The aurora belt · NORTHERN LIGHTS CRUISES IN NORWAY
A trip north is short and the clear nights are shorter. These 15 northern lights cruises in Norway justify an evening, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get back outside.
Sail from central Tromsø at 8 p.m. with Polar Adventures, searching the fjords and Arctic sea for the Aurora Borealis. Your English-speaking crew, including guides such as Ken, Holly, Thomas, and Hans, helps with camera settings while you warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, cookies, and indoor seating.
“Real 10 out of 10. super friendly guides. The atmosphere was cosy and happy.”
Join guides such as Yana, Valeria, Douaa, or Hannah-Rose aboard a warm catamaran from Tromsø. Sail into darker fjords, watch through panoramic windows or outdoor decks, enjoy free tea or coffee, and receive a free second cruise if no aurora appears.
“Simply stunning. We were very fortunate to see a wonderful display on Monday 23 February. Whole experience, from staff, guides abd amenities were excellent. Highly recommended.”
Settle into a heated, panoramic catamaran for a three-hour evening around Tromsø. You’ll enjoy a three-course Arctic meal, hear local stories in English, and step outside when the sky clears. Seafood is central, with a vegetarian option available if requested at least 24 hours ahead.
“The crew was great and very supportive. They informed us as soon as they noticed some activities in the sky and helped with the camera settings when needed, so that we could see the lights on the way back to Tromsø. One thing, some of the guests were really annoying as they focused on drinking and became louder and louder. Therefore, it was hard to understand eachother or the crew‘s instructuctions or announcements. Nevertheless, great experience !”
Sail from Tromsø for 3.5 hours aboard Brim Explorer, following weather forecasts toward Kvaløyvågen, Ramfjorden, or Kvaløya. Guides such as Tobias, Darcel, and Ayona share Aurora science and folklore while the crew watches the sky. Heated lounges, vegan soup, and photo help are included.
“The Aurora was stunning. We had perfect conditions. The boat was warm and comfortable. The soup was absolutely delicious.”
Search for the aurora aboard the 70-year-old MS Strønstad on a four-hour Tromsø fjord cruise. You’ll get a pre-cruise presentation, warm coffee, indoor seating, and access to a bar, with optional sauna or jacuzzi time. Guides such as Jana, Janna, and Tobi add local insight.
“Despite not really seeing the northern lights (we just didn’t get lucky), the adventure was really great. The guides were welcoming and friendly and full of interesting information. The boat was cool to explore and we enjoyed meeting the captain and travelling through the fjords on different decks of the boat. The guests and guides were an eclectic mix of different nationalities and we really enjoyed chatting with the whole crew.”
Cruise around Tromsøya from 19:00 to 22:30 aboard a quiet electric boat. You’ll receive a welcome drink, a three-course dinner, aurora guidance, and access to an outdoor viewing deck. The crew may include Elli, Alberto, Fani, Andrea, Francesca, Yvan, or Connor.
“The Green Lady was very generous. The vessel, the crew and the dinner met our expectations and beyond. A 'must do'.”
Join Captain Kenneth and Sachi aboard Stella Oceana for a four-hour evening cruise from Tromsø. Search for the aurora, warm up with reindeer soup and hot drinks, and enjoy scheduled hot-tub time at sea. The yacht holds no more than 12 people and returns to the same dock.
“Beautifully curated and luxurious experience! Big icebreaker yacht and plenty of space and time to relax , eat, enjoy the sky and the hot tub!”
Cruise Tromsø’s Arctic fjords aboard the 32-meter Stella Oceana with up to 12 people. Captain Kenneth and Sachi serve reindeer stew, hot drinks, and cookies, while you search for the aurora from two decks or a warm hot tub.
“The hot tub was amazing and the experience on cruise was relaxing. Felt warm hosting by captain and crew, the reindeer soup dinner was very delicious!”
Leave Tromsø for a 24-hour coastal cruise toward Skjervøya, with a three-course dinner, Northern Lights search, whale watching, breakfast, lunch, lectures, and an overnight cabin. Expect a small ship setting with up to 52 people and a return around 7 PM the next day.
“The crew and tour guides are lovely, couldn’t do more for you to ensure upmost comfort. Knowledgeable about the whales and northern lights with several talks across the 2 days. We learnt lots of new things. Cabins are comfy and warm and there’s several food choices at each meal. All you of what we had was lovely. Whilst we didn’t get to see the northern lights due to cloud cover the polar twilight gave impressive scenery and beautiful colours in the sky. We did see loads of humpback whales including several breaches and several pods of killer whales some getting pretty close. An amazing trip and one to remember for…”
Cruise Tromsø’s fjords aboard Brim Explorer’s quiet electric boat while the crew searches for the aurora. You get warm indoor seating, soup, Wi-Fi, bathrooms, guides such as Tobias, and views of Tromsø after dark. The cruise lasts about 3.5 hours and returns to Kaigata.
“Nice cruise. Very modern and well maintained. The staff were informative and polite. Too bad it was an extremely clouded night and we couldn't see the lights. It even snowed few hours later”
Sail from Tromsø aboard MV Quest for an overnight Arctic trip with an ocean-facing cabin, three meals, whale watching near Skjervøy, Northern Lights talks, and wake-up calls when the sky turns active. An English-speaking expedition team guides the trip, with thermal suits supplied.
“L'accueil a été génial et l'accompagnement fantastique durant toute la croisière. La cabine était très confortable et les repas servis à bord de qualité. Tout l'équipage se met en quatre pour rendre votre expérience inoubliables et pour nous c'est réussi. La rencontre avec les orques et les baleines fût un moment magique. Vous pouvez demander à être réveillé si des aurores boréales apparaissent pendant la nuit. Ce ne fût pas le cas cette nuit là. Nous referions cette croisière sans hésiter. En plus nous avons eu la chance d'être seulement 10 passagers pour une capacité de 52. Cela ajoute à la qualité de l'expérience.”
Sail from Tromsø aboard MS Tromsø, a polar adventure ship, from 6 to 9 p.m. Hear Arctic stories from the captain, visit the wheelhouse, enjoy a light meal, and search the sky for Northern Lights. A welcome drink is included, while the onboard bar sells extra drinks and snacks.
“There was 2 trips on this boat, it had a king crab thing going on, so the people who brought it to hopefully see the lights was a big shame. We didn’t see any lights. We went to get the crabs and went back. Tbh I am actually really gutted. Their lite meal was a paper cup of soup! They left 15 mins late, and arrived 10 mins early. On the app it says starts at 5, I arrived they said they changed it to 6 so I had to sit and wait for over an hour”
Join the Arctic Princess in Tromsø for a three-hour evening cruise beneath the Northern Lights. Stay warm in a thermal suit, watch from the Panorama Saloon or outdoor daybeds, try fishing, and finish with traditional fish soup. English-speaking crew, including captain Piere, lead the trip.
“Fantastische schipper Piere, ontzettend vriendelijk en werkte hard om je een goede ervaring te geven. Nadat we op de heenweg veel bewolking hadden en niets konden zien, hebben we op de terugweg nog een poging gewaagd op het dek en kregen we een ontzettend mooie Noorderlicht show te zien.”
From Tromsø’s pier, you’ll spend about three and a half hours on an evening boat ride with Polar Adventures, watching the sky for the Aurora. Guides such as Ken, Isabel, and Christina help with photos and camera settings. Thermal suits, hot drinks, biscuits, and an onboard restroom are included.
“V cramped boat. They encouraged people to move around the vessel but the railings were v low, felt someone could go overboard quite easily in the dark and icy deck. Nice crew and plenty of hot drinks and biscuits available.”
Sail from Svolvær toward Full Steam near Henningsvær with an English-speaking guide, hear local fishing stories from Ragnar, taste Norwegian caviar, and watch the sky for the Northern Lights. You’ll also have time ashore at a 200-year-old cod steaming warehouse.
“Ottima esperienza. Il racconto di Ragnar ti permette di immergerti per un istante nella vita dei pescatori del luogo. Ottima la degustazione e molto professionale l’equipaggio. L’aurora purtroppo si è fatta desiderare nonostante il cielo stellato, ma ne vale comunque la pena.”
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