4 things
that you can do to see the Northern Lights
1. Choose your location far North
Choosing a northern location is the most relevant if you want to see the Northern Lights. This is a statistical fact. Here far North Hetta Enontekiö when the sky is clear, it is more likely to see the Northern Lights during the night than not. The Aurora Borealis are visible here, Hetta Enontekiö, statistically 75% of clear nights.
The clouds are the problem. The mountains in the west stop some of the clouds, so here we have clear sky more often than by the sea on the other side of the mountains.
2. Choose your accommodation without light pollution
Light pollution greatly affects the chance of seeing the Northern Lights. You are able to see the weak Aurora Borealis, when there is no any light pollution. When you choose your accommodation without any light pollution, in complete darkness, you just need to step outside and you have a better chance to see them. Often you can see the Northern Lights from inside too, but I still recommend being outside, you can see them much better.
Our Arctic Nature Glamping is located in a quiet place in a forest, where is no any light pollution around. You are able to see the Northern Lights through a main window and skylight window, while you are inside the luxury tent laying at the comfy bed under a thick blanket. I still recommend going out. Some of our guests run outside in that point when they see the northern lights through the windows. However, our glamping is unique experience for other reasons as well.
3. Stay awake and be outside in an open area without light pollution
When the sky is clear, find an open area without ANY light pollution and stay outside. The Northern Lights are most active around 8pm and 3 am. During midwinter, when it is long dark hours, I have seen them sometimes around 4pm or early in the morning. However, you need to sleep also. Aurora Borealis come and go fast! When the Northern Lights are at their most beautiful, they are bright and move fast.
Never trust the apps at least here far North! They predict a poor chance of seeing the Northern Lights, while the Lights are dancing in the sky. You can use the apps as a guide, but don’t rely on them. One channel, alongside apps, for predicting the Northern Lights is Finnish Meteorological Institute. In my view, it is better watch the weather. If the sky is clear, you have a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
If the sky is clear enough, your location is far North, you have found open area without ANY light pollution around you, then just wait. In this case I don’t recommend driving car around. Driving causes light pollution and then you might miss the lights when driving. However, I can understand if you drive from South to further North, for example from Rovaniemi.
How to stay awake? Find something fun to do! All our aurora tours take place into wilderness, open area, where is no any light pollution. This is how, we have optimized the chances to see the lights. (Our location is already optimal). Hunting the Northen lights is most about waiting. We have thought about what fun things we could plan to make the wait easier. We want also, that our guests get some beautiful memories also in that case the Northern Lights don’t appear. Our guests have told me also, that I helped them recognize the weak aurora borealis, otherwise they might have missed it.
Can you see the Northern Lights through the clouds? Yes, you can. it depends on how thick the clouds are and how strong the Aurora Borealis are. I often tell our guests, that if you can see the Moon and the stars, you may well see the Northern lights.
4. Long vacation
The longer you stay in the North, the better chance you have of experiencing the amazing Northern Lights. I recommend staying a week in Northern area. We recommend our quests to stay in glamping for two or three days, because our glamping is so unique, that staying for longer might be too much. For two or three nights it is a great experience! We have planned two-nights Romantic Northern Lights Getaway -glamping packages for two people with full board meals, sauna and activities for the entire Northern Lights season.
We are happy to give you free tips about the good accommodation options of our partners here in the far north Enontekiö to stay longer period.
Enontekiö Northern Lights
Our location in the far North of Lapland gives the best opportunities to see the Northern Lights. It is more likely to see the Aurora Borealis than not, when the sky is clear.To the west of us, between the sea and us, there is a mountain range. The mountains stop some of the clouds. Here you can easily find a place to stay without light pollution. Even our biggest village, Hetta, is so small that the light pollution there is also quite low. If you have the chance to stay long and maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, you’ll find plenty of fun things to do on your vacation here.
Does it matter what month I come to Lapland?
Northern lights are most active in autumn and spring, but not significantly. Your Northern location is the one that matters. In choosing a month, I think the most important thing is what else you want from your vacation and of course when you have the opportunity to come.
Remember safety and sustainability
Please don’t enter to frozen lakes and rivers if you are not sure. Rivers, in particular, are tricky and there may not be ice, even if it looks like it, and going to such a place is extremely dangerous. Please take care of the nature and don’t enter private area.
The Northern Lights are natural phenomenon, their appearance cannot be guaranteed.