
Iceland in Summer
Troll team
Summer in Iceland is a magical time when Icelandic landscapes are exhibiting all the best that the country has to offer. The weather is nicer, sunnier, and less windy than during the other seasons. Icelanders and visitors alike enjoy the good weather and Icelandic nature to the fullest during this time but that′s also because the sunlight is there for longer time than in other places.
Why You Should Visit
The Midnight Sun
This is because of the Midnight Sun in Iceland but due to its northern latitude the sun barely sets in Iceland during summer. For example, in Reykjavik it will not get dark at night from May 21 until July 30. In Northern Iceland and in the Westfjords the sun is visible for 24 hours straight. In Reykjavik, the sun does set below the horizon on summer solstice. June 21st, but only for two hours, so people travelling around Iceland can see well during the whole night. In Reykjavík and the South Coast, the sun is visible in the sky for more than 21 hours in the middle of summer. Therefore, many people use the opportunity to travel long into the night looking at Iceland’s nature. So, we recommend also getting some sleep once in a while.
One perfect activity to do when the sun is out is to visit the Golden Circle. You can take our tour where you will visit the classic three places of the waterfall Gullfoss, the famous Geysir and Thingvellir National Park. You will also get to go to the volcanic crater Kerid and try homemade ice cream from the local farm Efstidalur, free of charge. All of it will be made under perfect for the Icelandic sun.
Sheep… So Many Sheep… Everywhere
When driving around Iceland it′s very likely you will pass by some sheep. In some places in Iceland, like the Westfjords and the countryside of the South Coast, the sheep will seem almost more than the people living there. They might also seem very used to drivers and might stay right next to the road, but when you drive past them, they might take off suddenly. We encourage visitors to be extremely careful when driving on our roads. This is especially true of ewes (female sheep) with their lambs. The ewe might be on one side of the road and the lambs on the other side, then it′s very likely the lambs will try to run towards their mom when a car is approaching.
It is extremely important to drive with caution on the roads to carefully admire the sheep and their cute little lambs. Don’t forget that the speed limit on Icelandic roads is 90km/h (around 56 mph).
Puffins and Wild Birdlife
Iceland is known for the Puffin, this cute and colorful seabird that resides close to the North Atlantic Ocean in summer. In Iceland they usually dwell in the Westman Islands and other islands and cliffs close to the ocean. The best chances to see a puffin is to go the Westman Islands but it is also possible to see in West of Iceland, in the Snaefellsnes peninsula and in the island Grimsey which also passes the Arctic Circle.
If you want to travel with the Trolls, we offer a great tour to the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Our tour takes you to all the cliffs and small fishing villages around the peninsula, without forgetting about the glacier Snaefellsjokull which gives it name to the peninsula. A popular stop there is also the Kirkjufell Mountain, known for its appearance in the Game of Thrones show and also known as the “Arrowhead Mountain”. This excursion is also good for seeing the birdlife in Iceland, especially in May and June when the birds are laying eggs in their nests. Read all about the tour here.
Chances to See Whales
Another unique feature of the Icelandic summer is the possibility to see whales all around Iceland. The main whale-watching capital is Husavik in the North of Iceland. Tours from there are available from May to November. There is also a whale museum in the center of the town. Another family friendly spot for whale watching is Akureyri, which is often called the Capital of the North, the ocean near Akureyri is calmer than in Husavik which makes it perfect for families that want to go whale-watching. Tours leaving from Akureyri are available the whole year around.
If you don′t have time to travel so far up north, there are many whale-watching companies also leaving Reykjavík all year around. The capital of Iceland is conveniently located close to the bay Faxafloi. For that reason, most tours will only take 3 hours leaving from Reykjavík. That offers the convenience that if a tour is cancelled due to weather or a tour has no whales showing themselves, you get to join another tour for free.
Then in the Snaefellsnes peninsula there are tours leaving from Olafsvik, but that fishing village is a stop on the Troll tour to Snaefellsnes. Olafsvik is the best spot to see orcas in Iceland so it′s highly recommendable if you are interested in that species. Tours leaving from Olafsvik are available from 15th of March to 15th of September, if you are driving yourself around the peninsula.
Perfect Conditions to Walk on the Glaciers
Summer in Iceland are the perfect conditions to go walking on glaciers in Iceland. The Trolls are glacier experts and operate in two glaciers in Iceland, Solheimajokull and Vatnajokull and its glacier outlets in Skaftafell. From Reykjavik you can join us on a tour that takes you to see highlights of the South Coast, such as the waterfalls Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss along with the Black Sand Beach. This tour also takes on to Solheimajokull, all in one day! Read more about it (here).
The natural phenomena of ice caves is to be found in many places in Iceland, but usually they are not accessible during summer. Luckily, we offer tours to Katla Ice Cave the whole year around, including the summer months. So, don′t miss out on this opportunity, it′s not often the view is this spectacular.
For those who crave glacier adventures, there is no place better than Vatnajökull, the Trolls offer tours of different difficulty. The easiest tour is three hours and perfect for beginners. Read more about it (here).
Then there is a moderately difficult ice climbing tour that takes around 4 hours and a bit more challenging 5-hour glacier hiking tour. Both tours take place in Falljokull glacier, a glacial tongue of Vatnajokull. Read more about our Ice Climbing and Glacier Hike in Skaftafell here. Read more about our Glacier Hiking 5-hour from Skaftafell here… our most popular tour!
Explore the beautiful South Coast of Iceland, and hike on one of Iceland’s last remaining glaciers during this unforgettable 12-hour adventure trip in the South of Iceland.
Explore the unique ice formations of Vatnajökull, Europe's largest glacier, on a guided walk. This tour offers a direct experience with a constantly changing landscape. You will see deep crevasses, vertical shafts known as moulins, and potentially an ice cave. Your guide will also point out rare features like glacier mice, a type of moss found on the ice. This hike provides an opportunity to witness the immense scale of the glacier and its uniquely carved landscapes up close.
Join a guided glacier hike on Falljökull, an outlet glacier of Vatnajökull National Park. The tour begins at our comfortable meeting point in Hof, located very close to the glacier. Our indoor facility is cozy and offers free parking, which allows you to avoid the parking fees charged at the Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to meet your highly qualified English glacier guide. All essential safety gear is provided, including a helmet, crampons, harness, and ice axe.
After a short ride on the "Tröll Bus," you will walk a short distance to the edge of the glacier. Your guide will demonstrate how to use the equipment and how to safely walk on the ice. During the walk, you'll observe how the receding ice has shaped the surrounding landscape, noting visible marks on the bedrock and a lagoon formed by meltwater.
The tour guarantees 1 hour and 30 minutes on the ice, with an additional 10-minute shuttle ride each way. The remaining time is allocated for a safety briefing and a 20-minute walk on a gravel path to the glacier tongue. Your guide will provide information about the glacier's geology and its impact on the Icelandic environment. This tour is designed to be an educational experience, offering a factual look at a natural phenomenon.
This hike is suitable for most individuals with a reasonable fitness level. Participants should wear warm, layered clothing and sturdy footwear.After returning to the meeting point, enjoy a complimentary hot drink (coffee/hot chocolate) and a candy bar.
Embark on a long hiking adventure on Falljökull, an outlet of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. This tour is an opportunity to explore deep into the ice and witness magnificent features. The higher elevation provides panoramic views over Skaftafell National Park, known for its spectacular scenery featured in major movies and TV shows such as such as James Bond, Interstellar, Batman, and Game of Thrones. This extended experience allows you approximately 3 hours on the ice itself for a truly immersive and unforgettable exploration.
Join our advanced guided hike on Falljökull ("The Falling Glacier") in Skaftafell National Park, Southeast Iceland. This 5-hour tour is designed for guests with a good fitness level who want a longer, more detailed, and demanding adventure on the ice.
Why choose this 5-hour tour? This option is for the adventurous traveler with more time, as it includes extra time on the ice, grants access to wilder terrain, and provides a deeper insight into the glacier’s unique features compared to shorter tours.
The tour begins at our comfortable meeting point in Hof, located very close to the glacier. Our indoor facility is cozy and offers free parking, which allows you to avoid the parking fees charged at the Skaftafell Visitor Centre. Please arrive 20 minutes before departure to meet your highly qualified English glacier guide. All essential safety gear is provided, including a helmet, crampons, harness, and ice axe.
The total tour time includes a guaranteed 3 hours of hiking on the glacier, a 10-minute shuttle ride each way on the “Tröll Bus,” and approximately 20 minutes for the walk on a gravel path to the glacier’s edge, which covers the safety briefing time. Your guide will demonstrate how to safely use the equipment and walk on the ice.
As you hike your guide will explain the geology of Falljökull. You will encounter dramatic ice formations like deep cracks (crevasses) and vertical shafts (moulins). In winter, you may even look into small ice tunnels. From the highest point, you will get to observe, panoramic views of the Skaftafell National Park. Your guide will provide a factual and educational overview of how glaciers are formed, discuss safety, and explain the current impacts of global warming. After returning to the meeting point, enjoy a complimentary hot drink (coffee/hot chocolate) and a candy bar.
The Colorful Lupines
Then in late August, early September you might notice a change in the color of Icelandic nature. Especially in areas close to Reykjavik and where erosion of the soil is prominent, but that′s color purple which comes from the lupine plant that blooms in late summer. This plant was brought to Iceland to help fight erosion in areas where hardly any vegetation survived. This durable plant has since then spread in great numbers, so now some people think of it as an invasion plant taking over other native plants.
However, most people agree that it has helped greatly fighting erosion and therefore contributed to conserve the soil in its place, without the plant the soil would have blown away by the wind instead. The lupine spreads easily with seeds that pop from it after it has bloomed and is therefore observed in big spreads in the landscape in purple color. It certainly puts some color in Icelandic nature.
If you have further questions about the Icelandic summer or what to do in Iceland this summer, don′t hesitate to contact us at Troll Expeditions! We are always eager to help you.