Lofoten

Lofoten is a breathtaking archipelago in northern Norway renowned for its dramatic peaks, picturesque fishing villages, and stunning coastlines. As winter blankets the region in snow, Lofoten transforms into a magical wonderland, making it one of the best places to witness the awe-inspiring Northern Lights.

With its remote location and minimal light pollution, Lofoten offers an unparalleled backdrop for experiencing the aurora. See the vibrant green and purple hues shimmering across the night sky over a wild and beautiful landscape, your journey to see the auroras here is sure to be unforgettable.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Lofoten is generally from mid-November to mid-April. During this period, the long dark nights will maximise your chance for seeing the aurora.

Book an amazing adventure in Lofoten

  • Free cancellation

    From Leknes port: Special Summer Guided Tour of Lofoten

    4.6 (78)

    6 hours From £100.20

    We will take you to see the most beautiful highlights of Lofoten: from beaches, to mountains to traditional fishing villages all surrounded by stunning panoramic views. You will take part in the excursion together with a local English-speaking guide. The group size can vary and in exceptional cases can be up to 45 people.. Please note that as the disembarkation schedule may vary,give us 10/15 minutes of flexibility to allow everyone to arrive at the meeting point.

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    Shore Excursion Full day Private Tour in Lofoten

    4.5 (2)

    6 - 7 hours From £278.34

    Enjoy one of the most beautiful place in the world with a professional guide; take your time; enrich your knowledge about the islands trough a professional guide's storytelling; take as many photos as you desire; stop wherever you wish; admire the landscape; discover hidden corners; enjoy the beauty with your own guide and friends.; customize your experience. From Leknes to Å, it will be once in a lifetime experience

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    Northern lights chase VIP PRIVATE from Svolvaer

    5.0 (1)

    3 hours 30 minutes From £282.05

    Enjoy an unique arctic experience. We will drive to a north oriented beach with no light pollution, and when we find clear sky we will stop and, while telling stories, sipping hot drinks and tasting local snacks, will wait for nature to show us its best. When the show starts the guide will help you to set up your cameras and take amazing portraits of you with the northern lights on the back. You will return to your hotel with your cameras full of photos and your hearts full of amazing memories that you will never forget. Please note that the northern lights are not always visible, the viewing chances depending on factors such as solar activity and weather conditions. The tour will take place only if the conditions are such to allow at least some viewing chances, a safe drive and a pleasant stay outdoors.

  • Free cancellation

    Winter Half Day Kayak Tour

    4.9 (12)

    3 hours From £73.48

    There is nothing like the feeling of having a whole ocean to you. During the winter when the crowd left the ocean is quiet and peaceful. There is nothing in the world, which will fill you up with that much of positive energy. Listen the waves, the splashes of the kayaks and paddle along the frozen coastline of Lofoten. Join us on an exploration of the scenic fjords and islands. Kayaking even during the colder wintertime, definitely offers you the ability to be closer to nature than a lot of other activities do. We will be paddling Northeast and all around the beautiful “frozen” islands. We provide delicious snacks and hot drinks for you to maintain energy while we paddle. While you are resting, watching the birds or sea life and taking in the views from your kayak your guide will tell you stories about the life and nature of Lofoten. For this trip, it’s not necessary to have any previous experience. 99% of our guests never kayaked before.

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    Norway Lofoten Private Shore Excursion from Leknes

    5.0 (3)

    6 - 8 hours From £237.52

    Welcome to the beautiful islands of Lofoten! This is a private tour, customized for visitors that want to see the best of Lofoten. Your guide, Gunnar, will come and get you at your location in Leknes and you will start exploring Lofoten right away. Sit back and relax in your private car. Here you will have a panoramic view of the dramatic peaks, the crystal- clear water, and the white sandy beaches that are typical for Lofoten. We have planned several stops along the way, and we can make as many extra stops as you want. We will explore the unique landscape, visit beaches ranked as the most beautiful in the world and have a closer look at the small fishing villages where you find the traditional red and yellow wooden fisherman’s cabins. You will have the chance to taste some local food and your guide will tell you about the history of Lofoten and how people now live their lives in this arctic part of the world. Hopefully, we also get to see some wildlife during our drive.

  • Free cancellation Private tour

    Lofoten VIP PRIVATE Tour from Leknes city / port

    5.0 (14)

    6 hours From £428.27

    Treat yourself with a fully private arrangement. Lofoten are a unique place that deserves to be experiencedet at its fullest, with no rush and a knowledgeable guide at your exclusive disposal. You will enjoy a relaxing panoramic drive along some of the most beautiful views in the world. We will pass by white sandy beaches with emerald waters, deep fjords surrounded by towering peaks and charming fishing villages characterised by the typical fishermen's red cabins. You will learn the history of "skrei", the migrating arctic cod that has been used for centuries for the production of stockfish. You will have the chance to taste a delicious fish soup or tasty fish burgers. We will take as many photo stops as you want, with no rush and no pressure. You will return to Leknes with your cameras full of photos and your hearts full of memories that you will never forget.

How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Forecasts last updated on 14 March 2025 at 5:33am

15%

Currently there is a 15% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Lofoten area.

Kp 5.67

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

  • 0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
  • 3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
  • 6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
  • 8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.
Bz -3 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced auroral activity.

Density 0.55 p/cm3

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimeter (p/cm3).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm3.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, they produce the stunning light displays known as auroras.

Speed 541.0 km/s

The speed of the solar wind also plays a significant role. A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Snow

-3°C Feels like -9°C

High
-2°C
Low
-3°C
  • Precipitation: 100%
  • Cloud cover: 100%
  • Wind: 9 km/h
  • Snow: 5mm

Moon

Full moon

  • Sun rises at: 6:30am
  • Sun sets at: 5:59pm
  • Moon rises at: 6:32pm
  • Moon sets at: 6:42am

Places to check out around Lofoten

Discover Restaurants, Mountains, Scenic Lookouts and more…

Other places in Norway

AltaTromsø

See also

Planning Your Northern Lights AdventureNorthern Lights PhotographyScience Of The AuroraNorthern Lights Playlist