Weather & daylight
What to expect when you land in May.
Daylight
18–21 hours (approaching midnight sun)
Temperature
4 to 9°C (39–48°F)
Wind & storms
Variable — can still be stormy but often mild and pleasant
Precipitation
Rain and wind common; weather improving but still changeable
The honest picture
Why May works
- Near-midnight sun — 18–21 hours of daylight for exploring
- Puffins nesting — reliable viewing from mid-May onward
- Peak waterfall flow — snowmelt creates the most powerful cascades
- Wildflowers blooming — lupins, Arctic thyme, and buttercups
- Pre-summer prices — 20–30% cheaper than peak July rates
- Whale watching season begins — humpbacks and minkes near Húsavík
What to know before you go
- No northern lights — nights are too bright for aurora
- Highland F-roads still closed — Landmannalaugar and Askja open only in late June
- Sleep disruption — near-constant daylight can affect rest
- Variable weather — rain and wind remain common
- Prices climbing — not as cheap as winter or early spring
- Some highland hikes inaccessible — top interior routes still closed
What to do in May
The best activities for this time of year, from locals.
Puffin Watching at Nesting Colonies
From mid-May, hundreds of thousands of puffins are reliably at their Icelandic nesting colonies. The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) and Látrabjarg cliffs in the Westfjords offer the most spectacular viewing. Boat tours around the Westman Islands put you right among the birds. By late May the colonies are in full swing.
Waterfalls at Peak Flow
May is the peak month for waterfall power in Iceland. Highland snowmelt feeds the rivers to their maximum volume. Gullfoss, Dettifoss, Skógafoss, and Dynjandi in the Westfjords are all at their most thundering. The combination of high flow and spring green in the surrounding landscape creates exceptional photography.
Whale Watching
May marks the start of peak whale watching season near Húsavík in north Iceland, with humpback and minke whale sighting rates climbing rapidly. Tours also depart from Reykjavik and Ólafsvík. Success rates in May are good — typically 80–95% — at a fraction of summer crowds. Tours cost 10,000–13,000 ISK (65–90 EUR).
Wildflowers & Lupins
May brings lupins into bloom, turning large swaths of the Icelandic lowlands vivid purple. Arctic thyme, buttercups, and mountain avens also appear. The contrast between purple lupin fields and snow-capped mountains is one of May's most distinctive sights. Photographers flock to the south coast and Snæfellsnes for these compositions.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula
May is excellent for Snaefellsnes with long days and improving weather. Kirkjufell mountain, the Snæfellsjökull glacier, Arnarstapi sea cliffs, and the Búðir black church are all accessible. With 18–21 hours of daylight you can take your time and even catch dramatic evening light at 10pm.
Hiking & Hot Springs
Lower-elevation hiking trails are accessible in May as snow melts. The Reykjadalur hot river near Hveragerði is in excellent condition with a pleasant walk in. The Fimmvörðuháls pass between Þórsmörk and Skógar opens in late May when conditions allow. Landmannalaugar remains closed until mid-June to July.
Events & festivals
What's happening across Iceland in May.
Sumardagurinn fyrsti (First Day of Summer)
First Thursday after April 19 (late April or early May)
Icelanders celebrate the traditional first day of summer on the first Thursday after April 19, which often falls in late April or early May. Public holiday with parades, sports events, and outdoor celebrations. One of the most distinctly Icelandic public celebrations.
Puffin Season Opens
Mid-May onward
By mid-May, Atlantic puffin colonies across Iceland are in full swing. The Westman Islands are the most accessible major colony, reachable by ferry from Landeyjahöfn. Boat tours offer close-up views of the comical seabirds among the coastal cliffs.
Practical tips
Key things to know before you travel in May.
Bring a sleep mask or blackout curtains — 18–21 hours of daylight will disrupt sleep
May is one of the best value months: pre-season prices but summer-quality experiences
Book whale watching tours in Húsavík well ahead — the season is just starting
Lupins are at their most vivid in late May — plan for south coast photography
F-roads to Landmannalaugar and Askja do not open until late June at earliest
Weather can still be cold and rainy — pack waterproof layers
Ferry to the Westman Islands from Landeyjahöfn takes 35 minutes — book in advance
Sunset in late May is around 11pm — carry a phone with offline maps for late hikes