Planning a trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights? There’s definitely no guarantee you’ll get to see the unforgettable Aurora Borealis, but their elusiveness is part of what makes this natural wonder so special. There are, however, a few things you can do to maximise your chances…

• Take EVERY opportunity you can to see the Northern Lights. Even if you’re tired, cold or fed up with seeing empty skies, if the forecast is for lights, make sure you get out to see them. You’ll probably only ever be here once, so make the most of it.

• If you’re staying in Reykjavik, book a night-time bus tour that takes you outside the city (to ensure you get the best view, away from the city lights). No joy? Go again the next night. If the forecast is for lights, go.

• In hotels in the more remote parts of Iceland, there are sign-up sheets that let the hotel staff know to wake you during the night – multiple times and at any hour – if there’s any action in the skies. Make sure you sign these forms!

• The Northern Lights can last from mere minutes to hours – and there’s no way of knowing whether an initial flicker will fade out in moments, or blossom into something you’ll remember forever. That’s why it’s imperative to take every single opportunity to see the lights, just in case the one sighting you miss is the one. Yes, it means you might experience some interrupted nights, but trust us: if you get to witness a good showing, it will all be worth it.

• When it comes to sightings throughout the night, be aware that you’ll need to become adept at throwing on your thermals, coat and scarf etc in a hurry! You’ll get very used to sleeping in your clothes (or chucking layers on over your PJs).

• Keep an eye out for the many different types and colours of Northern Lights – everything from green, white, red and purple, to ribbons, bands and “dancing” lights. Plus, there’s the holy grail – when the Aurora is directly above and ‘raining down’ on you like a waterfall of Northern Lights. Magic.

• Don’t expect the lurid, fluoro colours you see in photos. The lights can be bright, but generally they’re not such crazy colours – which are caused by having to use a long exposure on cameras. But don’t worry, they’re still extraordinary.

• Speaking of cameras, smart phones are basically useless at capturing the lights. But it’s pointless trying to photograph them anyway, as amateur snapshots will never do them justice. You may as well buy a gorgeous postcard that a professional photographer has spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours to capture, and just enjoy the show!