Your guide to experiencing spring in Alaska

Spring in Alaska features thawing, regenerating landscapes, returning wildlife and longer daylight hours after the lengthy subarctic winter. Cruise guests who journey during the spring in Alaska often find it an invigorating, renewing experience perfectly spaced between the frigid quiet of winter and the busier summer cruise season. In this article we’ll go over the regions, wildlife, weather and cultural events that make spring in Alaska so special, and provide insights on how to plan your ideal cruise.

An Alaska spring includes a dramatic “breakup season” where frozen rivers, inlets, bays and lakes crack apart, snow melts and mud takes over before the widespread green-up in later spring. Alaska’s coastlines and interior landscapes shift from white to brown to green over a matter of weeks, depending on latitude and elevation. Cruise guests can experience a wide variety of views even in a single day, from the deep blue-greens and turquoise-whites of ice-filled ocean bays to the rich browns and fresh bright greens of sprouting grasses and foliage along coastlines and inlets.

The sun returns to the area in dramatic fashion as well, with Alaska’s daylight hours increasing by five to seven minutes each day across the state. Spring cruises to Alaska span the transition between winter recreation and full summer cruise season, blending many of the most desirable elements of both.

Alaska is by far the largest U.S. state, covering about 663,300 square miles, or roughly one-fifth the size of the contiguous United States. As another perspective, Alaska is more than double the size of Texas, and in fact is larger than California, Texas and Montana combined. As you would expect from such a broad and varied regional landscape, spring arrives at different times depending on where in Alaska you find yourself.

This region experiences the mildest springtime in the state, typically marked with frequent rain, fog and early wildflowers sprouting along the Inside Passage’s coastline, islands and inlets. Cruise ports like Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway typically begin reopening in early May, and this region contains many of the most beautiful places in Alaska. Temperatures here are usually warmer than more northern latitudes in Alaska, with daily highs around the mid to upper 50s by mid May.

As the snow and ice melts around Anchorage and the Kenai Peninsula, it reveals the region’s hiking trails, mudflats and nesting grounds for returning shorebirds. Alaska’s glaciers stay active and are accessible by ship, rail and smaller water vessels like tour boats and sea kayaks, depending on the glacier.

Fairbanks is higher in elevation and latitude than Southeast or Southcentral Alaska, and typically holds on to winter longer. Snow on the ground can linger into April or even mid-May, depending on the year. The nearby rivers freeze over the winter and break up dramatically in spring, and this is often celebrated through local traditions and festivals. As another bonus, at this latitude the northern lights (aurora borealis) are often still visible into mid-to-late April.

Spring is brief and still quite cold above the Arctic Circle, with sea ice still present along the coasts as the days begin lengthening toward the 24-hour daylight (“midnight sun”) summer months.

Alaska’s wildlife is one of its primary draws for travelers, and the awakening of spring provides ample opportunity for viewing various animals. Brown and black bears start emerging from hibernation as early as late March depending on weather and food supply, and are often seen along coastal areas foraging for spring food.

Moose cows give birth to calves in late spring, with sightings common near roadsides, marshes and rivers. Caribou and Dall sheep (in specific areas) become more visible as snow recedes from higher elevations. Migratory birds return to Alaska in large numbers in the spring, including sandhill cranes, snow geese and bald eagles, along with 90 other species of marine and migratory birds common along the coastlines. Humpback and gray whales begin their migration north, with early sightings possible along the Inside Passage during April and May.

Alaska in spring experiences unpredictable transitional weather, with daytime high temperatures ranging from the 30s in March into the 50s and even 60s by May, depending on region. Late-season snowstorms are common, especially in interior and arctic zones. Visitors to the area are wise to dress in layers that allow weather protection and maximum versatility. This includes waterproof outerwear, insulated mid-layers, sturdy (ideally waterproof) boots and warm accessories such as mid-weight gloves, insulated hats and light scarves.

Be sure to prioritize the use of good sunglasses, sunscreen and UV-protective clothing, as sunlight reflecting off water and remaining snow can amplify exposure during the lengthening daylight hours.

Let’s go over some options for spring events and activities for visitors to Alaska. Some of these are included for general information and visitors to more inland locations, and others are ideal for cruise passengers to Alaska.