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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. Whether you’re looking for an all-inclusive multi-day Alaska cruise package or simply a day cruise to see wildlife and glaciers, there are many options to choose from.
Day Alaska Round-Trip Seattle: Glacier Bay, Skagway & Juneau
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. If you prefer milder temperatures and longer daylight hours, early fall and late spring can also provide opportunities to witness the Northern Lights in Alaska. 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.
Aurora Pointe
The colors are determined by the type of gas and the altitude at which the collision occurs. The landscape and views you’ll experience on an Alaska cruise will be unforgettable, so be sure to pack your binoculars and your best camera to capture the incredible sights to share with friends and family. For photo enthusiasts, an assortment of wide-angle lenses, x-factor lenses, multipurpose lenses, extra batteries, memory cards, and even a tripod can help you capture that perfect shot. Most major cruise lines also offer the opportunity for pre or post-cruise land packages that will take you by bus or train to destinations in Southcentral and Interior Alaska. If you have the time, these cruise packages give you the best of both worlds for exploring Alaska's coastal communities and some of the top sights in Alaska's heartland, including Denali National Park. Many cruise lines also travel to additional locations such as Sitka, Hoonah/Icy Strait Point, and Haines.
How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska
Specializing in polar voyages, Quark Expeditions knows a thing or two about the northern lights, which is why the company offers aurora sailings each fall. These 14-day itineraries cruise from Iceland to Greenland and back from September into early October. And if they don't show, well, you still get to explore Iceland's Westfjords and Greenland's eastern shores — and that's a worthwhile journey in itself.
Many Alaskan cruises incorporate indigenous narratives and folklore about the aurora. Engaging with these stories enriches the experience, providing a cultural context to the natural marvel. Many ships offer heated outdoor areas, loungers, and even blankets for comfort.
Why This Cruise Is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Alaska
Today, UnCruise’s Alaska expeditions are renowned for non-stop action, adventure, and exploration. Generally, the Northern Lights themselves do not affect electronic equipment. However, solar storms that enhance aurora activity can, in extreme cases, interfere with satellite and communication systems.
8 Fabulous Perks Of Cruising Alaska In The Fall - TravelAwaits
8 Fabulous Perks Of Cruising Alaska In The Fall.
Posted: Thu, 07 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Get up close to beautiful, picturesque landscapes on an Iceland and Ireland cruise from Southampton, England, which offers 14 nights of pure bliss on Celebrity Silhouette. Dreaming about seeing the Northern Lights is easy; figuring out the logistics of viewing those shimmering colors in the nighttime sky aren’t so simple. A Northern Lights cruise takes the stress out of planning, lodging, and even transportation to destinations like Iceland, Alaska, and more. Anchorage also witnesses tantalizing displays, just not as frequently as Fairbanks and Denali as it’s farther south. But there’s plenty of moose to look at when you’re not watching the sky.
Evening Viewing, Short Drive from Fairbanks or Anchorage
During the winter, clear dark skies and aurora activity make Juneau an ideal spot to witness the stunning northern lights display. 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. The conditions must be just right, but it's highly likely to see this magical and sometimes elusive scientific phenomenon on a Northern Lights cruise sailing the Arctic Circle during the long, dark winter nights.
When it comes to cruising in Alaska, you’ll be spoiled for choice as no other state has more coastline to explore. The best cruises in Alaska offer unparalleled experiences that will bring you up close to some of the most unique and awe-inspiring places in the world. From the lush rainforests and tranquil seas of the Inside Passage, to the endless horizon and luminous ice of the Arctic, there’s no shortage of what Alaska offers to cruise enthusiasts. You'll likely get to Coldfoot on an organized tour, and if you fly to Utqiaġvik, your accommodations will also act as a local tour guide.
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. 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. In fact, Fairbanks is often voted as one of the top ten places in the world to witness the brilliant green waves of light.
Fairbanks is located inside the Auroral Oval, the geomagnetic North Pole. The city is full of modern conveniences and there are many Fairbanks northern lights tours. There is also an Alaska igloo hotel 25 miles from Fairbanks, known as the Borealis Basecamp. Alaska is by far the best place to see the northern lights in the U.S., though they have been reported as far south as Honolulu. That said, some towns in Alaska are better for Aurora Borealis viewing than others.
But like most things in nature, they might not show, even if you visit Alaska at the best time. Once a gold mining settlement, this Alaskan Arctic destination is now little more than a truck stop at 67° N latitude on the famed Dalton Highway from Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay. Many aurora adventure tours take guests here, and to Wiseman about 15 miles north, for the high chances of a northern lights display.
Another option nearby is the fly-in luxury Iniakuk Lake Wilderness Lodge. Coldfoot is 250 miles north of Fairbanks and 60 miles above the Arctic Circle. 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.
From mid-November through March, you can check into a lodge or look for the lights each night as you try a different activity, like ice fishing or dogsledding. And if you’re on an aurora quest from mid-August to mid-September, (Fall) there’s still time to enjoy summer activities, like visiting Denali National Park or taking a glacier cruise. While cruises offer a unique perspective, many land-based locations in Alaska, such as Fairbanks, offer excellent opportunities for aurora viewing, often paired with other activities like hot springs or dog sledding. The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural light display predominantly seen in high-latitude regions around the Arctic and Antarctic. They result from charged particles from the sun colliding with the Earth’s atmosphere, producing colorful displays of green, pink, purple, red, and blue lights.
The northern lights— known to science enthusiasts as the aurora borealis— are like a colorful dance party in the sky. Your best bet for catching these magical lights are in locations close to the Arctic Circle. This is because the magnetic fields of Earth’s North and South Poles are consistently weak enough for the sun’s charged particles to enter our atmosphere at high speed. While this spectacle can be seen from various ports of call, Princess offers the Aurora Borealis Viewing experience in Fairbanks for an unparalleled experience.
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