January is the coldest month of the year in Alaska with temperatures in the negatives or hovering well below freezing. A peek at Denali National Park's Polychrome Pass and the contrast of color with the snow-capped peaks in the background will have you convinced that September is the best time to visit Alaska. Small-ship cruise lines such as Alaskan Dream Cruises and UnCruise Adventures have sailings into the wilderness where you may spot bears emerging from their slumber and admire huge waterfalls fueled by the snowmelt. Alaska is huge and weather is vastly different in the north vs south or interior vs coast. Spring is one of the best times to visit Alaska in search of wildlife. The winter months (December through March) are by far the coldest and harshest of the year here. Mild temperatures and plenty of snow make Anchorage a winter playground. It's prime time for aurora tours. Skagway - best shore excursion. Temperatures are still fairly low, with the average maximum rarely peaking over 10C. For many Americans, one of the hardest aspects of driving to Alaska is not having everyday things right at their fingertips. June in Alaska Always be prepared for rain when you go to Alaska. The 20 Worst Places to Live in Alaska - Money Inc Early May might still be cold and some snow. 5. For all those interested in experiencing the Canadian Arctic winter, the best time to visit is from December to mid-March. Temperatures are beginning to warm, and vegetation hasn't fully grown in and concealed the best views. If you haven't already taken the wild, natural, sustainable Alaska seafood oath. The climate varies widely. Half of Alaska's 2.26 million visitors in 2019 arrived by cruise ship, but in 2021, land trips like mine will be far more common. We would love for you to follow us on this journey Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean: December - Mid-April. Most articles ranking America's National Parks are based on other people's impressions and not necessarily from the experience of the author. Radar detectors are illegal. Alaska's largest ski resort is also a base for heli-skiing. Sun guilt. Pay attention to weather forecasts. Yes, the mosquitos are at their worst during Alaska's short autumn. According to Travel Alaska, cruising is the most popular way to explore the state, and Rain Coast Data predicts that at least 1.44 million passengers will sail Alaskan waters during the 2020 . Some people believe time-release repellents containing a minimum of DEET can be as effective against Alaska mosquitoes as full-power DEET, without its harshness. We are the Violetts! Winter in Anchorage. May is a great month to visit the unforgettable Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park Tetra Images / Shutterstock May. The Worst Months for Whale Watching in Maui Summer Months (May-October) The worst months for whale watching in Maui are the summer months, because the humpback whales have returned to Alaska where they spend their summers feeding on krill, plankton and small bait fish. Drive with your headlights on. Many believe that early spring is the worst time to visit the Anchorage area. Most of the snow has melted, but it's also too early for most summer activities. If you want to avoid the heaviest crowds and the rainy season, late April to mid-December is the best time to visit (with some exceptions). I have been to Alaska several times. worst time to visit alaska But you can sort the rankings to find the best ship and . That is the worst time to visit Alaska: spring break up. Have you ever wanted to visit Alaska? The 20% DEET in it is physically captured inside protein molecules, and as those dissolve on your skin, the DEET . No matter when you travel you will be greeted by one of the world's most beautiful and striking landscapes. To avoid rain and still have pleasant weather, visit the city in September after Labor Day. Flickr - Scot Nelson. For those looking for fewer crowds, the best month to travel is in January and first half of March. Providing travel tips and making sure cruisers get to see destinations like Ketchikan and Juneau. Expect to pay about 20% more for gasoline along the route. In fact, there are over 30 different species. Temperatures are highest at sea level and also higher in the north and on the west coast. Day cruises depart from Seward to see the spring Gray whale migrations. A full guide on when is the best time to cruise Alaska. 3. April. If you're looking for the very warmest time to visit Juneau, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. Well, June is probably one of the worst months for mosquitos - but they start coming out even before all the snow is melted, just as soon as it's warm enough. The Best Time of Year to Visit Alaska. 16 years ago. Mosquitoes are a summertime nightmare for Alaska residents and due to many rivers, lakes, marshlands, regular precipitation, and mild temperatures, the environment is perfect for these pesky little critters. See average monthly temperatures below. In preparation for the snowbound winters, large mammals such as caribou, moose and grizzly bears venture . Best months to go to the Bahamas. The summer solstice is on June 21, giving us about 20 beautiful hours of daylight to fill with fun. The low property prices and the low cost of living are indicators of a poor economy in this area. In interior Alaska you can see temperatures swing from 90 plus degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, to negative 55 degrees Fahrenheit or colder in the winter. Juneau is the northernmost major city on the Alaskan coast for many seven-day cruises. The holiday season in December and school winter break in February are the busiest time, so best to book in advance. As a bonus, the end of October is also . Is there a better time to go regarding warmth, bugs, things to see? It ranks in the tenth position for property crimes and in the 13th position for violent crimes. Best time to visit. Resort prices are lower, pools are less jammed, and the weather is sunny and clear. That's where we come in! June 21 is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It . The summers are short but beautiful, with long days and temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Visiting Canada in May. Silversea Cruises. However, such low temperature doesn't demoralize people of . Farmed seafood. With the exception of responsible aquaculture, of course (we have some of the best farmed oysters EVER.) That's because it's quite the feat to travel to every single national park in one consecutive trip, AND manage to document one's impressions along the way. Combine all this with Alaska's notoriously unpredictable weather and it can be a challenge to determine the best time to visit Alaska. 11. Hunters share whale meat and sections of skin and blubber known as muktuk with the entire community . Alaska is a year-round vacation destination -- if you love winter. Mosquitoes in Alaska. Juneau - overall best Alaska cruise port! The 20 Worst Places to Live in Alaska - Money Inc Early May might still be cold and some snow. Temps there will likely hover around the freezing . For example, you won't come across gas stations and other facilities that are open 24 hours. In fact, this is probably the best time to visit Alaska if you want to spot wildlife because as the ice thaws across the state new life emerges into the sunlight. The earlier you deposit on a cruise or cruise tour, the better. We are thinking of going to Alaska next summer. Coastal regions are usually more temperate than prairie provinces, and mountain . Much of the road will be a two-lane paved asphalt highway with a gravel shoulder wide enough for the typical vehicle. Start planning your escape by ordering the free official Alaska travel guide, and use this site to . Yes, there are mosquitoes in Alaska, especially in the open tundra of the Interior and the far north, where there are dense forests and marshland. Lance, Jessica, Natalie, Landon, Brayden and Addison. Some of the most famous things we are known for are our extreme weather patterns, and days of darkness and light. January is considered the worst month to visit Alaska partially due to the extremely frigid temperatures. It's true that, in this season, the winter snows have largely given way to mud and slush, that few tourist facilities are open, and that most of the area's renowned hiking trails remain semi-impassible. We have always done the Carib on cruises. Improved wildlife sighting opportunities. Hopefully with these tips you can trim the cost of traveling to Alaska (point #4) down enough to make that trip happen sooner in life (point #3)! In October, it's the last month of the rainy season and the hurricane season, and actually this can be the best time to visit Mexico. you better get on that STAT. Crowning the park is the massive Harding Ice Field; from it, countless tidewater glaciers pour down, carving the coast into dizzying fjords. Jennn Fusion, Leaf Group Updated November 02, 2017. Despite Canada's size, weather patterns are largely the same across the country, with defined seasons similar to those in Europe. Although the temperatures are the similar from June through August, the rainfall is not. A few big ships, such as the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Bliss out of Seattle, begin . When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Fall in Alaska is the short window of September to mid-October. Debuted in April 2017, Silver Muse offers a nearly 1-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio, with 411 crew members and space for 596 passengers. The warmer weather and long days make this a particularly pleasant time of year, with temperatures in the cool-but-comfortable range of 60 to 67F. Instead, look for alternatives you can visit by car, like glaciers (Exit Glacier, Matanuska Glacier, Portage Glacier) and fishing spots (Copper River, Homer, Seward ). The weather in June is also perfect for active outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking, and glacier walks. But Interestingly enough Alaska cities don't even make . If you are wanting to visit Alaska to see whales, it's best to go on a cruise during June and July after the whales have made their migration. We are family vloggers in North Pole, Alaska! Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. May is the best time to visit Iceland if you're wanting a good balance between crowds, costs, and climate. Adventure seekers can head to higher elevations for crust skiing. According to Only in Your State, Anchorage is one of the worst places to live in Alaska as it is one of the most dangerous due to the high crime rates. The best time to cruise to Alaska is between May and August. A trip to the Kenai peninsula in September is very different to Gates of the Arctic NP at the same time. The struggle is definitely real. Alaska is home to some amazing natural tourist attractions and adventure-filled tours. But the latter part is great, much nicer than July and August. Kenai Fjords National Park was created in 1980 to protect 587,000 acres of Alaska's most awesome, impenetrable wilderness. High Season. Half of Alaska's 2.26 million visitors in 2019 arrived by cruise ship, but in 2021, land trips like mine will be far more common. Observing their activity during feeding months (May - October) is very . Save. Fairbanks is the city with the best climate, with good weather 3 months a year. Rainfall will be minimal, but prices are still low, so head to the beaches and make the most of the deals before the high season crowds arrive in November and December. Half-jokingly known as the Alaska state bird, mosquitos are a fact of summertime life in Alaska. The skies are gray with the sunshine at its weakest of the year. Alaska's high season -- the peak time for cruises -- takes place in July and August. The best time to visit Canada is during the summer months, when sunny days and pleasant temperatures are the norm. Fall (September- November): The temperature usually stays between 60s and 70 degree Fahrenheit. This dry, cool season is what naturalists refer to as the austral winter. Lance, Jessica, Natalie, Landon, Brayden and Addison. Best time to visit The best time to visit Alaska is between mid-June and mid-September. 1. ?A HUGE thank you for all of the LOVE and SUPPORT of our channel! The worst time to visit Alaska is from December to February in the severely cold season. You can delight in glorious sunny days with temperatures in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit as you explore Gotham City. Still, there are few highlights. Re: worst time of yeat for mosquitos. A trip to the Kenai peninsula in September is very different to Gates of the Arctic NP at the same time. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels . Posted March 2, 2005. June is typically the driest time to visit Alaska and offers the most daylight. Icy Strait Point/Hoonah - most unique port in Alaska. The days are lovely and long, if a little chilly, there are fewer tourists, and prices are still low . The average low temperature, mainly at night, is about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Winter biking and Nordic skiing take over the trails around Anchorage . Sitka - best Alaska cruise port to explore on your own. But a lot of comments on another . Touch device users, explore by touch or with swipe gestures. Best Time to Cruise to Bermuda: June . Flickr - Paxson Woelber. The best time to go is in May and June. Worst time: Friday . When mosquitoes do pop up, there are ways to . Farmed seafood. When is the Best Time to Go to Alaska? Today. There is never a bad time to visit Alaska, it just depends on what you want to do! Time-Release DEET. You are AMAZ. 1. These 10 cities are set to experience some of the heaviest Fourth of July traffic, according to INRIX: Atlanta. :) They start out really big and slow, and then get smaller and meaner. Although Alaska is a year-round vacation destination, the majority of cruise visitors arrive between mid-May and mid-September. We are the Violetts! Pack a coat to warm yourself in this low temperature. Best Time to Cruise to Mexico: November - January. Alaska is well and truly in bloom in May, and luckily, this is still very much a shoulder season too, because the summer crowds have yet to arrive in port. You will have many fun adventures and will be creating a lot of excellent and cherished memories. And you must have noticed by now that every month and season have its importance and experiences that are worth investing in. The 49th state's snowy, cold and dark winters are not conducive to cruising. June and July are Alaska's liveliest months. Denali will be open at most to mile 30--the last 15 miles of which are gravel, which is not permitted by most car rental companies--and a late snowfall could close that road at mile 3. Most cruise . Alaska is also home to some of the most beautiful National Parks in the country.