What wildlife can I see in Iceland during May?

May brings diverse wildlife viewing opportunities across Iceland. Puffins make their return to coastal regions including Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach while whales surface in the fjords near Akureyri. The East Fjords region offers glimpses of Arctic foxes and near Egilsstaðir visitors often spot herds of reindeer roaming the landscape. Many tours base themselves at Hotel Herad in this area. As one TourRadar traveler noted "we were lucky enough to spot seals at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon."

How crowded are tourist attractions in Iceland during May?

The shoulder season of May provides a balanced experience between winter quiet and summer crowds. Visitors to major sites like Gullfoss waterfall and the Geysir geothermal area find more space to explore than during peak months. This extends to Thingvellir National Park and Vik's black sand beaches. One traveler observed "we got to enjoy the magnificent scenery without the tourist crowds."

What accommodations are available in Iceland during May?

Iceland's May accommodation options span from city hotels to rural lodges. In Reykjavik the Berjaya Reykjavík Natura Hotel welcomes guests while near the glacier Fosshotel Vatnajökull provides nature-focused stays. Hotel Klettur in Reykjavik and Fosshotel Nupar along the South Coast receive strong reviews from TourRadar travelers. A guest noted "the hotels were clean and served reasonably good breakfast perfect for May weather conditions."

What unique activities are available in Iceland during May?

The month presents prime conditions for glacier hiking on Sólheimajökull whale watching from Dalvík and exploring newly opened highland roads. Visitors can snorkel the Silfra fissure between continental plates while Akureyri's Botanical Gardens burst into bloom. Boat tours begin operating at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. According to one TourRadar traveler: "The glacier hike in May was incredible - the ice was super blue and clear and our guide said it's one of the best months for glacier activities."

What are the best waterfalls to visit in Iceland during May?

The spring melt creates ideal conditions for waterfall viewing. Key sites include Seljalandsfoss with its walkable path behind the cascade Skógafoss dropping 60 meters Godafoss in the northern region and Gullfoss along the Golden Circle route. A TourRadar traveler shared: "Visiting Seljalandsfoss in May was magical - there was enough warmth to walk behind the falls and the surrounding area was turning green with spring vegetation."

What are the best day trips from Reykjavik in May?

Spring temperatures make for excellent day touring from the capital. Popular routes include the Golden Circle (Þingvellir Geysir and Gullfoss) South Coast excursions to major waterfalls and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. The Blue Lagoon and broader Reykjanes Peninsula are readily accessible. As one TourRadar traveler said: "We took amazing day trips from Reykjavik in May - the weather was perfect for exploring and we could fit multiple sites into each day thanks to the long daylight hours."

Iceland Tours in May 2027

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10 best Iceland trips in May 2027

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City & Culture
8-Day Small Group Journey Around Iceland with Premium Hotels
4.7 (6 reviews)
"The Snaeland tour was modestly priced with comfortable hotels and professional, safe, friendly driver/guide."
Greg, traveled in August
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Arnarstapi, Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Akureyri,Myvatn,Godafoss,Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Grjotagja Cave,Mount Namaskard,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Vatnajokull National Park,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Vik,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Selfoss,Gullfoss,Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Blue Lagoon+21 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
Snaeland Travel
5% off
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US$2,199per person
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1 May, 2027
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Nature & Wildlife
6 Days Iceland | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes, Reykjavik City Tour & Airport Transfer (Group Tour)
4.5 (11 reviews)
"I had an incredible time, only got lost a few times! Iceland is going to be expensive, worry about the cost later!"
Benjamin, traveled in September
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Snæfellsnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Djupalonssandur,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Seljaland,Skogar,Skaftafell,Vatnajokull National Park,Jokulsarlon+14 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
10% off
From $2,213
US$1,992per person
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1 May, 2027
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2 May, 2027
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City & Culture
Iceland Discovery
4.7 (23 reviews)
"Everyone was friendly, helpful, and explained expectations well. 10/10 will book with Wing Buddy again."
AMY, traveled in March
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Vik, Skogafoss, Myrdalsjokull,Reynisfjara,Fludir,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+5 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Wingbuddy
10% off
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US$1,949per person
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1 May, 2027
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6 May, 2027
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City & Culture
5 Days Land of Midnight Sun
4.0 (1 review)
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Blue Lagoon, Hella, Seljaland, Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park+6 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
GJ Travel
10% off
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US$1,480per person
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4 May, 2027
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11 May, 2027
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City & Culture
5-Day Small Group Journey Around Iceland with Premium Hotels
5.0 (12 reviews)
"The landscape changes with every mile! I definitely felt I got my money's worth."
Nathan, traveled in May
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Akureyri, Godafoss, Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Grjotagja Cave,Mount Namaskard,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Vik,Selfoss,Gullfoss,Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Blue Lagoon+13 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
Snaeland Travel
5% off
From $1,530
US$1,454per person
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3 May, 2027
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7 May, 2027
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Complete Iceland Circle with Snæfellsnes - 9-Day Self-Drive
4.8 (5 reviews)
"The itinerary covered every major aspect of Iceland in terms of sites, culture, adventure, topography and history."
Shirley, traveled in June
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Seljaland, Skogafoss, Reynisfjara, Vik,Vatnajokull National Park,Skaftafell,Svartifoss,Jokulsarlon,Hofn,Djupivogur,Faskrudsfjordur,Egilsstadir,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Mount Namaskard,Hverfjall Volcano,Dimmuborgir,Godafoss,Akureyri,Borgarfjörður,Reykholt,Hraunfossar,Borgarnes,Snæfellsnes,Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Grundarfjordur,Thingvellir National Park,Haukadalur,Geysir,Gullfoss+30 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
Snaeland Travel
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US$1,599per person
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1 May, 2027
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2 May, 2027
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
Geysers, Glaciers and Waterfalls - 6-Day Self-Drive
4.9 (7 reviews)
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir,Gullfoss,Fludir,Selfoss,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Vik,Fjadrargljufur,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Skaftafell,Jokulsarlon,Blue Lagoon+12 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Iceland South CoastSouth Iceland+1 more
Operated in
English, German,Italian,French,Spanish+3 more
Operator
Snaeland Travel
5% off
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US$999per person
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1 May, 2027
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2 May, 2027
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
7 Days Self-drive | Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik (Summer)
5.0 (1 review)
"Amazing tour, cute little hotels, fabulous sights."
Topaz, traveled in July
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Thingvellir National Park,Geysir,Gullfoss,Kerid Volcano,Hella,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Solheimajokull,Reynisfjara,Vik,Jokulsarlon,Reykjavik+15 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
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US$2,516per person
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1 May, 2027
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2 May, 2027
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
8 Days Self-drive | Around Iceland Ring Road Tour (Summer)
5.0 (1 review)
"Marina Travel makes the difference. The communication with them was more than excellent."
Ana, traveled in July
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Hvitserkur, Akureyri,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Hverarönd,Godafoss,Egilsstadir,Djupivogur,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Fjadrargljufur,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Solheimajokull,Geysir,Gullfoss,Thingvellir National Park,Reykjavik+17 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
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US$2,892per person
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1 May, 2027
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2 May, 2027
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Road Trip & Self-Drive
11 Days Self-drive | Ultimate Iceland Ring Road Tour
4.3 (4 reviews)
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Blue Lagoon, Borgarnes, Snæfellsnes, Arnarstapi,Búðir,Kirkjufell Mountain,Reykholt,Hraunfossar,Hvitserkur,Akureyri,Godafoss,Myvatn,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Bakkagerdi,Djupivogur,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Hof,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Vatnajokull National Park,Svartifoss,Hvannadalshnjukur,Skaftafell,Reynisfjara,Myrdalsjokull,Vik,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Solheimajokull,Hella,Hvolsvollur,Thingvellir National Park,Gullfoss,Geysir,Kerid Volcano,Reykjavik+33 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Marina Travel
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From $3,539
US$3,185per person
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1 May, 2027
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2 May, 2027
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City & Culture
7-Day Small Group Journey Around Iceland with Premium Hotels
4.9 (36 reviews)
"The hotels we stayed in were comfortable. Breakfast was included daily, which was nice to have given the price of eating out in Iceland."
Gary, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Keflavik, Reykjavik, Borgarnes, Grábrók Volcano, Akureyri,Godafoss,Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Grjotagja Cave,Mount Namaskard,Dettifoss,Egilsstadir,Hofn,Jokulsarlon,Vatnajokull National Park,Hvannadalshnjukur,Vik,Reynisfjara,Skogafoss,Seljaland,Selfoss,Gullfoss,Geysir,Thingvellir National Park,Blue Lagoon+20 more
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
Snaeland Travel
5% off
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US$1,804per person
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2 May, 2027
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6 May, 2027
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Nature & Wildlife
7 Day - Iceland Ring Road & Snæfellsnes Peninsula Small-Group Tour
4.6 (106 reviews)
"see so much every day in Iceland. Comfortable Mercedes minibus"
Daniel, traveled in August
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogar,Reynisfjara,Vik,Myrdalsjokull,Jokulsarlon,Fjadrargljufur,Hofn,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Bakkagerdi,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Godafoss,Akureyri,Blonduos,Hvitserkur,Laugarbakki,Hraunfossar,Reykholt,Snæfellsnes,Kirkjufell Mountain,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Djupalonssandur,Arnarstapi,Borgarnes+28 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
BusTravel Iceland
5% off
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US$2,140per person
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1 May, 2027
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2 May, 2027
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Nature & Wildlife
6 Day - Iceland Ring Road Small-Group Tour
4.8 (49 reviews)
"Iceland is such a wonderful country! Best tour!"
Dagmar, traveled in February
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogar,Reynisfjara,Vik,Myrdalsjokull,Fjadrargljufur,Jokulsarlon,Hofn,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Dettifoss,Myvatn,Mount Namaskard,Dimmuborgir,Skutustadagigar,Godafoss,Akureyri,Hvitserkur,Laugarbakki,Grábrók Volcano,Hraunfossar,Borgarnes+22 more
Age Range
Ages 6+
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
BusTravel Iceland
5% off
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US$1,905per person
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2 May, 2027
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4 May, 2027
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Nature & Wildlife
5 Day - Snæfellsnes & South Coast
4.5 (163 reviews) award winner
"The itinerary each day was perfectly planned, giving us the chance to see so many breathtaking places."
Diane, traveled in March
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Arnarstapi, Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain,Reykholt,Thingvellir National Park,Dover,Gullfoss,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Vatnajokull National Park,Jokulsarlon,Skaftafell,Fjadrargljufur+11 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Operated in
English
Operator
Arctic Adventures
5% off
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US$1,603per person
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Price based on Shared Room
2 May, 2027
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4 May, 2027
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Nature & Wildlife
7 Day - Complete Iceland - Standard Package
4.6 (217 reviews) award winner
"Iceland's landscape is brutal and beautiful in equal measure."
Amber, traveled in May
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Reykjavik, Thingvellir National Park, Geysir, Gullfoss,Seljaland,Skogafoss,Reynisfjara,Kirkjubaejarklaustur,Skaftafell,Vatnajokull National Park,Jokulsarlon,Djupivogur,Egilsstadir,Mount Namaskard,Hverfjall Volcano,Myvatn,Akureyri,Siglufjordur,Reykholt,Borgarnes,Snaefellsjokull National Park,Arnarstapi,Hellnar,Djupalonssandur,Kirkjufell Mountain+21 more
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Iceland Ring Road
Operated in
English
Operator
Arctic Adventures
5% off
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US$2,535per person
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1 May, 2027
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