You may have heard of it but do you know where to see the Midnight Sun? Summer in the Arctic is a very special time. Having survived the extremely cold winters and many hours of darkness, it is no wonder that people here love the summer months and can’t wait to be outdoors under warm glow of the enchanting Midnight Sun. There are music festivals all across the region and it’s also the perfect time to fish, hike, cycle, sail and kayak from dawn to…well, dawn.
Where to see the Midnight Sun
Above the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn’t set between June and August. Daytime temperatures are between 15-32°C. You can picnic outside at three in the morning, or take a swim in a clear lake as the waters around you reflect the orange glow of the midnight sun. Many families have summer cottages right by the water and will camp out here for the summer months, spending as much time as possible outdoors before the winter returns.
The warmth and light means growing plants and an increase in insect activity. Because of this it’s a great time for bird and wildlife watching. And, in Iceland, the warmer seas bring whales into the feeding grounds so you can head out to sea to watch these magnificent creatures. You could combine this with a trip to Vestmannaeyjar, the largest puffin colony in the world. The nights can be a little chilly but, as long as you have the right clothing (plenty of layers), then you can still make the most of every moment.
Activities
Depending on which country you chose, here are just a few other things to do in the Arctic in the summer:
- Bear watching
- Husky hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- River rafting
- Wilderness skills
- Fishing
- Fat-biking (like a mountain bike on steroids)
So, are there any disadvantages to the Midnight Sun? Well, if you aren’t used to it, then falling asleep could be a bit of an issue. For this reason we’d recommend popping an eye mask in your luggage. And, if you have children with you, it could be difficult to get them to settle. (But, let’s be honest, it’s never particularly easy to get children to go to sleep when they are on holiday!)
Just like photographing the Aurora Borealis, getting the best shots of the Midnight Sun can be a bit of a challenge. We always recommend taking an SLR camera and a tripod for best results and you can learn from the experts. There are tours available with professional photographers at several of our resorts – just ask us and we can create your perfect trip.
If you love the outdoors, you will love our Midnight Sun tours. We have a range of packages available including husky hiking, horse riding and bear watching and, as always, these can be customised to build the perfect trip just for you. To experience this amazing phenomenon for yourself, take a look at the website to find out more or give us a call on 01793 939035 or fill in our enquiry form.
View our Midnight Sun packages in Sweden.
