Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic Cruise in September (2027)

Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic in September: Good time to go

Nights darken enough for the northern lights to return, and Greenland’s tundra turns red and gold. Icelandic farmers round up sheep from the highlands in the réttir, a festive tradition visitors can sometimes watch. Expedition season ends, storms increase and late-season fares soften.

Across Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruise ports, September brings average highs around 47°F (8°C) and lows near 40°F, with about 4.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.

Verdict: Good time to go
Season: Late May to September; Greenland and Svalbard mainly June to August
Average high / low: 47°F / 40°F
Rainfall (month): 4.5 in
Daylight: About 13 hours
Typical cruise length: 7–10 nights around Iceland; 12–16 nights from Europe; 10–14-night Arctic expeditions

What to pack: proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.

How September compares with the rest of the year

No regular sailings
Shoulder season
Good time to go
Best time to go

Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic in August Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic in October

Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic weather in September

Average monthly weather in Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruise ports
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

Average daily highs and lows and monthly rainfall for 2015–2024 from NASA POWER for the area around Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruise ports, adjusted to sea level; daylight is calculated for mid-month. Real weather on any given day varies.

September weather port by port

Port	Avg high	Avg low	Rain	Daylight
Reykjavík	51°F	44°F	6.3 in	13 h
Akureyri	48°F	39°F	5.2 in	13 h
Ísafjörður	47°F	41°F	5.9 in	13 h
Seyðisfjörður	49°F	43°F	4.7 in	13 h
Tórshavn, Faroe Islands	52°F	49°F	4.5 in	13 h
Ilulissat	39°F	33°F	2.0 in	13 h
Nuuk	42°F	37°F	3.7 in	13 h
Longyearbyen, Svalbard	37°F	33°F	3.3 in	14 h
Tromsø	53°F	44°F	4.6 in	13 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 September

See every destination for September, with a port weather map →

Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic in September: FAQs

Is September a good time to cruise Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic?

Yes, it's a good month. Nights darken enough for the northern lights to return, and Greenland’s tundra turns red and gold. Icelandic farmers round up sheep from the highlands in the réttir, a festive tradition visitors can sometimes watch. Expedition season ends, storms increase and late-season fares soften.

What is the weather like on a Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruise in September?

Across Iceland, Greenland & the Arctic cruise ports, September brings average highs around 47°F (8°C) and lows near 40°F, with about 4.5 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 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 September?

Pack proper cold-weather layers: thermal base layers, a warm insulated waterproof jacket, hat, gloves and waterproof footwear. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. 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 September?

September is also a top month for Hawaii, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal, Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean.