Iceland is a dream destination for photographers, but its wild weather, black sand, sea spray, and rugged terrain can be tough on your camera gear. With a little preparation—and the right base to come back to—you can protect your equipment and focus on capturing the landscapes you came for.
One of the biggest challenges in Iceland is moisture. Rain, sleet, snow, and mist from waterfalls can sneak into your camera and lenses. Always carry a simple rain cover or even a plastic bag with a rubber band in your camera bag. When you’re shooting at powerful waterfalls like Hraunfossar and Barnafoss in Borgarfjörður, the spray can be intense. After your session, gently wipe your camera and lens with a microfiber cloth and let your gear dry at room temperature back at your accommodation. If you’re staying at Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, you’ll have a warm, comfortable place to spread out your equipment, dry your bags, and prepare for the next day’s adventures.
Sand and salt are another concern, especially along the coast. Black sand can scratch lenses and work its way into buttons and dials. When shooting on beaches or near the sea, change lenses inside your car or indoors whenever possible. Keep a blower in your bag to remove grains of sand before wiping anything. In towns like Stykkishólmur, where you might be photographing the harbor, colorful houses, and nearby islands, salty sea air is part of the charm—but it’s also a reason to clean your gear each evening. At The Stykkishólmur Inn, you can take a few minutes every night to gently clean your camera, recharge batteries, and back up your memory cards while enjoying a relaxed, small-town atmosphere.
Temperature changes can also cause condensation, especially in winter or when moving between a warm car and cold outdoors. To avoid fogging inside your camera or lenses, place your gear in a sealed bag (or your camera backpack zipped up) before going indoors. Let it slowly warm up before opening the bag. This simple step can dramatically reduce moisture buildup. In the Westfjords, where Ísafjörður Inn makes a great base for exploring dramatic fjords and remote viewpoints, you’ll likely be moving between cold outdoor locations and cozy interiors often—so building this habit into your routine is important.
Wind is another factor that can put your camera at risk. Strong gusts can knock over tripods and blow grit into your equipment. Use a sturdy tripod, weigh it down with your camera bag, and avoid extending the center column in very windy conditions. When the wind is too strong, handholding your camera and bracing against rocks or walls is often safer. After a long, windy day of shooting cliffs, mountains, and coastal scenes, returning to a calm, welcoming place like Hvítá Inn, The Stykkishólmur Inn, or Ísafjörður Inn gives you the chance to check your gear for any damage and get ready for sunrise or northern lights.
Power and data safety are just as important as physical protection. Iceland’s long summer days and winter nights mean you’ll likely shoot more than usual. Bring extra batteries (they drain faster in the cold) and multiple memory cards. Each evening, back up your photos to a laptop or portable drive. Ourhotels.is properties, including Hvítá Inn, The Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn, offer comfortable spaces and reliable Wi‑Fi, making it easy to upload your best shots to the cloud or share them with friends and followers while everything is still fresh.
Finally, think about how you carry your camera during the day. A weather-resistant camera bag with good padding and a rain cover is ideal for Iceland’s changing conditions. Use lens filters or at least a UV filter to protect the front element from scratches and spray. Keep a small “field kit” in an outer pocket: microfiber cloths, lens wipes, a blower, spare batteries, and memory cards. When you return to your room at one of the Ourhotels.is locations, take a few minutes to reorganize this kit so you’re ready to go at first light.
By combining smart protection habits with comfortable, well-located bases like Hvítá Inn in Borgarfjörður, The Stykkishólmur Inn, and Ísafjörður Inn, you can keep your camera safe throughout your Iceland trip. That way, you’re free to chase waterfalls, sunsets, and northern lights—knowing your gear is ready for whatever the Icelandic weather brings.
