Northern Lights in Tromsø, Norway – Should You Take a Tour?
Viewing the Northern Lights in Tromsø - Should I Take a Tour or Chase the Lights Solo
The number one reason I came to Tromsø was to view the Northern Lights. When I was planning my trip, I was trying to decide if I should book a tour to chase the Northern Lights or go Northern Light hunting solo. Eventually, I chose to book a small group tour as I felt it would give me the best chance to see the Northern Lights.
I booked one Tromsø Northern Lights Chase initially and then kept the other two nights open. The main reasons I didn’t book a chase each night were because they are relatively expensive, and they go into the early hours of the morning. I had many things I wanted to do during the day in Tromsø as well.
In looking for a tour company, I wanted to ensure I had the best chance of viewing the Northern Lights. Many companies had their own bases right outside of Tromsø City. These bases were away from natural light, and then participants would sit and wait until the Northern Lights appeared. These bases were perfect unless, of course, it was cloudy. The company that I chose was called Friluftsenter, and although they had a base, their website said they would drive us as far as Sweden and Finland in an attempt to see the lights. I booked with this company at the cost of kr1,150 (USD142).
The first night in Tromsø, I saw some brief Northern Lights activity. During this time, the lights were only visible for a few minutes, and the photo to the right was the best photo I was able to take.
I was looking forward to taking a small group tour to chase the Northern Lights and hoped I would learn the technical aspects of how to get a good, sharp photograph of the auroras.
Northern Lights Chase - Tromsø, Norway - Table of Contents
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My Northern Lights Chase Tour from Tromsø, Norway
The meeting time for my small group Northern Lights Chasing tour was at 7:15 pm at the centrally located Scandic Ishavshotel. One thing about Tromsø is that almost every place is walkable, and the Scandic Ishavshotel was only a few blocks from where I was staying.
When I arrived, I was greeted by two guides, Knut and Trine. Trine, who is the owner of the company, told us that the forecast did not look good and offered a full refund if we didn’t want to go on the chase. I chose to go, even though I knew that the chances of seeing the lights were slim. I went with Knut because he was headed towards Finland, and I was even if I didn’t see the Northern Lights that I could add a country to my list since I had never been to Finland.
The drive to find a clear sky took about 2.5 hours. During the trip, Knut showed us a video about the Northern Lights and helped us set up our cameras. The settings that Knut suggested were: iso-400, f/lowest possible (mine was 3.5), and a shutter speed of around 15 seconds.
Finally, we reached our destination, and Knut stopped the van. We had found a clear sky right on the border of Norway and Finland. Although we were parked in Norway, I walked about 100 yards to make sure that I officially stepped into Finland. I sensed that my Northern Lights Chase was about to get exciting, and at this point, I was very happy that I had chosen to take a small group tour to chase the Nothern Lights.
Waiting for the Lights
Now that we had a clear sky, all we had to do was wait for the lights to arrive. While we waited, Knut made a small fire, and people roasted marshmallows. He also explained to us some of the technical aspects of chasing the lights, which was another advantage of taking a small group tour.
First, obviously, you need a clear sky. Next, Khe educated us on the KP Index. I had assumed that the higher the KP index, the better chance we would have of seeing the Northern Lights. I was incorrect. Knut explained that the KP index only meant where the lights would be visible. If the KP were under 1.00, we would have to look to the north. If the KP was around 1.00, we could look straight up. However, if the KP index were around 2.00 or higher, we would have to look to the south. Knut explained that one time the KP index was at 7.00, and the Northern Lights could be seen as far south as Central Europe.
I used the iPhone App My Aurora Forecast. The app was free and gave me up to the minute data. With the KP forecast was around 1.00, we would only need a clear sky above us.
The biggest issue was the cloud cover. Most of the night was supposed to be cloudy with only minimal breaks in the clouds.
Knut had done his job and put us in the best possible spot to view the lights. Now we just had to wait for them to appear.
My Aurora Forecast gave us around a 13% to 17% chance of seeing the lights due to cloud cover.
Disappointment Due to a Lack of Activity
We waited for a few hours and saw nothing. Knut explained that there was merely no activity.
Activity is measured on a scale of 10 to 0 to -10. The closer that activity meter was to 10, the more spectacular the green glow of the lights would be. If the activity measure went below the line towards -10, then there wouldn’t only be green but other colors as well.
You can see from my screenshot that there was limited activity. As the sky clouded up, Knut decided that we should change spots. I was assigned the job of continually checking the activity graph as Knut looked for a clear sky.
The web address of the activity monitor for Norway is in the URL box of the picture below. You should bookmark this site if you plan to chase the lights on your own.
One Final Chance to See the Northern Lights
We finally found a clear sky, and Knut pulled the van over. It was well after 3:00 am, and this was our last chance. We kept taking pictures hoping that they would show the faintest green glow of the Northern Lights.
It wasn’t meant to be, and I returned to Tromsø disappointed in the outcome, but I was not disappointed with Knut. He did everything he could to find the lights on our Northern Lights Chase.
Below is the best picture from that night. With some enhancement, there is the slightest possible glow of the lights.
If you look in the upper left-hand corner, you can see the slightest glow of the Northern Lights.
I made it back to the hotel around 5:00 A.M. This left me only a few hours to sleep before my fjord tour departure at 10:00 A.M. The next night’s forecast was worse as the sky was going to be 98-100% cloudy. I chose to get some much needed sleep.
Had I chosen to go out on the following night, and found clear sky, it could have been an epic Northern Lights show. Take a look at the activity chart to the right. It sort of made me regret choosing sleep, but at the same time with 98-100% cloud cover, it would have been pretty difficult to find even the smallest amount of clear sky.
This backpack has a special compartment for my camera, lenses, and a 16-inch laptop computer. It also can hold a tripod and many other small items such as my phone charger and travel books.
This travel tripod is so small that it can fit in a backpack. It is the only tripod I ever use.
My Canon EOS RP Camera. All of the pictures on Buzzinaroundtheworld.com were taken using this camera.
This wide-angle lens is perfect for landscape and night sky pictures.
My Solo Northern Lights Chase - Tromsø, Norway
On my last night in Tromsø, I decided to take a chance and chase the lights on my own. There was a Northern Lights viewing area on the South end of Tromsø Island. It was about a one-hour walk from my hotel, but I didn’t feel like spending another $150 on a Northern Lights tour for a 15% chance of seeing the lights.
The location was right next to the Sydspissen Hotel and had plenty of picnic tables, benches, and open space. I was one of the first ones there and set up on a picnic table and waited for it to get dark.
I didn’t have to wait long to see the Northern Lights. When the lights arrived, I was so excited that I forgot to screenshot the KP and the activity forecast. From my memory, the KP was around 1.33, and the activity was around +2. These were not the most spectacular pictures that anyone has ever taken, but thanks to the tips that Knut taught me, I was able to get some decent Northern Lights pictures. I still did have some issues with getting the Northern Lights to properly focus.
There were only about 45 minutes of clear sky. I considered myself very lucky to be in the right place at the right time. You can see how quickly the clouds rolled in in the pictures below. Overall, I am glad I took the risk to chase the lights myself instead of paying for a second tour.
Some Tour Options for Chasing the Northern Lights - Departing from Tromsø, Norway
I highly recommend taking a tour for chasing the Northern Lights. Even though I did not see the Northern Lights with my tour, the guide put us in the best possible spots to find clear sky and Aurora activity. Below are various Northern Lights Chasing Tours from Tromsø.
I am an affiliate partner of Viator. If you book a tour using one of the links below, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I would greatly appreciate it if you would consider booking using one of my links.
If you prefer to book the tour I went on you can book directly with Friluftsenter by clicking HERE. If you book using this direct link, I will not receive any commission.
 Northern Lights Small-Group Tour from Tromso Including Photography Tips - $222.89 Want to see the elusive Northern Lights? Take this 5-hour Northern Light bus safari from Tromsø to boost your chance of seeing the natural phenomenon. As you travel by minibus, hunt for the lights in the dark skies of the countryside, far from any light pollution. Stop at the best viewpoints; learn to capture the lights on camera with the help of a guide and tripod; and refuel with coffee, hot chocolate and cake. Numbers are limited to 16 for a small-group experience. |
 Northern Lights Tour Including Photos Under the Lights in Tromso - $178.91 Get an intimate look at the Aurora Borealis on a small-group Northern Lights tour, departing from Tromsø. This 7-hour nighttime tour travels off the beaten path on an Arctic route. See the eye-catching display and focus your camera lens with tips from your photographer guide. Dinner, snacks, drinks around the fire, plus a thermal suit, professional photos, and round-trip hotel transportation are all included. |
 Overnight Stay in Lavvu, Northern Lights and Reindeer Sledding in Tromso - $389.47 Try reindeer sledding, the oldest means of transportation in the north. The location has little artificial light and excellent conditions to look for the Northern Lights. Instead of heading back to the city centre where you might miss a late night dance from the Aurora, stay on in this good location in a traditional Sami lavvu, sleeping on reindeer skins in winter-insulated sleeping bags. |
 Northern Lights Small-Group Tour from Tromso, Including Photography Tips - $172.56 Want to see the elusive Northern Lights? Take this 5 to 7 hours Northern Light minibus safari from Tromsø to boost your chance of seeing the natural phenomenon. As you travel by minibus, hunt for the lights in the dark skies of the countryside, far from any light pollution. Stop at the best viewpoints; learn to capture the lights on camera with the help of a guide and tripod; and refuel with coffee, hot chocolate and cake. Numbers are limited to 15 for a small-group experience. |
 Northern Lights and Reindeer Sledding in Tromso - $174.87 Crackling snow and clear night-time sky printed with green waves from the Northern Lights enjoyed from a sled being gently pulled by a reindeer. This genuine winter adventure is what we will do our best to give you on this tour. We would also like to give you the opportunity to become better acquainted with the Sami culture and join a pleasant and fun Reindeer Sledding and look out for the Northern Lights at the same time. |
 Northern Lights Safari from Tromso - $173.14 Chase the Northern Lights and experience the beauty of the north in Tromsø with personal service, good food and lots of fun. You will look fabulous with the provided thermal suits and you will not forget this night with the lady AURORA dancing above you. Photos will be taken and sent to you by e-mail to remind you about this unforgettable night. Looking forward to seeing you! |
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