Polar Travel in November
November ushers in the polar night at northern latitudes — Tromsø enters over a month of 24-hour darkness on November 27, Svalbard has been dark since late October. This creates extraordinary aurora hunting conditions: a vast dark window from late afternoon through morning. Lapland's winter season is ramping up. Churchill's polar bears are departing for the ice. Antarctica is just beginning its summer.
Top 5 Destinations for November
Ranked by aurora score + monthly conditionsBucket-list adventurers wanting the ultimate Arctic experience with maximum aurora intensity
Aurora purists who want scientifically the clearest skies on Earth for northern lights viewing
Clear-sky aurora chasers who want maximum viewing nights and lower prices than Tromsø
Travellers seeking authentic Sami cultural immersion and intense Arctic wilderness with minimal crowds
Aurora chasers from North America and Asia wanting the continent's most reliable viewing with hot spring soaks
What to Expect in November
Northern Scandinavia
Winter fully established. Deep snow in Lapland. Tromsø entering polar night late November. Cold and dark.
Iceland
Ice cave season begins (Vatnajökull tunnels forming). Aurora season in full swing. F-roads closed.
Northern Canada & Alaska
Full winter mode — snow everywhere, lakes frozen, trails packed. Prime aurora conditions.
Antarctica
Antarctic summer beginning — first expedition ships arriving at Peninsula. Penguins displaying.
Aurora Forecast for November
By late November, polar night means aurora is possible from mid-afternoon. An active Kp 5+ storm in Tromsø or Abisko can last all night. Book guided "all-night" chase tours for the best experience.
Activities in November
Events & Festivals in November
Tromsø Polar Night Festival
As Tromsø's polar night approaches, the city celebrates with a week of cultural events, light installations, music, and art — a deliberate antidote to the darkness. Some of Norway's finest restaurants debut winter menus.
Reindeer Autumn Round-Up
The Sami conduct the traditional autumn reindeer round-up (poro-erotus in Finnish) — herding thousands of reindeer for sorting. Visitors can observe this ancient practice with participating Sami communities.
Svalbard Dark Season Blues
A music and culture festival held in Longyearbyen during the depths of polar night. Blues, jazz, and arctic music under an auroral sky, with Northern Lights activities woven into the programme.
Pricing in November
November is peak season for aurora destinations. Churchill polar bear tours winding down (commanding huge end-of-season premiums). Lapland winter season at full prices. Antarctica opening trips pricing at a premium for early-season departures.
Book 3–4 months ahead for glass igloos and premium aurora camps. December and January are even busier — book December now if considering it.
All Destinations for November
51 destinations with recommended viewing in November
Antarctic Peninsula
Bucket-list adventurers seeking the world's most extraordinary wildlife experience in the last great wilderness
Ross Sea & McMurdo Sound
Elite polar explorers seeking the most remote, pristine, and historically significant destination on Earth
Svalbard
Bucket-list adventurers wanting the ultimate Arctic experience with maximum aurora intensity
Abisko
Aurora purists who want scientifically the clearest skies on Earth for northern lights viewing
Alta
Clear-sky aurora chasers who want maximum viewing nights and lower prices than Tromsø
Enontekiö
Travellers seeking authentic Sami cultural immersion and intense Arctic wilderness with minimal crowds
Hammerfest
Curious travellers who want genuine Arctic town character and a quirky Polar Bear Society membership
Ilulissat
Bucket-list aurora chasers who want the world's most dramatic icefjord backdrop for northern lights photography
Kangerlussuaq
Aurora purists wanting the world's most statistically clear skies and Greenland Ice Cap access
Murmansk
Budget travellers and Russia enthusiasts wanting maximum aurora intensity at minimum cost — when access is possible
Nordkapp
Bucket-list travellers wanting to stand at the tip of mainland Europe under the aurora or midnight sun
Tromsø
First-time aurora hunters wanting easy access, city comforts, and world-class guiding
Vardø
Off-the-beaten-path explorers seeking powerful art, history, and authentic Arctic remoteness
Akureyri
Iceland returnees and aurora chasers who want higher latitude and fewer crowds than Reykjavik
Churchill
Wildlife enthusiasts wanting the world's best polar bear viewing combined with northern lights
Dawson City
Adventurers wanting a one-of-a-kind blend of Gold Rush history, First Nations culture, and outstanding aurora
Denali
Wilderness lovers who want spectacular aurora in one of the world's great national parks
Húsavík
Wildlife lovers wanting whale watching in combination with excellent aurora viewing
Inari
Cultural explorers wanting authentic Sami experiences alongside top-quality aurora viewing
Iqaluit
Serious Arctic explorers wanting authentic Inuit culture and true Canadian High Arctic wilderness
Kiruna
Couples wanting the Icehotel experience combined with excellent aurora viewing and dog-sledding
Lofoten Islands
Aurora photographers seeking the world's most dramatic reflections and landscapes
Luosto
Couples and small groups seeking intimate Finnish Lapland aurora experiences away from the crowds
Lyngen
Ski mountaineers, photographers, and aurora chasers seeking dramatic scenery without the crowds
Muonio
Husky enthusiasts and wilderness seekers wanting authentic Lapland without tourist crowds
Narvik
History enthusiasts and skiers who want genuine Arctic atmosphere without the tourist crowds
Saariselkä
Skiers and snowmobilers who want aurora viewing combined with outstanding winter sports
Senja Island
Adventurous travellers who want Lofoten-quality scenery without the crowds
Sodankylä
Aurora enthusiasts who want a scientifically renowned location with genuine Finnish Lapland character
South Georgia
Wildlife photographers and expedition adventurers seeking the world's most intense wildlife encounters
Arkhangelsk
Experienced independent travellers seeking authentic Russian Arctic character and some of the world's lowest-cost aurora experiences
Bodø
Budget-conscious travellers using Bodø as an Aurora and Lofoten base
Egilsstaðir
Independent travellers exploring the Ring Road who want authentic Iceland beyond the tourist trail
Ísafjörður
Adventurous travellers seeking Iceland's most dramatic and remote landscapes with excellent aurora viewing
Jokkmokk
Cultural travellers who want authentic Sami experiences combined with excellent aurora viewing
Levi
Skiers and families wanting Lapland winter magic with Finland's best ski facilities
Mývatn
Travellers wanting to combine geothermal bathing under the aurora with Iceland's most dramatic volcanic scenery
Reykjavik
First-time arctic travellers who want to combine northern lights with Iceland's unique landscapes
Rovaniemi
Families and couples wanting the full Finnish Lapland winter magic with glass igloo stays
Gammelstad
History and heritage travellers combining UNESCO culture with Swedish Lapland aurora viewing
Kemi
Families and couples wanting unique icebreaker and snow castle experiences with affordable Arctic prices
Luleå
Budget travellers wanting an affordable Swedish Arctic base with unique ice road experiences
Oulu
Budget travellers using Oulu as an affordable gateway to Finnish Lapland aurora experiences
Snæfellsnes
Photographers wanting Iceland's most iconic aurora foregrounds within a convenient self-drive from Reykjavik
Vík í Mýrdal
Landscape photographers wanting volcanic drama and ice caves alongside aurora opportunities
Juneau
Travellers combining Southeast Alaska glacier and whale watching with occasional aurora sightings
Shetland
Wildlife lovers and culture seekers wanting Britain's most dramatic northern lights experience combined with Norse heritage
Banff
Skiers and mountain lovers who want aurora as a potential bonus alongside world-class Rocky Mountain activities
Orkney
History lovers and photographers wanting aurora as a bonus over extraordinary Neolithic landscapes
Tórshavn
Dramatic landscape photographers who want aurora as a bonus alongside the world's most dramatic volcanic island scenery
Caithness
Scotland road-trippers wanting mainland Britain's best northern lights chance combined with dramatic coastal scenery