Visiting Iceland in February has many benefits. This month allows you to explore the island in its winter wonderland phase without many of the festive season drawbacks. If you’ve always wanted to visit Iceland but never knew when the best time would be, read on.
February might just be the right fit for you. In this article, we dive into everything from the weather to driving to where to stay, what to pack, what to do, and much more so you know exactly what to expect and come prepared when traveling to Iceland in February.
The Weather in February
The Iceland weather in February is very typical of a season that’s slowly on its way out, with less extreme winter weather conditions, but where one can still enjoy all of the perks the winter season brings to the island. Here’s the detailed lowdown:
Temperatures in Iceland in February
The temperature in Iceland in February changes throughout the day. It can be anything from -2 to 3 degrees Celcius, although it generally averages about 0 degrees.
Rainfall in Iceland in February
February is only slightly less wet than January, which is considered to be one of our wettest months of the year, if not the wettest. So, you’ll need to come prepared for an average rainfall of about 83 mm throughout the month, adding up to about 16 rainy days.
Snowfall in Iceland in February
We can give you 1000% certainty that you will encounter snow on your trip to Iceland in February. Luckily, the snowfall you’ll likely deal with is only the winter wonderland kind, with our more extreme snowfall, like blizzards, mostly in the rearview mirror of December and January.
Wind Speeds in Iceland in February
The wind speeds have gone a similar route as the snowfall; you will still encounter pretty strong winds, but they’re already much better than our mid-winter. Our mid-winter winds can clock 35+ kilometers an hour speeds, while February tends to average about 25 kilometers an hour.
Daylight Hours in Iceland in February
Daylight hours are also steadily on the increase. Where you had a mere 4 hours mid-winter, February offers visitors at least 7 hours of daylight each day to have a pretty full trip itinerary while allowing visitors to experience some of our other natural phenomena on the island.
Why go to Iceland in February
If you’re still wondering whether going to Iceland in February will be the right move for you, check out our overview of this month’s pros and cons. Hopefully, this will guide you in the right direction based on your needs and personal preferences:
Pros
- You might still be dealing with typical Iceland winter weather, but our harsher and more extreme winter weather elements are a bit more subdued in February.
- The winter also allows visitors to experience seasonal activities and wonders such as skiing, exploring the ice caves (most of which are kept closed throughout the warmer months of the year), and the Northern Lights.
- By February our festive season and New Year crowds are long gone, so you won’t need to deal with so much foot traffic, especially at local attractions.
- With the majority of the crowds gone, you’ll also notice a definite drop in prices. This means that your holiday budget will stretch much further during the month of February here on the island.
Cons
- Although the winter weather is much better than mid-winter, it can still be a challenge for those who are not used to it.
- While the winter season makes certain seasonal sights and activities possible, it also (obviously) doesn’t make some of our other seasonal sights and activities of the warmer months possible, such as the Midnight Sun and hiking some of our most famous hiking treks.
- If you’re planning on doing a road trip around the island, it’s probably best to stick to our main road routes since the weather makes road conditions tricky and there are some road closures that may derail your plans (but more on this later).
- If you’re a nature lover and have your heart set on seeing some of Iceland’s famous wildlife, the winter might not be the right time for your trip. Whale season only starts in April, and the infamous Iceland Puffins, which account for 60% of the global population, will only start showing their faces at the end of April/start of May.
Driving in February
As we mentioned, driving in Iceland in February can be challenging, and there are a few things to take note of:
- The weather makes road conditions tricky to navigate. There will be snow, ice, and strong winds to contend with.
- There are certain roads in Iceland, especially the F-roads, that are closed throughout the colder months of the year. This can impact those planning on doing a road trip around the island, especially if you have your heart set on the Westfjords and the Highlands.
- Except for our annual road closures, the weather can also cause sudden road closures, which means that you’ll need to be more flexible with your trip itinerary so one little hiccup doesn’t cause an entire derailment of your trip.
- Due to the weather and road conditions, you’ll need to have a chat with your rental agent to ensure that you have all the necessary gear and accessories (ice scrapers, snow tires, etc.), and they might recommend you drive a 4x4 vehicle. If you are planning on renting a motorhome you’ll also be glad to know that there are 4x4 motorhome options too.
Camping in February
It may seem strange, but camping in February is a great idea, and you’ll find certain campsites open all year round on the island. Many of our campsites are almost on the front step of some of our most incredible attractions here in Iceland. So, just by camping in Iceland, you might get a once-in-a-lifetime view of a volcano, glacier, or waterfall every morning when you wake up.
But camping doesn’t just give you a front-row seat to many of our famous sights and allows you to truly immerse yourself in Icelandic nature. It is also the most affordable accommodation, which means your budget can go much further, and you can have an extended trip, especially if you take advantage of further discounts when you purchase a Camping Card.
When we talk about camping, we’re also not saying that you should star in your own episode of Survivor during our winter season; by renting a motorhome in Iceland, you would have both your transport and accommodation sorted, and you’ll be able to go “camping” in comfort.
Helpful Tips When Traveling to Iceland in February
If this is your first trip to the island or the first time you’ll be visiting during February, the following helpful tips will guarantee a safe and memorable visit:
- Keep a close eye on the Iceland weather forecast as well as the Iceland road conditions, especially right before you head out.
- Always wear layers. Although our weather can change pretty quickly (we are an island, after all), the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperatures will be your biggest challenge. By wearing layers, you’ll always be able to take something off or put something on, depending on the conditions.
- Do not pack an umbrella. Those who want to come prepared for the rainfall should rather opt for a raincoat. The legendary Icelandic winds will destroy an umbrella in no time.
- Chat with your rental agent about the routes you plan on driving. Not only should they give you advice on the type of vehicle as well as gear and accessories you’ll need, but it’s essential to ensure that you have the right (and sufficient!) rental insurance coverage when in Iceland.
What to Pack for February in Iceland
Packing clothes for Iceland in February is pretty easy since you’ll be getting dressed for winter. But there are a few things to keep in mind, and a few essential items that may not seem so obvious:
- Waterproof Clothing & Boots – this is not just for those rainy days. Waterproof gear can prove helpful in a variety of settings in Iceland. For example, when walking the wet and muddy trails of the hot springs or when visiting Iceland’s waterfalls where mist and spray can leave you drenched (yes, even in the winter, falls such as Dettifoss is not to be trifled with).
- Sunglasses – You only need to get the glare of the sun off our watery, snowy, or icy surfaces once to understand why this is a crucial item to have in Iceland in February.
- Enough T-shirts and long-sleeved shirts – remember, if you want to wear layers, you can’t just go on your usual formula of “how many days is the trip?”, and if you don’t want to end up constantly having to do laundry, you need to work it into your clothes calculations.
Must-adds to Your Trip Itinerary when Visiting Iceland in February
When visiting Iceland in February, there are a few interesting places and exciting things to do that you simply can’t miss. Make sure you add the following to your trip itinerary:
- Visit our waterfalls (some of which seem almost frozen in time when visiting Iceland in February).
- Have a relaxing soak in one of Iceland’s famous hot springs.
- Go on a horseback riding tour on the island’s own breed of horse, the Icelandic Horse.
- Explore a glacier (there are many tours to choose from, including hikes, snowmobiling, and Super Jeeps).
- Dive or snorkel the Silfra Fissure (yes, this may seem like an odd activity for the winter season, but you’ll be in glacial waters that always require a dry suit, so seasons become a bit irrelevant).
- Visit our interesting museums (we especially recommend The Museum of Icelandic Sorcery and Witchcraft and The Icelandic Phallological Museum if you’re looking for some of our most weird and wonderful).
- Become a Viking (at least temporarily) when having your Viking portrait taken at Mink Studios, attending a Viking feast in an authentic Viking Village, or sailing on a traditional Viking ship.
- Explore the capital city by going on the Reykjavik Food Walk where you can fill your mind with knowledge and your belly full of delicious Icelandic dishes and craft beers.
- Go skiing or snowboarding (any will say that February has some of the best snow conditions to do so).
- Take a Walk on Iceland’s famous black sand beaches.
- Visit Iceland’s national parks for breathtaking views and all sorts of natural wonders (for example, one is home to the OG of geysers, and the very reason we call them that).
- Go spot the Northern Lights in Iceland in February (the ratio of darkness vs daylight hours and weather conditions are still perfect in the month of February).
Taking the Wonder Out of Iceland’s Winter Wonderland
Now that you know more about what spending Iceland in February has to offer, it should be clear that this month brings all the benefits of our winter wonderland without the majority of the season’s drawbacks.
There’s also a legion of interesting things to see and do, some of which are only possible during our winter season. Rent a motorhome in Iceland for the most budget-friendly adventure and take on one of our popular main road road trip routes to properly explore and experience all the incredible sights on the island.
