northern lights in february
Replies: 7 - Last Post: Jun 25, 2012 8:43 AM Last Post By: lexylexylexy
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northern lights in february
hey guys...my best friend and i are planning to travel to iceland in february next year. we will be celebrating our 30th birthdays and attempting to fulfill a life long dream of seeing the northern lights.
(we know we might not see them)
i've seen a lot of tours and itineraries for iceland and they look great, but we really want to focus on the northern lights.
Am i correct in assuming that we will need to get out of reykjavik to have the best chance of seeing them? what is the best area to base ourselves?
neither of us want to drive, and basically we want to party and see the northern lights. any suggestions?
1
You're right. There are absolutely no guarantees. That said, you don't have to leave Reykjavik to see the light show. I've seen them right downtown. That said, the further away you are from light pollution, the brighter and better the show. If you can manage to head north (Akureyri) or East, the shows will be even bigger (if there is one)3
so if we were to spend a weekend in Reykjavik, and then maybe head north on the monday, spend a few days, and then head back to Reykjavik on a Friday for another weekend (I have heard that Reykjavik is great on weekends)and then book northern lights tours on as many days as we can afford?
Outside of Reykjavik, any recommendations on good places to base ourselves?
and just how cold will it really be? We're South African, so we're very scared!!
4
Of note, some companies will offer "second chance" free of charge, in the event there is no show on the day you go out. As an example, Grayline Tours says on their Northern Lights tour details,"Please note: We cannot guarantee sightings even if the tour is operated. In these cases we offer our customers a second tour free of charge"
5
and basically we want to party and see the northern lights
The best opportunities to see the NL occur, on average, during the 6pm to midnight quarter of the day. This is because of the motion of the earth through space as it rotates. Reykjavik nightlife carries on long after midnight.So go on your NL tour in the evening and then do the nightlife thing afterwards.
6
Here you can check for yourself if the current conditions are favorable for seeing the Northern Lights.http://www.gi.alaska.edu/AuroraForecast/Europe/2012/06/25
If good conditions are predicted, and clear weather, book a tour fast! ;-)
And ... I have seen spectacular displays from downtown Reykjavík - walk down to the seaside where it's quite dark and you can see them better
