Table Of Content
- When Are the Best Cruise Dates to See the Aurora Borealis?
- Arctic Circle Aurora Fly & Drive Adventures
- What Is The Best Place To See Northern Lights In Alaska?
- How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska
- Alaska Northern Lights Cruises
- Trip Planning Help
- Guide to Alaska Northern Lights Cruises: See Nature's Magic

Spending three nights at the lodge — located just outside the entrance to the park — in mid-September will offer excellent opportunities for aurora viewing. Throughout your trip, learn photography tips to capture the mesmerizing display through Princess’ North to Alaska Program. After your stay in Denali, you’ll take a motor coach to Anchorage and stay overnight in a hotel there to finish up your voyage. You’ll have more opportunities to see the aurora when you head to Denali National Park & Preserve for a stay at Holland America‘s exclusive 60-acre McKinley Chalet Resort, located near the entrance to the park.
When Are the Best Cruise Dates to See the Aurora Borealis?
Northern Alaska is ideal for Americans wanting a chance to see the aurora borealis. It may be cold in winter (temperatures can drop to 30 degrees below zero), but the inland Alaskan Arctic — where skies tend to be clearer — is one of the best places in the world to see this famous light show. Celebrity’s pre-cruise national parks adventure takes guests on a wildlife viewing quest to destinations in the north and the Interior where you can watch for the aurora. This nine-day land and sea tour on Nieuw Amsterdam includes an opportunity to search for the northern lights in Fairbanks, one of the best places to see them in Alaska (and in the world). Holland America offers a four-hour aurora borealis viewing tour outside the city in a yurt; it operates between the last week of August and mid-September. If you’re hoping to see the magic aboard an Alaska cruise in 2024 or 2025, then you just might be in luck.
Arctic Circle Aurora Fly & Drive Adventures

Yes, there are several apps and websites that provide real-time and forecast data on aurora activity. Some popular options include the Aurora Forecast, Space Weather Live, and the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. The aurora borealis is the Northern Lights, visible in the Northern Hemisphere.
What Is The Best Place To See Northern Lights In Alaska?
Because of the late-setting and early-rising midnight sun, it's way too light during the summer to see the northern lights in the destinations mentioned, though solar activity takes place year-round. Tromso is another Norwegian destination known as a hub for aurora borealis viewing. In late January, there's a northern lights arts festival featuring top artists in various musical genres.
However, it’s important to note that the Northern Lights are a natural occurrence and can be unpredictable. While there are peak times and locations for viewing, there are no guarantees. Patience, persistence, and a bit of luck are key when it comes to chasing the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are caused by electrically charged particles from the sun colliding with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s atmosphere. This collision releases energy in the form of vibrant, dancing lights that can be seen in the polar regions. Alaska’s northern location makes it an ideal destination to witness this natural wonder.
They occur all year long but are only visible when the sky is dark and clear. On many cruises, when passengers or crew spot northern lights, they make ship-wide announcements. Because the northern lights often appear late at night or very early in the morning, some ships offer opt-in wake up calls for this purpose.
Alaska’s northern lights viewing season stretches from late August through late April. The best time to visit Alaska for Northern Lights is winter or early spring. As far as cruises go, Alaska cruises in September is a good pick because nights are long and dark. Juneau will offer one of the best opportunities during the cruise for seeing the northern lights, although chances are dependent on the weather and solar activity.
experience alaska
After a full day exploring the park by ATV or a bucket list flightseeing adventure over Denali, you’ll have another chance to see the colorful light display in Alaska’s wilderness after midnight. The rest of the cruisetour itinerary includes scenic cruising days, with one spent in beautiful Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. You’ll also call on Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan before disembarking in Vancouver. Alaska is one of the best places in the world to see the aurora borealis — especially locations in the Interior and Arctic regions, such as Coldfoot, Wiseman, Utqiagvik (Barrow) and Nome. Fairbanks is regarded as a top location due to its position directly under the auroral oval, a ring-shaped area in the far north where aurora activity is generally concentrated.
Guide to Alaska Northern Lights Cruises: See Nature's Magic
The Geophysical Institute also recommends Haystack Mountain and Ester, Wickersham and Murphy domes on its website. Chena Lake Recreation Area is a popular place to look for reflections in the water (you can park your car near the jetty). At nearby Chena Hot Springs Resort, you can even watch the show from an outdoor hot tub. By day, try your hand at either cross-country skiing or ice fishing through pre-drilled ice holes. As mentioned, the lights like to appear in the wee hours — particularly between 11 p.m. An advantage in Norway is that it's dark enough to see them for a longer period as you get into the fall and winter.
This Cruise Line Guarantees You'll See The Northern Lights (Or You Get A Free Trip) - Forbes
This Cruise Line Guarantees You'll See The Northern Lights (Or You Get A Free Trip).
Posted: Tue, 07 Feb 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
On a trip to Alaska, you will notice that temperatures vary, ranging from 70 degrees to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. That is why you should pack an insulated jacket for comfort on chiller days. This makes northern Alaska, Arctic Canada, Iceland, Norway, and parts of Greenland prime locations for viewing—the odds of seeing the Northern Lights increase when you go on a cruise in Alaska. Cruise ships get you to inland destinations, including Fairbanks, which boasts cloud-free skies.
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]
Research the best times to visit each port and consult with experts to ensure you make the most of your journey. When choosing an Alaska cruise route for Northern Lights viewing, it’s essential to research the itineraries and consult with cruise operators to ensure that Northern Lights sightings are a part of the planned experience. While cruise routes can provide incredible opportunities, remember that seeing the Northern Lights is ultimately a matter of luck and nature’s whims. Before delving into the best time to see the Northern Lights in Alaska, it’s helpful to understand the science behind this captivating phenomenon. The Northern Lights occur when charged particles from the sun collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, producing colorful displays of light.

Announcements (even opt-in late night wake-up calls) may be issued when there’s an opportunity to view the northern lights from your ship. Excursions may give you the opportunity to be transported to northern lights viewing spots by everything from buses and minivans to small boats and dogsleds. 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.
No comments:
Post a Comment