When is the Best Time of Year to Visit Iceland on a Cruise?
Written by Blue Water Holidays - Thursday 19th June 2025
The land of ice and fire is a wondrous destination that beckons travellers to its otherworldly landscapes. Where cascading waterfalls, erupting geysers, and the spectacular Northern Lights await, it’s a European destination like no other that promises not only incredible natural phenomena but fascinating Nordic culture and history.
But, being in the northern hemisphere close to the Arctic Circle, it’s understandable that the weather in Iceland can often be unpredictable and unfavourable. In fact, there’s a phrase that locals use often: “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!”, something that travellers would be wise to bear in mind.
And by embarking on a cruise in Iceland, this is one of the best ways to experience every element that makes this island so special in one convenient expedition around its waters. But you’ll want to ensure that you’re picking the right time to explore the country based on your preferences and priorities.
After all, choosing the right time of year to visit Iceland isn’t just down to its seasonal weather and climate, as there are months throughout the year that individually promise some of the best conditions to experience the country’s sights in their prime.
That’s why, in this article, we’ve analysed when the best time of year to visit Iceland on an expedition cruise is for you. Whether you’re chasing the aurora borealis or want to visit the island’s spectacular natural landmarks, discover the best time for your Iceland adventure.
When is the Cruise Season in Iceland?
Iceland’s cruise season typically runs from May to September. This period offers the best conditions for cruising in Iceland, aligning with the country’s longer daylight hours, milder weather, and calmer seas.
Cruisers can expect much more comfortable cruising conditions during this period, with some of the best opportunities to experience Iceland’s scenic landscapes at their most vibrant and natural landmarks in all of their glory.
June, July, and August see the most visitors to Iceland on a cruise, with many cruise ships arriving in popular ports including Akureyri, Reykjavík, and Ísafjörǒur. These months also experience the ‘midnight sun’ in Iceland, offering the maximum amount of daylight hours possible, so you’re not limited when it comes to exploring the country during on-shore excursions and late-night expeditions.
If you’re looking for a quieter time of the year to visit Iceland, though, visiting during its shoulder/off-season months like May and September is favourable. At these times of year, wildlife is particularly active, too, with animals like puffins, whale species, and seabirds often making an appearance!
Iceland in Spring (May)
As winter loosens its cold grip on Iceland, spring rolls around, a season of transformation on the island. With its frozen landscapes beginning to thaw, days growing longer, and nature slowly reawakening from its slumber, the season is a fantastic time for many travellers to discover the beauty of Iceland.
With the cruise season in Iceland beginning at the end of Spring in May, when the weather is much more favourable and summer draws nearer, here’s what you can expect during a visit to Iceland at this time of year:
Climate and Weather in Iceland in Spring
Spring can be considered the best time of year to visit Iceland if you want to be able to explore the island’s natural landscapes more freely in a more comfortable climate, but avoid the crowds of summer. With temperatures in Iceland reaching 9°C in May, the country’s climate is mild and very comfortable compared to its frostier winter season.
The snow gradually melts in much of Iceland’s landscapes throughout spring, revealing delicate and beautiful flowers across its remote regions. And, with daylight hours rapidly increasing from 12 hours in March to nearly 17 hours by May, it’s the perfect opportunity to get out in nature and experience this.
While spring weather in Iceland is more favourable than winter, we’d still recommend packing your waterproof clothing and layers to wrap up warm for any rainy or colder days that you may encounter.
What to Do in Iceland in Spring
If you’re seeking fewer crowds and unparalleled natural experiences, this shoulder season period promises incredible opportunities to experience some of Iceland’s most popular and exciting attractions at their best:
Venture on a Golden Circle Tour
The Golden Circle, one of Iceland’s most spectacular routes, is home to a selection of impressive natural phenomena. And spring offers a fantastic time to embark on this iconic route, with fewer tour buses and more manageable weather than winter, so you can fully appreciate its many wonders, which include the Geysir Geothermal Area, the mighty Gullfoss Waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park.
Discover Reykjavik's Cultural Scene
For culture enthusiasts, the best time to visit Reykjavik is often in the spring, when the city slowly but surely springs back to life following the long winter. Its charming streets filled with colourful hut buildings begin to buzz with locals, and you’ll find many art galleries, local museums, and bars back in full swing during this season, offering an opportunity to experience its unique culture authentically.
Events and Festivals in Iceland in Spring
Easter Celebrations
Iceland celebrates Easter with traditional Nordic charm, with locals each year looking forward to the five-day national holiday, which has special church services, family gatherings, and the tradition of Easter egg hunts that are filled with candy.
DesignMarch
DesignMarch is an annual festival of design and architecture held annually in April in Iceland. Taking place in Reykjavik, the event showcases Iceland's incredible creative talent, transforming the city into a celebration of Nordic design, architecture, and innovation, with everything from food design to fashion and even furniture, with exciting international names even making an appearance.
Summer in Iceland (June to August)
Welcoming the country’s peak tourist season, it’s no wonder that summer is such a popular time of year to visit Iceland. With enhanced daylight hours and the warmest temperatures of the year, what’s not to love?
Climate and Weather in Iceland in Summer
For those visiting the country for the first time, we’d argue that summer is the best time to visit Iceland due to its more consistent and comfortable climate. Particularly if you’re keen to visit its many outdoor landmarks during cruise excursions, summer is your best bet.
Ranging from 10°C to 15°C on average, summer temperatures in Iceland are pleasant, and, in some cases, temperatures can even reach highs of 20°C, if you’re lucky! Month by month, June sees average temperatures of around 11°C, July peaks at about 13°C, which is the country’s warmest month, and August typically averages at 12°C.
While the temperatures during summer in Iceland are favourable, to say the least, you’ll also encounter more daylight hours during this season. Iceland experiences the ‘midnight sun’, a phenomenon where it has nearly 24 hours of daylight in June and July. So, you’re certainly not confined by limited daylight when you’re out exploring Iceland’s landscapes!
When it comes to rainfall in summer in Iceland, this is often moderate, and when it does rain, showers are typically brief as opposed to heavy downpours.
What to Do in Iceland in Summer
As we’ve already mentioned, summer is the best time for Iceland exploration and adventures in its natural landscapes. So, we’ve rounded up a few of the best things to do in Iceland during this season if you’re in need of some inspiration:
Go Whale Watching
Summer is undeniably the best time of year to visit Iceland for whale watching! During the summer months, Iceland’s waters are teeming with marine life, from minke whales to humpbacks and orcas, and you might even be in with a chance of sighting a blue whale, if luck is on your side!
Húsavík, regularly referred to as Europe's whale watching capital, is a fantastic destination to visit on an Iceland cruise, offering incredible opportunities to spot some of the aforementioned whale species, as well as dolphins, with increased daylight hours and better weather on your side during summer!
Island Hopping Adventures
The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) are accessible year-round on cruises to Iceland, but summer offers the best conditions for exploring these incredibly beautiful volcanic isles.
The archipelago has an extreme and unique landscape that photography enthusiasts will be bowled over by. For wildlife lovers, puffin season takes place from May to August, meaning you might be able to spot these adorable orange-beaked birds nesting on nearby cliffs while you cruise past shorelines!
Events and Festivals in Iceland in Summer
Reykjavik Culture Night
Held annually on the first Saturday after August 18th, Reykjavík Culture Night transforms Reykjavík into a giant celebration, with museums open late, concerts, street performances, and fireworks illuminating the night sky, all to celebrate the city’s community and culture.
Viking Festival
Taking place in Hakarfjörǒur, during the second weekend of June every year, the Viking Festival showcases Iceland’s rich Viking heritage. Visitors can enjoy amazing events and experiences hosted by Rimmugýgur, the country’s largest Viking club, with Viking reenactments, traditional crafts, and authentic Viking feasts.
Autumn in Iceland (September)
Cooling down towards the winter season, autumn offers a middle ground between Iceland’s coldest and warmest times of year. It is a transitional period in which travellers can experience the country’s natural beauty at arguably its most dramatic, with significantly fewer crowds than summertime.
The cruise season in Iceland typically ends in September, offering cruisers the opportunity to experience the best of this off-season period before the harsh winter season rolls around.
Climate and Weather in Iceland in Autumn
Autumn represents the Icelandic off-season in terms of crowds, but it's far from off-season when you consider the spectacular natural beauty it has in store! In fact, plenty of seasoned travellers consider autumn the best time of year to visit Iceland for the ideal balance between dramatic scenery and accessibility, with the country’s weather being more than manageable, too.
Temperatures in autumn in Iceland sit at roughly 9°C, gradually cooling down towards winter. Because autumn is a transitional season, visitors can expect the weather in Iceland to be much less predictable, and on some days, to have an increased chance of rain and wind. But, even if you do get a storm in autumn, this often creates some of the country’s most dramatic and photogenic conditions!
Daylight hours in autumn decrease from roughly 15 hours in September to 7 hours in November, but this means you can spend your evenings doing nighttime activities in Iceland, like Northern Lights hunting!
What to Do in Iceland in Autumn
Autumn, much like other seasons, offers its own unique experiences that make it one of the best months to go to Iceland, especially for photographers and aurora chasers. Here are a couple of the top things you can do during your visit to the country:
Chase the Northern Lights
September marks the beginning of the Aurora Borealis season - a natural phenomenon on the majority of travellers’ bucket lists! Given its close proximity to the Arctic Circle, Iceland offers some of the world's best Northern Lights viewing conditions, and with autumn’s long, dark nights and often clear skies, visitors typically have the ideal conditions to sight them!
Photograph the Autumn Colours
During autumn, Iceland’s colours shift to warm, golden hues that make exploring its landscapes more picturesque than any other season. Alongside traditional fall foliage, autumn has its own palette of colours that travellers can witness in its landscapes, including russet moss, golden grasses, and dramatic storm clouds. For photographers, it’s a paradise!
Events and Festivals in Iceland in Autumn
Iceland Airwaves
This world-renowned music festival takes place in November every year in Reykjavik, showcasing both international acts and Iceland's incredible local music scene. For music lovers and those seeking an exhilarating experience, this musical playground is a must-visit!
Reykjavik International Film Festival
Taking place from September to October, Reykjavík International Film Festival is held annually and lasts 11 days. It emphasises young talents in the area of film and television, and celebrates cinema from around the world, with unique screenings in-store.
Summary
So, when is the best time of year to visit Iceland? The answer depends entirely on what you want to experience the most! Each season offers its own unique magic during an Iceland cruise, from summer’s prime whale watching conditions to autumn’s northern lights viewings!
In our opinion, there’s truly no wrong time to explore the fascinating land of fire and ice. Oozing with fantastic events, spectacular scenery, beautiful wildlife, and cultural hubs, you’re promised unforgettable experiences year-round. Our advice? Get ready to bundle up and have a good ponder about when you’d prefer to explore this unforgettable destination!
Ready to embark on an Iceland cruise adventure? Browse our growing selection of Iceland cruises, with the perfect itinerary for every traveller. In need of some support? Get in touch with our team today for some expert advice and guidance to bring you one step closer to booking the perfect Iceland cruise.