Skógafoss Rainbow

This vantage point at the base of Skógafoss on Iceland's South Coast is known specifically for the rainbows that form in the waterfall's heavy spray, a reliable effect on sunny days given the volume and force of water falling 60 meters into the pool below. Because the spray is nearly constant and the falls face in a direction where midday sun lines up with the mist, rainbows appear here more consistently than at most other Icelandic waterfalls, occasionally doubling into a secondary arc during especially bright, clear conditions. Photographers typically position themselves at varying distances from the base, closer for a dramatic wide shot that includes the full rainbow arc against the cliff, or further back to capture the falls, the rainbow, and the surrounding coastal plain together. The 527-step staircase beside the falls offers an entirely different angle looking down over the top of the falls and out toward the sea, though the rainbow itself is generally best seen from ground level facing the falls directly. Because Skógafoss sits right on the Ring Road, this spot draws heavy visitor numbers throughout the day, with the base area busiest around midday, which is unfortunately also the best time for catching the rainbow.