Seeing the northern lights in Iceland

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I'm thinking of taking DH to see the northern lights as it's something he's always wanted to do and he's got a big birthday coming up

I understand the best time to see them is winter but there's only a few hours of daylight a day then so is it a shame to go all that way and then not be able to do other excursions there as it's too dark?

We'd just do three nights so perhaps there are enough fun things to do (in the dark!) to fill this time

I'd love to hear from anyone who has done this trip

Shamelessly following as I also want to see the Northern Lights (and Iceland in general) but not sure how to go about it!

I've been keeping an eye on Groupon as I want to go too and they seem to have package deals with lots of activities to do.

Couple of years ago went in January. We went to Blue Lagoon hot pools, Golden Circle tour, then Northern Lights tour in the evening. It was windy and freezing, but the landscapes are amazing. We were lucky to see the Northern Lights which are magical. Food and drink is expensive, there are a few super markets. Worth every penny spent !

Didn’t see northern lights in Iceland but did have enough daylight (November) for exploring the city, golden circle tour and blue lagoon.

Did eventually see the Northern Lights in Norway, or actually northern Finland, as we had drove to where there was an expected sighting. Our mistake in Iceland was going with a tour operator that told us what time they were going to pick us up and drop us back in a coach, they just can’t go far enough in that time unless they get lucky. The operators that drive around in jeeps following sightings are much better. Dog sledding in Norway was one of the most fun things I’ve ever done.

Saw them two nights in a row in February. We weren’t actively looking for them, but had popped onto our balcony for some fresh air, and there they were. We than ran down to the ocean and lay on the rocks to continue watching them.

Plenty to do, the light won't matter. The city is well lit and anything outside is fun in the dark (imo!): walk around Reykjavik (assuming you'll go there!), lots of Street art, sculptures and nice buildings. There's a couple of good museums too
Blue lagoon, I happily spent a day there!
Golden circle tour, see the huge waterfall, original geyser, thingvellir (sp?) where tectonic plates are separating. Not much to actually see but cool to say you've been! It was the site of the world's first parliament too
Then one night jeep tour looking for the Northern lights. We didn't find them but still had lots of fun off roading through beautiful landscapes and enjoyed vodka and hot chocolate at midnight!
We went on another tour to a posh restaurant and spa as well
It's not a cheap place to visit (especially if you want to drink alcohol!) But it is safe, friendly and very beautiful

Oh, also we did ice climbing on a glacier! Great fun (I was awful)

You can get much further north in Norway or Finland. Iceland only just tops into the arctic circle. Going further north maximises your chances of a sighting

We saw them in February. There was enough light during the day for excursions. Most tour groups will take you out for a second night for free if you don't see them the first night, so don't save the trip for your last night.

If the weather conditions are not great three days isn’t long. We went and our trip was cancelled the second night, the first we drove around for ages trying to find some activity but it was too cloudy. There’s a big element of luck too. Again it was a coach tour so couldn’t go as far.
However there’s lots to do as othershave said so it’s a lovely place to visit.

Just because the daylight hours are short doesn't mean you can't do stuff. You aren't expected to stay indoors whenever it's dark outside. There's plenty to see and do - wonders of nature (waterfalls, volcanos, geysers), museums, cultural stuff. Relaxation opportunities galore (swimming in a rooftop pool as hot as a bath while the snow falls from the night sky can be serene and surreal). If there's something you need to do in daylight hours there's enough of that to make it possible - eg travelling to and from the location before dawn (ie 8am-11am) and after dusk (ie 3pm-6pm) is hardly difficult or unusual. People do live there all year around.

If the main point of the trip is the northern lights then a short break is risky. They don't happen every night. I lived in Iceland for 3 months over the winter and the lights were only truly spectacular on 2 occasions. Many nights I didn't see them at all.

We went a few years ago in February and found plenty to do. Like most other people we did Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik.

Unfortunately we did not see the lights as it was cloudy all the time we were there, but we enjoyed anyway.

I can recommend a company called Discover The World who seem to be specialists in Iceland and we had great service from them and loads of information.

"You can get much further north in Norway or Finland. Iceland only just tops into the arctic circle. Going further north maximises your chances of a sighting"

This is why we went to Finland. We went in February as there were 8 hours of daylight. IMO doing the snowy activities in daylight is much better. But we were in the middle of nowhere so there wasn't a lot of lighting from streets and buildings. The 2 hour snowmobile ride down the frozen river in the dark felt more like an endurance test than an enjoyable experience, but the husky driving and cross country skiing during the day was brilliant.

We're going at the end of Jan 19, Sunrise/Sunset times are 10:00 - 17:00 so plenty of time to see stuff plus a chance of the Northern Lights.

We went for new year. Was awesome. Chased the lights for 5 nights but serious case of wrong place, wrong time.

Had a 2 day stopover there last August and saw them all over the place without even leaving Reykjavik. Friends have found the same this summer.

Only one thing on my bucket list: live in Iceland for at least a year. I think it’s my favourite place on Earth.

I’m going to Iceland in December. I really hope we see the northern lights. Didn’t see them when in Finnish Lapland a few February’s ago due to snow and cloud 🙁 The lack of daylight wasn’t a problem it made it more exciting and different.
Have a look at Secret Escaoes for good Iceland deals that include tours.
I say go for it. You only live once. Even if you don’t see the lights you’ll still have an amazing time.

The northern light is the most beautiful nature phenomenon. I hope I will see it once too.

Thank you everyone, that ms really helpful!

We went to Iceland at the very end of March and saw them twice in four days. I researched like a mad woman on when to go to maximise our chances and it seems around the equinox and also in December seemed to be the most popular times to see them. There are also very good apps available to see where they're visible and give scores on likelihood of seeing them plus aura strength.

There was plenty of day light at the end of March and we managed all the other stuff like blue lagoon and golden circle.

Have fun!

Iceland is absolutely stunning and worth visiting at any time of year!
I go there often (business and pleasure) and although it's crowded / busy in the south east, there's a lot to do in just 3 days / nights.
Most of the advice in this thread is spot on and I would add the following things:

1. It's expensive so be prepared.
2. Northern Lights are usually October (ish) to end March, sometimes early April
3. While the Blue Lagoon is beautiful, there is another thermal spring / spa that the locals use in Reykjavik that's cheaper.

(Give the Blue Lagoon a miss for a month or so - they've found a parasitic worm there that's linked to some tummy upsets and they're quietly trying to get rid of it.) Having said that, stunning landscapes, glaciers, swimming and snorkelling amongst icebergs, geysers, snowmobiles, horseback riding and visiting volcanoes!