Weather: With a high of 62 degrees, a low of 47 degrees and relatively little rainfall as compared with the rest of the summer months, the weather in June is optimal. Long daylight hours add to the feeling of warmth. What to Pack: Bring bug spray, long but light, remember it warms up shirts and pants, and polarized sunglasses for the many hours of sun reflecting off glaciers.
These are good to bring anytime. What to Watch for: Mosquitoes. While everything is in bloom in June and it's picturesque to look at, expect the bugs to be biting.
Also, watch for the summer solstice on June 21, which brings nearly 24 hours of sun, depending on how far north you are Denali is a neat place to be. Harvest: Herbs and greens begin to come into season in June, along with delicious pie fillings like cherries, boysenberries and rhubarb. Look for local specialties in cafes around your port. Wildlife: Moose give birth around June, so you might be able to glimpse a calf, if you're lucky.
June is the best time to see herds of caribou, but you'll still need to be lucky to spot them. Book a float trip down one of the rivers in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Fairbanks, and the chances of seeing a herd will be pretty good. Bird enthusiast? June is the best month to spot unusual birds such as Asian accidentals in Western Alaska, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Remember, as thrilling as wildlife sightings can be, the best time to see bear cubs or moose calves with their mother is also typically the most dangerous. Always use extreme caution when hiking or doing anything, especially alone, in Alaska.
Being prepared for an unexpected bear or moose encounter can be the difference between life and death. Fishing: King salmon and sockeye salmon can be found in the waters during June. Rainbow trout begins its run in June and continues through the summer into September the Copper River is known for them. Northern pike also runs June through September. Halibut fishing ramps up mid-June through August, but is still available for fishing trips in May or September stick to Seward or Homer for halibut.
Pricing: The absolute middle of the Alaska cruise season, July is often the busiest month to travel here, and pricing will be close to full pop. Weather: It's the warmest month in Alaska; expect highs of about 65 degrees with degree lows. Rain begins to blow in with about a dozen inches, on average.
What to Pack: July is tough -- it can be hot or overcast and rainy. Pants that zip into shorts might seem lame but could be handy on all-day excursions. Bring rollable windbreakers or jackets that will fit into a day bag if you start breaking a sweat.
What to Watch for: Many events around the state mark the Fourth of July. Two of our favorites are the Girdwood Forest Fair, with music, crafts and cultural events, which takes place annually in this small resort town outside of Anchorage and the Mount Marathon race in Seward. Harvest: July is when the growing season really gets in gear -- strawberries, tomatoes, cabbage, gooseberries and tons more will begin to find their ways into recipes and onto your plate if you eat in town.
Wildlife: Bear viewing coincides with the salmon runs, so it makes sense that with so many salmon in Alaskan waters, chances of seeing bear could increase in July. It's also the best month to visit seabird colonies from Southeast to Northwest Alaska, according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
Fur seal pups are born and Steller sea lions give birth beginning in July. If you're adventuring north near Nome, walruses "haul out" on Round, Little Diomede and King islands. Fishing: King salmon can still be caught in early July; sockeye run through the month. Pink salmon can be found beginning in the middle of the month.
Silver or coho salmon also begin their run in July. Pricing: August is the end of the peak Alaska cruise season, so you might start to see some deals edge in late in the month, but expect full fares, for the most part. Weather: In August, the chance of rain is more than 50 percent, so expect a few parades to get rained on. The high is 63 degrees and the low is about 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. The fair is a late-August staple and has something to offer almost every type of traveler:.
End the Alaska cruise season with one final visit in September. As this month rounds out the season, it has similar pros and cons to the start of it. Some major pros of visiting Alaska in September include the following.
Along with those advantages, Alaska also offers some events during this month to end the warm season with one last celebration. One of the main drawbacks of a September cruise is choppy water. As the seasons change, the water gets rougher, so try to go toward the beginning of September to try to avoid choppy sailing conditions.
Of course, as fall approaches, the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, and Alaska is no exception. In late September, parts of Denali National Park and other areas begin to close for the season, so you could have limited access as you would in May.
While fewer daylight hours may not be ideal for some travelers, light sleepers will appreciate having more time in the dark to fuel up for the adventures to come. Art lovers or travelers looking to immerse themselves in culture will enjoy the Alaska World Arts Festival in September that features celebrations of:. May to September marks the best of Alaska cruise season, with the fall and winter being a bit too unpredictable.
But of those months, which is the best time for an Alaska cruise? When you decide on what month to take your Alaskan cruise, be sure to think about factors such as the following.
Consider what you and any travel partners want to experience and any other needs you have before you book. Are you prone to seasickness? Do you need optimal conditions to get some sleep and prepare for the next day?
Why not turn your dreams into reality with us at Windstar Cruises? Connect with fellow travelers and the crew as you sail the Alaskan waters on our intimate cruises. Take a look at the Alaskan cruises we offer to see what will take you on the adventure of a lifetime. Plan your voyage today by calling us at or requesting a call. Great deals happen. Don't miss one. Sign up for our newsletter!
If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call for assistance. Best Time to Cruise Alaska. The Timeline for Cruising Alaska While the state is beautiful during any season , the best time to cruise Alaska is between May and September.
Some factors to consider include: Hours of daylight Precipitation Potential for snowfall Temperatures Events Wildlife sightings Potential for crowds Check out our breakdown of the months between May and September to decide when is the best time to visit Alaska based on what you want to see and do.
Pros Since May is right at the beginning of the travel season, there may be cheaper rates. Cons Most of the drawbacks for an Alaska cruise in May have to do with the weather. Best For Travelers looking for an off-season adventure that may be at a better rate should take an Alaskan cruise in May. Alaskan Cruise in June With summer comes time for a vacation, and many travelers are thinking Alaska. Pros Many advantages to a visit in June have to do with the weather.
Cons 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. This month starts the season for plenty of great catches like : King salmon Sockeye salmon Rainbow trout Northern pike June is also an ideal time for runners who want to experience a marathon among the wild Alaskan scenery.
Experience Alaska in July As the middle of the Alaska cruise season, July has a fair mix of pros and cons. Pros Plenty of events happen in July, as the state comes alive with longer days and warmer temperatures. And then again. And again. Within minutes it seemed everyone onboard had gathered at the railings on deck to see. Meanwhile, the captain of the ship nimbly repositioned us, giving both the port and starboard sides prime viewing, at a safe and respectful distance from the animals.
With binoculars, cameras, and phones at the ready, the passengers and crew aboard UnCruise Adventures' guest S. Legacy settled in for what turned out to be an hour-long private show by a juvenile humpback who had migrated from Hawaii to spend the summer in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters. Not only are the flowers and plant life coming back from their wintertime rest as spring arrives, so is the wildlife.
Our captain said he had seen a wolf in Alaska only twice in his year career.
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