| What | May in Iceland | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Daylight | About 17 hours early, nearly 20 late | The north's sun stays up 20 to 30 minutes longer than Reykjavík's |
| Temperatures | About 2°C early, about 11°C (52°F) late | Reykjavík is warmest; wind chill matters on the south coast |
| Roads | Ring Road open; ice or snow possible early in the East Fjords and North | A two-wheel-drive car is usually fine on the Ring Road |
| Highlands | F-roads closed all month | They usually open in late June or early July |
| Wildlife | Puffins nesting by mid-May; minke whales regular, humpbacks later | Húsavík has daily whale departures |
| Northern lights | Season ended around early April | Not visible in May |
Weather and light
May is one of the driest months, according to Visit Iceland's spring guide, and the light is the headline: daylight grows from about 17 hours in early May to nearly 20 by late May. Temperatures climb from about 2°C (36°F) to about 11°C (52°F). Reykjavík is the warmest area, the north and east fjords are colder, and wind chill matters most on the south coast. Because the nights are bright, you can drive late, but remember that the northern lights season ended around early April. For the season, see Iceland in spring.
Driving in May
The Ring Road, about 1,300 km around the island, is fully open and in good shape through most of May. Early in the month, ice or snow may still lie in the East Fjords and North Iceland, so check road.is. A two-wheel-drive car is usually fine on the Ring Road; four-wheel drive is better for the Westfjords and North Iceland early in the month. Highland F-roads are closed for all of May. Sheep roam freely from May onward and often wander onto roads. Most travellers need 7 to 10 days for the full loop: see the Ring Road tour and car rental in Iceland.
Puffins and whales
Puffins return in late April and are nesting along cliffs by mid-May. Iceland has about 60% of the world's Atlantic puffin population, and Visit Iceland names the Westman Islands (ferry from Landeyjahöfn), Látrabjarg and Dyrhólaey as good spots. Minke whales are seen regularly in May and humpbacks appear later in the month. Húsavík has daily whale-watching departures throughout May, while Elding and Special Tours run from Reykjavík's Old Harbor; tours last about three hours. Harbor seals can be seen at Ytri-Tunga. Read more in the whale watching guide and Húsavík.
Day trips from Reykjavík
- Golden Circle: doable in one day; Strokkur erupts every 5 to 10 minutes and Gullfoss runs at full force from snowmelt. See Gullfoss.
- South Coast: about 200 km from Reykjavík to Vík; Skógafoss drops about 60 m. See Skógafoss and the South Coast tours.
- Snæfellsnes: about 90 km, roughly two hours from Reykjavík; see Kirkjufell.
- Glaciers and ice caves: guided glacier hikes and ice cave tours run throughout May on Sólheimajökull and Vatnajökull. Book glacier hikes, whale tours and lagoon visits early, as they fill up quickly.
- Lagoons: the Blue Lagoon water stays around 39°C (102°F) all year, Sky Lagoon is about 10 minutes from Reykjavík and Secret Lagoon is in Flúðir, about an hour away. See Sky Lagoon.
A tour to book
The South Coast is about 200 km from Reykjavík, so we recommend the South Coast waterfalls, black sand and glacier tour from Reykjavík: 4.8 out of 5 from 12,990 reviews, from €107 on 6 November 2026. It saves you the 200 km drive to Vík when you only have one day for the coast.
Costs and spring colour
Visit Iceland notes that car rental rates are lower than in peak summer. By late May moss turns green in the East Fjords and the first lupine flowers appear, while North Iceland is still brown and yellow. Iceland is almost entirely cashless, with cards accepted even in rural areas, and cell signal is weak in rural areas, so download offline maps. Where to sleep is covered in where to stay in Reykjavík; for budgets see Iceland trip cost.
Mistakes to avoid
- Expecting the northern lights: the season ends around early April.
- Planning the highlands: F-roads are closed all of May.
- Leaving glacier hikes, whale tours and lagoon visits until you arrive: they fill up quickly.
- Driving fast on country roads: sheep wander onto them from May.
FAQ
What is the weather in Iceland in May?
About 2°C early in the month and about 11°C (52°F) late, with Reykjavík warmest.
How much daylight is there in May?
About 17 hours in early May and nearly 20 hours by late May.
Are the F-roads open in May?
No. They are closed for all of May and usually open in late June or early July.
Can you see puffins in May?
Yes. They are nesting along the cliffs by mid-May, with colonies at the Westman Islands, Látrabjarg and Dyrhólaey.
Do you need a 4x4 in May?
Usually not on the Ring Road; four-wheel drive is better for the Westfjords and North Iceland early in the month.
The Iceland Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.
