Iceland in August. Goodbye summer!
August is the last month of proper summer here in Iceland. The daylight is decreasing considerably so that the northern lights can be seen again in the late-night sky by the end of the month.
Also, some summer activities are still available by the end of the month, and you should take advantage of puffin watching, boat tours, hiking in the Icelandic highlands, paragliding, kayaking, zip-line, and snow-cat tours.
Many festivals and national days are also happening in Iceland in August; if you come this month, you should check them out.
Weather in Iceland in August
Iceland experiences relatively mild and pleasant weather in August compared to other months, making it an optimal time to visit. The average temperatures range from 9°C to 14°C (48°F to 57°F) across the country, with variations depending on regions.
August marks the tail end of summer, offering a mix of sunny days, occasional rain showers, and cool breezes. Despite the chance of rain, it’s generally a favourable time for outdoor activities and exploration.
Moreover, August brings a generous amount of daylight to Iceland. The country experiences long daylight hours during this month due to its high latitude.
On average, you can expect around 16 to 18 hours of daylight, providing ample time to explore the breathtaking landscapes, glaciers, waterfalls, and other natural wonders Iceland offers.
How to dress for Iceland in August?
Layering is critical when packing for Iceland in August to accommodate the varying weather conditions. Start with a base layer of moisture-wicking clothing to stay dry and comfortable.
Bring long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, and a waterproof, wind-resistant jacket to shield against occasional rain and cool breezes. Don’t forget to pack sturdy, waterproof hiking boots for exploring the diverse landscapes.
Additionally, consider packing a hat, gloves, and a scarf for chilly evenings or higher altitude hikes.
For activities, August in Iceland offers a plethora of options. Whether hiking along volcanic terrains, exploring glaciers, visiting waterfalls, or relaxing in geothermal hot springs like the Blue Lagoon, dress in layers to adapt to changing temperatures throughout the day.
For outdoor adventures, prioritize clothing that can be easily adjusted to stay comfortable and protected, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Iceland’s natural wonders fully.
Fireworks at Jökulsárlón
Middle of August
Imagine the glacier lagoon lit up by the colourful fireworks lights. Every year in the middle of August, a firework show is hosted at Jökulsárlón by the volunteers in the search and rescue (SAR) team in Höfn, Björgunarfélag Hornafjarðar.
“Tickets can be bought at the entrance at Jökulsárlón the night of the event, but we recommend buying tickets in advance if possible, just to make things faster. It is also better to have cash, but it is possible to pay with a card if needed. All fees go to support the SAR team and their volunteer work.” (Visitvatnajokull.is)
The activities you can enjoy during August are some of the most beautiful. So, if you are in Iceland in August, try them.
It is the last month when hiking in the Highlands is possible. After August, the weather and the temperatures are making this dangerous, and all the tours in the Icelandic Highlands are unavailable.
Laugavegur – Iceland’s most famous trek from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk lives up to the hype. The magical, diverse landscape and the long, bright Icelandic summer days will capture your nature-loving heart.
This trail takes adventurers from the geothermal valley of Landmannalaugar and the southern highlands, over the southern highlands to the Þórsmörk valley at the foot of the world-famous Eyjafjallajökull volcano.
The trail crosses many spectacles, including the world’s third most extensive geothermal zone, through yellow rhyolite mountains, over black deserts, past incredible canyons and finally into the verdurous valley of Þórsmörk.
It is no coincidence that the “Laugavegur” hike each year attracts travellers worldwide and is an excellent favourite amongst locals.
These hikes are long for about five days, including camping and many hours of continuous hikes. Some tours will take you hiking in Landmannalaugar.
Snorkelling at Silfra should be on your bucketlist. Described as one of the top dive sites globally by National Geographic, Silfra is located in the historically rich Thingvellir National Park – part of the famous Golden Circle route. Snorkelling in Silfra is a once-in-a-lifetime transcontinental experience.
The guides will show you what National Geographic has described as one of the top dive sites in the world. As you glide between tectonic plates floating on pure, filtered glacial meltwater, you’ll find out for yourself and tick off your bucket list for the ultimate tour of breathtaking underwater views only available in Iceland in the world’s most transparent waters.
The warm weather in the summer is melting the ice on the glacier lagoons, and the boat tours can operate again. The most famous glacier lagoon of Vatnajökull is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, full of icebergs broken from Breiðamerkurjökull tongue.
All the icebergs from this lagoon are taken by the ocean currents and brought back to land at Diamond Beach, right next to the lagoon.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon is one of the most visited places in Iceland and for an excellent reason. Also called the Crown Jewel of Iceland, Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon will impress you with its beauty and unicity. The landscape is fantastic.
The glacier lagoon is not frozen during the summertime, so boat trips on the lagoon are almost every day. There are two options for boat tours on the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon.
You probably have seen photos of the “Elephant Rock” and pictures of an island with only a building. Those are some of the most famous images from Iceland that you will see online, but where were they taken? Westman Islands!
Located in the South of Iceland, Vestmannaeyjar is an archipelago with 15 islands and 30 rock stacks. It is one of the most exciting places in Iceland as it has a rich and not-so-happy history but rich geology.
Also, Westman Islands have rich wildlife that includes many species of birds and the largest population of puffins, the first beluga whale sanctuary in the world, and many other species of whales on the ocean waters near the islands.
You can experience all those natural wonders from a boat tour around the Westman Islands. We recommend three boat tours on the Westman Islands operated by our friends from RIB Safari.
The South Coast of Iceland is a geological masterpiece of past volcanic activity. South Coast has some of the most beautiful black sand beaches and an impressive volcanic and glacial relief.
Exploring the South Coast is such an exciting experience, and it can become unforgettable if you study it on an ATV tour.
Our friends from Arcanum are organising some ATV tours on the South Coast of Iceland during summertime, and you have to try one.
Every summer, we have some cute visitors here in Iceland, and they stay with us from mid-May to mid-August. I am talking about puffins. The little birds are unofficially the national bird of Iceland.
Although you can find the largest colony of puffins in south Iceland in Westman Islands, there are also other places where you will see puffins during summer, and those places are Látrabjarg, Ingólfshöfði, Flatey Island, Borgarfjörður Eystri, Breiðafjörður.
They usually stay on the cliffs along the coast to see them in other areas such as Dyrholaey, Grimsey Island or Akurey, Engey or Lundey Islands. Still, the larger colonies can be found in the places mentioned above.
Try a puffin-watching tour and admire these cute birds closer to their natural habitat.
For adrenaline lovers, kayaking tours are perfect. You can go kayaking on the Icelandic rivers or the glacier lagoons. To sail along the immense glaciers is something you have to try.
The summer season is great for whale watching, as the wildlife in the bay is at its highest peak. This is when the minke whales, along with the white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and humpback whales, are most abundant.
The best part of travelling to Iceland during summer is that you can do some excellent activities there. And mainly speaking of whale watching, the summer season is the best because whales can be seen in many parts of Iceland.
Before going on a tour, you must understand that bad weather conditions can reschedule or cancel the tour. Also, as you watch marine life, you have to realise that everything happens in the whales’ natural environment, and you will not be guaranteed to see many whales. Sometimes, it sees no whales, but those cases are rare.
See Iceland from above on a tandem paragliding tour. Iceland is beautiful on the ground, but from above, it is astonishing. You need no prior knowledge to do this tour; you have to bring courage, and then you will fill up with adrenaline.
A zipline ride is a great adventure for all those who love the thrill of doing something challenging but, at the same time, very safe. See the stunning Black Sand Beach from above on a zipline adventure.
Geothermal baths and hot springs
There is no right time for a geothermal bath. And it is a must-do in Iceland. Check our blog to see the best places to relax like a true Viking and where you can find natural hot springs in Westfjords.
Also, book your ticket now if you plan to come to Iceland in August.
Depending on the temperatures outside, there might be changes in the operation of the Katla Ice Cave tour.
The temperatures are rising, and the ice caves at Vatnajökull glacier have become dangerous to explore. However, some ice caves are available for exploration all year.
One ice cave is the Katla ice cave in South Iceland. It is located in the Kötlujökull glacier, part of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier.
The other one is the ice cave at Langjökull Glacier. The ice cave at Langjökull is artificial, so there has been an entire process of carving into the glacier and forming the tunnel. Local authorities opened the ice cave to the public in 2015, and the tunnel inside the glacier is 550m long and goes 30 meters into the glacier.
These are excellent options if you want to explore some ice caves.
As we get closer to the end of August, many of these activities will not be available anymore. But the winter season is coming with other exciting activities that can be done in Iceland. Enjoy your stay in Iceland and make some unforgettable memories here.
