Discover the Magic
of Northern Lights in Tromsø

Chase the Northern Lights, explore the Arctic wilderness, and find the aurora hunt that fits your style.

Choose Your Aurora Hunting Tour

Which Aurora Hunting Tour Is Right for You?

Small Group

If you want the best balance between price, comfort, and success rate, small group tours are usually the way to go.

You’ll travel in a minibus with a smaller group, which makes it easier for the guide to adjust the route and chase clear skies.

It also feels much more personal than large bus tours.

Check Availability

Small Group + Campfire

Campfire tours add a cozy Arctic touch to the Northern Lights hunt.

After driving away from the city lights, the guide usually sets up a small campfire where you can warm up with hot drinks or snacks while waiting for the aurora to appear.

It’s a great choice if you want the experience to feel a bit more special than just chasing the lights.

Check Availability

Private Tour

A private tour gives you the most freedom and flexibility.

The guide focuses entirely on your group and can adapt the plan based on the weather, road conditions, and what you want from the experience.

It’s perfect for couples, families, or anyone who wants a quieter and more exclusive Northern Lights adventure.

Check Availability

Budget

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, this is a good choice.

Budget tours usually use larger buses and focus mainly on getting you to a good viewing spot outside the city.

If you’re looking for a simple and cheaper option, these tours can still give you a great chance to see the aurora.

Check Availability

Overnight

Spending the night in the Arctic wilderness is a completely different experience from a standard evening tour.

Instead of rushing back to the city, you stay in a remote location surrounded by nature and dark skies.

This also gives you more time — and usually a better chance — to see the Northern Lights.

Check Availability

Photography

If you’re hoping to come home with amazing photos of the Northern Lights, this photography tour is a great choice.

Guides know the best spots and often help with camera settings, give you practical photography tips or even take professional photos of you with the aurora in the background.

Check Availability

Best 3-Night Forecast

If you want to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, this type of tour can be a great option.

Instead of going out on a fixed date, the guide chooses the best night within a 3-night window based on the aurora and weather forecast.

This flexibility gives you a much better chance of clear skies and strong aurora activity.

Check Availability

With other activities

These tours combine Northern Lights viewing with other Arctic experiences such as cruises, snowmobiling, visiting a reindeer farm, or scenic road trips.

Since these tours are not focused on actively chasing the aurora, the chances of seeing the Northern Lights are usually lower than on dedicated aurora hunting tours.

Check Availability

Northern Lights in Tromsø: Why It’s One of the Best Places on Earth

Tromsø sits directly under the Auroral Oval, the zone where Northern Lights appear most frequently.

Combined with its Arctic location, dramatic landscapes, and easy accessibility, it has become one of the top aurora destinations in the world.

The Northern Lights are created when charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere, producing the glowing green, purple, and sometimes red lights dancing across the night sky.

The aurora season in Tromsø runs roughly from September to early April.

Why Aurora Hunts Increase Your Chances

While the Northern Lights can sometimes be seen from Tromsø city, many nights are affected by clouds or light pollution.

Aurora hunting tours dramatically increase your chances because guides:

  • track real-time weather forecasts
  • follow satellite aurora data
  • drive to locations with clear skies
  • use remote Arctic valleys and fjords

It’s not unusual for tours to travel 100–300 km in one night in search of clear skies.

When Is the Best Time to See Northern Lights?

The best time to see the aurora in Tromsø is:

September – October
Milder temperatures and early season activity.

November – January
Polar night creates long dark nights perfect for aurora watching.

February – March
Often the most stable weather and very strong aurora displays.

Even though sightings depend on solar activity and weather, Tromsø remains one of the most reliable places on Earth to experience the Northern Lights.

Frequently Asked Questions about Aurora Hunting

Aurora hunting tours are designed to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights by actively searching for clear skies. Instead of staying in one location, experienced guides monitor weather forecasts, cloud maps, and aurora activity throughout the evening.


If the weather around Tromsø is cloudy, guides may drive to areas with better conditions — sometimes even across the border to Finland or Sweden. During the tour, the guide chooses several potential viewing spots and stops when the sky is clear and the aurora appears.

Aurora hunting tours can travel anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours from Tromsø, depending on weather conditions.


On nights with clear skies nearby, the tour may stay relatively close to the city. If Tromsø is cloudy, guides may drive inland toward valleys or even across the border to Finnish Lapland or northern Sweden, where the weather is often more stable.

The flexibility to travel long distances is one of the main reasons why aurora hunting tours have higher success rates than stationary Northern Lights tours.

Most aurora hunting tours use minibuses with around 8–16 guests, which allows guides to move quickly and adjust plans during the evening.

Some premium tours offer small groups of 6–8 people for a more personal experience.

Large coach tours with 40+ guests are less common for true aurora hunting, because smaller groups are more flexible and can reach remote locations faster.

While the Northern Lights can never be guaranteed, aurora hunting tours significantly increase your chances.


Experienced guides track weather conditions and aurora forecasts throughout the evening and are willing to drive long distances to find clear skies. In good winter conditions around Tromsø, many operators report success rates between 70% and 90% over the season.

Your chances are usually higher if you stay for multiple nights, since weather conditions change quickly in the Arctic.

Many tour operators offer a free second tour or a significant discount if the Northern Lights are not visible during your trip.

Policies vary depending on the company, but this “second chance” option is quite common in Tromsø.

Even if the aurora does not appear, the tour often still includes scenic Arctic landscapes, storytelling from guides, and warm drinks around a campfire.

Yes. Aurora hunting tours usually run even if the weather in Tromsø is cloudy.

In fact, cloudy conditions are often the reason the tour becomes a true “hunt.” Guides may drive inland to regions where the sky is clear, since weather conditions can change dramatically over short distances in northern Norway.

It’s not unusual for Tromsø to be completely cloudy while nearby valleys or areas across the border have perfectly clear skies.

Winter temperatures during aurora tours can drop to −10°C to −25°C, especially when standing still outside for long periods.

It’s best to dress in warm layers, including:

  • Thermal base layers
  • Insulated winter jacket and pants
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Thick wool socks
  • Insulated winter boots

Many tour operators also provide thermal suits and winter boots to keep guests comfortable during the hunt.

Most aurora hunting tours are suitable for children, but the experience can be long and sometimes unpredictable.

Tours often last 5–7 hours, and there may be extended driving while guides search for clear skies. Families with younger children should check the minimum age requirements with the tour operator.

Some companies offer family-friendly aurora tours with shorter travel distances or earlier return times.

Yes, modern smartphones can capture Northern Lights photos, especially newer models with night mode or long exposure features.

However, a camera with manual settings will usually produce better results. Many aurora guides help guests with camera settings and sometimes provide tripods or professional photos taken during the tour.

Even without a camera, the aurora is often beautiful and clearly visible with the naked eye, especially during

More Unforgettable Experiences in Tromsø

  • Best Husky Dog Sledding Tours Tromso (4)

Dog Sledding Tour

Experience one of the most iconic Arctic adventures on a husky dog sledding tour from Tromsø.
Meet energetic Alaskan huskies and glide through snowy forests and valleys as a team of dogs pulls your sled through the winter wilderness.

Many tours allow you to drive the sled yourself and switch with your partner along the way, while experienced guides show you the basics.

After the ride, you can warm up with hot drinks in a cozy Sami lavvu and spend time with the friendly huskies.

Check Availability

Reindeer Farm Experience

Step into Sámi culture and meet one of the Arctic’s most iconic animals on a reindeer farm visit near Tromsø.

Feed the reindeer, learn about traditional herding practices, and hear stories from Sámi hosts who have lived with these animals for generations.

Many tours include a warm drink around the fire inside a lavvu (Sámi tent), making it an educational and heartwarming experience suitable for all ages.

Check Availability

Whale Watching Tour

Experience the Arctic wilderness from the water on a breathtaking whale watching tour from Tromsø.

Journey through fjords surrounded by snowy mountains as you search for humpback whales and orcas during their winter feeding season.

Knowledgeable guides share insights about the wildlife and ecosystem while you enjoy stunning panoramic views.

A must-do activity for nature lovers visiting Tromsø in winter.

Check Availability

Not sure which tour to choose? We’re happy to help.

We usually reply within 24 hours.