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Reykjavik Sunrise & Sunset: August 2026

Day-by-day sunrise and sunset times with golden hour data

In Reykjavik in August, sunrise averages 05:22 and sunset averages 21:43. Days are getting shorter through August at Reykjavik's latitude of 64.1°. Golden hour lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes after sunrise and before sunset. Times are accurate to within 1 minute.

Avg Sunrise

05:22

Avg Sunset

21:43

Avg Daylight

16h 21m

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Monthly Sunrise & Sunset Table: Reykjavik

DateDaySunriseSunsetDaylight
08/01Sat04:3522:3518h 00m
08/02Sun04:3822:3117h 53m
08/03Mon04:4122:2817h 47m
08/04Tue04:4422:2517h 40m
08/05Wed04:4822:2117h 34m
08/06Thu04:5122:1817h 27m
08/07Fri04:5422:1417h 21m
08/08Sat04:5722:1117h 14m
08/09Sun05:0022:0817h 07m
08/10Mon05:0322:0417h 01m
08/11Tue05:0722:0116h 54m
08/12Wed05:1021:5716h 48m
08/13Thu05:1321:5416h 41m
08/14Fri05:1621:5016h 34m
08/15Sat05:1921:4716h 28m
08/16Sun05:2221:4316h 21m
08/17Mon05:2521:4016h 15m
08/18Tue05:2821:3716h 08m
08/19Wed05:3121:3316h 02m
08/20Thu05:3421:3015h 55m
08/21Fri05:3821:2615h 48m
08/22Sat05:4121:2215h 42m
08/23Sun05:4421:1915h 35m
08/24Mon05:4721:1515h 29m
08/25Tue05:5021:1215h 22m
08/26Wed05:5321:0815h 16m
08/27Thu05:5621:0515h 09m
08/28Fri05:5921:0115h 03m
08/29Sat06:0220:5814h 56m
08/30Sun06:0420:5414h 50m
08/31Mon06:0720:5114h 43m

Daylight Hours Throughout the Year

August Sunrise & Sunset in Reykjavik: Complete Monthly Guide

In August 2026, Reykjavik has an average of 16h 21m of daylight per day. Sunrise times range from 04:35 at the start of the month to 06:07 at the end, while sunset shifts from 22:35 to 20:51.

August in Reykjavik brings long summer days with late sunsets. Average sunrise in August is 05:22 and average sunset is 21:43. The daily table above shows the exact sunrise and sunset time for each day of the month.

Day Length Variation in August

Day length in Reykjavik in August changes throughout the month. Near the solstices (June 21 for the northern hemisphere, December 21 for the southern hemisphere), day length changes very slowly, less than 1 minute per day. Near the equinoxes (March 20 and September 22), day length changes rapidly, gaining or losing 2 to 4 minutes per day depending on latitude.

At Reykjavik's latitude of 64.1°, the rate of day length change in August is approximately 3 to 5 minutes per day during the weeks furthest from the solstices. This means that sunrise in Reykjavik shifts by approximately 60 to 90 minutes over the course of August.

Golden Hour in Reykjavik in August

Golden hour in Reykjavik in August occurs twice each day: in the morning shortly after sunrise, and in the evening before sunset. The duration depends on the sun's angle of elevation above the horizon, which varies with latitude and month. In Augustat Reykjavik's latitude of 64.1°, golden hour lasts approximately 90 to 120 minutes.

For photographers planning shoots in Reykjavik in August: plan to arrive at your location 30 to 40 minutes before the listed sunrise time to capture blue hour before golden hour begins. The transition from blue hour to golden hour creates the most dramatic color sequences. Evening golden hour in August begins about 45 to 60 minutes before sunset and produces warmer, more orange tones than the morning session.

Blue Hour and Twilight in Reykjavik in August

Civil twilight in Reykjavik in August begins before sunrise and ends after sunset, creating windows of usable natural light even outside the official sunrise-to-sunset window. Civil twilight occurs when the sun is between 0 and 6 degrees below the horizon. Nautical twilight spans 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Astronomical twilight spans 12 to 18 degrees below the horizon.

The total twilight window in Reykjavik in August extends the usable light day by approximately 90 to 120 minutes beyond the sunrise-to-sunset window. This extended twilight is valuable for photographers who want to shoot in soft, diffused light without harsh shadows.

Photography Tips for August in Reykjavik

Shooting in Reykjavik in August requires adapting to the season's specific light quality and timing. Camera settings for sunrise photography in August:

  • Blue hour: ISO 800 to 1,600; aperture f/8; shutter speed 10 to 30 seconds on tripod.
  • Golden hour: ISO 100 to 400; aperture f/8 to f/16 for landscapes, or f/1.8 to f/2.8 for portraits; shutter speed 1/250 to 1/1,000s handheld.
  • Post-sunrise (30 minutes after): ISO 100; aperture f/11; shutter speed 1/500 to 1/2,000s.

In August, Reykjavik's weather patterns affect photography conditions. Check cloud cover forecasts the evening before a planned shoot: a thin layer of clouds above the horizon creates more dramatic golden and orange tones than a clear sky. Fully overcast conditions produce flat, diffused light that is good for portraits but lacks the dramatic quality of golden hour. Partly cloudy skies create the most dramatic conditions.

About This Monthly Sunrise Data

All sunrise and sunset times in this August table for Reykjavik are calculated using Jean Meeus astronomical algorithms, implemented via the SunCalc library. Calculations use the coordinates of Reykjavik (64.1355°, -21.8954°) and the local timezone (Atlantic/Reykjavik). Times are accurate to within 1 minute and account for atmospheric refraction.

The times shown are for the center of the sun crossing the horizon. Sunrise is defined as the moment when the upper limb of the sun first appears above the mathematical horizon. Sunset is when the upper limb disappears below the horizon. Both definitions account for atmospheric refraction, which lifts the apparent position of the sun by approximately 0.5 to 1 degree near the horizon.

Frequently Asked Questions: August Sunrise & Sunset in Reykjavik

What is the average sunrise time in Reykjavik in August?

The average sunrise time in Reykjavik in August 2026 is approximately 05:22. This is based on the mid-month calculation for Reykjavik at latitude 64.14° and longitude -21.90°. Actual daily sunrise times vary from 04:35 on the first of the month to 06:07 on the last day. See the full daily table above for exact times.

How many hours of daylight does Reykjavik get in August?

Reykjavik receives an average of 16h 21m of daylight per day in August 2026. This is calculated as the difference between sunrise and sunset and does not include twilight periods. Day length varies from 18h 00m on the first of the month to 14h 43m on the last day.

What is the earliest sunrise in Reykjavik in August?

The earliest sunrise in Reykjavik in August 2026 occurs on 2026-08-01 at 04:35. The latest sunrise in the month occurs on 2026-08-31 at 06:07.

What time is golden hour in Reykjavik in August?

Golden hour in Reykjavik in August occurs twice daily. Morning golden hour begins at sunrise (05:22 at mid-month) and lasts approximately 90 to 120 minutes. Evening golden hour begins approximately 45 to 60 minutes before sunset (21:43 at mid-month). The precise start of golden hour is when the sun's altitude drops below 6 degrees above the horizon.

Is August a good time to photograph sunrise in Reykjavik?

August offers very early sunrise times in Reykjavik, which requires early wake-ups for photographers. However, the long days provide multiple shooting opportunities and the sun angle during golden hour is favorable for warm, directional light. Budget around 05:22 for your alarm.

When does civil twilight start in Reykjavik in August?

Civil twilight in Reykjavik in August begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes before sunrise and ends 20 to 30 minutes after sunset. At Reykjavik's latitude of 64.1°, civil twilight in August starts around 04:57 in the morning. Civil twilight provides enough light for outdoor activities without artificial lighting and is considered the beginning of the usable photography window each day.

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