When is the midnight sun in Norway?
The midnight sun means the sun stays above the horizon all night. In Norway you have to be north of the Arctic Circle to see it, and the further north you go, the longer it lasts. Here in Dyrøy, at 69 degrees north, it lasts from around 20 May to around 23 July. Tromsø is slightly further north and has it for a few days longer. Senja has much the same dates as we do.
The polar night is the opposite: the sun does not rise above the horizon. Here it lasts from around 30 November to around 12 January. It is not pitch dark around the clock. In the middle of the day there are a few hours of blue and pink twilight.
Local terrain shifts the dates a little. With a mountain to the south, the sun disappears earlier and returns later.
The year at a glance
Midnight sun
Around 20 May to 23 July
The sun is up all night, with bright nights in the weeks before and after.
Polar night
Around 30 November to 12 January
The sun stays below the horizon. Twilight at midday, dark evenings.
Northern lights season
Roughly September to late March
Whenever the nights are dark and the sky is clear.
Summer: nights that stay light
Under the midnight sun, the sun sits low in the north at night and the light turns soft and golden. You can take a paddleboard out late in the evening (NOK 200 per hour), sit by the fire pan, or simply stay on the veranda.
The glass igloos are light all night. The same glass roof that shows the northern lights in winter lets the sun in during summer, so light sleepers should bring an eye mask.
You will not see the northern lights in summer. They are there, but the sky is too bright.
Polar night: blue hour, northern lights and hot water
During the polar night the day is short but not black. Around midday a blue light lies over the sea and the mountains, often with pink in the south. Those are the hours for snowshoes or a kicksled, which guests can use free of charge.
The rest of the day is dark enough for the aurora. If the sky is clear it can appear at any time from the afternoon onwards. Check the aurora forecast and cloud cover, and read what the Kp index means.
The hot tub, jacuzzi and sauna can be booked for the evening. It is a good way to be outdoors when it is cold.
What to pack and expect
In summer
An eye mask, sunglasses and a warm jumper. Evenings by the sea can be cool even with the sun up.
In winter
Wool next to the skin, a windproof outer layer, hat and mittens. A head torch is handy.
All year
We are open all year. Self check-in from 16:00 with a key box, check-out by 11:00.