Alaska cruising when is the best time

Alaska is a rainy destination, so you are likely to encounter rain at some point during your trip no matter what summer month you choose. In Anchorage and Denali rain showers and the chance of storms, with more than just showers, increase as the summer progresses. See the above Alaska climate tables for rainfall by month.

Our clients are prepared with an extensive packing lists and travel preparation. Feel free to contact our Alaska travel experts for further assistance. They have lived, worked and explored the region in depth as former guides, operations managers and naturalists, and can help you craft the perfect Alaska package.

Hello, and thank you for this wonderful information. My husband and I would like to fly in from Arizona. We are not big into city life, noise pollution, bright lights and lots of people. We love nature and I am a photographer. We love the fall and moderate hikes. Where would you suggest we fly into, as well the areas of beautiful Alaska, that you would suggest, based on our interest.

Our full-service trips showcase the best of Alaska, with plenty of nature, hiking and photography opportunities as evidenced by our small ship Alaska cruise reviews and Alaska tour reviews. To help narrow your options, consider our Alaska Cruise Guides and our picks for 5 iconic Alaska wildlife cruises and how to visit Denali National Park.

An Adventure Specialist will be in touch soon to discuss fall options and better hone in on your ideal trip. Hello, I wanted to catch beautiful fall foliage in AK as well.

Will that be too late for fall foliage? We also would like to check out some national parks as well and definitely wildlife sightseeing and finishing. We also will visit some old friends who live in Dutch Harbor. We will be staying in Airbnb, rent a car to drive around.

Should we land in Anchorage airport for our convenience? We are from Sacramento, California. Please give me some ideal here when go go, should we stay in Anchorage for few days then take off to Dutch Harbor? Please advise. Thank you. Sincerely, Yen. Hi Yen! That will be quite the adventure! The remoteness of Dutch Harbor, part of the Aleutian Islands, fits our hallmark style of small ship cruising perfectly.

In fact, we just added a new Aleutian Islands Odyssey cruise itinerary to help travelers reach those less-visited islands. It offers many ways to enjoy the surrounding national parks plus flight connections to Dutch Harbor. The earlier in September you go the less likely you will have to deal with snow conditions and will have more options for cruises and Denali National Park tours. Contact us to talk about the benefits of our expertise.

We are traveling to Alaska the second week of October Our only nailed down event is a wedding in Glacier View mid week. We are avid hikers and would love to see the National Parks in any aspect. We will likely rent a car and also looked at winter trains. Is this doable? Hi Emily, A self-drive trip is do-able in the late fall. Be aware though, that by October 1st Denali National Park begins to wrap things up.

Tours, lodges, shuttle buses, Visitor Centers, Ranger Stations and campgrounds are all closed. Because late fall season DIY trips are largely based around weather conditions, we recommend directly contacting the parks you wish to visit in the fall to get an update before traveling to them. Winter arrives early to interior Alaska so there can be snow on the ground by the end of September or early October.

Take a look at our Alaska climate page to see the rainfall averages and daylight hours in October. We focus our Alaska cruises and land services during the primary tourist season from May through August but can help with custom tours during the fall—contact us if you are interested.

Hi, we are planning a trip to Alaska and have specific things we would like to experience.. Northern Lights, wildlife, beautiful color changes would be on the top of our list. We also travel with service animals 2 dogs. Do you have any suggestions pertaining to our situation to guide us in our plans?

Thanks in advance. Hi Tammy, Sounds like early fall would be the best time for your Alaska trip. The easiest way to check most of your boxes would be a land viewing rail tour.

Before the land tour, you could also consider adding a cruise component for even more up-close wildlife opportunities. Fall colors in Alaska last only a few short weeks so timing with Northern lights can be tricky, but with a little luck, Alaska will provide. An Alaska specialist will be in touch soon to discuss Denali-based Alaska tours , potential small ship Alaska cruises , or a custom travel arrangement to cover both. My husband and i are planning a cruise this coming year.

My biggest goal is to see whales. When is the best time for whale watching. Thank you S. Hi Sharon, Whale watching aboard an Alaska small ship is a spectacular goal! Most of our small ship Alaska cruises offer opportunities to see whales. While plenty of sunlight hours are a pro for those who want to see as much as possible in a day, it can be a con for light sleepers.

Pack an eye mask and lower the nightshades if extra light makes it harder for you to sleep. As a peak month, June may have more expensive cruises than other months of the season. Even the locals come out more to specific areas throughout Alaska. The Kasilof River Beach sees locals and visitors swarming the beaches from mid-June to mid-August to fish for salmon with dip nets.

Like late May, June is excellent for travelers who enjoy fishing. This month starts the season for plenty of great catches like :. June is also an ideal time for runners who want to experience a marathon among the wild Alaskan scenery.

As the middle of the Alaska cruise season, July has a fair mix of pros and cons. Be flexible if you visit during this month, as it gets more rainfall than May and June , and plenty of visitors and locals crowd destinations.

Plenty of events happen in July, as the state comes alive with longer days and warmer temperatures. Some popular events happening during this month include:. Enjoy these events knowing the average temperatures are highest in July, with Anchorage having an average high of 65 and low of Warmer weather also means more wildlife, with humpback whales bubble-net feeding during this month as well.

Sea birds, seal pups, walruses and more are typical sights. Mid-July is the most popular part of peak season, meaning availability could be low and prices could be higher. The peak season impacts areas throughout the state, like the Mouth of the Kenai River. The beaches here are popular for sightseeing and beachcombing, but in July, they become crowded with locals and visitors fishing for salmon with dip nets. Travelers who want to soak in all the culture of wherever they visit will fit right in with a July cruise.

The events we mentioned above are great ways to experience Alaska, but the state shines the most at the Girdwood Forest Fair in July. The event celebrates all things Alaska, from music to arts and crafts, but its primary focus is presenting an array of musical genres across its three stages. As the season and summer vacation approach their end, travelers try to get in one last trip, and August is a popular time to do so.

Eagles are common, but you can also see bears, deer, moose, birds and more during this month. With fewer hours of daylight, the wildlife may also be more active during the day, especially if the weather cooperates. Just like the other summer months, August offers plenty of events for almost every type of traveler, but be sure to plan for any possible cancellations due to rain.

Bring your rain gear because, while the temperatures are warmer, there is often a greater chance of rain. August sees the highest inches of rainfall on average of every other month in Alaska, so be sure to pack accordingly.

As part of peak season, August in Alaska can include more crowds than other months unless you time your visit just right and go later in the month. Foodies with a very particular taste will enjoy Alaska in August. Blueberries are at their peak during this month, and the Alyeska Resort Blueberry Festival celebrates the fruit with pie-eating contests, cooking demonstrations, dessert contests and more.

Runners can also find something to do with an August visit to Alaska. The Anchorage RunFest hosts various running events and is a Boston Marathon qualifying race, letting marathon runners experience the scenery of Alaska while potentially qualifying for other marathons. Any travelers looking for an extra dose of fun with their cruise can also enjoy the Alaska State Fair. If you want to see fall foliage ashore, wait until the first week of September. It remains good through the third week of September.

Hate mosquitoes? For the warmest temperatures , cruise between mid-June and mid-August. For the most Midnight Sun , come 3 weeks before or after the summer solstice and longest day of the year, June Want to see the northern lights?

Expert Advice First Trip to Alaska? As all the locals know, the Alaskan weather is defined by its unpredictability, with sunny days turning suddenly stormy—and vice versa, so be prepared for all types of weather on your Alaskan cruise. The spring months are prime for spotting moose particularly in the Kenai Peninsula and Dall sheep as they move down the slopes for better grazing, while September is ideal for sighting humpback whales, spawning salmon, and caribou migrating to their winter feeding grounds.

July and August are also prime months in terms of wildlife viewing. Brown bears come out to fish along the rivers during these months, and moose can be seen feeding in lakes, ponds, and along rivers from spring throughout the summer. Also be on the lookout for seals and dolphins, which are easily seen from the deck of your ship. And of course, one cannot forget about the whales!