#Iceland northern lights manual#
#Iceland northern lights iso#

After aurora-spotting, hit the always-lively bars of Reykjavik on a runtur (bar crawl).

During the day, take a downtown walking tour to see such sites as the striking Hallgrim's Church (Hallgrímskirkja) and waterfront Harpa (Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre).

Things to do when you aren’t chasing the aurora If you don’t have any luck with the night sky, visit the Pearl planetarium before 9pm for a simulated aurora viewing.

One of Reykjavik’s highest points and home to the glass-domed Pearl (Perlan) landmark, Öskjuhlíð Hill is a quiet woodland offering excellent visibility in all directions.

Just three miles (five kilometers) from downtown Reykjavik, Grótta is a nature reserve known for its lighthouse, birdlife, and dark skies.

Independently by rental car: Both Grótta and Öskjuhlið are within a short driving distance of downtown-and you can keep warm in the car while you wait.

Coach tours from downtown: Led by experienced aurora-hunter guides, tours visit nearby spots where you’re most likely to witness the aurora, depending on the evening’s conditions.

Night cruises: The still waters of Faxaflói Bay make an ideal spot for aurora watching.

“The lens needs to have a focus indicator because out-of-focus images won’t work in this situation.”.

#Iceland northern lights iso#

and needs to be usable with a high ISO setting.”

#Iceland northern lights manual#

“Your camera needs to have manual settings.“A tripod and a long exposure are your very best friends when taking pictures of the lights.'.“Taking photos with your flash won’t work-ever.”.“A thin pair of gloves (merino wool or polyester) inside your thicker pair can be helpful when you’re taking pictures,” Haraldsdóttir adds. Think winter coat, snow pants and shoes, and thick hats, gloves, and socks. She recommends aurora hunters bring thermal underwear in addition to warm layers and outerwear. “In Iceland, we never talk about bad weather-we talk about bad clothing,” Haraldsdóttir says. Winter temperatures hover around 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius), higher than those seen in other northern lights destinations like Alaska or Finland. The aurora arrives in Iceland during the coldest, darkest months of the year, but generally, the country doesn’t get as frigid as its name suggests. (Editor's note: September to March is generally considered to be the prime time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.) For the best chance at timing it right, Haraldsdóttir recommends following an online aurora forecast to see the intensity of upcoming aurora activity.

But the darkest month of December-when Iceland sees as little as only four hours of daylight-isn’t necessarily the best time to go. “To see the lights, you need a lot of darkness,” Haraldsdóttir says. We asked her for her top tips on how you can maximize your likelihood of seeing the aurora borealis on your Iceland trip. Guðrún Dagmar Haraldsdóttir is a Gray Line guide who leads northern lights tours around Iceland.