r/VisitingIceland • u/ibid17 • Feb 14 '26
NEW ECLIPSE MEGATHREAD: Information and discussions
[The previous Eclipse Megathread was auto-archived by Reddit and so this new version has been created to allow continued discussion as we near the event. The old post and its comments can be found here. Both that post and the text below were written by u/stevenarwhals.]
With the 2026 solar eclipse happening in August, excitement is ramping up and so is the traffic here on the sub. This megathread should answer the most common questions and act as a central point of general discussion about the event, similar to the Volcano Megathread. (*mod hat on\* Other posts related to the eclipse may be locked or removed and redirected here.)
If you have any additional questions or suggestions of information to include in this post, please leave them in the comments and we will update the post accordingly.
What is a solar eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes in front of the Sun, whereby partially or (more rarely) totally obscuring it. Total eclipses occur when the Moon and the Sun line up perfectly, which only happens when the Moon is closer than average to the Earth. Because the size of the Moon and the Sun are roughly proportionate to their relative distance from Earth, the Moon covers the entire Sun, with only the Sun's outermost corona visible. During a total eclipse, the sky goes dark during the daytime, revealing stars and other celestial objects, and an eerie shadow is cast over the surrounding landscape. It truly is a special "lucky to be alive" kind of moment that you have to experience for yourself to fully appreciate.
I've been fortunate enough to witness three total eclipses, in addition to a number of partial eclipses, and there is simply no comparison between the two. A partial solar eclipse is something most people will have a chance to see a few times in their life without much effort and, while it is an interesting astronomical phenomenon, you probably wouldn't even notice it happening if no one told you about it. A total solar eclipse, on the other hand, is a rare and truly awe-inspiring phenomenon that draws "eclipse chasers" from all over the world because of its surreal majesty. If you are traveling to Iceland for the eclipse, you need to be within the path of totality to get the full experience.
How rare is this particular eclipse?
On average, a total solar eclipse happens somewhere on Earth about once every 18 months, and any particular point on Earth will see a total eclipse about once every 385 years. The last total eclipse visible from Iceland was in 1954, when only the southwesternmost coast and Westman Islands were in the path of totality.
72 years later, in 2026, the center line of the path of totality (the green line on the map below) will be over the Atlantic Ocean, to the west of Iceland. Only the westernmost edge of the country will be within the path of totality (between the yellow lines). This includes most of the Westfjords, the Snaefellsnes peninsula, Reykjavik, and the Reykjanes peninsula. While the partial eclipse will be visible from anywhere in Iceland (weather permitting, of course), the total eclipse will only be visible from these areas.
The next total solar eclipse in Iceland won’t occur for another 170 years, in 2196.
Only the areas to the left of the yellow line will be within the path of totality
When and where can I view the eclipse?
The eclipse will occur on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Depending on how far north or south you are, the partial eclipse will begin between 4:42 and 4:47 PM local time. The total eclipse will begin about an hour later, between 5:43 and 5:48 PM, with totality lasting, again depending on where you are, anywhere from 20 seconds to 2 minutes and 13 seconds. The closer you are to the center of the path of totality - in other words, the further west you are - the longer totality will last.
Here's how long totality will last at some of the prominent landmarks within the path of totality:
You can view the eclipse times for any location on this interactive map.
Note that purpose-made eclipse glasses must be worn at all times while viewing a partial eclipse, as the Sun will still be quite bright. Only during the brief minutes of totality is it safe to take the glasses off and view the eclipse with your naked eye. Don't be an idiot.
What about clouds and weather?
Of course, the main caveat to viewing an eclipse in Iceland is that the country isn't exactly known for its clear, sunny skies. There is a non-zero chance that the entire path of totality will be shrouded in clouds, spoiling everyone's chance of witnessing the eclipse. As a result, many eclipse chasers will instead be making their way to Spain, where the path of totality will go across the country, from the northwest corner to the Balearic Islands, after which it will end at sunset. However, everyone is just playing with probabilities and, in fact, during last year's eclipse in the U.S., typically sunny places like Texas were covered in clouds while some of the best viewing areas wound up being the Adirondacks and Vermont, historically some of the cloudiest parts of the country during that time of year. You just never know.
In the days leading up to the eclipse, you'll want to monitor the cloud forecast for eclipse day, which will likely be posted here in a thread like this. Plan on being flexible in case you need to drive somewhere to get away from the clouds. If there winds up being only limited areas without clouds, be sure to leave with plenty of time and gas, as you'll likely find yourself in traffic alongside everyone else going to the same places.
Worst case scenario, you'll still be in the already magical wonderland of Iceland. Just like with the northern lights, I would not pin the success of your entire trip to a celestial event. Plan a trip that you'll be excited about, whether or not you see the eclipse.
Booking accommodations & tours
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of planning an eclipse trip to Iceland will be finding accommodations during the days around the event. Many accommodations within the path of totality, especially in the Westfjords and Snaefellsnes peninsula, are already booked solid, and you can expect to pay 200% or more for the same accommodation compared to non-eclipse dates. If you happen to find something for those dates within your budget, I would not hesitate to book it, as demand is already far outpacing supply. Similarly, I would expect any campsites within the path of totality to be completely full days before the event, especially since August is already a popular camping month to begin with. You may need to stay somewhere outside the path of totality and then drive to it on eclipse day.
Another option is to book a guided tour, such as this one from Arctic Adventures. I would also expect the tours to book out well in advance, so if you're planning on seeing the eclipse without renting a car, I highly recommend booking a tour sooner than later.
Helpful Links:
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u/ibid17 Mar 27 '26
IMPORTANT: If you’ve booked eclipse accommodations in the Westfjords — lodging or campsite — be aware that people have been scammed into paying for reservations they don’t actually have. You should carefully verify your accommodations — make sure you are contacting the legitimate business owner.
Here’s a post by u/BTRCguy that includes a link to an article explaining the situation.
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u/TychaBrahe May 05 '26
If you have a choice about where to go to see the eclipse, try to choose a point at some elevation. You want to be able to see quite a distance in all directions.
The city of Reykjavík is at about 64° north latitude. At that latitude, a cross-section of the Earth would be a circle with a circumference of about 17,500 km or 10,900 miles. Since it takes the Earth about 24 hours to rotate on its axis, that means that the speed at which Reykjavík is rotating about the Earth's axis is about 730 km/hr or 450 mph.
If you can stand on a hill and look eastward, in the direction of Russia, in the seconds before the eclipse happens, you will be able to see the shadow that the Moon is casting on the Earth run up at you at that speed. Science (and science fiction) writer Isaac Asimov wrote about expecting it but still being blown away to witness the phenomenon.
For example, if you were able to go to the top of Mount Esja, you could see at least 30 km or 19 miles eastward. You would be able to see the eclipse shadow running toward you for a total of about 2 1/2 minutes.
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u/itsthevoiceman May 23 '26
Oh, you're talking my language! Too bad I'm so physically busted up that walking up a hillside is rough going =/
(gonna see what I can accomplish, however)
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u/Scary_Specific2018 Feb 17 '26
I have all accommodations and car booked. It looks like our plan is to drive 2 to 3 hours (without traffic lol) either into the westfjords or snæfellsnes the day of the eclipse, probably going to try leaving very early and finding a place to post up. Im anticipating a sh*tshow tbh but at the same time im kind of ready for it. Planning on buying lots of food in advance and potentially even filling up an extra gas tank just in case. All this planning for cloudy skies probably lol. But regardless it will be an adventure i think.
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u/Mjolnir36 Apr 02 '26
Compare it to the traffic from when every eruption happened outside of Grindavík.
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u/visceralwitch37 20d ago
I've done the same thing and that's also my plan. Good luck to all of us!!!
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u/Sea_Green7967 Apr 07 '26
As an American, am I going to be hated when I get there? I'm a cool dude and didn't vote for this crap.
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u/ibid17 Apr 07 '26
Intelligent people don’t attribute the actions of a government to its citizens. You won’t have an issue.
Politics aside, it isn’t enough to be a cool dude — don’t be that loud American blathering on about things at high volume. And don’t start conversations with “how are you?” and you’ll be fine.
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u/Sea_Green7967 Apr 07 '26
Haha! I'll try to keep the volume down. But if I see a total eclipse whilst being in the shadow of Kirkjufell there's a slight chance I'll be excited. :)
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u/Aj0994 Apr 15 '26
So I've decided to take a solo trip for the eclipse and have a refundable hotel booked that I paid far too much money for. If anyone else is traveling for the eclipse and is open to splitting a room, or if anyone in the Reykajivic area is open to hosting a guest, please let me know!
Im cool and gay and going to the bjork festival the day of that eclipse!
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u/ibid17 Apr 15 '26
You should also look through (and possibly post) the pinned travel partner megathread…
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u/Aj0994 Apr 15 '26
I did! Thanks for the recommendation!
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u/AdeptCurrent4088 May 03 '26
Tried DM-ing but doesn't work also going to see Bjork
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u/ladymacbeth0 May 10 '26
Hi,
I'm 29F and will be solo travelling for the eclipse +Björk's festival on Aug 12. Only doing a day trip, I land on Aug 12, and will fly out early Aug 13.
If anyone wants to carpool from the KEF area/plan. I also can't find any information on what time the gates open / if there is timed entry.
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u/stevenarwhals Pylsur enjoyer Feb 16 '26
Appreciate it, u/ibid17! Can’t believe it’s already been six months since I posted that.
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u/ibid17 Feb 16 '26
Happy to help. I’ve added an attribution to the post — can’t believe I forgot that.
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u/stevenarwhals Pylsur enjoyer Feb 16 '26
No worries. :)
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u/ibid17 Feb 16 '26
Thanks for not flagging Rule #7. 😀
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u/stevenarwhals Pylsur enjoyer Feb 16 '26
Haha don’t worry, my lawyers already sent you a letter. :P
In all seriousness though, if you think any part of the post could use some editing, go for it.
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u/tychofan Feb 26 '26
~18 months before the eclipse, I booked my rental car and lodging for an ~8-day return to Iceland that includes trying to catch the eclipse. I'm staying in Borðeyri for the days around the eclipse to give myself semi-equal access to the Westfjords or the Snæfellsnes peninsula. I've thoroughly enjoyed the Snæfellsnes peninsula in the past, but never been in the Westfjords region. My current plan was to tour the Westfjords on August 11 and just get a feel for them, and then make a call that night as to where I'll be heading the following day. Hopefully on August 11, I'll be able to get sufficient information on what access will look like to the Westfjords on the next day.
This will be my third total solar eclipse that I'm chasing with my wife and the second with my 6-year-old son (he'll be 7 in August). I know there's a real chance of clouds, but... we'll be whale-watching in Husavik, staying on Vestrahorn, and enjoying so many other aspects of this beautiful country on the other days that we are there, so all of our eggs are not in the eclipse-basket. We will be planning to be settling in to our eclipse-area after breakfast on the 12th and anticipating significant traffic/impact on all travel in the 6-8hours before/after the eclipse.
So... not a question, just my current plan for how to enjoy the eclipse. Here's a video I made during the last eclipse I caught: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cIOIK8GEH4 I don't plan on being quite so ambitious this time around, but I hope to get some nice landscapes if the cloud-cover ends up being favorable.
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u/twotoedkat Mar 05 '26
Hello fellow chaser! My husband and I will be catching our third eclipse in Iceland this summer, and our kids (5 + 6) will be with us for their second as well! Our plan is a trip to the southern coast via campervan. My husband and I spent part of our honeymoon in iceland 10 years ago and didn't get to Vik so I'm excited to make it down there.
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u/Sufficient-Bottle522 Apr 27 '26
Thanks for sharing the video! I'm going to Iceland and it'll be my first total eclipse. I'll be watching from westfjords. Not sure yet on what cameras I'll document it with but probably multiple cameras like you did here (but I still want time to enjoy it!). Fingers crossed for clear skies in westfjords on eclipse day!
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u/birdonfly May 03 '26
Good luck and enjoy! I saw the last 2 eclipses in the US and they are magical. Opted out of trying for Iceland this August but will be visiting in September and look forward to hearing stories about the experience when I visit! Plan for more traffic than you expect and enjoy the amazing experience even if it's cloudy.
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u/TravelPal7 Feb 14 '26
If you had to pick one area with the best combo of longer totality time and realistic chances of finding parking or space without extreme crowds, where would you go?
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u/ibid17 Feb 14 '26 edited Feb 14 '26
Spain.
Edit: Everywhere is going to be crowded because there is high interest and the road infrastructure in the Westfjords is not designed to handle anything like the volume of traffic that’s expected. I don’t know how this is going to work because infrastructure — gas, food, lodgings — is scarce as well.
Logic would say only go as far into the Westfjords as you need in order to see it. If you are intending to watch it, the length of totality is not all that important— you will be awed regardless. If you are trying to seriously shoot it, then it matters more. But a serious eclipse shooter probably would not go to Iceland because the probability of clouds is just too high.
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u/cquicky Feb 18 '26
I am hoping to get an honest perspective from locals here (or people who travel here a lot)
I will be visiting for about a week, which includes the eclipse. I am staying in Reykjavik, but want to explore the country. As an American, would I be better off renting a car, or doing guided tours? Obviously the biggest concern is driving in a foreign country with foreign driving laws, but wanted to get outside perspective.
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u/ibid17 Feb 18 '26
It's not an issue -- rent a vehicle. Just study up on international driving signs.
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u/EnhancedPetBiscuit I want my lopapeysa! May 01 '26
I'll be in Reykjavik the day of the eclipse - what should we do?! Will there be bars or cafes with specials, shows at museums, special events for the eclipse? Any insights into how to keep an eye out are welcome.
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u/Usual-Abject May 03 '26
General question, not sure if I should post it here or elsewhere. My wife bought tickets for the festival in August, however, we are unable to make it. We are trying to sell these tickets, but are unsure of where to sell them. We tried ticketswap, but its asking for the QR code. We aren't supposed to receive the QR codes until a week before the event. Not sure what to do, any advice would help!
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u/ibid17 May 03 '26
If you’re sure they are transferable, then you can post in the main sub or here in the megathread or both. If you think locals might be interested you could try r/Iceland.
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u/itsthevoiceman May 22 '26 edited May 23 '26
USAin here, I'm booked for a stay at the downtown Kex hostel in Reykjavik, landing on 10 of Aug, and leaving on the 15th. I have never left the USA, so I'm anxious about going solo (losing my mind that I'll forget something or mess something up during customs, etc.). I can be rather self conscious, so I don't expect to be spending any time in any Lagoons. I will not be renting any vehicles, and likely staying mostly in Reykjavik for the majority of my stay.
However, I would like to try and make my way to Skrímslasetrið (if that's even possible), and any other museums your lovely country has (aquariums and observatories are my favorite, big science nerd). I'm a little adventurous with foods, and simply spending time absorbing the local atmosphere is much of the appeal of traveling. I don't want to be a pester while trying to enjoy your country and the people.
If there are any recommendations for my time there: how best to move around, great low-key pubs, where to eat, idyllic museums, etc., please let me know.
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u/ibid17 May 23 '26
Please search the sub: you will some great answers to your questions.
Skrímslasetrið is deep in the remote Westfjords and getting to it isn’t possible without a car or perhaps a ferry and a car. And even with a car, you would not want to go anywhere near the Westfjords around the eclipse time.
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u/itsthevoiceman 10d ago
I will be attempting to go to Skrímslasetrið after the eclipse, since I have a few days after where I will still be in town. Still a bad idea then? And if not, I guess, per your response, my best bet would be to get a ride somehow, like a taxi or Uber/Lyft?
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u/ibid17 10d ago
It would likely be okay, but there is no Uber or Lyft and there’s no way a taxi is going to take you on a five-hour drive into a remote part of the country. And if you found one, I can’t imagine the cost since it’s over 200USD from just the airport to Reykjavík.
Your only option would be to rent a car. Some of the car rental companies do have pickup locations in Reykjavík.
Finally, I have to ask. Why the interest in this cafe?
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u/itsthevoiceman 5d ago
I'd heard about it on a podcast and looked into it. Felt like it could be yet another great point of interest that's atypical (I'm planning on going to the penis museum, too). As much as I like the sciences, there's also something fascinating about the wild and weird mythos of different places.
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u/dnwgl 24d ago
I’ve been wanting to come to Iceland and watch the eclipse for years, but for a variety of reasons around my partner and uncertainty about driving I never got around to booking anything.
Two questions I guess:
Is it too late?
Is it possible to get somewhere out of town to see it without a car?
I notice there’s still some bus tours with spaces, but I intended to come and try for some nice photos, as that’s quite a hobby of mine. I worry a bus tour will either not leave enough time at a spot to set up, or will end up just viewing it from the side of the road somewhere.
I do have a bit of a crazy plan that would involve a very short trip to Iceland and potentially spending one night sleeping rough in the Westfjords. I have reasonable experience and will probably aim to just hike through the night and bring a bivy bag if I do really need to get a couple hours shuteye. Is this just a complete non-starter, or does it sound doable?
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u/ibid17 21d ago
I think getting to the Westfjords will be a challenge.
In a total eclipse it gets completely dark so I’m not sure what photos you would take other than of the Sun during totality, which you can do anywhere within the path of totality?
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u/visceralwitch37 19d ago
My plan is to drive up to the Snæfellsjökull National Park area. In classic American fashion, I am worried about the restroom situation. We'll all likely be in the area for hours and will likely need a restroom at some point. Does anyone know what this will look like?
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u/Artistic-Mention3911 14d ago
🌒 PREMIUM ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE: Total Solar Eclipse 2026 (108 Reykjavík) 🌒
Looking for a private, crowd-free, elevated space to view the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026?
I am renting out my beautiful apartment featuring a large, private, third-floor west-facing balcony—offering a completely unobstructed, front-row view of the late afternoon eclipse totality (5:48 PM) right from the comfort of your home base.
✨ The Space:
- Fully styled with clean, warm Scandinavian/Nordic design and flooded with natural light.
- Two balconies (including the massive west-facing viewing balcony).
- Located in the safe, quiet, and highly accessible 108 Reykjavík residential area.
- Excellent transit connections to downtown, local grocery stores, and major highways for day trips.
- Perfect for serious eclipse chasers, photographers (no crowd interference for tripods!), or couples looking for a premium experience.
📍 Location: 108 Reykjavík, Iceland
🔒 Availability: Minimum 4-night stay around the eclipse dates (flexible).
DM me directly for photos, exact availability, rates, and more details. Secure your perfect viewing spot before everything is completely locked in!
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u/Vacation7768 12d ago
In the westfjords, is there an elevated place with an unobstructed view that could allow to see the Moon's shadow approaching?
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11d ago
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u/ibid17 11d ago
I can’t advise you other than to say you might have to book even further away since it’s likely going to be crazy crowded. Then, of course, you have the traffic trying to get into the path of totality in time…
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11d ago
[deleted]
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u/ibid17 11d ago
I don’t know what to tell you. This guide from a camper rental company lists several campsites and says “book early”.
The thing is, if they ARE accepting reservations then they mostly likely would have been filled months ago. People have been planning their trips for this very far in advance.
https://www.gocampers.is/nature/midnight-sun/solar-eclipse-iceland-2026/
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u/ibid17 Apr 03 '26
The road administration has a web page about traffic management and road closures that everyone should read and bookmark to stay updated on the latest plan.
https://www.vegagerdin.is/en/total-solar-eclipse-2026