Northern Lights Voyages

Our Northern Lights voyages follow the Norwegian coast through the darker months, sailing north of the Arctic Circle into the latitudes where the aurora is most active. Travelling by ship means moving with the weather and the coastline rather than waiting in one place, with several nights at sea to improve your chances. We sail mainly with the Havila coastal fleet, whose ships pair comfortable cabins and panoramic lounges with a working route along one of the world's most dramatic coastlines. It suits travellers who want to combine the Northern Lights with the wildlife, fjords and winter landscapes of Arctic Norway.

Why see the Northern Lights from a coastal voyage?

A ship can sail away from coastal towns into darker waters, which improves your chances on any given night, and several nights at sea give you more opportunities than a single land-based stay. The vantage is part of the appeal: the Northern Lights over open water, with the mountains and islands of the coast as a backdrop, watched from the deck or from a heated panoramic lounge. The days, meanwhile, are spent calling at ports and sailing through the fjords and islands of the Norwegian coast, so the voyage holds your interest whether or not the sky performs on a given night.

When do the Northern Lights voyages run?

The voyages run through the aurora season, from around mid-September to late March, when the northern nights are long and dark enough for the lights to show. The deep-winter months bring the longest nights and the fullest snow landscapes along the coast. As with any aurora travel, sightings are never guaranteed on a single night, which is why a multi-night voyage improves the odds. Our guide to the best time for Northern Lights in Norway explains what to expect through the season.

What are the ships like?

We sail mainly with the Havila coastal fleet: modern ships carrying several hundred guests, with sea-view cabins, several restaurants serving Norwegian produce, and a top-deck observation lounge under a glass roof built for watching the sky. The coastal ships are working vessels as well as passenger ships, carrying cargo and local passengers between ports by day and night, which is part of what makes the route feel woven into everyday Norwegian life rather than a closed cruise. On some departures we also work with Hurtigruten on the same coastal route.

What do the voyages include?

Alongside the Northern Lights, the voyages take in the landscapes and wildlife of the coast: the crossing of the Arctic Circle, the fjords and islands of Lofoten and Vesterålen, the far northern ports toward the North Cape and Kirkenes, and the chance of sea eagles and, on some sailings, whales. A programme of optional shore excursions runs at ports along the way, from husky sledding to king-crab tastings, and one voyage sails with astronomy lecturers on board for those who want to understand the night sky as well as watch it. Voyages run in both directions along the coast, northbound and southbound, as well as the full round trip.

How do I choose a voyage?

There are two main ways to travel. The coastal voyages are independent: you sail one-way northbound or southbound, or the full round trip, choosing your own excursions along the way. Alternatively, our winter small group tours travel with a tour leader and a set itinerary, often combining a stretch of the coast with land-based aurora experiences, for travellers who prefer company and a planned pace. Our destination specialists can help you match either style to the time you have and what you most want to see. Browse the current sailings below, or see our wider Norwegian coastal voyages, winter small group tours and aurora and Nordic winter trips.