Aurora Borealis Observatory - Create Memories
Aurora Borealis Observatory: When visiting us you can be sure that we try to create the best atmosphere. We are located with fantastic conditions for the northern lights.
Our resort’s unique microclimate offers an exceptional advantage for northern lights viewing. Thanks to our location, we experience a high number of clear-sky nights compared to other areas, which significantly increases your chances of seeing the aurora directly from the resort. This means that rather than needing to chase the aurora across long distances, you can enjoy a higher probability of spotting it right here, in comfort and convenience.
Our resort is designed with northern lights viewing in mind. Guests can wait indoors in their own cozy apartments, in “The Barn” (the heart of the resort), or gathered around the Tipi area by the fire. The Tipi, in particular, provides a warm, atmospheric setting for watching the night sky, creating a memorable aurora experience. Since the aurora can be unpredictable and may come and go throughout the night, this setup allows you to relax, socialize, and stay warm while awaiting each appearance.
While heavy rain, snowstorms, or thick cloud cover will block aurora visibility everywhere, our location’s microclimate helps us avoid these conditions more often than not. In the event of bad weather, aurora tours are available, but these often require hours of travel by bus to find potential clear skies. This can make for a long, uncertain journey compared to the convenience of our resort’s ideal location, where you can comfortably wait for the aurora in a welcoming and cozy environment.
Thanks to our unique microclimate, there’s no need to go on long aurora hunts—you can enjoy excellent chances of seeing the northern lights right from our resort. For a change of scenery, nearby lakes and rivers also offer stunning views for an unforgettable aurora experience.
Enjoy the Aurora from all apartments
All apartments and our Restaurant have large windows facing the northern lights. You can easily go out and capture the moment and then when the aurora disappears go inside in the warmth again.
Photographer on location
During aurora season, we have a photographer on location. As long as we are available, we will be capturing photos of our guests under the stunning northern lights. These photos will be provided to you for free.
Luxury Units with Private hot tubs
Many of our luxury units have their own outdoor hot tub. For those who live in aurora apartments, a hot tub in a common area can be used if available.
Aurora Experience outside the door
The resort is perfectly located for the Northern Lights experience. You can sit in the apartment or restaurant to enjoy yourself, and then go out when the northern lights dance.
Dreamscapes
We are surrounded by wonderful waters and rivers nearby the resort. Simply talk with us and we can organize evening trips for those who want that little extra service.
Amazing Activities - Explore Senja
During the day you can really experience the island from its best side. Either through excursions or wonderful activities. Everything can be organized directly from our location.
The Tipi
The Tipi, in particular, provides a warm, atmospheric setting for watching the night sky, creating a memorable aurora experience. It is also very photogenic when the aurora dances above it.
The Barn
Watching for the aurora from “The Barn,” our resort’s cozy heart, is a relaxing experience where guests can stay warm, share stories, and enjoy refreshments while waiting for the northern lights.
Camp fire
As written about the Tipi it is a very cozy place. The inside is also nice and some days we serve food while waiting for the aurora. This is also a perfect setting while waiting for the aurora on location.
Aurora Borealis Season
Mid August - Mid April EVERY YEAR we are lucky to enjoy the aurora
At the Aurora Borealis Observatory we can see the first auroras around mid August and the last in mid april.
If Aurora is the most important bucket list item we recommend that you visit us from August 29th until April 15th.
You should stay 4-7 days for better chances to see the northern lights. It is weather dependent.
Ps: It is impossible to say what is the best time or month to see the northern lights as this depends on the weather.
All months from September-April can be equally good, so we actually recommend that you plan your trip based on what suits you best.
Many people ask whether they should visit us with or without moonlight. This is subjective and we personally like both equally well
Late August - November
August to november are really amazing months for aurora. Combined with stunning sunset colors on the horizon. This period until December is "autumnal" months. Above all: This is a fantastic period, with a lot of northern lights. This is the aurora borealis holiday period normally without any snow and also the warmest period during aurora borealis season.
December - Mid March
December to mid-March are also amazing for aurora. This is the time when we have snow at the aurora borealis observatory. The period is colder and when you have a lot of snow, however the landscape is usually all white and pretty. With a lot of snow and cold weather, you can get ready to experience the winter wonderland. Enjoy your Aurora Borealis holiday during snowy months.
Mid March - Mid April
Mid March we return to the period with Northern Lights on top of fantastic sunset colors on the horizon. The period is characterized by cold weather but much brighter days, due to the fact that polar nights is over. As a result, we are probably fully booked 6 months prior. This is for many the ultimate period of photographing the aurora during the aurora borealis holiday
Aurora Borealis Observatory - Create Memories
Wellness and Northern Lights at the same time
Aurora Borealis Observatory - One of the best aurora borealis locations in the world
Create Memories at the Aurora Borealis Observatory
The beauty of being at the aurora borealis observatory is that we try to make sure that your holiday turns out like a dream. To make sure you go home with the best memories, we have photographers available on request. If the weather is good and the northern lights dance, we ensure that you do not miss the northern lights. Feedback from our guests was that this was such an amazing service.
The Aurora Borealis Observatory is for those who really want to experience nature, silence and to get total relaxation, while hopefully enjoying the amazing Aurora Borealis.
Our main goal is that you can see the aurora while staying here. You can also explore the culture of Senja Island and enjoy many other activities. Enjoy the silence and lovely atmosphere where your well-being is in focus. Our goal is to create the best Aurora Borealis experience.
After Northern lights activities you can enjoy a warm soup, hot chocolate, espresso, a glass of wine etc. Simply walk down to our Bar or Tipi Lounge and enjoy the rest of the evening. This is by far one of the best ways to relax after a long day with amazing experiences.
Sustainable Tourism
The Aurora Borealis Observatory is a small family driven resort located at Senja Island in Northern Norway. The resort are owned and operated by Anders Hanssen, Kristine Hanssen Kjosnes and Magnus Hanssen. It is safe to say that we love the aurora and we feel lucky and blessed being able to live at such prime location. Conservation and sustainable use of resources- natural, social and cultural up here at the Aurora Borealis Observatory and Senja Island, is very important for us.
Northern Lights Activities on Location / Handled by ourselves
Since we are located on a small little hill with amazing surroundings we also offer on location activities. You can enjoy Photo classes, learn about astronomy and aurora, go on hikes to our different viewpoints, simple skiing when we have snow and start the national scenic route from here. If you want to experience the city of Tromsø we recommend a day trip, as this is super simple in terms of logistics.
In our own restaurant & bar we also offer relaxing but great concerts now and then.
Northern Lights Activities provided by our collaborators
For those who wants more action we are also proud to say that we can offer the best providers in the nearby area. We only offer the most popular ones and all our collaborators will pick you up before the activity, and bring you back to the resort after. Most popular activities from our collaborators have been husky, mountain hikes and snowmobile.