Iceland is one of the world’s premier destinations for witnessing the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. These mystical lights dancing across the Arctic sky have captivated visitors for centuries. Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a bucket-list experience for many travelers, and with the right planning, you can maximize your chances of witnessing this stunning natural phenomenon.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, from the best time to visit to tips on how to increase your chances of spotting them.
What Are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are caused by solar particles interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. When these particles collide with gases like oxygen and nitrogen in the atmosphere, they produce vibrant colors that light up the night sky. The most common colors seen in the aurora are green, but red, purple, pink, and blue are also possible, depending on the type of gas and altitude of the particles’ interaction.
In Iceland, the Northern Lights can be particularly spectacular due to the country’s location near the Arctic Circle and its long, dark winter nights.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
When Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is during the winter months, when the nights are longest and darkest. Typically, the Northern Lights season in Iceland runs from late September to early April. During this period, the combination of long nights and clear skies creates the ideal conditions for aurora borealis sightings.
September through March is often considered the peak season, as the skies are darkest and the chances of catching the lights are highest. However, the best month to see Northern Lights in Iceland depends on weather patterns and solar activity. Many consider February and March to offer the best balance of clear skies, longer nights, and increased solar activity.
Best Time to Visit Iceland for Northern Lights
If you’re planning a trip specifically to see the Northern Lights, consider the best months to see Northern Lights in Iceland—February, March, and September. These months often offer good weather conditions and higher chances of auroral activity.
While the best time to visit Iceland for Northern Lights viewing is during the winter, it’s important to note that Iceland’s weather is highly unpredictable. It’s always a good idea to stay for several days to increase your chances of catching a clear night. Many travelers wonder, what time can you see the Northern Lights? The lights are most visible between 9 PM and 2 AM, though they can appear anytime during the night.
Where to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
Iceland Northern Lights Viewing Spots
Iceland’s remote and sparsely populated areas make it an ideal place to view the Northern Lights with minimal light pollution. While you can see the aurora from many places in Iceland, here are some top spots:
Thingvellir National Park: Just 45 minutes from Reykjavik, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers excellent aurora viewing thanks to its open skies and stunning landscapes.
Vik: Located on Iceland’s southern coast, Vik’s black sand beaches and surrounding mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for the Northern Lights.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: Watching the Northern Lights reflected in the icy waters of this glacial lagoon is a truly surreal experience.
Reykjavik Northern Lights: If you’re staying in Reykjavik, don’t worry—you can still see the Northern Lights without leaving the city. However, to avoid light pollution, it’s best to head to places like Grótta Lighthouse or Öskjuhlíð Hill for better views.
Maximizing Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland
While seeing the Northern Lights is never guaranteed, there are several ways to improve your chances of witnessing this magical display:
Check the Aurora Forecast: Icelandic meteorological websites often have a Northern Lights forecast that can help you determine the likelihood of seeing the aurora on a given night. The forecast is rated on a scale of 0 to 9, with higher numbers indicating a better chance of strong auroral activity.
Get Away from City Lights: For the best view, find a location far from artificial light sources. Iceland is full of remote areas where you can experience the Northern Lights in complete darkness.
Stay Multiple Nights: The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and their appearance is unpredictable. To increase your chances, plan to stay in Iceland for several days or even a week. This way, if you have cloudy nights or poor auroral activity, you still have other opportunities.
Northern Lights Tours in Iceland
If you want to ensure the best possible experience, consider booking a Northern Lights tour. There are numerous tour operators in Iceland that specialize in aurora viewing, offering both bus and boat tours. These tours often take you far from city lights and offer expert guides who can maximize your chances of seeing the aurora.
For a more intimate experience, opt for a Northern Lights tour by super jeep, which allows you to access more remote locations where the lights may be more visible.
Why Iceland Is One of the Best Places to See the Northern Lights
While the Northern Lights can be seen in several countries near the Arctic, Iceland stands out as one of the best places to view the aurora borealis. There are a few reasons for this:
Location: Iceland’s proximity to the Arctic Circle means it experiences long, dark winter nights, perfect for aurora viewing.
Low light pollution: Iceland is sparsely populated, and once you leave the capital of Reykjavik, you’re never far from vast, uninhabited areas where the sky is free from artificial light.
Stunning landscapes: The Northern Lights are magical on their own, but Iceland’s dramatic landscapes—volcanoes, glaciers, and black sand beaches—make the experience even more unforgettable.
How to Photograph the Northern Lights in Iceland
Capturing the Northern Lights on camera is a magical experience, but it can be tricky, especially for those unfamiliar with night photography. The aurora borealis can be faint or fast-moving, and the low-light conditions demand precise settings. Whether you're using a DSLR camera or a smartphone, following these tips will help you achieve the best possible shots.
Photographing the Northern Lights with a DSLR Camera
For those using a DSLR camera, manual settings are crucial to control exposure, focus, and light sensitivity. Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure you capture breathtaking photos of the Northern Lights in Iceland.
1. Essential Equipment for Northern Lights Photography
Tripod: Stability is key when photographing the aurora. Any movement, no matter how small, can blur the image, especially with long exposures.
Remote Shutter Release or Self-Timer: A remote shutter prevents camera shake when pressing the shutter button. If you don't have one, using the camera's self-timer can be a good alternative.
Wide-Angle Lens: A wide-angle lens (14-24mm) helps you capture more of the sky and landscape, making the Northern Lights appear larger in your frame.
Extra Batteries: Cold temperatures in Iceland can quickly drain camera batteries, so it's always a good idea to carry spares.
2. Camera Settings for Capturing the Northern Lights
ISO Settings: ISO controls your camera's sensitivity to light. For Northern Lights, start with an ISO of 800 to 3200. Higher ISO settings (such as 3200) will let more light in, but can introduce noise. Experiment with the balance between brightness and noise for the best result.
Aperture (f-stop): Keep your aperture wide open to let in as much light as possible. Set your aperture to f/2.8 if available, or something between f/2.8 and f/5.6. A lower f-stop number means a wider aperture and more light entering the lens.
Shutter Speed: This determines how long your camera’s sensor is exposed to light. For Northern Lights, you'll typically want a long exposure between 5 to 20 seconds. Faster-moving auroras require shorter exposures, while slower-moving lights allow for longer ones. Be cautious with exposures longer than 20 seconds, as they can cause the stars to blur due to the Earth's rotation.
Manual Focus: Autofocus struggles in low-light conditions, so switch to manual focus. Focus on the stars by using infinity focus on your lens. To ensure sharpness, you can use the camera’s live view mode, zoom in on a star or distant light source, and adjust until it appears crisp.
White Balance: For night photography, set the white balance to daylight or auto. This will give the natural colors of the aurora a more accurate representation. Some photographers prefer to set the white balance to 4000K to emphasize the greens and blues of the lights.
3. Composition Tips for Stunning Aurora Photos
Include a Foreground: To add depth and perspective to your photos, include a foreground element like a mountain, glacier, or tree. This gives context to the size and scale of the aurora.
Plan Your Angles: The Northern Lights move and change rapidly, so it's important to have a flexible shooting plan. Find locations where you can easily reposition yourself. Popular places like Thingvellir National Park and Vik’s black sand beaches offer a dramatic backdrop.
Avoid Light Pollution: Iceland is perfect for aurora photography because of its low light pollution, but be sure to avoid streetlights or urban areas like Reykjavik, as these can dull the intensity of the lights.
4. Advanced Tips for Experienced Photographers
Stacking Multiple Exposures: To reduce noise and create clearer images, some photographers use a technique called stacking, where multiple images are taken at the same settings and then combined in post-processing software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop.
Shoot in RAW Format: Always shoot in RAW format. This retains the maximum amount of detail and gives you more flexibility when editing exposure, contrast, and white balance in post-processing.
Exposure Bracketing: If you're uncertain about the correct exposure, try bracketing, where your camera takes multiple shots at different exposures. This helps ensure you capture the perfect shot without overexposing or underexposing the aurora.
Photographing the Northern Lights with a Smartphone
Modern smartphones have made incredible advances in low-light photography, and while they may not match the quality of a DSLR, you can still capture beautiful images of the Northern Lights with the right settings and apps.
1. Use the Right Apps and Features
Night Mode: Most high-end smartphones now come with a Night Mode that automatically adjusts exposure and light sensitivity for low-light settings. Activate this mode to enhance your chances of capturing the aurora.
Manual Mode/Pro Mode: Many smartphones, including models from Samsung, Google, and Huawei, offer manual or pro modes. These allow you to control the ISO, shutter speed, and focus manually. Aim for an ISO between 800 and 1600 and set the shutter speed to around 10-15 seconds.
Aurora Apps: There are several apps available that can help you fine-tune your smartphone settings for photographing the Northern Lights. Apps like ProCamera (iOS) or Camera FV-5 (Android) give you more control over ISO, shutter speed, and focus.
2. Stabilize Your Phone
Like with a DSLR, a stable shot is key. Since hand-held shots in low light can often result in blurry photos, consider using a mini-tripod for your phone or even prop it against a sturdy surface like a rock.
3. Adjust Settings for Optimal Shots
ISO: As with a DSLR, set your phone’s ISO to around 800-1600 to balance sensitivity and noise.
Shutter Speed: Try to use a 10-15 second exposure. On some phones, you may be able to push this to 20 seconds for brighter auroras, but be cautious as it may result in overexposure.
Focus: Many smartphones will default to autofocus, but in low light, this can be unreliable. Manually adjust your focus if your phone allows it or lock the focus on a distant star.
4. Practice and Patience
Taking great aurora photos with a smartphone takes practice. Before you head out, familiarize yourself with your phone’s camera settings, especially the manual controls. The more you practice, the better results you’ll achieve when the Northern Lights appear.
Final Tips for Photographing the Northern Lights
Dress Warm: Nighttime in Iceland during the winter can be incredibly cold. Make sure to dress warmly with layers and gloves, as you may be waiting outside for a while to capture the best shot.
Scout Locations in Advance: Daylight is your best friend when scouting locations for Northern Lights photography. Find potential foreground elements and familiarize yourself with the surroundings before it gets dark.
Be Patient: The aurora can be unpredictable. You may need to wait for several hours or visit multiple nights to capture the perfect shot. But as always, patience is key to being rewarded with stunning photos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What month is best to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
The best months to see the Northern Lights in Iceland are February, March, and September, when the skies are darkest and solar activity is highest.
What are the chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Your chances depend on several factors, including solar activity and weather conditions. However, if you visit Iceland during the Northern Lights season (September to April), your chances are fairly high, especially if you stay for several days.
How rare is it to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Seeing the Northern Lights isn’t rare during the winter months, especially if you visit for multiple days. However, clear skies and solar activity are essential, so there is some luck involved.
Is it difficult to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
It can be challenging due to Iceland’s unpredictable weather, but with proper planning and patience, most visitors are able to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights during their stay.
Visit the Northern Lights in Iceland
Experiencing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a once-in-a-lifetime event that you’ll never forget. From the best times to visit to prime viewing locations, this guide provides everything you need to increase your chances of witnessing this awe-inspiring spectacle. When planning your trip, be sure to check the aurora forecasts, head to remote locations, and stay flexible.
For those looking to explore Iceland beyond its skies, consider renting a motorhome to experience the country’s majestic landscapes at your own pace. Check out Camper Rental Iceland for more information and to start planning your unforgettable adventure.
