Iceland Flying Experience

[GrandDad48]

I am a photographer/videographer and will be traveling to Iceland in October, 2025 and could use your help. I would appreciate any recent experiences you have had flying at various locations within a few hours’ drive of Reykjavik. I would be flying my Air 3S for recreation and I understand that I would need to register and pass the A1/A3 certification test to fly in the EU.

However, I have seen some comments that a number of the prime locations that tourists encounter now have local No-Fly restrictions. If that is the case, it might not be worth bringing my drone. Are there sufficient unrestricted locations that don't require extensive hiking, are legal to fly, and make for great photos or videos?

Please share your experiences and thank you for your thoughts.

 

[mavic3usa]

Take your drone to Iceland. Not because I’ve been there and have flown because I’ve seen enough YT videos from others to know there are plenty of good drone spot in the country, even today. Better off than to find out there are not heavy restrictions but left it at home.

 

[MS Coast]

Are there sufficient unrestricted locations that don't require extensive hiking, are legal to fly, and make for great photos or videos?

There's no nationwide map showing prohibited and restricted areas, but the second through fourth bullets on this page from the Icelandic Transportation Authority list some of the restrictions for parks and protected areas.

Drone Map | Ísland.is

Information on drone maps

island.is

 

[GrandDad48]

There's no nationwide map showing prohibited and restricted areas, but the second through fourth bullets on this page from the Icelandic Transportation Authority list some of the restrictions for parks and protected areas.

Drone Map | Ísland.is

Information on drone maps

island.is

Wow, this is great information, thank you.

 

[chadCO]

If no one sees you fly, no one can have a problem.

 

[Dave Maine]

Iceland has a lot of strong winds which may limit the times that you want to fly. On the other hand, it is drop dead beautiful.

 

[Dale D]

I am a photographer/videographer and will be traveling to Iceland in October, 2025 and could use your help. I would appreciate any recent experiences you have had flying at various locations within a few hours’ drive of Reykjavik. I would be flying my Air 3S for recreation and I understand that I would need to register and pass the A1/A3 certification test to fly in the EU.

However, I have seen some comments that a number of the prime locations that tourists encounter now have local No-Fly restrictions. If that is the case, it might not be worth bringing my drone. Are there sufficient unrestricted locations that don't require extensive hiking, are legal to fly, and make for great photos or videos?

Please share your experiences and thank you for your thoughts.

I have written to you on Direct Message. Iceland is well known for its usually unfettered ability to fly drones. There are a few falls that are so crowded that they have put up on drone signs, but that leaves an entire gorgeous country filled with drone access to amazing scenery. Do not leave it at home. You would regret that decision. I flew my original Mavic 1 (red) there in June 2019 and rules may have changed since then but I found plenty of places where drones wreak havoc not restricted.

Dale Davis

 

[wco81]

Ooh, may finally have to go and take it off my bucket list.

 

[Split-Infinitive]

Iceland is fairly sensible. Some of the more crowded areas ban them (waterfalls, iceberg lagoon, volcanic eruptions etc) but others are more sensible just requesting you fly early morning or evening.

Droneflying for Personal Use - Thingvellir National Park for example.

Drone Map | Ísland.is

Information on drone maps

island.is

Is the main page.

One caution though, it's one of the windiest places in the world. You may not get many flying days.