A Guide to the Northern Lights in Iceland
Embark on an enchanting journey to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights in Iceland with the aid of our comprehensive guide. To enhance your aurora-chasing experience, consider the freedom and comfort offered by camper van rentals in Iceland. These rentals provide the ideal mobile base, allowing you to chase the celestial display across different locations. From the remote beauty of the Westfjords to the tranquil landscapes of Lake Myvatn, our camper van fleet ensures you have the flexibility to choose prime Northern Lights viewing spots.
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, dance across the Icelandic sky in the wintertime. They are one of the biggest attractions of the season and a bucket-list item for many travelers. This natural phenomenon should be seen at least once in one's lifetime because it will always be an unforgettable experience, and Iceland is one of the best places to do it.
We receive many questions from campervan travelers who wonder when the best time and place to see the northern lights are. We’ve created this guide to provide you with all the useful information you need for the best chance while traveling in Iceland in the wintertime. So, let's jump right in!
When Are the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Iceland's season generally runs from mid-September until mid-April, which is the best time to visit to see the aurora borealis. However, every year can be different because the sun's activity can change. If there is enough solar activity, the lights can sometimes be seen as early as August and as late as May.
Generally, there’s a chance to see the lights in the wintertime between 9 pm and 5 am. But from my own experience, they’ll appear even earlier – I’ve seen them at 8 pm, 7 pm, and even 6 pm!
My tip: Be prepared from 6 pm to 1 am, as they can appear anytime between these hours! But most of the time, I’ll see them between 9 pm and 1 am.
What Are the Northern Lights?
Streaking across the winter nights, the northern lights in Iceland are a sight to behold. But what exactly is happening when we see the aurora borealis in Iceland?
As the sun shoots solar particles toward the Earth, they enter the atmosphere around the magnetic poles. Once they've entered the atmosphere, the particles are ionized, most often turning green but sometimes pink, purple, red, orange, or blue.
It's important to note that the particles that cause the northern lights in Iceland result from solar flares on the sun. These don't always happen - which is why even during a clear night, you might not get to see the lights. It also means that the aurora could be happening in the middle of the day, but invisible to the human eye.
Where is the Best Place to See the Northern Lights?
People often ask us at Go Campers if the northern lights are visible in Reykjavik. And while it’s the one location with the most light pollution in the country, there are often times when they are completely visible dancing across the sky over Reykjavik. For this to happen, the activity of the sun needs to be very high, the solar winds extremely fast, and the sky relatively clear. If all these things align, then you can see them in the city.
But for the best experience with the northern lights, it’s always better to see them streaking across the sky over one of Iceland’s incredible landscapes – away from the city and the lights.
It’s important to remember that there’s no need to be up on a high point to improve your chances of a sighting. You should remember that during the Icelandic winter, weather can be difficult and walking up the hill or hiking up mountains just for a chance to see the northern lights is too risky. You can still see them from the ground and even from inside your cozy campervan.
Our top tip: Find a good spot on the map during the day and try to get there on time. Driving a camper during the night and trying to find a good spot can be stressful if the lights are already out overhead – you don’t want to be in a rush!
You never know when the aurora borealis will show up, so plan your trip earlier, go to your location, and wait. And remember that Iceland's aurora season is also when the weather can be at its most dramatic.
Here we present a very well-worked video explaining where and when to see the best northern lights close to Reykjavik.
Watching the Northern Lights From the Blue Lagoon
Of course, there are some extra special locations to watch the northern lights. The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular, and booking your entrance for the night during winter gives you a good chance.
This is also the case for other luxurious hot springs around the country, such as the Sky Lagoon in Reykjavik, the Myvatn Nature Baths, or the new Forest Lagoon in Akureyri.
Another popular lagoon for the aurora borealis is the Glacier Lagoon on the South Coast of Iceland. Unlike the others, it is extremely cold and not intended for bathing.
Joining a Tour
Another option to try to catch the aurora borealis in Iceland is to join a small group tour. These tours leave from Reykjavik and drive you to locations where you might see them. If you have a couple of days in the city before or after your campervan trip, this might be a good option.
How to Tell if the Northern Lights Will be Out
For the aurora forecast in Iceland, you can head to the Icelandic meteorological office website. On the bottom of the map, you have the hours of the night – move the slider from 8 pm onwards, taking note of the level of the ‘Aurora forecast’ on the right-hand side. The Icelandic meteorological office uses the kp index forecast as a simple scale for Aurora activity.
The higher the number the better, but you can see the lights even from level 2. You can also view the cloud cover in more detail on this website. Clear skies are best for maximizing your chances of seeing Iceland's northern lights.
If there’s a good level of activity, the next thing you need to take note of is your chosen area to view the lights. If there is green colour over that part of the country, unfortunately, this means that the sky will be covered with clouds. You won’t be able to see them, so you should change your destination. If you’re changing destination at the last minute, remember to check the condition of the roads you’ll be taking: www.road.is
Finally, there are several Facebook groups where local Icelanders post their own northern lights alerts!
What are the Northern Lights like?
Don’t go in expecting enormous dancing green auroras, as they only come around every so often (if you don’t go in expecting that, you’ll never be disappointed!) A lot of the time they’ll just be bright-looking clouds with a green sheen. But if there has been a solar storm and the forecast is strong, huge streaks can appear out of nowhere, shimmering across the sky in huge waves. If you are lucky enough to see a real active light show, they can turn white, pink, and sometimes even purple.
Everything depends on solar activity and cloud cover. We can’t turn them on and off (we wish we could 😊).
Getting Prepared
Universal things for everyone looking to catch the northern lights in Iceland? Warm clothes, and most importantly, thermal layers! You’ll also need good winter shoes, hand warmers, a charged phone with service, and hot tea or coffee to pass the time. You'll want to be as bundled up as possible to stave off the cold weather conditions while waiting for the aurora activity.
Take camping chairs, hot tea or coffee, and enjoy the night sky. Other important things are service on your phone, good winter tires, and being aware of where you park your camper – you don’t want to get stuck in the snow (keep up to date on the road conditions at www.road.is).
While you might not necessarily need a 4x4 campervan to reach most locations, we do have them in our fleet of campers if you want to feel more secure on your excursions.
How to Photograph the Northern Lights
If the lights are strong enough, you’ll be able to capture photos of them with just your smartphone (although it’s likely to just be a green blur). For more professional photos, you’ll need a tripod for long exposure shots, a good camera that has the option for adjusting the settings manually, a wide bright lens, a charged battery, memory cards, and good gloves that both keep your hands warm and let you operate the camera.
To give you the absolute best chance of seeing the northern lights in Iceland on your campervan trip, we recommend a minimum of 7-10 days.
Conclusion
Seeing the northern lights in Iceland takes some luck and planning. The best time is from mid-September to mid-April, but you also need clear skies. Find a dark spot, check the forecast, and dress warmly.
Whether you're in a campervan, a hot spring, or on a tour, every northern lights show is different. Some nights they are soft and faint, other times they light up the whole sky. No matter what, it’s an unforgettable experience!