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Aurora Basecamp: Enhance Your Northern Lights Experience
4.3
23 Ratings
Hafnarfjörður
Increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland with a guided experience at Aurora Basecamp Observatory. Get expert tips and maps for a successful search!
Increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland with a guided experience at Aurora Basecamp Observatory. Get expert tips and maps for a successful search!
Duration:
1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Hafnarfjordur - Aurora Basecamp experience is designed to help you identify the natural Northern Lights right from the start. Using our expertise as Northern Light guides, we take you through our small exhibition where we teach you about the different phases of the lights. We also show you the activity of the Natural lights in the unique Northern…
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Hafnarfjordur - Aurora Basecamp experience is designed to help you identify the natural Northern Lights right from the start. Using our expertise as Northern Light guides, we take you through our small exhibition where we teach you about the different phases of the lights. We also show you the activity of the Natural lights in the unique Northern Lights Plasma Tubes that accurately mirror the activity of the Aurora Borealis in real-time.
As a Northern Lights Observatory, the real magic happens outside when the conditions are right. The outdoor area is low lit with benches around firepits to help you stay warm while admiring the endless space, simply enjoying the outdoors with family and friends.
The experience includes access to the low-lit Aurora Lounge, furnished with tables and benches and with plenty of hot chocolate for warming up on the cold winter night. The Lounge is fully staffed with experts that will tell you everything you need to know to improve your chances of seeing the Northern Lights
What's Included
- Hot chocolate and tea available.
- Hot chocolate and tea available.
Additional Information
A visit to Aurora Basecamp increases the chance of visitors to have a positive experience of the Northern Lights during their stay in Iceland. Many of our guests, who after having no luck hunting for the Aurora Borealis on their own, have expressed the opinion that they wish they had visited the Basecamp at the start of their trip so they would have had…
A visit to Aurora Basecamp increases the chance of visitors to have a positive experience of the Northern Lights during their stay in Iceland. Many of our guests, who after having no luck hunting for the Aurora Borealis on their own, have expressed the opinion that they wish they had visited the Basecamp at the start of their trip so they would have had a better idea of what to look for. Therefore, we strongly recommend visitors come to us before heading out on their own to increase the chances of a successful search. The Aurora Basecamp should therefore be a priority stop once you have arrived during winter in Iceland.
We also provide a series of maps we call Aurora Trails. Customers can find useful information about how to safely look for the aurora, as well as good driving routes and accessible parking for those who plan to continue their search after visiting us at Aurora Basecamp.
Location
Aurora Basecamp
417
From Krísuvíkurvegur, turn into Leidarendavegur, formerly known as Bláfjallavegur. You will find Aurora Basecamp on your left, close to the intersection.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.3
(23 Ratings)
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Christina
Jan 17, 2025
Loved this experience - We booked the Aurora basecamp because it looked like a pretty unique experience. It was warm inside with log burner, hot chocolate and marshmallows to toast on the outdoor fires.
The initial introduction was really informative and really helpful in finding the northern lights.
Although we didn’t see them the first night we were invited back a second night and they were beautiful.
Staff were really friendly and approachable, location is easy to find with ample parking.
Toilets on site.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Graciela_g
Dec 24, 2024
While we where not able... - While we where not able to see the northern lights (because obviously they are a natural phenomenon and they have zero control of weather) the women that was there gave amazing information to help us find the light when better weather conditions where present. With her information we where able to see them the following day. The facilities where clean and very well taken care of and parking was not an issue 10/10 recommend
Review provided by Viator
Jayne
Nov 13, 2024
A must do evening trip. - Booked this at short notice as other northern light tours were cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Picked up by mini bus by reykjavik tours and then dropped off here. Large dome with tables n benches, hot drinks included, short presentation about the lights. Opportunity to just watch the night sky. There was a break in the clouds and we was witness to an amazing show of the lights. Highly recommend visiting here. Knowledgeable staff to ask any question, Free to walk around the base. Very relaxed atmosphere and exciting to wait for the phenomenon.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
629karink
Nov 2, 2024
Do not skip this if you want to see northern lights - We went here instead of a bus tour because the forecast wasn’t great and we thought we’d try to “hunt” the northern lights by ourselves. Bibi (?) the man who explained the lights and made himself available for (nerd) questions. Which I took full advantage of. He talked with me for 20 minutes and was so helpful explaining how to read different forecasting websites (NOAA and an Icelandic one). We didnt see anything that night. Too cloudy. But armed with info we set out the next day. It was clear. We started at a spot in Reykjavik. But thought we’d do better back out by base camp. We got there and were patient. Using the info that Bibi shared. And SO AMAZING!!! Forecast was a low chance. But we spotted them. They lasted and grew for more than an hour. We feel so privileged. And couldn’t have done it without this place. Do not miss!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gjrw
Oct 13, 2024
Amazing Experience - I think everyone that goes to Iceland wants to see the Aurora Borealis (aka Northern Lights). There are plenty of ways to do this, like the Aurora Basecamp, bus tours, boat tours, private tours, exploring on your own and many more. After doing a bunch of research we decided to go with the Aurora Basecamp and we are very happy we did.
The Basecamp is located in the perfect location, nice and far from various sources of light pollution. The facilities are very nice, clean, and well kept. The two guides were friendly, knowledgeable and informative. Once everyone arrived, the guides introduced themselves and provided a brief presentation about the Northern Lights. After checking the Aurora forecast, the group headed outside to see if we would be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights dancing in the skies.
While we were waiting for the Northern Lights to show up, the guides used that time to go over astrology as well as tips on how to see them.
Luck definitely was on our side and we were able to see the most amazing Northern Lights. The colors are breath taking and it truly is an experience of a lifetime. I would highly recommend the Basecamp and would suggest doing it in the beginning of your Icelandic adventure.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yuan_f
Oct 7, 2024
Good experience - The instructor is amazing.
We saw northern light!
This place is good for family to visit.
Recommend for tourists.
Review provided by Viator
Fanial
Mar 31, 2024
Fantastic activity - So helpful! We had transfers booked but unfortunately basecamp had to cancel due to not enough uptake. They were really helpful in ensuring we could still visit. On arrival the dome is toasty warm and the option to wander in and out is great. Added bonus of onsite toilet too. Very knowledgeable guide and we were lucky to see the lights
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Heathervcollier
Mar 26, 2024
A Great Alternative to the Horrible Bus Tours - I've previously been on a Northern Lights bus tour on a prior trip to Iceland and had a terrible experience, and spent that entire time wishing we'd done our own research and gone out in a car.
The Aurora Basecamp is a great alternative to those bus tours. Instead of standing around in the middle of nowhere with 12 other bus loads of people in -17°c with no control over where you go and when you leave, and no access to toilets or hot drinks, you can hang out at the Basecamp! There is a warm pod with low lighting, seats, toilets, hot drinks, gentle music, and a north-facing window. If you want to wait patiently inside, the staff will tell you if there is an appearance of an aurora so that you can either go to the window or go outside. There are also outdoor seats and a fire pit if you prefer to patiently wait outside. There is also a short lesson in a separate pod, which explains how to spot the aurora in the sky and the signs to look out for, as well as the conditions required to see it. This definitely makes it easier to find it yourself, but it is important to remember that you are never guaranteed to see an aurora, even if you do everything right! They do allow you to return free of charge if you don't see an aurora, and we were very lucky that we saw an aurora on a return visit to the Basecamp. We could also see the current volcanic eruption in the distance!
As a neurodivergent person, I really appreciated the low lighting and quiet atmosphere, as well as the flexibility to come and go as we pleased. The staff were fairly hands off as well, which is just fine with me, but they were always available to talk and answer questions.
I definitely recommend booking this early in your trip to equip yourself with knowledge and understanding needed.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mooberry_bluffin
Jan 15, 2025
Cool Concept But Not Worth the Cost - While the idea and set up behind this operation is cool, unfortunately the execution was lacking. The informational talk about the Northern Lights was literally just a five minute explanation that if you want to see the lights, you need to check the KP, get outside, find a dark sky, and face north. There was some info about how the Basecamp operation came to be, but even when people asked direct questions about the science behind the Northern Lights or Icelandic legends and fables about the Auroras, there was no explanation given.
I know that the tour company cannot control the weather, so I don't blame them for their not being an Auroras the night I was there. However, they did advertise bonfires that turned out to only be tiny little fires (apparently wood in Iceland is wicked expensive), and they kept running out of hot water for hot chocolate and tea because they weren't refilling it promptly. They gave us sparklers, which was kind of nice, but that wasn't really what I wanted from this experience. I was expecting a lot more information about the Auroras, maybe some maps and good spots to see the Auroras, that sort of thing.
The only useful tip I got from them was that Grotta Lighthouse is a good place to look for the Lights if you're staying in Reykjavik. The dome they have set up at the basecamp was pretty neat to see, too, but the experience definitely wasn't worth $30.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Isaac_o
Sep 25, 2024
It doesnt worth the money!! Bad timing and weather - Do not bother go on there if you really want to see northern light because is weather dependent and geomagnetic events. This offer do not include transportation.
It will cost 11k+ isk to get to the site feom Reyjavik and 12k+ isk to return. It is best to go to Grotta lighthouse.
I contacted them to cancel in advance but no response to my call. I send them a message a day latter for refund. No response. Yet they have audacity to send a survey about my experience.
It is best to avoid this booking unless you are certain aurora will show up. Follow icelandic weather forecasts and aurora predicition and associated locations.
Review provided by Viator