Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to gaze up at the night sky and witness the spectacular dance of the Northern Lights in person? Well, pack your bags because you're headed to Iceland, one of the best places on Earth to experience the Aurora Borealis. More specifically, you're headed to Gullfoss Waterfall, a stunning ice-blue cascade tucked into a dramatic canyon in the southern highlands of Iceland. Its remote location away from light pollution, combined with the sheer beauty and power of the falls, makes it one of the top spots in the country to view the Northern Lights in all their glory. Over the next few minutes, I’m going to share everything you need to know to chase and capture the Northern Lights at Gullfoss Waterfall like a pro. By the end of this guide, you’ll be gazing up at rippling curtains of green and red dancing across the night sky, camera in hand and heart filled with wonder. The adventure of a lifetime awaits!
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
Gullfoss Waterfall is one of the top spots in Iceland to view the dazzling Aurora Borealis. Why is this stunning waterfall the best place to chase the Northern Lights?
For starters, Gullfoss is located in a remote area far from city lights, so the night sky is very dark. This means the Aurora will appear brighter and more vivid. The lack of light pollution also allows you to see more stars and constellations.
Secondly, Gullfoss often has clear skies since it's in a mountain valley. Cloud cover blocks the Northern Lights, so you'll have the best chance of spotting the Aurora if the sky is clear. Check the weather forecast and Kp index leading up to your visit to predict the likelihood of seeing the lights.
In addition, the massive and thundering Gullfoss waterfall provides a dramatic landscape for photos of the Aurora Borealis. You can capture the waterfall illuminated in otherworldly green, red and purple lights as the Aurora dances above. For the best shots, use a DSLR camera and tripod, and a wide angle lens.
The peak months for viewing the Northern Lights at Gullfoss are September to March when the nights are longest. For the strongest Aurora, watch around midnight when the sky is darkest. While you may see the lights as early as 9 pm, they are most active after 10 pm.
With stunning scenery, little light pollution, and ideal weather conditions, it’s easy to see why Gullfoss Waterfall should be at the top of your list for chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland. Prepare to be dazzled by nature’s greatest show!
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.
The best time to see the Northern Lights at Gullfoss Waterfall is between September and March. During these winter months, the nights are long and dark, providing the perfect canvas for the Aurora Borealis to dance across the sky.
September to November
Autumn is an ideal season to catch the Northern Lights at Gullfoss. The crowds of summer have dwindled, the temperatures are cool but not too cold, and the nights grow longer, increasing your chances of spotting the Aurora. The fall foliage surrounding the waterfall creates a spectacular scene when illuminated by the colorful lights.
December to February
The winter solstice in December brings with it the longest, darkest nights of the year, making it a prime time for Aurora hunting at Gullfoss. Pack warm clothes, as temperatures frequently drop below freezing during Iceland's winter. The snow and ice covering the waterfall and surrounding rocks reflect the vibrant colors of the Northern Lights for a magical experience.
March
As spring approaches in March, the days start getting longer again, but the Northern Lights are still active and visible. Temperatures begin to rise, nights are still quite long, and the crowds have not yet returned, so March remains an ideal time to spot the Aurora at Gullfoss with smaller numbers of fellow viewers.
For the best chance at spotting the Northern Lights, check the Kp index and local weather forecasts to determine how active the Aurora may be on any given night. On nights with higher activity and clear skies, head to Gullfoss Waterfall, find a dark spot away from the parking lot lights, and look north - you just might witness one of nature's greatest shows lighting up the sky above this stunning Icelandic landmark.
To see the Northern Lights dancing over Gullfoss Waterfall, you need to understand the Kp index and monitor the Aurora forecasts. The higher the Kp number, the further south the lights are visible and the more intense they become.
Check the Forecast
Leading up to your trip, start checking the aurora forecasts a few days out. Two of the best are the University of Alaska's Aurora Forecast and the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. They use data from the solar wind to predict the Kp index and your chances of seeing the lights. A Kp index of 5 or higher means visible Auroras are likely in southern Iceland, including at Gullfoss. The forecast may give the time period the lights are most active, often between 10 pm to 3 am.
Be Patient and Persistent
Even if the forecast looks promising, the Northern Lights are unpredictable and may not appear exactly when or where expected. Don't get discouraged easily. Find a good vantage point, bundle up, and give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark. The lights often start as a faint glow, gradually intensifying and shifting shape, color and position in the sky. Capture photos and video on your phone, but also take time to simply watch in wonder.
When the Lights Don't Dance
Unfortunately, there will be nights when the Auroras just don't put on a show, no matter how ideal the conditions seem. Don't be too disappointed - the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and not something that can be summoned on demand! Focus instead on the beauty of the starry night sky and thundering Gullfoss Waterfall, flooded in moonlight. The lights may emerge for an encore performance tomorrow, so all hope is not lost. Enjoy each moment of your Icelandic adventure!
Why are clouds so important and how to avoid missing the show? The Northern Lights can be visible, just not visible in your location. What to do about that?
To capture the Northern Lights dancing over Gullfoss Waterfall, you'll want to be prepared with the right camera settings and techniques. Here are some tips to help you photograph this spectacular natural phenomenon.
Use a DSLR camera
A digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera gives you more control over settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO that are important for night sky photography. If you only have a smartphone, you can still get great shots, but a DSLR is ideal.
Use a wide-angle lens
A wide-angle lens, like 24mm or less, allows you to capture more of the sky and foreground in your shot. This is perfect for the expansive Icelandic landscape. Make sure your lens has a wide aperture of f/2.8 or lower to let in more light.
Increase your ISO
Higher ISO settings make your camera's sensor more sensitive to light, so you can shoot in dim conditions. Try starting around ISO 800 to 1600 and adjust based on how much light is available. Higher ISOs can introduce digital noise, so find the right balance for your camera.
Use a longer exposure
Longer shutter speeds, like 15 to 30 seconds, allow more light into the lens so you can capture the Aurora's colors and movement. Use a tripod to keep your camera still during the long exposure.
Shoot in RAW image format
RAW format captures more data than a JPEG, giving you more flexibility when editing your photos. You can adjust settings like white balance, exposure, and shadows to bring out the details of the Northern Lights.
Practice patience
The Northern Lights are unpredictable, so finding them requires patience and persistence. Check the Kp index and weather forecasts to determine the best nights to look for the Aurora, then get comfortable for a long stakeout. Your patience will pay off with a stunning shot of the Northern Lights dancing over the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall!
Even with the best of intentions and planning, the Northern Lights can be fickle and not always cooperate. But don’t despair if they don’t show up during your visit to Gullfoss Waterfall. There are still plenty of things to keep you occupied until the next clear night.
Explore the Area
Gullfoss is located in a geothermal wonderland, with many natural attractions nearby like the Geysir geothermal area, Thingvellir National Park, and numerous scenic hiking trails. Take a tour of the area to discover boiling mud pools, erupting geysers, massive waterfalls, and rift valleys. The diverse Icelandic landscape will leave you in awe during the day or night.
Stargaze
Some of the darkest, most pristine night skies on Earth are found in Iceland. At Gullfoss, you’re far from the light pollution of major cities and towns, allowing you to see thousands of stars, constellations, and even the Milky Way stretching across the sky. Bring binoculars or a telescope to get an up close view of celestial objects. Seeing the night sky illuminated without the Northern Lights can be just as magical.
Photograph the Waterfall
Gullfoss is stunning to photograph any time of day or night. At night, you can capture dramatic long exposure shots of the thundering water illuminated under the moonlight. Use a tripod to keep your camera steady and adjust the exposure time to get the look you want. Play around with different angles and focal lengths to compose the perfect shot. Your nighttime photos of Gullfoss will be a memorable souvenir even without the Northern Lights.
Relax in the Darkness
Find a spot to sit or lie down, turn off your flashlight, and just enjoy the sounds of nature at night. Take some deep breaths of the fresh air and unwind from the stresses of everyday life. Let the peace and solitude of the darkness relax your mind. Without the usual distractions, your other senses become heightened, allowing you to fully experience the calming environment surrounding Gullfoss Waterfall.
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, everything you need to know to chase the Northern Lights at Gullfoss Waterfall. Bundle up, check the forecast, grab your camera, and head out under the cover of darkness to this natural wonder. Find your perfect spot, turn off the lights, and wait. When the sky explodes in a dance of green, soak in the magic. The photos may not do it justice and the memories will last far longer than any Instagram post. Mother Nature puts on a spectacular show in Iceland, and you've got a front row seat. The only thing left to do is get out there and experience the Aurora Borealis in all its glory. What are you waiting for? An invitation? Consider this. The Northern Lights are calling your name. Go dazzle your senses and ignite your spirit of adventure. The Gullfoss Waterfall awaits!
The best online courses for beginners