Aurora Guide to Iceland (Northern Lights)

A practical, self-drive–friendly guide for maximizing your chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis in Iceland, safely.

Quick checklist (the 5 things that matter most)

Darkness: You need a dark sky (Iceland’s summer has too much daylight).
Clear skies: Cloud cover is usually the deciding factor.
Auroral activity: Stronger geomagnetic activity = brighter/more widespread aurora.
Low light pollution: Get away from Reykjavík and other towns when possible.
Safety: Weather and roads can change fast—never take risks for a view.

Best time of year

Aurora season: roughly late August / September through early April (dark enough nights).
Highest probability window: September–March, often peaking around October–March (more dark hours).

Notes:

You can still see aurora outside these months at high latitude, but in Iceland the limiting factor is usable darkness, not latitude.

Best time of night

There is no single “best” hour, but in practice you’ll often see activity between late evening and after midnight. Plan to be flexible and ready to move.

How to read Iceland’s aurora forecasts (and what to actually do with them)

1) Cloud cover: your primary filter

Iceland’s official aurora forecast map combines cloud cover (where you can see stars) with a predicted aurora activity level.

White / light areas = clearer skies
Green areas = cloudier skies
Use the time slider to see how clouds move hour by hour.

Rule of thumb: If you can’t see stars, you probably won’t see aurora.

2) Aurora activity: useful, but not everything

You’ll usually see a value on a 0–9 scale and/or references to Kp.

Kp (0–9) is a global index of geomagnetic activity.
Higher Kp generally increases the chance of brighter aurora and visibility farther from the poles, but local conditions (clouds, darkness, light pollution) matter more.

NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center highlights four key factors for viewing: geomagnetic activity (Kp), darkness, clear skies, and location.

3) Moonlight: manage expectations

A bright moon can wash out faint aurora. You can still see strong displays, but consider:

Favor darker phases or put the moon behind you if possible.
Use a camera/phone night mode to reveal faint structure.

Step-by-step: a reliable “aurora hunt” workflow

Check cloud cover over the next 3–6 hours (be ready to drive toward clear skies).
Check the aurora activity forecast (0–9 / Kp; treat it as “bonus info,” not a guarantee).
Pick 2–3 backup viewing spots in different directions from where you are staying.
Leave town lights behind (even 20–40 minutes can help a lot).
Give it time: stay at a good spot 20–45 minutes (eyes adjust; aurora can pulse).
If clouds roll in: move—don’t wait it out unless the forecast shows a clearing soon.
When you see it: look north first, then scan the whole sky—sometimes it appears overhead.

Where to go (practical viewing areas)

Around Reykjavík (easy, but lower darkness)

You can sometimes see aurora from the city, but it will typically be dimmer because of light pollution.

Common “close-to-town” options:

Grótta Lighthouse (Seltjarnarnes) — one of the most popular near-city viewing points.
Öskjuhlíð / Perlan area — elevated viewpoints can help if skies are clear.

Within ~1 hour of Reykjavík (better darkness)

Þingvellir National Park (Golden Circle) — popular for tours and self-drive aurora chasing.
Quieter countryside pull-offs (where legal and safe) — prioritize a dark northern horizon and minimal traffic.

General location rules

Get away from colored light-pollution zones around towns/cities.
Prefer spots with:
- Clear northern horizon
- Shelter from wind (comfort matters)
- Safe parking off the road
- No private property intrusion

Safety rules (do not skip)

Check roads and weather before you drive

Use official sources for:

Weather and warnings
Road conditions and closures (especially winter and mountain roads)

Do not chase aurora if:

Roads are marked as hazardous/closed
Wind is extreme
Visibility is low (snow/fog)

Park safely (and legally)

Never stop in the driving lane or on narrow shoulders.
Use designated parking or wide, safe pull-offs.
Keep reflective gear handy and be visible to others.

Off-road driving is illegal

All off-road driving is prohibited under Iceland’s Nature Conservation Act, with only narrow exceptions (e.g., rescue operations). Stay on marked roads/tracks.

Emergency number

112 is Iceland’s emergency number.

What to pack for an aurora night

Essentials:

Warm base layer + insulating mid-layer + wind/waterproof outer layer
Hat, gloves/mittens (bring a spare pair), warm socks
Headlamp (red mode if available)
Thermos with a hot drink + snacks
Fully charged phone + power bank
Ice grips (optional but useful when icy)

If driving:

Full fuel tank
Basic winter kit (scraper, small shovel, blanket)
Check that your rental is properly equipped for conditions

Photography tips (camera + phone)

Phone

Use Night Mode (or “Long Exposure” / “Astro” mode if available).
Stabilize the phone (mini tripod or lean it on something stable).
Tap-focus on a bright star/light, then lock focus if possible.

Camera (starting point)

Tripod, remote shutter or 2-second timer
Wide lens if available (e.g., 14–24mm full-frame equivalent)
Try: ISO 1600–6400, f/1.4–f/2.8, 2–10 seconds
(shorter exposures for fast-moving bright aurora; longer for faint, slow curtains)

Pro tip: Review a test shot and adjust—aurora brightness changes quickly.

Sample self-drive plans

1-night “maximize chances” plan (Reykjavík base)

Late afternoon: check cloud forecast and pick a direction with clear skies.
Evening: drive 30–60 minutes out of the city (two candidate spots).
If no activity by midnight: reassess clouds; move once if needed; don’t push fatigue.

3-night plan (more flexibility)

Night 1: Reykjavík-area scouting (short drive).
Night 2: Golden Circle / Þingvellir area.
Night 3: Choose the clearest region based on the forecast (be opportunistic).

Useful tools and official resources

Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast (cloud + activity map)
Visit Iceland aurora forecast (same style map)
NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (Kp and viewing factors)
SafeTravel (alerts, guidance, travel plan, app)
Road and traffic conditions (IRCA/umferdin)

References

Icelandic Met Office — Aurora forecast (cloud cover + activity scale): https://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora
Visit Iceland — Aurora forecast map: https://visit.is/aurora-forecast/
NOAA SWPC — Tips on viewing the aurora (Kp and key factors): https://swpc-drupal.woc.noaa.gov/content/tips-viewing-aurora
SafeTravel (ICE-SAR): https://safetravel.is/
Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration (IRCA): https://www.road.is/
Traffic and road conditions (Umferdin): https://umferdin.is/en
Ísland.is — Off-road driving permit (ban and exceptions): https://island.is/en/off-road-driving-permit
Aurora Reykjavík — forecast + light pollution guidance: https://aurorareykjavik.is/aurora-forecast/