Many people ask, “What is the best month to cruise to Alaska?” Well, the answer is not so simple. Each month of our cruise season presents its own special spin on the experience, and so it’s really about what you’re wanting to get out of your cruise. Planning your Alaska cruise is about knowing what you want to see and do.
Alaska has much to offer, but the best time to cruise there depends on what type of trip you’re looking for. If you’re outdoorsy, visiting during the summer is for you. If you’d rather shop or take in the nightlife, consider cruising in May or September.
Peak season runs from late May until early August, which also happens to be when the weather is warmest. If you’re interested in seeing Alaska’s most famous resident—the humpback whale—June and July are the best months to see them breaching in waters near Sitka or throughout Southeast Alaska.
The best month to cruise to Alaska depends on what type of experience you’re looking for: cool days or warm nights. Blue skies or foggy mornings? When cruising, you’ll want a calm day at sea to see wildlife like whales, puffins, and sea otters!
The good news is…there is not a bad time to cruise to Alaska and whichever month you decide upon; it is sure to be a fun adventure for all!
Not sure what we mean? Let us take a look!
Cruising to Alaska in May
Cruising begins in mid-May. It’s warming up now (well… for Alaska: with average temperatures of 39-54 degrees during this month). Pack long sleeves, and make sure to bring layers. The trees aren’t in full bloom yet, so now is the time to spot the wide range of wildlife on land. And in late May, the salmon runs start and Arctic char sightings begin – great news for those who love to fish. It also happens to be a month with little rain so if you’re looking for drier weather and lots of wildlife, then May is a great time to join an Alaskan cruise.
One advantage to cruising to Alaska in May is that it’s a little early for kids to be out of school, so you’re less likely to have crowds at the most popular sites and excursions. Also, there are fewer tourists during this season because springtime weather can vary wildly from day to day—and even hour to hour!
If saving money is your goal and shopping is more enjoyable than spending hours out in nature (or maybe just soaking up sunshine), May may be a better time for your cruise itinerary.
Cruising to Alaska in June
Looking for warmer weather, but fewer tourists? A June Alaska cruise is perfect for you! Even warmer than the previous month (you know… a toasty Alaskan 47-62 degrees), June also provides more daylight hours to play with and longer, brighter days generally mean more pleasant weather. Lighter long sleeve shirts will suffice. And everything is in full bloom – great for land nature photographers. BONUS: Moose are birthing calves during this time – and who doesn’t want to see a baby moose!?
June is certainly the most popular month to cruise to Alaska because kids are out of school, and there’s a lot of daylight. If you’re not from a northern state, you might be surprised to find out parts of Alaska have daylight nearly 24 hours a day near the summer solstice. In southeastern Alaska, the sun only sets for a few hours each night, so it rarely gets completely dark. Alaskans celebrate the daylight since they know how precious it is when the winter months become so dark, and they only get a few hours of daylight.
Nevertheless, the month of June is when Alaska’s tourism season is in full bloom, and you’ll find the most tour and excursion opportunities. If you travel to Alaska too early or too late in the season, you might find that not everything is open or operating. June in Alaska is an ideal time to cruise because life is flourishing, meadows are in bloom, and the views are exceptional.
Cruising to Alaska in July
July falls smack dab in the middle of our cruise season! The natural world is in full bloom, and the temperatures generally fluctuate between 51 and 65 degrees, with the occasional spike in temperature in the 80s! You may even spot a native Alaskan partaking in swimming, enjoying beaches and watersports. The weather itself can be unpredictable though (overcast at times and overly sunny at others), so, bring both your sunglasses and a raincoat! The salmon run is in full force, meaning bear sightings are a regular occurrence.
The summer months are also great for those who love hiking and exploring new places on foot or by kayak—and there are plenty of opportunities for both! Once you arrive at your destination, get there as soon as possible; don’t wait to venture into nature.
Like June, July has many daylight hours, making it great for tourists of all species. Specifically, June and July are the peak times you’ll spot whales and orcas coming to Alaska to feed and birth their young. In addition, you’ll find whales breaching right off the bow of your ship as they migrate south to their breeding grounds.
Cruising to Alaska in August
August is blueberry season in Alaska – complete with a blueberry festival! Salmon are abundant, and that means those animals who feast on them are too (for those who are looking to get the most out of nature watching)! With weather from 48 to 63 degrees, and rainy days to illuminate the foliage’s true colors, August in Alaska is a visual spectacle.
August is an ideal time to cruise to Alaska if you want to avoid crowds but still enjoy the warm weather. Typically, kids return to school in August so you find fewer families traveling and more couples. You will be able to get great pictures of the beautiful landscape with fewer photobombers too!
Cruising to Alaska in September
The end of the season and beginning of the school year means a more-quiet and intimate Alaska cruise. Temperatures are cooling down (for that true Alaska experience), and generally fluctuate between 41 and 55 degrees (certainly bring sweatshirts and a jacket). Cold – maybe – but September offers two rare bucket list experiences: (1) the chance to see the northern lights (weather and conditions permitting) and (2) sightings of grey and beluga whales as they migrate along the coast.
Cruising to Alaska in September increases your odds of finding lower-cost tours as well as other cruise deals. Thinning crowds will most likely make any excursions more pleasant as they’d be otherwise packed during summer months. You may also get a peek at elk, caribou, bears, moose, and deer. With fewer hours of daylight during this time, you may have more chances of experiencing the Northern Lights as well as spectacular starlit skies.
So, what’s the best month to cruise to Alaska? Well, in short, the answer is: The best time to cruise to Alaska is whichever month is most intriguing to you. You simply cannot go wrong! Check out our Alaskan expedition cruises here, and plan an Alaska cruise for yourself!
(Original Publish Date: September 3, 2020)
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