Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland had been on my bucket list for at least 15 years, possibly longer. I can remember learning about the mystical, magical Aurora Borealis in my GCSE Geography class. I remember sitting in the dark, staring up at the big TV, captivated by the colourful ripples of light dancing across the screen on a video that Mr Dewey stuck on for us. Because education through VHS was still commonplace in the classroom back then (and because the school’s budget didn’t stretch as far as flat screens and DVD players).
But over the last few years, whenever I’d looked at flights, hotels and excursions for Iceland, it’d usually been around November/December, when I’d suddenly realised it was prime Northern Lights spotting time and yet another year was about to pass without me seeing them. Unfortunately this was the time that flights, hotels and excursions for Iceland were super expensive, so I’d always ended up booking somewhere else instead (like when I randomly went to Morocco, or that trip to the Czech Republic).
But last year, I finally made it happen; I visited Iceland and I saw the Northern Lights. In fact, I was lucky enough to see them on two of the five nights I stayed in the Nordic country. But here’s my story of the first time I saw them…
Checking the Northern Lights forecast.
A week before I was due to fly to Reykjavik, I realised that my dream trip had finally rolled around and I was completely unprepared. I’d booked flights and a hostel back in May during a flight sale – but since then I’d been to four other countries, I’d started a new job and I’d bought a house. So planning for my Icelandic adventure hadn’t been top of my agenda. With just a week before departure, I hadn’t booked any excursions, I hadn’t ordered any foreign currency, I hadn’t even bought a guide book or thermal clothes.
A quick sprint around the shops the weekend prior to my trip sorted the latter three issues, thankfully. And then some frantic Googling helped with the former. I found plenty of companies offering guided Aurora Borealis tours and Northern Lights safaris – but which day should I book for? My friend and fellow traveller Kellee (who blogs over at lifeadventurers.co.uk) recommended a forecast app, Aurora. It shows you the current KP index and how likely you are to see the Northern Lights wherever you are, as well as forecasts for the next hour, several hours and several weeks – so you can plan your Northern Lights viewing in advance. I’d definitely recommend downloading this app before heading to Iceland – it’s free and available on Android and iOS.
Booking a Northern Lights tour.
Using both the app and the website www.aurora-service.eu, I decided to book a Northern Lights boat trip with Special Tours for Monday 4 December. I’d been told by colleagues and friends not to get my hopes up, that seeing the lights isn’t guaranteed, even if the forecasts are good. In fact, a colleague had been to Tromsø in Norway just the weekend before, on a specialist Northern Lights hunting tour – but didn’t see them once in the four days he was there.
So with crossed fingers and toes, I booked a Special Tours excursion for my penultimate night in Iceland. I figured that if I didn’t to see them then, I’d still have one final chance to try to see them on my last night. The KP index forecast was a high 5-6 for both nights, so this seemed sensible.
Special Tours also offered a plan B if the excursion had to be postponed because of thick cloud cover: the company would take us to the Whales of Iceland exhibition in Grandi, just a short walk from the harbour. A guide would greet us and talk us through each of the giant whales, with life-sized models and some fun interactive exhibits. After this we’d be taken into the movie hall and shown a 25 minute video of the dancing Northern Lights, full of beautiful imagery, facts and stories. I wondered if it would be the same VHS from Mr Dewey’s class all those years ago – but I never found out, because luckily, when Monday 4 December came around, the cloud cover wasn’t too thick. The trip was on.
I mentioned before that when I booked my flights to Iceland, I also booked my hostel. It was my first ever stay in a hostel (I know, 31 countries visited and I’d never stayed in a hostel before, shocking!), and it’s safe to say, it will probably be my last. The Sport Hostel in Reykjavík was a weird place, with no staff and a grand total of just three guests. There was no one to check me in or show me what was what, and if it wasn’t for one of the other guests walking passed the front door at the right time, I would’ve probably frozen to death on the doorstep (despite looking like this).
I ended up staying there just two nights of the booked five, because I disliked it that much. Luckily however, on my second night I went out with my two hostel buddies for a few many drinks. In a bar called Dillon we met an Icelandic guy called Björn (of course). Björn had a spare room listed on Airbnb – would I prefer to stay there? Hell, yes. So on my third day, after my buddies had departed for Prague and I was left alone in the massive, empty hostel, Björn came and rescued me, and I moved into his flat. We then went swimming at the local pool, ate a lot of pizza and watched the Icelandic version of Countryfile, because that’s what Sundays are for.
So where does Björn fit into my Northern Lights story? Well, he became my unofficial tour guide, chaperone and taxi driver over the next few days – something I couldn’t be more grateful for. During the day I would go off and do touristy things, and he’d study for his upcoming uni exam. Then, when we were both done for the day, he’d pick me up from wherever I was, and we hung out together in the evenings.
On the Monday, because my Special Tours Northern Lights trip was scheduled to leave the harbour at 9pm, in between studying and exploring, Björn and I arranged to meet for dinner. That afternoon I’d walked from the Perlan, down through the suburbs of the city and along the seafront, where I gravitated towards the beautiful Harpa Concert Hall building. In the distance I could just see this bright blue facade, standing out against the rest of the skyline. But as I approached, I realised that the lights inside were rippling like fish scales – or, like the Northern Lights. The Harpa Concert Hall was putting on its own magical light show, so I stood in the cold watching it for ages. Until Björn text…
“So.. Where u at?”
“Harpa, it’s beautiful”
“Yea its cool”
“And the escalators go really fast when you get on haha! How’s the revision going?”
“Mmjeeaahh.. I pick u up at harpa?”
“If you want?”
“Yea.. l’ll be there in 10 min”
Warming up before the tour.
Having been out walking and snapping pictures in -5c temperatures all day, I was absolutely freezing and starving when we met 10 minutes later. We headed over to Björn’s student union, where there was a funky vibe and a dank smell of BO, ale and charity shop. Pretty grim, but not the worst stink I experienced in Iceland – in fact, I’m sure those who’ve been to the island before are nodding their heads unanimously while reading this, recalling the smell of rotten eggs, yes?
Despite the smell, I ravenously eyed up the fish and chips on the menu. But as soon as I spied the specials board on the bar, knew I had to try the reindeer burger. Vegetarians, vegans and anyone else who dislikes the thought of eating Rudolph should look away now…
Oozing over the top of the massive slab of reindeer meat was melted Camembert cheese and a generous dollop of red onion jam. Paired with some sweet potato fries (and a big ol’ squirt of French’s mustard – optional, but my condiment of choice), the meal probably equated to all the calories I’d burnt during the day, and then some. But who cares, when in Iceland and that?
After dinner, we got back in the car and drove around for a while, chatting about everything and anything. It was too early for the boat tour, and too cold to wait outside. So Björn gave me a mini tour of the city, pointing out where his family, friends and LazyTown‘s Sportacus lives (me: “Ooooh that house with the lights is beautiful, I want to live there!” Björn: “Do you know LazyTown? That’s Sportacus’ house”). I was impressed.
With 30 minutes until the tour, we started to head back to Reykjavík, but Björn suddenly detoured, driving the car to the edge of a cliff and parking up. He turned off the headlights then motioned for me to look up from my phone (where I was checking the Aurora app). And that was it, that was the moment I first saw them – the Northern Lights in Iceland. Pressing my face to the glass of Björn’s car window, squinting through the inky black sky, I made out several wisps of milky white light billowing across the sky.
“Is that them?” I asked, “is that really them?”. Björn nodded. I was jubilant. And now even more excited for my excursion with Special Tours.
Special Tours Northern Lights boat trip.
After Björn dropped me at the harbour and returned to uni for more studying, I got my ticket from the Special Tours booth and grabbed a large coffee from the only bar that was still open. My fingers were icicles and I was beginning to flag after the long day (may have also been a food coma, not 100% sure), so the caffeine was appreciated. I met two American guys in the bar who were also waiting to board the boat. We sat there chatting about how long we’d waited to see the Lights, swapping stories of things we’d seen and done while in Iceland.
And then it was time to board…
The Americans and I made a beeline for the top deck, bypassing the bar and cosy seats downstairs, and ignoring the crew trying to who offer us warm overalls. We were here to see the Lights, and didn’t want to miss a thing by sitting indoors. So we stood at the back of the boat, away from the crowd and held on to the railings as we set off.
It only took about 15 minutes to sail away from the harbour around to the peaceful bay of Faxaflói. Blocked from the bright city lights, we were in total darkness, which meant optimum Aurora viewing. Like Björn in his car, the boat parked up, the engine switched off and we patiently gazed up at the sky. As we waited, our tour guide (a super-friendly Argentinian lady) explained (in perfect English) all the scientific facts about the Northern Lights phenomenon, shared stories and myths from different cultures about them, and answered questions from our tour mates.
While scanning the sky, I happened to notice a weirdly shaped cloud behind us. It was the same milky colour as the lights I’d seen before from Björn’s car, but this time not wispy. It actually had a pretty defined blob-like shape. What was that? I tried to point it out to the Americans (“you see that cloud that looks like a cucumber, it’s sort of below and to the left of that…“), but they couldn’t see it. I figured it was probably nothing, as it definitely wasn’t the blinding green ripples of the Aurora Borealis that I’d seen in photos on Special Tours’ website (or in Mr Dewey’s VHS).
But then I vaguely remembered a conversation with Will from BrightBazar when we went to Finland, that the lights only look green via a slow shutter speed on a camera. Though anything but a pro, I held up my Samsung Galaxy S6, and boom. Disregarding the need for a steady hand amidst my excitement, there on my phone was a blurry photo of a prominent, undeniably green light, like a deep scratch in the sky.
Excitedly, I showed the Americans. And then, just as they turned to look again at the direction I was pointing in, our tour guide also spotted it. Suddenly everyone on the boat turned, cameras were clicked and there was a resounding “oooohhh… ahhhhh” from the group.
What happened on that boat over the next two hours will live with me forever. After the first sighting, they kept coming, thick and fast. Bolts of greeny, yellow light appeared and disappeared, as if by magic. Our tour guide excitedly pointed out as many as she could – we were constantly spinning around and looking up, it’s a wonder no one ended up overboard.
I’m far from a good photographer, so I don’t have those amazing, awe-inspiring brilliant shots that you see on all the top travel blogs – but what I do have are snaps of a fantastic, once-in-a-lifetime sight, taken by me, on my mobile phone:
Resembling the lifeline on a heart monitor, this is, without doubt, my favourite photo:
There were other good ones, too. These three were taken in quick succession, just showing how quickly the lights can come and go:
And this one, well this one, if you can make it out, is my blurry, bobble-hatted, Blair Witch-esque proof that I was on that boat and I saw those Northern Lights on Monday 4 December 2017. The night I ticked yet another thing off my bucket list; a night I will never forget. A night I’d waited over 15 years for.
Always Carry On. 
Such beautiful views.
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Well I’m jealous 🙂 It sounds like the trip of a lifetime, even with the stinky egg smell! Your photos are good. I’d be happy with them 🙂
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The cost has always put me off as there is the chance I might not see them on my visit I am so happy you saw them absolutely breathtaking
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Oh wow how amazing!! I bet it was spectacular and a really special experience – it’s something that is very much on my bucket list as well and I am hoping to catch them on the Faroe Islands later this year – it can be so hit and miss though with no guarantees so very exciting you got to see them not once but twice. Great photos
Laura x
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The Faroe Islands are meant to be beautiful – when are you planning to go? x
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Well, not 15 years, but watching the Northern Lights has been on my bucket list for a really long time as well. So nice to see that you found a local person who not only helped you ‘escape’ from the hostel that you did not like buy showed you around, that’s always great! They say its very tough to get good pictures of the Northern Lights, is that true? I hope to make it to Iceland this year. I am not sure if I’d be able to try reindeer meat, although I am usually very experimental with food and love to try local cuisines.
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It was tough to get pictures, yes – I think if you’re a bit more of a professional photographer than I am, with a tripod and a decent camera rather than a mobile phone, you’ll probably be alright 🙂 Fingers crossed you make it to Iceland Medha, it’s such a beautiful place – I’ve just got back from another trip there, and am already thinking about returning in the summer! x
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it’s too beautiful northern lights are such an amazing place. there is an amazing view thanks for sharing with us…
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Great post! I have never seen the Northern Lights but have been told by many people to reign in my excitement. The Northern Lights to the naked eye is far from what can be seen through a lens. Which then places me in a conundrum because I don’t want to be sepdning all my time looking at it through a lens! BUT, still truly beautiful right? Laughed at your hostel comment….. I have NEVER stayed in one and you have now confirmed why! thanks!
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Yeah I won’t be staying in one ever again either haha! But yeah, it’s true – they’re not that bright or green to the naked eye, so you kinda have to look through a camera/on a phone screen to seem them shining x
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Seeing the Northern Lights is definitely on my bucket list! It is just so magical and elegant. Thanks for sharing your photos and experience!
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I think it’s on a lot of people’s bucket lists judging by the comments hehe! x
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Iceland and watching the northern lights is on my bucketlist forever as well. You got gorgeous shots – hard to believe they were clicked on mobile.
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I know right! It’s crazy how good mobiles are these days for pics x
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Iceland, is on my priority list. Thanks for the recommendations. Love the post and yes, when is so unplanned you have the best memories from that trip. Great post, thank you for sharing your experience with us. Psst. Mustard sauce is my fav condiments too 😀
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Gotta love mustard!! x
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This is so stunning- you have captured some great shots of the northern lights. I’m visiting Iceland in October mainly for the northern lights. I have seen some here in Canada – but I can’t wait to explore the same in Iceland
What an informative post
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Fingers crossed that you see them Mayuri! x
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It’s one of my dreams to go to Iceland and see the Northern Lights. I was so lucky this year as I was flying over the tip of Greenland, by night, to wake up whilst the entire plane was sleeping and look on the window… and there they were, the Northern lights playing outside. It was such a special moment, as I was seeing them for the first time ever.
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Wow!! What an amazing moment to wake up for, how lucky are you x
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Absolutely amazing. What a fun journey. Its always brave but fun travelling on your own and I love that you randomly found a new place to stay and a new friend in Bjorn.
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It was great to meet Bjorn – we’ve become good friends, and he’s coming over to the UK in a few days 🙂 x
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I have seen the Northern Lights from Tromso, Norway. We went to a dark, remote valley, and stayed there for several hours until the majestic green lights have appeared. Iceland might be a great choice too, but I wouldn’t go with a boat because it’s always moving and you cannot take long-exposure photos of the Northern Lights.
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OMG such amazing shots and what a wonderful experience you have had travelling to experience (minus the hostel experience of course). Love the fact that you have seen the northern lights and can now tick it off your bucket list.
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Yeah the hostel wasn’t the best LOL, but I’m so glad I’m able to tick the Northern Lights off my bucket list 🙂 x
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I was only on about this the other day saying so want to see the Northern Lights, as this place looks so amazing.
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You should definitely make a trip to Iceland then!! x
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It sure is bucket list worthy, I would love to go see them myself. Wow you’ve visited 31 different countries before this!!! That’s amazing. Sounds like Bjorn was your knight in shining armour. I’m not a hostel girl myself – I wouldn’t feel comfortable staying in one, I don’t blame you not wanting to stay there.
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He really was! He’s coming over to the UK in a few days, and I’m looking forward to exploring the South coast with him x
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The forecast app sounds so ideal, I want to do Iceland for my 30th birthday which is still almost two years away but January should be a good time to hopefully see the northern lights x
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Yes, January would be perfect! Definitely recommend downloading the app 🙂 x
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I’ve always wanted to see the Nothern Lights. It looks beautiful.
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It really is! x
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amazing!! We saw the northern lights when we went to iceland but only a little bit, and the photos we got were rubbish. The thing is though it’s such a magical moment you don’t want to spend too much time faffing with a camera 🙂
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This is very true! It was also below freezing, so I just wanted to put my hands in my pocket LOL! x
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How awesome that you managed to see the Northen lights I am still yet to book my trip to Iceland but hope I do soon and visit one day
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Fingers crossed! x
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We saw the northern lights in iceland a couple of years ago and it was such a magical experience.
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Iceland is a wonderful place, isn’t it x
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Omg. I want to go to Iceland, see the Northern Lights and meet Björn …. I’m not sure my boyfriend would be so happy about the last bit though! 😉
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Hahaha! Well Bjorn is coming over here on Thursday, so bring your fella and you can both meet us in Brighton 🙂 x
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I’ve wanted to see the Northern Lights for so long, my partner and I have been planning a trip there in the future after we get a few other trips out the way x
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You’re going to love it when you do go! x
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My partner and I would love to see the Northern Lights, it’s on our bucket list too. Looks like you had an amazing time (love your photos) and it’s definitely a trip him and I need to get planning. I know he would try the reindeer burger but I’m not sure I could!
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The reindeer burger was actually really tasty! Don’t knock it until you try it 😉 x
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I’d love to see the northern lights, what an amazing experience. Such great memories to be made.
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If it’s not already on your bucket list, I definitely recommend adding it, you won’t be disappointed! x
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I always wanted to visit Iceland and to see the stunning northern lights. That is such a great experience.
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So glad you finally achieved your dream to see them! We also saw the Northern Lights in Iceland (sadly long before I’d even considered Travel Blogging!) Guess I’ll have to go back so I can capture the experience properly! 🙂
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Oh wow how beautiful! . I would love to capture and make memories like this with Scott 🙂
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Fingers crossed the pair of you are able to do it one day, as it’s such a magical experience x
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You go, girl! Visiting Northern lights is also on my bucket list. I haven’t yet visited. Beautiful pictures and I am jealous.
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I hope you’re able to see the Northern Lights one day 🙂 x
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I’m going to Tromso and Rotsund in a few days so I was excited to read this post. Hopefully, I’ll get to see the lights on at least 1 of the 6 days we’re in Norway. The fact that you got them on a mobile phone gives me hope that I can get some half-decent photos. It’s a bit early in the year, but you never know because the lights can be quite unpredictable.
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You were very early in the Northern Lights season Priya – but did you have any luck in Norway? x
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I got to see the Northern Lights in Finland this year and it was incredible! I’d love to witness their beauty again in Iceland!
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Omg the pictures were amazing! It would be awesome to visit and see the northern lights for sure! Definitely a buck list my husband and I have. Thanks for sharing!
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Seeing the Northern Lights is on our bucket list as a family and hopefully we’ll manage to tick that on the list soon. Your photos are amazing and yes, that hostel does sound a bit off! 🙂
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Oh wow. I had no idea Iceland was so beautiful. I’d love to see the Northern Lights for myself one day.
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This trip is on my bucket list. God knows when I will do it. It’s magical, isn’t it?
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Gah, that looks so amazing! Seeing the northern lights is on my bucket list for sure!
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Wow! To see the northern lights in Iceland would hit my bucket list too! What an amazing adventure!
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omg that is the coolest thing ever! I’ve always wanted to do that but never did, what an amazing experience this must have been!!!
Chad
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This looks amazing. It’s on my bucket list to see the northern lights as well so I’m super jelly. Looks like you had a wonderful time.
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This trip was so freaking cool. And that reindeer burger? Wow
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What an incredible experience this must be. Definitely on my bucket list for sure. Just gorgeous!
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I can’t believe there were only 3 people in the hostel, haha. Luckily you met Bjorn and he made your trip so much better, with local experiences. I have always wanted to see the Northern Lights but I was never in the right place at the right time…. except for the beginning of last year. I was on a plane, going to Mexico, and I woke up in the middle of the night. I looked on the window and there they were, dancing along the plane’s wing. It was such a magical moment, and I was the only one who witnessed it, because everybody else on the plane was sleeping.
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I almost visited Iceland last December but it was just SO cold already that I couldn’t make myself go. The northern lights have always amazed me and like you, it’s on my bucket list!
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This post gives me chills! What a amazing experience to watch this natural spectacular show! I read about the aureora burealis that also appears in australia. I would love to experience this too.
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I am so jealous, this has been on my bucket list forever……we hoped to see them in Finland but it was too cloudy. I will get to Iceland one day
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The Northern Lights are truly breathtaking. Taking a tour and a vacation similar to yours would be ideal! I bet you had a fantastic time!
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the northern lights have been on my list for a while. it would be awesome to see from iceland
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Those lights are very cool but also freaky at the same time. Under any other circumstance at any other place in the world people would be concerned if they saw lights up in the sky like that.
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I’m always hearing about this Northern Lights but haven’t see it personally. I hope and pray that in the near future I get to see this amazing natural scenery.
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Good to hear that you finally went there and experience it already. It sounds like a really exciting and magnificent place to visit. Love those photos!
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Just gorgeous! I can’t wait for it to be December when I will be able to be there and see them firsthand! Thank you for the great informative write up!
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Wow! I’ve never seen the northern lights in person, but I’d love to go and watch them.
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Oh wow! I’m not sure I could ever leave that place. it is absolutely the most gorgeous place I’ve ever seen.
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Northern lights are beautiful and Iceland is wonderful. I have never been there but I would love to be there. Such a lovely place. Seems you had a great time.
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Iceland has been on my list for a while. I also would love to see the Northern Lights. That’s a shame that your hostel experience didn’t work out. I love staying in them. A lot of hostels also offer private rooms. So if you’re not about sharing, you don’t have to!
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