Stargazing on Vega Island

Vega Island is our secret spot to escape the Aurora crowds that come to Norway every winter to get a glimpse of this spectacular light show.

According to Forbes Ultimate Travel Bucket List For 2018, to see the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, is one of the world’s 10 most popular travel destinations on a bucket list.

Experience the phenomenon of the colourful Aurora Borealis flicker across the sky and forget all about ticking off bucket lists. You will want to see this again and again.

There aren’t many places left in the world where you have zero celestial pollution to gaze into an endless sea of stars. But the Unesco protected Vega Island, on the boarder of the arctic circle in Norway, must be one of them. Its name pays tribute to the star ‘Vega’, which is the brightest in the constellation of the Lyra and used to be the Pole star (and will be again in about 11700 years).

The Northern Lights are best viewed from October – March.

The colours result from the distance to Earth’s surface:
Red light: more than 150km
Yellow green light: 120 – 150km
Purple blue light: less than 120km

HOW TO SEE IT: You need darkness, a clear sky and a little patience. Between and 10pm – 2am is the ideal time to fill your flask and sit snug outside. Gaze into space, trace the sparks of a shooting star, make a wish and with a little luck you’ll see the magnificent Aurora Borealis curl and slither across the sky.

Check the Northern Lights forecast here.

For exclusive stargazing and aurora experiences without crowds we recommend staying in our Vega Island Hideaway

Hideaway Highlights: Spectacular sea and mountain views, sleeps 6 in 2 double bedrooms with large panorama windows and 1 cosy double bedroom under the roof with stargazing window. Living room with open fireplace and panorama window, 1 bathroom with shower, binoculars to borrow.
$550 per day.