Globally, travellers are increasingly seeking out travel experiences that allow them to connect with the cosmos. Here are our favourite nocturnal adventures from across the world.
In 2025, star and astronomy tourism, often referred to as “astro-tourism” or “noctourism,” has experienced a significant surge in popularity. Travellers are increasingly seeking unique nocturnal experiences, such as stargazing, witnessing celestial events, and exploring dark sky destinations in a trend driven by a desire to connect with nature, avoid daytime crowds, and engage in sustainable travel practices.
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From camping out under the stars to watching the Northern Lights in the frozen north, here are some of our favourites.
Take a Night Dive
Indonesian yacht charter company Silolona Sojourns offers keen divers exhilarating night dives on all of its eastern Indonesia charters. Night diving in Indonesia is a unique, magical and intimate experience; the nutrient-rich upwellings in Indonesian seas fuel an explosion of marine life, making the region a thriving hotspot of biodiversity teeming with vibrant ecosystems. Another world comes alive at night with bioluminescent plankton, and divers regularly see orangutan crabs, walking sharks, black and white tip reef sharks, wobbegongs, wrasses, damsel fish, and many other species.
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Night diving allows for a deeper appreciation of coral reefs. In particular, destinations like Flores, Alor, Raja Ampat, Banda and Cendrawasih Bay, are exceptional dive spots night and day.
The Wild Night
When it comes to experiencing Africa after dark, noctourism takes the safari experience to another level, offering a different perspective on the landscapes and wildlife. Basecamp Samburu, opening in January 2025, offers an extraordinary nocturnal experience with its new star beds, set under the vast Samburu skies.
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Elevated for privacy, the deluxe option features a jacuzzi for stargazing in style, while the standard starbed includes private dining. This is best paired with Kenyan safari camp Saruni Mara’s guided stargazing and night drives in the Mara North Conservancy. You’ll see nocturnal life come alive with creatures like aardvarks, porcupines, and even leopards, all under a clear night sky full of stars. Combining these experiences gives you an itinerary that blends adventure and connection with Kenya’s nocturnal inhabitants, and wilderness after dark. Yellow Zebra offers multi-night itineraries combining Basecamp Samburu and Saruni Mara.
Photography After Dark
Famed for its diversity of wildlife and regular sightings of iconic species, the South African bushveld is an excellent location on the African continent for wildlife watching and photography. One of the region’s finest reserves is Zimanga, which is perfect for wildlife photography enthusiasts thanks to its range of specially designed photographic hides, which offer the possibility of photographing a variety of African species in front of a stunning backdrop of stars.
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Wildlife Worldwide is conducting a trip this July, led by award-winning photographer Sean Weekly that will include photography tutorials and is timed with the new moon to make the most of the night sky vistas.
Orcas After Dark
The 2025 Orcas and Lights Expedition (27 November – 3 December 2025) conducted by Majestic Whale Encounters offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the breathtaking northern lights, the beauty of the Norwegian Fjords, and unique marine life from on board the MS Kinfish, a 37.5-metre long Norweigan research vessel that has been converted into an adventure cruise ship. Whether you’re an experienced free diver or prefer to float and observe, you’ll be mesmerised by the grace and power of orcas and other remarkable marine creatures.
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The Kinfish is equipped to accommodate 12 guests with six well-appointed twin cabins, ensuring an intimate experience filled with adventure. The ship features a modern, spacious interior with a passenger lounge and a large saloon for a luxurious and comfortable journey. Further tour inclusions are available to add on and to keep the magic going, from sledging with husky dogs in the stunning backcountry to riding the Fjellheisen Cable Car or visiting Tromso’s northernmost Magic Ice Art Gallery to immerse yourself in its unique charm.
Full Moon Homage
Ultra-luxury private island resort The Nautilus Maldives invites guests to embark on a restorative wellness journey with a series of experiences designed around the energising and mood-boosting effects of moonlight. At the forefront of these experiences are the resort’s Full Moon Rituals. Timed in accordance with the monthly full moon – a timeless symbol of renewal and balance – these transformative rituals invite reflection, calm and connection with oneself. Equally soothing are Moonlit Renewal sessions, during which guests gather under moonlit skies to experience the resonant tones of a Tibetan Singing Bowl, the soothing rhythm of ocean waves, and the calming effects of aromatherapy. A serene evening is concluded with a warm infusion of herbal tea as participants set their intentions for renewal.
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Also, look out for the the three Private Full Moon Experiences, which cater to those seeking tranquillity, and range from a celestial sandbank escape for a 60-minute aromatherapy session, crystal singing bowl therapy, and delicious meal; and the 120-minute Lunar Serenity Spa Ritual, which pairs a warm oil massage with a soothing Shirodhara treatment, moon bathing, and a meal. The resort also does a pretty captivating movie screening under the stars for film buffs.
Sleeping Under Stars at Milaidhoo Maldives
Located in the heart of the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Milaidhoo Maldives is a boutique luxury resort offering the ultimate romantic experience of Sleeping Under Stars, where guests can spend a night under the stars alone on a private sandbank, immersing in serene peace and quiet away from the resort. The experience begins with a short dolphin cruise at sunset on a luxury yacht or a traditional Maldivian sailing boat with a personal butler offering champagne and canapés as the sun sets and dolphins leap.
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When arriving on the sandbank, sun-downer cocktails are followed by a four-course dinner served by a personal butler. Guests may then sit by a cosy fire and enjoy after-dinner drinks while the crew departs, though a yacht for exclusive use with a dressing room, shower, and toilet equipped with all amenities is anchored by the sandbank during the stay. With the same comfortable facilities of the Milaidhoo villas, including a four-poster bed adorned with muslin, the sandbank becomes a dream private oasis complete with flickering candles and battery-powered lanterns. Guests wake to the soft glow of the sunrise and a private yoga session led by the Milaidhoo Yogi.
Glamping in South Africa
Stanley Safaris offers adventurers the chance to experience the beauty of the African wilderness, including during an African glamping adventure at The Chalkley Treehouse. Located in the heart of the renowned Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, The Chalkley Treehouse, cocooned within a 500-year-old Leadwood tree, offers a completely self-contained haven steeped in history and surrounded by the wonders of the African bush.
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In South Africa, luxurious sleepout options abound, with the Chalkley Treehouse offering the expected five-star comforts, yet what truly distinguishes this experience is its absolute privacy under a canopy of millions of stars. Atop the platform, a cosy bed draped in a mosquito net awaits, complemented by plush poofs for stargazing and soaking in the sounds of nature before drifting off to sleep.
The Kalahari After Dark
In February at Tswalu in the Southern Kalahari Desert, the scorching daytime temperatures give way to mild evenings, creating ideal conditions for nocturnal wildlife viewing during their most active hours. As South Africa’s largest private reserve, Tswalu offers visitors the unique opportunity to spot some of Africa’s most elusive species, like aardvarks, pangolins, brown hyenas, aardwolves, and bat-eared foxes.
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The summer heat encourages many animals to be more active at night and these tricky-to-spot creatures are made easier thanks to Tswlau’s guides and trackers, who work as a team to read the signs left in the wild. Guests are welcome to get out of their private vehicle to join their guide and tracker by crouching in the red Kalahari sand to examine a set of tracks to lead them to the animals.
Skiing Under the Stars
Night skiing at the Schanteilift, just five minutes from Forsthofgut Nature Hotel in Leogang, Austria, offers an exciting after-dark experience for winter sports enthusiasts. Taking place three nights per week during the winter season, travellers can enjoy skiing under the stars on the 1,600-foot floodlit piste. The Schanteilift’s new Funcross course, stretching 1,300 feet, is also available and features waves, banked curves, and small jumps, providing thrills for skiers of all skill levels.
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After an evening on the slopes, guests can relax back at Forsthofgut Nature Hotel’s waldSPA, a 61,000-sqft wellness centre. The adults-only area at the waldSPA provides a calm nighttime atmosphere with an old-wood sauna, steam baths, and a whirlpool overlooking the Leogang Rocky Mountains. Visitors can enjoy a late-night soak in the Japanese-inspired onsen bath or swim in the heated lake pool under the stars.
The Delta by Night
Natural Selection’s Skybeds offers a sleep experience like no other by allowing guests to get off the grid and connect with nature while never leaving the lap of luxury. Located deep within the Khawi Private Reserve in Botswana, the three-story platforms let guests sleep directly beneath a sky blanketed with stars while being far away from light pollution. The top (third) story is where guests sleep comfortably while the second level has an enclosed bathroom with a flush toilet and hand basin so visitors do not need to go to the ground level where wildlife wanders.
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Each Skybed is positioned near a waterhole in the 294,000-hectare reserve, offering a front-row view of local wildlife, including elephants, wildebeests, zebra, lions, and wild dogs, while African-inspired meals cooked over a campfire, are enjoyed on the second story. With wine, beer, and spirits to complement the meal, guests spend one night at Skybeds before returning to their main camp, either Sable Alley or Hyena Pan, cherishing the memories of this one-of-a-kind wilderness experience.
Nighttime in the Chaco Canyon
Known as the ‘Machu Picchu’ of North America, Chaco Canyon is a UNESCO heritage site in New Mexico’s scenic four-corner region. Part of the Chaco Culture National Historic Park an International Dark Sky National Park, the canyon has remarkably preserved ancestral architecture of the Chacoan people who lived in the San Juan Basin from 830 A.D. to 1250 A.D. A few hour’s drive from the park, Santa Fe has long been a must-visit base destination for outdoor enthusiasts and its Relais & Châteaux hotel The Inn Of The Five Graces has now introduced a new way to experience the park.
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During a tour with Heritage Inspirations, the hotel’s tour operator partner, guests can see trace fossils, petroglyphs, and remnants of Pueblo communities from more than 1,000 years ago and by night, will stay in spacious, luxurious canvas tents with raised beds, memory foam mattresses, bedside tables, butterfly chairs, plush rugs, and southwest textiles. Once the stars come out, the expedition features a guided cultural astronomy experience, where guests can witness celestial events such as the equinox sunrise alignment at Casa Rinconada and explore ancestral Puebloan celestial traditions through a laser-guided night sky tour led by a cultural astronomer.
Stargazing in Chile
Few places leave travellers as spellbound by the radiance of the Milky Way as Chile’s ink-black, clear night skies. The lunar-like Atacama Desert is famous for high-altitude celestial stargazing, but it’s the Elqui Valley that was named the world’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary. Extraordinary Journeys’ luxurious Stargazing in Chile travel itinerary combines both destinations on a trip that will have you adventuring in desert highlands during sunlight-bathed days and then peering into the cosmos after dark with renowned photographer Yuri Beletsky.
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Whether or not you pick up on the esoteric energies said to reverberate in both places, this trip will likely expand your fascination for the universe—and perhaps remind you of your place in it. With expert guidance from Yuri, travellers will identify astral objects and constellations while interacting with experts and using high-power telescopes while learning that ancient Atacameñan people interpreted the opposite—figures shaped by the dark matter between stars.
Beyond the Eclipse
The Elqui Valley of Chile will be crowded with eclipse chasers around 2 July, when the region will be in the path of totality – the day darkens as the moon blankets the sun – for the next solar eclipse. However, there are myriad more wonders to glimpse in the skies above Chile, and Explora Atacama in San Pedro de Atacama is one of the places to see them thanks to a fully operational observatory for travellers to experience onsite.
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With 300 sunny days a year and minuscule light pollution, the arid desert set at 7,000 feet above sea level offers some of the best stargazing in the world. Explora Atacama is exceptionally well equipped for some of the finest stargazing through a Meade 16” f/10 LX200R Advanced RC Telescope– one of the largest “aficionado-level” telescopes in Chile. Located just 300 feet from the hotel, the telescope provides many opportunities for Explora travellers to soak it all in. Hour-long astronomical tours are offered every evening through the year in Spanish and English, with trained guides providing detailed talks on the night sky with the naked eye and then continuing within the observatory for closer looks through the telescope.
Star Parties
Cedar Breaks National Monument is an International Dark Sky Park sitting at 10,000 feet elevation in southern Utah. The park hosts guided “Star Parties” every weekend, during which rangers set up telescopes and use red-light lasers to guide visitors through the visible constellations.
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At the edge of a beautiful red-rock amphitheatre, the night sky views are somehow better than the daytime views. The Star Parties are free for the public to attend and begin with a solar viewing party at the Point Supreme Overlook prior to the dark sky tour.
Experience a Total Solar Eclipse in Iceland
A once-in-a-lifetime celestial event is coming, and there’s no better place to witness it than Iceland. Arctic Adventures will host an exclusive Solar Eclipse Tour this August, offering adventurers and astronomy enthusiasts the ultimate way to experience the total solar eclipse. Iceland, known for its pristine landscapes and wide-open skies, is one of the prime locations for viewing this rare astronomical phenomenon. With its remote, low-light pollution areas and breathtaking natural beauty, it provides an unparalleled setting for witnessing the moon completely obscure the sun.
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The tour includes visits to prime viewing locations, carefully selected by a team of experts; seasoned astronomy guides; premium accommodation and locally inspired meals; and the chance to visit Iceland’s famous waterfalls, geothermal hot springs, glaciers, and lava fields.
Moskito Launches Cosmic Concierge
The night sky over Moskito Island is clearer than ever, and now guests of The Point, one of the island’s most luxurious estates, can explore the cosmos like never before with the Cosmic Concierge, an extraordinary new experience that invites guests to witness the universe’s wonders through a Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope, one of the most advanced personal telescopes on the market.
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Perched on a secluded cliffside, The Point offers zero light pollution, expansive ocean views, and unspoiled celestial visibility, making it an unrivalled setting for stargazing in the Caribbean. From planetary alignments to meteor showers and full moon risings over the sea, the sky above Moskito Island has always been a spectacle, but it now become an integral part of the guest experience. The Cosmic Concierge facilitates guests as they elevate stargazing into an immersive experience. Guests can take advantage of the telescope’s Barlow Lens technology, which enhances magnification and brings the rings of Saturn, Jupiter’s moons, and deep-space nebulae into astonishing detail. For a more interactive experience, coloured planetary filters allow guests to observe celestial bodies in new ways—highlighting Jupiter’s swirling cloud bands or revealing the ice caps on Mars in vivid clarity.