Northern Lights Hunting in Iceland

There’s something about the Northern lights hunting in Iceland that makes it a bucket-list experience for so many of us. Is it the splashes of green, red, and purple illuminating the sky? Or is it that chance we get to connect with Mother Nature amidst our busy (tech-driven) lives? For some of us, they’re fascinating because we witness science in real life, as charged particles from the sun hit gasses in the Earth’s atmosphere.

We’d say nothing comes close to the fascination the Northern Lights bring (the Northern Lights song by Renaissance is a close second, though). And to understand what we mean, you’d have to witness them yourself. In that regard, the dark, clear skies of Iceland make for one of the best places to look for ‘em!

If you’re hoping to catch the stunning Aurora Borealis, keep reading. We’ll talk all about Northern Lights hunting in Iceland—so when you visit, you stand a good chance. (Yep… Not everyone gets to see them, even if they try. There’s quite some tips you have to follow, and this blog post will equip you with them).

What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are actually a scientific phenomenon.

So this is how it goes: At all times, the sun releases charged particles into space. This creates something we call the “solar wind”. When this solar wind hits the Earth’s upper atmosphere, it creates the Aurora (known as the Northern Lights in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Lights in the Southern Hemisphere).

These particles are guided toward Earth’s poles by the planet’s magnetic field. When they collide with the atmosphere, they release energy, which causes the sky to glow.

The colors of the Northern Lights depend on the gases in Earth’s atmosphere. Different gases, like oxygen or nitrogen, produce different colors—green comes from oxygen, while nitrogen creates red light.

And here’s the kicker: Iceland—perched on the cusp of the Arctic Circle—offers one of the best seats in the world for this natural light show. Especially because it has long winter nights.

When to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?

Iceland offers the best time to see the Northern Lights somewhere between September and April. That’s when the nights are long and dark. If we were to name two months for catching the Aurora Borealis, we’d say September and March. These are usually called the “shoulder seasons” when the skies are clearer than peak winter months.

If you’re wondering why you can’t see the Northern Lights between April and August—well, there’s no darkness in Iceland during that time of the year. (Yep, that’s how far north Iceland is). Any other time of the year, you’ve got a good chance.

The ideal viewing times to watch the Northern lights would be the hours when the skies are the darkest. This will be between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m.

Where to Chase the Northern Lights in Iceland

One thing is for sure: the farther you can get from light pollution, the better. And Iceland gives you many opportunities for this. With that said, here are some of the best places in Iceland to catch the Aurora Borealis.

Jökulsárlon Glacier Lagoon

This is hands-down one of our favorite spots for chasing the Northern Lights. For one, there are vast open spaces and very little light pollution—so you can expect an intense display. Second, there are icebergs and glacial waters; when the Northern Lights reflect off these, you’ll have an other-worldly experience.

Þingvellir National Park

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Golden Circle. It is famous for its dramatic rift valley. You can expect dark skies and stunning landscapes here. As a bonus, Thingvellir is far from the city lights, so the skies will be super dark.

Snæfellsnes

Snæfellsnes Peninsula is only a two-hour drive from Reykjavik. It’s also known as “Iceland in Miniature” because of its stunning scenery. So, you’re getting a bit more than just the Northern lights 😉. For some Instagram-worthy shots, catch the lights over Kirkjufell Mountain.

Akureyri

Akureyri, Iceland’s second-largest city and the “capital of the North”. It is the hub of North Iceland—with plenty of activities for all ages. It’s great for skiing as well as watching the Northern Lights. However, since it’s pretty far off North, it can be colder than the Southern part of the island.

Vík

This is a tiny coastal village in Iceland located far from the urban light pollution. It’s also positioned directly under the auroral oval. And you know what that means: strong light displays. The Vik Church and Dyrholaey cliffs are two of the best spots to see the lights.

Should You Do It Alone or Book a Tour?

You can hunt the lights either with a self-drive or a guided tour, both of which have their perks.

  • Guided tours. If you’d rather leave the driving—and guesswork—to someone else, you can consider a Northern Lights tour. Guides know the best spots and often take you to less crowded areas. This can increase your chance for catching the magical sighting.

Forecasting the Northern Lights

We’ll be honest: Aurora hunting is part luck, part strategy. And the “strategy” part includes leveraging some useful tools.

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