Here’s how to see the Northern Lights, according to an aurora chaser

Scientists have predicted that winter 24/25 will have the most impressive Northern Lights in over a decade

It’s the time of year when you might be searching for ideas on how to see the Northern Lights or the best way to visit the Aurora Borealis. Perhaps this year more than others — after all, the UK was all abuzz in October 2024 when it was possible to see the Northern Lights as far south as Sussex, so it may have ignited a sense of wanderlust to get a better view!

If that sounds like you, there’s good news. Scientists have predicted the 2024/2025 aurora season will have the most impressive Northern Lights displays in over a decade. But as the best way to see the Aurora Borealis typically involves journeys to far-flung locales (and in the cold and dark), it’s vital to get the experience as near-perfect as possible and choose your aurora-chasing adventure wisely.

So we’ve spoken to Tom Kerss, who was appointed Hurtigruten’s Chief Aurora Chaser earlier this year, the first position of its kind in the world. As an onboard expert on designated Hurtigruten voyages like Country Living’s Northern Lights cruise, Tom offers advice on how to spot the Northern Lights and invaluable insights into the celestial phenomenon.

If this winter is your year to find out how to see the Northern Lights in their full glory, read on for Tom’s top tips — including why sailing in Norway’s arctic waters in the comfort of a beautiful liner is undoubtedly how to see the Northern Lights in the best way possible.

Travel to the Aurora Oval

While it may have been possible to see the Aurora Borealis in south England this year, it’s incredibly rare. Tom explains, “When extraordinary aurora storms erupt, the Northern Lights may be seen over a wide range of latitudes. But this typically results in a glimpse, like seeing the tail of a beautiful animal.”

For the full view, you have to go on the chase. It’s called a chase because the Northern Lights are elusive, and sightings are never guaranteed. But it makes seeing them all the more rewarding.

The world’s best places to see the Northern Lights lie between 60 and 75 degrees latitude within the Aurora Oval. It includes parts of Scandinavia and the northern reaches of the USA and Canada. Yet there’s nothing like seeing the Northern Lights in the Arctic during the autumn or winter months when they are a part of the natural nightlife.

“Arctic auroras, such as those visible off the coast of the far north of Norway, can be dazzling—bright enough to read under and remarkably colourful. The wild landscapes and seascapes of the Arctic add even more magic to the displays.”

“The wild landscapes and seascapes of the Arctic add even more magic to the displays”

On Country Living’s Northern Lights cruise, you’ll voyage as far north as the North Cape and stop at the historic Arctic exploration capital of Tromsø, a hive of culture and history and one of the best places to spot the Northern Lights.

Time your chase wisely

During the summer, the sky is rarely dark enough for the Northern Lights to be visible except in extraordinary circumstances. The Arctic has varying periods of midnight sun, during which there is no night, so you won’t find Northern Lights cruises departing in the summer.