# 'The Solar Maximum' is About to Bring Some Spectacular Northern Lights

- URL: https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-solar-maximum-is-about-to-bring-some-spectacul/
- Published: 2024-11-11
- Last updated: 2026-08-19

> As the solar maximum reaches its peak in winter 2024-2025, Iceland is set to experience some of the most vivid Northern Lights displays in years. Located perfectly within the aurora belt, Iceland offers travelers a prime location to witness this natural wonder, with optimal viewing conditions from late August to early April.

In the aurora belt, the sun sends travelers into the dark, camera in hand and fingers crossed.

In basic terms—very basic, in fact—the Northern Lights occur when the sun sends electrically charged particles, par avion. They travel 150 million kilometers across space and slam into Earth's magnetic fields of the southern and northern hemispheres. 

Contrary to popular belief, the Northern Lights are not linear in frequency to the degrees of the north (or south) of latitude. In other words, stop browsing for snow shoes for that trek to the North Pole. 

May we at _Visit Iceland_ instead humbly suggest the ideal aurora destination—right in the middle of the doughnut-shaped aurora belt—with plenty of activities to sustain an entire vacation, in between delight and disappointment.

### **When is a good time to see the Northern Lights?**

A _good_ time to see the auroras is every time the sky is dark enough to bring them out. Iceland's 'aurora season' lasts from late August to early April. Over summer, the midnight sun obscures.  

The _best_ time, however, might be to come. The solar maximum—the highest rate of solar activity during the sun's 11–year solar cycle is predicted to peak in the winter of 2024-2025.

This peak of solar activity will ripple the sky with Northern Lights for years. 

Icelandic celebrity astronomer Sævar Helgi Bragason [told local media](https://www.mbl.is/frettir/innlent/2024/09/21/nordurljosaveisla_naestu_fimm_arin/) the increased frequency of Northern Lights might last until 2029. The biggest gain, he said, is predicted to occur after—not during—the solar maximum has occurred. In other words, there should be consistent and vivid auroras in the next five years.

_Photos: The camera's aperture takes in more light than the human eye and can paint the famous Icelandic landscapes. From left, Goðafoss Waterfall, Mt. Kirkjufell, and the Arctic Henge_ 

### **How to prepare for the 'aurora hunt'?** 

"The spectacle of Aurora Borealis requires dark and partly clear skies," the Met Office states on top of its live [aurora forecast](https://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/) for Iceland. 

When reading the forecast, remember that "moderate" levels of aurora activity can be spectacular, and "strong" levels rarely occur. 

Another mistake first-time travelers make is over-emphasizing 'dark skies.' Finding a viewing spot from the edge of town is often enough. 

Traveling away from city lights is most often necessary, as reflections from the ground can obscure sky visibility. 

In Reykjavík, for instance, the Grótta lighthouse is an hour's walk from the city center. When the forecast is promising, Grótta can be overcrowded. 

For solitude, head to the [Heiðmörk Nature Reserve](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/reykjavik-for-kids). [Read how to get there and more in our article on Northern Lights in Reykjavík. ](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/reykjavik-auroras)

### **Boost your chances: Top tips** 

The vividness of the auroras varies by the day, but generally speaking, the Northern Lights appear every other night with clear skies. 

- Bring warm clothes and be prepared to wait in the cold, wind, and snow in an open area. 
- Consider your accommodation ahead of time. Rural locations are away from light pollution, and Northern Lights are often visible when looking out the window. Some remote hotels scan the skies and offer an aurora wake-up call. 
- Searching for "Northern Lights tours Iceland" will reveal many possibilities based on location and how you want to see them. [A boating trip from Reykjavik](https://specialtours.is/tour/northern-lights-by-boat/)? A bus tour with a knowledgeable guide? [A snowmobile tour](https://geotravel.is/tour/northern-light-snowmobile-tour/)? 
- Bring a tripod for good pictures. A small one will do, and it should allow for a slow shutter speed. [More on photography.](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/how-to-photograph-the-northern-lights-with-a-smartphone)
- Perhaps most critical—enjoy the moment!