Weather & daylight
What to expect when you land in August.
Daylight
16–19 hours (nights slowly darkening)
Temperature
8 to 13°C (46–55°F)
Wind & storms
More variable than July; weather less stable as summer wanes
Precipitation
More rain than July, especially in the east; occasional fog on south coast
The honest picture
Why August works
- Crowds thin after mid-August — noticeably fewer visitors than July
- Prices 10–20% lower than July — better deals on cars, hotels, and flights
- Wild berry foraging — blueberries, crowberries, and bilberries ripe for picking
- Þjóðhátíð festival — Iceland's biggest outdoor cultural celebration on Westman Islands
- First aurora possible — the exciting return of northern lights in late August
- All roads still fully open — complete Highland F-road access remains
What to know before you go
- Still expensive — prices remain well above winter and shoulder season
- Early August still crowded — first two weeks nearly as busy as July
- Puffins departing — numbers decline after mid-August, birds gone by September
- More rain than July — weather becomes less stable as summer wanes
- Fog on south and east coast — can reduce visibility for driving and sightseeing
- Midges still active — Mývatn insects persist through August
What to do in August
The best activities for this time of year, from locals.
Þjóðhátíð Festival
Iceland's largest outdoor festival takes place on the Westman Islands the first weekend of August. A massive gathering in a natural volcanic amphitheater features music, bonfires, fireworks, and Viking-tradition celebrations. Around 15,000 people attend — nearly one in every 25 Icelanders. Ferry tickets and accommodation on the island sell out months in advance.
Wild Berry Foraging
August is berry season across Iceland. Wild blueberries, crowberries, and bilberries ripen on hillsides and moorlands. Foraging is free and legal on open land. The south coast between Vík and Skaftafell, the area around Mývatn, and the slopes of Snæfellsnes Peninsula are particularly productive. Bring a small container and enjoy.
Whale Watching
Whale watching remains excellent through August with high sighting rates. Humpbacks are still common near Húsavík, though numbers begin to thin toward month's end. The slightly lower prices and smaller crowds compared to July make August a smart choice for whale watching tours. Late August occasionally brings the first minkes of the pre-autumn migration.
Highland Hiking
All Highland F-roads remain open through August. The Laugavegur trail, Fimmvörðuháls, and Askja caldera route are all accessible. Late August is a sweet spot — F-roads are open, weather is relatively settled, and hut bookings are slightly easier to get than in July. The highland landscapes are lush green, with lakes and rivers at full volume.
First Aurora Sightings
By mid-to-late August, nights are dark enough for the first faint aurora displays after months of midnight sun. This is one of August's most exciting bonuses — the surprise return of the northern lights after summer. Sightings are not reliable but are increasingly possible from around August 20. Head to dark rural areas and check vedur.is.
Hot Springs & Swimming
August's mild temperatures make outdoor geothermal bathing particularly pleasant. The Reykjadalur hot river is excellent in August with a warm but not too hot stream. The wild hot springs in the Westfjords at Reykjanes (not to be confused with the peninsula near Keflavik) offer a remote bathing experience. Sky Lagoon and the Blue Lagoon are less busy than July.
Events & festivals
What's happening across Iceland in August.
Þjóðhátíð (Westman Islands National Festival)
First weekend of August
Iceland's biggest outdoor festival held on the Westman Islands. Tens of thousands gather in the Herjólfsdalur valley for three days of music, dancing, bonfires, and fireworks. The volcanic setting surrounded by cliffs and ocean is spectacular. Book ferry tickets and island accommodation many months in advance.
Verslunarmannahelgi (Commerce Weekend)
First weekend of August
The long weekend around August 1 (first Monday in August) is Iceland's biggest summer holiday. Icelanders head to the countryside, festivals pop up across the country, and highland camping reaches peak activity. Reykjavik becomes temporarily quiet while the rest of Iceland comes alive.
Practical tips
Key things to know before you travel in August.
Visit after August 15 for noticeably smaller crowds and slightly lower prices
Ferry tickets to the Westman Islands for Þjóðhátíð festival sell out months in advance
Bring a foraging container — wild berries are free and abundant
Check vedur.is from mid-August onward for the first aurora opportunities
Book Laugavegur trail hut spaces as far in advance as possible — August is busy
Pack for wetter weather than July — more rain gear needed from mid-August
Midges at Mývatn are still present — bring a midge head net
Puffin viewing is best in early August; by month's end numbers are declining rapidly