March is Iceland in transition. Winter's grip loosens day by day — light floods back in, waterfalls thaw and thunder, and the first hints of spring creep into the lowlands. But don't be fooled: March can throw blizzards one day and sunshine the next. It's unpredictable, affordable, and increasingly popular with travellers who want the best of both seasons.
Weather & Conditions
Daylight
Highlights
- Rapidly growing daylight — more time to explore each day
- Last reliable month for northern lights
- Shoulder season pricing — better than summer, not as cheap as deep winter
- Waterfalls at full power as snow begins melting
- Equinox around March 20th — day and night nearly equal
Warnings
Ice caves closing — many become unstable by mid-March
Roads can still be icy, especially mornings in the north and east
Weather switches rapidly — always have waterproofs accessible
Highland roads still closed until June
Wind at exposed sites (Dyrhólaey, Dettifoss) can be extreme
What You Can See
- Northern lights: Last good month. Early March still has dark enough evenings. By late March, nights are too bright.
- Midnight sun: No.
- Puffins: No — they return in April/May.
- Whales: Whale watching season starting. Húsavík and Reykjavík operators increasing tours.
- Wildlife: Seals basking on beaches as temperatures rise. Icelandic horses shedding winter coats.
- Landscape: A dramatic mix: snow-capped mountains above, thawing waterfalls below. The contrast between winter and spring in a single view.
What's Open & Closed
Recommended Routes
What to Pack
Transitional layering — you need winter gear (down jacket, thermals) AND rain gear. March days can be 10°C in sunshine and -5°C in wind. Pack for both.
5 Days in Iceland in March
- Day 1
Arrive → Reykjanes Peninsula (lava fields, lighthouse, hot springs) → Reykjavík.
- Day 2
Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss. Snorkelling at Silfra if the water doesn't faze you.
- Day 3
South Coast — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss (both thundering with meltwater), Reynisfjara. Overnight Vík.
- Day 4
Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon → Diamond Beach → drive back. Northern lights attempt if early March.
- Day 5
Reykjavík — Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, National Museum, Laugavegur. Depart.
Budget Snapshot
Crowds & Pricing
March is early shoulder season. Prices are rising from winter lows but still 20–30% below summer peaks. Accommodation is easy to find except around Easter if it falls in March.
March is when Iceland can't quite decide what it wants to be, and that indecision is what makes it fascinating. On a Tuesday you might drive the Golden Circle under blue skies with the temperature hitting 8°C, and on Wednesday you're in a whiteout on the road to Vík with the wind pushing your rental car sideways.
What makes March special is the light. After months of winter darkness, daylight is flooding back at an almost aggressive pace. By mid-March, you have 12+ hours of light — enough for a proper South Coast drive with time to linger at Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. Both waterfalls are at peak power in March as snow melts from the highlands above. The spray from Skógafoss in March is thunderous.
If northern lights are on your list, early March is your last shot. The evenings still get dark enough for aurora viewing, and if you time a clear night between the equinox storms, the displays can be remarkable. By late March, the sky doesn't get dark enough.
The equinox (around March 20th) is a quietly significant moment in Iceland. Day and night are almost equal — 12 hours each — and from this point forward, the light wins. Icelanders notice. There's a palpable shift in energy as the country tilts toward spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see the northern lights in March?
Yes, especially in early March. By late March, the nights become too bright for reliable sightings. If northern lights are your priority, aim for the first two weeks of March.
Is March a good time to visit Iceland?
March is excellent — you get growing daylight, shoulder-season prices, powerful waterfalls, and the tail end of northern lights season. Weather is unpredictable, but that's part of the adventure.