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Photo locations · South Iceland · Iceland

Seljalandsfoss Waterfall View: sunset photography forecast

Seljalandsfoss drops in a narrow curtain beside Iceland’s southern coastal plain. When the lower loop is open, the view from behind the water can create a striking frame toward the evening sky; the frontal view remains a useful composition in its own right.

Sunrise tomorrowSunrise TuesdaySunrise Wednesday

Will tomorrow's sunset be worth it?

Simplified forecast from the open model run. The full forecast — a second model, your exact viewpoint, the hourly cloud timeline — is in the app.

Global model, about 13 km: less certain than in Europe.

in 18h 43m

Pale clear glow

Exactly at sunset: Fair

Starts

in 17h 6m

Harsh directional light · backlit landscapes; harsh for portraits

Sky colors

Golden hour
Sunset

Light corridor: open

Why: The sun's path is clear at the height its low light travels, so the light can reach the clouds at sunset.

  • Light path: clear (8% blocking cloud at the ray's height)
  • Sun: likely visible. A little low cloud toward the horizon (22%); the disc should still show, but it may clip in and out.
Viewer's line of sight, tangent to the Earth at your locationNear-ground relative humidityConnected cloud layer · 41–41% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintyConnected cloud layer · 41–41% cover · 10–10% visual uncertaintylow cloud · 22% reported, 0% resolved on a pressure surface — 22% is somewhere between 0 and 3 km

Terrain is drawn for illustration only — it is not used to calculate underlight or obstruction.

cloud-cover fieldinterpolation uncertaintysun directionnear-ground humiditycloud at unresolved heightmodelled underlightunderlight · height uncertainunderlight · lit on one readinglit but hidden behind nearer cloud

Forecast refreshed a few hours before sunset.

Know the light
before it happens

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For photographers: shooting Seljalandsfoss Waterfall View

Best months

May to September is the more practical planning window for the behind-the-waterfall route, subject to daily conditions. In winter, ice and falling ice can close this part of the path.

Suggested focal lengths

16–35 mm for the waterfall and wider setting; 24–70 mm for a simpler frontal view.

Composition

From the open visitor path, give the water space in the frame and keep checking the lens for spray. Only use the rear view when it is officially open; do not depend on it as the sole reason for visiting.

Recommended arrival

Arrive 60–90 minutes before sunset to inspect the open paths and choose an angle. Leave enough time to photograph from the front if the loop is closed or too wet.

Access planning

Check current closures before entering the loop. The official tourism guidance warns of slippery paths and falling ice, particularly behind the waterfall in winter. Respect every barrier and use the open frontal area when appropriate.

Parking: Use the designated Seljalandsfoss visitor parking and current on-site payment arrangements.

Approach: A short walk to the frontal visitor area. The route behind the water is wet, uneven and unsuitable when closed or icy.

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