How to spot Northern Lights in the Oulu area – Best tips for aurora hunters

Seeing the Northern Lights can feel like chasing a mystery, but in Oulu the odds are on your side. During winter, the auroras appear here about every fourth night. With this article, you’ll learn the simple tips and best local spots that give you the greatest chance to witness nature’s most breathtaking spectacle.

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Best times and places to see the aurora in Oulu

The long periods of darkness and the frequency of clear nights provide many good opportunities to watch aurora displays. Usually, the best time to watch for Auroral displays is between 10 PM to 2 AM. Seeing the Northern Lights depends on magnetic activity, the weather (the sky must be clear, and the temperature should be well below 0 Celsius). As the darkness is essential the light pollution of the city lights can prevent Aurora sceneries.

In Oulu the best places to view the Northern Lights are Nallikari beach by the sea, 3,5 km from the Oulu city centre and Hollihaka park, 1 km from the centre. Also, Pyykösjärvi and Kuivasjärvi lakeshores near the University can provide nice Aurora sceneries.
NOTE! Be always careful near waterways and avoid walking on ice if you are not sure how thick the ice is!

Stay prepared: Aurora forecasts and alerts

If you want to maximize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, a little preparation goes a long way. Reliable forecasts and real-time alerts can help you know when conditions are best. Below you’ll find a selection of useful web pages and applications that provide aurora forecasts, space weather updates, and even community tips from local enthusiasts in Oulu.

Web pages and applications to help you:

Finnish Meteorological Institute
The Oulu Aurora Spotters have forecasts and a lot of information on auroras (a closed group on FB, make a request to join it)
Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory Forecast
Space Weather Prediction Center – a 3-days forecast
My Auroras – Aurora Alerts Northern Lights application

Guided tours to experience the northern lights in Oulu

One of the best ways to experience the northern lights is to join a guided tour. Local experts know the best spots and times, and they’ll make sure you enjoy the magic of the auroras safely and comfortably. Whether you want to capture stunning photos, hike under the winter sky, or join a group adventure, Oulu offers several options:

Northern Lights photo shooting tours in Oulu

Salamapaja offers Aurora Photo Tours if you’re interested in photoshooting. For further information, please visit www.salamapaja.fi or contact Mr. Thomas Kast (+358 442 100 033).

Aurora hunting tours

Guided Aurora tours on snowshoes or by foot:

Majakka Outdoors/ majakkaoutdoors.fi, +358 0466578155, majakka.outdoors.info@gmail.com
Lappis / lappis.fi/palvelut/in-english/, +358 40 934 5498, minna@lappis.fi
Nallikari Safaris / nallikarisafaris.fi, +358 20 731 0110, info@nallikarisafaris.fi
e-Coach / e-coach.fi/auroras, +358 405388132, marko.vapaa@gmail.com

Oulu Safaris arrange tours in the mid-winter for groups. Check the available tour dates and make a booking in www.oulusafaris.com.

Hints for hunting the Northern Lights:

Go North: In northern Lapland, the northern lights appear around every other night between September and March. In southern Finland, they are visible on about 10–20 nights a year.
Look to the stars: If you notice that the night sky is clear and starry and the Aurora forecast is +3KP, your chances to see the northern lights are good.
Stay outside: The lights might appear unexpectedly and just as suddenly vanish any time from just after sunset to just before dawn.
Wrap up warm: It tends to be very chilly on clear winter nights when the northern lights can most easily be seen.
Darkness is your friend: Get away from bright lights and buildings. Hilltops and lake or seashores make good vantage points.
Sign up for aurora alerts: Check websites/apps mentioned above
Bus number 15 runs between Oulu City centre and Nallikari beach (until ~10 p.m. usually).