After-dark adventures: the rise of luxury noctourism

From stargazing on a superyacht to diving in bioluminescent bays, these are the luxury noctourism experiences to know about.

Blood moons, meteor showers, constellations so clear it looks like you can touch them. We’re calling it: this year (and next) is shaping up to be stellar for post-sunset spectacles. In fact, Booking.com named noctourism one of 2025’s top travel trends, with 72% of travellers seeking darker skies.  

Whether it’s stargazing from a superyacht, night diving in bioluminescent bays, or sleeping under desert skies, after-dark adventures are on the rise. These are seven luxury noctourism experiences to seek out sooner rather than later. 

For stargazing

Nayara Alto Atacama, Chile

The stay… High in altitude, low in light pollution, and a never-ending ethereal landscape to set the scene – it’s the perfect recipe for an astronomer’s utopia. And the Atacama Desert doesn’t just have all the ingredients, but also the title of the world’s best stargazing. A chameleon of a hotel, Nayara Alto Atacama blends almost too seamlessly into its backdrop’s reddish, iron-rich rock formations – all so the stars steal the show. 

The experience… Ckepi (meaning ‘eye’ in the Kunza language) – the hotel’s elevated viewpoint, where flat beds circle a professional telescope proudly pointing up to the glittering night sky – is a real showstopper. From Saturn’s rings to the moon’s craters, it’s the most up-close-and-personal with the planets you can get without leaving Earth. Head up there alone or with an expert astronomer. It’s out of this world – trust us. 

For diving

Silolona Sojourns, Indonesia

The stay… Discerning thalassophiles, this one’s for you. Because with Silolona Sojourns, you’ll be sleeping on the sea in style. These luxury yacht charters arrive in the shape of traditional Indonesian Phinisi boats, sail through some of the most biodiverse waters on Earth, and come with a crew who know them like the back of their hand. They’re ancient and elegant, adventurous and exclusive. 

The experience… There’s something about embarking on a night dive off the very vessel you’re staying on that’s unlike anything else. Not to mention that night diving in Indonesia is like slipping into another universe. Think bioluminescent plankton lighting up around you, pygmy seahorses shying away from you, and reef life you’d never spot in daylight. Whether you’re drifting over coral gardens in Raja Ampat or exploring the depths off Alor, it’s an otherworldly experience. 

For wellness

Six Senses Kanuhura, Maldives

The stay… A three-private-island paradise in a pristine corner of the Lhaviyani Atoll, where the horizon seems to stretch forever – and the stars follow suit. By day, the soft, white-sand beaches live up to their reputation as some of the finest in the Maldives. By night, they know when to step back and clear the way for the cosmos to take centre stage. If you fancy switching up surfing in the Maldives for stargazing, this is where to do it. 

The experience… Travelling in the name of wellness certainly isn’t a new concept – but combining astronomy with mindfulness just might be. And the Six Senses Kanuhura’s immersive journey into the cosmos does exactly that. First up: a telescope-led peek at the planets. Then, breathwork timed to the tide, sound healing under the stars, and a final moment of blissful silence. An hour later, you’re calmer, clearer – and convinced the night sky is the best show on Earth. 

For safari

Basecamp Samburu and Saruni Mara, Kenya

The stay… When the sun dips and the bush stills, a different sort of safari starts. One that’s just as much about the boundless firmament above as the Big Five below. In Kenya, you can have the best of both worlds by spending three nights at the recently opened Basecamp Samburu in the Kalama Conservancy, before heading to Saruni Mara in the Mara North Conservancy for another four nights. 

The experience… A picture-perfect private dining set-up, the sounds of softly bubbling Jacuzzi water, and sinking into the brand-new ‘star beds’ – all beneath the canopy of constellations. Basecamp Samburu has built its whole experience around looking up. Over at Saruni Mara, nights are spent on guided stargazing and night drives, where aardvarks, porcupines, and leopards emerge under the moonlight. 

For the Northern Lights

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, Finnish Lapland

The stay… Chasing the Northern Lights was perhaps the pioneer of noctourism. But with the aurora borealis at its peak this year, there’s never been a better time to go. And they’re hard to miss at Arctic Treehouse Hotel – one of Finnish Lapland’s most family-friendly hotels – where trees spotlessly sugar-coated in snow set the scene for a collection of cosy, glass-fronted cabins, complete with private saunas and polar bear-hued interiors. 

The experience… As expected, the hotel offers a host of Northern Light tours. But our top picks are the Aurora Reindeer Tour (for the culturally curious) and the Aurora Road Trip (for thrill seekers). From meeting reindeer under the moonlight to revving engines on roads to nowhere, there’s an aurora experience to suit everyone. Top tip: whilst it’s never guaranteed, the Magic of The Northern Lights Tour gives you the best chance to see them. 

For foodies

Casa di Langa, Italy

The stay… Casa di Langa is one of Piedmont’s most fabulous countryside resorts. It pairs Japanese wabi-sabi with Scandinavian minimalism – all overlooking 100 acres of private vineyards. So, as we said: fabulous. Days here drift between the pool and the spa (treatment with local honey and hazelnut oil, anyone?). Evenings are spent supping at Fàula Ristorante, where garden-grown herbs and vegetables anchor gourmet tasting menus. The wine is – obviously – worth shouting about, too. 

The experience… Truffles – they’re kind of Piedmont’s thing. And whilst this hotel offers daytime truffle hunting excursions on its estate, none in this region offer this experience at night (yet) – despite Piedmont being one of only a few places in Italy to allow foraging after dark. It’s actually better at night, when the dogs have fewer distractions and the truffles are more fragrant. That’s why the Italian Truffle Hunters Association embarks on this fungus-fuelled fun in the moonlight and allows you to tag along – headtorches in tow. 

For cinema

Vakkaru, Maldives

The stay… Vakkaru is a satisfyingly circular private island that’s looks like it’s been purposefully plopped in the Baa Atoll. It ticks all the paradisical Maldives boxes: sugar-soft sand, turquoise shallows, and overwater villas you’ll daydream about long after you leave. But what sets it apart is just how dreamily discreet it feels. Oh, and the fact that you’ll always fly direct – no seaplane stops here. 

The experience… Movie night – but make it Maldivian. Wade through Vakkaru’s dense tropical foliage to find a secret cinema in the heart of the jungle, where films are played under a canopy of stars, with all the popcorn and soft drinks you can (yes, it’s unlimited). Add a personalised jungle dinner and expertly guided stargazing, and it’s less Netflix and chill, more nature and thrill. 

This story was written and published by Quintessentially on 19 August 2025, the World’s Leading Lifestyle Management Service, and is republished with kind permission.