Yes, August works well in Iceland for travelers who want waterfalls, hot springs and sea cliffs on cool but workable days, with afternoons at 57°F (14°C) in Reykjavik.
The puffins that nest in the south coast cliffs leave by mid-August, rain falls on about 12 days, and the camping season is close to its end.
At a glance
- Afternoon high in Reykjavik: 57°F (14°C)
- Night low in Reykjavik: 48°F (9°C)
- Rainy days in Reykjavik: 12
- Sunshine in Reykjavik: 5 hours a day
What is the weather like in Iceland in August?
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Rainy days | Sunshine per day | Sea |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July | 59°F (15°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.0 in (50 mm) | 10 | 5.9 h | 52°F (11°C) |
| August | 57°F (14°C) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.5 in (65 mm) | 12 | 5.3 h | 53°F (11°C) |
| September | 53°F (11°C) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in (87 mm) | 15 | 3.9 h | 50°F (10°C) |
*Long-term monthly averages.*
August in Reykjavik is cool and mild. Afternoons reach 57°F (14°C) and nights drop to 48°F (9°C), so a sweater is part of every day, even when the sun is out.
About 12 days in the month bring at least a millimeter of rain, and the sun averages 5 hours a day. Keep a waterproof jacket in the daypack, and plan outdoor sights like Þingvellir or the south coast waterfalls for the clearer stretches of the forecast.
July is a shade warmer at 59°F (15°C) in the afternoon and has 10 rainy days. September is cooler at 53°F (11°C), with 15 rainy days and 4 hours of sun a day.
Where to go in Iceland in August
Reykjavík
The city center runs from Aðalstræti up the hill to the end of Laugavegur, the main shopping street. A self-guided walk can link the sights from Hallgrímskirkja church to Harpa concert hall. Perlan, a nature exploratorium with interactive exhibits, makes a good indoor stop on a rainy day.
Þingvellir National Park
The park has hiking trails, diving, angling and riding routes. Its Service Center is at Leirar, close to the camping grounds, and camping and angling permits are issued there on arrival. Pack for a day outdoors, because August rain is frequent.
Seljalandsfoss
The waterfall plunges over the cliffs of Vestur-Eyjafjall, and you can walk behind it. Bring shoes that grip and a rain shell. Gljúfrabúi, about 130 feet (40 m) high, stands close by.
Dyrhólaey and Vík
Dyrhólaey is a 394-foot (120 m) promontory rising out of black sand just west of Vík. Its puffins nest in the cliffs until mid-August, so the first half of the month is the time to come. In Vík, the Katla Visitor Centre and the Hafnleysa Maritime Museum are both on Víkurbraut.
Secret Lagoon and Fontana
Secret Lagoon, near Flúðir, has three pools and water that stays at 100 to 104°F (38 to 40°C) all year. Fontana, at Laugarvatn, adds geothermal baths and a bakery where rye bread is baked in a geyser. Both suit the cool August evenings.
Akureyri
Akureyri is the base for whale watching by ship or small boat.
What to do in Iceland in August
Hallgrímskirkja tower and an English service
The church is the largest in Iceland and houses the largest organ in the country. Its tower gives a panoramic view of Reykjavík, the surrounding mountains and the ocean. Go up on a clear spell.
Organ concerts start again in September, but an English service is held on the last Sunday of every month from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. A late-August visit can be planned around it.
Sky Lagoon by the sea
Sky Lagoon is a geothermal lagoon by the sea at Vesturvör 44 to 48 in Kópavogur, in Greater Reykjavík. Entry comes with an optional seven-step ritual.
With nights at 48°F (9°C) and rain on many days, warm water is a good use of an August evening. Bring a swimsuit.
Seljalandsfoss and Gljúfrabúi
The walk behind Seljalandsfoss is the draw. Expect spray, so keep the camera and phone in a waterproof pouch.
Gljúfrabúi sits on the land of the abandoned farm Hamragarðar, near the larger fall. The two fit into one stop on the south coast drive.
Dyrhólaey puffins before mid-August
Dyrhólaey is one of the most reliable puffin spots in South Iceland, with birds nesting in the cliffs from late April to mid-August. In August, the earlier the date the better.
A small orange-roofed lighthouse built in 1927 stands on the highest point of the headland. Reynisfjall Mountain, nearby, can be hiked for views over the Atlantic and bird cliffs.
Whale watching from Akureyri
Whale Watching Akureyri runs a specially designed ship that takes 200 passengers and custom-built RIB speedboats. The speedboats carry groups of 12, each with a guide and a specially trained captain.
Wear a warm layer, since wind on the water is colder than on land.
Is Iceland busy in August?
Most of Iceland’s roughly 200 registered campsites open from the beginning of June to the end of August or mid-September, and Grindavík’s stays open from mid-March into November. Check the closing date of any campsite you count on for late August.
Lodging tax is 800 kr. per unit at licensed hotels and guesthouses in categories II to IV. Campsites and parking spots for motorhomes, trailers and caravans pay 400 kr. per unit.
Can you swim in Iceland in August?
The sea near Reykjavik is about 53°F (11°C) in August. These are monthly averages, so wading is the realistic ambition.
Geothermal water does the job instead. Fontana and Sky Lagoon also offer geothermal bathing.
What to pack for Iceland in August
August asks for layers and rain gear, plus a swimsuit for the hot pools.
- A warm sweater or fleece for nights near 48°F (9°C)
- A waterproof jacket, since about 12 days in the month are rainy
- Shoes with grip for the walk behind Seljalandsfoss
- Sturdy boots for the Þingvellir hiking trails
- A swimsuit for Sky Lagoon, Secret Lagoon and Fontana
What to know before visiting Iceland in August
Wild camping is tightly limited. Camping outside organized campsites in tent trailers, tent campers, caravans or camper vans is illegal without landowner permission. A traditional tent may be pitched for one night on uncultivated land along public routes in inhabited areas, and more than three tents need the landowner’s permission.
The Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon, about 98 feet (30 m) deep and 1.2 miles (2 km) long, is closed to hiking in or along the river because of breeding grounds. The English service at Hallgrímskirkja falls on the last Sunday of the month at 2:00 p.m.
Is August a good time to visit Iceland?
Yes, August is a good time for travelers who want waterfalls, hot springs and whale or puffin trips and can live with cool, damp days. It is a month for layers, not for beach days.
Choosing September instead means the puffins have left and organ concerts at Hallgrímskirkja begin again.
For soaking, Secret Lagoon and Sky Lagoon suit August well, while the sea stays too cold for more than a quick dip.
For Dyrhólaey, pick the first half of August.
Sources
- ncei.noaa.gov (https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/wmo-climate-normals), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/service/hallgrimskirkja-church-tower), checked 2026-10-30
- thjodminjasafn.is (https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/en), checked 2026-10-30
- secretlagoon.is (https://secretlagoon.is/?lang=is%2F), 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/towns/vik), checked 2026-10-30
- umhverfisstofnun.is (https://www.umhverfisstofnun.is/english/visiting-iceland/travel-information/where-can-you-camp/), checked 2026-10-30
- visitreykjavik.is (https://visitreykjavik.is/frequently-asked-questions), checked 2026-10-30