Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is the dream of many travelers and one of the main reasons to visit in winter. However, although there are high chances of seeing them, there are some factors that need to align. In this post, I’ll tell you how to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.
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One of my travel dreams was to see the Northern Lights, so when we decided to travel to Iceland in winter, I knew this was a great opportunity to make it happen. However, even though we could travel there, we might not see them, as being a natural phenomenon, many factors influence their appearance. Seeing the Northern Lights is magical, an experience that is truly unforgettable!
Best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
The Northern Lights in Iceland can be seen from late September to early April, with the highest chances of sightings in December, January, and February.
During this period, the nights are long and dark, which increases the opportunities to witness this phenomenon. This is both a major benefit (and drawback) of traveling to Iceland in winter.
They can also be seen in autumn or spring, although the light activity will be much lower.
Where to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
Although the Northern Lights can be seen all over Iceland, there are certain places that offer better conditions for viewing. The key is to get away from the light pollution of cities and look for isolated areas.
The Northern Lights, also known as the “Aurora Borealis,” are the visible result of solar particles entering Earth’s magnetic field and ionizing in the atmosphere. This ionization gives them their color, typically green. These incredible lights can only be seen near the Earth’s poles, and Iceland is a perfect location for them. The farther north you go, the higher your chances of seeing them.
How to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
- Seeing the Northern Lights on your own
It is entirely possible to see the Northern Lights on your own if you follow the daily forecast and stay alert. However, you’ll need to rent a car (a 4×4 in winter) to get away from the city lights and search for the ideal spot where the sky is clear.
I traveled to Iceland for 10 days and saw the Northern Lights on two nights: one while staying in Selfoss and another at the Skaftafell campsite. Campsites are usually far from cities and have no surrounding buildings, so traveling in a camper is a great option for seeing the Northern Lights. Plus, a camper gives you the freedom to move around in search of the auroras while staying super comfortable with your kitchen, sofa, and all the amenities inside.
- Northern Lights Tours in Iceland
Guided tours are an excellent option if you’re not renting a car in Iceland. Local guides know the best locations, solar activity patterns, and weather conditions to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
This Northern Lights tour in Iceland departs from Reykjavik, and since they can’t guarantee the auroras will appear, they offer you the opportunity to come back another day for free if you don’t see them on the first night. The tour includes a guide in English, and hotel pick up. You can book your tour here.
Northern Lights boat tours are also a unique way of seeing them since you are in the middle of the ocean and have a better chance. This sightseeing cruise departs from Reykjavik and is a great option.
Tips for seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland
- Check the weather conditions: Clear skies are essential for seeing the auroras; there should be no clouds. On the Icelandic weather website, you can check the cloud forecast for each day and hour. The areas in white are clear skies.
- Check the KP index: The KP index is a system that measures geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with 0 being low intensity and 9 being maximum. A KP of 4 or higher indicates a high probability of seeing the auroras. You can check the aurora forecast on this website. For us to see the auroras with the naked eye, the KP needs to be at least 2.
- Look for isolated areas: Avoid places with a lot of artificial light. The light from a full moon also doesn’t help with visibility.
- Aurora App: This free app sends you alerts when auroras are visible and lets you see photos that people upload on the map. It’s a great tool to stay updated on when auroras might be visible near your area.
- Be patient: The reality is that even if all the conditions are right, you might not always see the auroras. Be patient and plan each night to go to cloud-free areas to increase your chances of seeing them.
- Proper clothing: It’s essential to travel with the right clothing for winter in Iceland. When you’re outside at night hunting for the auroras in winter, it can get very cold, so I recommend checking out my list of winter clothing for Iceland. These hand and foot warmers saved me. They are self-adhesive and keep you warm for a couple of hours; I used them during my aurora hunting nights.
How to take photos of the Northern Lights
Taking photos of these moving lights is not easy, but here are some tips to help you do it:
- Tripod: A tripod is essential to keep the camera stable during long exposures. I have this Amazon Basics tripod, it’s super cheap, lightweight, and comfortable.
- Camera with manual control: No matter what camera you have, you need to be able to set it to manual mode (M) to adjust the exposure time and ISO.
- ISO should be set to 1200 or higher.
- Exposure should be at least 5 seconds, but this depends a lot on the intensity of the aurora. I took some with 3 seconds where the auroras are perfectly visible.
- Aperture: Use the widest aperture on your camera to capture as much light as possible (f/2.8).
- Trial and error! Don’t expect to get it right on the first try, you’ll need to test all the settings.
- If you want to appear in the photo, stay very still. To avoid being too dark, you can ask someone to shine a flashlight on you.
Do they really look that green in person?
On social media, you see amazing photos of the auroras, but do they really look like that in person? Aurora photos are taken with long exposures, and that can sometimes be misleading.
It really depends on the intensity of the auroras.
Aurora Kp 2
For example, I saw an aurora with a KP of 2 on the first night, and in person, it looked gray or white, like a cloud. However, when taking photos or even just pointing the camera at the sky, it appeared green. I was a bit disappointed after that night because my eyes hadn’t actually seen what came out in the photos.
Then, on the following night, I saw auroras with a KP of 4, and there I could see the green color with my own eyes, and much more. The colors were intense, and the lights were dancing in the sky, changing shape every second. It was insane, and although the photos look amazing, I assure you it was much better in person.
Even if you have high expectations to see the auroras, keep in mind that it all depends on their intensity.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a magical and unforgettable experience. By following these tips and with a bit of luck, you’ll get to witness one of Iceland’s most spectacular shows.
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