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Northern Lights Safari Tromso · Tromsø

Chase the aurora on another night

Northern Lights Safari Tromso drives you out by bus or minibus for about six hours, following the forecast to clear sky, with a guide who doubles as photographer. Whale boats run in the midday twilight; this is how you use the dark.

Northern Lights Safari with Guides & Photos

About this experience

Whale safaris and the aurora want opposite things. The whales are watched in the few hours of midwinter light around noon; the northern lights need a dark, clear sky, and Visit Tromsø's aurora page says activity in Tromsø is often strongest between about 20:00 and 02:00. Tromsø sits under the auroral oval, so the question is cloud, not location. This safari drives to wherever the sky looks clearest.

You get a guide-photographer and a professional photo, transport with a toilet on the bus, chairs, a bonfire when the weather allows, hot drinks and a full meal. Winter boots, gloves, hats and scarves are included, and winter suits come as a rental option. A tripod is provided. Live guiding runs in English, Spanish, Italian, German and French.

The lights are never promised. The listing gives no refund if you see none, though an "Unlimited Option" lets you rejoin until you do. Children under 5 cannot join. Check-in is at a building beside a hotel entrance, with the details in your booking.

  • About six hours chasing clear skies
  • Guide-photographer and a professional photo
  • Bonfire when the weather allows, hot drinks and a full meal
  • Winter boots, gloves, hats and scarves included
  • Tripod provided
  • Guides in five languages

How the day runs

  1. EveningCheck in

    At the company base beside a hotel entrance. The exact spot is in your booking.

  2. Early eveningDrive towards clear sky

    The guides read the forecast and head where the cloud is thinnest.

  3. On siteWait for the lights

    Chairs, a fire if the weather allows, hot drinks and a full meal while you watch the sky.

  4. When it happensPhotos under the aurora

    The guide-photographer takes your picture and helps you set up the tripod.

  5. Late nightBack to Tromsø

    About six hours after you left.

What's included

Included

  • Bus or minibus transport with a toilet
  • Guide-photographer and a professional photo
  • Hot drinks and a full meal
  • Bonfire (weather permitting) and chairs
  • Winter boots, gloves, hats and scarves
  • Tripod

Not included

  • Winter suits (rental option)
  • A refund if the lights do not appear
  • The Unlimited Option to rejoin (optional extra)
  • Children under 5

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You want a guided aurora chase after your whale day
  • You want photos without your own camera kit
  • You would rather sit by a fire than stand in a car park
  • You speak Spanish, Italian, German or French

Skip it if

  • You booked your whale trip for the same day: you will be exhausted
  • You have children under 5
  • You need a refund if the sky stays cloudy
  • You want aurora and whales in one trip: MV Quest sails overnight

What guests say

★★★★★

An incredible experience. Koren, our guide, was very friendly and professional.

Philippe · Oct 2026
★★★★★

Unbeatable tour guides and safe, comfortable transportation. I loved this experience.

Dania · Oct 2026

Tips before you book

  • Do not stack it on a whale day. The whale boats are back around 17:00 or later, and a 05:00 coach day ends near 17:30.
  • Book it early in your stay. Clear nights come and go, and you want spare nights to try again.
  • Wear wool layers. Standing still at night is colder than any boat deck.
  • Consider the Unlimited Option if you have several nights. The standard trip gives no refund for cloud.

Read next:

Frequently asked questions

Can I do whale watching and the northern lights on the same day?

You can, but we would not. Whale days run 7 to 12 hours and start early. Put the aurora chase on a different night, or book the MV Quest expedition, which includes an aurora wake-up call.

Do you get a refund if there are no northern lights?

No, according to the listing. An optional Unlimited Option lets you rejoin until you see the lights.

What is included on the northern lights safari?

Transport, a guide-photographer and professional photo, hot drinks, a full meal, a fire when the weather allows, chairs, a tripod, and winter boots, gloves, hats and scarves. Winter suits are a rental option.

When is the aurora season in Tromsø?

From late August to early April, whenever the sky is dark and clear, according to Visit Tromsø. The whale season, roughly November to January, falls right in the middle.

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Guides who follow the forecast to clear skies, warm clothing, a fire when the weather allows and your photo under the aurora.

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Guides who follow the forecast to clear skies, warm clothing, a fire when the weather allows and your photo under the aurora.

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