August is summer's final act in Iceland. The days are still long (15–18 hours of light), the highland season is in full swing, and the landscape is at peak green. But there's a subtle shift: nights are returning, the first northern lights of the season become possible in late August, and the blueberries are ripe. It's a month of abundance.
Weather & Conditions
Daylight
Highlights
- Highland road season still running
- Puffins still present (departing late August)
- Berry picking season — wild blueberries everywhere
- First northern lights possible late August
- Crowds may ease slightly after mid-August
Warnings
Weather becoming less stable
Puffins departing coastal colonies by late August
Some highland roads may close early if snow arrives — check road.is
Still peak pricing for most of the month
What You Can See
- Northern lights: Possible in late August — the first faint displays of the season on clear, dark nights.
- Midnight sun: No — nights are noticeably darker than June/July.
- Puffins: Present but departing. Colonies thin out from mid-August; by late August, most puffins are leaving.
- Whales: Still excellent. Season continues strong.
- Wildlife: Reindeer in the east. Berry season can draw birds. Seals active.
- Landscape: Peak green shifting to early autumn tones. Highlands still spectacular.
What's Open & Closed
AvailableCheck first— possible, not guaranteedClosed
- Highland roadsCheck first
The season is still on, but monitor conditions — early closures possible.
- Ice cavesCheck first
Vatnajökull's natural ice caves are closed for the season. Guided tours to the Katla ice cave and the Langjökull ice tunnel run year-round.
- WestfjordsCheck first
Check road conditions on road.is before you drive.
- CampgroundsAvailable
Open, some starting to close late month.
- Swimming poolsAvailable
Almost all are open.
- OtherCheck first
Major attractions generally accessible; roads can close in storms.
Recommended Routes
What to Pack
Similar to July but add a warmer layer for evenings. Late August nights can be cool. If chasing late-August northern lights, bring a tripod.
8 Days in Iceland in August
- Day 1
Arrive → Reykjavík.
- Day 2
Golden Circle → Hella.
- Day 3
Landmannalaugar (F-road, 4x4 required) → back to Hella.
- Day 4
South Coast → Dyrhólaey (last puffins) → Reynisfjara → Vík.
- Day 5
Jökulsárlón → Diamond Beach → Höfn.
- Day 6
East fjords → Egilsstaðir.
- Day 7
Dettifoss → Mývatn → Akureyri.
- Day 8
Fly from Akureyri or drive back to Reykjavík.
Budget Snapshot
Crowds & Pricing
Still peak season through mid-August, then prices may start to soften. Late August is a sweet spot — summer conditions with demand often a little lower.
August is the month that gives you everything with a hint of nostalgia. The summer is winding down — you can feel it in the cooler evenings and the slightly earlier sunsets — but Iceland is still very much in its prime. The highland season is on, the waterfalls are flowing, and the landscape is that deep saturated green that only weeks of midnight sun can produce.
The berries are the unexpected August bonus. Wild blueberries (bláber) ripen across the countryside, and Icelanders head out to pick them on weekends. Pull over on almost any road in the south or east, walk a few meters into the scrubby heath, and you'll find bushes heavy with fruit. It's one of those small pleasures that makes Iceland feel less like a destination and more like a place.
Late August is when the sky starts reclaiming its darkness, and with it comes the first whisper of northern lights season. The displays in late August are faint and brief, but they're a thrilling preview of what's to come. If you happen to be in Iceland during the last week of August on a clear night, look north.
Frequently asked question
Can you see northern lights in August?
Possibly in very late August. As nights darken, faint northern lights become possible around August 25–31 on clear, dark nights. They're not reliable, but they're a bonus if you're lucky.