AuroraCast / Best month / Höfn

Best month to see the northern lights in Höfn

Planning a trip to Höfn, Iceland for the aurora? Here's the month-by-month guide. The best months are September, October, February, March. Looking for tonight's odds instead? →

Month-by-month viewing quality

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
MonthViewingWhy
January Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
February Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
March Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
April Good Plenty of darkness; solid odds
May Marginal Short nights at the season edge
June No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
July No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
August Good Plenty of darkness; solid odds
September Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
October Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
November Peak Long dark nights + peak activity
December Peak Long dark nights + peak activity

Why these months?

Two things decide your odds in Höfn: darkness and activity. You need real darkness — so the bright midnight-sun months are out no matter how strong the aurora is. On top of that, geomagnetic storms run statistically stronger around the spring and autumn equinoxes (the Russell–McPherron effect), which is why September and October and February and March tend to edge out the dead of winter. Höfn's season runs september to mid-april.

Höfn is the harbour town in Iceland's south-east, the base for Vatnajökull and the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon — aurora reflected in a lagoon full of icebergs is the shot people come for.

Where to stand in Höfn

Jökulsárlón and the Stokksnes headland below Vestrahorn, both a short drive from town, give dark water and an open horizon.

Tours & stays to book

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Northern lights tours from Höfn

Viator · guided tours · from $70

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Aurora chases & photo tours in Höfn

GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $70

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Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Höfn

Booking.com · lodging

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Know when Höfn is about to light up

Aurora odds swing night to night. Leave your email and we'll tell you when Höfn hits its best window — time to book a tour for your dates.

This guide is built from each month’s dark-hours and the long-run seasonal pattern of aurora activity — it tells you when the odds are best, not what any single night will do. Aurora viewing is never guaranteed. Our method & sources.