The northern lights are one of the most magical sights in Iceland. From September to April, on clear and dark nights, the aurora can often be seen dancing across the sky above Umi Hotel. Away from city lights, our location on the South Coast gives guests a great chance to catch the show right outside their window.
Green ribbons, soft arcs and, on the best nights, curtains of light that move across the whole sky. No two nights are the same, and that is part of the magic.
When to look for the aurora
The northern lights season in Iceland runs roughly from September to April, when the nights are long and dark enough. The aurora is often at its strongest between 10 pm and 2 am, but it can appear any time after dark.
You need two things: a clear sky and some solar activity. Check the aurora and cloud cover forecast from the Icelandic Met Office during the day, and keep an eye on the sky in the evening. Clear, cold, crisp nights are often the best.
Why Umi is a great place to watch
Umi stands on its own between the mountains and the sea, with no town lights around us. Just the dark sky, the glacier and the ocean. On a good night, you only need to step outside the door.
Look for the aurora above Eyjafjallajökull and the mountains, or out over the black sand toward the Atlantic. With so little light pollution, even a faint aurora can be easy to see.
Watch from your room
Our rooms have big windows looking out over the landscape, so you can keep watch from the warmth of your room.
For the ultimate aurora night, stay in the UMI Signature Suite. Watch the sky from your own large terrace, or from your private outdoor hot tub. No crowds, no car, no cold walk back. We can't promise the aurora, but we can promise a good seat.
Warm up in the sauna
Waiting for the lights is part of the experience. Spend the evening in our sauna, with big windows facing the landscape, or book the private sauna for an hour to yourselves. Then step outside into the cold night air and look up.
Tips for watching the northern lights
Dress warmly. Hat, gloves, warm layers and good shoes. Winter nights on the South Coast can be cold and windy.
Let your eyes adjust. Turn off your phone screen and give your eyes 15–20 minutes in the dark. You will see much more.
Be patient. The aurora comes and goes. A quiet sky can light up in minutes.
Look north, then everywhere. The lights often start low on the horizon, but on strong nights they can fill the whole sky.
Photographing the aurora
Use a tripod, or rest your camera on something steady. Set the focus to infinity, choose a wide lens and try an exposure of 5–15 seconds at ISO 1600–3200. Most new phones also have a night mode that works well. Just hold still. Add the glacier or the hotel to the frame, and you have a picture to remember.
Winter days on the South Coast
Winter is about more than the nights. Explore ice caves, glacier hikes and frozen waterfalls during the day, then come back to Umi for dinner at our Michelin Key restaurant before the sky comes alive. Read more in Tours and activities around South Iceland and Interesting sights to see around Umi Hotel.
Book your northern lights stay
Come for a night or stay a little longer. The more nights you spend with us, the better your chances of seeing the northern lights. Book your stay at Umi and let the South Coast sky do the rest.
