The Ultimate Guide to Experiencing Iceland's Northern Lights
1. Timing is Key: When to Experience Iceland's Northern Lights
As the most crucial component for viewing the Northern Lights is darkness, the ideal time to visit Iceland for this celestial phenomenon is during the winter months, between September and April.
During this period, the night skies are at their darkest, with longer, clear evenings making for prime aurora hunting conditions.
September to November
These months mark the beginning of the season, with cooling weather and autumnal landscapes providing a stunning backdrop to the aurora displays. The darkness returns quickly after the bright summer months, and by mid-October you can expect solid viewing windows from around 9 PM onwards. Early season hunts often come with milder temperatures, making it a comfortable introduction to aurora chasing.
December to February
With the shortest days of the year, winter offers the best chance of aurora sightings. Iceland sees just four to five hours of daylight during the deepest winter months, meaning the viewing window stretches from late afternoon well into the early hours. Be prepared for colder temperatures and snowy conditions, but this is also when the most intense displays tend to occur, with vivid greens, purples and even rare reds painting the sky.
March to April
As the season draws to a close, the increasingly warmer and brighter days of spring lend themselves to more favourable exploring conditions alongside the Northern Lights displays. March is a particularly sweet spot, offering a balance of reasonable darkness hours and more pleasant driving conditions compared to midwinter.
2. Reading the Forecast: How to Know When the Aurora Will Appear
One of the biggest questions travellers have is simply, "Will I see the Northern Lights tonight?" Understanding the forecast is half the battle, but traditional aurora forecasts can be confusing, filled with KP indices, solar wind data and cloud coverage maps that require a science degree to interpret.
That is exactly why williseeaurora.com was built. Instead of presenting raw scientific data and leaving you to figure it out, it combines real-time NOAA space weather data, local cloud cover conditions and darkness levels into a single, easy-to-read likelihood score from 0 to 100. No guesswork, no cross-referencing multiple websites. Just open the page, check your score, and you know exactly where you stand.
What makes it particularly useful for travellers in Iceland is that it factors in local conditions, not just global solar activity. A high KP index means nothing if the sky above you is covered in thick cloud, and williseeaurora.com accounts for that. It also highlights the best viewing window across the next 18 hours, so you can plan your evening around the optimal time rather than standing outside in the cold for hours hoping something happens.
Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned aurora chaser, bookmarking williseeaurora.com before your trip is one of the smartest things you can do. It takes all the complexity out of forecast reading and gives you a clear, honest answer to the only question that matters.
3. Top Viewing Locations: Iceland's Best Spots to Catch the Aurora Borealis
Iceland abounds in captivating locations to witness the enchanting display of the Northern Lights. To experience these celestial wonders for yourself, venture to these top-rated viewing spots.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Located near Vatnajökull National Park, this glacial lagoon offers an unparalleled Northern Lights experience. The dazzling aurora reflections in the calm waters create a surreal, otherworldly spectacle. Arriving early and finding a quiet spot along the shore gives you the best chance of capturing that perfect mirror reflection.
Vik
Situated on the south coast, the black sand beach of Vik makes for a striking contrast to the colourful aurora display overhead. Its secluded location, far from city lights, provides excellent viewing conditions. The dramatic basalt columns at nearby Reynisfjara add an extra layer of atmosphere to any sighting.
Þingvellir National Park
As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Þingvellir not only offers an impressive landscape but also serves as an idyllic location for spotting the Northern Lights. The park's wide-open vistas provide an unobstructed view of the dancing lights, and being just 45 minutes from Reykjavik makes it one of the most accessible prime spots.
Kirkjufell
On the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the picturesque mountain of Kirkjufell creates a dramatic silhouette against the vibrant aurora display, making it a photographer's dream location. The iconic shape of the mountain framed by swirling greens is one of Iceland's most recognisable images.
4. Expert Tips for Successful Northern Lights Hunting
To ensure the best chance of witnessing the magical Northern Lights, heed the following expert advice and make your aurora hunting experience a resounding success.
Check the forecast first
Before heading out, always check williseeaurora.com for the latest conditions. The live score tells you at a glance whether it is worth venturing out, and the timeline view shows you when conditions will peak. This simple step can save you hours of waiting in the cold on a night when the aurora simply will not appear.
Drive away from light pollution
The dazzling Northern Lights are best viewed in areas with minimal artificial light, such as remote and rural locations. Even Reykjavik's modest glow can wash out fainter displays, so be prepared to drive 20 to 30 minutes out of town. The further you go from populated areas, the more vivid the colours become.
Pack warm clothing
Experiencing the Northern Lights often requires patience, so it is essential to dress warmly during the cold winter nights. Thermals, windproof jackets, and insulated footwear are all essentials for your celestial adventure. Hand warmers are a small luxury that make a big difference when you are standing outside for extended periods.
Plan multiple attempts
As the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, there is no guarantee you will see them during your stay in Iceland. Dedicate ample time in your itinerary for multiple attempts, increasing your chances of a successful sighting. Three to four nights with aurora-hunting potential gives you a solid statistical chance.
5. Capturing the Magic: Photography Tips for the Aurora Borealis
The vibrant dance of the Northern Lights can make for a breathtaking addition to your photographic repertoire. And the good news? You no longer need expensive camera gear to capture stunning aurora shots. Modern smartphones have become remarkably capable in low-light conditions, putting aurora photography within everyone's reach.
Smartphone Photography: Your Phone Is Better Than You Think
Today's smartphones from Apple, Samsung, and Google all feature dedicated night modes that can capture the Northern Lights beautifully. Here is how to get the best results:
Use Night Mode or Astrophotography Mode — On iPhone, use Night Mode (it activates automatically in low light) or try a long-exposure Live Photo. On Samsung Galaxy, switch to Night Mode. On Google Pixel, use Night Sight or the dedicated Astrophotography mode, which activates when the phone is held very still or placed on a surface.
Stabilise Your Phone — Even with computational photography doing heavy lifting, a steady phone produces dramatically better results. Use a small phone tripod, prop your phone against a rock or car window, or bring a simple phone clamp that attaches to any standard tripod.
Turn Off the Flash — The flash is useless for the aurora and will only ruin your night vision. Make sure it is disabled before you start shooting.
Adjust Exposure Manually — Most phone cameras let you tap to focus, then slide to adjust exposure. Bring the exposure up slightly to capture more of the aurora's colour. On iPhone, you can lock exposure by long-pressing on the screen.
Try Pro or Manual Mode — If your phone has a Pro or Manual camera mode (Samsung and many Android phones do), set ISO to 800–1600, shutter speed to 5–10 seconds, and focus to infinity. This gives you far more control than automatic modes.
Shoot in RAW — If your phone supports it, shoot in RAW or ProRAW format. This preserves more colour and detail, giving you much more flexibility when editing afterwards.
Edit Thoughtfully — A quick boost to vibrance and contrast in your phone's built-in editor can bring out the greens and purples that your eyes saw but the camera may have muted. Just avoid over-saturating.
The results from modern smartphones can be genuinely stunning. Do not let the absence of a dedicated camera stop you from capturing the moment.
Traditional Camera Setup
For those with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you can push image quality even further with full manual control.
Invest in a sturdy tripod
Capturing crisp images of the aurora requires long exposure times, making a sturdy and portable tripod an indispensable tool for reducing camera shake. A lightweight travel tripod works perfectly, just make sure it can handle a bit of Icelandic wind.
Choose the right lens
A wide-angle lens with a fast aperture (f/2.8 or lower) ensures that your camera can capture as much light as possible, producing stunning and well-exposed aurora images. Something in the 14mm to 24mm range will let you capture sweeping sky panoramas.
Experiment with camera settings
For the best results, set your camera to manual mode and use an ISO around 800 to 1600 to minimise noise while allowing for maximum light intake. Adjust your shutter speeds and aperture accordingly to find the optimal exposure. Start with 15 seconds and adjust from there based on how quickly the aurora is moving.
Use manual focus
Due to the low light conditions, autofocus may struggle to lock onto the aurora. Instead, set your camera's focus to manual and adjust it to infinity to achieve sharp and clear photos. A handy trick is to focus on a distant light or star first, then lock the focus ring in place.
Embrace the Enchanting Dance of Iceland's Celestial Wonders
With this guide to Iceland's Northern Lights, you are well-equipped to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Remember to check williseeaurora.com before you head out, dress warmly, and give yourself multiple nights to maximise your chances.
Prepare to be enthralled by the mesmerising beauty of dancing lights in a land steeped in tradition, folklore, and natural wonders.