Northern Lights are truly magical, a memory that will last a lifetime!
I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis, it has been in my travel bucket list for as long as I can remember. Growing up in the Philippines makes this impossible, but luckily I got the opportunity to see them!
My husband and I visited Iceland for my birthday and I included the Northern Lights tour on the sea with Tinggly.com in our itinerary. September is the start of the Northern Lights season in Europe, especially in the Scandinavian region. This is one of the main highlights during the Autumn and Winter months(Related Article: What to do In Iceland?).
The Northern Lights are not always guaranteed as it depends on the Sun’s charged gaseous particles (normally released from the solar explosions and flares) and the Earth’s magnetic activity. If the conditions are right, this creates the Aurora Oval. The Aurora Borealis literally means in Latin “the Northern Dawn”. The Northern Lights can be seen in different shapes, forms and colours ( red, green, yellow, pink & blue). During the primitive times, the Inuit people believed this to be the spirits of their dead loved ones and during the medieval times, they believed this to be the divine intervention.
Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland (A Tinggly Moment)
Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) in Iceland
The Northern Lights are actually present all year round, however, the ideal season to see this is during the winter months because the daylight is shorter and it is seen better in dark surroundings. It is rare to see the Aurora Borealis in the Midnight Sun in Northern Europe. The best way to enjoy this amazing lights show is to avoid the city lights.
This phenomenon can also be seen in the Southern Hemisphere of the globe. This is called the Aurora Australis. It can be seen in Antarctica and in the southern parts of Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
I did not hold out too much hope as it was a little bit cloudy in Reykjavik when we set out. We were picked up by the shuttle bus around 9 pm from the BUS hostel Reykjavik. We picked up other passengers along the way before we headed to Reykjavik harbour to board our ship.
Check out some of the cool and cheap tours you could do in Reykjavik.
Our boat for the Northern Lights tour on sea
The ship has a café where you can buy food and drinks while you’re cruising on the Atlantic Ocean. There is also a short film about the Northern Lights on the lower deck. It was a cold night so we were all geared up with warm clothing. We sat on the top deck of the boat to witness the spectacular show of nature.
Our tour guide briefed us about the safety onboard and gave some helpful insights about the Northern Lights and the trip. After a few minutes we started to sail away from Reykjavik, we were so pleased and excited when the Northern Lights unfold across the sky sitting just above Mount Esja.
A memory that will last a lifetime!
It was really cold and windy in the Atlantic Ocean, but we didn’t mind the cold and wind. We were bedazzled by the beauty of the Northern Lights. We considered ourselves to be very lucky to see this natural display as some travellers hang around for days or even weeks just to see the Northern Lights but fail. I advise that you book this tour on the beginning of your trip in Iceland because if the Northern Lights fail to show up, the tour company will give you another free Northern Lights trip the following evening.
The amazing Northern Lights experience was superb! I will definitely cherish it for the rest of my life. Give yourself or your special someone a Tinggly experience and start building lots of Tinggly Moments.
BUY EXPERIENCE NOT THINGS!
Two Monkeys Travel Group would like to thank Tinggly.com for the complimentary Northern Lights Tour. Opinions in this article are my own.
Here’re the other paid trips you can do in Iceland, the cost is below $120.
About the Writer
Ryazan Tristram is named after a Russian city near Moscow. The Miss Zan-shine of Everything Zany – A Photography, Lifestyle and Dual Citizen Travel Blog. She likes to travel, history, meet people & try exotic foods! Planning to explore more countries with her D.I.Y trips as a Dual Citizen (British – Filipina). Follow her travels on Facebook and Instagram.
Comments 62
I’ve wanted to see the Northern Lights. I think you enjoyed a lot here. This will be included to my bucket list.
Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland was an awesome experience. Most are eyeing for it! 🙂
That is fantastic cruise, Hope someday I will also go on this cruise. I love fair relationship of cruising company with customers who don’t see what they payed for. One thing I don’t like about this cruises is cold. I am more for tropical resorts.
Give it a try, Endre! Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland would be memorable after all.
This is so cool. I always find something that is much mire interesting that I wish I could be there. Your posts are amazing. How I envy you for being there !!! Lolz.
Don’t be, Nimi! Now is the season for Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland. You should try.
I don’t know any wanderlust and traveler who does not have this in their bucket list!!!!! I would love to see the aurora borealis someday, and the land of ice and fire looks like a very interesting place to go to. One country at a time……
Exactly! Soon you can chase the Northern Lights in Iceland, dear.
I envy those people who saw this already. I’m from the Philippines too and when I saw this on Facebook I really wanted to see it. I hope I can see this in person but I think we need a very good timing to see this.
Now is the right time for Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland, Charm.
Wow! You guys sure really had fun watching the northern lights. I’ve been seeing posts about it and I thought it isn’t for real but lo, it is! You’ve got an interesting post here too since you’ve really explained well how northern lights formed. Ooooh, if only going there is just a snap away, I’ll definitely be going there. Well, hopefully, soon (who knows?!).
The sooner, the better, Zwitsy! Can’t wait for your trip as you Chase the Northern Lights in Iceland
I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights. I just don’t have any idea where it could be found and when it’s the best time to see it. Thanks for your helpful tips. And yes, experiences are better gifts rather than stuff.
Indeed, Me-An! Have the best experience as you Chase the Northern Lights in Iceland
That is such a great experience I’ve always wanted to see that. Hope I can do that as well in the future
You can, Rowena! Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland would be one of your best experiences. 🙂
Wow, you were so lucky! I have heard that the season for the Northern Lights is mostly between December and March. It’s one of my bucket lists items to see the Northen Lights from inside a glass rooftop igloo. That would be so amazing, just stay in bed, look above you and see the Aurora Borealis, like a magic dream.
Perfect dream and imagination, Joanna! Hehe. Better prepare for a trip soon to chase the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Wow! You are lucky indeed! What a wonderful sight it must have been to see it in person! I’m happy for you and your husband.
Chase the Northern Lights in Iceland yourself, Teresa! Or better bring your best buddy with you.
Oh, you were literally chillin’. Hoping one day, I can experience that too. You are so inspiring. You traveled all over the world.
Thank you, Princess. You, too, can chase the Northern Lights in Iceland someday
I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights! so cool that you got to see them. I would be in awe the whole time. Iceland is so full of intrigue for me I’d love to visit some day. All the best in your future travels.
Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland is just one thing you can do in the country. It is indeed stunning and breathtaking.
This is one of the things I want to do in my lifetime.Reading your post has wanted me to do it sooner rather than later.
Tick off Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland from your list, Nayna.
I would love to see the Northern Lights. What a beautiful post.
Thank you! Better go now and chase the Northern Lights in Iceland. 😉
This is such a wonderful post. The northern lights are definitely on my buckletlist – they look great.
Tick it off from your list, Jessica! Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland will mark a great trip on you.
Seeing the Northern Lights is definitely on our bucket list!
Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland should be in everyone’s bucket list. hehe
The northern lights are on mine and hubs bucket list! H x
This is near the top of my Travel Bucket List – I would so love to see the Northern Lights. I will get there one day! Kaz x
One day, you will chase the Northern Lights in Iceland, Ickle Pickle. Claim it.
Now this is something I really want to do one day – the northern lights just look absolutely amazing to see in person. x
See the Northern Lights in Iceland yourself, Rhian! Drop a comment here on how was your experience by then.
Seeing the northern lights is on my bucket list, it just looks so incredible. I’d love to stay in one of those igloo’s and look out x
Wow, you’re lucky that you got to see this
Wow so are these different than the ones you can see in Alaska?
Definitely on my bucket list!!! Wow! I’m jealous! 🙂
Seriously such a dream! Awesome.
I love Tinggly – they have so many cool experiences available 🙂
Indeed Anna! And on of those is Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland. 😉
I would love to experience that! Looks amazing 🙂
Ayyyyy this one is definitely on the bucketlist for sure!! It just doesn’t look real!
Make it real, Bettina! Chasing the Northern Lights in Iceland will be worth your time. 🙂
I’m hoping for a trip to Iceland for my birthday in January – really REALLY want to catch a glimpse of the lights!
That’s great! Once I’ll go on the same tour as I have never seen Northern Lights so far! But it’s on my travel list! 🙂
Bucket list item right there!! That’s so good that is the Northern Lights fail to show up, the tour company will give you another trip the following night.
Like you said, you were lucky; there is no guarantee you get to see the lights and these trips aren’t cheap.
You know I”m so dim I didn’t even realise they had an equivalent in the southern hemisphere.
I agree! The company will give you a free tour the following evening in case the Northern Lights will fail to show up or give you some alternatives.
Oh that’s so amazing that you got to see them, they are on our bucket list too but it’s kind of one of those things you are a bit nervous about booking in case it doesn’t happen!! We want to try to do it when we maybe can spend a little more time in the country just to make sure!
I know exactly what you mean! I felt the same thing prior to our tour. I was a little bit worried about it in case the Northern lights will fail to show up. Then again it did! Happy bunny!
I went once and it was the most beautiful thing I ever saw!! <3
I strongly agree! words can’t explain how amazing the Northern Lights are.
Ugh, I have missed the Northern Lights twice now by literally minutes. I am dying to see them! Great shots! I am so jelly!
Oh dear! Maybe that’s another reason for you to go back to Iceland. 🙂
OMG! This is my dream. If someone purchase a Tinggly experience and take me to Iceland or just take me to Iceland and see the northern lights… I will love him forever ( or so I hope). But this is really my dream
Hi Karla! I’m sure one day you will. Who knows when, but surely one day! Iceland is sooooo nice and the Northern Lights experience is truly magical. One of the things you must do in your lifetime. 🙂
Looks like you had a great time seeing the northern lights! They are possibly my number one thing to do in Europe before I move to south America next year but I am not sure If I will be able to 🙁
Hi Damien, Good luck on your move to South America. They said it’s superb down there. About the Northern Lights, YOU MUST DO IT!!! hahaah! it was a superb experience.