When and How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Table Of Content

• When and How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska
• What Ports Do You Visit on a Northern Lights Cruise?
• Wild Journeys Alaska Northern Lights Tours
• Northern Lights Viewing and Dinner Tour from Fairbanks
• Alaska’s Autumn Highlights Tour

Comprising the Aleutian Islands and the ports of King Salmon and Dillingham, Southwest Alaska borders the choppy Bering Sea. This region isn’t a go-to for aurora chasers, but it’s amazing for viewing wildlife. Kodiak Island is unbeatable for bear sightings, and since August and September are two of the best months for bear spotting, your stay can overlap with the aurora season. Consider the Unalaska/Dutch Harbor area if you’re interested in fishing, birding, or hiking. Most Fairbanks hotels offer aurora wake-up calls, but if you’re looking to enhance your Northern Lights viewing experience, consider sleeping in an igloo at Borealis Basecamp.

When and How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

Aurora viewing is also enhanced by the Spring Equinox and a new moon, making for a higher chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Bring base layers and sensible walking shoes with a sturdy grip, as well as gloves, a hat and scarf, and a jacket capable of keeping you warm and dry. Long sleeves and trousers are advised for daytimes, particularly if you’re planning to observe the scenery from deck as you sail the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay. A camera is also an Alaskan cruise essential as the landscape here is truly otherworldly. Alaska is a cruise destination like no other with so much to be appreciated both on shore and from the deck of your ship.

What Ports Do You Visit on a Northern Lights Cruise?

9 Alaska Cruise Tips and Tricks (Including What To Pack and Expect) - Upgraded Points

9 Alaska Cruise Tips and Tricks (Including What To Pack and Expect).

Posted: Wed, 18 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The Northern Lights and Aurora Borealis are one and the same — most people call them Northern Lights, while the scientific name is Aurora Borealis. The northern lights happen when charged particles from the sun enter the atmosphere and collide with gas atoms in Earth's atmosphere. They occur all year long but are only visible when the sky is dark and clear.

Wild Journeys Alaska Northern Lights Tours

Include a dancing aurora, and the setting will feel like you’ve been transported into an exotic Arctic realm. Try the parking lot on the shore of Portage Lake—where aurora bands can reflect off the ice or water—or stop at pullouts by the Placer River and Ingram Creek. Cunard’s Norway and Northern Lights cruise is a 12-day roundtrip along Norway’s coastline from Southampton, England on Queen Mary 2, or Queen Victoria ships. Guest speakers, astronomers and award-winning photographers are usually on board to join guests on deck to each evening to scan for and enjoy the northern lights show. Passengers can opt-in for overnight wake-up calls, so they can get some sleep without worrying about missing a Northern Lights sighting.

Northern Lights Viewing and Dinner Tour from Fairbanks

Coldfoot is 250 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle. Following a day packed with adventure, guests can relax with hot toddies on deck or join nighttime expeditions to remote vantage points, ensuring the best chances of witnessing the astonishing aurora. For many travelers, catching a glimpse of the spectacular aurora borealis is the dream of a lifetime. Don’t miss out on the chance to see them this year as the sun’s cycle reaches solar maximum, ensuring the best viewing opportunities for the next 11 years, especially during the spring and fall. Plus, there’s no place better than Alaska for stargazing, where vast skies and minimal light pollution create the perfect setting for nature’s light show.

What Is Aurora Borealis

This resort offers not only a chance to relax and soak in natural hot springs but also exclusive access to their Aurora Ice Museum. Imagine witnessing the dancing lights of the Aurora while surrounded by stunning ice sculptures. Anchorage International Airport is well-served by most major airlines, so it’s a natural starting point for an Alaskan adventure. From there, connect easily to Fairbanks to enjoy the Interior region and its auroral splendors.

If you’re in Anchorage and the conditions are ideal, head to a higher elevation. Glen Alps, Point Woronzof, and the Knit River Valley offer decent vantage points—some face north with no pesky mountain peaks in the way. Here’s all you need to know to pick the best time to see northern lights in Alaska.

What Is The Best Time To See Northern Lights In Alaska?

Silverseas Silver Wind has the sleek look of a modern luxury cruise ship, only on a smaller scale. The National Geographic Endurance has but 69 cabins and a maximum passenger capacity of 126, which seems better suited for a university research team than a cruise manifest. Despite the modest size of the polar-rated vessel, this cruise does not skimp on the pampering and provides in abundance all the amenities one would expect from a two-week excursion. If you are willing to trade warmth for less precipitation, then go for May.

Alaska’s Autumn Highlights Tour

From Alaska’s towering glaciers and rich indigenous culture to Norway’s picturesque coastal towns and the untouched beauty of Greenland, the journey to see the aurora can be as rewarding as the destination itself. As the adage goes, “Preparation is half the battle.” By equipping yourself with the essentials and knowledge, you’re setting the stage for a seamless, unforgettable journey through Alaska’s icy waters and shimmering skies. Setting sail to witness Alaska’s Northern Lights is thrilling, but ensuring you’re well-equipped can make your experience comfortable and memorable. Embarking on a Northern Lights cruise in Alaska is a significant commitment, both in terms of time and resources. Making an informed decision ensures you get the most out of this once-in-a-lifetime journey. Alaska, with its vast expanses of untouched landscapes and clear skies, stands as one of the world’s premier destinations for aurora chasers.

If you don't have two or three weeks to take off work to go northern lights watching, consider Oceanwide Expeditions' eight-day aurora borealis sailings from Iceland to Greenland and back. The adventure begins in Akureyri, the unofficial capital of north Iceland, before heading for Greenland's breathtaking Scoresby Sund, the largest fjord system in the world. If you do have a little more time, you can opt for the 13-day Spitsbergen - Northeast Greenland - Aurora Borealis itinerary, which embarks in the Svalbard archipelago before sailing to Greenland and down to Iceland.

Just a short 15-minute dri­ve from down­town Fair­banks, wait for the north­ern lights to appear in a warm, invit­ing space. Cozy up to the fire, sip on cocoa and cof­fee, and step out­side when moth­er nature puts on a show. Although the cen­ter is a short dis­tance from town, it is far enough away so that you won’t have to wor­ry about light pol­lu­tion inter­rupt­ing your view as you stand gaz­ing under the vast, star­lit sky. The city has a variety of aurora-viewing venues, from a number of scenic drives and parks to cozy cabins and lodges.

The light show can amp up without warning, in just about any part of the sky, and generally remains active for at least a half-hour. Because the auroral band is generated by the solar wind, scientists monitoring the sun with observatories and satellites can predict when it’s likely to become active. The Aurora Forecast sponsored by the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has multi-day outlooks and a graphic display showing a short-term forecast that’s practically in real-time.

When is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights on an Alaska Cruise

Table Of Content

• day Hawaii Cruise 2022
• Best Time Of The Year To Cruise Alaska
• Best Time of Year
• Fishing Adventures
• Anchorage: Downtown Viewpoint

Most Alaska cruise itineraries will voyage along The Inside Passage, which offers the chance to traverse piercing blue fjords, icy glaciers and snow-peaked mountains. Hubbard Glacier is another must-see on an Alaska cruise, as is the UNESCO biosphere reserve of Glacier Bay National Park. Plus there’s always the added possibility of spotting whales from your ship as you sail in Alaska too. In late fall, from September to November, the Northern Lights can be seen as the nights lengthen. The colder temperatures begin to set in, leading to clearer skies and better visibility.

day Hawaii Cruise 2022

With the airport located just a short drive away, visitors can fly into Fairbanks and be at a world-class aurora-viewing venue in less than an hour. Bright moonlight can diminish the contrast of the aurora against the night sky, making them less vivid. However, the Northern Lights can still be enjoyed during a full moon, especially if the activity level is high. Many cruise ships are equipped to cater to passengers with mobility issues, offering accessible areas from which you can view the aurora. It’s essential to discuss any requirements with the cruise line ahead of booking. The aurora borealis is the Northern Lights, visible in the Northern Hemisphere.

Best Time Of The Year To Cruise Alaska

And in some ports, cruise guests may learn about and visit with some of Norway’s indigenous Sámi people who, under Norwegian law, are generally the only people in Norway who may own and herd reindeer. The old gold rush boomtown of Fairbanks is the undisputed capital of the northern lights hunt in Alaska. It's not the very best place for aurora viewing — it's just below the Arctic Circle — but auroras frequently occur here.

Best Time of Year

Guests enjoy unlimited access to a variety of meals throughout the day, including early-riser breakfasts, lunches, dinners with multiple entrée options, and snacks in between. The beverage selection is also unlimited, featuring fine wines, craft beers, and signature cocktails, ensuring guests can savor their favorite drinks or try something new without any additional charges. But as we’ve explored, the Northern Lights are but one facet of the allure these destinations offer.

Fishing Adventures

That said, even if you don’t see the Northern Lights during your cruise, there’s plenty to fall in love with in these exciting destinations, from incredible dog-sledding competitions to hiking along stunning fjords. If you see them (lucky duck), it’s a faux pas to wave, whistle, or call out—according to legend, that drives them away. Set sail on an Alaskan cruise and let the magic of the Northern Lights illuminate your journey, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime. The Alaska Aurora season in Fairbanks runs from September through April when the Earth is perfectly tilted in relation to the sun so that both its magnetic field and the solar wind are in sync.

Like other natural occurrences, the Aurora Borealis come out to play when they feel like it. That said, being in the right place at the right time of year increases the odds. These onboard activities and amenities enhance the overall Northern Lights experience, making your Alaskan cruise a truly memorable journey.

By following these tips and being prepared, you can maximize your chances of having a truly unforgettable Northern Lights viewing experience in Alaska. So, pack your warm clothing, check the forecast, and get ready to be amazed by the dancing lights in the sky. One of the highlights of visiting Fairbanks for the Northern Lights is the opportunity to stay at the Chena Hot Springs Resort.

Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea

Although you may not be guaranteed a sighting, it’s important to note that anytime is a great time to take a cruise to Alaska. June 21, for instance, is known for the Midnight Sun, not to mention warmer days for offshore excursions and exploration, especially through Denali National Park as part of the Alaska Cruisetours package. A survey by the Discovery Channel noted that seeing Aurora Borealis made it to more “bucket lists” than any other travel adventure. And it truly is an adventure – because its appearance from one sighting to the next is never the same. I like to think that chasing the Borealis similar to the adrenaline rush of storm-chasers who follow tornadoes – except, you’re chasing a natural beauty, rather than a destructive force. One of the best viewing locations is Fairbanks, Alaska, which is why this landmark is one of the central highlights of a Norwegian Cruise Line tour.

Activity Guide & Map

Here, they update twice daily, and you can even sign up for forecast updates and alerts. The northern lights are best seen in Alaska between 65° N and 70° N latitude. Fairbanks is about 198 miles south of the Arctic Circle and enjoys sporadic northern lights.

If you do, make sure you have all-wheel or four-wheel drive and studded snow tires. The best northern lights cruises provide plenty of opportunities for passengers to learn about, celebrate and, of course, see the northern lights. But there will also be activities geared to exploring parts of the world filled with many other natural, cultural, and man-made wonders. Iceland, Greenland, and polar regions around the Northwest Passage promote some of their active, adventurous cruises around the equinoxes in September and March as northern lights viewing opportunities as well. Lines cruising in these regions include Hurtigruten, Silversea, Lindblad Expeditions, Viking Cruises, Quark Expeditions, Adventure Canada, and others.

The 10-Night Alaska Gold Rush Adventure Cruisetour (2A Northbound) will take you deep into the interior of Alaska, where you can explore Gold Rush history. Aurora Borealis, as it’s officially known, can only be seen above the magnetic pole of the Northern Hemisphere. Your chances of seeing them increase the farther north you are, which in turn makes Iceland an ideal place to try your luck at Northern Lights gazing. As you explore the ports of call on your Alaskan cruise, keep in mind that some destinations, such as Nome and Barrow, offer a higher probability of seeing the Northern Lights due to their proximity to the Arctic Circle.

Can You See The Northern Lights From A Cruise Ship? The Best Cruises for Viewing the Northern Lights - Cruise Critic

Can You See The Northern Lights From A Cruise Ship? The Best Cruises for Viewing the Northern Lights.

Posted: Wed, 04 Dec 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

When planning your Alaskan cruise, consider the ports of call that align with your desired Northern Lights viewing experience. Research the best times to visit each destination and consult with your cruise operator for expert guidance on optimal viewing spots and excursion options. Ultimately, the best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska depends on your personal preferences and willingness to handle cold weather. Next, we’ll explore the Alaska cruise routes that offer the best chances of witnessing this awe-inspiring natural wonder. Alaska’s position within the auroral oval, a region near the North Pole where the Northern Lights are most commonly visible, provides ample opportunities to witness this extraordinary natural phenomenon.

One of the key considerations when selecting an Alaska cruise for Northern Lights viewing is the . Different cruises offer varying routes and destinations, so you’ll want to choose one that maximizes your chances of witnessing the Aurora Borealis. Look for itineraries that include ports of call in areas known for their clear skies and optimal viewing conditions, such as Fairbanks, Denali National Park, and Anchorage. Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket list experience for many travelers. And cruise ships can get you to destinations where your chances of catching Mother Nature's special light show are improved.