Wandering Owl · Wherever the sky is clear
A small group and a guide leave Tromsø in the evening and drive to wherever the forecast shows clear sky, sometimes as far as Finland, then light a fire and photograph you under the aurora. Book it for a different day from your whale trip: the boats sail in the short midday light, and the night belongs to this.
There are no whales on this trip. We list it because the two go together: whale boats run from morning to late afternoon, and in December and January the darkness after that is aurora time. Wandering Owl's guides read the cloud and aurora forecasts and drive to clear sky. That can be an hour out of Tromsø or close to the Finnish border, so bring your passport.
At the chosen spot the crew lights a bonfire and serves a warm meal; guests describe soup, bread, cookies and tea. Thermal suits are provided (give your size, XS to XXL, when you book), and the guide photographs you under the lights. Web-size photos come by email after the tour; full resolution costs extra. Expect about 8 hours out, and one group finished at 1:30 a.m.
It's rated 4.8 from more than 2,400 reviews on Viator, from $225. Nobody can promise the aurora, and the cold is the main complaint: Viator lists boots as not included, though guests say the crew offers them. Don't book it the night before a 05:00 Skjervøy bus. Some whale guests see the aurora from the deck on the way back to Tromsø, but a chase gives far better odds than hoping.
Outside the hotel at Fredrik Langes gate 2.
The guide picks a spot from the forecasts and drives there, sometimes towards Finland.
Suits on, bonfire lit, a warm meal while you watch the sky.
The guide explains the science and photographs you when the aurora shows.
Back to one of several set drop-off points in the city.
★★★★★After about 45 minutes the sky cleared and we had nearly 6 hours straight of northern lights. Jordan told ours that we got very lucky and explained a lot to all of us.
★★★★★As the weather in Tromso was bad, she drove near to the Finland border and successfully tracked down the Aurora. She took many good photos for us!
★★★★★The location they picked was far from any light pollution on a beautiful fjord lake surrounded by mountains. The ride there was a trip in itself. A wonderful piping hot dinner sitting around a campfire surrounded by snow! Then the light show.
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No. It's a minibus trip inland to clear sky. Book a whale boat for the daytime on another day.
On a big boat from Tromsø you're back around 17:00, so it's possible but tiring. After a Skjervøy RIB day (back about 17:30, up since 04:00) we'd book the chase for another night.
About 8 hours, leaving in the evening. Some groups get back after 1 a.m.
No. The guide drives to clear sky, which helps a lot, but solar activity and cloud decide. Many reviews describe long displays.
Ready to book
A small-group chase for clear skies and the aurora, with dinner and photos included.
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