Chasing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is a captivating quest for many travellers eager to witness this dazzling natural light display. To maximise your chances of seeing the auroras, it’s essential to head to locations with clear, dark skies, high latitude, and minimal light pollution.
Best Places to See the Northern Lights
- Norway: Particularly above the Arctic Circle in places like Tromsø and the Lofoten Islands, Norway offers some of the most spectacular and consistent aurora sightings. The combination of fjords and mountains creates a stunning backdrop.
- Iceland: Easily accessible with its vast dark skies, Iceland provides excellent Northern Lights viewing, especially around the less populated areas such as Thingvellir National Park and the Westfjords.
- Finland: Lapland in Finland is famed for its endless snowy wilderness and frequent aurora activity. Resorts here offer cosy glass igloos and wilderness lodges designed for aurora watching.
- Sweden: The northern region around Kiruna and Abisko National Park offers clear skies ideal for aurora hunting. Abisko’s unique microclimate results in mostly clear skies, which is a premium advantage.
- Canada: The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and northern parts of Alberta are fantastic for aurora viewing. Locations like Yellowknife are considered some of the best in the world due to their dark skies and active auroral zones.
- Alaska: Fairbanks and remote areas above it serve as prime spots for viewing the Northern Lights, with good infrastructure supporting aurora tourists.
Essential Tips for Aurora Borealis Chasing
1. Timing is Everything
The prime Northern Lights season runs from late September to early April when nights are longest and darkest. Look for clear, cloudless skies and check aurora forecasts, which use geomagnetic activity indices like the KP scale to predict the likelihood of auroras.
2. Choose Dark Locations
Steer clear of city lights and find open areas with an unobstructed view of the northern horizon. National parks, rural countryside, or remote lodges are ideal. Avoid nights with a full moon if you want the colours to stand out vividly.
3. Prepare Your Camera Gear
For capturing the Northern Lights, use a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings and a sturdy tripod. Recommended camera settings include:
- Wide-angle lens with a wide aperture (around f/2.8 to f/4).
- Manual focus set to infinity.
- Shutter speed between 5 to 25 seconds, depending on aurora activity speed.
- ISO ranging from 800 to 3200—the higher the ISO, the more light but with increased graininess.
- Set white balance to daylight or around 3500K to avoid overly warm or cool tones.
Bring extra batteries and memory cards, as cold weather can drain power quickly.
4. Dress Warmly and Pack Smart
Temperatures can plummet to extreme lows, so thermal layers, windproof outerwear, insulated boots, and hand warmers are essential. A thermos with a warm drink makes the long wait more enjoyable.
5. Be Patient and Stay Flexible
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can be unpredictable. Sometimes you might need to wait hours or travel deeper into the wilderness. Keep an eye on weather and aurora forecasts, and be ready to move quickly if conditions change.
Additional Recommendations
Consider joining local guided tours or aurora chases; experienced guides can increase your chances of success by navigating to the best spots. Some regions even offer overnight aurora wake-up calls.
After capturing your images, use photo editing to enhance the vibrancy and contrast of your aurora shots for the best effect.