Q: What is the best month to visit Alaska?

A: Alaska is a great place to visit anytime of the year. The “best” month to visit really depends on what you want to do in Alaska. The summer tourism season is mid-May to mid-September, with the peak season from June 15th to August 15th.

May is a great value time to visit Alaska – the weather is warming up, the trees are blooming and the grass gets greener every day. Usually, May is a drier month than later in the summer. Alaska tends to get more rain as the summer goes on. Tours throughout Alaska begin operating around May 15th. Due to the early season, many tours and hotels offer discounted prices. The time periods prior to Memorial Day and after Labor Day are considered the “shoulder” season which translates to less crowds and more opportunities for discounts.

Peak season offers the widest variety of tours, the best weather and the best wildlife viewing opportunities. June offers the most hours of daylight and historically is the driest summer month. The flowers around town are in bloom and the tourist season is in full swing. Many believe that June is the best month to see Alaska.

July is peak tourist season in Alaska and is the warmest month of the year. Peak season means largers crowds on tour buses and day cruises. If you are planning to visit Alaska in July, we recommend booking your vacation in January for best availability. August may be a little rainier but it is generally warmer than June and the bugs have decreased. The crowds begin to diminish as the summer comes to an end. We also see less daylight in August but unless you have seen Alaska in June you probably won’t notice!

September brings cooler temperatures and darker nights. The cooler temperatures bring beautiful colors to the trees and tundra and the darker nights offer the opportunity to view the Northern Lights. The tourism season is winding down so you will find fewer crowds and lower prices. There will be some tours that stop operating in early September but most tours continue until mid-September. Denali hotels and businesses close for the winter about that time as well.

Don’t let the weather be your only consideration. Alaska weather is highly unpredictable and whatever the weather brings for your vacation, we recommend getting out and having fun. The variable weather is part of the Alaskan experience so come prepared and enjoy the experience whether the sun is shining or not! Choose the month that works best for your schedule, your budget and offers what you most want to see and do. We hope to see you soon!

PS. For further details you can also check out our blog post on what are the best months to travel to Alaska?

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Q: When is the rainy season in Homer?

A: Unfortunately, Alaska does not have a predictable rainy season as the weather up here is very unpredictable. Please visit our weather blog for more information on what to expect from Alaska’s summer weather!

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Q: When is the best time to visit to view the northern lights? Where in Alaska is the best viewing?

A: The northern lights are definitely more visible during the winter months and the best place to visit would be Fairbanks. A company in Fairbanks called the Northern Alaska Tour Company does specific trips around the northern lights. Their website might be helpful in deciding when the more active times of the year would be and also to assist in booking a trip to view them.

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Q: Can you please tell me how is the weather in Southeast Alaska in May? Places like Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, and Ketchikan – will it be very cold in May?

A: It sounds as if you will be on a cruise in May. Alaska weather is fairly unpredictable but May is a good time to travel in Alaska as everything is turning green and we have long hours of daylight. Follow this link to an informative Alaska weather blog. I would also recommend viewing our weather information page to get an idea of the average temperatures and daylight hours throughout our state.

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Q: What is the weather like in June?

A: In June the temperatures can be anywhere from lows in the upper 40s to daytime highs in the 70s. The temperatures vary depending on what part of the state you are in and the type of summer we are having. Please read through our weather blog for more information.

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Q: When does the sun come up in Anchorage in July?

A: In early July the sunrise is around 4:30am and the sunset is around 11:30pm. By the end of July the sunrise is around 5:30am and sunset is around 10:40pm. Summer solstice is June 21st so we start to lose daylight during July.

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Q: We are coming to Alaska in June, where can we see the northern lights?

A: You cannot see the Northern Lights in June because there is too much daylight. In June we average about 18-19 hours of daylight. Occassionally you can view the Northern Lights if you visit Alaska in late August or September. The Arctic Circle Fly/Drive tour departing from Fairbanks at 1pm stops for Aurora viewing from August 22 to September 18th.  Read our blog on the Aurora Borealis for additional information.

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Q: What will the weather be like in Alaska at the following locations in late July and early August? Whitehorse, Dawson, Fairbanks, Denali, Anchorage, Seward, Glacier Bay, and Juneau.

A: You’ll want to bring several layers including a fleece jacket. Weather can vary at each location and you are traveling a very large distance. Keep in mind that the interior regions will generally be warmer, and the coastal regions will be cooler. Click here for more information on Alaska’s weather.

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Q: We are planning to leave Seward by train to Anchorage on August 19th. What time does it get too dark to see the scenery from the train?

A: The train departs Seward at 6:00pm and arrives into Anchorage about 10:15pm. Sunset that time of year is about 9:45pm. The scenic portion of the trip will be in daylight and you should have some great sunset photos along the Turnagain Arm. The only portion of the trip that would be in twilight conditions is the last portion as you arrive into Anchorage which travels through some industrial areas and neighborhoods.

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Q:My wife and I want to take a cruise from Vancouver to Alaska via the inside passage. What is the best time of year for this cruise?

A: The best months for cruising are June, July and August as that is when the weather is warmest and rain is less likely. In May and in September rates are often a little bit lower because of the cooler weather, but many things are not open if you come too early in May or too late in September. I would recommend flying into Anchorage and spending about 7-10 days on land then cruising to Vancouver from either Seward or Whittier. We have sample land packages available on our website and can also put together custom vacations according to your personal preferences.

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