If you were to just plan a trip to see the northern lights and that was all, this would be a huge disappointment. There isnt a solid answer for when the best time to see northern lights in iceland is because luck will trump all. This gorgeous natural light show has been a marvel and major tourist attraction for centuries, with people from all over the world journeying to the region by the. Get awestruck by northern lights everything iceland has to offer is a factor in the increased tourism said brynhildur sverrisdottir, a travel agent.
This city is believed to be the first official colony on iceland back from when it was first settled, just before the turn of the first millennium. On this northern lights tour, travel outside reykjavik with a guide who knows the areas dark country roads. The company notes that you are most likely to see the northern lights if you schedule your visit between the end of august and the end of march. Weve hand picked the best deals around to see the aurora borealis in iceland. Gorgeous northern lights bus tour guide to iceland. Peak viewing season for the northern lights is always september through march when the nights are long in iceland during the winter solstice. Visit iceland s most iconic attractions and spend your nights searching for northern lights with this 7day selfdrive tour. It was great that with viator s you get to have the second trip for free if you fail to see the lights the first time which was a great bonus. Nov 21, 2019 iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis, or northern lights. The 16 best places to see the northern lights in iceland. If you are planning a trip to see the northern lights in iceland there are a few things that you should know before you book. A guide to spotting the northern lights on the go tours. Tromso in norwegian lapland this lively arctic city is one of the best places to see the northern lights in norway. If youre visiting iceland on a tight budget but still want to experience the northern lights, consider the northern lights tour from reykjavik.
The aurora borealis, aka northern lights, take centre stage in these winter getaways. The basic tour includes round trip transportation on a large bus to reykjaviks countryside far away from the city lights but youll be sharing the experience with many other travelers. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. Hi we want to go to iceland end of february for just three nights mainly to see the northern lights. From the camera gear youll want to invest in and the apps youll want downloaded to the best spots to see the show and the northern lights tours that are actually worth it, consider this your allencompassing guide to seeing the northern lights in iceland. Greenland is gaining in popularity as a tourist destination but still rather remote. Come on a camping trip on mount esja for an incredible shot at seeing the ethereal northern lights. So here is a guide to help you find out how to see and photograph the northern lights in iceland including best time, forecast. When and where to see northern lights in iceland bookmundi. Northern lights in iceland useful information iceland.
The northern lights can be unpredictable, sometimes the aurora forecast can be at a kp4, but youll still not see anything. Tripadvisor northern lights night tour from reykjavik. Tripadvisor northern lights tour in iceland reykjavik. Hotel ranga, in southern iceland, offers a bevy of coldweather. Relax on a coach bus as you head to the best viewing spots, hearing about the science of this unique natural phenomenon and its related icelandic folklore.
How to see the northern lights in iceland we are travel girls. The northern lights are caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the upper atmosphere near the north pole. Another good area to see northern lights in iceland is the westfjords, the least populated and also the least visited part of iceland. Aurora borealis iceland my northern lights experience. You can customise your trip with day tours from the popular golden circle tour to snorkelling a fissure between two tectonic plates or spend time snowmobiling on glaciers, visit the steaming geysers or relax in the geothermal blue lagoon. How to plan a vacation to see the northern lights in iceland. Dont get caught out in the cold when travelling to iceland prepare your visit with our handy travel guide resources that cover everything from visas to weather and seasons, how best to see the northern lights and where best to visit plus plenty more tips. Apart from darkness, though, you also need clear skies. The basic tour includes roundtrip transportation on a large bus to reykjaviks countryside far away from the city lights but youll be sharing the experience with many other travelers. They can actually be seen from norway, finland, alaska, and parts of northern canada. The best time to see the northern lights in iceland the. Dec 19, 2019 aurora borealis iceland wow this is clearly one of the best experiences to have on your trip.
Best time to see northern lights in iceland with forecast. Northern lights tours and vacations in iceland icelandair. According to the latest data from the icelandic tourist board, a total of 2,195,271 tourists visited iceland in 2017. Search for the magical northern lights and enjoy the reykjavik skyline on a guided evening boat trip. Sep 06, 2017 there is something majestic, ethereal, magical and entirely overwhelming about the incredible dance of neon lights that is the northern lights. This is one of the must see phenomena in the dark of iceland s winter months. Yet these areas do not have as reliable weather conditions as iceland, which is why this island nation is so synonymous with the worlds most famous natural light show. Planning a trip to see the northern lights guide modern trekker. Its easy to see why iceland is such a popular destination for a northern lights tours. In addition to searching for the northern lights, this experience also includes fascinating, exclusive preflight presentations with our expert team of astronomers who provide you with a wealth of information about the wonders of the night sky. Best northern lights trips to book now with deals starting. How, where and when to see the northern lights in iceland.
Iceland is a land of fire and ice with ancient volcanoes and grandiose glaciers. We went out in a minibus and travelled about 45min out of reykjavik. It was interesting to only have 5 hours of daylight, yet it did not interfere with the itinerary. Northern lights tours and holidays in iceland icelandair. How to see the northern lights in iceland complete guide. Here, at 65 n on the southern edge of the arctic circle, you can see auroras almost every night. A couple of years ago i went on a trip to iceland to see the northern lights. See the aurora borealis iceland on the reykjavik excursions northern lights tour. How to see the northern lights in iceland whats on. Joining iceland, northern lights tours is one of the best ways to take in all sights and winter is a good time for this tour.
If your goal in visiting iceland is to see the northern lights, dont plan your trip in the summer. Jump on a super, super jeep tour and go where the buses cant. The locations visited are different every tour since we go where its most likely to see the northern lights each day. Weather, season and location all matter and by taking them into account you can greatly increase you chance to see the auroras. Jan 23, 2012 i was very excited to see that gateway to iceland had a tripadvisor certificate however i was disappointed with our tour. Iceland is the lowest winter temperature country to see this aurora girl. In general, northern iceland is the best area to see the northern lights as it is located along the gulf stream. Seeing the northern lights is the holiday of a lifetime for many yet it doesnt have to break the bank.
Best time to see the northern lights in iceland in 2019. This northern lights tour in iceland takes you out of reykjavik the city lights in the hope of seeing the northern lights in its full power. Specifically designed to cope with icelands rough terrain, enjoy a scenic adventure in your quest to see the northern lights. I am trying to book a trip to see the northern lights in november 2011 but there are so many options i am not sure which place to go. The northern lights are also known as aurora borealis.
Northern lights tours in iceland aurora tours arctic adventures. It was useful to hear about the science behind the lights, get an introduction to it all and hear that another trip was promised if we did not see the lights. Iceland is certainly the best winter destination in europe. Every person should plan a trip to witness this spectacle at least once in their lifetime. Iceland is often the place where the presence of the northern lights arose with a high kp. Sail away on a comfortable quest not far from reykjaviks old harbor on the first of our nightly opportunities to hunt the aurora borealis. General information about northern lights tours in iceland including a few words about managing expectations. Iceland northern lights iceland message board tripadvisor. How to see the northern lights in iceland cnn travel. Northern lights city break iceland holidays icelandair. Youre spoilt for choice when it comes to northern lights tours in iceland.
Northern lights iceland where and how to see the aurora. It can save valuable time to book a tour with one of our professional guides. Based on the weather conditions, your tour guide will choose the area in the countryside where youre most likely to see the aurora borealis with its spectacular displays of colour, light and texture. The best places to see the northern lights travel. In fact, it has become so popular that people have begun to book their tours more than a year in advance. This experience comes with a chance to see pristine snowy landscapes, enchanting arctic wildlife and some intrepid winter diversions. The best season to see the northern lights in iceland is from september to midapril these are the months where there are full dark nights. How to see the northern lights in iceland we are travel.
The best time to see the northern lights in iceland. Hop into a climatecontrolled coach with an expert guide, and venture deep into icelands darknesscloaked countryside, far from the electric glow of any towns. Our guide was superb, telling a lot of stories and also a lot about icelandic history. One of the most popular destinations in iceland to witness the northern lights is undoubtedly its capital city, reykjavik. In this ultimate guide to the northern lights in iceland, you will find all you need to know. Feb 25, 2020 to help you see the northern lights before winter ends this year, here are some tips on planning an aurora trip. Some people have also specified the months between november and february but you do have to remember that it is winter time and the weather can be unpredictable. We were recommended to book this tour with thule travel by the hotel who said they were the best people to go with, they genuinely want you to see the lights, and also they cancel the. The 7 best iceland northern lights tours of 2020 tripsavvy. If you book a northern lights bus tour and conditions prevent your guides from running the tour for the duration of your stay in iceland, you will, of course, receive a full refund.
Northern lights in iceland a travel bloggers guide. Catch the northern lights alongside thermal pool dips, polar bear sightings, and. The best time and season to see northern lights in iceland is from late september to the beginning of april. Should the northern lights not be seen on your tour, you will be offered to join another tour another evening, free of charge. The reason for this is that the gulf stream flows through the country, making the winter temperature in the capital reykjavik a maximum of 15 degrees celsius on the coldest day. My experience seeing the northern lights in iceland. Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis, or northern lights. Its a misconception that iceland is the only place to see the northern lights. Book this perfect vacation package with icelandair today, with. Ultimately, the longer you spend in iceland the more of its breathtaking natural beauty you will see and experience. We had been to iceland before, in the spring, so it was nice to see it in the winter. Dec 11, 2019 seeing the northern lights is the holiday of a lifetime for many yet it doesnt have to break the bank. There is something majestic, ethereal, magical and entirely overwhelming about the incredible dance of neon lights that is the northern lights. Last year i had visited iceland and at that time we had seen the northern lights with the help of discover.
Seize the opportunity to see one of the worlds greatest natural spectacles during this evening reykjavik northern lights tour. There are forecasts predicting visibility at vedur. Take advantage of this opportunity to see the marvellous northern lights. Aurora borealis, another name for the northern lights, is a natural phenomenon, and therefore, the sighting is not guaranteed every night during the northern lights season. Jan 23, 2019 hotel ranga, in southern iceland, offers a bevy of coldweather activities, from whalewatching and dog sledding to glacier tours and freshwater fishing, but its trademark is the northern lights.
Glacier walk, crystal ice cave, glacier lagoon, the diamond beach and a chance to see the northern lights. Here is our pick of the top five destinations to visit for this exotic trip. You cant see the aurora if there are clouds, after all. It offers an amazing variety of places to visit in only one week.
Furthermore, relax and enjoy the warm and soothing waters of the blue lagoon. Reykjavik excursions northern lights tour 2020 all you need to. Moreover, sometimes you wont even see the northern lights at all. How to plan the most epic northern lights trip in iceland. You can easily see the northern lights in reykjavik, but you are more likely to see them outside of the city, mainly because of light pollution. The northern lights are spectacular and iceland is the ideal place to see them. Reykjavik excursions northern lights tour 2020 all you need. Where is the best place to hunt for the aurora borealis in iceland, and where is the best place to see a display in reykjavik. Crafted by our local travel experts, our itineraries give you the best chance of seeing this phenomenon as well as local knowledge of all the attractions you want to see. Therefore, i believe that the best months to see the northern lights in iceland are october, november, february and march. The lights are going to be brighter, more vibrant and easier to spot in the countryside of iceland. Northern lights of north iceland vacation packages. The northern lights season in iceland is from september to midapril.
You dont need to book a tour to see the northern lights but you may want to for multiple reasons. Iceland is a fantastic place to spot the northern lights, but there are a few things to know before you embark on your adventure. Jan 31, 2020 greenland is gaining in popularity as a tourist destination but still rather remote. This is the perfect tour choice for those travellers looking to see the northern lights, but without having to stand around waiting in the cold icelandic wilderness. The ultimate guide to the northern lights in iceland. Great location for attempting to see the northern lights. This package includes a free northern lights cruise that you can take when in reykjavik. Witness the wonder of the aurora borealis in all its multicoloured, enchanting beauty, and discover why its. Join this fabulous evening of northern lights from the comfort of the geothermal baths at laugarvatn fontana, a favourite retreat in iceland since 1929. Check the monthly cloud cover forecast for the destination, then the daily forecast. Northern lights in iceland useful information iceland travel.
Which is the best company for northern lights excursions. You will have multiple chances to see the northern lights, and after this trip there will be little of iceland left unseen. Iceland is an amazing travel destination, not only for the opportunity to see the northern lights, but also for its comical beauty and the variety of adventure activities on offer. Some sources will recommend november to february as the prime time for viewing the aurora, as they are the darkest months with the longest possible window to see the lights. A combination of two winter highlights that make a perfect 2 day trip to south iceland. Find the best northern lights aurora tour in iceland i. Youll need to fly into ilulissat from iceland or denmark.
Despite not seeing the lights on our first attempt the second trip proved to be a phenomenal experience. Jul 23, 2014 the best time to see the northern lights in iceland. Chase the magical, flickering lights of the aurora borealis on our tour packages. The best time to see the northern lights would be in the darkest months of the year which would be from october to the end of march. Book accommodations at the worlds first icehotel in a yearround warm suite in. Where to see the northern lights before winter ends. Weve hand picked the best deals around to see the aurora borealis in iceland, finland and. The northern lights can be elusive and there are a few factors you need to keep in mind when trying to witness this great natural phenomenon. It is not just the northern lights that make iceland the best winter holiday destination. The best time to see the northern lights in iceland is from october to march. The more you escape the lights of the city, the better your chance to see the northern lights. The tourism rate of people visiting iceland to admire nature are more as.
How to plan the most epic northern lights trip in iceland bloomberg. Lake myvatn, jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, skaftafell and thingvellir national park, geysir area, gullfoss waterfall and the blue lagoon. This tour should appeal to any who love the great outdoors, and want to tick seeing the auroras off of their bucket lists in a unique way. Head over for the perfect northern lights experience. When is the best time to see the northern lights in iceland. Theres never any guarantee that you will see the northern lights but knowing this information will help you maximise your chance. How to plan the perfect northern lights viewing trip in iceland book now for the best value. Northern lights in iceland where and how to see the aurora when planning a trip to iceland, one mustdo at the top of most travelers lists is to see the northern lights. Check out these amazing northern lights tours offered by icelandair. In recent years this incredibly picturesque island nation has become the most popular place in the northern hemisphere to go in search of the aurora borealis. All come with exciting daytime activities on the side. Iceland northern lights tours from reykjavik extreme iceland. Moonlight can be very bright, and the brighter the sky, the harder it will be to see the northern lights.
The weeks surrounding the june solstice bathe iceland in sunlight, making it almost impossible to see the aurora because it just doesnt get dark enough. Northern lights camping tour on mount esja guide to iceland. That means that the weather is more stable and predictable in the north than the south. Around iceland in 8 days selfdrive northern lights tour. Were ready to support you and your health matters to us. The northern lights tour in iceland takes you to see a spectacular natural phenomenon which happens during the winter months. Jan 11, 2017 how to plan the perfect northern lights viewing trip in iceland book now for the best value. They know the perfect spots that are optimal for viewing the northern lights, which can. How to plan the perfect northern lights viewing trip in iceland. Tromso in norwegian lapland this lively arctic city is one of the best places to see the northern lights.
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