Northern Lights Cruises

One of nature’s most spectacular shows, the Northern Lights are most accessible between 10° and 20° latitude of the North Pole in a band called the ‘auroral zone.’ Although the aurora borealis occurs year-round, it is difficult to see it against bright skies. The best time to witness this phenomenon is when the skies are darker so most Northern Lights cruises are scheduled from late August through early October. Most Northern Lights cruises depart from Reykjavik, Iceland, or northern cities in Norway such as Bergen or Kirkenes and will spend time in Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard, or the mainland of Norway where you have the best chance of witnessing this amazing display. Although the emphasis of this expedition is witnessing the Northern Lights by night, you will have the opportunity to get off the ship multiple times per day to experience the natural beauty and wildlife of the Arctic. It’s possible to see humpback whales, beluga whales, Arctic hares, musk ox, and polar bears depending on the itinerary. A Northern Lights cruise will get you into remote areas where there is little to no light pollution. It’s worth noting the Canadian Arctic is also a fantastic place to see the Northern Lights, but these are often Northwest Passage itineraries.