Do you remember watching the solar eclipse of 1999 in the UK? There was a lot of excitement and publicity around it. Since then, to witness a natural phenomenon in the UK, such as the Northern Lights, you need to be in the right place at the right time. Perhaps north Scotland between September and March, or being awake at the right time to see rare sightings in other parts of the UK.
Does seeing a rare, natural phenomenon pique your curiosity? If you wish to witness a solar eclipse or something completely different, we have pinpointed some unique locations across the globe to witness one.
Follow a tailor-made itinerary to see a solar eclipse or visit a lesser-known location to capture a rare phenomenon on camera. Planning each adventure will give you something to look forward to if it happens this year or later.
Where can I see the next Total Solar Eclipse?
If you want to share sightings of the next total solar eclipse mark Wednesday 12th of August in your 2026 diary. Although this is over two years away, planning a trip to see a solar eclipse will be as good for your mental well-being as attending. All you need to decide is which destination to watch it in. The shadow of the eclipse starts in Eastern Siberia and then moves on to…
Greenland
If you’re looking for a cooler, holiday destination to avoid the heat in mid-August Greenland is the place to go. Make your way to Scoresby Sund fjord, on the east coast, for 4:30 pm. Scoresby Sund fjord is the biggest, fjord system on planet Earth. You can reach it by booking an expedition cruise from Iceland.
Iceland
The solar eclipse shadow will next appear in the land of fire and ice within Iceland’s Snæfellsjökull Glacier National Park. Witness the eclipse on board a luxury cruise ship or with a picnic in the park. There is also a visitor centre called Malarrif where you can learn more about Snæfellsjökull and its mystique.
Spain
For a warmer destination to see the solar eclipse, stay in Spain’s coastal city of Gijon or the beautiful harbour of Cudillero along the Bay of Biscay. By 5:30 pm you should see the eclipse. Another picturesque observation site is San Pedro de la Ribera on the bay’s cliff tops. It is the ideal location to admire the eclipse with other solar eclipse fans and followers.
You could immerse yourself in Spanish culture by watching the solar eclipse in central Spain, where the climate should provide clear skies. See a sunset eclipse from the observational site in Siguenza from 5:35 pm. Siguenza is a Historic-Artistic site that can be reached by train from Madrid in under two hours.
There is another type of solar eclipse that you can bear witness to. Are you familiar with an annular solar eclipse? If you’re looking for an early autumn escape, head to Easter Island.
Easter Island
You can witness an annular solar eclipse when the moon’s edge glides between the Earth and the sun but the sun is not covered completely. You can witness the next annular solar eclipse on Wednesday, 2nd October 2024. The annular solar eclipse will start south of Hawaii in a remote location. You can see it on land by locating the volcanic Polynesian Island of Rapa Nui – Easter Island 3,800 km off the coast of South America.
Easter Island is a remote place with under 10,000 inhabitants and an annular solar eclipse rarely happens there. So, if you wish to go where few people can go to witness a natural phenomenon, this could be a trip for you. You can reach Easter Island by flying into Chile’s capital Santiago. Then, settle into South American time before boarding a flight to Easter Island. Although few people have the opportunity to visit, there are several hotels and holiday rentals to rest in.
During your stay explore Rapa Nui National Park to learn about Rapa Nui culture. The true Islanders call their home Rapa Nui and their 900+ stone-carved moai statues (up to four meters tall) represent their ancient ancestral chiefs. However, their unique stone village – Orongo – is where to observe rock art. Visit Orongo to watch the eclipse from noon on Wednesday 2nd October, from Orongo’s observation site. Orongo village is on the edge of a stunning volcanic caldera known for its beautiful clear skies. So, aside from the eclipse, it should be an attractive location for stargazing.
Greenland
Although Greenland (Land of the Greenlanders) is the world’s largest island, it is a territory of Denmark. To get to Greenland fly into Iceland before joining a connecting flight from Reykjavik into the capital Nuuk. You can also embark on an expedition to Greenland from Reykjavik by ship or yacht across the North Atlantic. This epic journey will take five nights and four days. Although, there will be lots of wildlife and icebergs to spot on the route.
There are many untouched natural sights to observe in Greenland that can be reached on foot or seen by air and sea. These sights include the Greenland Ice Sheet and the world’s largest national park – The Northeast Greenland National Park. Here, reindeer roam and whales are a common sight. Also, Greenland is home to the largest fjord system in the world. So, you could say Greenland is a photographer’s paradise! To capture one of many natural phenomena – the Aurora borealis – stay in Ilulissat. Ilulissat (meaning icebergs) sits within the heart of Greenland’s aurora belt on the west coast. Low wind, rainfall, and light pollution in Ilulissat make it a reliable location to see the Aurora Borealis from September to April.
To learn more about this icy, wild, and surprising place, plan your arctic adventure to include wildlife watching. Spot seals, polar bears, and muskoxen. Hear stories of the island’s visitors, such as the Vikings, at The National Museum in Nuuk. If you wish to book an expedition from Reykjavik to Greenland by yacht or ship and need a higher level of cover to protect your Arctic adventure, contact us for assistance.
Where can I see other rare, natural events around the world?
Bioluminescent Plankton
Enjoy the sound of the waves during a beach holiday? Stay awake to see them glow bright at night. Dubbed the northern lights of the ocean, if you notice a bright blue light flashing along the waves, it will have occurred because bioluminescent plankton have floated into the sea.
Although the plankton are tiny, they can emit light if disturbed by a predator or motion (i.e. the waves). However, this only occurs in a handful of locations such as California, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, Thailand, and unexpectedly Caswell Bay, Southeast Wales.
Glowworm Caves
Another tiny creature that creates a glittering and glowing phenomenon is the glowworm that hatches and lives inside mighty underground caves. To see this phenomenon, visit Waitomo or Paparoa National Park in New Zealand. Booking a guided cave tour will give you access to observe thousands of glowworms. Each lights up the darkness in their underworld grotto.
A Starling Murmuration
Sometimes, you don’t need to travel far to see something phenomenal. In the UK, during the autumn and winter months go wildlife watching. Watch hundreds (if not thousands) of starlings flock together and dance. Together, they follow a unique choreography called a murmuration or “black sun”.
As they spin and fly swiftly across the sky, you’ll notice that they form spheres, planes, and waves. Listen to the noise they make in unison while flapping their wings (a murmuration). The top places to witness a murmuration are at roosting sites. These include Blackpool’s North Pier, Cumbria, Brighton Pier, Dorset’s Shell Bay, and Somerset Shapwick Heath.
Travel Insurance for phenomenal trips!
Will you follow a tailor-made itinerary or plot an adventure by sea, land, and air to observe a rare phenomenon like a solar eclipse? Now you know where and when to witness something phenomenal, take Free Spirit Travel Insurance to travel with confidence.
