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Top Spots for Northern Lights

January 19, 2022 | Lois Farley

When you think of Northern Lights something mysterious and wondrous comes to mind.

Have you ever wondered how those bright dancing lights are created? They are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth’s atmosphere. In the northern hemisphere, they are called Aurora Borealis; in the southern hemisphere, Aurora Australis.

The colours can appear as green or pink, but have also appeared as shades of red, yellow, green, blue and violet. They can look like patches in the sky, scattered clouds, light streamers, arcs and rippling curtains. But, I’m sure we can all agree, no matter what colour they are or what shape they take, they will always be a magical sight!

 

We feature several Northern Lights tours on our website for you to choose from, or we can customize a tour for you if you don’t see one that suits you.

Here are just a few suggested top spots for doing some Northern Lights watching

Our top pick – Churchill, Manitoba: This northern town is located on the shores of Hudson Bay in the sub-Arctic and is world famous for the abundance of polar bears in the fall and beluga whales in the summer. But, as it sits directly below the Auroral Oval, it offers one of the best northern lights viewing opportunities in the world. The Aurora can be seen in the Churchill area about 300 days a year, on average.

Yellowknife, Northwest Territories: Aurora viewing is good from the surrounding area of the city of Yellowknife and you can explore the interesting history of this northern community. Blachford Lake Lodge is accessed by a privately chartered and this remote location is a perfect spot to witness the magic of the northern lights and enjoy a winter wonderland.

 

 

 

Iceland: Depending on whether you want a guided tour or to explore the area on your own, Iceland has a plethora of quality northern lights viewing locations. The south coast has lots of interesting places to visit and a stay at Hotel Ranga provides you with the use of their observatory, and lectures to learn about the Aurora and watch the night skies. Lake Myvatn, in the north of the country, is one of the best areas in Iceland for Northern Lights viewing. Stay out in the countryside at the Sel Hotel Myvatn, where you will be able to enjoy the comforts of their on-site Northern Lights Shelter.

 

Norway: Watch the northern lights as they reflect off the water along the coast of Norway on a Norwegian cruise. The 12-day, full Norwegian Coastal Voyage in a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the Aurora as you sail from Bergen to Kirkenes in the north, and back. Or you can opt for a one-way cruise and a flight the other way. September to March is the best season for seeing the northern lights. Gather on the deck to search the sky for these dancing lights.

 

 

Of course these aren’t the only places you can go to see the Aurora, and are certainly not all the ones we can book for you. Maybe you’d like to try Alaska, Greenland, Scotland, Northern Ireland or the Faroe Islands? Contact us so we can help you book a trip to see Mother Nature’s Light Show!