The lure of the Northern Lights is a major driver for tourism in Iceland outside of the summer months and so those who come at this time of year will be keen to maximise their chances of seeing the aurora. We’d suggest you build in a tour to the Aurora Basecamp early on during your trip which will enable you to better understand this natural phenomenon as well as give you the chance to see them first-hand.

Find out more with our guide to why you should consider a visit to Aurora Basecamp

What is Aurora Basecamp?

Aurora Basecamp is a permanent group of geodesic domes that have been set up on a north-facing site in the Reykjanes Peninsula. This orientation, together with the dark surroundings of this isolated spot, helps to maximise your chances of sighting the Northern Lights despite being within easy reach of Reykjavik.

The domes have been set up as a visitor experience. Inside the main dome, there’s a wood burner that’s ideal for warming up chilly hands when you come in from the outdoor seating area. Even though there’s a campfire, the indoor area will feel much warmer. Tables and sheepskin-draped chairs provide a comfortable space for socialising over a cup of hot chocolate as you wait for the Northern Lights to make an appearance.

What happens during your tour to Aurora Basecamp?

Reykjavik Excursions’ feeder minibuses pick you up from a stop in Reykjavik that’s convenient to where you are staying. These minibuses converge on the BSÍ Bus Terminal from where you’ll depart for the Reykjanes Peninsula, just as you would if you’ve booked the FlyBus service to and from the airport .

On arrival at Aurora Basecamp you’ll head inside one of the geodesic domes to check in. If the aurora is already dancing outside, your host will invite you to step out onto the wooden boardwalks so you can view the sky more easily. There’s a campfire with some bench seating should you wish to sit down, though most people prefer to stroll to the end of the boardwalk beside the lava field as this is the darkest spot.

How you choose to spend your evening at Aurora Basecamp is totally flexible and you can move outdoors or back inside as often as you like. Staff members from Aurora Basecamp close up around midnight. Your driver remains on site in the car park throughout your visit, so as soon as everyone is ready to return to the city, you will make your way back.

The Dark Park experience at Aurora Basecamp

Either as soon as you arrive or when there’s a lull in the action, guests will be escorted into an adjacent geodesic dome for a 15 minute presentation which is branded the Dark Park experience. This is when you’ll learn about the science behind the aurora and why it appears in different colours and shapes. They’ve even recreated the aurora within plasma tubes so you can get an idea of how it manifests in different ways.

Comfortably seated, you’ll also listen to information about the different types of aurora forecasts and indices. Your host will run through the pros and cons of each as well as tell you what other factors will improve your chances of a sighting, such as which direction to face and what type of weather conditions are best. Then it’s back outside to practice what you’ve learnt.

What advantages does a visit to Aurora Basecamp have over regular Northern Lights tours?

Much of the language used in written articles about going in search of the Northern Lights involves movement. You’ll have seen it described as hunts, chases and so on. However, on nights when conditions are right, the aurora borealis can be seen over a vast area, so basing yourself in one place means that you can concentrate your focus on the sky rather than making the evening about the journey.

According to research by Aurora Basecamp, statistically, the Reykjanes Peninsula is the best place within easy reach of Reykjavik for encountering clear skies. Yet Aurora Basecamp is also far enough from the light pollution of the capital and its surroundings to be dark enough to see the Northern Lights properly when they do show up.

Another major advantage of the Aurora Basecamp experience is the setup itself. To see the Northern Lights at their best requires clear skies, but the absence of cloud means that there’s nothing to trap heat and so the temperatures can plummet. The presence of a campfire is a real bonus and you’ll find people gravitate towards it during the evening.

This campfire, coupled with the ability to pop in and out of the heated geodesic dome for a cup of hot chocolate whenever you wish, makes this one of the most comfortable ways to witness the Northern Lights in Iceland. It also makes this a great option if you’re travelling with children as the little ones won’t get too cold. The relatively short transfer time also makes this family-friendly.

Is it worth visiting Aurora Basecamp if you’ve already seen the Northern Lights?

If you’ve already been lucky enough to witness the Northern Lights, whether in Iceland or elsewhere, you might be wondering why you should bother with Aurora Basecamp. But there are several reasons why it’s still a must-do during your stay:

• Listening to the scientific explanation for why the aurora borealis happens will give you a deeper appreciation for this natural phenomenon • No matter how many times you see the Northern Lights, they’re always different, so no two experiences are the same – the magic never fades • The comfortable surroundings coupled with having knowledgeable guides on hand to answer any questions makes this the ideal way to wait for the aurora
• Booking our tour means you don’t have to worry about driving on wintry roads which may be especially icy late at night • Tours run nightly throughout the aurora season, from autumn to spring, so it’s easy to free up a slot in your itinerary

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What should you bring to Aurora Basecamp?

Even though it’s possible to spend the entire evening inside should you choose to, the best viewings of the aurora if it shows up are from outside. That means you’ll need to dress for being outside on a cold night – pull on plenty of layers including thermal base layers, wool or fleece jumpers and a thick coat that fits over the top. Don’t forget your extremities – a hat, gloves and warm socks are essential.

You will also be glad you’ve brought a tripod which will help keep your camera stable while you photograph the Northern Lights. Even if you plan to use a smartphone – and you can get some great images with the most up to date phones – being able to keep the camera steady for longer periods of time will give you more colourful images of the aurora borealis. If you forget, rest your camera (or shoulder) against the edge of the geodesic dome.

You might also consider bringing a small torch which can be useful for checking camera settings. However thanks to the campfire and dim glow coming from the transparent side of the geodesic domes there’s just enough ambient light. That means once your eyes have adjusted you should be able to see sufficiently well without it.

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