Iceland in May at a glance
May sits between the quiet spring and the busy summer. Reykjavík gains more than an hour and a half of daylight during the month, the first puffins are on the cliffs and the sea tours are running. The mountain interior is another story: most highland roads are still closed, and the northern lights season has ended.
Pick May if you want long evenings and coastal sights without the crowds of July. Pick another month if your trip depends on the highlands or on the aurora.
May weather in Iceland
Typical averages for 1991 to 2020 at two stations, rounded. Any single May can be warmer, colder, wetter or drier.
| Station | Daily high | Daily low | Monthly mean | Rain per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | 10 °C (50 °F) | 4 °C (39 °F) | 7 °C (44 °F) | about 53 mm |
| Akureyri | 10 °C (51 °F) | 3 °C (38 °F) | 6 °C (43 °F) | about 24 mm |
Both places warm up clearly compared with April. The north around Akureyri gets much less rain than the capital, so a trip along the north coast is the drier choice. Pack waterproof layers, a warm hat and gloves. The values describe two towns, not the whole country, and wind changes how cold it feels. Check the national weather service forecast and warnings before every drive. For all twelve months side by side, see Iceland weather by month.
Our picks for May
A puffin boat trip, a whale cruise and the Golden Circle.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Three-hour whale cruise from the old harbor
Guides, heated cabins with toilets, Wi-Fi and indoor and outdoor seating. Drinks and snacks in the onboard café are extra; there is no sighting guarantee, but you get a repeat ticket valid for up to three years.
Check availability →
Golden Circle full-day tour with Kerið crater
A guide and an air-conditioned bus for seven to eight and a half hours. Food and drinks are extra, and Kerið is skipped on departures from noon.
Check availability →
One-hour puffin boat trip from Reykjavík
A boat trip with a guide and binoculars, and the operator promises a puffin sighting. Transfers, food and drinks are extra, and weather cancellations are refunded.
Check availability →Tours that suit May in Iceland
Sea tours, glacier walks and day trips from Reykjavík, with live prices and availability.
Daylight in May
The light returns quickly. Times are for Reykjavík in 2026, sunrise to sunset, without twilight.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May | 05:00 | 21:51 | 16 h 51 min |
| 15 May | 04:13 | 22:37 | 18 h 24 min |
From about mid May the nights are bright enough to count as the start of the midnight sun period. The sun still sets in Reykjavík, so this is twilight, not endless daylight. The full picture is on our midnight sun page.
What works in May, and what does not
Puffins
Puffins usually arrive in late April or early May and stay on the coast until mid or late August. Boat trips from Reykjavík run from 20 April to 20 August on the classic tour and take about one hour. May gives you the start of the season, with the whole summer still ahead.
Whales
Whales and dolphins are seen near Reykjavík all year, with a bigger offer in summer. A classic whale watching trip takes about three hours. Nobody can promise a sighting.
Glacier walks
The Sólheimajökull walk runs all year, takes about 3.5 hours with 1 to 1.5 hours on the ice, and starts at age 10. It was listed from 128 EUR in October 2026. Ice cave tours belong to the cold months, so ask an operator which dates it offers.
Northern lights
The season runs from September, or late August, to April. In May the nights are too bright. If the aurora is your goal, read our northern lights guide and choose another month.
The highlands
Normal access to the interior is closed in winter and opens route by route. In the records for 2021 to 2025 the earliest listed opening was 23 May, on the road from Sigalda to Landmannalaugar (2025). Most listed roads opened in June or July. Do not plan a highland trip for May, and expect closures when snow melts.
Roads, hours and costs
The Ring Road and the main roads of the south and west are the practical base for May. Snow, wind and short closures can still happen, so check road status and warnings before you leave. Details by season are on our road conditions page.
- The Blue Lagoon keeps winter hours until 31 May, 08:00 to 20:00. The longer summer hours start in June.
- The boats on the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon start in May, with tours between 10:00 and 17:00. The amphibian boat costs 7,100 ISK for ages 13 and up (2026). More on the Jökulsárlón page.
- In Reykjavík, the municipal pools cost 1,500 ISK for adults and 400 ISK for ages 10 to 17 from 5 May 2026.
- Since 1 January 2026 a distance fee of 6.95 ISK per km applies to cars up to 3.5 t. Your rental company may add its own charges.
Crowds and prices in May
Around 160,000 foreign passengers left Keflavík in May 2025. That is a little above April (149,000) and far below June (234,000), July (302,000) and August (313,000). The counts cover departures, not visitors at a single waterfall. Fewer travelers do not guarantee a fixed saving, because no monthly price series for hotels or cars is available. For a season-by-season view, read cheapest time to visit Iceland. A hotel or guesthouse pays a lodging tax of 800 ISK per room and night, a campsite pitch 400 ISK.
Plan the months around May
Previous month: Iceland in April. Next month: Iceland in June. For the whole season, see Iceland in summer.
Iceland in May: frequently asked questions
Is May a good time to visit Iceland?
It is good for coastal sights, puffins, whale watching and long days with fewer travelers than in July. It is not good for the highlands or the northern lights.
How warm is Iceland in May?
Typical daily highs are about 10 °C (50 °F) in Reykjavík and Akureyri, and typical lows are 3 to 4 °C (38 to 39 °F). Wind and rain are common, so dress in layers.
Can you see the northern lights in May?
No, for practical purposes. The season ends in April, and in May the sky never gets properly dark.
Are the highland roads open in May?
Almost always not. The earliest listed opening in the 2021 to 2025 records was 23 May, and most roads opened in June or July. F-roads also need a 4x4 that your rental company approves for the route.
When do the puffins arrive?
Usually in late April or early May. They stay until about mid August, so May is a fair time to see them.
How much daylight is there in Reykjavík in May?
About 16 hours 51 minutes on 1 May and 18 hours 24 minutes on 15 May in 2026, plus twilight.