Akureyri Northern Lights Tour

Yes, on dark, clear nights with solar activity. Akureyri is close to the Arctic Circle, and Iceland is under the auroral oval, so a low forecast number is usually enough. The best viewing is away from town lights, which is why the Akureyri Northern Lights tour heads into the countryside.

The Northern Lights season in Akureyri is September to April, the same months the tour departs. From late April to mid-August, there’s too much daylight. Cold won’t improve your chances, because the lights form far above the weather. A cloudless sky often brings low temperatures, so the two seem linked. Hours of darkness change month to month, as explained in when to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.

No. Sightings depend on solar activity and clear skies, so no Northern Lights tour can guarantee them. If the tour goes ahead and you don’t see the lights, you can join the next available tour in Akureyri for free. Book early in your stay so there’s time for that second tour before you leave North Iceland.

Watch your inbox. The departure status is confirmed by 5 PM on the day, and you’ll get an email if the tour is canceled because of weather, road conditions, or no chance of seeing the lights. For your own outlook, the Northern Lights forecast for Iceland shows cloud cover alongside the Kp index, a 0 to 9 aurora scale. An overcast sky can hide a display even when the reading is high.

Dress for standing still outside, not for walking. Start with a merino or synthetic base layer, then a fleece or wool mid-layer and a windproof, waterproof jacket. Your boots should have grip and keep water out. Skip cotton, which holds moisture. Bring a hat, touchscreen-friendly gloves, and a power bank, because cold drains batteries quickly.

Yes. If the aurora appears, your guide takes free photos of you with the Northern Lights behind you, alone or as a group. You don’t need any equipment for them. If you’d like your own pictures too, a phone in Night Mode, propped up so it doesn’t move, can capture the lights when the sky is dark enough.

Start in manual mode with your lens at its widest aperture, a 5- to 10-second shutter speed, and ISO 1600 to 3200. If the aurora is strong and moving fast, cut the exposure to 1 to 5 seconds to keep its shape. For a faint, slow arc, try 10 to 20 seconds. Use a tripod and a timer, focus manually on a bright star, and find settings for other conditions in how to photograph the Northern Lights in Iceland.

After: You can get a partial refund if you cancel more than 1 day before the tour. The fee is 10% of the price more than 2 days ahead, 50% at 2 days or less, and 100% at 1 day or less. To reschedule, contact Customer Care with your booking number. Guides can’t confirm eligibility or make changes during the tour.