In “Lonely Plan-it,” we guide you through the intricate planning of complex travel experiences, making it easier for you to recreate memorable journeys. Here, Icelandic author Egill Bjarnason shares tips on how to successfully plan a trip to witness the mesmerizing northern lights. When I speak of the northern lights to my friends from around the globe, I feel like an eccentric dreamer elaborating on a fantastical vision—often trying to capture their awe in a vast, dark landscape near my home in rural Iceland.
The Anticipation of the Northern Lights
For those visiting Iceland, this excitement can lead to a less-than-ideal start to their trip, especially since I love to promise “countless auroras” as a return for their energy-draining decision to journey to my island. Yet, I always refrain from specifying when the auroras will actually appear. So, we often retreat to wait another day, consulting solar-wind charts, refilling our thermos, and preparing to venture out again.
Understanding Aurora Predictions
The phenomenon is undoubtedly predictable to an extent—it blends a blend of fortune, effort, and strategic planning. Below are some steps to enhance your chances of experiencing the majestic northern lights.
Step 1: Choose Your Location
Your choice of destination should reflect your available time and personal interests, but Iceland is a solid option. Interestingly, the northern lights do not illuminate every area in the northern latitudes. They tend to form a ring around the pole, known as the Aurora Oval. This is great news for those who prefer not to trek to the North Pole.
Latitudes ranging from 60° to 75° North span from Bergen, Norway to Salla, Finland. Among Nordic countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland), Iceland stands out as the most accessible for many travelers. With Reykjavík being the northernmost capital that serves as a significant hub for international flights, it’s an excellent spot for those hoping to witness the lights while enjoying other outdoor adventures like hiking.
However, there’s no need to confine yourself to Iceland. More remote Arctic locations offer the benefit of prolonged darkness or minimal daylight. For instance, I observed the auroras at 5 pm in Tromsø, Norway, and during a sailing expedition in Scoresby Sound, Greenland, as early as late August at times.
Step 2: Timing Your Visit
Dark nights are essential for optimal aurora viewing. Aurora enthusiasts, a recognized specialist in northern regions, suggest that the most vivid displays often occur around the solar equinoxes—a timeframe when day and night share equal lengths. While this theory holds some statistical truth, it shouldn’t be the sole factor influencing your travel timeline.
Ultimately, dark nights are vital. The phenomena are present year-round, but summer’s brightness obscures our view. Winter brings cold temperatures but also amplifies your chances of witnessing nighttime luminescence. The northern lights result from solar activity; charged particles from the sun, called solar wind, collide with Earth’s magnetic field, causing atmospheric atoms to illuminate. The experience can manifest suddenly, with varying intensity, while scientists provide daily forecasts based on solar activity from the previous three days.
In the Nordics, meteorological offices maintain a nine-tier forecasting scale to assist travelers. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with local resources to track aurora activity, like Iceland’s Meteorological Office, which offers daily predictions.
Step 3: Select Your Ideal Trip
You don’t have to completely escape urban light, but choosing expert guidance can enhance your adventure. Some travelers overly focus on avoiding all city lights, yet simply stepping away from street lamps can significantly improve visibility; there’s no need to venture hundreds of miles into darkness.
That said, visiting remote areas is just as rewarding. Engaging in activities such as snowmobiling can help pass the time as you wait to experience the lights. Opting for guided tours can provide structure and unique activities such as dog sledding, boat cruising, or snowmobiling, along with expert tracking of forecasts. Professionals often identify the best viewing locations and have contingency plans for inclement weather.
For those preferring to explore independently, thorough planning and caution during cold climates is crucial, especially for those unaccustomed to such conditions. Additionally, some remote hotels offer a wake-up service where staff monitor the skies for the lights, ensuring you don’t have to endure the cold while waiting.
Step 4: Preparing the Right Gear
It’s crucial to pack appropriately for the conditions. Approach the trip as if preparing for an expedition, with no natural barriers shielding you against the wind. Patience is key, as waiting for the auroras can be lengthy—those extra layers you might have thought unnecessary will make a difference. Thermal underlayers are invaluable in preserving warmth. If you’re booked with a guided tour, inquire about necessary items suited to the climate; many operators provide hefty outer layers.
If capturing the beauty of the northern lights is a priority for you, bring a tripod for photography; a remote shutter release is even better. While newer smartphones can surprisingly take decent shots, they might not hold up in the competitive arena of aurora photography.
Step 5: Managing Expectations
Navigating your expectations is essential for a successful aurora viewing experience. Despite the effort taken to witness the lights, clouds may indeed obscure your view. Sharing the experience with someone else can help demystify any collective disappointment and amplify excitement at the right moment.
When booking through tour operators, ensure you understand their cancellation policies, as some will proceed with tours despite unfavorable weather, not granting refunds but often allowing reschedules. Norwegian cruise line Hurtigruten offers a noteworthy “Northern Light Promise,” providing a full refund if the much-anticipated spectacle fails to materialize.
Conclusion: Embracing Your Aurora Adventure
As a resident of Iceland, I have the privilege of easily accessing the northern lights, typically witnessing them on alternate clear nights from September through April. But even for those like me who try enthusiastically to impress friends with dramatic nighttime displays, locating them may still feel like a long endeavor.
Always recommend an extended trip—seven days offer promising chances of sighting the auroras. Extend it to ten days, and your chances near certainty. By fourteen days? It’s high time you embark on the adventure.
Get ready for exploration and let your journey inspire you.
