PRIVATE NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR FROM REINE

Imagine heading out into the dark, dramatic Lofoten landscapes, stopping at hidden viewpoints and quiet fjords, always keeping an eye on the Arctic sky. It’s just you, your guide, and the thrill of the chase — following the weather, the gaps in the clouds, and the chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Our private northern lights tour from Reine offers an intimate and relaxed way to experience the magic of Lofoten at night.

ABOUT THE TOUR/EXPERIENCE

On our Northern Lights tour, we’ll pick you up from your accommodation in the Reine area (anywhere from Å to Hamnøy) and head toward the northern coast of Lofoten.

Why the northern coast? Because having a wide, open view toward the northern horizon gives us the best chance of spotting the aurora — especially on evenings with lower activity.

Once we’re on the road, we’ll follow the weather, the cloud gaps, and the best viewpoints of the night. We might stop by quiet beaches, fjords, or open mountain passes — wherever the conditions look most promising. You’ll have plenty of time to step outside, enjoy the stillness, take photos, and soak in the atmosphere of a Lofoten winter night.

We’ll bring hot drinks, snacks, and extra warm gear to keep you comfortable throughout the evening. And of course, we’ll help you take beautiful photos of the experience.

Whether the Northern Lights decide to appear or not, we’ll make sure the night feels relaxed, memorable, and full of good company.

Depending on the weather and aurora activity, we’ll wrap up around 11:30 p.m. and drive back to Reine.

aurora borealis in Lofoten, 360 degrees photography by Martin Kulhavy

ABOUT NORTHERN LIGHTS IN LOFOTEN

In Lofoten, northern lights hunting is a bit of an adventure, but it’s important to set the right expectations. Unlike Tromsø, where you can head off in four different directions—and even make a dash to Finland if the weather’s being stubborn—in Lofoten, we’ve got just one main route to chase the auroras: east.

But don’t worry, the weather in Lofoten is super local, so while it might be cloudy in Reine, you could find clear skies just a short drive away in Ramberg, and viceversa.

Now, catching the northern lights isn’t just about clear skies (though that’s the most important thing). We also need some good northern lights activity.

Some nights, you’ll be treated to a spectacular display of green and red lights swirling above—though keep in mind that your camera will always see those colors more vividly than your eyes.

Other nights, the aurora might be a little shy, just faintly glowing on the horizon. And yes, sometimes we wait and wait, but the lights do not show at all.

On those nights when the weather looks hopeless and the clouds aren’t budging, we’ll cancel the tour. 

 
weak northern lights in Lofoten Islands, picture taken by Martin Kulhavy
Example of a faint aurora © Martin Kulhavy
Strong aurora borealis in Lofoten, picture taken by Martin Kulhavy
Example of a strong aurora © Martin Kulhavy
The night without aurora is not too shabby either © Martin Kulhavy

CHECK OUR REVIEWS

Sudipto Bordoloi
A big thank you to Ivar and Radka for organizing the perfect trip to witness the Northern Lights in Lofoten. They expertly adjusted the timing and location based on the forecasts, ensuring we had the best chance to capture some truly breathtaking photos. They are both friendly with upbeat personalities which kept the entire group in good spirits. They‘re the go-to people for the best local tips on Lofoten and their website is a treasure trove of info. Highly recommend!
Marc and Joleen
Thank you so much for this unique tour. Everything was carried out just as described – from marshmallows and hotdogs to warm cocoa. We were lucky to witness breathtaking Northern Lights. Ivar and Radka were incredibly kind, authentic, and amazing guides. We would book this tour again anytime and can wholeheartedly recommend it to others. The corona of the lights was so stunning that it exceeded all our expectations and made a dream come true.

CANCELLATION POLICY

👉 Life happens, we get it! Guests can cancel for free up to 48 hours before departure. After that, you’re stuck with us! 

👉 From our side, if the weather decides to throw a tantrum, we might have to cancel the trip. In that case, we can offer to reschedule, take you to an alternative location, or give you a full refund.

👉 We require a minimum of 4 people to run this tour. You can still book the trip if you are a solo traveler, but if nobody else joins the trip, we might need to cancel it. We’ll notify you 24 hours before departure if this happens. Thank you for your understanding!

⚠️ If you’re not able to join the tour because your flight was cancelled, the road was closed, you got sick, or something similar happened — we completely understand. We’re happy to provide any paperwork you need for your travel insurance. But please note that these kinds of situations are not covered by our cancellation policy, and should be claimed through your travel insurance (make sure it includes trip interruption or cancellation coverage).

👉 We recommend looking into World Nomads, for example, which offers coverage for these types of situations.

Thank you for your understanding! ❤️

WHAT IF WE DO NOT SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?

We totally understand that seeing the Northern Lights is the highlight everyone hopes for, and we’ll do everything we can to make that happen. But since we’re at the mercy of Mother Nature, we can’t promise the lights will always make an appearance.

If we believe there’s almost no chance of seeing the aurora (think heavy clouds or storms), we’ll cancel the tour and offer you a full refund or the option to reschedule.

If we head out and the Northern Lights decide to take a night off, we won’t be able to offer a refund. 

PRICE

💰 8,990 NOK/ group

*Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the departure

 

DURATION

⏰ 4-5 hours

PICK UP TIME

20:00*

* We will adjust the pickup time based on the season and potentially based on the weather.

ADDRESS

📍We will pick you up at your accommodation (between Å and Hamnøy) 

WHAT IS INCLUDED

👉 Pickup and drop-off at your accommodation

👉 Local guide(s)

👉 Headlamps

👉 Norwegian hot dog, hot chocolate/tea & marshmallows (if weather allows)

👉 Microspikes

👉 Photos

WHAT TO BRING

👉 Warm clothes

👉 Winter boots

👉 Camera gear & tripod (optional)

👉 Good spirits and patience

FAQ ABOUT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR FROM REINE

The honest answer: no. The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and they don’t always show up on schedule. We’ll keep an eye on the aurora forecasts, follow the weather, and take you to the best possible spots — but the geography and cloud cover in Lofoten can make the chase challenging at times.

That said, we’ll always make the most of the evening. We’ll take beautiful night photos, enjoy the quiet of a Lofoten winter night, and create a relaxed, memorable experience — even on the nights when the aurora decides to stay hidden. While we can’t guarantee the Northern Lights, we can guarantee good company and a meaningful night out.

Not quite. The photos you see online often look more vivid and colorful than what you’ll experience with your own eyes, and there are a few reasons for that.

First, our eyes use night vision in low light, which means we’re better at seeing movement and shapes than bright colors in the dark. So, when you look up at the Northern Lights, you might see them as soft green glows or faint colors, rather than the intense hues you see in photos.

Cameras, however, have a big advantage. They can use long exposure times—sometimes up to 30 seconds—during which the camera’s sensor collects all the available light. This allows it to capture much more detail and color than our eyes can in real-time.

Additionally, the vast majority of Northern Lights photos you see online are post-processed. This means that after the picture is taken, the contrast, brightness, and colors are adjusted to make the image even more striking. So, while the photos are beautiful, they don’t always represent exactly what you’ll see with the naked eye.

That said, witnessing the Northern Lights in person is still an unforgettable experience. 

Absolutely, you can bring a camera to capture the Northern Lights! If you don’t have a dedicated camera, don’t worry—newer smartphones, like the iPhone 14 Pro, can take pretty decent photos of the aurora, and if the lights are strong enough, they can even capture some nice videos.

For those serious about getting the best shots, we recommend bringing a camera with a few key accessories: a tripod to keep your camera steady, an external shutter release (or use the timer function on your camera), and a wide-angle lens—we use a 14mm lens for our shots. The wider the lens, the more of the sky you can capture in your photos.

We’ll also have our own gear with us to take photos of you with the Northern Lights.

Most of the time, we’ll head to a big sandy beach on the northern coast of Flakstad island, which is one of our favorite spots for Northern Lights viewing. The beach is absolutely stunning, with a wide open horizon facing north—perfect for watching the aurora. It’s also one of the best places in Lofoten for photography, thanks to its minimal light pollution and the way the sea and wet sand create a beautiful mirroring effect in your photos.

The good news is that the beach is located right next to a parking area, so we won’t be trekking for miles to get there. However, you should be prepared to walk about 200-400 meters on an uneven surface to reach the best spots on the beach. The terrain is generally easy to navigate, but it’s not perfectly flat, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

Absolutely! Unlike the traditional Northern Lights chases where you spend long hours driving around, our tour is much more relaxed and family-friendly. We’ll drive from Reine to the northern coast, because there are no mountains blocking our view of the northern horizon. Our main location is a beautiful sandy beach where, weather permitting, we’ll set up a cozy bonfire, grill some hotdogs, and roast marshmallows—perfect for kids to enjoy.

That said, please keep in mind that the weather in Lofoten can be chilly, especially in the evening, and the wind can be brisk. Make sure to dress your children warmly so they can fully enjoy the experience without getting too cold. We’d love to have your whole family join us for a magical night under the Northern Lights!

Yes, we offer vegan sausages, which are also halal, as an alternative. If you have any food allergies or specific dietary requirements, please contact us in advance so we can make sure to accommodate your needs!

HAVE A LOOK AT THE PICTURES!