Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruises in August
Svalbard’s sea ice is near its yearly minimum, giving expedition ships the best chance of reaching far north. Reykjavík’s Culture Night fills the streets with concerts and fireworks. Puffins leave their cliffs during the month, and northern-route transatlantic voyages begin sailing late in August.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 52°F
- 18 hrs daylight
Photo: Hedwig Storch, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic in August: Best time to go
Svalbard’s sea ice is near its yearly minimum, giving expedition ships the best chance of reaching far north. Reykjavík’s Culture Night fills the streets with concerts and fireworks. Puffins leave their cliffs during the month, and northern-route transatlantic voyages begin sailing late in August.
Across Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruise ports, August brings average highs around 52°F (11°C) and lows near 45°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 18 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Late May to September; Greenland and Svalbard mainly June to August
- Average high / low
- 52°F / 45°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 3.7 in
- Daylight
- About 18 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7–10 nights around Iceland; 12–16 nights from Europe; 10–14-night Arctic expeditions
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes.
How August compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Shoulder season
- Apr: No regular sailings
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: No regular sailings
- Dec: No regular sailings
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic weather in August
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 28-2 | 28-2 | 29-1 | 352 | 415 | 499 | 5312 | 5211 | 478 | 394 | 341 | 30-1 |
| Low °F (°C) | 21-6 | 20-7 | 21-6 | 27-3 | 341 | 415 | 468 | 457 | 405 | 331 | 28-2 | 24-5 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.998 | 3.794 | 3.588 | 2.973 | 3.076 | 3.281 | 3.385 | 3.794 | 4.5113 | 4.2107 | 3.896 | 4.1105 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 4 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 3 |
August weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | 56°F | 48°F | 4.4 in | 16 h |
| Akureyri | 54°F | 44°F | 4.3 in | 17 h |
| Ísafjörður | 52°F | 45°F | 3.8 in | 17 h |
| Seyðisfjörður | 53°F | 46°F | 3.7 in | 17 h |
| Tórshavn, Faroe Islands | 54°F | 51°F | 3.5 in | 16 h |
| Ilulissat | 49°F | 40°F | 2.2 in | 18 h |
| Nuuk | 47°F | 42°F | 3.7 in | 16 h |
| Longyearbyen, Svalbard | 44°F | 39°F | 2.8 in | 24 h |
| Tromsø | 61°F | 49°F | 5.2 in | 18 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in August
Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic in August: FAQs
Is August a good time to cruise Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic?
Yes, it's one of the best months. Svalbard’s sea ice is near its yearly minimum, giving expedition ships the best chance of reaching far north. Reykjavík’s Culture Night fills the streets with concerts and fireworks. Puffins leave their cliffs during the month, and northern-route transatlantic voyages begin sailing late in August.
What is the weather like on a Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruise in August?
Across Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruise ports, August brings average highs around 52°F (11°C) and lows near 45°F, with about 3.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 18 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruise in August?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic?
Late May to September; Greenland and Svalbard mainly June to August. The best months are usually June, July, August.
Where else can I cruise in August?
August is also a top month for Alaska, Canada & New England, Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords, Baltic Sea.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.