Hey there, you adventure seeker. Planning an epic trip to Iceland to gaze in wonder at the spectacular Northern Lights, are you? Well, hate to break it to you, but if you're heading to Iceland in May hoping to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis dancing across the night sky, you're going to be sorely disappointed. The Northern Lights are elusive creatures, only emerging from their slumber for parts of the year. May falls outside of Iceland's Northern Lights season, so you won't spot them no matter how long you stand outside. But don't despair - the Northern Lights will return. You've just got to plan your trip for the right time of year to have a chance at witnessing one of the world's greatest natural wonders in all its colorful glory.
Did you know that over 80% of tourists miss the Northern Lights due to the lack of Aurora knowledge? Don't let that be you! The right time and the right place are the key. Northern Lights Online Course and Aurora mobile app designed for beginners will significantly increase your chances.
Designed For Beginners
Designed For Beginners
The Northern Lights are caused by solar wind interacting with the Earth's magnetic field, but they can only be seen during certain months in Iceland. Unfortunately, May isn't one of them.
The solar wind consists of charged particles released from the Sun that travel outward into space. When these particles collide with atoms and molecules in Earth's atmosphere, they excite the atoms and release photons of light. The color of the light depends on which gasses are colliding. Oxygen produces green and red light, while nitrogen emits blue and purple.
The solar wind is stronger during the equinoxes in March and September when the Earth's magnetic field is oriented in a way that allows more particles to enter the atmosphere. The longer hours of darkness in the winter also mean the lights are visible for more of the night. The Northern Lights season is between September and March.
While the lights can appear at any time without warning, your best chances of spotting a dazzling display are on clear nights between 10 pm and 3 am when the sky is dark and the solar wind activity is higher. Head to secluded areas away from city lights for the best views.
Before going out for your first Aurora hunt take Northern Lights Online Course where you will learn all you need to know to successfully hunt for the Northern Lights. This course is designed for beginners so you don't need to worry about not knowing much yet.
Unfortunately, the summer months in Iceland experience nearly 24 hours of daylight, so the Northern Lights are not visible. The solar wind and Earth's magnetic field orientation also means May through July sees decreased Northern Lights activity. But don't worry, the show will start up again in a few short months - so start planning your winter Iceland adventure!
Iceland's long summer days mean extended hours of daylight in May, so you won't be seeing the Northern Lights dancing across the night sky.
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, can only be seen in very dark, clear nights. During Iceland's summer months, especially May through July, the country experiences nearly 24 hours of daylight. The sky remains too bright for the Northern Lights to be visible. You'll have to wait until autumn when the nights start getting longer again.
The Northern Lights are caused by solar wind and solar storms, so they're often most active around the equinoxes in March and September. If you want the best chance of spotting the Aurora Borealis in all its colorful glory, plan your trip between late August and mid-April. September through March is considered the prime Northern Lights season in Iceland.
While the lights can appear at any time of the night, your best viewing hours are between 10 pm and 3 am when the sky is darkest. Head out of the city lights to a secluded area, away from ambient light pollution. The lights often start out as a pale green glow, then erupt into shimmering curtains of color that dance across the sky.
An awe-inspiring natural wonder, the Northern Lights are absolutely worth staying up late for - just not in the summertime. If Iceland is on your bucket list, save your trip for the winter or shoulder months. That way, you'll have the opportunity to experience one of the world's greatest shows under the stars. And who knows, with a little luck and patience, you just might catch a spectacular display of the Aurora Borealis lighting up the night.
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on Earth. While Iceland is one of the best places to spot the Northern Lights, the months from May through mid-August actually offer no chance of visible Auroras.
April through August
Unfortunately for hopeful Northern Lights chasers visiting Iceland in May, the chances of spotting the Aurora Borealis are quite low. The summer months experience nearly 24 hours of daylight, with little darkness. Since the Northern Lights are best viewed under clear, dark skies, the extended daylight and shorter nights mean the Aurora Borealis is often obscured by too much light. The longer days also mean warmer temperatures, which can lead to more cloud cover blocking your view.
September through March
The autumn and winter months, on the other hand, offer the highest probability of catching the Northern Lights in all their glory. September through March sees shorter days and longer, darker nights—perfect conditions for spotting the Aurora Borealis. The temperatures are colder, reducing the likelihood of clouds. With nearly half the day spent in darkness, the night sky becomes an inky black canvas for the Northern Lights to dance across.
The Northern Lights season is from late August through mid-April. If seeing the Aurora Borealis is at the top of your Iceland bucket list, plan your trip during these months. Head to Iceland's more remote areas, away from city lights, for the best chance of spotting a spectacular light show in the night sky. With a bit of luck and patience, you'll be dazzled by the beauty of the Northern Lights.
What should you know about the different activity stages of Aurora? How do they look like and what can you expect?
To have the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, the timing has to be just right. Unfortunately, May is not an ideal month. Here are some tips for planning your hunt during the peak season instead.
Avoid the Midnight Sun
From late April through August, Iceland experiences up to 24 hours of daylight, known as the Midnight Sun. With little darkness, the night sky will not be dark enough for the Aurora Borealis to be visible. The Northern Lights are best viewed under clear, dark skies away from city lights.
Visit Between September and March
The autumn and winter months offer the most opportunities for Northern Lights viewing in Iceland. During these months, there are longer periods of darkness, especially away from the city centers. The peak months are generally considered to be between September and March.
Check the Aurora Forecast
The Northern Lights are unpredictable, but you can monitor the Aurora forecast for the best chances of spotting them on any given night. When geomagnetic activity and solar wind are higher, the lights will be more active and intense. Look for a forecast of 4 or higher on the Kp index for the best displays.
Head Out of the City
To get the clearest, darkest views, head outside of the main city areas. The further away from light pollution you can get, the better. Some of the best places for viewing the lights are along the coastal roads of Iceland, in the Westfjords, and in the Central Highlands.
Be Prepared to Stay Up Late
The Northern Lights are often most active and visible very late at night between 10 pm and 3 am. Be prepared for some long nights of waiting and watching the sky. Bring extra layers, snacks, a thermos of hot cocoa or coffee, a flashlight with a red light, and anything else to make your night of waiting cozy and comfortable.
With some planning and patience, you'll be ready to experience the wonder of the Aurora Borealis dancing in Iceland's night sky. Just avoid May and the Midnight Sun, then get ready for some late nights of sky watching during the peak season from September through March. The rewards of spotting the Northern Lights in Iceland's wild, open landscapes will make the effort well worth it.
While the Northern Lights are a spectacular sight and prime reason to visit Iceland, unfortunately they are not visible in May. The solar activity that creates the Aurora Borealis is dependent on the sun, and is most frequent around the equinoxes in March and September.
Lots to do in May
Even without the Northern Lights, there are plenty of alternative activities to enjoy in Iceland during May. The days are long, averaging nearly 18 hours of daylight, allowing ample time to explore Iceland’s stunning natural scenery.
Go on scenic drives to behold massive glaciers, thundering waterfalls like Gullfoss and Dettifoss, and the colorful landscapes of the Golden Circle route.
Take a boat tour in picturesque Seyðisfjörður Fjord or go sea angling in the fishing villages along Iceland’s coast.
Visit charming towns like Siglufjörður, with its historic herring-era architecture, or Stykkishólmur, surrounded by islands and dramatic sea cliffs.
Check out Iceland’s unique wildlife like puffins, arctic foxes, whales, and the Icelandic horse.
Experience Reykjavik’s culture with visits to museums, shopping at the Kolaportið Flea Market, dining at top restaurants, and nightlife along Laugavegur street.
Go hiking in Iceland’s beautiful countryside with trails for all skill levels, including multi-day treks if you want an outdoor challenge.
While the vibrant greens of summer have not yet emerged and some roads may still be icy, the long days, smaller crowds, and lower prices of the shoulder season make May an appealing time to visit Iceland, with or without the Northern Lights. There are abundant natural and cultural activities to keep you captivated during your trip. Save the Aurora Borealis for your next visit—in the winter!
The most useful Northern Lights online tools for a successful Aurora hunt. Are you about to hunt the Northern Lights on your own? Then you will find these resources helpful. If you are trying to see Aurora for the first time we recommend signing up for the Northern Lights Online Course where is explained step-by-step all you need to know to see the Northern Lights in an easy way.
Northern Lights essential online tools designed for beginners to help you see Aurora like the handy Aurora Mobile App and Northern Lights Online Course will help you to understand how Aurora works and to monitor real-time activity.
The Northern Lights Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast or in the Northern Lights App.
Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.
Northern Lights activity in real-time: Real-time Aurora activity (worldwide magnetometers), Solar Wind activity, Sun's activity, Aurora live Boreal webcams list or Aurora App.
Additional resources to know when it will be dark enough Darkness graph & Map and how much the moon will illuminate the sky Moon Phase + Moonrise & Moonset.
If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.
So there you have it, the hard truth about why chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland during May is a lost cause. The long days, lack of darkness, and position of the Earth in its orbit around the sun all conspire against you. But don't lose hope - the Northern Lights will return again soon enough. Starting in late August, the nights will lengthen, darkness will blanket the land, and the Auroras will dance their way back across the skies. Before you know it, the Northern Lights season will be in full swing once again. So hang in there, keep your bags packed, and your camera batteries charged. The dazzling display you've been waiting for is just a few short months away. The Northern Lights will return again, and Iceland will be ready to welcome them - and you - back with open arms.
Learn more about Aurora Borealis in Online Northern Lights Course (Recommended for Beginners)