A key bucket list item for many, is to experience the Northern Lights; so with this in mind, i allocated 5 nights to being in the Artic circle of Norway, the Lofoten Islands.
To mix up the chances of this experience, I booked 2 nights in Reine, 2 nights in Svolvaer, and my last night in Evenskjer just outside of the Evenes airport for an early flight out.
You can read about the actual Northern Lights experience here.
The Northern lights are essentially subject to weather. you are either lucky, or not; but there are ways to enhance that opportunity. More about that soon.
Collecting a rental car out of Evenes airport, I drove about 4 hours out to Reine for my first 2 nights.
Locals at Reine asked if I had caught the ferry. I asked, what ferry ? Seems there is a ferry crossing from Bodo to this spot, and Bodo has about as many connecting flight options as Evenes, it’s just more convenient. Oh well, you don’t get it all right all the time.
What I did get right though, was staying at the Reine Robuers, quaint renovated fishing huts, right on the harbour of Reine. The 1 bedroom cabin I rented had views west and north. West enjoyed the sunset between the mountains.
2 nights of cloud and rain rolled through, but the cabin was warm & comfy, so I caught up on other things.
Next day, I took a scenic 4 hour drive to Svolvaer heading north again (could be done in 2hrs direct).
I booked a century old AirBNB house only a block from the waterfront, and 1st night in Svolvaer, stood in the beer garden of the pub across the bridge, looking up without avail.
A local suggested, for that time of year, I really need to escape the light polution of the town; which you will read about in the Northern Lights Experience.
So the Northern Lights Travel tips include :-
You need clear, dark skies for the best opportunity.
If you can’t see the stars, then you won’t see the lights
Whilst the lights can happen at any time, in September, chances improve around 11pm to 2am so you have to be dedicated to be in the right location, and stay up to hope for the experience.
Use your smartphone to monitor the Aurora KP index, and separately, I was watching the rain radar. if the index is low, and rain direction suggests it could be hours before a clearing; you can improve your chances of the experience, or at least staying warm awaiting the experience 😉
And if you want to photograph your experience, google up the special camera settings needed, and use some sort of tripod so you can do at least a 2 second steady exposure.
WILT – What I am listening to ?
Don’t try to read too much into these WILT’s, it’s often just that earworm from my music library