Finding the Aurora / Northern Lights in Iceland - My Best Tips & Tricks

Northern Light hunting can be tricky but this video is meant for those who want to get the most out of them. This is also useful for photographers on their way to Iceland and I hope it helps you to get your dream-shot.
Chapters.
00:00 Intro and tip 1 - When to see the Northern Lights
06:07 Tip 2 - The long term Aurora Forecast
10:56 Tip 3 - The Location
13:23 Tip 4 - Guided Tour Or On My Own
17:50 Tip 5 - Follow The Show
20:30 Tip 6 - Aurora Patterns To Learn From
22:35 Tip 7 - Be Careful - Don't Miss your Best Chance
23:46 Tip 8 - Bring The Right Gear
24:59 Tip 9 - Be Nice On Location
26:46 Tip 10 - Be Realistic
Light Pollution Map
www.lightpollutionmap.info/
Aurora Hunters Iceland - English Speaking Facebook Group
/ 607880159324957
Icelandic Facebook Group, mostly in Icelandic
/ northernlightswatch
The Icelandic Aurora Forecast (3 day forecast)
en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts...
North East Iceland - General Information
visitorsguide.is/towns-places...
The Arctic Coast Road - A new option in North-Iceland
www.arcticcoastway.is
Comedy Sketches in this video:
Spaugstofan TV Comedy Group and the annual TV comedy show Áramótaskaup.
Compass Photo by Tobias Aeppli from Pexels
Shark Photo by GEORGE DESIPRIS from Pexels
Girl Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels

[@johnbradshaw7525]

I went to Iceland in September 2017 on a tour around the ring road. Once I left Reykjavik, It took me 6 nights to get to see the northern lights. I was staying in a hotel in Hveragerði and walked outside. I only had to wait a few minutes before the northern lights appeared through the gaps in the cloud. It capped off an amazing holiday in Iceland.

[@hanatemonstas4485]

Sorry for the strange comment, but your voice and accent is very crisp and pleasant. It’s very soothing with your informational video.

[@JustIcelandic]

Thank you! 😃

[@aniwhitgift637]

WOW. I am blown away, unusually, I am relentlessly searching for a sentence that describes the wonder and awe of Iceland . Your presentation is sheer perfection, the photography is simply sublime. Yet again I while away the time in utter enchantment. Thank you so much.

[@JustIcelandic]

Wow, thank you so much :)

[@manuprum5585]

Words cannot thank you enough for the wonderful material you are producing. You are a blessing to the soul and bless you too for sharing the wonders of Iceland and the world eith us.

[@JustIcelandic]

Thank you so much for being so kind, very much appreciated :)

[@edda9362]

Amazing photos and I'd love to be there to see the Northern Lights .. maybe one day.

[@JustIcelandic]

You should, nothing like them :)

[@sharon94503]

How beautiful. You are fortunate to live amongst so much beauty. All I have ever known is anytown, USA!

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks a lot :)

[@Giordino]

My first time seeing Northern Lights was in Iceland back in September 2017 and we got an amazing show, very high activity and beautiful corona.

[@JustIcelandic]

Lucky you :) and thanks for stopping by on my channel :)

[@janetholley1004]

Impossible to describe, I would love to see the Northern lights. Beautiful photos Gylfi, thank you for sharing all of the tips too.

[@JustIcelandic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aenwynsnow2828]

Thanks for the many good tips. I would very much like to see the Northern Lights again. The first time hardly counts as it takes a while to adjust to the spookyness. 😘 I was lucky in late September 2013 when we could not find our last accomodation near the airport. After we finally arrived there was a suspicious greenish tinge in the sky. When we got our luggage after checking in we realized what was about to happen and it became quite a good show. As the Aurora forcast was low, it caught us by surprise.

[@JustIcelandic]

Yes they did so 2 days ago here in north Iceland during zero forecast, short but strong show so we have to have the luck with us as well, and I hope you can visit us some day for the "real deal " Welcome to Iceland :)

[@erinmcdonald7781]

Such an informative and entertaining tips video. A photographic delight in it's own right!!! Interestingly, I'm sure I've seen some of your work when I've googled "aurora." May even have one downloaded as background on my previous phone (sorry...). Your rapport and skill with domestic & wild creatures is delightful, can't get enough. Seriously, Iceland doesn't need a tourism bureau with the quality, insightful videos you share on your channel!!! One day: Iceland, Northern Lights, Volcano, Icelandic horses and sheep, and bus tours!!!! 💜🌍🐎🇮🇸✌️😸

[@JustIcelandic]

Wow, thank you so much again :) I'm doing my best, it's all a practice :)

[@erinmcdonald7781]

@@JustIcelandic Nevertheless, your work shows your talent and knowledge. You are a treasure to your country. 💛🇮🇸🍀

[@davidarundel6187]

Something to keep on my bucket list, along with the Southern lights. Thankyou for the pics & helpful info.

[@JustIcelandic]

Any time!

[@LS-qq4zc]

Thank you so much for this video , the info, and the gorgeous photos!

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks and welcome :)

[@asshatteryengaged813]

@@JustIcelandic - I won't make it to Iceland this year in September. But maybe next year if Covid calms down. Thank you for all the great tips!

[@Dandude208]

Incredibly well presented video. Thank you good sir!

[@JustIcelandic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertscelly1714]

I just love your videos. Your dry sense of humour is a joy

[@JustIcelandic]

Oh thank you so much and welcome :)

[@lynperkins1485]

(I just received my mouse pad with the intro aurora image on it-- and it works really well (the printing is nice too). Thanks for offering these!) I enjoy your humor and your appreciation of your gorgeous home!

[@JustIcelandic]

Glad you like it and thank you very much for your support :)

[@vronw5782]

Thank you so much for the beautiful photos and film. xxx

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks a lot :)

[@kevgermany]

Thanks. Really useful. And really amusing.

[@JustIcelandic]

Glad you liked it 👍

[@frankhammar8058]

Great video! 😀 Thanks!

[@JustIcelandic]

Our pleasure!

[@ashleydavis3342]

Love your channel, your videos are so underrated! Keep it up, thanks

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks a ton!👍❤️

[@johncranwell3783]

It all makes sense....excellent

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks, it's quite easy actually if we just use those tools :)

[@slateslavens]

outstanding! We get shows occasionally here in northern Idaho, but nothing like what Iceland gets. thank you for the excellent video and tips.

[@JustIcelandic]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dorothythorpe6183]

Wonderful video! Thank you so much!

[@JustIcelandic]

Glad you liked it!

[@jujuvtx]

Ohhhh how beautiful!!!!!

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks :)

[@0PAYforVUE]

Thank you for the great tips on hunting down and viewing the Iceland Aurora. Your photos are great too. They remind me of the old days when I lived down in Vestmannaeyjar.

[@JustIcelandic]

Thank you :) hope to show you footage from there in future :)

[@0PAYforVUE]

@@JustIcelandic You are most welcome. I'll be looking forward to seeing your footage from there. Vestmannaeyjar was the first place I lived outside my home country, so it feels like a second home.

[@lesterhousel]

We arrive next Tuesday morning to Viking cruise around Iceland for 6 days….excited …great videos

[@JustIcelandic]

Welcome to Iceland and I hope you have a great time, looks like a warm autumn :)

[@franziskabertram3286]

I will be in Iceland this October for work for just a few days. But next year I will be there for over 2 weeks in September. I'm hopeful that I will be lucky without doing much hunting. Not for photography, but just to enjoy the moment. Thank you again for your video. Very beautiful pictures.

[@JustIcelandic]

October is great month for Aurora, just don't let the streetlights bother you because it's easy to move out of town :) and welcome to Iceland and have a great trip :)

[@loveofthelard]

Beautiful! I am lucky to have seen them many times. Here in North as well as Norway.

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks :)

[@MotoVibes]

Thank you very much for the great tips and the beautiful photographs - they got me really excited for our upcoming trip in October- greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@JustIcelandic]

Glad it was helpful and have a great trip to Iceland, lets hope you get lucky with the Northern Lights :) and greetings from Iceland :)

[@Sally4th_]

Thankyou so much for this. A country house with an outdoor hot tub sound like a perfect option. Fingers crossed for next year :)

[@JustIcelandic]

Best of luck!

[@ninesteps369]

Thanks for great info

[@JustIcelandic]

Any time!

[@shupingyin8082]

Thank you for sharing

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks for watching!

[@lynnephillips1482]

O my goodness, this has always been one of my dreams to see in real life, I don’t think it’ll ever happen though as I live in New Zealand and am scared to fly too far, 🥰

[@erinmcdonald7781]

Doesn't NZ get the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights? I've seen the pictures of those, as well. I'm just not sure when and how far south you'd have to go to see them.

[@lynnephillips1482]

@@erinmcdonald7781 only way down the bottom of the South Island, I’m in northland North island 😀

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks for dropping by on my channel :)

[@bertoluccib6175]

@@lynnephillips1482 But that won't involve flying too far, does it? ;-)

[@lynnephillips1482]

@@erinmcdonald7781 yes it doe but it's hit and miss aparently, you could get there and still not see it

[@franzsammel9841]

I will go to Iceland in a week, for 18 days. Id say my chances are quite good during this long time. I will not be doing any hardcore aurora hunting but I will definitely keep track and keep my eyes open.

[@JustIcelandic]

Good chances I must say, and good timing :) Welcome to Iceland :)

[@cingbur7824]

Beautiful photography!

[@JustIcelandic]

Thank you so much 😀

[@phila3884]

As a fellow aurora chaser, this is a very good guide on how to realistically see the northern lights. There are shows and then there are SHOWS!

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks, there sure is, simple as that 👍

[@whizzywoo582]

Blimey Gilfi I'd love a good shot of the volcano with the northern lights above! I often wonder if I could cope with living in somewhere like Iceland with such wonders in the sky all winter, I'm not sure I'd be able to sleep knowing they might be there :D I can't wait to see what you bring us this winter, greetings from Swansea :)

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks :) it's just magic to have this but we got used to it :)

[@NGC-catseye]

⚡️Electric Skies to you, for great viewing 🌈

[@JustIcelandic]

Thanks :)

[@thepiratecats801]

I'm spending 10 nights in mid Nov, the lights are top of my list, but not the only thing on my list. Thanks for the video.

[@JustIcelandic]

Have fun and good luck with the Northern Lights :)

[@thepiratecats801]

@@JustIcelandic Thank you.

[@margotjansen139]

Geweldig mooi , het 3 keer gezien in Lapland Trømso en Lofoten. bedankt voor de mooie belden.groet uit Holland Margot

[@JustIcelandic]

Greetings to Holland :)

[@NWEuroLangs]

Thanks for an interesting video. :)

[@JustIcelandic]

My pleasure!

[@forthedisenfranchised4366]

Very helpful indeed, I know where to look now, and where to be (or where not to be). Do you ever follow solar weather, solar storms CME tracker etc? (I wondered whether you'd ever caught the northern lights after a sunspot xflare, or filament release and then caught a really good show as a result?)

[@JustIcelandic]

Yes I have, the solar storms are sure showing up here but the timing is not always accurate :)

[@airmakay1961]

Have seen the aurora many times from the cockpit, but never from the ground. Alaska or Iceland? No elves in Alaska so that might influence the decision. Oh......excellent, quality video! Great pictures and tons of useful information.

[@JustIcelandic]

Thank Mark :) I do actually have an elf video in the making :) coming soon

[@MyKharli]

Snowy hill tops are good especially if there bright enough to cast a colour on the snow . There quite rare here in S scotland , sometimes its just a `bright night `

[@JustIcelandic]

Yes the snow is great, and the reflection from it :) we never get bored watching the Northern lights :) and welcome to Iceland to take a look :)

[@trojanpony]

Whoa. Amazing shot at 2:45. Where is that? and thanks for another great video!

[@JustIcelandic]

This is Bifröst in Borgarfjörður :) and welcome :)

[@RankinMsP]

♥️♥️♥️

[@JustIcelandic]

Always welcome ♥️

[@ninesteps369]

💚

[@JustIcelandic]

💚 welcome

[@CaioWhistler]

Takk fyrir!

[@JustIcelandic]

Welcome :)

[@ninesteps369]

Hello again have I got a chance for Northern Lights in January?

[@JustIcelandic]

Sure... it's been a good aurora winter so far :)

[@mgntstr]

Can't you launch off with a balloon after dark to take shots from above the cloud layer? Must be spectacular view.

[@kwiks987]

Normally you need shutter times of 10-30 seconds. In a balloon you will have too much movement. Maybe with an ultra sensitive camera….

[@JustIcelandic]

I will be possible with a Sony cam and good lens soon, it's actually possible to record a video now but still I'm not seeing the quality details as in DSLR's

[@rahulgupta6462]

Please suggest me any good tour service?

[@JustIcelandic]

Pardon the late reply, I can't say I know that market that well, however, the larger the busses, the less service, they cant stop or park just anywhere and that's hopeless, go for the small firms, they are usually very professional...

[@ninesteps369]

Send me your email I will send you two digital art sacred geometry images with northern lights I created in 2021💚

[@JustIcelandic]

my channels name at gmail

[@fadetoblond]

I want to move to Iceland. I hate Canada now. If I win the lottery, that's where I'm going.

[@JustIcelandic]

Welcome to Iceland Wendy :)

[@fadetoblond]

@@JustIcelandic I said "if" I win the lottery, that's where I'm going. I'm still in Canada :( I sent you an email but you never responded........about possibly sending me a piece of lava from there, which would be incredibly awesome and beyond appreciated, if you did. *huge smiles*