How spring changes month by month

March still feels wintry and snow is common. April is a transition month, with thawing ground and a brown-and-gold landscape, and conditions that can shift within a single day. May is one of the driest months. The single most useful number is the light: the spring equinox in late March gives roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 of darkness, and by the end of May days reach about 20 hours. Detailed pages for each month: March, April and May.

Roads

The Ring Road is generally clear and accessible, but check road.is for closures and safetravel.is for weather alerts. In March and early April a 4x4 is strongly recommended; later in spring a standard two-wheel-drive car is typically enough for the Ring Road and the Golden Circle. Highland F-roads remain closed and typically do not open until mid-June. If you are comparing a rental with a guided day, read how to get around Iceland.

Wildlife

Atlantic puffins return to the coastal cliffs from their winter at sea around mid-to-late April to nest. Golden plovers start calling across the countryside in late March. The whale-watching season begins in spring, with humpbacks and minke whales returning, especially around Húsavík and Reykjavík, and blue whales often pass through North Iceland in late spring; April and May are good months for sightings. See whale watching and Húsavík.

Northern lights

They are visible in early spring, but the nights stay dark enough only until about mid-April, and the lights are often stronger around the equinox. The best viewing is usually between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. once the sky is fully dark. Northern lights tours cover the guided options.

Easter

Icelandic Easter is a five-day long weekend, and the pace of life slows: opening hours vary between Maundy Thursday and Easter Monday, and many businesses close entirely on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. See Iceland at Easter.

Costs

Accommodation and car rental rates are typically lower in the spring shoulder season than in summer. Most campsites open only from May to September, so March and April mean hotels and guesthouses. Look at where to stay in Reykjavík and Iceland trip cost.

A tour to book

Spring is the season when whale tours restart, with Húsavík named by Visit Iceland as a main departure point, so we recommend the tour with a family company: Husavik traditional whale watching, 4.5 out of 5 from 2,483 reviews, from €80 on 6 November 2026. In March, when the roads are the main question, the Golden Circle loop in Golden Circle tours is the year-round alternative.

Which spring month?

  • For northern lights: March.
  • For long evenings and fewer crowds: April and May, when rates are typically lower than summer.
  • For puffins: late April through May.
  • For the easiest driving: May.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Booking a two-wheel-drive car for March or early April.
  • Planning the highlands: F-roads stay closed until about mid-June.
  • Expecting aurora in late April or May.
  • Booking campsites in March or April.

FAQ

What is the weather in Iceland in spring?

Averages are 1 to 4°C in March, 2 to 6°C in April and 4 to 9°C in May.

Which spring month is best?

March for northern lights, May for easy driving and puffins.

Are the F-roads open in spring?

No. They typically do not open until mid-June.

When do puffins arrive?

Around mid-to-late April, nesting along the cliffs by mid-May.

How long are days in spring?

From about 11 to 13 hours in March to nearly 20 hours by the end of May.

The Iceland Authority editorial team, 7 November 2026.