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The northern lights over Hamnøy, Lofoten
Photo: Stian Klo Photo

The Northern Lights

Everything you need to know about nature's own mesmerizing light show, the Aurora Borealis, and how to see them.

It's dark, you're outside and everything is quiet. Suddenly, a flicker of light in the sky grabs your attention. Pale and modest at first, soon intense and vibrant, transforming the dark sky into a mighty display of nature's power. It’s hypnotic and impossible to ignore.

But perhaps stangest of all: There is complete silence, while cascades of green, yellow, violet and red dance across the sky in silent harmony. The Northern Lights are like a mighty symphonic ballet with muted sound.

The Northern Lights and where to find them

The Northern Lights are also known as the Aurora Borealis, a name given to them by scientist and astronomer, Galileo. Aurora was the Roman goddess of the dawn, and Borealis is derived from the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas.

The Northern Lights appear to those on the ground in different forms. They can look like a swirl of colours dancing through the sky, rays of light reaching up into space, and sometimes they appear as a giant fissure stretching across the sky.

They manifest as a dynamic light show across the skies high up in the Northern hemisphere near the Arctic Circle. The lights are strongest right beneath the auroral ovals, which makes northern Norway a prime spot for Northern Lights sightings.

  • See the Northern Lights on a cruise to Norway

FACTS ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

1. We can thank the Sun for the Northern Lights

Beyond science - what causes the aurora borealis?

The unearthly beauty of the aurora borealis mesmerises all who stay or travel in Polar Regions.

And like most natural phenomena, it has a prosaic explanation: It is caused by electrically charged particles, high in energy, entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

And those particles originate from the sun.

3. Aurora season lasts for 7 months

Technically, the Northern Lights are present for much of the year.

There just aren’t enough hours of darkness to see them during the summer months, even above the Arctic Circle.

The winter season in the Arctic lasts from late September to late March/ early April. During this time, the Arctic sky is dark enough for the Northern Lights to be visible in the right conditions. 

Have more questions about the Northern Lights?

  • Aurora borealis above the snowy island Vestvågøya, Lofoten
  • A view of the northern lights from MS Lofoten
  • Snowmobiles under the Northern Lights
  • The northern lights over Lofotr Viking Museum
  • Photo: Swen Stroop, Ørjan Bertelsen and Allen Hwang

History of the Northern Lights: Myths and Legends 

It's no wonder the aurora borealis have influenced folklore and stories through the ages. Imagine gazing up at green, red and purple lights flickering across the sky. Captivating, for sure. Scary? You bet. Today we know the science behind the lights, but back then, stories painted them as everything from bridges to the afterlife and football players to dangerous monsters and warning signs.

Having influenced art, history and religion, the myths and legends behind the Northern Lights are a fascinating insight into the mindset of different people across continents:

Seeing the lights with Hurtigruten

The Northern Lights have enthralled mankind for a long time. Today, it keeps captivating travellers who venture north to the Arctic. On a voyage with Hurtigruten along the Norwegian coast, the aurora borealis comes to you. Here's why a cruise with us is the best way to experience the Northern Lights:

POLE POSITION

  • Where Hurtigruten sails in northern Norway is directly beneath the Auroral Zone, and area of consistent auroral activity.
  • Of the 34 ports we visit from Bergen to Kirkenes, 22 are north of the Arctic Circle, giving you plenty of opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
  • The lights can make appearances in Norway as early as September and as late as May. Hurtigruten sails every day, all year.

6 REASONS WHY BEING ON BOARD IS THE BEST WAY TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

1. The Northern Lights will usually occur at multiple times and at multiple locations during your cruise with us.

2. The aurora can often appear directly above the ship, and our outdoor observation decks offer unobstructed front-row views.

3. Being at sea avoids the artificial ambient light common on land, so the Northern Lights will be brighter and more vivid.

4. There is no time limit, so you can enjoy them for as long as they appear.

5. Onboard announcements ensure you don't miss a single sighting.

6. There are no hidden fees or separate excursions just to see the lights.

The Telegraph

This cruise 100 per cent guarantees you'll see the Northern Lights – so did it deliver? Read more

Hunt the light on a sailing with Hurtigruten. Video: Ole Christian Salamonsen

FAQ: Your journey with Hurtigruten

Travelling to see the Northern Lights in Norway? Here's a guide with the most frequently asked questions about cruises to see the aurora borealis.

Learn more about:

  • what temperatures to expect
  • what to pack
  • your options when travelling with Hurtigruten

Interview with our Northern Lights expert

"The northern lights are comparable to snowflakes; there are millions of them but no two will ever be the same."

Dr John Mason has been working with Hurtigruten since 2007, and this will be his eleventh consecutive winter season on our Astronomy Voyage.

Some of the Hurtigruten team had the opportunity to spend the afternoon with Dr Mason, quizzing him on all things aurora-related.

Nature's greatest light show

Witnessing the celestial Northern Lights shimmering in the star-studded sky is a life-affirming experience that will remain with you forever. Their wondrous, magnetic beauty is the reason why you'll happily brace the Arctic chill, and why you'll be drawn back to see them time and time again.

Welcome aboard!

See the Northern Lights, or get a voyage for FREE

The Northern Lights simply cannot be described in words - they have to be experienced. And if you travel with Hurtigruten, we have a promise to you:

We are 100% sure the Northern Lights will make an appearance on your 12-day Hurtigruten voyage.

But if they do not appear we will give you another 6 or 7-day Classic Voyage FREE OF CHARGE, so your Hurtigruten experience will be one with zero regrets. 

 

Related cruises

  • Multiple offers
    12 days Regular departures

    The Classic Roundtrip Voyage

    • Discover our entire original coastal route with 34 ports of call, sailing past more than 100 fjords and 1,000 mountains
    • Cross the Arctic Circle and hunt the Northern Lights in winter, or enjoy 24 hours of daylight under the Midnight Sun in summer
    • Spring and Autumn voyages showcase the brilliant colours, magical light and fascinating culture of Arctic Norway
    • Wide choice of optional excursions and onboard Hurtigruten Guides who lead included activities and interpret the cultural and natural treasures on your voyage
    Price from
    $ 2631

Further reading

  • Frequently Asked Questions: the Northern Lights

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The Lemaire Channel is a narrow strait surrounded by cliffs and glaciers that runs seven miles in length and just under a mile wide. This scenic route is one of the most photogenic spots in all of Antarctica, and has even been dubbed the 'Kodak Gap.' Grab your camera and get ready for some amazing photos and breathtaking landscapes. 
📷: @glr.photo / Hurtigruten 
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#hurtigruten #weexplore #antarctica #lemairechannel #naturephotography #sunset #travel The leopard seal is named for its spotted fur coat. Famous for their fierce nature, these animals are one of the primary predators in Antarctica, using their powerful jaws and long teeth to hunt fish, squid, penguins, and even other seals.  Fascinatingly, leopard seals have no ear flaps, but rather hear from the inside.
📷: @fotografkalvig /Hurtigruten
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#hurtigruten #weexplore #antarctica #wildlife #seal #leopardseal We agree with @nytimes—there are so many places to love on earth, and Svalbard is definitely one of our favorites, too. What's one place you hope to visit in 2021? Read the article at nytimes.com. 
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