How to prepare for a Northern Lights tour in Iceland
Plan the timing of your Northern Lights tour
First up you’ll need to make sure that you’re in Iceland at the right time of year for Northern Lights tours to be running. Typically the season kicks off in the second half of August and tours run each night until the middle of April the following spring. Some providers don’t operate on December 24th due to the Christmas festivities, though the New Year’s Eve fireworks shouldn’t rule out your plans.
As the aurora borealis isn’t visible every night, even during the darker months, it’s best to arrange an organised tour for a date close to the start of your holiday. Excursions won’t run if the provider doesn’t think the forecast indicates you’ll see the Northern Lights, but every effort will be made to reschedule the tour if that’s the case – and reputable providers will always offer you a full refund if you can’t find a mutually acceptable alternative date.
Think about the needs of all those in your party
Each of us is different, but when it comes to Northern Lights tours, some travellers might have special requirements. If you’re visiting Iceland with young children in tow, then think about whether or not they will cope well with staying out late and in the cold. In the middle of winter, you might see the aurora borealis earlier in the evening which would have less of an impact on the little ones’ sleep routines.
Some older travellers or those with mobility issues might struggle to clamber up into a high vehicle such as a full-sized coach or super jeep. If that’s the case, a private tour in a regular car might make life easier, as would opting to stay somewhere that they can watch the display from a level terrace or rooftop observation deck. So long as you reduce the amount of light sources, you should still be able to see a decent show.
If you’re visiting Iceland with your family or group of friends, compare the cost of an organised tour with the amount you might spend on a rental car. However, you may think it’s worth the outlay if you’re not confident about driving on icy roads or if you’re concerned you might get lost. Guided excursions take the guesswork out of where to go, leaving your group free to enjoy yourselves.
Keep track of the data if you intend to book last minute
You might prefer not to book too far up front. Iceland’s weather is very temperamental and conditions can change rapidly. Even a day ahead, you can’t rely on the predictions of the expert forecasters even though every effort is made to be as accurate as possible. Availability might be at a premium of you choose to reserve a tour spot at the last minute, but if you’re fine with going it alone as a last resort then that doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker.
During the day, keep an eye on the evening’s weather forecast and in particular check the radar to see how the cloud cover is looking. The Icelandic Met Office has a handy map on its website which it keeps updated and you can see how cloud cover varies between regions. For instance, if Reykjavik’s overcast, Reykjanes might not be and vice versa; as they’re only 45 minutes’ drive apart there’s no reason why you can’t travel from one to the other.
You’ll also need to track the Kp index; this is also shown on the Icelandic Met Office’s website. This measures the strength of the forecasted aurora on a nine-point scale. High numbers are incredibly rare, while a 0, 1 or 2 is nothing to get excited about – though the aurora can still show up, even in such cases. Also, take a look at maps showing the location of the aurora zone; it migrates around a bit, but you want it to be covering Iceland.
It’s worth phoning a potential tour operator or sending them a message via What’s App or social media. You can try to get their take on what the odds of sighting the Northern Lights are before you confirm your booking. Note, though, that they won’t offer any guarantees, even if the data suggests the chances of a sighting look promising.
Figure out what kind of tour best suits your needs
There are a number of different kinds of Northern Lights tours that can be booked in Iceland, so think carefully about what you’re looking for beyond the aurora itself. For instance, what kind of vehicle are you looking for? Tours operate using full sized coaches, minibuses, super jeeps and even by boat. The number of participants also varies considerably.
There are pros and cons to each. Coach tours tend to be cheaper, for example, but the size of the vehicle has an impact on the roads on which it can travel and the places where parking is adequate. In contrast, private super jeep tours can venture off the beaten track but you’ll pay a premium for such flexibility. If you intend to photograph the Northern Lights and are serious about the quality of the images you’ll end up with, then you’ll prefer to be on land rather than at sea.
Another option is to book a spot at the Aurora Lounge at the geodesic dome of Aurora Basecamp; it’s situated just outside the easternmost boundary of the Reykjanes region. Guests enjoy a Dark Park experience in which they are shown how to identify the earliest signs of the Northern Lights. Afterwards, the group retires outside where, beside the camp fire, they study the night sky and wait for the aurora to – hopefully – show up.
Consider staying somewhere there’s a wake-up service
Perhaps you wish to consider attempting to see the Northern Lights over several consecutive nights but don’t have the funds (or the desire) to book a tour for each of those evenings. In that case, you might think about where to stay and choose a remote cabin out in the countryside where you’re well away from light pollution.
Alternatively, some accommodation providers offer an aurora alert service for their guests. For instance, the Northern Light Inn on the Reykjanes peninsula promises that “We will do our best to notify you or wake you up, if the lights appear after midnight”. At the Blue Lagoon’s Retreat Hotel and Silica Hotel, the lights are dimmed if the aurora is spotted and guests can also request a wake-up call.
Pack the right gear
Clothing is relatively expensive in Iceland and it’s likely to work out considerably cheaper if you purchase anything you need at home and bring it with you. Wearing the right clothing is really important as during most Northern Lights tours participants are outside for extended periods of time.
Often the Northern Lights don’t show up until around midnight, sometimes later, but they can appear earlier in the evening. That means you’ll most likely be waiting around. Even in the shoulder seasons outside the depths of winter, you’re still highly likely to feel the cold. It’s better to take off unwanted layers and leave them on the bus or in a backpack than to regret not bringing them out.
So, start with thermal base layers, including long johns, and pile on clothing on top – woolly jumpers or cosy fleeces. Keep your extremities warm with a good quality hat, gloves, scarf and thick socks. On top, make sure you have a winter-weight coat that does an effective job at keeping out the wind plus decent boots that have a thick tread so the cold doesn’t permeate the soles.
Understand how the settings on your camera or smartphone work
Even if you aren’t a serious photographer, chances are you like to take some souvenir photos recording your favourite moments from the trips you take. If that’s the case, you’ll need to be able to deal with long exposures, as you need to give time for the colours to be intense to make the image pop. That means you’ll also be dealing with the problem of camera shake.
We’d suggest that you purchase or borrow a tripod that’s collapsible so that it can be transported to Iceland yet strong enough to be stable if it’s a bit windy during your Northern Lights tour. Some tour operators might even be able to lend you one if you’ve forgotten your own; it’s worth asking.
It’s a sensible idea to spend a bit of time practising some night photography where the stakes aren’t as high, such as in your own back garden. Make sure you know how to manually focus your camera and set shutter speeds and alter exposures. Familiarise yourself with smartphone settings. Make sure you carry spare batteries and ensure they are fully charged before you set off out, storing them in a warm inside pocket so they don’t become drained.
Hedge your bets with other activities in case of a no-show
Even the best laid plans can fall apart and so no matter how desperately you want to see the Northern Lights they shouldn’t be the only reason you come to Iceland. It’s really important to plan a sightseeing and activity programme that also contains some things you absolutely can rely on, perhaps a visit to a geothermal area or lagoon. That way if inclement weather scuppers your hopes of seeing the Northern Lights you’ll have other ways of creating lasting memories of your trip.
It could be as simple as waiting for the Northern Lights somewhere scenic, so that you can enjoy the sights while you hang out. Reykjanes is great for this. You might take a look at the Bridge between Continents, where the tectonic plates are moving apart, or one of the historic lighthouses on its wild coast, such as at Garður. After your eyes have adjusted to the darkness, you can see a surprising amount.
Stay flexible
If you’re booking activities, choose those that can be slotted in randomly and are easily cancellable if the weather improves. For instance, this might be a self-guided walking tour in Reykjavik, a museum visit that you can cut short if you need to pop back to your hotel to change or a particular foodie experience that you can move to another date at short notice.
It’s also worth knowing that Perlan, an immersive museum close to the centre of Reykjavik, celebrates the Northern Lights in its Áróra show in its planetarium, which is about as close as you’ll get to the real thing without getting outside to see them for yourself. However you achieve it, with a bit of thought or forward planning, you don’t have to miss out on seeing the aurora in some way or another.
As the Reykjanes peninsula is relatively close to both Reykjavik and to Keflavik Airport, you’ll be able to make multiple trips out in your quest to see the aurora, making it an enticing prospect for those keen to see the Northern Lights during their Iceland trip.