This winter presents an extraordinary opportunity to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights away from crowded tourist spots. Norway's coastline boasts a collection of private islands and exclusive cabins, offering an unparalleled blend of solitude and breathtaking celestial views. These thoughtfully designed sanctuaries, ranging from modern structures perched on coastal rocks to remote Arctic outposts accessible only by boat, promise an intimate connection with nature. With solar activity nearing its peak, the upcoming months are expected to feature more frequent and intense auroral displays. Travelers seeking an escape from the ordinary can indulge in unique Arctic experiences such as traditional saunas, invigorating cold plunges, guided foraging expeditions, and the ultimate luxury of watching the aurora unfold in serene privacy.
Manshausen Island, nestled within the Steigen Archipelago, is a testament to adventurous luxury. Owned by polar explorer Børge Ousland, this 14-acre haven, situated above the Arctic Circle, has been transformed from a historic trading post into a sleek, sea-facing retreat. Architect Snorre Stinessen designed the island's Sea Cabins and Towers as linear, glass-fronted structures that extend towards the water, each precisely angled to provide uninterrupted views of the ever-changing light and weather—even from bed. Visitors can engage in diverse activities like kayaking among the skerries, embarking on sea-eagle safaris with a resident expert, and enjoying invigorating hikes that offer panoramic vistas. Evenings on Manshausen are spent rotating between the sauna, hot tub, and a unique glowing seawater pool, making it an ideal location for an immersive Arctic experience.
The island's main house serves as a central hub, featuring a kitchen that highlights local seafood, lamb, and reindeer, along with a second-floor library overlooking the strait. During the winter, Manshausen offers a distinct advantage for aurora enthusiasts: the cabins' floor-to-ceiling windows are perfectly aligned with the island's clearest northern sightline. This ingenious design allows guests to comfortably observe the vibrant colors of the aurora without needing to venture outside, or even sit up. Conceived by someone deeply familiar with the polar night, Manshausen is specifically engineered to maximize the appreciation of the Arctic sky's offerings.
Hidden within the Fleinvær Archipelago, Fordypningsrommet Fleinvær is a purpose-built haven for contemplation and artistic exploration. Founded by composer Håvard Lund, this eco-friendly retreat features Kebony-wood cabins perched on steel stilts above the rocky terrain. These cabins are strategically scattered to create a sense of an experimental village, each dedicated to a specific function: sleeping, cooking, bathing, or creative pursuits like playing an electric piano. A unique structure, the njalla, a spindly, birdhouse-like tower inspired by traditional Sámi storage huts, stands guard, protecting its contents. Guests can stimulate their creativity in the sea-air studio, traverse rugged paths, warm themselves in the wood-heated sauna, or share communal meals in the kitchen house, all while accompanied by the sounds of eider ducks, otters, and passing fishing boats.
This secluded retreat intentionally minimizes distractions, ensuring that the natural landscape remains the primary focus. With weather patterns shifting constantly and islands appearing and disappearing on the horizon, the environment itself becomes a dynamic art piece. From September to April, Fordypningsrommet offers an exceptional vantage point for observing the aurora. The njalla, with its elevated position, functions as the island's unofficial observatory, directing all attention to the northern sky. The entire village can be rented for private group retreats, or individuals can join the temporary community of artists-in-residence, who find inspiration amidst the serene sea and silence.
Brakøya, located in the mountain-fringed Raftsundet strait connecting the Vesterålen and Lofoten Islands, elevates the concept of a private island escape with an Arctic twist. Newly opened in February, this historic trading post now hosts a select number of suites and cabins, providing an exclusive retreat for skiers and aurora chasers seeking privacy. Days on Brakøya are filled with diverse activities, from summit-to-sea ski touring and fjord kayaking beneath dramatic peaks to seaweed harvesting. Guests can then unwind in the suspended seafront sauna or fjord-facing tub. Meals are a communal affair, featuring visiting chefs preparing dishes over a Tuscan grill in the semi-open kitchen, with menus inspired by seasonal ingredients and complemented by fine wines, all included in the stay.
Sustainability is deeply ingrained in Brakøya's design, from the use of repurposed Norwegian maple and locally sourced spruce to its solar-powered summers and wood-fired winters, lending the island a rugged yet refined character. With Lofoten's expansive fjords and minimal light pollution, Brakøya also serves as a remarkably scenic location for observing the Arctic sky's captivating displays. The island's commitment to ecological practices enhances the overall experience, allowing guests to connect with nature responsibly while enjoying luxurious amenities.
On the wave-swept islet of Midtøyni, off Norway's west coast, Lilløy Lindenberg redefines off-grid living, proving that seclusion doesn't necessitate sacrifice, especially when the Northern Lights make a southerly appearance. Guests can choose from a trio of rooms in the Main House or the standalone Boat House. The island itself is meticulously designed as a toolkit for slow living, featuring an herb-infused sauna built from local stones, an outdoor pool for invigorating cold plunges, and a self-serve shop curated by chef Antje de Vries, stocked with natural wines and plant-based ingredients. Original timber has been carefully restored, mattresses are filled with local seaweed, and the gardens, sustained by compost and rainwater, provide most of the produce for Antje's meals, served in the wood-paneled dining room.
Days at Lilløy Lindenberg are characterized by kayaking, foraging walks, and seaweed hunts. The island's popular Kelp Club suppers bring together locals and guests to share stories over seasonal dishes, all against a backdrop of fjord-framed horizons that glow at night. In a year marked by the aurora's unusually southern appearances, Lilløy's 360-degree sea-to-sky panoramas offer an expansive and unobstructed viewing area. The unique blend of luxury, sustainability, and community makes Lilløy Lindenberg an exceptional destination for those seeking both tranquility and natural spectacle.
The Træna archipelago, rising dramatically from the sea 60 kilometers off Norway’s Helgeland coast, is home to Ytrí, a new retreat perfectly situated at the Arctic Circle. Named after the Old Norse word for 'the outer one,' Ytrí is designed for ultimate escapism, serving as Norway's most remote accommodation. Its architecture pays homage to Træna's rich fishing-village heritage, featuring low-slung structures built from weather-resistant materials and carefully framed views that draw the horizon indoors. The retreat comprises 38 rooms and suites, a restaurant and bar offering traditional open sandwiches, a sauna, a yoga and wellness area, and a boathouse, all arranged to resemble a contemporary coastal hamlet. Guests can make the most of the limited daylight hours with hikes to ancient caves and boat trips between islands inhabited by fisherfolk for over 9,000 years, culminating in candlelit dinners of seafood sourced just meters from the hotel.
Ytrí’s philosophy seamlessly blends sustainability with deep local connections, fostering partnerships with island producers and integrating community traditions into the guest experience. Given its prime location where the ocean stretches endlessly towards Greenland, the hotel’s Northern Lights lounge is poised to become a premier spot for witnessing winter sky shows. With its doors opening in 2026, Ytrí is a destination worth noting now, ready to welcome guests when the aurora calls. For an unforgettable and secluded Northern Lights adventure, Norway's private islands offer an unparalleled combination of natural beauty, luxurious comfort, and profound tranquility.
