Where to see every total solar eclipse until 2030
Whether you’ve seen a total solar eclipse before—or still have it on your bucket list—here’s where and when to go to experience one between 2026 and 2030
1. ‘Ice & Fire Eclipse’
When: August 12, 2026
Location: Greenland, Iceland and Northern Spain
Maximum duration: two minutes 18 seconds
It has been over 25 years since mainland Europe witnessed a total solar eclipse. The path of totality will begin in Greenland, pass through Iceland, cross the Atlantic Ocean and reach Northern Spain. This eclipse will not be visible in Madrid or Barcelona, but it will end just beyond the island of Majorca in the Mediterranean Sea.
Arguably, the best place to experience maximum totality will be off the coast of Reykjavik, Iceland, during the cruising and whale-watching season. You might also have a chance to witness the northern lights during totality—or more likely after dark. Intrepid eclipse-chasers may choose to observe the rare sight of a dramatic eclipsed sunset from the west coast of Majorca.
2. ‘Great North African Eclipse’
When: August 2, 2027
Location: North Africa
Maximum duration: six minutes 23 seconds
If you could witness only one total solar eclipse in your lifetime, this is the one to choose. Every 18 years in the 21st century, there is a massive six-plus minutes totality, and this is the next one. This eclipse will be visible in northern Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen and southern Spain, but for most eclipse-chasers, there will only be two places to be: Luxor in Egypt or Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
You could experience life-changing totality for six minutes and 20 seconds under probable clear skies, in front of Karnak, Luxor Temple, or the expansive Temple of Hatshepsut in Luxor, Egypt.
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3. ‘Great Australasian Eclipse’
When: July 22, 2028
Location: Australia and New Zealand
Maximum duration: five minutes five seconds
Australia and New Zealand will be the only places to witness a long totality in 2028, starting from Christmas Island, the wild Kimberley coast, and the Bungle Bungles of Western Australia to the Northern Territory’s Devil’s Marbles, the Blue Mountains, and Sydney Harbour. However, Sydney will be crowded with many people, and the chance of clear weather is so-so. Dedicated eclipse-chasers will prefer to be in the outback for a longer totality and a higher chance of clear skies. Milford Sound and Queenstown in New Zealand will also experience totality.
4. ‘Two Continent Eclipse’
When: November 25, 2030
Location: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Lesotho and Australia
Maximum duration: three minutes 44 seconds
This one will require some big decisions. Totality will occur shortly after sunrise from Namibia’s Skeleton Coast before moving across Durban in South Africa. The path of totality will then stretch across a remote part of the Indian Ocean before a low-setting eclipsed sunset will be seen from South Australia and into the outback of New South Wales and Queensland. The first Australian view will be had at Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula near Adelaide.
Previously published on Forbes.com
Featured image: Reykjavik, Iceland 2020 ©GA Carter
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