Sailing under the magic of the Northern Lights
Revised NLP Logo 2024 NEG rgb 180px

The Northern Lights

Magic and science. Hypnotic and exhilarating. A photographer’s dream. The Northern Lights in Norway are all these and more. Explore the many wonders of nature’s greatest lightshow.

The best time to see the Northern Lights? Now!

The Solar Maximum occurs halfway through the sun’s cycle. It’s a time of intense solar activity – and dramatically more auroral displays.

Scientists predict the Solar Maximum in 2024-25 will result in the most frequent and impressive Northern Lights in more than a decade. The next Solar Maximum won’t be for another 11 years until 2036.

And with our Northern Lights Promise, you can book a Northern Lights cruise confidently, knowing we’re committed to maximising your chances of witnessing the world's greatest light show.

alta-norway-hgr-158844_1920-photo_tommy_simonsen

The best way to see the Northern Lights

A Hurtigruten voyage along Norway’s coast is one of the best ways to see a life-defining display of the aurora borealis. Here are six reasons why.

MS Richard With sailing in Norway under the Northern Lights

1. The Auroral Oval

Our ships sail the Norwegian coast, above the Arctic Circle at 66°N, and directly beneath the Auroral Oval, an area of consistently active displays.

northern_lights_on_deck_norway_hgr_122388_agurtxane_concellon

2. Multiple sightings

Travelling to different parts of the Norwegian coast on the ship increases your chances of seeing the aurora not just once but multiple times.

Northern Lights above a hot tub on deck on a Hurtigruten cruise in Norway

3. Mobile observatory

The advantage of being at sea is that we can quickly sail clear of cloud cover that might be blocking your view of a Northern Lights display.

A tourist and crew member photographing the Northern Lights from the deck of a Hurtigruten ship

4. Aurora announcements

Our ship’s bridge officers are always scanning the skies and horizon, and are usually the first to spot the aurora, making an announcement to our guests on board.

The Northern Lights seen from the deck of a Hurtigruten ship in Norway

5. The best views

Being at sea avoids the air pollution and the ambient light on land, both of which can dull the colours and vibrancy of a Northern Lights spectacle.

Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) over the North Cape, Norway

6. A free voyage

If you sail with us during the Northern Lights season for more than 11 days and don’t see the aurora appear at least once, we promise you a free voyage to try again.

MS Richard With sailing in Norway in winter under the Northern Lights

Our Northern Lights Promise

According to Forbes, seeing the Northern Lights once again came top of bucket list trips in 2024. Perfect timing as we celebrate 10 years of our Northern Lights Promise.

Since 2014, we have promised our guests a free voyage if Norway’s Northern Lights don’t occur on our voyages of 11 days or more between autumn and spring.

This year, we even extended our promise, starting it from 20 September instead of October, and continuing it until the end of March.

Voices of the Lights

We talked to people who live and breathe the Northern Lights about the dreams and desires that drive them. These are their stories.

tom_kerss_northern_lights

The Chief Aurora Chaser: Tom Kerss

Astronomer Tom Kerss tells us why he can’t get enough of the Northern Lights in Norway.

JM in Planetarium

Sage of the Northern Lights: Dr John Mason

Physicist and astronomer Dr John Mason has the answers to all of our questions about the Northern Lights, “truly nature's greatest light show”.

received 802761217997225

Chasing the aurora as a solo traveller

For KrisTina Kramer, few things in life give her as much of a thrill as sailing with us along the Norwegian coast, chasing the Northern Lights.

What causes the Northern Lights?

We asked scientists and astronomers to explain the Northern Lights in a way we could understand. In return, they told us all about solar activity and magnetic fields, and explained the different types of auroras, and why they come in different colours.

They also said that a deeper understanding of the science only adds to the magic of the experience of seeing the Northern Lights.

lofoten-northern-lights-giulio-ercolani-alamy
A group of passengers looking at the Northern Lights from the deck of a Hurtigruten ship

Legends of the Lights

Long before we understood the science behind the aurora, the Northern Lights were wrapped up in myths and legends that still fuel our imaginations today.

The Lights appear in folklore across the world, as omens both revered and feared. These strange green, red, and purple lights dancing across the night skies have inspired some of the most captivating stories on Earth. Once you’ve seen them, it’s easy to understand why.

How do I photograph the Northern Lights?

When you see the Northern Lights, it’s only natural to want to capture the spectacle. But photographing their elusive beauty isn’t as simple as point-and-shoot.

To help you, we asked photography experts for their tried and trusted tips on everything from how to photograph the Northern Lights from a ship to shooting the aurora with a smartphone.

north-cape-norway-hgr-149556_1920-photo_getty_images

Sign up for our newsletter

Receive special offers, exciting new itineraries and fascinating articles delivered straight to your inbox.