When to visit Höfn & Jökulsárlón without the crowds
Höfn & Jökulsárlón (Iceland) is calmest in January, February, March, April, October, November and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in July and August. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with January, November and December: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
May & Oct
When everyone heads home
The second half of September.
Tip
Ice caves are guided-only, November to March; Höfn's langoustine is year-round.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 3 °C (38 °F) | Ice cave season (Nov–Mar), New Year's Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm ✦ | 4 °C (39 °F) | |
| March | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 4 °C (39 °F) | Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, +1 |
| April | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 6 °C (42 °F) | First Day of Summer |
| May | 3/5 · moderate | 8 °C (47 °F) | May Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost, +1 |
| June | 3/5 · moderate | 11 °C (51 °F) | Icelandic National Day |
| July | 4/5 · busy | 12 °C (54 °F) | |
| August | 4/5 · busy | 12 °C (54 °F) | Commerce Day |
| September | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | 10 °C (50 °F) | |
| October | 2/5 · calm ✦ | 7 °C (45 °F) | |
| November | 1/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 5 °C (41 °F) | |
| December | 2/5 · calm ⚠ ✦ | 3 °C (38 °F) | Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, St. Stephen's Day, +1 |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Few hours of daylight (4–5 h in December) and storms that close roads: check road.is.
What to see, and when
- Northern lights (Sep–Apr), on dark, clear nights.
- Blue ice caves with a guide (Nov–Mar).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (Eurostat, all of Iceland, 2022,2023,2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Höfn & Jökulsárlón without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January, February and November (crowds 1/5). In November the average high is 5 °C (41 °F). All the calm months: January, February, March, April, October, November and December.
When is Höfn & Jökulsárlón most crowded?
The busiest season is July and August. The second half of September.
What is the weather like in Höfn & Jökulsárlón?
Average highs range from 3 °C (38 °F) in January to 12 °C (54 °F) in July, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Höfn & Jökulsárlón?
Few hours of daylight (4–5 h in December) and storms that close roads: check road.is.
What is there to see in Höfn & Jökulsárlón by season?
Northern lights (Sep–Apr), on dark, clear nights. Blue ice caves with a guide (Nov–Mar).
What festivals are there in Höfn & Jökulsárlón?
The main ones: Ice cave season (Nov–Mar) (January).
More places in Iceland
- Reykjavík calm in January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Akureyri calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Vík calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Húsavík calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in June, July and August
- Stykkishólmur (Snæfellsnes) calm in January, February, March, April, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Ísafjörður calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Egilsstaðir & Seyðisfjörður calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August
- Mývatn calm in January, February, March, April, May, October, November and December; busiest in July and August