Northern Lights Cruises in Norway: the 15 Best Nights Out

1.Evening Aurora Cruise (dinner optional)

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,570 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $100Our pick

Sail from central Tromsø at 8pm with Polar Adventures, searching the dark sea and sky for the Aurora Borealis. Guides such as Ken, Holly, Thomas, and Hans Eric help with camera settings and explain the lights. Warm drinks, cookies, toilets, an indoor cabin, and deck access keep the night comfortable, though the Aurora is never guaranteed.

“Comfortable boat and entertaining crew. we went out on a night-time fjord cruise, with complementary hot drinks and cookies on board. We were shown how to rod fish, and I caught my first ever fish- an Atlantic cod! The chef on board even prepared it for us and some of the other guests to have a taste. Unfortunately the 'green lady' did not smile on us, as it was quite a cloudy night, but this was well worth going on anyway. 5*”

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2.Northern Lights Cruise with 2nd Chance Guarantee

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,280 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $114

Join a 2.5-hour evening cruise from Tromsø with English or Norwegian guides such as Yana, Valeria, Douaa, and Magnus. You’ll watch the Aurora from outdoor decks or a warm lounge, hear its science and legends, get photography help, and receive a free second cruise if you see no lights.

“Very professional crew and guides. They can't guarantee you'll see the Northern Lights but it's a very comfortable way to attempt to catch a view of the lights. Warm inside the main cabinet, free tea, coffee, plenty of room on deck outside to view the scenery and ... lights if they are displaying.”

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3.Aurora Dinner Cruise by Hybrid-Electric Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 727 reviews · 3 hours · from $198

Spend three hours cruising Tromsø’s dark fjord waters aboard Brim Explorer’s heated hybrid-electric catamaran. You’ll enjoy a three-course Arctic seafood dinner, with a vegetarian option available by advance request, while an English-speaking guide points out the Arctic Cathedral, snowy mountains, and aurora activity. The boat has warm indoor saloons and 360-degree views.

“Managed to see aurora 3 times. Food is delicious. Crew members are friendly”

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4.Electric Northern Lights Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 346 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $124

Sail from Tromsø for 3.5 hours aboard a quiet electric boat, following forecasted clear skies toward Kvaløyvågen, Ramfjorden, or Kvaløya. English-speaking guides share Aurora science, folklore, and local stories while you warm up with vegan soup. Guides can help photograph the lights, and the return offers fine views of Tromsø and the Arctic Cathedral.

“It's hard to give so many stars when you don't actually see the lights but sadly, that part of the trip is out of everyone's hands. The boat was nice, the added info on the area was good to know, I didn't see that we got welcome wine and soup in advance so that was a nice surprise. It would have been so excellent had the lights appeared.”

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5.Northern Lights Cruise on a Cozy Vintage Vessel

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 249 reviews · 4 hours · from $100

Join a four-hour evening cruise from Full Steam Museum aboard the veteran MS Strønstad. Your English or Norwegian guide explains the aurora, tracks recent conditions, and leads the search across Tromsø’s fjords. Expect warm lounges, free coffee, an onboard bar, and optional sauna or jacuzzi time. Guides such as Jana, Tobi, and Oleg have helped make this a friendly, informative outing.

“It was amazing, we didn’t catch the aurora lights, but atmosphere and city view was really nice.”

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6.Tromso Aurora Cruise with 3-Course Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 217 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $203

Brim Explorer’s three-hour evening cruise circles Tromsøya aboard a quiet electric boat. You’ll receive a welcome drink, a three-course dinner, northern-lights commentary, and chances to step onto the viewing deck. The cruise leaves at 19:00 and returns at 22:30. Crew members including Elli, Alberto, Fani, Andrea, and Francesca have been praised for friendly service.

“Very well organized and a pleasant adventure into the arctic bay. Food was perfectly prepared and enjoyable.”

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7.Luxury Northern Lights Yacht Cruise with Hot Tub from Tromsø

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $344Top rated

Join Captain Kenneth and Sachi aboard Stella Oceana for a four-hour evening cruise from Tromsø. The small group searches for the northern lights while you enjoy reindeer soup, hot drinks, a warm cabin, and hot tub time on deck. Bring swimwear, a towel or robe, and proper windproof clothing. Aurora sightings are never guaranteed.

“This was exceptionally delightful experience. Our boat was crewed by a husband and wife. He was a 27 year Norwegian Navy veteran and lifelong resident of this area. He got just as excited about Aurora Borealis as we did. His wife was the best hostess and chef. Her reindeer stew was beyond fantastic. We would book with them every time and we did see northern lights, and stayed very comfortable the entire time!”

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8.Luxury Northern Lights Cruise with Hot Tub & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 129 reviews · 4 hours · from $309

Join Captain Kenneth and Sachi aboard Stella Oceana, a 32-meter yacht limited to 12 people. Over four hours, you’ll cruise the Arctic fjords, enjoy reindeer stew, hot drinks, and cookies, then take a 30 to 45 minute hot tub session while searching for the aurora. Bring swimwear and a towel.

“The sailboat is operated by a lovely couple, and it is beautifully and warmly decorated, reflecting their great care for the vessel. Captain Kenneth is very welcoming and engaging, and he navigates the boat with remarkable stability—you hardly feel any movement at all. His wife, Sachi, makes delicious soup that adds to the experience. Although we didn’t see the northern lights due to the heavy snowfall, and we couldn’t enjoy the hot tub because we forgot to bring my swimsuit, it was still an incredibly enjoyable experience.”

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9.24hr Northern Lights & Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 114 reviews · 22 hours to 1 day (approx.) · from $1,214

Join Norwegian Travel for a 24-hour cruise from Tromsø toward Skjervøya, with a three-course dinner, breakfast, lunch, a cabin night, Northern Lights viewing, whale watching, and talks in the Panorama lounge. The small group is limited to 52 people, with English service throughout.

“Knowledgable guides gave informative talks on Northern Lights and whales, food good, cabins comfortable. Unfortunately overcast so no northern lights, but whale watching for 3.5hrs was exceptional. So so many orcas, as well as humpback and fin whales. We went for the whales so we were thrilled.”

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10.Tromso Electric Northern Lights Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 49 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $127

Board Brim Explorer in central Tromsø at 7:00 pm for a quiet electric cruise around the fjords while the crew searches for the aurora. You can watch from heated indoor seating, step outside for clearer skies, warm up with soup, and share photos using onboard Wi-Fi. The cruise returns to its starting point.

“After very low chances of being able to see the lights, we went out to a good location and were able to see the northern lights! It was a very pleasant boat ride and our host Tobias did an amazing job! A+++ 100% recommended!!”

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11.24hr Northern Lights & Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 46 reviews · 1 day · from $1,179

Join Norwegian Travel’s overnight MV Quest cruise from Tromsø for whale watching, Northern Lights viewing, and Arctic scenery. You’ll sleep in an ocean-facing cabin, eat three meals on board, hear talks on auroras and whale biology, and spend a full morning near Skjervøy looking for orcas, humpbacks, and sea eagles. Sightings depend on nature, but the ship gives you time and comfort to wait.

“Ein ganz tolle Reise mit super Eindrücken in die Natur. Essen war auch hervorragend! Beste Option um Nordlichter und Wale zu sehen. Kein langweiliges sitzen auf einem Boot ohne wirklich was zu sehen, wie bei den Tagestouren!”

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12.Evening dinner cruise with possible northern lights

★★★★★★★★★★3.6 · 45 reviews · 3 hours · from $103

Join MS Tromsø at 6 PM for a three-hour Arctic cruise with a captain’s welcome drink, dinner, polar stories, and wheelhouse access. The route follows the best available aurora conditions, though sightings are never guaranteed. Stay aboard after returning to Tromsø, where the dock can also offer good Northern Lights views.

“Very enthusiastic guides with clear management of expectations. A very pleasant evening with hot drinks, biscuits & a fire to keep warm by.”

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13.Northern Lights Luxury Catamaran Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 43 reviews · 3 hours · from $208

Board the Arctic Princess by Scandic Ishavshotel for a three-hour evening cruise in search of the Northern Lights. You can watch from the Panorama Saloon or outdoor daybeds in a thermal suit, sip coffee, try fishing, and finish with traditional fish soup. English-speaking crew, wheelchair access, and no hotel pickup.

“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.”

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14.Evening Cruise with Northern Lights Opportunity

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 36 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $128

Meet Polar Adventures at Tromsø’s waterfront at 8 pm for a three-and-a-half-hour evening cruise in search of the Northern Lights. The crew, including guides such as Ken, Isabel, Christina, and Marlene, helps you watch the sky, adjust phone cameras, and stay warm with thermal suits, hot drinks, and biscuits. Aurora sightings depend on cloud and weather.

“We were lucky and happened to book the boat tour on a clear night and witnessed a dazzling Northern Lights display for hours. The staff were friendly and willing to adjust phone camera settings and take pictures for guests. Hot beverages and cookies were a nice touch. Icy conditions on the deck but that is to be expected in February in Tromso. Only thing I would adjust is to establish a more formal boarding process, it was a little chaotic scanning tickets and boarding the boat. Overall, a 5 star experience!”

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15.Northern Lights and Full Steam Cruise with Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 29 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $103

Sail from Svolvær toward Full Steam near Henningsvær with an English-speaking guide, possibly including Ragnar, who brings local fishing life to the story. Step ashore at a 200-year-old cod warehouse, taste Norwegian caviar, and watch for the Northern Lights from the deck. An underwater drone may be used if conditions allow.

“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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