Seeing the northern lights is one of those bucket-list activities that require a little more prep than the usual trip. You’ll have to research when is the best time of year to see them, and from where. Because for most of us it’s a considerable distance to travel in order to see the northern lights, you want to increase your chances of actually being able to see them and to record them, too. With that in mind, here are my top 4 tips for seeing the Northern Lights to ensure you have a wonderful experience.
1. Consider a Cruise
Booking a northern lights cruise can be a great way to increase the chances of being able to see the lights. By being out on the water, you’re going to dramatically reduce the light pollution, and because you’ll travel to different locations, it also increases your chances of seeing the light shows. I personally love going on cruises because they’re such an easy way to travel, that you actually feel like you’re getting a vacation. While you only unpack once, you get to see numerous different towns while also enjoying all the entertainment and amenities that the cruise ship has.
2. Don’t Go Alone
Not only is the experience of enjoying the northern lights better shared with a friend or family member, if you’re planning to try to find the lights yourself it actually can be dangerous to go in the arctic alone. Weather conditions change rapidly, roads can be dangerous and it can be very easy to get lost when everything’s dotted in snow. It’s safer to go with a local guide if you can, but at the very least don’t go by yourself.
3. Don’t Stress About Photos
Unless you’re a photographer and have a lot of experience shooting different light conditions, chances are you’re probably not going to get great shots of the northern lights. So my suggestion is to give yourself a minute to soak it all in with your own eyes before trying. Many people spend so long fumbling with their camera and settings, that they miss most of the magic of the auroras. While I know it’s tempting to get a photo, enjoy the magic of it first for a while before trying, just in case it’s gone as quick as it appeared.
4. Give Yourself Enough Time
Plan a trip for as long as you can to ensure you maximise your chances of seeing the northern lights. As it’s such a long way to travel, it would be a real shame to go all that way and not be lucky enough to see them. For that reason, I always suggest picking the longest cruise or trip length that you can in order to increase your chances of seeing them.
Seeing the northern lights is a wonderful adventure trip, allowing you to see one of the world’s special wonders. Hopefully, these tips help ensure you actually see the lights and have a great trip while doing so.
