Can I see aurora in Iceland in October?

Northern lights season in Iceland You have a greater chance of seeing the aurora borealis between October and March. However, that's not to say you won't or can't see the northern lights at other times of year too. Your chances are just better during this time, which is why our tours run across these months.



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As we said earlier, October is the best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, so taking a Northern Lights tour should be your absolute top priority. Of course, Northern Lights tours take place at night, so that leaves plenty of time to explore Iceland's winter wonders during the daylight hours.

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We actually recommend October as the perfect month to see the Northern Lights in Iceland because there isn't as much snow and ice over everything as November to February.

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Tromsø and other destinations in northern Norway are hot spots for Northern Lights tours. But you can up your chances of a successful viewing if you head further north still, to the town of Alta in the county of Finnmark, which is right under the auroral oval.

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Here's What to Pack for Iceland in the Fall
  • Waterproof Jacket (1) ...
  • Waterproof Hiking Shoes (1) ...
  • Wool Socks (Multiple Pairs) ...
  • Warm Hats (2 or 3) ...
  • Small Umbrella (1) ...
  • Thermal Leggings (2 pairs) ...
  • Waterproof Pants (1 Pair) ...
  • Rain Boots (1 Pair)


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You should know that jeans are completely useless in Iceland and even more so in winter. They'll get wet when it rains (it will rain!) and you'll be cold and wet the whole day. You can still pack a pair of jeans to wear in the hotel in the evening but don't wear them for exploring during the day.

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Yes, you can wear jeans in Iceland. The summer and shoulder seasons are especially good times to travel in your most comfortable pair. If you plan to go on an adventurous excursion, we recommend wearing the appropriate, activewear clothing.

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Any traveler could spend weeks getting to know Iceland, but given the reality of limited vacation days, 5-7 days are recommended for a satisfying trip. In this length of time, you can make a northern road trip from Reykjavík to Akureyri or drive the south coast via Vík to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.

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They are still a beautiful sight and should be top of your list of things to do in Iceland in October. There are lots of great tours you can do to visit the waterfalls of Iceland. This full day Golden Circle tour includes Gullfoss waterfall. This full day tour from Reykjavik includes a visit to Seljalandsfoss.

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Yes, it's possible to see the northern lights from Reykjavik. As it's the most densely populated part of Iceland, light pollution is higher than elsewhere—making the aurora borealis appear a little less vivid than elsewhere. However, we frequently see the northern lights here too.

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October is one of the wettest month of the year in Iceland (average precipitation is 86mm), but despite that it is for many, especially photographers, one of the most beautiful month.

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Can you see puffins in October in Iceland? No, by October the puffins are back out at sea, they are ocean birds after all and only come here to breed in the summer months. Learn more about puffins here. You can visit them on in Reykjavik harbour on our brilliant tours with our passionate crew.

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Iceland can stay relatively warm through the first week of October, so planning a September visit can be ideal since most crowds have thinned as children return to school. May, too, provides ample daylight for sightseeing, warmer temperatures, and fewer crowds.

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Hours of Daylight in Iceland in October September and October both tend to have roughly 12 hours of sunlight per day. On October 1, the sun rises at 7:37 a.m. and sets at 6:56 p.m. By the end of the month, daylight hours have reduced; on October 31, the sun rises at 9:08 a.m. and sets at 5:13 p.m.

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If you want the greatest odds of spotting they Aurora we recommend that you spend at least seven nights in the country. This is because the Auroras tend to be quite active for two to three nights in a row and then activity drops for four to five nights in ongoing cycles.

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Fortunately, they occur frequently. The northern lights are happening 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, said photographer Chad Blakely, owner of the northern lights tour company Lights Over Lapland. But that doesn't mean they're easy to spot; you need to be at the right place at the right time.

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