Northern Lights in Iceland: Everything You Need to Know
When you think of Iceland, you definitely think of the Northern Lights, right? It’s kind of hard not to when it’s one of the best places in the world to see them. I haven’t seen them yet but I definitely want. I went ahead and did the research for you and I have some advice from the locals themselves.
WHAT ARE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS? (aka the aurora borealis)
Of course you’ve seen the pictures, but what are they actually? Not only is it one of the most enchanting phenomenons but there’s science behind it. It’s essentially charged particles from the sun that get carried by the solar wind toward Earth’s atmosphere. When these charged particles collide with the gases, they release energy in the form of light. The variations in color are due to the type of gas particles that are colliding.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SEE THEM?
The best time to see the Northern Lights specifically in Iceland is during the winter months - when the nights are long and sunlight is scarce. In the winter, the sun barely comes out optimizing your chances of seeing them. The best time of year typically spans from September to April. But the most opportune time is November to February when it’s dark for majority of the days. The best time to scout for them is at night from 10 PM - 2 AM and you’ll want to stay away from well-lit areas and it’s important to have minimal cloud coverage.
HOW TO CHASE THEM?
Joining guided tours led by knowledgeable locals is probably your best way to chase them down - it will increase your chances. With that being said, you can find them a few different ways:
Hunt in the town you are staying in
Take a guided tour on a bus
Rent a car and search for them yourself
Do a Northern Lights boat tour
If you plan on searching for them yourself, I would recommend downloading the Hello Aurora app. It will give you forecasts, people can upload photos, real-time locations, and more.
WHAT ARE THE BEST PLACES TO SEE THEM?
The best places in Iceland to see the Northern Lights are the Westfjords, North Iceland, the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. You are able to spot them in Reykjavik, specifically Thingvellir National Park, even with the light pollution but it’s better to be in more remote areas.
MY BEST ADVICE FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
Keep in mind that this is one of nature’s most unpredictable sights, so I recommend not to base your trip solely around seeing them. Unfortunately when I went in September, they were not present. I met a girl who spent hours on a northern lights tour only to be left disappointed. Because it’s natural phenomenon, appearance is influenced by unpredictable factors, such as solar activity, weather conditions, and atmospheric clarity.
