Iceland Solar Eclipse of August 12, 2026

A solar eclipse is the thing that lures everyone around. No matter how young or old you are, it’s always such an unforgettable experience to witness the Moon casting a shadow over parts of Earth and blocking the face of the Sun. What’s more exciting is watching the total Solar eclipse with your own eyes. If you don’t want to miss the chance to enjoy the total solar eclipse in Iceland, then you’d better save the date and rent a camper van in advance! It will be August 12, 2026, when you can witness the rare, breathtaking view in one of the most beautiful settings on Earth.

Total Solar Eclipse

A total solar eclipse occurs when the Moon’s apparent diameter is larger than the Sun’s, causing the Moon’s shadow to completely block the Sun’s light and cast a shadow on Earth. It is a rare event. On average, a single location can witness the Sun’s outer atmosphere – Corona – shimmering with an absolute beauty once every 360 to 410 years. This means that the next time people can watch the total solar eclipse in Iceland, it will happen somewhere in the 2300s, though the exact year and date have not yet been forecasted. The total solar eclipse lasts up to 2 minutes and 18 seconds maximum. 

The next total solar eclipse will occur on August 12, 2026, primarily over the Arctic Ocean. When the moon completely blocks the sun’s light, a total eclipse will be visible along a path through Russia, eastern Greenland, the west coast of Iceland, Spain, and a tiny part of Portugal. However, you can enjoy the best view from the Iceland’s coastline. Here’s the reason why.

Why Iceland?

The Iceland solar eclipse is the best thing to watch in 2026. Consider witnessing the total solar eclipse as one of the reasons for planning your vacation to this beautiful and picturesque island country. Just imagine, you can rent a camper van and travel around, enjoying fantastic views of mountains and glaciers, lava fields, and hot springs while hunting for the best spots to witness the solar eclipse in different locations featured in the August 12, 2026, eclipse path.  

Whether you have visited the country before or your first time planning a journey there, your breath will be taken away by a wealth of stunning locations, from Snæfellsnes peninsula to the Westfjords, each offering unique charm and beauty. By the way, these two are among the places included in the Iceland 2026 solar eclipse path, so visiting any of them guarantees you will catch the moment of the total solar eclipse. 

Iceland’s nature and landscapes are awe-inspiring and otherworldly! If you’ve never been there, now is the perfect time to start planning your journey.

August 12, 2026 Eclipse Path

The August 12, 2026, eclipse path will start in the Arctic Ocean and land in Northeast Greenland. From there, it will cross the western part of the island country, allowing you to witness it from the Westfjords, the Snæfellsnes peninsula, and the Reykjanes peninsula before it ends in Portugal and Spain. For the best place to watch Iceland’s 2026 total eclipse, set a route 45 km off the western coast of Iceland, where you can witness the view for 2 minutes and 18 seconds. 

To watch the solar eclipse in Iceland, head to the western peninsulas—Westfords, Snaefellsness, and Reykjanes. When you arrive in locations near the sea, you can enjoy the best eclipse sites. What’s peculiar is that each of these three peninsulas is nearly equal in its cloud averages, so you have a good chance of watching the solar eclipse with your own eyes, provided that the weather forecast promises a partially sunny day.

Iceland Solar Eclipse 2026 range. Source: interactive Google Eclipse maps developed by Xavier Jubier.

The Best Iceland Solar Eclipse Trip Plan

Renting a car for your Iceland vacation is one of the best ways to enjoy the country’s exceptional panoramic views fully. It allows you to “hunt” for the best spots for watching Iceland’s solar eclipse 2026, even if the weather is not clear in the location where you’ve arrived. 

You can plan your route based on the August 12, 2026, eclipse path described above. To observe the 2026 solar eclipse in Iceland, it is better to choose one or two places where the total phase will last the longest and there will be a good chance of clear weather, such as the Snæfellsnes area or the Westfjords or the destinations listed below:

• In Reykjavík, you can witness a deep partial solar eclipse with over 95% of the sun obscured for 1 minute.
• You can watch the eclipse for 2 minutes and 10 seconds by heading west to the fishing village of Hellissandur in the Snæfellsnes peninsula. 
• Head north to the town of Ísafjörður in the Westfjords to watch the eclipse for 1 minute 31 seconds.  
• To witness the 2026 total eclipse end, ride to the Reykjanes peninsula.

Total Solar Eclipse Event is About To Be Sold Out

The solar eclipse in Iceland in 2026 is a rare sight, so thousands of people plan their journeys well in advance. When the event occurs in beautiful places like Iceland, people’s lure for adventure multiplies, with many having already started booking trips to watch it live. The impressive demand for accommodations and transportation makes finding a car rental and hotel difficult the closer the solar eclipse date approaches. Most hotels in the areas where you can see the eclipse are already getting sold out, so booking a camper van is a great alternative. That’s why we recommend you plan your trip and take care of the camper van rental in Iceland. 

We want to ensure you do not miss this unique opportunity to enjoy the Iceland eclipse by yourself, and we’d like to present you with an exceptional offer of booking a camper van at a 25% – 65% discount for all Campers for any reservation that includes August 12th, 2026. The offer stacks with other discounts and expires at the end of August 2024. 

Early booking brings significant savings and guarantees you’ll book your seat in the most outstanding spots in the August 12, 2026, eclipse path.

Conclusion

Iceland’s solar eclipse of August 12, 2026, promises to bring you unforgettable emotions. This is a remarkable opportunity for you to witness this rare historical moment while enjoying your journey in the beautiful landscapes of the Nordic island country. Whether you are a seasoned eclipse chaser or your first experience, Iceland’s solar eclipse 2026 is the event that should be marked in your calendar as a must-see. Take care of the camper van rental and other arrangements in advance to enjoy this remarkable occasion and your stay in Iceland to the fullest!