Aurora Basecamp - Hafnarfjörður

Taufiq M.

After reading reviews online, we decided to try our luck viewing the Aurora Borealis at Aurora Basecamp, and we were not disappointed.

Apart from having a clean, warm and great facility, they have knowledgeable staff who is ready to share with the group any info on the northern lights (and more!), including sharing how best to capture this beautiful phenomenon on camera.

While having a cup of hot chocolate and tea on a cold winter night is always a plus, I was impressed by how patient the staff was with us. They even allowed us to stay beyond our time and wait for the clouds to move and make way for the Aurora to dance in the night sky.

Via D.

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 there 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.

Dean G.

Amazing experience and it was clear the guide had a real love for what he was doing. Also some of the most fantastic hot chocolate I have ever tasted.

藤田れい子

・オーロラハンティング
オーロラ観測所(一部が透明のテント)の隣の部屋にてオーロラの説明を受けて空を観察〜この日は札幌国際高校？に1年間留学していた青年が日本語に通訳してくれました。
・中では温かいココアなどを自由に飲む事ができます。
・トイレは外の四角い建物の中にあります。私は利用しなかったので内容は不明です。
毎日、オーロラ観察は欠かしません=睡眠不足💤

この日は観測所
残念ながらほんの少しだけでしたが、雰囲気だけお届け致します💕✨😊
#アイスランドのオーロラ　#アイスランドオーロラ観測所
#オーロラキャンプ🏕️

jayne S.

What a fantastic place to relax and watch and wait for the lights. Great knowledgeable staff on hand and short show about the lights and what to look out for. Was a rainy cloudy evening and was told chances was small, the warm dome, hot chocolate stand, all made for a great evening, then a break in the coud came and we was witness to the phenomenon. Highly recommend a visit here. Perfect end to what had been a perfect day.

Janine H.

We had a great time at the base camp. The staff were really friendly and enthusiastic to share their aurora knowledge with guests. The large domes were lovely and warm and there were hot drinks and plenty of marshmallows to toast on the open fires outside.
Sitting round fire pits in the snow was a fun experience on its own and we got to glimpse the aurora so went home happy 😊.

Buschauer

Initially, I was hesitant about visiting the Aurora Basecamp, questioning the value of paying for something visible for free in the sky. This doubt was compounded by the possibility of not seeing the Northern Lights at all. However, my concerns were quickly dispelled upon arrival. The site itself was an extraordinary experience, resembling a lunar landscape with futuristic igloos enhancing the atmosphere. The thoughtful touches of chocolate and marshmallows kept our spirits buoyant, even in the absence of an auroral display. The engaging and educational presentation about the Northern Lights, combined with the site's warm interior, volcanic backdrop, and the cozy campfire, made for a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The two-hour wait for the elusive Aurora, which ultimately remained unseen, unexpectedly turned into a highlight of our trip. This destination transformed what could have been a disappointing evening into a memorable and delightful adventure.

animanosek 2.

Byliśmy latem ale z zewnątrz na tle lawy i w otoczeniu gor robi mega wrażenie.