Hamn i Senja is located in the centre of Troms County north of the Arctic Circle – and in the centre of the Northern Lights zone, which circles the Magnetic North Pole. If you want to experience this fantastic natural phenomenon in the sky, the area around Hamn i Senja is ideal.

As soon as the nights darken after the midnight sun period, you are able to see the northern lights - if the weather is clear and the sun activity provides the right conditions. It can turn out in many shapes, colours and speed. Standing on the bare rocks in Hamn, with no light pollution, hearing the waves break against the coastline and watch the northern lights rush over the fjord and peculiar mountain contours, is a kick. A really fascinating and breathtaking adventure.

Not all nights are filled with this joyful experience, your patience might be tested and it might be a storm. Nevertheless - the arctic winter can offer you many memorable pictures.

We offer warm drinks, warm clothes and a cosy lighthouse (with 360 degree panoramic view) where you can stay warm between the best northern light sessions.

What are the Northern Lights?
Charged particles are hurled into outer space from storms on the sun’s surface. Some of these particles end up in the Earth’s magnetic field towards the Magnetic North Pole. The particles meet the outermost part of the Earth’s atmosphere around 100 km above the Earth’s surface. The result is a circular belt – most often light or with a light green glow. This is visible on the Earth’s surface as flickering, moving light.

What time can you see the Northern Lights?
You can see the Northern Lights in the sky above Hamn i Senja from late afternoon until late night.

Weather
The Northern Lights are often associated with cold winter weather. From late April until mid-August, it is simply too light to see the Northern Lights. The best time to see the Northern Lights is when it is dark and starry – and that is most often in cold winter weather.

Light conditions
You experience the Northern Lights best when it is completely dark outside and the sky is not subjected to “light pollution” from buildings, traffic and other things. That makes Hamn i Senja the perfect place to experience this natural show.

What is needed?
Why do the Northern Lights appear some evenings, while on other clear starry nights no Northern Lights are visible? The answer lies in the activity on the surface of the sun. Such activity must be taking place.