What is Noctourism?

Noctourism is simply exploring and experiencing the wonders of the night and it is reshaping the way we think about travel. Declared one of the biggest travel trends for 2025 by CNBC and highlighted as the #1 trend by Booking.com, noctourism is all about venturing into the dark to connect with the natural world in a profoundly different way. This isn’t about nightlife partying through till dawn, well chasing the aurora can feel like a party until dawn (!!), it’s about uncovering the beauty and serenity that only the night can offer.

As someone recognised by CNBC as an “early adopter of noctourism,” I’ve spent over a decade dedicating my travels and photography missions to nighttime adventures. From chasing the dazzling aurora borealis across the Arctic to capturing rare celestial phenomena like noctilucent and nacreous clouds, lunar halos and meteor showers, noctourism has been at the heart of my journey as a photographer and storyteller.

The night sky holds infinite possibility. It offers moments of stillness, awe and discovery that are impossible to replicate during the day. For me, it’s not just about the seeing these phenomenon, it’s about the emotional and spiritual connection that comes from immersing yourself in the quiet magick of the nocturnal world. A reminder that we are part of something far greater than we can ever comprehend. These experiences have inspired me to craft stories, guide others through workshops and distill all I know about the northern lights in an instant-access online course, Chasing the Aurora Borealis, to help others unlock the wonder of the night.

With 2025 set to bring unprecedented opportunities for noctourism, thanks to the peak of Solar Cycle 25, advancements in phone tech for low-light photography and the growing accessibility of dark-sky destinations, there’s never been a better time to embrace the beauty of the night sky. Whether it’s witnessing the aurora borealis, exploring stargazing tours in remote regions, or simply escaping light pollution to reconnect with the cosmos, noctourism offers something for everyone.

Why 2025 is the Perfect Year for Noctourism

1. Aurora borealis peaks in intensity
   
   • 2025 is predicted to see the peak of Solar Cycle 25, a period when heightened solar activity makes the likelihood of aurora displays to be more intense and more frequent. This means your chances of seeing vibrant displays of the northern lights are better than ever.
2. Increased accessibility
   
   • Noctourism destinations like Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Alaska, Canada and Scotland are more accessible than ever, with budget-friendly travel options and tailored nighttime tours becoming increasingly popular.
3. The noctourism comes to your doorstep for an adventure from home
   • Not only that, in the northern hemisphere, with stronger aurora storms, the aurora activity pushes futher south, bringing the aurora shows across the whole of the UK and a lot of Europe and North America, meaning you may not have to travel far to experience an night of nocturnal adventures!
4. Technological advances in low light phone photography
   
   • With improvements in mobile phone low-light photography capabilities, real-time apps for aurora tracking, and star-gazing apps to guide your eye and knowledge, noctourism has never been easier to dive into, whether you’re a seasoned photographer or a curious beginner.
5. A rising movement seeking immersive experiences rewilding our connection to nature
   
   • CNBC’s spotlight on noctourism highlights how travellers are increasingly seeking immersive, slow-paced experiences that connect them with the natural world, a shift perfectly suited to exploring the magick of the night.

Top Tips for Chasing the Aurora Borealis in 2025

If chasing the aurora is on your bucket list, 2025 is the perfect year to make it happen! With the solar maximum bringing heightened geomagnetic activity, the odds of catching breathtaking aurora displays are higher than ever. But as any aurora chaser will tell you, it’s not just about luck, it’s about timing, preparation and a dash of patience. Whether you’re planning a trip to the Arctic or hoping to catch a surprise display closer to home, these tips will help you embrace the adventure with curiosity, excitement and the tools to make the most of every liminal moment.

1. When are the best months to see the aurora?
   • In the northern hemisphere the aurora season is typically mid-August to mid-April. However, there is still limited night sky at the ‘shoulders’ of this season and so the darker skies return between Sept – March.
2. What are the best places to see the aurora?
   • For optimal aurora visibility, being somewhere away from light pollution with a clear north view of the sky is a great place to start. Usually the further north you are in the northern hemisphere, the better your chances. Some of the prime locations like Iceland, Norway, Sweden or Finland are popular in Europe.
   • If you prefer staying in the UK, Scotland’s darker areas also offer incredible aurora displays during geomagnetic storms and on strong nights of activity the aurora has danced across the whole of the UK.
3. Understand basic aurora science to predict when and where the northern lights will be active
   • The aurora borealis is a natural phenomenon caused by solar wind interacting with Earth’s magnetic field. Understanding its mechanics can help you predict when the aurora might happen and make plans to chase it, meaning you have confidence in adventuring off into the night sky and can contemplate the epicness of it all, make the experience even more awe-inspiring.
4. Gear up for low-light photography
   • If you can, invest in a sturdy tripod and a camera with excellent low-light capabilities. However, mobile phones are creating some mind-blowing imagery now, so make sure you get a tripod for your phone to stabilise it and this will improve your images significantly! Practice shooting at night to master long exposures and capture the beauty of the northern lights.
5. Be patient and flexible
   • Aurora chasing requires adaptability, it is an interplay of earth and space weather, dancing with cloud cover, weather and solar activity, all of which can change quickly. Keep your schedule open to maximise your chances of seeing the lights and if this is your main focus of your adventure, shifting your sleep pattern around a little so you stay awake as long as possible will also increase your chances of seeing the northern lights.

Learn to Chase the Aurora Like a Pro

If you’re ready to embark on your own noctourism journey, my instant-access online course, Chasing the Aurora Borealis, is the perfect guide. Designed for beginners and seasoned travelers alike, the course offers practical tips, gear recommendations, and insider knowledge from my decade of experience chasing the lights.