Planning a Northern Lights tour in Tromso? It’s essential to consider the moon phase and your preferences for the type of experience and photos you want.
New moon dates can enhance the visibility of faint auroras, offering more stars, shooting stars, and a clearly visible Milky Way. While faint auroras might appear slightly stronger during the new moon, the difference is minimal. Strong auroras are equally impressive regardless of the moon phase.
Most of our experienced guides recommend the period from half-moon to full moon for Northern Lights tours in Tromso. This timing produces stunning photographs, beautifully illuminating the Norwegian mountains. If your priority is capturing the aurora and stars without landscape details, consider planning your tour around the new moon.
For a visual comparison of how moonlight affects Northern Lights photography in Tromso, see the picture above the text for an example taken with moonlight, and the picture below the text for one with little moonlight.
Explore more images here to see the difference between photos taken with moonlight, where the landscape is clearly visible, and those with less moonlight, where the surroundings are darker. Scroll to the bottom of the page to view these images and decide whether you prefer the dramatic illumination of the Norwegian landscape or a more focused view of the aurora.
Check the Moon Phase Calendar to plan your Northern Lights tour in Tromso
