How to Not Destroy Your Camera in Iceland

Iceland is my favorite country for photography, but it would be a lie to say that its elements play fairly all the time. Its environment is capable of throwing you pretty much everything that can destroy a camera. I learned my lesson the hard way in April 2024, and many other photographers have also seen their equipment fall foul to the Icelandic elements. 

I have, however, learned from my mistakes. Having visited Iceland 6 times, I also have plenty of knowledge on how to better protect cameras, memory cards, and everything in between. In this guide, my aim is to help you avoid destroying your camera. 

How I Damaged My Camera in Iceland: Learn From My Mistakes 🙂

I was very foolish with my Fujifilm camera equipment and thought it’d be smart to effectively submerge my device. First, we were at Skógafoss; without any covers (and not using a weather-sealed camera), I walked up to the waterfall. 

If you ever visit Skógafoss, you’ll see that you will probably get wet even if you aren’t very close. It’s an absolute powerhouse, and I foolishly thought my tech would have no problems whatsoever. After all, I had been to Iceland numerous times by that point—without anything happening. 

It was raining quite a lot that whole day in general. We afterward drove back to Rekjavík to conclude our April adventure in Iceland (we had been staying close to Vík for a few days). On the way back, we stopped at another waterfall close to Selfoss; the sleet was falling, and the wind was around 11 meters per second. Which, to translate, is not ideal if you don’t have a weather-sealed camera. 

When we got back to Reykjavik, it was raining a lot. I took it with me as we went out for dinner, and naturally, I also stopped to take some pictures. Upon waking up the next morning, I was horrified—but should not have been surprised—to see that my screen was badly damaged.

I still used the camera for another 9 months, but I can’t pretend that seeing this wasn’t annoying.  

Let’s stop to assess the positives and negatives here. The good: I got some nice photos. The bad: My camera was now damaged. 

I’ve Had Issues With My Equipment in Similar Climates, Too

This is not the first time I’ve had issues with my camera equipment because of foolishness on my part. On a trip to Bergen in 2023, I broke my SD card. Luckily, I could transfer the JPEG versions of my pictures to my iPad. However, most of the RAW files were gone forever. 

It’s very easy to think that you can just go into any environment with a camera and be okay. And to be honest, many modern cameras—even if not weather-sealed—are still durable. However, you’re basically counting down the clock before something happens. 

Why Iceland Is So Difficult for Photographers

Iceland, while photogenic, presents numerous difficulties for photographers. The main ones are: 

• The temperature
• Rain and moisture in general 
• Sand and debris 

Understanding each of these, and knowing when you’re most likely to encounter these issues, will make problems much easier to avoid. 

1. Temperature

You already knew that you weren’t getting Mediterranean in Iceland, but it’s important that you know your camera’s limitations. Many cameras are designed to work in temperatures as low as 0ºC (32ºF). 

While Iceland probably isn’t as cold as you expected to be, it’s still pretty cold. For example, it was -14ºC (6.8ºF) when we visited in January 2025. 

In fairness, I still used the same camera that I damaged on that trip. I certainly think that you can use many cameras in colder temperatures, but if it’s not weather-sealed, you are—in my opinion—playing a risky game. 

2. Rain and Moisture

The rain and moisture in Iceland is even more of a threat to your camera than the temperature, if you ask me. Even if you visit in the summer, you’ll probably encounter at least one rainy day.

Reykjavík, in particular, is prone to some ferocious rain showers. However, pretty much anywhere else on the coast is also not ideal for this. 

If you visit one of the country’s many waterfalls, your camera needs to be prepared. I’ve already mentioned that getting wet at Skógafoss is pretty inevitable, and the same is true about Seljalandsfoss if you go behind the waterfall (or anywhere near it, for that matter). 

You also need to be careful about bringing your camera into the warmth too quickly. Your camera is at risk of developing moisture in these circumstances, which can cause issues with it working properly. 

Another thing to mention is the wind. It’s often very windy in Iceland, and when it is, the rain and sleet feels even more aggressive. This could result in more issues for your camera. 

3. Sand and Debris

Dust and sand are big problems in Iceland for your camera, especially if you visit one of its many black-sand beaches. Both of these are exacerbated by the fact that it’s often so windy. 

It’s also worth noting you might encounter sandstorms when traveling around Iceland, especially on the South Coast. The same is true in the Highlands. Sandstorms are possible year-round, too; they can wreak havoc on your rental car and not just your camera. 

How I’m Taking Steps to Not Damage My Camera in Iceland Again

I’m very aware that this could come back to bite me, but maybe I can use this as extra motivation to avoid damaging my camera again. Since that April 2024 trip, I’ve thought seriously about using the right equipment in such landscapes. After all, I mainly take pictures in Northern Europe—a region hardly known for its stable weather. 

1. Buying a Weather-Sealed Camera

First and foremost, I now have a weather-sealed camera and lens. I have the Nikon z6 ii camera and NIKKOR Z 24-70mm (f/2.8) S lens, and you can see the difference in quality. My first day with this kit was a blizzard in Copenhagen, so we went right into the deep end. 

Although the camera is supposed to only operate at 0ºC (32ºF), I have faith that it can work at much lower temperatures. If that comes back to bite me, I’ll get something that officially can.  

2. Bringing Multiple Microfiber Cloths

I always take one microfiber cloth with me when photographing in Iceland (and everywhere else, for that matter). However, one often isn’t enough. When I’m out in rainy weather, it often gets soaked at some point. 

To tackle this, I’m bringing more than one microfiber cloth with me. That way, I can use something else other than my shirt if and when the cloth becomes soaked.  These are very easy to find and buy online. 

3. Not Going From Hot to Cold So Quickly

Hot ‘N’ Cold is a great Katy Perry song, but it’s a terrible mantra to live by for your camera. I’ve learned my lesson, and I’ll take extra steps to stop my device from moving between extreme temperatures so quickly. 

Firstly, I want to stop my device from getting as cold as possible. To do this, I’m going to buy a cover. I’ll also try to keep it close to my body when I’m not using it (or in my bag). 

4. Being Honest About My Camera’s Capabilities

My old cameras would’ve been fine on a sunny day in Reykjavík. However, it’s pretty obvious that taking my device to one of Iceland’s most powerful waterfalls—without even using a rain cover—was foolish. 

In the future, I’m just going to be truthful with what I can and cannot do with my camera. I’d love to dunk everything under a lot of water, but clearly, that’s not possible. As I said, I’ve realized the importance of having the right tools for the job. 

Other Things You Can Do 

In addition to everything I’ve discussed, there are plenty of other ways to avoid destroying your camera in Iceland. Here are some of my other top recommendations. 

• Buy a Rain Cover: Though not perfect, having a rain cover will give your camera an extra layer of protection. I recommend getting something robust; this cover from Peak Design was excellent with my previous Nikon camera. 
• Get Camera Insurance: Look for insurance that can cover you in situations where your device gets damaged. You should look for something robust enough to cover Iceland’s harsh nature. 
• Buy a Sturdy Backpack: Stopping water from getting into your bag is a good idea. I don’t use camera bags, but this backpack from RAINS is a good choice.
• Get a Camera With 2 Memory Card Slots: Having an extra memory card slot can give you peace of mind in case something happens to the first. I wish that I had done this earlier, but better late than never.