Travel enthusiasts must share one dream—seeing the aurora at least once in their lifetime. Not only are auroras incredibly beautiful, but legend has it that they can bring lifelong happiness. But seeing the aurora isn’t so simple—it only appears in the high-latitude skies, and its timing is unpredictable. Many people return disappointed after getting the time or place wrong. In fact, not only Iceland and Finland, but the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand also offer beautiful auroras. Check out the aurora guide recommended by travel experts now.
?Aurora 101
How Auroras Form
Auroras are caused by super-fast solar winds emitted by the sun, which rush out at speeds of 200-800km per second. When these charged particles collide with the Earth’s magnetic field shield, they release heat energy to produce light and are drawn along the magnetic field lines into the skies over the North and South Poles, forming the auroras we see.
Bonus fact:Auroras don’t just occur on Earth—they also happen on other planets with magnetic fields.
Aurora Cycle? Peak Season in #8230;
Like other natural phenomena, auroras have a cycle, occurring roughly every 11 years. The last low point was in 2009 , so it’s predicted that another low will occur in 2020 , after which activity will pick up again, reaching a new aurora peak in 2023 (take note!). Even during low points, auroras can still be seen, but sightings will significantly decrease. Why not chase an aurora before the 2020 low point?
Best Months to Chase Auroras
The best months to chase auroras vary depending on latitude. Some regions offer aurora views for more than half the year, while others have only a few months of visibility. For example, the Northern Lights are most active from September to March each year, whereas the Southern Lights are most visible from June to September. It’s best to confirm the timing before you go.
Best Time to View Auroras Timing
Seeing an aurora isn’t easy—you need to choose the right location and month, and also have a bit of luck. Because auroras require a clear, cloudless sky, their appearance and duration are unpredictable (they love to play hard to get). Sometimes they vanish within minutes, other times they linger for an hour or two. So don’t keep scrolling your phone—you might miss a breathtaking aurora. Also, auroras are most beautiful under a dark night sky, with the best viewing window around 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Remember to get plenty of rest earlier and enjoy a romantic night waiting for the aurora together. TimingRemember to get plenty of rest in advance, and enjoy a romantic evening date together as you wait for the aurora.
Always Check the Aurora Index Before Going Aurora Hunting
Just like checking the weather forecast before traveling, you should check the aurora index online before going (K-index). Some websites also show cloud cover conditions. The aurora index is generally rated from 0 to 9—the higher the number, the greater your chance of seeing an aurora. A rating of 3 or above is worth trying, and if you’re lucky enough to see a 9, your odds are extremely high. You must’ve done something great in a past life (jealous).
Quick Tip:Different websites update their aurora indices at different times—some two days in advance, some just one day. After publishing, the indices are also updated continuously, so it’s best to check one day before your trip for the most accurate info.
Greenland
Kangerlussuaq Kangerlussuaq
Best viewing months:10 October to April of the following year
Kangerlussuaq is a small town in Greenland that was once used as military land. It is home to Greenland’s only international airport, yet has a population of only about 500 people (roughly the number of students in an elementary school’s new intake). With such a sparse population, there is no light pollution, and because the area is very close to the Arctic, not only is the rainfall extremely low, but there are also over 300 days of good weather per year, making it a top spot for aurora viewing. Additionally, the region is home to many precious land animals, such as musk oxen, reindeer, and gyrfalcons. Enjoying the auroras with these adorable creatures around is truly a blissful experience.
Canada
Yellowknife Yellowknife
Best viewing months:Mid-August to the end of September,11Late October to mid-April of the following year
Yellowknife is located in Canada’s Northwest Territories. It lies inland on flat terrain, enjoys stable weather without mountain barriers, and is highly suitable for aurora watching. Not only does it host the world’s only aurora tracking observatory, but the auroras in Yellowknife also often appear very close to the horizon before stretching up into the sky, almost as if you could reach out and touch them—super cool. Also, when visiting Yellowknife to see the auroras, it's best to avoid 10December11 and January, as those months have thicker cloud cover, which increases the chances of rain and can block your view of the auroras.
★ Recommended attractions:Lake Louise,Banff National Park
USA Alaska
Fairbanks Fairbanks
Best viewing months:August to April of the following year
Fairbanks is one of the cities in North America closest to the Arctic Circle, featuring both the midnight sun and polar night phenomena. With over 240 days of aurora sightings annually, it is also known as the Aurora Capital. The most popular way to chase the auroras in Fairbanks is to head to nearby hot spring resorts. Soak in the steaming hot springs during the cold winter, while gazing up at the dreamlike, stunning auroras—isn’t that incredibly enjoyable? Moreover, some resorts offer midnight aurora alert services, so even if you fall asleep, you won’t miss the show.
★ Recommended attractions:Trans-Alaska Pipeline,Fur boutiques
New Zealand
When it comes to chasing the aurora, most people think of the Northern Lights and naturally associate them with countries in the Northern Hemisphere. But did you know the Southern Hemisphere has the Southern Lights too? New Zealand, boasting incredibly rich natural landscapes and known as a living geography classroom, is one of the best places to witness this phenomenon. In many natural scenic areas with minimal light pollution, you can also see stunning auroras. Coupled with the unpolluted, vast starry sky, lying on the grass and gazing at the twinkling stars is nothing short of magical.
Additionally, since New Zealand is somewhat distant from the Antarctic Circle, an aurora index of usually greater than 5 is required for clearer sightings. Moreover, due to the varying distances from the polar regions, the auroras seen in New Zealand are typically more suited for viewing from afar rather than up close. However, they do offer a wider range of colors compared to other mentioned locations.
Lake Tekapo Lake Tekapo
Best Viewing Months:June to September
Mount Cook National Park is located in the South Island of New Zealand, in the southeastern part of the Southern Alps, and is home to New Zealand’s highest peak — Mount Cook. It’s a must-visit destination for many hiking enthusiasts. As for Lake Tekapo, which we’re introducing here, it’s surrounded by mountain ranges and drifting clouds, resembling a fairytale wonderland. Especially around 12 each year, vast expanses of lupine flowers bloom along the lakeshore, attracting large numbers of tourists every year. And that’s not even mentioning how this breathtaking scenery paired with dazzling auroras makes for an unforgettable trip — seeing such beauty in one journey is truly fulfilling.
★ Recommended Attractions:Mount Cook National Park,Hooker Valley Track,Starry Night Sky
Stewart Island Stewart Island
Best Viewing Months:June to September
Stewart Island is the third-largest island in New Zealand. However, due to its remote location and separation by straits, the local population is less than 500 people. Yet, precisely because of this, the island has preserved its most pristine forests and natural landscapes. It’s also home to a wide variety of wild bird species, as well as yellow-eyed and little blue penguins. Moreover, Stewart Island’s latitude is higher than that of the South Island, so the probability of seeing the aurora is naturally even greater.
After seeing all these stunning aurora spots above, we’re sure you’re eager and ready to witness these breathtaking sights in person. But don’t forget — starting from September, various locations around the world gradually enter the prime aurora-chasing season. So what are you waiting for? Book your flight and set off now.
Text by Kayline | Tripresso Travel Cafe Editorial Team
More Travel Information:
[Iceland Travel] The Land of Fire and Ice — A Must-Visit Destination Where Auroras and Volcanoes Coexist
[Mirror of the Sky] One of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders: Pristine Lakes and Seascapes as Clear as a Mirror
[Global Aurora Guide] Besides Iceland and Finland, these places also have stunning auroras too (Part 2)