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northern lights lofoten islands

Northern Lights Lofoten Islands: Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever dreamed of chasing the Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the Northern Lights? Then consider yourself lucky, because all your dreams are about to come true! The Norwegian Lofoten Islands are arguably one of the best places to admire this captivating show of nature.

Come with me on a journey to explore one of Europe's most breathtaking destinations in search of Mother Nature's most beautiful gifts: a sparkling night sky filled with Auroras dancing across the horizon! In this blog post, I will take you through everything you need to know about chasing Northern Lights in the Lofoten Islands, including how to get there from Tromso and Oslo, when is the best time during the year to go there and what time of day is best for spotting Northern Lights, the top 5 places to observe them on the islands and some must-do activities while you're there! I'll also provide some tips on Northern Lights photography and answer some frequently asked questions. Are you ready? Let's go!

How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights?

Did you know that over 80% of tourists miss the Northern Lights due to the lack of Aurora knowledge? Don't let that be you! The right time and the right place are the key. Northern Lights Online Course and Aurora mobile app designed for beginners will significantly increase your chances.

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Where Are the Lofoten Islands and How to Get There

The Lofoten Islands in Northern Norway offer some of the best natural wonders, activities, and sights you can witness in the country. They are located within the Arctic Circle and provide an unmissable opportunity to experience a winter wonderland.

Getting to the Lofoten Islands is fairly straightforward as there are flights available from both Tromso and Oslo, making them quite accessible for travelers. You can also take a scenic overnight cruise from Bergen if you are looking for an alternative option with stunning views of the Norwegian coastline. Once you are at the Lofoten Islands, you will enjoy beautiful fjords, snow-capped mountains, captivating landscapes, and plenty of outdoor activities like skiing, fishing and hiking.
lofoten islands northern lights

Why Lofoten Islands Is the Best Place to See the Northern Lights

If you're looking for the best spot to see the Northern Lights, Lofoten Islands in Norway is where you want to be. Not only does this archipelago provide a stunning landscape for you to admire, but its location also gives you some of the best chances of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

So why exactly should you choose Lofoten Islands as your destination? Here are a few reasons:
  • Climate: With mild winter temperatures, it's a great place to experience the Northern Lights even during the coldest months.
  • Skies: The skies in Lofoten are often clear due to its reliable and stable weather patterns, making it an ideal place for stargazing and spotting the Aurora Borealis
  • Location: It's easily accessible from both Tromso and Oslo, so getting there won't be too much of a hassle.
  • Popularity: It has become increasingly popular amongst photographers and Aurora-seekers due to its stunning landscapes and a high chance of seeing the Aurora.
With all these in mind, it's no wonder why Lofoten Islands is one of your best bets when it comes to catching a glimpse of those magical lights that paint our night sky!

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The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Lofoten Islands

Want to see the Northern Lights in Lofoten Islands? Here's when is the best time to do it.

The Northern Lights season in Norway lasts from late September until late March, so any time during this period is a great chance to see the Aurora Borealis. However, if you want to increase your chances of catching the show, you should plan your visit for the winter months (January-March). Keep in mind that Aurora displays tend to follow an 11-year cycle, so for optimum viewing, you should go during periods of high solar activity (which can be determined online).

When it comes to the time of day for optimal viewing, you'll have the best luck between 21:00 and 03:00. But even then, you'll need clear sky conditions away from light pollution. This means avoiding built-up areas and streets. If possible, find a place far away from artificial lights or head out on boat tours, which will take away all these frustrations!
northern lights lofoten islands

Top 5 Places to See the Northern Lights in Lofoten Islands

If you're looking for the best places to see the Northern Lights in Lofoten Islands, you've come to the right place. Here are our top 5 recommendations.

1. Å i Lofoten
Å is a tiny village on the southern coast of Moskenesøya island and is just a short drive away from Svolvær Airport. It's also close to popular attractions like dramatic cliffs, tiny fishing villages, and stave churches. Since it's easy to get to and has few light pollution sources, this spot is perfect for catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights in Norway.
northern lights lofoten
2. Svolvær
Svolvær is the largest town in the Lofoten Islands with lots of restaurants, hotels, galleries and more attractions. It's situated on the south coast of Austvågøya Island which makes it an ideal destination for seeing Aurora Borealis at night - it's far enough away from light pollution sources yet easy to drive or take public transportation to get there quickly.

3. Stamsund
Stamsund is a small harbour town located at the head of Kabelvåg Bay on Vestvågøy Island - it's also known as “the other capital" of Lofoten Islands due to its salmon fishing industry and lack of light pollution at night which makes it perfect for spotting natural phenomena like the Northern Lights.
aurora in norway
4. Reinebringen Mountain
Reinebringen Mountain should definitely be included in your list of places to see the Northern Lights in Norway - the hike up is pretty challenging but once you reach the top you will find out why is it so popular. The views will take your breath away!

5. Hamnøy
Hamnøy is a tiny fishing village located in the middle of the Lofoten island chain and is one of the most photographed places in the archipelago. This place is the perfect destination for a Northern Lights hunt - it's away from any light pollution, the scenery is breathtaking, and the atmosphere is serene. So, to make the most of this experience, it's best to explore the island by day and spend the night looking for the Aurora Borealis.
northern lights lofoten

Top Winter Activities in Lofoten Islands

No trip to the Lofoten Islands is complete without getting outdoors, and you'll find plenty to do all year round. During the winter, there are a few unique experiences that you won't find anywhere else in the world. Here are some of the best winter activities to do in the Lofoten Islands:

Hiking
With so many different landscapes, hiking is one of the most popular activities on the Lofoten Islands all year round. Even during the cold winter months, you can experience beautiful hills, mountains, and beaches. If you're feeling adventurous, why not try out winter camping and snowshoeing?
aurora borealis norway
Skiing
The Lofoten has several impressive ski resorts. Whether you're a beginner or a pro skier, you'll find something for everyone here. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, some resorts offer sledging, tubing and air boarding as well.

Ice fishing
Ice fishing is a classic Scandinavian pastime and one of the most popular activities in Lofoten. For an authentic experience, why not join a local ice-fishing tour? You will be provided with all the necessary gear and guidance from an experienced local guide - making it easier than ever to catch some dinner!
aurora borealis norway
Dog sledding
What better way to explore the frozen landscape than husky sledding? This great activity allows you to take off on your own adventure into nature while surrounded by tranquil stillness – perfect for animal lovers!

Northern Lights photography
The natural phenomena of the Northern Lights create unforgettable moments in Lofoten during wintertime. Do your research beforehand to find out good spots for viewing this amazing wonder of mother nature.

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Northern Lights Photography Tips and Camera Settings

If you're visiting Lofoten Islands and want to capture photos of the Northern Lights, here are some tips for your photography!

Camera Settings
First, make sure your camera has manual settings and a wide-angle lens. Then adjust your settings to an appropriate ISO (start with 800 and increase as needed depending on light levels) and aperture (f2.8 is great). And don't forget to shoot in RAW - it gives you lots of options when editing later.
lofoten islands northern lights
Lightroom Tips
When it comes to editing, start by adjusting the exposure and whites. If you prefer warmer tones, use an orange or yellow filter. You can also bump up the clarity to make the colors more vivid. To get a nice star effect, try playing around with the highlights and contrast settings. Once all the sliders are adjusted as desired, save your photo as a JPEG for viewing or printing.

Security Precautions
Finally, don't forget basic security precautions when out taking night photos! Make sure you have plenty of battery life or an external power source so that your phone won't die - the last thing you want is to get lost in the dark! Also, bring some warm clothing - it can be quite cold at night in Lofoten Islands!
With these tips in mind, you'll be ready for some magical shots of the Northern Lights on the Lofoten Islands!

Northern Lights Online Tools: Chasing Aurora Like a Pro

The most useful Northern Lights online tools for a successful Aurora hunt. Are you about to hunt the Northern Lights on your own? Then you will find these resources helpful. If you are trying to see Aurora for the first time we recommend signing up for the Northern Lights Online Course where is explained step-by-step all you need to know to see the Northern Lights in an easy way.

  1. Northern Lights essential online tools designed for beginners to help you see Aurora like the handy Aurora Mobile App and Northern Lights Online Course will help you to understand how Aurora works and to monitor real-time activity.

  2. The Northern Lights Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast or in the Northern Lights App.

  3. Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.

  4. Northern Lights activity in real-time: Real-time Aurora activity (worldwide magnetometers), Solar Wind activity, Sun's activity, Aurora live Boreal webcams list or Aurora App.

  5. Additional resources to know when it will be dark enough Darkness graph & Map and how much the moon will illuminate the sky Moon Phase + Moonrise & Moonset.

  6. If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.

northern lights lofoten

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning a Northern Lights trip for the first time or you’re a seasoned aurora hunter, it’s always important to keep expectations realistic. Northern Lights are a beautiful and unpredictable phenomenon, so if you’re planning a trip to the Lofoten Islands just to see the aurora, you should go prepared for the fact that you may not get to see them. That being said, the Lofoten Islands offer many opportunities for unforgettable experiences, including beautiful landscape views, a unique culture, and plenty of adventure - so even if the aurora isn’t on display, your trip will be unforgettable.

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