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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. While the Northern Lights are a year-round phenomenon, not all times are ideal for viewing. Traveling with UnCruise also grants exclusive access to remote areas, as their ships, with capacities ranging from 22 to 86 guests, navigate areas where larger vessels can’t. UnCruise guests visiting Glacier Bay National Park get a rare opportunity to set foot on land and explore the “outback,” a privilege granted to less than one percent of total park visitors. Even after all that time, perhaps nobody does Alaska better than UnCruise.
Go to Fairbanks and the Auroral Oval
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. Many cruises hug the northern Norwegian coast above the Arctic Circle. Some venture to the Svalbard Archipelago, where the Gulf Stream flows prevent the seas from freezing in winter. Passengers can opt-in for overnight wake-up calls, so they can get some sleep without worrying about missing a Northern Lights sighting. Join Alaska Wildlife Guide in exploring one of Alaska’s most desired attractions, Chena Hot Springs Resort.
DAY 4 Glacier Bay National Park & Bartlett Cove
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. Located around 20 miles northwest of the city, Murphy Dome is regarded as one of the best places to watch the northern lights in Fairbanks at nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. This location, once home to Murphy Dome Air Force Station with as many as 250 personnel stationed at the base, now houses a long-range radar station that detects military air threats from overseas. Coldfoot Camp is situated above the Arctic Circle in the Brooks Mountain Range, near the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The remote wilderness destination is ideal for aurora viewing since it sits directly under the auroral oval. It’s also the perfect locale for backcountry snowshoeing, wildlife viewing and dog mushing.
The 9 Best Northern Lights Viewing Spots Near Anchorage
[I met] some very interesting, well traveled folk, all of whom felt this trips components were outstanding. Figured both the glaciers and I were melting and that we better meet soon! Cruise from Greenland to Iceland aboard 108-guest Plancius to experience ancient history and dazzling glaciers, and search for polar bears in aurora-lit southeast Greenland.
I must admit – until I became interested in global cruising, I don’t think I’d ever heard of this natural wonder with the weirdest of names. The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are the iconic lights that whimsically paint Alaska’s skies seafoam green, fluorescent yellow and bright notes of fuchsia. While they appear transcendental, they are actually caused by collisions between gases in the earth’s atmosphere and those in the sun’s atmosphere. The solar winds that circle the globe create unique arrangements that can appear as rippling currents or dancing rays. 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. Understanding the science behind the Northern Lights and the ideal viewing conditions will help you plan your trip accordingly.
Best Time of Year to See the Lights in Alaska
However, the magical display of the Aurora Borealis dancing across the night sky makes these challenges well worth it. It’s worth noting that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon and can be affected by various factors such as solar activity, weather conditions, and geomagnetic storms. Planning your trip during periods of high solar activity, when the sun is generating more charged particles, increases your chances of experiencing a more vibrant and active display of the Northern Lights.
I’m so happy you’re here!
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. So, you’re ready to embark on a journey to chase the ethereal Northern Lights by sea. All-inclusive cruises offer a unique vantage point, as they can navigate to areas with minimal light pollution and often provide unrivaled panoramic views.
Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea
Where, When And Why To Go On A Northern Lights Cruise In 2024 - Forbes
Where, When And Why To Go On A Northern Lights Cruise In 2024.
Posted: Thu, 07 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
While the idea of chasing the Northern Lights cruises can seem daunting, a well-informed traveler can maximize the experience. Always remember to consult with your chosen cruise line for specific details and advice, ensuring your journey is as smooth and magical as the dancing lights themselves. While there’s no guaranteed formula for the perfect viewing, these tips and tricks can certainly enhance your chances and overall experience. The vast expanse of Russia, with its storied history and awe-inspiring landscapes, offers a number of crucial ports for Northern Lights cruises. From the vibrant cities of the west coast to the remote Arctic regions, Canada’s cruise ports offer a tapestry of experiences.
Plus enjoy talks by a professor of astronomy and physics as well as a NASA scientist who are coming aboard. 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. Viewing the Alaska northern lights takes the right timing, the right location, and the right conditions.
Some cruises offer guests opportunities to spend a night in a snow-ice hotel and visit wildlife sanctuaries where wolves, wolverines, musk oxen, elk, reindeer, and other Arctic mammals might be spotted. And in some ports, cruise guests may learn about and visit with some of Norway’s indigenous Sámi people who, under Norwegian law, are generally the only people in Norway who may own and herd reindeer. Here are a few examples of 2022 and 2023 itineraries that offer northern lights-themed cruises. Seeing the northern lights on a cruise isn’t guaranteed (although at least one cruise line, Hurtigruten, does issue a guarantee for certain cruises. See below). But you will increase your odds of seeing the northern lights by being in the right place in the Arctic Circle at the right time. 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.
"Cruise ships are able to be out at sea where it is dark for optimal viewing," she says, and when in port, they can create opportunities for guests to access optimal viewing sites outside of cities and their lights. Just a short 15-minute drive from downtown Fairbanks, wait for the northern lights to appear in a warm, inviting space. Cozy up to the fire, sip on cocoa and coffee, and step outside when mother nature puts on a show. Although the center is a short distance from town, it is far enough away so that you won’t have to worry about light pollution interrupting your view as you stand gazing under the vast, starlit sky.
As we continue our journey, we’ll delve deeper into why witnessing this phenomenon from a cruise offers an unparalleled experience. So, keep your eyes on the horizon and your mind open to the wonders above. During the tour, you’ll learn about the history of the pipeline and hear narratives around the other included stops. A snack and warm beverage are included; then, if conditions are just right, you’ll have the chance to see the brilliant light show dance across the dark, clear skies before you arrive back in Fairbanks at dawn. This full-day (14-hour) excursion, also offered by Alaska Wildlife Guide, begins in Fairbanks and crosses the Arctic Circle into Alaska’s vast and remote wilderness.
However, when wintertime rolls around — from September or October through April — it’s more difficult to access parts of the park, even though it’s open year-round. Keep in mind, too, that the lodges closest to the park are typically closed from mid-September to mid-May. Below are the top destinations to consider when deciding where to see the northern lights in Alaska.
If you prefer to stay close by, look north into the sky toward Denali from Talkeetna Riverfront Park. Read on for our comprehensive guide on how to choose the best northern lights cruise for you. Chase the lights on a private tour with Wild Alaska Journeys and you’ll be in the capable hands of local guides who know where to look and understand the science behind them.
If you’re in town for an extended stay, Alaska Photo Treks also offers a four-day pass for even more nocturnal viewing of the auroral activity. Alaska Wildlife Guide leads 5.5-hour northern lights tours to Murphy Dome, typically from late August to early April — you can check with the company for day-to-day tour availability. Excursion prices include round-trip transportation from Fairbanks, 360-degree views of the north-facing sky, hot beverages and bottled water — in addition to (hopefully) hours of memorable aurora viewing.
Search for trips with departures in September & October for your best chance. 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. 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.
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