Northern Lights Photography from Akureyri: Hunt Aurora Borealis

Chase the Aurora into Iceland's winter darkness.

A Northern Lights photography tour from Akureyri takes you by vehicle into the dark countryside and mountains surrounding the town, away from electric light, to watch and photograph the Aurora Borealis as it displays across the night sky. The tour runs three hours, includes a live English-speaking guide and pickup from Akureyri, and depends on clear skies and solar activity. Children from age 3 are welcome; you receive digital photographs of the Northern Lights captured during the tour.

Step-by-step itinerary

Northern Lights hunt from Akureyri

• Leave city lights of Akureyri
• Drive to dark countryside
• Observe Northern Lights display
• Return to Akureyri

The Experience

The tour leaves Akureyri after dark and drives out into the countryside or up into the mountains, away from the city's electric glow. The goal is to reach a location with no light pollution where the night sky opens up fully. Once you arrive at a viewing spot, the guide positions the group to watch for the Aurora Borealis—the natural phenomenon caused by particle collisions in the polar magnetic field that paint the sky in waves of color and light. The experience depends entirely on weather and solar activity; clear skies are essential, and the Aurora itself is never guaranteed.

Photography is central to the tour. The guide helps you frame shots and capture the display as it moves, so you leave with digital photographs of what you witnessed. The moment matters as much as the image: the guide takes time to let you stand in the moment itself, knowing this particular arrangement of light and sky will never repeat. WiFi is available on board the vehicle if you need to stay connected between stops.

The full outing runs three hours from pickup in Akureyri through the drive out, the viewing time, and the return to town. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. The tour suits all fitness levels since you spend most of the time in the vehicle or standing outdoors in one location. Public transportation options are nearby if you prefer not to use the included pickup.

What’s included

• Three-hour tour with live English-speaking guide.
• pickup from Akureyri and return.
• drive into the countryside or mountains away from light pollution.
• viewing time for the Northern Lights.
• digital photographs of the Aurora Borealis captured during the tour.
• WiFi on board the vehicle.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Saga Travel

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English throughout, so you can follow the commentary and the photography tips without translation. This works for families with children from age 3, solo travelers, and anyone comfortable with a late-night outing in the Icelandic winter cold.

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Top questions

What is the Northern Lights and when can you see it from Akureyri?

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display in the night sky caused by particles colliding in the polar magnetic field. From Akureyri in North Iceland, the Aurora is visible during the dark winter months when skies are clear and solar activity is strong enough to trigger the display. The tour hunts for it on clear nights, but visibility depends on weather and atmospheric conditions beyond anyone's control.

How far from Akureyri does the tour drive to find the Northern Lights?

The tour drives out into the countryside or up into the mountains surrounding Akureyri, moving away from the town's city lights and light pollution. The exact distance depends on cloud cover and viewing conditions on the night of the tour; the guide chooses the best location to maximize your chances of seeing the Aurora.

Do I get to keep the photographs taken during the tour?

Yes, you receive digital photographs of the Northern Lights captured during the tour. The guide helps you frame shots and photograph the Aurora as it moves across the sky, and those images are yours to keep and share.

Can I bring a young child on this Northern Lights tour from Akureyri?

Children are welcome from age 3 onward. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one. The tour runs three hours, so plan for a late night outing into the winter darkness.

What happens if the sky is cloudy or the Northern Lights don't appear?

The Northern Lights depend on clear skies and solar activity, both beyond the tour operator's control. If clouds cover the sky or the Aurora does not display on the night of your tour, the guide still takes you out to a dark-sky location away from city lights, but there is no guarantee of seeing the phenomenon. Check the operator's cancellation and rescheduling policy before booking.