Chase the Northern Lights with our local guides
Catching the aurora is part patience, part knowing where to be, and that's where our local guides come in. They track the forecasts, read the cloud cover, and lead you away from town to the dark, open spots where the Northern Lights show brightest.
Warm up by a cabin or boat between displays, learn how the aurora forms, and let someone who has watched these skies their whole life help you make the most of the night.
Some of the best displays appear right above the cabins, no long journey needed, just step outside and look up.
As the last light fades and the sky darkens, the wait begins, and that quiet anticipation is part of the magic.
Northern Lights in Greenland, more than one way to chase the aurora
When the Arctic sky turns dark from autumn through spring, Greenland becomes one of the finest places on Earth to watch the northern lights. Far from city glow and beneath some of the clearest skies anywhere, the aurora here feels close enough to touch. Raw Arctic gives you several ways to chase it, so you can pick the experience that fits your trip to Greenland.
Aurora Huts, watch the sky from a warm cabin
Settle into a cozy hut at the edge of the wilderness and let the northern lights come to you. With the wood stove crackling and the cold kept firmly outside, you can step out whenever the aurora flares, then duck back into the warmth between displays. It is the most relaxed way to spend a long Arctic night under the lights.
Photo by Line Hedegaard - Visit Greenland
By boat, chase the aurora across open water
Leave the last lights of town behind and head out onto the fjord, where dark skies and still water double the show. From the deck, the aurora ripples overhead and again in the reflection below, framed by mountains in silhouette. Warm gear and hot drinks aboard keep you comfortable while the sky comes alive.
Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland
Hike, earn your view beneath the stars
For those who like to move, a guided night hike trades the crowds for a quiet ridge and a wide-open sky. Climb above the town glow, then pause as the northern lights unfold from horizon to horizon. There is something unforgettable about standing in the still Arctic cold, breath fogging, while the aurora moves above you.
Photo by Paul Zizka - Visit Greenland
UTV, ride out to the dark sky
Climb aboard an off-road UTV and rumble beyond the reach of streetlights to a prime aurora-viewing spot. The drive is part of the adventure, carrying you quickly into open country where the night sky takes over. Once the engine cuts, it is just you, the silence, and the northern lights overhead.
Photo by Filip Gielda - Visit Greenland
Dogsledding, the traditional way through the Arctic night
Glide across the snow behind a team of Greenlandic sled dogs, the oldest way to travel the winter Arctic. As the runners hiss and the dogs find their rhythm, the northern lights shimmer above the frozen landscape. It is a rare and deeply Greenlandic way to experience the aurora, rooted in centuries of tradition.
Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland
Northern Lights in Greenland, under the darkest skies
Few places on earth offer skies as dark and clear as Greenland's, which makes it one of the finest spots anywhere to witness the Northern Lights. Through the long Arctic nights, from late summer to early spring, the aurora borealis drifts and dances overhead in green, violet, and gold.
Whether you head out by boat onto the fjord or settle in at a cabin away from town, our local guides track the forecasts and lead you to the clearest skies, giving you the best possible chance of catching the lights at their brightest.
1 / 5
What our guests say:
"Raw Arctic gave us absolutely amazing 10-days trip in Greenland. They’ve organised everything from the pick up at the airport through hunting, boat sailing, hiking, etc. They were also extremely helpful when our schedule got derailed because of unpredictable internal flights. They did it all with easiness, laughs, positive attitude and good energy. Special thanks to Isak and Salik for making this experience so flawless and unforgettable!"
Kinga Jaromin
Poland
"Thanks to the experience, dedication, and professionalism of the young people at Raw Arctic, who designed a series of challenging and rewarding experiences for us, we felt that we had truly been given a glimpse of the real Greenland. Not the Greenland of brochures and advertisements, but the authentic one—raw, beautiful, and full of character. We already know that we will return. Next time, with an even more ambitious plan. And there is little doubt that this future Greenland adventure will once again be shared with the team at Raw Arctic."
Marek & Agnieszka
Poland
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know before chasing the Northern Lights in Greenland, from the best season to how to prepare and photograph the aurora. If you can't find your answer here, feel free to reach out to us anytime.
What exactly is a “custom” tour with Raw Arctic?
Every itinerary is built from scratch around the dates, interests, group size, and budget you give us. Whether you want a single evening dedicated to aurora hunting or a longer trip combining the Northern Lights with winter boat tours and cabin stays, our planners and local guides shape the route, pace, and lodging so the trip is unmistakably yours. There are no off-the-shelf templates, just an experience designed around the night sky you came to see.
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Greenland?
The aurora is only visible during the dark season, roughly from late August or September through early April, because it needs a genuinely dark, clear night to appear. The bright summer months, when Greenland has near-constant daylight, are not suitable for aurora viewing. Within the dark season, your odds improve with clear skies and high solar activity, and the long Arctic nights give you many hours of darkness to work with. While the lights are a natural phenomenon and can never be guaranteed, this window gives you the strongest possible chance.
Are sightings guaranteed, and how do you improve the odds?
No one can promise the Northern Lights, because they depend on solar activity and clear skies, both beyond anyone's control. What we can do is stack the odds in your favour: our guides monitor aurora forecasts and cloud cover, choose dark locations away from town lights, and time the trip for the best conditions on the night. We will be honest with you about what to expect rather than overpromising, and if the sky cooperates, we will make sure you are in the right place to see it.
Do I need any experience, and is it suitable for everyone?
No experience is needed at all. Aurora viewing is about patience and being in the right spot, both of which we take care of. Whether you join by boat or settle in near a cabin, you will be in safe hands with guides who know the area and the conditions. It suits all ages and abilities, though because viewing happens late at night in cold conditions, we will let you know what to expect so you can prepare.
What should I wear and bring?
Warmth is everything, since you will be standing still outdoors at night in winter temperatures. Dress in thermal base layers, an insulated mid-layer, and a windproof, waterproof outer layer, plus a warm hat, insulated gloves, thick socks, and proper winter boots. Bring hand warmers if you have them, and if you want photos, a camera that allows manual settings along with a tripod makes a huge difference, as phones struggle in the dark. On boat-based trips there is a heated cabin to warm up in between displays.
We’re arriving by cruise ship — can we fit a tour in our port time?
This one depends on timing. Because the aurora is only visible after dark, a Northern Lights trip needs to fall on an evening when your ship is in port, and most cruise calls are during the day. If your itinerary includes an overnight or late departure during the dark season, we may be able to arrange an aurora outing, and we can always offer winter boat tours or other experiences during daylight port hours. Send us your ship's schedule and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
What is your cancellation policy?
Because aurora viewing depends entirely on weather and darkness, conditions can change at short notice, and safety always comes first. If we cancel a departure for safety reasons, we will work with you to rebook or arrange a refund. Do bear in mind that cloud cover alone does not guarantee cancellation, since skies can clear quickly, so trips often go ahead in the hope of a break in the clouds. For guest-initiated cancellations, the specific terms and timelines are set out in your booking confirmation, so we recommend reviewing those when you book.
Plan your Northern Lights trip with us
Tell us when you're travelling and how you'd like to watch, by boat on the fjord or from a cabin under open sky, and we will shape the trip to match. Our local guides track the forecasts, handle the logistics, and lead you to the darkest, clearest spots, so all you have to do is wrap up warm and look up.