Alaska is well-known for its wildlife and thousands of people from around the world come to see these animals in their natural habitats every year. Although there are many reasons to visit Alaska, wildlife viewing is one of the most popular.
Some species can be seen 365 days a year but there are some seasons when Alaskan wildlife is more visible than others or when certain species are unavailable. Those who want to visit Alaska to see certain species may want to know these dates.
A tour we think you'll love
If you’re planning an Alaska wildlife vacation, you may be wondering when is the best time to visit Alaska for wildlife. Let’s take a look at which creatures you’ll be most likely to see during the different seasons in Alaska.
View Alaskan Wildlife With Hoonah Travel Adventures
Hoonah Travel Adventures offers several great tours that allow our visitors to see Alaska’s amazing wildlife from a safe distance. We proudly offer discounts to law enforcement officers, teachers, and the military.
- The Guaranteed Whale Watching Tour provides the opportunity to see humpback whales, orcas, and many other varieties of the amazing sea creatures that live in and near Icy Strait Point. If you don’t see a humpback whale during your tour, you’ll receive $100 credit!
- The Wilderness Tour and Brown Bear Search is a land-based adventure on Chichagof Island, where you’ll have the chance to see brown bears, marten, ducks, seabirds, Sitka black-tail deer, beaver, and more! Your local, knowledgeable guide will take you around the island and give you the chance to see these creatures in ways you never thought possible.
- The Chichagof Island Birding & Nature Adventure takes you around the island to see the beautiful plant life (including old growth Hemlock and Spruce trees), bald eagles, chickadees, thrushes, and much, much more. You may also see a brown bear or two out here. lead by a naturalist, you’ll learn all about the area, its inhabitants, and their history.
In addition to these incredible tours, we invite you to join our kayaking and fishing adventures, perfect for those who want to experience Alaska’s breathtaking waterways firsthand. These adventures not only connect you with the beauty of nature but also provide a sense of peace and wonder that only Alaska can offer.
Are you excited to start your Alaskan adventure? Reserve your spot with Hoonah Travel Adventures today and discover the incredible wildlife of Alaska in a way you’ve never experienced before!
Wildlife Available For Year-Round Viewing
There are some types of wildlife that can often be seen in various parts of Alaska throughout the year:
-
Moose live in many forests on the Alaskan mainland and can be seen in their natural habitat throughout the year. You may want to keep your distance in autumn and winter, however, as the mating season often causes the males to get aggressive.
-
Caribou and other deer change locations seasonally but can still be found throughout the year if you know where to look. During the summer months, caribou migrate to their calving grounds, while in winter, they often move to lower elevations in search of food.
-
Beavers do not hibernate in winter, contrary to popular belief. Instead, they remain active throughout the colder months, relying on their stored food supplies and the warmth of their lodges to survive the harsh conditions. They can often be seen close to their homes during this time.
Good To Know: And of course, you’ll also see various birds that stay in Alaska year round, like the raven and the majestic bald eagle. They can be seen soaring through the skies or perched in trees, adding to the vibrant wildlife scene.
Whether you’re hiking in the forests or paddling the waterways, Alaska’s wildlife is a year round spectacle for nature lovers and adventurers.
Spring Forward Into An Alaskan Wildlife Vacation
Most Alaska wildlife vacations operate from late spring to early autumn, as this is when the state’s headline wildlife attractions can best be seen. Spring is a great time to see Dall sheep, especially pregnant females, as they often give birth in late May or early June.
Most wildlife attractions in Alaska can be seen in spring, as bears are awake from hibernation, migratory birds return, and whales have returned from their spawning runs. In Western Alaska, as the winter ice recedes, walruses, bowhead whales, seals, and many other marine creatures begin to move closer to shore.
Pro Tip: It’s also a great time to visit Alaska to catch the aurora borealis, also known as the “northern lights”. The aurora borealis in March is truly a sight to behold.
Enjoy Warm Temperatures In Wildlife In Summer
There’s a reason summer is considered the best time to cruise Alaska to see wildlife. As temperatures are at their warmest, nearly all of Alaska’s creatures can be seen.
Humpback whales and orcas those magnificent predators, spend their summers in Alaska, then begin to migrate south during autumn for mating season. This makes May to August the best months to see orcas.
Early June is prime time for bears and the whales under the midnight sun. Midsummer, especially July, is the best time to see migratory seabirds, particularly on the coasts.
Good To Know: While the northern lights are visible during the winter months, there are still opportunities to catch a glimpse of them on certain summer nights, particularly from late August onward.
Autumn Changes Also Change The Wildlife You’ll Encounter
In autumn, migrations and spawning runs begin, so you’ll want to be especially mindful of these patterns when planning your visit.
Many people choose September to watch grizzlies, as it’s tailor made bear watching season in Alaska. They can often be found fishing for salmon, which makes for prime viewing as they’re usually too busy eating to take notice of humans.
Moose, caribou, and goats begin mating seasons and can often be found in open, flat locations around the state. Caribou begin migrating to their winter homes as well.
Whales begin migrating south through the Pacific Ocean towards the equator in early autumn.
Fun Fact: Did you know that a single adult grizzly bear can consume up to 30 salmon in a day during the peak of the salmon run? This incredible feeding frenzy helps them build up the fat reserves they need to survive the harsh winter months.
Bring A Warm Jacket And View The Winter Wildlife
During the winter months, you may want to visit Southeast Alaska, as the north can be inhospitable in winter. In January, the average temperature in Fairbanks is a high of 4 degrees and a low of -10! Even Anchorage temperatures can drop well below zero. However, it’s also the best time to visit Alaska to see the beautiful northern lights.
Bears go to their caves to hibernate during this time, so unless you get extremely lucky at the beginning or end of winter, you likely won’t see any.
That being said, polar bear spotting expeditions can take place year-round, as they do not hibernate like grizzlies or black bears. Polar bears only live north of the Arctic Circle, however, as they’re perfectly suited to a harsh winter climate.
Salmon spawning season is over, which makes them difficult to find. However, newborn salmon can easily be spotted starting in late January.
The lack of vegetation makes wildlife spotting easier in the winter, although some species are more difficult to find due to hibernation and migration.
Fun Fact: Haines is home to the largest congregation of Bald Eagles in the world in November, as they flock to the Chilkat River area to feed.
Choosing Your Destination
Depending on which kinds of wildlife you’d like to see, you’ll also want to choose which parts of Alaska you’ll be visiting. Kodiak Island, the Kenai Peninsula, Southeast Alaska, Fairbanks, and the Aleutians all have different ecosystems and the species of wildlife will vary between them:
-
Bears are found in all parts of Alaska, but the highest concentrations are found in the Southeast Panhandle. Hoonah is located on Chichagof Island, which has more grizzlies than people! However, polar bears only live above the Arctic Circle.
-
Moose are common on the Alaskan mainland but are almost non-existent on islands.
-
Dall sheep live on mountains and can usually be seen from a distance at Denali National Park. You won’t find any on islands or in the flatter parts of the state.
-
Orcas and humpback whales can be found in Southeast but beluga whales are only found in the western portions of the state. They are commonly found from Katmai National Park on Kodiak Island up to Nome and Utqiagvik (formerly known as Barrow).
Pro Tip: Denali National Park is open year-round but most tours and services are only available during peak visitor season in the summer months. If you want to visit Alaska on your own and rent a car, you can check out most parts of the park any time of the year.
The Best Time To Visit Alaska For Wildlife Is Up To You!
The best time to cruise Alaska to see wildlife is in the summer months, when most cruise ships operate. However, the best time to see wildlife outside of a cruise ship will depend on which type of wildlife you’d like to see.
No visit to see wildlife in Alaska would be complete without a stop in Southeast and no wildlife vacation in Southeast would be complete without booking an excursion with Hoonah Travel Adventures. Our friendly, knowledgeable guides know the best places to see Alaskan wildlife and how to get there safely.
Whether you’re coming to Southeast Alaska to see bears, marine life, birds, or all three, we provide the perfect opportunity to view these beautiful creatures in their natural habitats. Book your land or water wildlife adventure today!
