Table Of Content
- Oceanwide Expeditions: East Greenland Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis
- Cultural Experiences
- Enjoy an all-inclusive experience and unlimited adventures
- Anchorage: Glen Alps Overlook
- What Kind of Things Do You Do on a Northern Lights Cruise?
- When is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights on an Alaska Cruise
It's best to forget the more southern destinations of Anchorage and Juneau, which see dramatically fewer displays. If you can find dark and clear skies, be on alert from dusk onwards and you might get to see an aurora. According to the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the best time to see the aurora is around midnight, give or take an hour. One of the most picturesque spots within Denali National Park for Northern Lights viewing is the Reflection Pond. Located near the entrance of the park, this serene pond provides a mirror-like surface that beautifully reflects the dancing lights overhead. Denali National Park, home to North America’s highest peak, is not only a paradise for nature enthusiasts but also a fantastic place to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
Oceanwide Expeditions: East Greenland Scoresby Sund - Aurora Borealis
You Can See the Northern Lights From This Alaska Train - Travel + Leisure
You Can See the Northern Lights From This Alaska Train.
Posted: Sat, 21 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
These months provide the highest probability of witnessing the vibrant and dancing lights in the sky. If you're interested in where to see the northern lights outside Alaska, the Arctic city of Alta, Norway, calls itself "The City of Northern Lights." Non-photographers are welcome to enjoy the show and have their photo taken.
I’m not a cruiser, but Alaska changed everything - Escape
I’m not a cruiser, but Alaska changed everything.
Posted: Fri, 29 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Cultural Experiences
The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks monitors and forecasts aurora activity, and their map over Alaska clearly shows the Auroral Oval sweeping across Utqiagvik. Alta's credentials include the world's first permanent observatory for viewing the aurora borealis; it was built there in 1899. A whole industry has sprung up around the lights, including such extravagant shore excursions as an overnight in a tent with viewing windows at a Sami dog-sledding camp. Alta is also home to the Northern Lights Cathedral, an architectural landmark.
Enjoy an all-inclusive experience and unlimited adventures
The most reliable opportunities to see Alaska’s northern lights (the aurora borealis) are in Fairbanks and above the Arctic Circle. The aurora belt in Alaska’s great Interior and Arctic regions is among the most active in the world, and there are few other places on earth so well suited for an aurora borealis vacation. Midsize and small cruise ship companies offer a variety of Arctic Circle sails during prime northern lights viewing months. While this list is not inclusive, lines to choose from include Hurtigruten, Viking, Cunard, Quark, P&O, Silversea, Fred. Alaska's northern lights season is between late August and late April, peaking in March. However, the season is defined more by its long, dark nights than by solar activity.
Day Alaska Round-trip Seattle: Hubbard Glacier, Skagway & Juneau
It’s essential to wear layers, including thermal underwear, a warm middle layer, a waterproof and windproof outer layer, insulated boots, gloves, a hat, and a scarf. Choosing the right cruise is akin to personalizing an adventure tailored to your preferences. With a bit of research and introspection, you can ensure that your voyage through Alaskan waters under the shimmering auroras becomes an indelible memory. Selecting the right cruise and route can significantly influence your Northern Lights experience. But no matter the choice, Alaska’s seas promise a journey of wonder, filled with nature’s best spectacles, both in the sky and on the horizon.
Anchorage: Glen Alps Overlook
If it’s cloudy or foggy inside Anchorage, finding wide-open skies might mean driving from sea level to a higher elevation, or driving north from town into the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The Anchorage-area page of the National Weather Service has clickable forecasts, radar showing real-time precipitation, and satellite images of cloud cover. March and April tend to experience more clear weather than the November-to-February period.
What Kind of Things Do You Do on a Northern Lights Cruise?
Understanding the science behind the Northern Lights and the ideal viewing conditions will help you plan your trip accordingly. Whether you choose to sail through the Inside Passage, explore the Alaska Gulf Coast, or venture into the Arctic Circle, each route offers its own unique charm and potential for Northern Lights sightings. Next, we’ll delve into the ports of call and destinations that are popular for Alaskan cruises with Northern Lights viewing. 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 ferry system covers 3,500 miles of Alaska's coastline, connecting over 30 communities between Bellingham, Washington and Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Chain year-round. A trip on the ferry during winter might satisfy your desire for a cruise experience – albeit one with zero frills – while also coinciding with the season when you're most likely to see the lights. It's considered one of the best places in the state to see the aurora, especially if you venture away from the city lights. Such tours include Norwegian Cruise Line's 11-Day Fairbanks Denali Express, Celebrity Cruises' Alaska Gold Rush Adventure and Holland America's Yukon and Denali Land and Sea Journeys. During dark, winter nights with clear weather, the head of Turnagain Arm offers surroundings that will appear otherworldly in starlight—wide river valleys, the expanse of mudflats and wetlands, the gleam of snowy mountains.
The most affordable option on this list, British cruise line P&O operates 12-day sailings to Norway year-round, but during the auroral season, there's a strong chance you'll see the northern lights while onboard. Guests embark in Southampton, England, before sailing north to Norway, traveling as far north as Tromsø, well north of the Arctic Circle. We recommend splurging on a room with windows for the best northern lights viewing options. However, those in interior cabins can always run up on deck — which you should do anyway to witness the full grandeur of the atmospheric phenomenon. While the winter months are considered the prime time for viewing the Northern Lights, late fall and early spring can also offer spectacular displays. During these transitional seasons, the nights are gradually becoming longer or shorter, respectively, and the solar activity is still active.
Before embarking on your Northern Lights adventure, it’s important to understand the optimal times to catch this elusive spectacle. The next section will guide you through the best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Alaska. It is not possible to see the Aurora Borealis during the summer in Alaska. The median months will see higher temperatures and longer days for touring, and it represents the limited summer that Alaska enjoys. However, July and August tend to also have higher levels of precipitation.
They provide opportunities to learn, relax, and connect with other passengers who share your passion for witnessing the ethereal beauty of the Aurora Borealis. The most common colors of the Northern Lights are green and yellow, which are caused by collisions with oxygen molecules at lower altitudes. Reds, pinks, and purples can also be seen at higher altitudes when the charged particles interact with nitrogen atoms. The lights typically appear in curtains, arcs, or spirals, dancing across the sky in a mesmerizing display that can last from minutes to hours.
This is due to a combination of factors such as clear skies, increased darkness, and optimal solar activity. If you have a goal of seeing the aurora borealis in any of the destinations mentioned here, you are best off booking as far into the fall as you can find a cruise. 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.
September and April offer a balance between relatively mild weather conditions and darker nights, giving you a chance to catch a glimpse of the dancing lights. Welcome to the enchanting world of the Northern Lights, where nature puts on a breathtaking light show like no other. If you’re seeking an unforgettable experience, look no further than an Alaskan cruise to witness the spectacle of the Aurora Borealis. Alaska, with its vast wilderness and clear skies, offers some of the best opportunities to catch a glimpse of this mesmerizing phenomenon. The weather in Alaska can be unpredictable and challenging , so youll always be at the mercy of Mother Nature.
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