Photo: Kaldbakstindur / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Partial solar eclipse · 12 August 2026

Where to watch the 2026 solar eclipse in Akureyri

Akureyri sees a deep partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 97.9% of the Sun covered at around 17:46 GMT, with the Sun a comfortable ~23° above the horizon.

Partial eclipse Get certified eclipse glasses

Maximum~17:46 GMTNortheast · Iceland · 12 Aug 2026

Duration~1h 59m of partial eclipseThis is the full partial eclipse from first to last contact. There is no totality here — the Sun is never completely covered, so there is no corona and no moment when it is safe to look without protection.

Sun altitude~23° above the WNW horizonhigh enough that cloud, not terrain, is the risk

Coverage97.9% (partial)Akureyri is OUTSIDE the path of totality. About 97.9% of the Sun is covered at maximum — a deep partial eclipse, but not a total one. The corona never appears and the sky does not go dark.

Clear-sky odds Cloud is the main obstacle · ≈38%Iceland in August is frequently overcast and the weather changes fast. The Sun is high, so cloud is the only real enemy.

Counting down to maximum

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Akureyri sees a deep partial eclipse on 12 August 2026 — about 97.9% of the Sun covered at around 17:46 GMT, with the Sun a comfortable ~23° above the horizon.

Below: Akureyri's exact timings, the best open viewpoints, why your eclipse glasses never come off here, and where the real totality is.

The timeline

When the eclipse happens

~16:45 GMTPartial begins — first "bite" out of the Sun

~17:46 GMTPartial — ~1h 59m of partial eclipse. Glasses off only if total.

~21:50 GMTEclipse ends ~18:44 GMT

The eclipse runs from about 16:45 to 18:44 GMT, with maximum at around 17:46 and the Sun ~23° above the west-northwest horizon. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 21:50 GMT, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Where to set up

The best places to watch

Akureyri waterfront

Fjord · open water

Long view down Eyjafjörður

The town front looks along the fjord with open water and mountains framing the view.

Kjarnaskógur woods and the hills above town

Elevated · accessible

Height above the fjord

The slopes above Akureyri give a wider outlook over the fjord and town.

Goðafoss

Waterfall · dramatic

Iconic Icelandic foreground

The waterfall east of Akureyri gives an unforgettable setting with open sky above.

Open country toward Dalvík

Coast · fjord mouth

Wider horizon

North along the fjord the land opens toward the sea with a broader sightline.

South-west for totality

The real thing

Reykjanes and the south-west

Akureyri sees a very deep partial but NOT totality — the path crosses the south-west of the country.

Local astronomy societies and science centres often organise safe public viewing with filtered telescopes — worth checking closer to the date.

Plan your trip

Where to stay near the eclipse

Accommodation around the viewing area for eclipse night (11–13 Aug 2026). Compare hotels and rentals live on the map below.

The weather call

Will the sky be clear?

Iceland in August is frequently overcast and the weather changes fast. The Sun is high, so cloud is the only real enemy.

The deciding factor here is simply whether the sky is clear at the right moment. Check the forecast in the final 48 hours and, if you can, keep the option of moving to a gap in the cloud.

Plan the day

Your eclipse-day checklist

Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE eclipse glasses — one pair per person
Glasses stay ON for the entire eclipse — there is no safe moment here
A reasonable view west — the Sun is ~23° up, so gaps in cloud are enough
Arrive before 16:45 to catch first contact

Check the cloud forecast in the final 48 hours
Never look through a camera, phone or binoculars without a proper solar filter
Pinhole projection is a safe way for groups to watch together
If you want totality, it is northern Spain — not here

Watch it safely

However you’re watching, watch it safely

Every Absolute Eclipse product is independently certified and made in the EU. There’s no safe moment to look unaided here — keep certified eyewear on the entire time.

ISO 12312-2 certified
CE · EU 2016/425 PPE
Made & shipped in the EU

Akureyri eclipse FAQ

Will Akureyri see a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026?

No. Akureyri is outside the path of totality and sees a partial eclipse, with about 97.9% of the Sun covered at maximum. It is a striking sight through eclipse glasses, but the corona does not appear and the sky does not go dark. The path of totality crosses northern Spain.

What time is the eclipse in Akureyri?

The partial phase begins at about 16:45 GMT and maximum — 97.9% coverage — comes at roughly 17:46 GMT. The eclipse finishes before sunset at 21:50 GMT, so you are not racing the horizon here.

Do I need eclipse glasses in Akureyri?

Yes, for the entire eclipse without exception. Because the Sun is never fully covered, there is never a safe moment to look with the naked eye. Even at 97.9% coverage the remaining sliver is dangerously bright. Certified ISO 12312-2 / CE glasses stay on from start to finish.

Where should I watch from in Akureyri?

With the Sun about 23° above the horizon at maximum, a break in the cloud matters more than a perfect horizon — though higher, open ground still gives the best view.

Does Akureyri see the total eclipse?

No. Akureyri sees about 98% of the Sun covered — very deep, but the path of totality crosses south-western Iceland, not the north. For genuine totality you need the Reykjanes peninsula or the Reykjavík area, a few hours south-west.

Will the weather be clear in Akureyri on eclipse day?

Iceland in August is frequently overcast and the weather changes fast. The Sun is high, so cloud is the only real enemy.

Keep exploring the path

Nearby regions to watch from

● Partial

Kilder: timeanddate.com · nationaleclipse.com · eclipsophile.com (vejr) · Gobierno de Aragón · BBC Sky at Night. Tidspunkter er lokale (CEST).