Eylenda (Iceland)

<p>Tentatively, sometime in the early to mid-2017, planning to go to Iceland for exploration, and mainly the photography, and socialize with the, from what I understand, very nice people of Iceland.<br>

Trying to decide what's a good month to travel there. There are certain advantages to going in the early part of the year, as it would allow for a better chance of catching the Auroras, but then again, want to be able to travel around (Ring Road for the most part) without having to worry too much about the inclement weather.<br>

So the basic question is what's a good month to travel through Iceland, that's a compromise of weather, available light, catching Auroras, etc... April, May, June, or later. <br>

Hope to come away with a few good photographs at the end of the trip.<br>

Any advice on timing of year to go there, as well as finding deals flying out of D.C. or N.Y.C. would be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Cheers</p>

<p>There is not much darkness in Iceland in May or June, so the aurora won't be visible then.<br>

http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/reykjavik<br>

I was there years ago at the end of May and early June, which was good for daylight shots but definitely not good for nighttime astronomy.</p>

<p>It does seem that you believe that there's some sort of compromise timing available that if you get it right will give you the freedoms of summer, and the availability of the aurora , both at the same time. Sorry- this isn't going to happen . You need to choose what your priorities are- getting round the island in relative comfort & getting to the major sights with plenty of hotels etc to choose from, or being dark enough to make the aurora a reasonable possibility, with the attendant shorter days and weather risks. To achieve what you say you want will almost certainly require more than one visit with different objectives for each. <br>

My own preference for a first visit would be August/September. Getting around is easier, the roads tend to be dry and not muddy ( though you just have to go to Iceland in the expectation of some bad weather even in summer). There is the outside chance of aurora in the north of the island in September, but it still wouldn't be my choice if the aurora was very important for you. Still you can also go to Iceland in the middle of winter and not see much of the aurora (I've done that too) . You might want to look at<br>

<a href="http://www.photography001.com">www.photography001.com</a> and look at the "Iceland in Summer" portfolio and see whether that's what you might want. All those pictures come from Aug/September trips.<br>

As an alternative the light in midsummer (June) is very special if you have the stamina to stay up to enjoy it , but being able to photograph nearly every hour of the day isn't for everyone.<br>

I'm assuming in all of this that you're prepared to hire a car, book some remote hotels and so on. Some people think that they can see Iceland by flying to Reykjavik and taking the odd bus trip. IMO that's not the best way to see Iceland, though car rental is expensive. If you can't self drive, join a photo tour. </p>

<p>Perhaps I'm little naive to think that Iceland is on the level of Fairbanks, AK... tho it looks to me. Based on that, I'd consider going there at the end of August, which would likely give you Fall-color images....and stay there for X days (or so) into Sept, which would give you the Aurora show that you desire. Hmmm, Aurora is not entirely predictable, since the clouds can easily obscure it.<br>

Basing on several vidoes about Iceland (I too have a desire to go one day) I'd opt for minimum of 10-12 days there. Id' recommend to look at flights months ahead.</p>

<p>Les</p>

 

<p>We went to Iceland in mid-June when the days were longest. Not ideal for evening light! The weather in our case was good though that was as it happened, poor weather can occur anytime throughout the summer. I agree with David that it is not possible to see the Aurora and also do general touring. You need dark winter skies for the Aurora. Touring requires summer daylight. I would not worry too much about fall colours as the landscape is largely treeless. We covered the 'golden circle' from Reykjavik to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon so not particularly adventurous but a very memorable visit with a second trip now at the back of my mind.<br /> Here is the link to the Iceland weather service :<br /> http://en.vedur.is/<br /> Here is the link to the road information :<br /> http://www.road.is/<br /> the webcams are particularly interesting. I assume you are hiring a car and suggest you hire a 4x4. 2wd will get you round the golden circle and the main sights. But away from that it will not be long before you need 4wd. I suggest you read up on local road driving such as the traffic circle conventions and right of way at bridges. Note many smaller roads legally require a 4x4. We hired from a local car hire firm :<br /> http://www.bluecarrental.is</p>

<p> Been to Iceland a few times and have a trip planned for November...Auroras are hit or miss...Last September we saw them everywhere...This September, nothing...This February we saw them only 1 night out of 10...Last November was a shut out...We'll see when this November brings...<br>

Iceland is getting more and more visitors. I'd avoid the summer months and go in early fall. The charts list September-March as best Aurora time. You can hit the internet and <a href="http://en.vedur.is/">http://en.vedur.is/</a>, as mentioned above, for all sorts of weather information. Reykjavik has a great Aurora center, in the Marina side of town, that explains what you are seeing, and what the colors mean. <br>

I'd avoid JFK. The lines are stupid long and the Airport's staff is, at best, untrained, and the politest I can say. US Immigration and Border control are super short staff and do the best that they can with a cheery disposition. Global Entry is a must! Apply now!<br>

I always fly through Boston, so I can stop at Legal Seafood for Clam Chowder before hoping on a harmless 5 hour flight.<br>

Conclusion to your original question: I'd go between the middle of September and middle of November. The weather will be alright, the sky will be dark, and you'll have some hours of daylight... </p>