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Summer (May to Sep)
Winter (Oct to Apr)
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| Month. |
Daybreak |
Dusk |
| Jan. |
10:03 |
16:59 |
| Feb. |
09:13 |
18:11 |
| March |
07:46 |
19:35 |
| April |
05:55 |
21:10 |
| May |
03:50 |
23:04 |
| June |
24 hr. |
daylight |
| July |
24 hr. |
daylight |
| Aug. |
03:06 |
23:57 |
| Sept. |
05:17 |
21:35 |
| Oct. |
06:50 |
19:43 |
| Nov. |
08:18 |
18:03 |
| Dec. |
09:36 |
16:57 |
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| The North East |
| With probably more than its share of natural attractions this region is a popular choice with visitors. Fertile famed valleys give way to bleak deserts, cut through by mighty glacial rivers. Lying within the present day volcanic belt, there are an abundance of craters and lava flows and a wealth of other unusual volcanic and geothermal features which are the hallmarks of this part of Iceland. |
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| Lake Myvatn |
Probably Iceland's best known area of natural beauty, Myvatn is a showcase of volcanic oddities, among them pseudocraters, lava pillars, tectonic rifts and craters of all shapes and sizes. At Krafla visitors can walk on lava from recent eruptions which rocked the area from 1975-84. Geothermal activity is prolific and the region's mud pools, solfataras and steam vents are among the most active and vividly coloured on the island. Lush marshlands and pockets of birch forest surround the lake, which is world famous as a breeding ground for wildfowl, including Barrow's goldeneye, harlequin ducks and great northern divers, with breed nowhere else in Europe outside of Iceland. A range of excursions by coach, sightseeing flights by air and walking trails to suit all levels of fitness make the Myvatn area easy to explore. Myvatn is increasingly gaining popularity as an all-season destination and in winter when the lake is frozen over, and the sun low in the sky, the
scenery is still superb.
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| The Jokulsa Canyon & Dettifoss |
| A National Park and area of exceptional interest and beauty, the rugged Jokulsa Canyon was formed during cataclysmic flooding several thousand years ago. At its deepest point, 100m high walls look down on the swirling Jokulsa River, which on its journey northwards flows over three impressive waterfalls: Selfoss (10m), Hafragilsfoss (32m) and thundering 45m Dettifoss, probably Europe's most powerful fall. Waterfalls aside, the canyon has a wonderful array of basalt plugs and columns, quiet hiking trails and dazzling views from its rim. Pretty birch woods shelter many species of flowering plant at Asbyrgi, a horseshoe shaped gorge, whose origin still baffles geologists. |
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| Husavik - the whale watching centre |
| In just over six years, the town of Husavik (pop. 2,500) has become the most popular location for whale watching trips in Europe. The three hour long boat trips take place in Skjalfandi, a sheltered bay backed by spectacular snow-clad mountains. They bay's minke whales are known for their frequent and close approaches to boats, and often playful behaviour, which makes for rewarding encounters. White-beaked dolphin, humpback, and on rare occasions, other species of whale also visit the area, and have delighted whale watchers with their antics. The fishing town also has a beautiful church and Iceland's first Whale Museum, with informative displays that will add to the enjoyment of a whale watching trip. South of Husavik like delightful Godafoss Falls, an uncannily symmetrical waterfall on the powerful Skjalfandi River. |
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| © RTH Sigurdsson |
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Iceland
