Northern Lights Tours and Vacations in Iceland

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A northern lights cruise in Faxafloi bay or Eyjafjordur bay could also result in a bonus whale-watching experience with this combination tour from Reykjavik or from Akureyri. The most common way to hunt for the aurora borealis in Iceland is by taking a guided minibus tour. The mobility and affordability make this the best way to see the northern lights in Iceland. Seltjarnarnes peninsula is the capital area’s northwesternmost point.

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Hop on a free shuttle in Reykjavik to make your way from Harpa Music Hall to Perlan Dome. At this world-class museum, watch volcanoes, glaciers and geothermal marvels come alive through cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking science. You'll be able to experience Iceland's many natural wonders and attractions all at once at this rotating glass museum. Because the terrain tends to be barren and rocky, Iceland isn't particularly known for its plants and trees.

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The most affordable option on this list, British cruise line P&O operates 12-day sailings to Norway year-round, but during the auroral season, there's a strong chance you'll see the northern lights while onboard. Guests embark in Southampton, England, before sailing north to Norway, traveling as far north as Tromsø, well north of the Arctic Circle. We recommend splurging on a room with windows for the best northern lights viewing options. However, those in interior cabins can always run up on deck — which you should do anyway to witness the full grandeur of the atmospheric phenomenon. Considering the cruise line is named after the atmospheric phenomenon, it should come as no surprise that it offers a northern lights itinerary.

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Keep an eye on the sky until the auroras begin to descend; the guides on board will be doing the same, and are excellent at spotting signs of their arrival. As soon as they appear, you and your group will no doubt be mesmerised in silence, in complete awe of their unreal beauty. All that is needed for the Northern Lights to show is a clear, dark sky, enough solar activity, and a little luck. Being in the middle of a pitch-black bay, with a dome of stars above, makes your odds of catching them much higher than if you were trying to find a spot in the city away from the lights and buildings. This tour begins at Reykjavík’s Old Harbour, where your vessel is waiting. This boat has a spacious indoor area you can stay warm in, with a bar that will provide you with a free warm drink, and offers protective overalls to further help stave off the cold.

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Please note that these tours are subject to the correct weather conditions and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The right is reserved to cancel the tour due to unfavourable weather conditions if need be. Bridgett Quinn Weber, an advisor with Cruise Specialists who works with expedition cruises offered the advice below.

Enjoy a tour guide tailored to you on the history of Rome & its gladiator. Uncover the ultimate Turkish baths & hammam spa experiences to making the most of your vacation to Turkey. Explore the Salvador Dali Museum and Garden in Spain as you make the most of your cultural traveling adventures. Visit the crystal caves in Spain as you take a travel vacation to uncover a view of the magnificent Pulpí Geode. A Norway vacation will help you take in all the wild north has to offer.

Glimpsing the Northern Lights in all their mystical and sky-transforming glory is one of those bucket-list life experiences that many world travelers often wait years to see. We have the top 10 facts about Turkey the country, giving everything, you need to know to plan the best vacation trip. Here are some fun European cities to visit on your next European cruise — plus tips to make it a memorable, stress-free experience. Plan a cultural vacation to Italy by setting sail for the Roman Colosseum.

You'll marvel at the shiparagraphCopy that hangs from the ceiling, reflecting the Nordic tradition of giving offerings to protect loved ones at sea. You can also go to the excellent Kolaportio Flea Market in Akureyri, where you'll find many shops with trendy local designer brands, fun souvenirs and high-fashion labels. Please keep in mind the unpredictable nature of the northern lights. Patience and optimism are your companions on this journey, as sightings are not guaranteed. As you step aboard, the vessel's spacious observation decks provide panoramic views, offering the perfect vantage point to witness the northern lights in all their glory.

Or, if you prefer to drive, find the cheapest rental cars in Iceland here and hunt for them on your own after checking out the northern lights forecast. See the Northern Lights from the open waters of Faxaflói Bay, on this boat cruise that sets out from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour. If you’re staying in the capital but wish to escape the city lights to bask in the glow of the Aurora Borealis, this is the excursion for you. No matter which 7-day cruise to Europe you end up booking, here's how to plan a European vacation that's high on adventure with low added stress. Turkish desserts are as pivotal to the experience of traveling in Turkey as a cruise through the Bosphorus Strait.

Beyond the rewards of seeing the northern lights, the bonuses of winter season Northern Lights cruises are the stunning contrasts of scenery and the variety of onshore activities. Ports vary greatly from industrial centers and fjord villages to picturesque coastal towns and remote outposts on barren, frozen coasts. And Norway and generally sail 10 to 15-night itineraries during the winter season. Many cruises hug the northern Norwegian coast above the Arctic Circle.

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Many of Iceland’s most stunning natural sites are popular places to see aurora borealis. These include Thingvellir National Park in the south, Asbyrgi canyon in the north, and Kirkjufell mountain in the west, being a few of the most notable ones. The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is between September and April. While you can occasionally see them towards the end of August, the lingering sunlight makes them very faint.

Of course, sightings of the Northern Lights on your cruisetour depend entirely on natural circumstances, relying on weather, darkness, and a bit of magic. This holiday also allows you to see the auroras over the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, a mesmerizing experience where the lights can often reflect in the icebergs below. Magma Hotel is a 12-room hotel in South Iceland surrounded by the Eldhraun lava fields. Its remote location means many guests see the northern lights during the winter. If there’s no aurora to be enjoyed, most tours will offer you a complimentary second chance. Finally, a fantastic way to enjoy the incredible phenomenon of the aurora borealis in Iceland is by watching them on a boat tour.

You need to find the darkest place possible and wait until your eyes have adjusted. We’ll cover each of them below, starting with the best places to see the northern lights in Iceland. You’ll find answers to many of these questions in our FAQ on the northern lights in Iceland for more in-depth information. Iceland sits at a latitude of approximately 64 degrees north, making it the perfect place to see the northern lights. They’re usually visible above a latitude of 60 degrees north and below 60 degrees south, with the ‘southern lights’ being called the aurora australis.

Cruise to Iceland, where you can visit the enchanting cities of Reykjavik and Akureyri and marvel at the country's rough and unusual natural wonders. With a population of only 123,300 people, Iceland's capital and largest city, Reykjavik, is home to colorful houses, a bustling arts scene and centuries of history. For a glimpse into the northern past, check out the Settlement Exhibition, a combination of an archaeological ruin and museum based around a 10th-century house.

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Then, commune with nature at the world-famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa built on a lava field and heated with geothermal energy. Pamper yourself with mud masks and massages while wading in the soothing waters. Even though Akureyri has only 18,000 residents, it's called the Capital of the North for a reason. Head there to warm up in the steaming thermal pool at the head of Iceland's longest fjord, Eyjafjordur. In Iceland, the northern lights season is between September and the beginning of April, as the sky is too bright during the rest of the year.

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If you're brave enough, try hakarl, the national dish of fermented shark. If you're not feeling uparagraphCopy for the challenge, try herring pickled in vinegar and served a top a slice of dense rye bread. Both the capital Reykjavik and the Akureyri have a large variety of restaurants, where you can eat local or international dishes. Icelandic cuisine is largely based on dairy products, fish, lamb, root vegetables and herbs, so get ready for a hearty meal. The Greek capital has a history of more than 3,400 years to entertain you. As you browse cruises, the first question you ask will be "Where are cruise ports near me?" Here's how to choose a port, and what to do once you're there.

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What Ports Do You Visit on a Northern Lights Cruise?

Enjoy the rare opportunity to see the aurora borealis — one of nature’s most dazzling light displays, also known as the northern lights. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, result from the collision of charged particles from the sun with atoms in Earth's atmosphere. This creates the vibrant, colorful lights that dance across the night sky. Reykjavik's coastal location makes it an ideal spot for this breathtaking phenomenon, providing clear views and optimal conditions for an awe-inspiring spectacle. Embark on an unforgettable northern lights adventure with Amelia Rose's cruise along Reykjavik's coastline, renowned as one of Earth's prime spots for witnessing this amazing spectacle.

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Announcements (even opt-in late night wake-up calls) may be issued when there’s an opportunity to view the northern lights from your ship. Excursions may give you the opportunity to be transported to northern lights viewing spots by everything from buses and minivans to small boats and dogsleds. Both Hurtigruten Expeditions and the Hurtigruten’s Norwegian Coastal Express, offer a good number of itineraries that showcase the Northern Lights.

The best places in Iceland to see the northern lights without paying extra are at campgrounds. However, it’s only possible to camp in Iceland between April and September because of the cold winter. Modern scholars have theorized that the Old Norse people might have thought the northern lights were the glinting of the shields and armors of the Valkyries. The valkyries were female figures who guided warriors who died in battle to Valhalla. However, there are no mentions of the northern lights in the old Icelandic sagas, so these are just speculations. Also, find out what the northern lights are and the deep mythology behind them.

This means no other group members will be distracting you on your tour, there are no time limitations, and you can choose where to look for the aurora borealis in Iceland yourself. So the chance of seeing the aurora borealis while you’re soaking in the mineral water there depends highly on luck. When the auroras are incredibly vibrant, you might see them from urban areas, even with light pollution, such as from a garden, your hotel, or just from the street.

Scenic 4-Day Northern Lights Tour of Vatnajokull Ice Cave, Jokulsarlon & the South Coast

When the northern lights do appear, "more than likely the ship will turn off most of the exterior lights," Weber says. "But you can prepare as soon as you board the ship by scouting out the darkest spot outside, and up top on the ship." That may be away from the ship stairways and public rooms. Travel Insured International offers the Worldwide Trip Protection plan with the option to add upgrade benefits (available for additional cost) including CFAR when purchased within 21 days of your initial deposit. Other upgrades include Electronic Equipment, Event Ticket Fee Protection, Travel Inconvenience. Here you will be able to find pictures, information, departure schedule and availability for all our northern lights tours.

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Your adventure begins at the scenic Old Harbour by Reykjavík's city centre. The Harpa Concert Hall and Conference Centre lights up the area with an incredible glass panel display, as you board your boat and set sails for Faxaflói Bay. Iceland's cold waters produce top-quality seafood, and one of the country's signature ways to enjoy the fruits of the sea is fiskisupa, or fish stew.

Or you might see them on the plane over to Iceland or the drive from Keflavik airport. If you want to know the status of the Aurora forecast of the night of your cruise, contact the tour operator directly. Under the Northern Light Promise, if the Northern Lights do not appear on a traveler's applicable Norway Expedition cruise, the expedition group will give travelers another Norway cruise free of charge. We are a professional and authorised day tour provider and operate as a part of Elding Adventure at Sea; a renowned boat tour operator in Reykjavik and Akureyri in Iceland. Since not a lot grows in Iceland during much of the year, the local cuisine has developed a strong traditional of preserving foods through fermentation.

The best northern lights hotels are in remote locations with no light pollution. Many hotels offer northern lights wake-up service during the winter season, so guests don’t miss out on the spectacular aurora. It’s a stunning mix of green plains, wild volcanic scenery, beautiful coasts and lakes, spouting geysers, hot springs, mud pools and sophisticated cities. Topped off by clean, fresh air, you’ll find yourself in a trance surrounded by unique natural beauty throughout the country.

Much like trying to spot aurora borealis anywhere else in Iceland, it depends on the weather conditions and solar activity. Cunard’s Norway and Northern Lights cruise is a 12-day roundtrip along Norway’s coastline from Southampton, England on Queen Mary 2, or Queen Victoria ships. Guest speakers, astronomers and award-winning photographers are usually on board to join guests on deck to each evening to scan for and enjoy the northern lights show. The conditions must be just right, but it's highly likely to see this magical and sometimes elusive scientific phenomenon on a Northern Lights cruise sailing the Arctic Circle during the long, dark winter nights. If you’re unsure, there are dedicated tours like this eight-day northern light winter photography workshop tour that would help you capture the best photos of aurora borealis and Iceland’s beauty in the winter.

If you’re trying to see the northern lights via cruise, a late-August to September Northern Europe cruise is your best bet, though there are never guarantees. Iceland, Greenland, and polar regions around the Northwest Passage promote some of their active, adventurous cruises around the equinoxes in September and March as northern lights viewing opportunities as well. Lines cruising in these regions include Hurtigruten, Silversea, Lindblad Expeditions, Viking Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Adventure Canada, and others. The northern lights are spectacular and Iceland is the ideal place to search for this natural phenomenon. Sightings are most likely in the evening hours from September to March. This tour takes you to beautiful Iceland to search for thiselusive phenomenon.

However, this option should only be considered by those who are very confident driving on winter roads. The Hofsstadir Country Hotel in Skagafjordur in North Iceland has wide windows to take in the sweeping views of lava fields and fjords. They serve excellent food, so you can enjoy a meal while waiting for the elusive northern lights. Contrary to popular belief, colder weather does not affect whether the northern lights in Iceland will appear.

They’re on a scale of one to nine, and anything above three is worth setting out for, as a two is usually visible. It also describes the cloud cover around the country, so you can know where the skies are clear. The general rule is that the darker it is, the better for seeing the vibrant colors of the aurora.

Try local delicacies, go snorkeling or see the natural marvels of the great European cities and Caribbean ports. Discover a northern paradise where ice meets mountains and nature abounds. From stunning landscapes to modern and traditional food to the ultimate thermal baths, make the most of your time on a cruise to Iceland with excursions for all interests and activity levels. Laid-back and effortlessly cool, the world's most northerly capital, Reykjavik, is like nowhere else on earth.