Lake Mývatn

North Iceland · 65.5967°N, 16.9939°W

Lake Mývatn — aurora viewing location in North Iceland, Iceland
Photo: Giles Laurent · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Check Live Conditions at Lake Mývatn

Real-time aurora score, 12-hour forecast, cloud cover, and smart alerts — updated every 15 minutes.

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Light Pollution

Low light pollution — excellent dark-sky location

Safety

Geothermal area — stay on marked paths.

Parking

Several free car parks around the lake.

Photography Tips

For aurora photography at Lake Mývatn, use a wide-angle lens at f/2.8 or wider, ISO 1600-3200, and 8-15 second exposures. A sturdy tripod is essential — Icelandic wind can be strong. Arrive early to scout compositions while you can still see the landscape.

Read our full aurora photography guide for detailed camera settings.

Nearby Viewing Spots

Track Lake Mývatn Live

Get push alerts when aurora conditions turn good at Lake Mývatn. Download the free Aurora Iceland app.

Get it on Google Play

Plan Your Visit

Check current conditions on our Tonight page before heading out. Cloud cover and geomagnetic activity can change rapidly — the app updates scores every 15 minutes so you always have the latest data.

Learn more about the best time to see the northern lights and how to read aurora forecasts.