Northern Lights in Iceland

A romantic night in Iceland on my wife's birthday - hot tub, Northern Lights, candle light and dark chocolate :)

I was attending the VestNorden Travel Market in Akureyri yesterday, where tour operators and hoteliers from Iceland, Greenland and the Faroes show off their offerings. After a great day with excellent food and brilliant people I headed back home to Reykjavik, a 400 km drive from Akureyri.

It had passed midnight before I left Akureyri. It was a crispy clear night with temperature around freezing point. This is an excellent time to be on the road - if you can stay awake. I did not only have the road all to myself, but also the midnight sky. As soon as you get out of the city lights billions of stars appear in the sky guiding the way to where ever you'd like to go. This night, I also got a spectacular 4 hour long dance show with mystical green Northern Lights dancing in the skies.

Unfortunately I did not have the right equipment to capture them, but I dug up a few magnificent Northern Light images from flickr, as well as the one above from my private collection.

Enjoy!

Are you ready to sail the waves of Northern Lights in the Arctic Sky? This beautiful photo of the Northern Lights is by Olgeir Andresson

Aurora Borealis in Iceland by Sigurdur Hrafn Stefnisson

This one is by Thorsteinn Asgeirsson. I recommend reading his description of how to take pictures of the Northern lights (includes hot coffee, smoked salmon and a girlfriend).

By Johnathan Esper of WildernesScapes Photography

The Northern Lights over a waterfall by Gunnlaugur Juliusson

Northern Lights over the road by Tom Olliver

Another one from Sigurdur Hrafn Stefnisson's brilliant collection. Here you can see the more rare colours of the Northern Lights - red and yellow. 

 

The Northern Lights above Reyðarfjörður in East Iceland by Gunnar Olafsson

The Northern Lights over Eyjafjallajokull Volcano by Mike Herbert

Another one from Olgeir Andresson's magnificent collection of Northern Lights photos

You can expect to see the Northern Lights from September to April. What you need is a clear sky. The best time to view the Northern Lights in Iceland is probably February. Some companies offer guided Northern Lights tours to the best spots and best hours to witness this magnificent natural phenomenon.

Hjörtur

ps. remember to like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter :)

Comments

[Ben Smith]

Hi,

Im looking to visit Iceland for around 4 days. Basically I've got two options available to me. Either 4th February, which coincides with a new moon, or 25th February (which means the moon will be 58% illuminated).

Which date due you recommend, as a lot of the literature I read says March is statistically the best time to see the Northern Lights? If this is so then the trip on 25th would be best, but would the moon affect the viewing?

Any help would be appreciated!

[Hjortur]

Hi Ben

Sorry for the late reply, I somehow didn't see your comment. The moon being at 58% does have some affect on the view you have of the Northern lights, but you'll still be able to see them. It's more a matter of the weather. You need a clear sky instead of a cloudy one, so you need to monitor the weather forcast when you get here to find the best spots to see the northern lights. There are several companies specializing in Northern Lights tours in Iceland who know where the best spots are to see them at each given moment.

Have a nice trip :)
Hjörtur

[Jimorrissey]

wow, what a wonderful set of pictures. i'm jealous of your talent and journey! you're awesome!

[Hjortur]

@Jim Thanks, it was a great ride - but the pictures of the Northern Lights aren't mine - except the top one. It's just a collection of some of the best pictures of Northern Lights in Iceland I could find :)

[Jimmy Chang]

My family and I will be in southern Iceland the week of February 20th; hopefully the weather will cooperate so we can see the amazing northern lights. One quick question on road condition: there is a beautiful gorge (Fjaðrárgljúfur gorge) on route 206, 2 miles from Kirkjubæjarklaustur. Do you think it's accessible in late February. My travel agent worries that the smaller routes are not plowed and may not be accessible. We had a great hike there three years ago and would like to go back there, but will not make the trip there if the road may be inaccessible. Thanks for your advice in advance.

[Hjortur]

Nothing is inaccessible, Jimmy. It just depends on your transportation and time ;) I'm pretty sure route 206 is not plowed in the winter time, but you can go there with a guide in a super jeep. There are some companies offering super jeep tours from Kirkjubæjarklaustur and up that road in the summer time, maybe they are available for some winter adventure as well :)

Route 1 is generally open but always check the weather forecast and road conditions before leaving. Weather can vary from one place to the next, and from one minute to the next.

Have a fantastic trip - and hope you catch some great northern lights :)