Best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland? Things at ground level are incredibly exciting in Iceland. The country is a geological wonderland, and all the intense geothermal activity gives us marvels such Blue Lagoon Iceland and its rejuvenating waters. The skies above Iceland are equally compelling, with celestial gifts that span the seasons. Summer has the Midnight Sun bringing near-endless bright skies, while from fall until spring it’s the Northern Lights that draw eyes to the heavens. The peak of the Northern Lights viewing season is from September through March. However, the luminous lights – also known as the aurora borealis, or simply the aurora – can be visible in the right conditions as early as mid-August, and as late as May.

Can you see the Northern Lights from Blue Lagoon? Yes, absolutely. Blue Lagoon is the perfect location to see the Northern Lights during the season. We are set in nature, surrounded by moss-covered lava fields. There is minimal light pollution to disturb the view. At Blue Lagoon, we monitor the skies during the Northern Lights season and follow the aurora forecasts. When we see the aurora begin gracing the night sky, we dim our lights so the illuminations are more easily visible for our guests. At the Retreat Hotel and Silica Hotel, guests can request a Northern Lights wake-up call, to ensure they won’t miss the aurora action even if it occurs in the middle of the night.

What are the right conditions for the Northern Lights? To view the Northern Lights, you need darkness and partly clear skies. It’s important to understand that above all else, the presence of the capricious lights is dependent on solar activity. Auroras are caused by electrons that travel from the sun to the Earth on solar winds, and are drawn to the magnetic fields found close to the North and South Poles. Once there, they mix with gases in the atmosphere, causing the gases to glow. The result is the mesmerizing light show we witness. Solar flares (a giant explosion on the surface of the sun) can also cause the Northern Lights to appear. Various tools measure geomagnetic activity (the ‘Kp index’) to give an indication of the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights, usually a few days in advance. Many apps and websites offer guidance, too. We recommend the official website of the Icelandic Met Office.