Iceland in February - advice please?

[TooOldForThisWhoCares]

What are the best excursions? Is it best to hire a car or would the roads be potentially snowy/icy? Are there any places to avoid or that aren't worth visiting?

We would like a chance of seeing the northern lights and a whale spotting trip at least. I've heard the blue lagoon is not really worth it and is actually man made! We are there 4 nights and really want to make the most of it. Thank you

We’re going in feb too so following although we’ve already booked blue lagoon

We went two years ago , although in December. Yeah the blue lagoon is man made (didn’t realise that till we got there!) . But it was so great, very relaxing - lovely views of snowy landscape - mud masks to apply , relax with a wine . I loved it. We did the northern light excursion , basically driven out to the middle of no where - and stood around - seen nothing.

We spent 4 days between Christmas and new year. Here's my tuppence worth:

• weather changes rapidly and can be extreme. I'd only drive in winter there if you are very confident in snow/ice.
• Golden Circle day tour was excellent and let's you see lots of the main sites in around 8 hours - Geysir, Gulfoss waterfall, National park
• we went to Blue Lagoon and really enjoyed it. It's hot water from a geothermal plant so not quite man made but not a natural hot spring either. If you like drinking Prosecco in a hot outdoor pool with a face mask on, it's fab!
• we did a Northern lights tour and were able to see them. Book a smaller group tour as the buses can get into more remote areas. If you have a decent camera take a tripod as they are impossible to photograph otherwise.
• Reykjavík itself is a gorgeous city and I'd recommend spending a day there. Lots to see and lots of lovely cafes, bars, museums, etc.

Enjoy, we loved it and would definitely go back. Take LOTS of warm clothes.

I wouldn't drive in Winter. The tours were Fab and very easy - buses come to all the hotels.

We did blue lagoon at dawn - loved it. It's stunning. We also did Golden circle tour and South tour, to see a permanent glacier and black sand beaches at Vik.

Loved it and want to go back one day soon.

Hiring a car in February would be madness unless you are well experienced in 4x4 snow and ice driving.
The organised tours are plentiful and very easy to organise, it was also great to have a guide who could tell us about all of the landscapes we were passing through and their history. We had 4 days. Did a 2 day south coast tour which I would highly recommend. The black sand diamond beach is one of the most amazing places I have ever been to. We then did a 1 day golden circle tour but did the secret lagoon not the blue lagoon. Then had 1 day in Reykjavik.

We did snorkeling in Þingvellir National Park in January a few years ago and it was a blast.

Can't remember if it was through this company or not though ... Snorkeling

How exciting - I loved our winter trip to Reykjavik last year. I used this site to book all of our trips iheartreykjavik.net loved the Golden Circle one we did as there were only a dozen of us on the minibus. We went to the Secret Lagoon which was magical. We had our Northern Lights boat trip postponed 3 nights in a row then went and saw them - it was breathtakingly beautiful and felt so special. I loved a daily early morning snowy swim in the local outdoor pool right in Reykjavik. If you like a drink, grab some from Duty Free on arrival and we made good use of the Appy Hour app to enjoy all the special offers. I loved grabbing hot buns from Brauð and Sandholt.

I am not one for being full Brit Abroad but we did take a pile of energy/cereal bars to snack on (we did a lot of walking/swimming) coffee, tea and snacks like jerky/nuts to keep full marching about as it is pretty expensive. We made boozy coffee to take on our excursions . We had an Air BnB and ate a lot courtesy of the Bonus supermarket. We loved our experience and food here www.icelandicstreetfood.com it was busy but the host accommodates everyone even if he does suggest you go to the sister-bar a few doors down and he'll bring you your soup! It was all you can eat when we went so go hungry and then free cakes, coffee and sweets. Then the owner brought the shark 'delicacy' out for anyone who fancied it to try! We ate out a few times, had amazing fish and chips and enjoyed lots of hotdogs.

Layers, layers, layers - it's insanely warm in cafes, shops etc I truly found out the meaning of "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes" saying. We had clear blue skies to the left, grey snow filled skies rolling in from the right...you can see the snow coming. I loved it. Hail, wind, gales then a burst of sunlight. My trapper hat was a godsend and I wore my parka hood up and over it and now I know why you have the fur lined trim - it really does keep the snow out of your face.

Take proper boots and warm socks for trips out of the city and our Yak Trax were brilliant www.yaktrax.co.uk - the ones that velcro strap on are best. We saw lots of people skidding and slipping in trainers! In Reykjavik itself you can relax a bit on all the outdoor gear - I loved that on Friday night we saw, in the biting cold and snow, loads of folk all dressed up as if it was a warm spring evening. Very hardy locals!

If you can stretch to it pick up a jumper from here at start of your trip to keep you toasty...I LOVE mine www.handknitted.is and there are some good little second hand shops if on a tighter budget.

Have a wonderful time. We loved it so much we're planning to go again next winter.