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Alaska Airlines flies to the town's Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport from Anchorage. 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.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks
At 19 to 22 days long, depending on the departure, there is plenty of time to hope for a northern lights appearance — or two, or three, or more. The longer itinerary continues with a visit to the Faroe Islands and disembarkation in Bergen, Norway. The Northern Lights can be seen from most places in Alaska at some point during the dark season between September and April, and there are many good viewing sites near Anchorage. Viewing a great aurora depends upon the solar activity, cloud cover, moon phase, and proximity to light pollution. Most of the time, your prospects improve as you move further north, to places like Fairbanks and areas north of the Alaska Range.
Finally, find an unobstructed northern view away from artificial lights
This is also when cruise-goers make the most of ship facilities such as outdoor pools, sun decks, and swim-up bars. While the distant urban glow might produce some interference with clarity, the vast unobstructed view of the northern sky maximizes your chances of catching the auroral dance in action. A full or half-moon can make an Alaska winter night seem as bright as day, especially with reflective snow cover. The very best aurora viewing will occur during the two weeks centered on the dark new moon. Scanning night skies for northern lights requires patience and warm clothing. Besides a down coat, warm hat, and gloves, be sure to pack wind and waterproof pants (i.e., ski pants or rain pans), thermal long underwear, wool socks, and winter boots for walking on snow and ice.
What do I pack for a Northern Lights cruise?
Cozy Winter Experiences in Alaska - Travel Alaska
Cozy Winter Experiences in Alaska.
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 18:39:58 GMT [source]
Ice crampons may come in handy, especially in ports where walkways may be icy or slick. On some active excursions, outfitters provide weather appropriate gear, but you can’t always count on that. And don’t forget your bathing suit for outdoor tub soaks and pool swims onboard. Beyond the rewards of seeing the northern lights, the bonuses of winter season Northern Lights cruises are the stunning contrasts of scenery and the variety of onshore activities. Ports vary greatly from industrial centers and fjord villages to picturesque coastal towns and remote outposts on barren, frozen coasts. And Norway and generally sail 10 to 15-night itineraries during the winter season.
The arctic viewing season for northern lights cruises is from late September to late March/early April, though the best months are December through March, when there are the longest hours of darkness and many clear night skies. Generally, skies are clearest near the spring and fall equinoxes in later September and March. Some late September/early October Alaska cruises can include northern lights sightings as well. 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.
Arctic Circle Aurora Overnight Adventures
By choosing the right time of year, monitoring solar activity, and selecting an optimal cruise route, you can maximize your chances of experiencing this magical natural phenomenon. While the winter months offer the best opportunities for seeing the Northern Lights, it’s important to consider the extreme weather conditions and the limited daylight hours during this time. However, the magical display of the Aurora Borealis dancing across the night sky makes these challenges well worth it. Each fall, one or two of the ships in Cunard's legendary fleet head north for Norway, where guests are treated to scenic cruising along the coast. The 12-day itineraries depart from Southampton, England, before traveling to Alesund, Tromsø, Narvik, and Haugesund, sailing through majestic fjords along the way. Since the ships sail this itinerary from October to November, the skies will be dark enough to see the northern lights, should they decide to appear.
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. 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. If you're going to be in Fairbanks, however, you have excursion choices to make. The Northern Alaska Tour Company runs round-trip van tours 60 miles north of Fairbanks to the town of Joy for an increased chance of seeing the northern lights.
Both take place in the late summer into early fall, as darkness returns to the skies in the Arctic. Rates for the eight-day itinerary start from $4,600 per person for the 2023 sailings. Unfortunately, for visitors who desire both a cruise and aurora-viewing experience in one, the limited summer cruise season in Alaska is also the time when you stand a slim-to-none chance of witnessing the lights.
Arctic Circle Aurora Fly & Drive Adventures
If you’re planning an Alaskan cruise specifically to see the Northern Lights, it’s important to choose the right time of year. The prime months for Northern Lights viewing in Alaska are from September to April, with the peak season occurring in the winter months. This 15-day voyage provides an intimate view of Icelandic life before venturing across the Denmark Strait and exploring Greenlands eastern side for 8 straight days. All the while, each night aboard the Silver Wind provides an ideal setting for viewing the northern lights in comfort from the passengers private verandas or in the company of other aurora-seekers on the ships observation deck. By day, the 14-Day Double Denali program has all the makings of a dream Alaskan vacation.
That said, some towns in Alaska are better for Aurora Borealis viewing than others. If you’d rather cruise to Alaska in summer, don’t expect to see the northern lights, but do soak up that midnight sunshine. 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.
As the ethereal dance of the Northern Lights illuminates the night sky, it’s clear why this natural spectacle has captivated the human imagination for centuries. Whether you’re nestled amid Alaska’s vast wilderness or sailing through Norway’s dramatic fjords, the experience of witnessing the aurora borealis from the deck of a cruise ship is nothing short of magical. In this guide, we will unravel the mysteries of the aurora and explore the ins and outs of Alaska’s northern lights cruises. So, print out one of our cruise planners, grab a warm drink, settle in, and let’s set sail on this celestial adventure.
Discover the , top viewing spots, packing , and other attractions to enjoy. As the most discerning, up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel, Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse, offering both inspiration and vital intel. We understand that time is the greatest luxury, which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal, a drink, or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world.
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. While the Northern Lights can be seen from late September to early April in Alaska, the equinox months – September and March – often have higher geomagnetic activity, which can lead to more vivid auroras. This might be a shipwide announcement, a special buzzer in the cabins, or even a wake-up call if you request it. While the Northern Lights might be the star attraction, the state offers countless other wonders that resonate with its wild spirit and cultural richness. Your Alaskan adventure can be as diverse and enriching as you choose to make it.
