather website has regularly updated pages revealing the predicted and current cloud cover around the country, allowing you to plan to reach the areas with the clearest skies. The aurora forecast measures from zero to nine, with three and above considered promising.

5. Be Well-prepared and Patient

It'll take several minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness of Iceland's winter nights, so stay a while at each spot, even if the sky appears clear. The northern lights can also begin at any moment, so don't rush away if they aren't immediately active.

Make sure you have many layers of warm clothes - and perhaps some hot cocoa -so you can comfortably wait for the auroras as long as you need. When it comes to hunting in the northern lights, just a little bit of patience can lead to the most incredible rewards, which you will no doubt remember for the rest of your life.

Do you have any other questions about hunting the northern lights in Iceland? What time of year are you planning to visit? Are you considering a self-drive trip or taking a northern lights tour? Tell us in the comments below!