August suits travelers who want waterfalls, glacier tours and puffin cliffs and don’t mind cool, damp afternoons, with highs of 57°F (14°C). Dyrhólaey’s puffins are still nesting in the cliffs, and the geothermal pools are ready for a soak after a wet walk.
Rain falls on 14 days of the month, and popular spots fill up quickly in peak season, especially in Vík. The puffins nest only until mid-August, so the first half of the month is the time for them.
At a glance
- Afternoon high: 57°F (14°C)
- Night low: 48°F (9°C)
- Rainy days: 14
- Sea near Vík: 53°F (12°C)
- Puffins at Dyrhólaey: nesting until mid-August
- Crowds: popular spots fill up quickly in peak season
What is the weather like in Iceland’s South Coast in August?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 57°F (14°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in (110 mm) | 12 | 52°F (11°C) |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 5.5 in (140 mm) | 14 | 53°F (12°C) |
| September | 53°F (11°C) | 44°F (7°C) | 7.4 in (188 mm) | 18 | 51°F (10°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
August on the South Coast is cool and damp. Afternoons reach 57°F (14°C), and nights fall to 48°F (9°C). Vík and Skógar have the same August weather, with highs of 57°F (14°C) and 14 rainy days.
Fourteen days of the month bring at least a little rain. The sea is 53°F (12°C), which makes it a view more than a swim.
July is almost the same in temperature, with 57°F (14°C) in the afternoon, but has 12 rainy days. September is clearly colder and wetter, with 53°F (11°C) afternoons and 18 rainy days. August sits in the better part of that run.
Where to go in Iceland’s South Coast in August
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
Seljalandsfoss is one of the highest waterfalls in the country, and you can walk behind it. Gljúfrabúi is about 130 feet (40 meters) high and lies on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar.
Skógar and Sólheimajökull
Skógar Folk Museum is less than 0.6 mile (1 km) from the waterfall, so a museum visit costs little extra walking. Sólheimajökull Glacier is 7.5 miles (12 km) east of Skógafoss via Road 221. Put both in the same day.
Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon
The canyon is roughly 1 to 1.2 miles (1.5 to 2 kilometers) long and up to 330 feet (100 meters) deep. It is protected as a natural monument and is extremely popular. Plan to stop at the viewpoints rather than walk through it, since there are no marked walking routes in the canyon itself.
Dyrhólaey
Dyrhólaey is a nature reserve, protected above all for its birdlife, though the landscape is just as interesting. August is the last month of puffin nesting in its cliffs, which run until mid-August. Go in the first days of the month.
Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri
These two seaside villages are on the South Coast Lighthouse Trail, along a coastline 15 miles (25 km) long between the rivers Þjórsá and Ölfusá. The Merchants House in Eyrarbakki was built in 1765, a good rainy-hour stop. Stokkseyri has a public swimming pool with outdoor hot tubs.
What to do in Iceland’s South Coast in August
Puffin watching at Dyrhólaey before mid-August
Dyrhólaey is one of the reliable puffin spots in South Iceland, with birds nesting in the cliffs from late April to mid-August. In August the season is closing, so every day of delay costs you chances.
Stay on the authorized paths, since off-road driving is strictly prohibited. Bring binoculars if you have them, because the reserve is protected for its birds.
Reynisfjall Mountain over the Atlantic
Visitors can hike up Reynisfjall Mountain for views over the Atlantic and bird cliffs. In a month with 14 rainy days, choose a clearer morning for the climb, since the views are the point.
Wear shoes that grip and a layer for the wind at the top, as the afternoon high is only 57°F (14°C).
Mýrdalsjökull glacier hike
Mýrdalsjökull offers guided glacier hikes, year-round ice cave explorations, glacier-lagoon kayaking and snowmobiling near Katla volcano. Because the ice cave tours run all year, August leaves you free to choose them.
Book a guided glacier hike or ice cave tour on Mýrdalsjökull. Jökulsárlón, with its floating icebergs, is another glacier option for the same trip.
Icelandic Lava Show and the Katla centre
It is a strong choice for a wet afternoon.
At the Katla centre there is a free exhibition about Katla volcano and the Geopark. Pair it with the Lava Show on a rainy day.
Lighthouse Trail and its villages
The South Coast Lighthouse Trail connects Þorlákshöfn, Eyrarbakki and Stokkseyri, named for three lighthouses: Selvogsviti, Hafnarnesviti and Knarrarósviti. Most visitors drive it, but it can be hiked or biked in two to four days.
On the way you can go kayaking, horse riding or birdwatching, or relax in local swimming pools. Each village has restaurants serving local ingredients, and fresh Icelandic seafood is a highlight along the coast.
Is Iceland’s South Coast busy in August?
Popular spots fill up quickly, especially in Vík and along the coast. Fjaðrárgljúfur is described as extremely popular, and the heavy traffic in such a small area puts a lot of pressure on its pathways.
Book rooms well ahead. Hotel Vík í Mýrdal has 78 guest rooms, five cottages and 15 self-catering apartments.
If Vík is full, Kirkjubæjarklaustur is another stopover with hotels, guesthouses and cottages. Hella has Stracta Hotel with 166 rooms and Hotel Kanslarinn with 21, and Selfoss is a convenient hub about an hour’s drive from Keflavík Airport.
Can you swim in Iceland’s South Coast in August?
The sea near Vík averages 53°F (12°C) in August. That is a monthly average, and it is cold for anyone getting in. September drops to 51°F (10°C), so the sea does not warm toward autumn.
For swimming, the pools are the answer. Stokkseyri has an 18 meter outdoor pool with a slide, a wading pool and two hot tubs. Geothermal bathing also includes the Reykjadalur hot river and the Secret Lagoon near Flúðir.
What to pack for Iceland’s South Coast in August
August asks for waterproofs and warm layers, with 14 rainy days and nights near 48°F (9°C).
- A waterproof jacket and rain pants for the 14 rainy days
- A warm layer for nights near 48°F (9°C)
- A swimsuit for the Stokkseyri pool, Reykjadalur or the Secret Lagoon
- Binoculars for the puffin cliffs at Dyrhólaey
- A windproof layer for the top of Reynisfjall
What to know before visiting Iceland’s South Coast in August
Off-road driving in Iceland is strictly prohibited, so stay on authorized paths, tracks and roads. Fjaðrárgljúfur is protected as a natural monument under regulation no. 555/2024, and general pedestrian traffic through the canyon is not envisaged.
Dyrhólaey is a nature reserve under regulation no. 101/1978, and its puffins are nesting only until mid-August. Rooms in Vík fill early in peak season.
Is August a good time to visit Iceland’s South Coast?
Yes, for travelers who want waterfalls, glaciers and puffins and can handle cool weather. August has afternoons near 57°F (14°C) and puffins still on the cliffs, which makes it a strong month for sightseeing.
July matches August in temperature and has fewer rainy days, 12 against 14. September is colder, at 53°F (11°C) in the afternoon, and has 18 rainy days, with the puffin season over. Shifting a month later costs weather and puffins.
If you want fewer crowds, a month other than peak season would help, but the weather turns wetter in September. With a family, the pools at Stokkseyri and the free Katla exhibition give rainy days something to do. For swimming, choose the hot springs, since the sea stays at 53°F (12°C).
Pick the first half of August. The puffins nest at Dyrhólaey until mid-August, and that is the one fact that separates the halves.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- visiticeland.com (https://www.visiticeland.com/the-regions/the-south/), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/moya/page/the-south-coast-lighthouse-way), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/afangastadaaaetlun/moya/toy/index/place/seljalandsfoss), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/destinations/nature/beaches/the-coastline-between-stokkseyri-and-eyrarbakki), checked 2026-10-30
- nattura.is (https://www.nattura.is/svaedin/fjardrargljufur), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/travel-info/travel-blog/icelandair-stopover-south-iceland-itinerary), checked 2026-10-30
- south.is (https://www.south.is/en/destinations/towns/vik), checked 2026-10-30