Heading to Iceland Golden Circle (south) and Diamond Circle (north) next week. Any suggestions for easy to access, unpopulated (few/no tourists) areas permissible for drones? I don't expect to fly my MPP at any of the popular natural attractions, either by regulation and/or social etiquette, and almost certainly not the volcano, expecting lots of people at those viewpoints.
I've seen many nice posts here about Iceland, incl. the volcano, but not find many current posts regarding acceptable use and regulations.
Two years ago the regulations were pretty simple. The biggest problem with those magnificent views is many of them are in parks, which are no-fly zones. You could even fly in Reykjavik near the airport as long as you are below the high of the buildings. (I didn't, because it was really windy and I didn't think it was safe.)
Iceland has apparently adopted EU regulations, so check those over:
Want to learn more about drone laws in Iceland? Check out our list of links and regulations for people flying drones in Iceland.
uavcoach.com
I was mostly in the central highlands and unwilling to take any risks of crashing (as I had a trip to Greenland next which was really why I'd travelled to the arctic), so my south Iceland shots are pretty limited. You can get some nice shots which you can see from the highway which absolutely don't have tourists. See some of my panoramas here to get an idea:
Roundme is a simple and beautiful online app that allows you to create, share and explore Spaces.
roundme.com
The famous Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon is a no-fly zone (and has loads of people). I found it disappointing and not terribly interesting.
The fjords of the east are supposed to be great (although I didn't get there myself). Flying there has no restrictions (except weather).
As you head from the east to the north you'll skirt the edge of the volcanic desert. Lots of opportunities for pulling to the side of the road and getting unworldly landscapes.
Mývatn has some amazing vistas for a drone (I've seen shots). Just east is the Hverfjall crater, an easy flight or hike from the road south of Reykjahlíð (which would make a decent base to explore the area).
Basically, it's hard to avoid amazing terrain in Iceland.