Íslenska
Some of our favorite Northern Lights pictures from the 2024 season. Photo credit: Thor Ostensen (GJ Travel guide).
About Northern Lights in Iceland
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of nature’s most spectacular light shows, and Iceland is one of the best places to see them.
Here are a few interesting facts to know to make the most of your northern lights adventure:
When to See Them
The Northern Lights are visible from September to mid-April. You need dark nights, therefore the summer with its near 24-hour daylight isn’t ideal.
Clear Sky Needed
The best viewing conditions require a sky free of clouds, rain, snow, and fog.
Solar Activity
Solar storms release charged particles that Earth’s magnetic field directs to the poles. These particles collide with atmospheric molecules, causing the Northern Lights, usually visible about 100 miles (160 km) above Earth.
More solar activity means a better chance of seeing them.
Frequency
When conditions are right, you can expect to see the Northern Lights about 2-3 times a week. According to historical data on Northern Lights sightings, the chances of seeing the aurora in Iceland increase with the length of stay.
The longer you stay, the better your chances:
2-night stay: About 20-25% chance
4-night stay: About 60% chance
5+ night stay: Over 85% chance
Tips for Northern Lights Watching
Patience is Key: The Northern Lights are unpredictable. They can appear and disappear quickly. It’s not like a TV show you can turn on at will.
Be Prepared: Dress warmly! Layers, good footwear, gloves, and hats are essential as you’ll be outside, often in the cold.
Best Time: Throughout the season the chances to view northern lights are quite similar, while September to mid-November and February to mid-April offer better balance of daylight and darkness.
Iceland’s Winter Climate
Despite being a northern destination, Iceland is relatively mild in winter, thanks to the Gulf Stream. The average winter temperature is around is around 0°C (32°F) and -10°C (14°F) in the North.
This is much warmer compared to other northern light destinations like Finnish and Swedish Lapland (-20 to -25°C / -4 to -13°F) or Greenland, Canada, and Alaska (-30 to -40°C / -22 to -40°F).
Daylight Considerations
In December and January, Iceland has only about 4.5-5 hours of daylight, which can affect your sightseeing plans.
From mid-September to mid-November and February to mid-April, you get a better balance with around 10 hours of daylight, perfect for daytime activities and night-time aurora hunting.
Photography Tips
For the best photos of the Northern Lights, use a tripod to keep your camera steady. It will help you capture those stunning light displays without blurriness.
GJ Travel’s Northern Light Tours
At GJ Travel, we’ve designed our Northern Lights programs to maximize your chances of witnessing this awe-inspiring phenomenon:
We stay Away from Light Pollution: Our tours spend the first and last nights in Reykjavik, with all other nights in countryside hotels far from city lights.
Optimized Itineraries: Minimal daily driving means more time to enjoy the daylight. Daytime activities focus on nature sightseeing, cultural experiences, and soft adventures, while evenings are dedicated to Northern Lights activities.
Nightly Aurora Hunts: Enjoy presentations, lectures, films, and guided Northern Lights searches. Many countryside hotels offer a Northern Lights wake-up call service, so you won’t miss a sighting.
Expert Guidance: Joining a tour with educated guides and their expertise on the best spots to see the Northern Lights significantly increases your chances of success.
They keep a close eye on both local and international Northern Lights forecasts (website examples). There is nothing quite like traveling through the country with an expert leading the way.
After all, we are loaded with experience from years of product development.
Specially Chosen Hotels: We carefully select hotels with ideal conditions for Northern Lights viewing. These partnerships ensure high-quality experiences for our guests.
Guest Safety: Guest safety is crucial. We provide non-slip snow and ice gripper spikes for icy paths and flashlights for better visibility.
Tour Examles:
5-Day Land of the Northern Lights Tour
Our shortest Northern Lights trip is the 5-day Land of the Northern Lights. This quick getaway includes two nights in Reykjavik and two nights in South Iceland, an excellent spot for Northern Lights hunting.
Highlights include visits to Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon, Black Lava Beach, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, and the Golden Circle. Optional activities include a Glacier Hike on Sólheimajökull and a Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavík.
Available for Christmas and New Year’s!
12-Day Combo Tour: Northern Lights Secrets – Westfjords & Guided Iceland Circle
Our longest tour, the 12-day Combo of Northern Lights Secrets – Westfjords & Guided Iceland Circle, combines the remote Westfjords with a comprehensive tour around Iceland. Experience quaint villages, cascading waterfalls, vibrant lava fields, and more. Each day brings new adventures, enhancing your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. The tour also includes the Ring Road’s best sights, from volcanoes and fjords to glaciers and hot springs. Departures are available every two weeks on Fridays.
For more tour options, visit www.gjtravel.is.
Further information:
GJ Travel – Northern Lights Exploration
GJ Travel – Northern Lights Tours
