Northern lights

Northern lights,honestly.

When, where and how to see them, what a tour really gets you, and tonight's odds. Live, and never a promise.

Tonight, live

Checking…

From NOAA's space-weather forecast and Open-Meteo cloud cover, through Iceland Trip Planner, refreshed every 20 minutes. Nobody can promise the lights.

The full forecast for four spots

When

Roughly September to April. You need a properly dark sky, and from May to August Iceland barely gets dark at all, however strong the sun's activity is.

Inside the season, any clear night can work. The long nights of midwinter give you the most hours to try; September, October, March and April give you milder nights and a chance of lights after a full day of daylight.

Daylight by month (the rest is night)

Reykjavík
15 Sep13 h 0606:50–19:56
15 Oct9 h 5308:16–18:09
15 Nov6 h 3409:55–16:29
15 Dec4 h 1411:16–15:29
15 Jan5 h 2110:56–16:17
15 Feb8 h 3409:25–17:59
15 Mar11 h 3807:48–19:25
15 Apr15 h 0105:57–20:58

Sunrise to sunset on the 15th, Iceland time, worked out from the sun's position. Twilight adds usable light either side.

What it takes

Dark. Away from street lights. In Reykjavík you can see a strong display, but a few minutes out of town is far better.

Clear sky. This is the hard part in Iceland. Cloud matters more than the forecast's activity number: a strong night under cloud shows you nothing.

Activity. Forecasts give it as Kp, from 0 to 9. Around Kp 2 to 3 is often enough this far north on a clear night.

Patience. Displays come and go. Dress for standing still in the cold for an hour, then add a layer.

Tour or on your own?

A tour's real value is the driving: guides follow the cloud forecast to wherever the gap is, which you can't do from a hotel window. Some operators offer a free second try if the lights don't show. Terms differ, so read them before you pay.

On your own, check the cloud forecast on vedur.is, drive somewhere dark and safe to park, and never stop on the road itself.

When the tours run

  • Northern Lights Small Group Tour with Hot Cocoa & Free PhotosEastWest · Reykjavík

  • Northern Lights by Boat from ReykjavikYour Friend in Reykjavik · Reykjavík

  • Northern Lights Small Group TourBusTravel Iceland · Reykjavík

  • Northern Lights tour from Lake MývatnGeo Travel · Myvatn

Months with open dates in each operator's booking calendar right now, starting this month. Operators open far-off dates late, so a gap can still fill.

Northern lights tours

Operators with strong ratings and real open dates. Book on Iceland Trip Planner, our sister site.

Chase the northern lights: the full page

Good to know

When is the northern lights season in Iceland?

Roughly September to April. From May to August the sky doesn't get dark enough, however active the sun is.

Can I see the northern lights from Reykjavík?

On a strong, clear night, yes, but city lights wash out fainter displays. A short drive out of town makes a big difference.

What is the best month?

There isn't one you can count on. Any dark, clear night between September and April can work. Midwinter has the most hours of darkness; the shoulder months are milder.

Is a tour worth it?

Usually, if you don't have a car or don't know where to go. Guides drive to wherever the sky is clearest. Check whether the operator offers a free retry if you see nothing.

Can anyone guarantee the lights?

No. They need darkness, clear skies and solar activity at the same time. Be wary of anyone who promises them.

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