Iceland in November: Northern Lights, Weather, What to Do

In November 47% of nights reached Kp 3 (1996–2026), and Reykjavík averages 2.4°C with 6h37 of daylight and 11h37 of full darkness on the 15th: long nights that start early, so you can watch for the aurora and still be in bed by midnight.

Key takeaways

Three nights in the Reykjavík area give a 52% chance of at least one proper display, or 43% using the more conservative Keflavík figure.
On average 70% of the November sky is covered, and 11 hours of darkness give a 4x4 tour guide time to drive further to clearer sky.
Natural ice caves near Jökulsárlón begin in November, with tours at ISK 19,990–34,900.
From November, plan on the walk behind Seljalandsfoss being closed because of falling ice, and stay well back from the water at Reynisfjara.

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What's special about November

Long nights at a civilised hour: long, but not yet at the midwinter extreme. Dark by about 19:30 means you can go out after dinner, not at midnight.
Short days: sunrise near 10:00 and sunset around 16:30 in mid-month, so sightseeing happens under a low sun.

It's also a month of last chances and first chances.

Last chance

The north's whale watching boats stop at the end of November

First chance

The natural blue ice caves under Vatnajökull begin their season

November in numbers

In short In mid-November Reykjavík has 11h37 of full darkness, an average temperature of 2.4°C and 70% of the sky covered on average, and 47% of nights reach Kp 3.

11h37Full darkness15 Nov, Reykjavík

47%Nights reaching Kp 3

2.4°CAverage temperature

70%Sky covered, on average

Reykjavík. Weather: 1996–2025 averages. Moon times in UTC (Iceland's local time).
What	Figure
Daylight (15 Nov)	09:53 – 16:31 · 6h37
Full darkness (15 Nov)	19:24 – 07:02 · 11h37
Nights reaching Kp 3	47%
Average temperature	2.4°C
Rain and snow	79.5 mm
Sky covered (average)	70%
Sunshine	43 hours
New moon	9 Nov 2026, 07:02
Full moon	24 Nov 2026, 14:54

Aurora odds in November

In short Three nights in Reykjavík give a 52% chance of a proper display and 36% of a strong show, and 10 nights give an 80% chance of a proper display.

Measured from Reykjavík and Keflavík airport weather reports, 2012–2026, matched to the Kp record: the chance of at least one good night if you stay in the Reykjavík area. A proper display is Kp 2 or more plus a clear hour; a strong show is Kp 3 or more plus a clear hour. Keflavík is the conservative figure. Both are slightly optimistic, because the reports miss thin high cloud (how we work it out):

52%Proper display in 3 nights, ReykjavíkKeflavík: 43%

36%Strong show in 3 nights, ReykjavíkKeflavík: 28%

10Nights in Reykjavík for an 80% chance of a proper displayKeflavík: 12

November has Reykjavík's lowest average cloud cover of the winter, 70%, but the difference from other months is small. No month is clear.

The darker half

The new moon on 9 November 2026 makes the first half of the month the darker half; the full moon falls on 24 November.

What to do in November

In short Besides the aurora, November brings the first natural ice caves, winter whale watching from Reykjavík, 4x4 aurora chases and snowmobile-plus-ice-cave tours on Langjökull.

The scalloped blue ice ceiling of a glacier ice cave in Iceland

Natural ice caves begin

ISK 19,990–34,900 · Jökulsárlón

Glacier Adventure's Crystal Ice Cave runs from November, alongside the operators that list October. Summer meltwater carves the caves; in autumn the flow stops and the cold strengthens the ice.

A snowy Reykjavík street at night under orange streetlights, with Hallgrímskirkja lit at the end

Winter whale watching

ISK 14,500 (Elding) · 09:00, 13:00, 15:00

Elding runs three departures a day in November and December from Reykjavík. In 2024 it reported exceptional winter viewing, including in November. Húsavík's boats stop after 30 November.

Green aurora reflected in still water beneath a dark mountain ridge in Iceland

Chase the aurora by 4x4

From Reykjavík · 4x4 vehicle

With 11 hours of darkness, the guide has time to drive further to clearer sky.

Check dates on GetYourGuide

Gullfoss waterfall half-frozen in winter, its canyon walls thick with snow and ice

Snowmobile and ice cave on Langjökull

ISK 37,400 · 4 h from Gullfoss

Mountaineers of Iceland's snowmobile-plus-ice-cave tour starts its season in November. Two riders share each sled; you need a full driving licence to drive.

What's open, what's closed

Open: main roads, the Golden Circle and the south coast, with winter service on the main routes.
Blue Lagoon: open 08:00–22:00.
Sky Lagoon: winter hours, 10:00–21:00.
Closed: from November, plan on the walk behind Seljalandsfoss being closed because of falling ice.
Skógafoss: expect its spray to freeze on the paths.
Reynisfjara: big-swell season runs November to March. Stay well back from the water and obey the warning lights.

What to pack

Everything for October, plus warmer layers:

A proper insulated jacket under or over your shell
Thermal base layers
Warm boots for standing still at night
Microspikes for icy paths at Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss
A power bank: phones die fast in the cold, and you'll be checking the cloud map all evening

Iceland in November: common questions

Is November a good time to see the northern lights in Iceland?

Yes. Nights are long (over 11 hours of full darkness mid-month) and 47% of nights reached Kp 3 over 1996–2026. Cloud is the main risk, as in every month: measured over 2012–2026, three nights in Reykjavík gave a 52% chance of a proper display (43% at Keflavík).

How much daylight is there in Iceland in November?

About 6h37 in Reykjavík on 15 November, from roughly 09:53 to 16:31.

Can you go whale watching in Iceland in November?

Yes. Elding runs three departures a day from Reykjavík. Húsavík's boats stop after 30 November.

When is the new moon in November 2026?

By our calculation, 9 November 2026 at 07:02 UTC. The full moon is on 24 November.

Other months, and planning the trip

Sources (14)