Chasing Iceland’s Northern Lights at Solar Peak: What I Wish I Knew

You are still on time to enjoy a higher probability and intensity of auroras during the current solar activity peak, which occurs every 11 years.

I will share the highlights of my experience chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland during this unique time.

Visiting Iceland for the First Time

After reading about the solar peak, I had a strong desire to travel to the other side of the world and witness this exciting natural phenomenon of light over Iceland’s dark skies, hoping to capture the auroras across its beautiful landscapes.

It took me two days and four planes to get there from Chile in late February. I was picked up by the all-inclusive aurora expedition I had booked to explore Iceland’s Golden Circle, and I got to see the aurora on my very first night!

Since Iceland is one of the safest places on Earth for solo travel, I stayed at a friend’s house for the rest of my visit and explored on foot.

I also collaborated with a local tourism company, visiting some of the locations with less ice as March greeted me with warmer temperatures.

All the tours to the main sites were meant for the daytime, so I wasn’t able to photograph any Northern Lights in my dream locations.

I learned that next time, I could try going on my own, take a photographer’s expedition, or a private tour, as I later did in Uyuni, Bolivia.

Still, each time I saw the auroras, it was a new and rewarding experience. I captured most of the existing types and was wowed by the breathtaking experience they have to offer.

I registered their activity in time-lapses to share a little of this magic with you.

A Night to Remember

During my last week, I booked an aurora tour on the night with the highest forecasted activity of my visit (between levels 3 and 4).

I still remember travelers shouting, “Look, pink!” and turning around to witness it with my own eyes.

Still amazed by the color display, I thought this would be the night’s climax. But, to my surprise, the best was yet to come.

As the aurora intensified, the lights quickly covered the entire sky, turning into a multicolored dance. They were everywhere I looked!

What made this night so special was the intensity and brightness of the colors, as the auroras made unpredictable and fast moves difficult to follow with the camera.

I just lay on the ground to enjoy as much as I could in silence.

What To Know Before You Go

I thought I knew what I needed before my trip to Iceland to see and photograph the auroras, but I didn’t.

So I gathered some insightful tips to help you get the most out of your adventure when you go.

1. Best Time of Year

The best time to see auroras in Iceland is between September and early April, when nights are longer.

2. Weather, Aurora Activity, and Frequency

Check the weather and aurora forecast on the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s website, along with aurora alert apps that send notifications and users’ real-time photos.

These tools are useful for knowing where the Northern Lights are.

The Kp index, which ranges from 1 to 9, helps predict when auroras will occur and their intensity.

Your camera or phone will see them at low intensities. They will start moving and can show more colors and shapes starting at Kp 3.

Also, check the cloud forecast to avoid blocked views. Look for gaps in the cloud cover, and remember that strong winds can help clear the sky.

Try to stay as long as you can, since the Northern Lights don’t occur every night, and clouds or light pollution can interfere with visibility.

Read More: This Remote Iceland Retreat Offers Front-Row Seats to the Aurora Borealis

3. Stay Awake or Set Alerts

Prepare to stay awake late, since auroras are visible after dark and occur more between 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m.

Keep an eye on the Kp index, since the intensity of the Northern Lights can shift suddenly.

I set my app alert to Kp 2 and above and used user photos to see if they were heading my way or if the auroras were occurring in a different location.

Also, some hotels offer Northern Lights wake-up alerts.

4. Select Your Experience

On Your Own

You can go by campervan, car, or on foot to a nearby dark spot. From Reykjavik, you can head to coastal areas and the lighthouse, among other nearby locations.

If the geomagnetic storm is strong enough, you may even see them from the city despite light pollution.

For route ideas and timing, see 7-Day Iceland Itinerary: The Ultimate Self-Drive Guide with a 4×4 SUV.

Aurora Tour

You can join an aurora tour ideally on a clear night with a high estimated Kp of 3 or higher. Some companies include free tickets to the Aurora Museum and allow rebooking if you don’t see auroras that night.

Aurora Workshop/Expedition

Before booking your experience, compare what’s included. If you are a photographer, check if the tour visits locations where you can capture auroras with beautiful landscapes.

5. Recommended Equipment

Phone

Experiment with different modes. For me, Portrait mode was good for detecting green light when my eyes couldn’t see it.

You can also try slow shutter speeds, cold temperatures, and high ISO in manual mode over a steady surface.

If you can see them with your eyes, you should be able to make a video with your phone in which they will be visible.

Camera

Any camera with low noise at high ISO with wide-angle lenses, if you want to cover most of the sky plus the landscape.

Tripod

Use a tripod or a steady surface for long exposure to get better results.

6. Equipment Settings and Pro Tips

At low Kp, Northern Lights may resemble faint clouds. If the Kp is around 2, take a photo, and if it appears green, it is an aurora.

If the intensity is high, the aurora will move and change fast, so it’s best to use higher shutter speeds and capture it with time-lapse mode or with an intervalometer.

If you are in manual mode, use the widest aperture possible (f/2.8 or wider), a shutter speed between 1 and 10 seconds, and an ISO of about 3200–6400 or lower, depending on your camera and the available light.

Remember to focus on a point of light or distant object and set your white balance to colder values, around 3500–4500 Kelvin.

Final Recommendations

– Remember to dress in layers if the weather is cold.

– Check the state of the roads when driving.

– Use crampons to walk over ice.

– Buy travel insurance before your trip. Explore options with SafetyWing or SquareMouth to find the coverage you need.

– Check in advance the places you would like to visit and photograph.

– Look for references to prices; Iceland can be pricey.

– If you plan to use buses, download the “Klappið” app.

If You Go

Aurora forecast (Icelandic Meteorological Office)

Iceland’s bus app in Iceland

Happy aurora hunting!

Inspire your next adventure with our articles below:

• Chasing the Aurora Borealis: 10 Magical Destinations for the World’s Greatest Light Show
• The Ultimate Arctic Adventure: See Seals, Hear Inuit Throat-Singing and Steer Clear of Calving Icebergs

Author Bio: Ramseit Cairos is a tour guide, photographer, and travel content creator based in the Atacama Desert, Chile. She captures the essence of landscapes and souls as she motivates travelers to follow their inner adventurer towards their next destination. Find Ramseit’s YouTube Channel here.

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