Best Time to Visit Iceland’s South Coast: Weather by Month, Sea Temperature and Peak-Season Crowds

May and June are the mildest months in the weather data for Vík, with highs of 50°F (10°C) and 54°F (12°C) and fewer rainy days than the winter months. That suits a trip built around glacier hikes, Jökulsárlón and the Laugavegur trail. The sea stays cold all year, so the coast is for walking and soaking in hot pools.

Popular spots fill up quickly in peak season, especially in Vík and along the South Coast.

At a glance

• Best window: May and June
• Mildest month, January to June: June, high 54°F (12°C)
• Most rain, January to June: January, 7 inches (167 mm)
• Warmest sea: August, 53°F (12°C)
• Coldest sea: February and March, 45°F (7°C)
• High season: popular spots in Vík fill up quickly

When is the best time to visit Iceland’s South Coast?

For most travelers, late spring is the answer. May and June bring the mildest air in the months with data, and the rain eases from 19 rainy days in January to 11 in June. That makes the walks, the waterfalls and the glacier outings far more comfortable.

The beach is a different story. The sea near Vík averages 49°F (10°C) in June and reaches 53°F (12°C) in August, its warmest point of the year.

For sightseeing and hiking, May and June work well. Highs of 50°F (10°C) in May and 54°F (12°C) in June are fine for a jacket and layers. Guided glacier hikes, ice cave tours and the icebergs at Jökulsárlón are all on the visitor list, and the Laugavegur trail between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk takes several days. Check the trail and tour dates before you book.

Food fans can aim for late May.

• If you want the beach → August, when the sea is warmest at 53°F (12°C); a hot pool is the real way to get in the water
• For sightseeing or walking → May and June, with highs from 50°F (10°C) to 54°F (12°C)

Iceland’s South Coast weather by month

*Long-term monthly averages.*

The year starts cold and wet, then warms and dries steadily from January to June.

Two months show the swing. January has a high of 40°F (4°C) and 19 rainy days. By June the high is 54°F (12°C) and rainy days are down to 11.

January asks the most of travelers who dislike wet weather. Anyone heading for a hot pool or an ice cave will not mind, but the long sightseeing walks are harder.

When can you swim in Iceland’s South Coast?

The sea is coldest in February and March, at 45°F (7°C). November and December sit at 46°F (8°C) and 46°F (8°C).

Warm water comes from the ground here. Geothermal bathing includes the Reykjadalur hot river and the Secret Lagoon near Flúðir. Stokkseyri has a public pool with an 18 meter outdoor pool, a slide, a wading pool and two hot tubs. The Lighthouse Trail also lists local swimming pools among its stops, with kayaking and horse riding.

When is Iceland’s South Coast cheapest and least crowded?

Peak season is when popular spots fill up quickly, especially in Vík and along the South Coast.

Going off-peak means more choice. The region offers design hotels, country lodges, farm stays, hostels, cottages and campsites. Vík and Kirkjubæjarklaustur both have hotels, guesthouses and cottages plus restaurants. Selfoss is about an hour’s drive from Keflavík Airport and makes a convenient base.

The sights are also busier than they look. One canyon on the coast is extremely popular, and heavy tourist traffic in such a small area puts a lot of pressure on its pathways. Go early in the day and stay on the marked paths.

January brings 19 rainy days and lows near freezing. It is hardest for hikers and photographers who need dry spells. Hot springs and swimming pools make the days easier to enjoy.

Festivals and events in Iceland’s South Coast through the year

MATEY Seafood Festival

The MATEY Seafood Festival takes place in Vestmannaeyjar.

Book rooms early if you plan a visit around the festival, since popular spots fill up quickly in peak season. Dates for later years are worth confirming before you plan.

Other Vestmannaeyjar events

Events in Vestmannaeyjar also include Hljómey, Mey, the Puffin run, the Goslok festival and the Þjóðhátíð festival. Dates for these aren’t set here, so check the local calendar.

Pick your month first, then see which of these falls in it.