AuroraCast / Best month / Ísafjörður

Best month to see the northern lights in Ísafjörður

Planning a trip to Ísafjörður, 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 Marginal Short nights at the season edge
May No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
June No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
July No — midnight sun Midnight sun — no real darkness
August Marginal Short nights at the season edge
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 Ísafjörður: 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. Ísafjörður's season runs september to mid-april.

Ísafjörður is the capital of the Westfjords, Iceland's remotest region and its highest geomagnetic latitude — closest of any Icelandic town to the oval, and almost entirely free of light pollution.

Where to stand in Ísafjörður

The fjord walls are steep and will cut off a low display, so get out of the narrow fjord: the road toward Bolungarvík or the open water at the fjord mouth gives you back the horizon.

Tours & stays to book

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Northern lights tours from Ísafjörður

Viator · guided tours · from $75

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Aurora chases & photo tours in Ísafjörður

GetYourGuide · guided tours · from $75

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Cabins, lodges & glass igloos near Ísafjörður

Booking.com · lodging

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Know when Ísafjörður is about to light up

Aurora odds swing night to night. Leave your email and we'll tell you when Ísafjörður 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.