All locations Norway Reine

Northern lights Reine tonight

Reine sits at ~68°N magnetic latitude in Moskenes, the southwestern tip of the Lofoten Islands. Kp 2 is the threshold. The Moskenesøya peaks, red rorbuer, and Kirkefjord give foreground that is consistently cited among the finest for aurora photography in Europe. Reinebringen (448 m) gives a 360° summit view above the fjord. Best season: October to April.

Aurora visibility - Reine

Low chance tonight

Kp 1 is below the threshold for Reine. Activity would need to rise to Kp 2 before aurora could reach this latitude.

Current Kp

1

of 9

Threshold for Reine: Kp 2 Magnetic latitude: ~68°N Updated: 3 Jun, 18:13 UTC
↓ Bz nT Solar wind km/s Density p/cm³
Conditions right now: Kp + Bz + solar wind + cloud + moon

7-day outlook for Reine

Today

3 Jun

Quiet

Tomorrow

4 Jun

Quiet

Fri

5 Jun

Quiet

Sat

6 Jun

Quiet

Sun

7 Jun

Quiet

Mon

8 Jun

Quiet

Tue

9 Jun

Quiet

Based on CME arrival predictions from NASA DONKI. Arrival times ±6 hours.

auroratonight.space

What Kp is needed here?

Reine sits at a magnetic latitude of approximately 68°N. The Kp index - a global measure of geomagnetic activity on a scale from 0 (quiet) to 9 (extreme storm), updated every 3 hours - needs to reach Kp 2 before the auroral oval expands far enough south to be visible from here.

At Kp 2, visibility is possible from Reine but skies need to be clear and dark. Cloud cover and light pollution remain the main obstacles even when Kp is high enough.

Best dark sky sites near Reine

Light pollution is the biggest obstacle after cloud cover. These sites give you the best dark northern horizon within reach.

Reinebringen viewpoint

Get directions ↗
Bortle Class 1-2 - Exceptional dark sky 1 km from Reine village - approximately 45-60 minute hike to 448 m summit

The viewpoint at the summit of Reinebringen gives an unobstructed 360° view over Moskenesøya, the Vestfjorden, and the surrounding peaks. At 448 m the position is above any village light glow - Bortle Class 1-2. The steep hike (steel staircase and rope sections) requires care, particularly in winter when ice is present. Headtorch and micro-spikes are essential at night. Aurora appears across the full sky from the summit. Start before dark and wait - the descent in darkness requires familiarity with the route. The view of aurora reflected in the dark fjord water far below is a frequently reproduced image in aurora photography.

Hamnøy and Kirkefjord

Get directions ↗
Bortle Class 1-2 - Exceptional dark sky 2 km from Reine - approximately 5 minute drive on the E10

Hamnøy is a small island connected by bridge to the E10, with red rorbuer (fishermen's cabins) on the waterfront facing the Kirkefjord. The fjord faces north-north-west with steep mountain walls rising on three sides. At night there is no artificial light on the fjord surface and the peaks create a dramatic silhouette against aurora overhead. Bortle Class 1-2. The bridge across to Hamnøy gives a position over open water with aurora reflections below. This is arguably the most reproduced aurora foreground in Norway - the combination of rorbuer, peaks, and water is unique to this stretch of the Lofoten coast.

Bunes Beach, Moskenesøya

Get directions ↗
Bortle Class 1 - Exceptional dark sky 4 km by boat from Reine - seasonal passenger ferry, approximately 25 minutes

Bunes is a remote beach on the south coast of Moskenesøya, accessible only by passenger boat from Reine. The beach is surrounded by sheer mountain faces and faces south-southwest over the open Norwegian Sea. In summer the ferry runs daily; in winter the schedule is reduced and weather-dependent - check locally before planning a crossing. At night the beach has zero light pollution and an open Atlantic horizon. Bortle Class 1. Aurora appears to the north overhead and the mountain silhouettes create a natural frame. Accommodation and facilities are absent - this is a walk-in only position. Not suitable for solo aurora trips in poor conditions.

Best time to see the northern lights in Reine

At 68°N magnetic latitude, Reine has one of the longest aurora seasons in the world. Meaningful darkness returns in late August and displays are possible on almost any clear night from September through March. Only the endless daylight of May, June, and July rules out viewing completely.

Activity peaks around the September and March equinoxes, when Earth's magnetic field geometry is most favourable for coupling with the solar wind. Events during these two windows tend to produce the strongest displays of the year for observers at Reine's latitude.

May through July is effectively impossible for aurora viewing: the midnight sun keeps the sky bright around the clock at this latitude. No storm level, not even G5, can produce a visible display without astronomical darkness.

Compare nearby locations

Up to 4 locations

Reine

Norway

Low chance
Kp 1 need Kp 2
Checking darkness…
Low chance
Kp 1 need Kp 2-3
Checking darkness…
Bodø

Norway

Possible
Kp 1 need Kp 1-2
Checking darkness…

How often does aurora appear in Reine?

Average nights per month when Kp reaches 2+ - based on 15 years of data

17.3
19.1
23.2
0.5
15.3
21.8
17.5
15.8
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Best month

March

Average aurora nights per year

131

Kp threshold

2+

Based on 15 years of geomagnetic data (2010-2024). Shows nights when Kp reached 2+ at any point in the day - cloud cover and local darkness not included. Months with no astronomical darkness show zero.

Kp data: GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, CC BY 4.0

Plan your trip to Reine

Based on 15 years of geomagnetic data

1st

March

23.2

avg aurora nights

Stay 2+ nights for 80% chance

2nd

October

21.8

avg aurora nights

Stay 2+ nights for 80% chance

3rd

February

19.1

avg aurora nights

Stay 2+ nights for 80% chance

Best window

The January to March window averages 60 aurora nights - the strongest consecutive stretch of the year.

How long to stay

For your best chance in March, plan at least 2 nights.

Aurora photographs from Reine

Aurora borealis over Reine

Aurora borealis over Reine

Christoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

Aurora borealis over Reine

Aurora borealis over Reine

Christoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

Aurora borealis over Reine

Aurora borealis over Reine

Christoph Strässler · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Source

Common questions

Aurora watching in Reine - Reinebringen, Bunes Beach, and the Lofoten coast.

Why is Reine considered one of the best aurora photography locations in Norway?
Reine combines three things that are rare in the same place: high magnetic latitude (68°N, Kp 2 threshold), exceptional sky darkness (Bortle Class 1-2 throughout), and foreground that is unmatched on the Lofoten coast. The Moskenesøya peaks rise 500-700 m directly from the fjord, the red rorbuer sit over dark water, and the Kirkefjord gives still reflection conditions on calm nights. The Reinebringen summit adds 360° sky access. Few aurora locations anywhere have this combination of threshold, darkness, and scenery in one place.
What Kp is needed to see the northern lights in Reine?
Kp 2 from the dark coastal positions around Hamnøy and Kirkefjord. The Kp index is a measure of global geomagnetic activity on a scale of 0 to 9, updated every 3 hours. At 68°N magnetic latitude, even Kp 1 can produce a faint glow on clear nights. Kp 2-3 produces a structured display visible overhead. Kp 4+ produces strong colour and movement visible across the full sky from the Reinebringen summit.
When is the best time to visit Reine for northern lights?
October to April. Reine does not experience complete polar night - even in mid-December there are a few hours of dim twilight around noon. But darkness extends from around 3pm to 9am in January, giving a long window. Weather is the main variable: the Lofoten coast is exposed to North Atlantic weather systems and can be stormy for days at a time. March is often the best compromise between darkness (still 4-5 hours of clear window) and calmer weather. September and October are also productive as geomagnetic activity tends to be higher around the equinoxes.
How do I get to Reine?
Fly to Leknes (LKN) or Svolvær (SVJ) from Bodø or Oslo. From Leknes, Reine is 60 km southwest along the E10 - a 50 minute drive. From Svolvær, allow 2 hours. A hire car is strongly recommended: the E10 runs the length of the island chain and cloud-chasing between villages requires flexibility. There is no bus service late at night. Bodø-Moskenes ferry (3.5-4 hours) is an alternative entry point for those who prefer not to fly.
Is Bunes Beach accessible in winter for aurora watching?
Potentially, but not reliably. The passenger boat from Reine to Bunes operates year-round in theory, but winter crossings depend on sea state and skipper discretion. In good conditions the crossing takes 25 minutes. In poor conditions the service does not run. Check with the local operator before planning - do not assume availability. When conditions allow, Bunes in winter is Bortle Class 1 with an Atlantic horizon and no other visitors. If the crossing cannot be made, Hamnøy and Reinebringen give equivalent dark sky within walking distance of the village.

Photograph the Aurora - Recommended Gear

Sony Alpha 7 III Mirrorless Camera
Camera

Sony Alpha 7 III Mirrorless Camera

View on Amazon
Nikon Z6 II Mirrorless Camera Kit
Camera

Nikon Z6 II Mirrorless Camera Kit

View on Amazon
Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Camera

Canon EOS R6 Mark II

View on Amazon
Nikon Z 50II Body
Camera

Nikon Z 50II Body

View on Amazon
Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens
Lens

Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Ultra Wide Lens

View on Amazon
Sigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary
Lens

Sigma 16mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary

View on Amazon
K&F Concept 60" Carbon Fibre Tripod
Tripod

K&F Concept 60" Carbon Fibre Tripod

View on Amazon
AODELAN Wireless Camera Remote (Nikon)
Accessory

AODELAN Wireless Camera Remote (Nikon)

View on Amazon
K&F LP-E17 3-pack Battery & Charger (Canon)
Accessory

K&F LP-E17 3-pack Battery & Charger (Canon)

View on Amazon
Winter Mittens Gloves
Accessory

Winter Mittens Gloves

View on Amazon
BORUIT LED Head Torch
Accessory

BORUIT LED Head Torch

View on Amazon
Aurora Tonight

Aurora Tonight

Add to your home screen for instant aurora alerts

Add to your home screen

Tap then Add to Home Screen for instant aurora alerts