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The viewing season lasts almost seven months, so the best time to seek the aurora really depends upon what else you want to do during your visit . Depending upon cloud cover and weather, Alaska nights can be dark enough to highlight great auroras between mid-August through mid-April.
When is the best time to see the northern lights ? Fairbanks’ Aurora Season is from August 21 to April 21 and the aurora will be visible in Fairbanks an average of four out of five nights when the sky is clear and dark enough.
Fairbanks
This makes April through September the best time to cruise to Alaska to see the northern lights , especially near the autumnal and vernal equinoxes, when activity peaks.
During the winter of 2020 , the Northern Lights viewing was typical for a solar minimum year . But from 2020 onwards, there will be a slow ramp-up in solar activity, and auroras should increase in frequency, peaking in 2024/2025 with the Solar Maximum. Read more about where to see the Northern lights here.
There is no official season since the Northern Lights are almost always present, day and night . Caused by charged particles from the sun hitting atoms in Earth’s atmosphere and releasing photons, it’s a process that happens constantly.
When is the best month to visit Alaska? You can’t go wrong visiting Alaska anytime between May 10 and September 15. The days are long, nature is in full bloom, and the air is alive with energy. But, for the absolute best time to visit Alaska, shoot for June 15 to July 15.
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Alaska Alaska’s northern lights season is between mid-September and late April, peaking in March, though it’s a season defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity. The further north you travel in Alaska , the more likely you are to see the northern lights .
Alaskan cruise season is May through September with July and August being the highest season attracting the most travelers. Convention holds that the best months to cruise Alaska are July and August when the temperatures are at their highest and the weather is generally sunnier.
Unspoiled Alaska : The 7 Most Beautiful Places to Visit Denali National Park. First view Denali, North America’s tallest peak, from Wonder Lake, where The High One is jaggedly reflected in the still waters. Katmai National Park and Preserve. Matanuska Glacier. Kodiak Island. Tatshenshini-Alsek River. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Wrangell St.
Most tour companies will pick up guests from any Fairbanks hotel or accommodation as part of the package price. Evening tours run from 9 p.m. to about 4 a.m. and average $75 to $85 per person, while more extensive tours like the Northern Alaska fly/drive Arctic Circle viewing tour begins at $269 per person.
A typical 7-day Alaska vacation costs around $3000 per person—a little over $400 per day.
Per Person Double Occupancy | Cruise | Independent Land Tours |
---|---|---|
Meals | $300 – $500 | |
Excursions | $800 – $1200 (5 excursions) | $1000 – $1500 (7 excursions) |
Total | $2000 – $4200 | $2400 – $4000 |
Northbound Alaska cruises sail up the coastline through the Inside Passage and along Hubbard Glacier, so your best view of Alaska’s scenic landmasses are likely on the starboard side of the ship . Southbound Alaska cruises are the opposite.
A typical Alaska Cruise can cost between $600 and $5,000 per person, depending on the length of your cruise , the type of cruise you choose, and your room choice. We recommend budgeting an additional $1,000 to $1,500 per person for shore excursions to get the most out of your Alaskan cruise .
Best 4 Alaska cruise ports Top 3 Ketchikan excursions. Top 3 Juneau excursions. Top 3 Sitka excursions. Top 3 Skagway excursions. It’s the leading cruise port serving Anchorage. The SeaLife Center is the town’s finest attraction. Hardly anything is worth seeing in Anchorage. Best by category. Itinerary insights.