The internet is saturated with travel blogs showcasing the top Northern Lights tours in Tromsø, often offering only a brief glimpse into what makes each option worth exploring.
But we’re taking a different approach.
As locals who proudly call Tromsø, Norway, home, we want to share our curated list of the 5 very best Northern Lights tours, showcasing the unparalleled beauty of our Arctic paradise.
Of course, our perspective is a little biased—after all, our own tour are included on this list. But we’re confident that it belongs alongside the 4 other truly exceptional Northern Lights tour operators here in Tromsø. These experiences are not just tours—they’re gateways to wonder, curated by passionate teams who know this land and its magic like the back of their hand.
Disclaimer: We haven’t personally experienced every Northern Lights tour in Tromsø. However, based on the people running these businesses, the passion they bring, and the incredible locations their tours cover, we believe these are the best Northern Lights experiences available. dfsdf
We won’t dive into what to wear or when the best time to visit is—we’ve already covered that in other posts, like:
Sailing Through the Seasons | What to Pack When Cruising in Norway
Instead, we want to spark your imagination. Picture yourself beneath the Arctic sky, its velvety darkness lit with swirls of green, purple, and gold. These tours are designed to immerse you in luxury and adventure while connecting you to the raw beauty of the Northern Lights.
Let us guide you to experiences that are as unforgettable as they are extraordinary.
Your Arctic adventure awaits!
How We Are Rating These Tours
Before we begin, let’s take a moment to outline the criteria used to rank each Northern Lights tour operator:
Chance of witnessing the Aurora Borealis
Scenic location and surroundings
Unique experiences offered
Level of comfort provided
Affordability and value for money
Top 5 Northern Lights Tours in Tromso Norway
World Sea Explorers
Likelihood of Seeing the Auroras
Our cruises are designed to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. We navigate to optimal viewing areas with minimal light pollution, and our knowledge guides can help you spot the lights or take stunning photos.
Location & Surroundings
Set sail in the serene fjords around Tromsø, offering a tranquil and picturesque setting with minimal light pollution—perfect for aurora viewing.
Unique Offering
World Sea Explorers delivers a luxurious and eco-conscious Northern Lights experience in Tromsø, offering unmatched comfort and personalized adventures aboard their 100-foot sailing yacht, S/Y Stella Oceana. Here’s what makes their offerings stand out:
Northern Lights Hot Tub Cruise: Imagine soaking in an outdoor hot tub on the deck of a luxury yacht while witnessing the magical Aurora Borealis. This 4-hour evening cruise includes a traditional Norwegian dinner, warm beverages, and a relaxing sail through Tromsø’s serene fjords under the Arctic sky.
Whale Watching, Northern Lights & Sledding Expedition: This 6-day all-inclusive adventure combines the best of the Arctic, with whale watching, Northern Lights hunting, dog sledding, and cultural experiences. Guests stay aboard the S/Y Stella Oceana, enjoying onboard amenities and guided excursions for a truly immersive journey.
Custom Yacht Charters: Perfect for those seeking a bespoke Arctic experience, World Sea Explorers offers private yacht charters tailored to your preferences. Whether it’s a romantic getaway, family adventure, or corporate retreat, itineraries can include Northern Lights viewing, fjord cruises, fishing trips, or other custom activities.
With a focus on small groups, luxury accommodations, and eco-friendly practices, World Sea Explorers creates intimate and unforgettable Arctic adventures, blending the magic of the Northern Lights with comfort and sustainability.
Comfort & Amenities
World Sea Explorers sets the bar high when it comes to guest comfort and luxury. Here are the standout amenities offered aboard their 100-foot sailing yacht, S/Y Stella Oceana:
Outdoor Hot Tub: The highlight for many guests, the hot tub on the deck offers a warm and relaxing way to enjoy the stunning Arctic scenery and, if lucky, the Northern Lights.
Spacious Luxury Yacht: The S/Y Stella Oceana is designed for comfort, featuring ample deck space, cozy lounges, and private cabins for multi-day adventures. The yacht ensures both privacy and a social atmosphere for guests.
All-Inclusive Meals: Tours include gourmet, locally inspired meals prepared onboard, providing a taste of Norwegian cuisine. Guests can enjoy everything from traditional dishes to hot beverages like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
Warm Indoor Areas: For those chilly Arctic nights, the yacht offers heated indoor spaces with panoramic windows, allowing guests to enjoy the views while staying cozy.
Small Group Sizes: Tours are intentionally designed for small groups, ensuring a personal and intimate experience, with plenty of space for relaxation.
Experienced Crew: The knowledgeable and friendly crew provides top-tier service, guiding guests through their Arctic adventures while ensuring safety and comfort.
Customizable Features: For private charters, the amenities can be tailored to include specialized activities, like fishing gear, cultural experiences, or additional outdoor adventures.
Whether it's a short evening cruise or a multi-day expedition, World Sea Explorers offers a premium experience that blends luxury, adventure, and the stunning Arctic landscape.
Price
NOK 2,650 per person
Polar Adventures
Likelihood of Seeing the Auroras
Offers Northern Lights chases, aiming to find clear skies for optimal viewing. Their success rate depends on weather conditions and the crew's expertise in aurora forecasting.
Location & Surroundings
Focuses on accessible yet secluded locations around Tromsø, balancing ease of travel with a strong effort to reduce light pollution for optimal surroundings.
Unique Offering
Polar Adventures, a family-run company in Tromsø, specializes in creating intimate and memorable Northern Lights experiences. Their tours stand out for their variety and personalized approach, with small group sizes and knowledgeable guides ensuring every guest has an exceptional adventure.
Here's what makes their offerings unique:
Northern Lights Chase by Minibus: Perfect for land-based aurora hunting, this tour takes small groups to remote areas with the best viewing conditions. Guests are provided with insulated suits, and the experience often includes cozy campfires, hot drinks, and snacks, along with expert photography assistance.
Northern Lights Chase by Boat: Explore the Arctic waters on a maritime adventure to seek the lights away from city light pollution. With warm indoor cabins and thermal suits, this tour combines comfort with stunning views. If the lights don’t appear, guests are invited to join another trip free of charge.
Private Northern Lights Chase: Ideal for groups seeking exclusivity, this private bus tour offers a tailored experience to maximize the chances of seeing the aurora. Guests enjoy warm beverages, snacks, and the flexibility of a dedicated guide.
Campfire Experience: A magical combination of aurora hunting and fireside relaxation. After finding a perfect viewing spot, guests gather around a campfire to roast marshmallows, sip hot drinks, and hear local stories while waiting for the lights.
Polar Adventures goes above and beyond to ensure guests stay comfortable and entertained, offering insulated suits, warm beverages, and expert guidance. Their commitment to finding the best skies—sometimes crossing into Finland or Sweden—makes their tours truly unforgettable.
Comfort & Amenities
Polar Adventures prioritizes guest comfort, making their Northern Lights tours enjoyable even in the Arctic’s chilly conditions. They ensure a cozy and stress-free experience by providing the following amenities:
Insulated Thermal Suits and Boots: Guests are equipped with high-quality thermal gear to stay warm while exploring the Arctic outdoors, whether on land or at sea.
Warm Indoor Spaces: For boat tours, guests can relax in heated indoor cabins while still enjoying stunning views of the northern sky through large windows.
Hot Drinks and Snacks: To keep spirits high and bodies warm, guests are served hot beverages like tea, coffee, or hot chocolate, along with light snacks or marshmallows to roast by the campfire.
Campfire Warmth: On land-based tours, Polar Adventures often sets up campfires at viewing locations, creating a cozy gathering spot for guests to relax while waiting for the lights to appear.
Photography Assistance: Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a beginner, guides help you capture stunning photos of the aurora, ensuring you leave with keepsakes of the experience.
Flexible Rebooking Policy: For boat tours, if the Northern Lights don’t appear, guests can rebook another trip free of charge, showing the company’s commitment to guest satisfaction.
Polar Adventures combines warm hospitality, thoughtful amenities, and experienced guidance to make every tour as comfortable and memorable as possible.
Price Range
1,750 NOK to 2,500 NOK per person
Hermes II
Likelihood of Seeing the Auroras
It offers Aurora-focused cruises, which are carefully planned to avoid light pollution. Their crew leverages local insights and expertise to optimize viewing opportunities.
Location & Surroundings
Combines scenic routes with cultural and historical significance, giving passengers a dual experience of Norway’s rich history and natural beauty.
Unique Offering
Hermes II, a meticulously restored wooden boat from 1917, offers an authentic and intimate Northern Lights experience in Tromsø. Here’s what makes their offering stand out:
Arctic Light Evening Cruise: Embark on a serene 3-hour evening journey through Tromsø's fjords aboard Hermes II. Guests are treated to a traditional fish soup from Fishmonger Dragøy, with warm blankets and thermal suits provided for comfort. The cruise features heated indoor lounges and a fully licensed bar, offering the possibility of witnessing the Northern Lights during winter months.
With a focus on preserving maritime heritage and providing personalized service, Hermes II offers guests a unique opportunity to explore Tromsø's coastal beauty aboard a historic vessel.
Comfort & Amenities
Balances vintage charm with modern heating and cozy interiors, giving guests a comfortable and unique experience aboard a restored vessel.
Price
NOK 1,650 per person
Greenlander
Likelihood of Seeing the Auroras
Greenlander boasts a high success rate, with general sightings between 95-98%. They recommend booking 2-3 tours to maximize the chances of witnessing the Northern Lights.
Location/Surroundings
Utilizing a 4x4 modified Mercedes Benz minivan, Greenlander accesses remote areas with minimal light pollution, enhancing aurora visibility.
Unique Offering
Greenlander Tours, based in Tromsø, specializes in intimate and personalized Northern Lights experiences, ensuring guests have an unforgettable Arctic adventure. Here’s what makes their offerings stand out:
Small Group Northern Lights Tour: With a commitment to exclusivity, Greenlander limits their group sizes to a maximum of 8 participants. This approach allows for personalized attention and a more flexible aurora-chasing experience. Guests are provided with thermal suits, winter boots upon request, hot beverages, and a vegan-friendly, gluten-free vegetable soup. The tour also includes professional photography services, capturing memories of you under the Northern Lights at no extra charge.
Private Northern Lights Tour: Ideal for couples, families, or those seeking an exclusive experience, this private tour ensures that only your party is on the adventure. The guide dedicates the entire evening to your group, tailoring the chase to your preferences and maximizing the chances of witnessing the aurora. Amenities include hot drinks, homemade soup, snacks, and professional photos of your experience.
Professional Photography Guidance: Whether you're an amateur or a seasoned photographer, Greenlander's guides offer expert tips and provide sturdy tripods to help you capture the perfect shot of the aurora. This ensures you return home with high-quality images of the Northern Lights.
Comfort and Convenience: To enhance the experience, Greenlander provides thermal suits and, upon request, winter boots to keep guests warm during the Arctic night. The tour includes a campfire when conditions allow, adding to the authentic experience. Pick-up is at Scandic Ishavshotel, and drop-off is at your accommodation within a 3km radius of the hotel, ensuring a hassle-free adventure.
Greenlander Tours combines small group exclusivity, professional photography, and personalized service to offer a unique and memorable Northern Lights experience in Tromsø.
Comfort
Greenlander Tours in Tromsø provides a comprehensive range of amenities to ensure guests have a comfortable and memorable Northern Lights experience:
Thermal Suits and Winter Boots: To keep guests warm in Arctic conditions, Greenlander supplies thermal suits and, upon request, winter boots at no extra cost.
Hot Beverages and Homemade Soup: Guests are treated to hot drinks, such as tea and hot chocolate, along with a warm dish like homemade vegetable soup, enhancing the cozy atmosphere during the tour
Professional Photography: Guides capture high-quality photos of guests under the Northern Lights, providing full-resolution images delivered via email within 24 hours after the tour.
High-Quality Tripods: For those interested in capturing their own photos, Greenlander provides sturdy tripods and offers tips and tricks to help guests take the perfect shot of the Aurora.
Campfire Experience: When conditions allow, guides set up a campfire, creating a warm and authentic Arctic ambiance for guests to enjoy while observing the Northern Lights.
Small Group Sizes: With a maximum of 8 participants per tour, Greenlander ensures a personalized and intimate experience, allowing for greater flexibility and individual attention.
Adventurous 4x4 Vehicles: Tours are conducted using modified 4x4 vehicles, such as a Mercedes Benz minivan, designed to navigate Arctic conditions safely and comfortably, taking guests to the best locations for viewing the Northern Lights.
These amenities are designed to provide a comfortable, safe, and enriching experience, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of the Northern Lights.
Pricing
NOK 2,850
Arctic Circle Tours Tromso
Likelihood of Seeing the Auroras
Arctic Circle Tours Tromsø conducts Northern Lights chases, adapting to weather conditions to enhance viewing opportunities. Their guides utilize local knowledge and real-time updates from other Northern Lights guides in Tromsø to determine optimal viewing locations.
Location/Surroundings
The tours venture into areas with minimal light pollution, providing a natural setting for aurora observation. The use of a heated tent with a toilet at the viewing site adds comfort during the experience.
Unique Offering
Arctic Circle Tours Tromsø specializes in providing intimate and authentic Northern Lights experiences, ensuring guests have a memorable Arctic adventure. Here’s what makes their offerings stand out:
Small Group Northern Lights Tours: With a focus on personalized service, Arctic Circle Tours limits their group sizes to ensure an intimate experience. This approach allows for individualized attention and a more flexible aurora-chasing adventure. Guests are provided with warm clothing, hot beverages, and a hot meal during the tour. The guides are experienced and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall experience.
Next Chance Guarantee: Understanding the unpredictable nature of the Northern Lights, Arctic Circle Tours offers a "next chance guarantee." If guests do not witness the aurora on their first trip, they are offered another opportunity at a 50% discount, subject to availability.
Flexible Tour Destinations: To maximize the chances of witnessing the Northern Lights, the guides are willing to travel long distances, even to locations like Finland, depending on weather conditions. This flexibility ensures guests have the best possible opportunity to experience the aurora.
Portrait Photos Under the Northern Lights: As part of the experience, Arctic Circle Tours includes portrait photos of guests under the Northern Lights, providing a lasting memento of the adventure.
With a commitment to personalized service, flexibility, and guest satisfaction, Arctic Circle Tours Tromsø offers a unique and memorable Northern Lights experience in the Arctic.
Comfort
Arctic Circle Tours Tromsø offers a range of amenities designed to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of their Northern Lights excursions:
Heated Tent with Toilet: To ensure comfort during the tour, especially in remote areas, they provide a heated tent equipped with a toilet, allowing guests to warm up and take breaks as needed.
Live Northern Lights Camera Feed: Their minibuses are equipped with special cameras aimed at the night sky, displaying live footage of the Northern Lights on a TV screen inside the vehicle. This feature allows guests to monitor aurora activity in real-time, enhancing the anticipation and excitement of the chase.
Hot Meals and Beverages: Guests are served hot meals suitable for vegetarians and vegans, along with hot drinks such as hot chocolate, tea, and coffee. When weather permits, a bonfire is prepared, providing an opportunity to grill sausages and marshmallows, adding to the authentic Arctic experience.
Warm Clothing: To protect against the Arctic cold, Arctic Circle Tours provides warm clothing to all guests, ensuring a comfortable experience during the outdoor activities.
Professional Photography: The tour includes portrait photos of guests under the Northern Lights, providing a lasting memento of the adventure.
Small Group Sizes: With a maximum of 7 guests in the minivan or 15 guests in the minibus, the tours are designed to offer a more personalized and intimate experience.
These amenities are thoughtfully provided to ensure that guests have a comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable Northern Lights experience with Arctic Circle Tours Tromsø.
Pricing
NOK 1,990
Final Thoughts
Tromsø offers some of the most extraordinary opportunities to witness the Northern Lights, and each of these tours provides a unique way to experience this awe-inspiring phenomenon. Whether you're sailing through serene fjords on a luxury yacht, chasing the auroras across Arctic terrain in a cozy minivan, or soaking in the history aboard a restored vessel, there's a perfect tour for every type of traveler. Comfort, adventure, and an unforgettable view of the Northern Lights await – the hardest part is choosing which experience suits you best.
Planning your trip to Tromsø? Be sure to check out our other helpful blog posts, like A Local Guide to Visiting Tromsø in the Winter and 7-Day Tromsø Itinerary: Experiencing the Best of Winter in Tromsø. These guides are packed with tips to help you make the most of your Arctic adventure.
Whichever option you select, you're bound to leave with memories of a lifetime and the dazzling spectacle of the auroras etched into your heart.
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