George Boyle
Alaska is a unique honeymoon destination, offering pristine wilderness, wildlife sightings, and alone time with your new spouse. The best time to visit Alaska for a honeymoon is during the summer months of May to September, when you can take advantage of the many hours of daylight, go hiking, visit national parks, and go on cruises near glaciers. During this time, you can also enjoy the cosy privacy of a wilderness chalet or cabin, or go sea kayaking, fishing, or bear viewing. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even try overnight backcountry hiking, zip-lining, or walking on a glacier. Alaska's dramatic mountain landscapes, picturesque coastal villages, and incredible chances to experience the Northern Lights make it an ideal romantic escape for nature-loving couples seeking an active and memorable honeymoon experience.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Best time to visit | May to September (Summer) |
| Temperature | 20°C during the day and colder at night |
| Daylight hours | Up to 19 hours |
| Activities | Hiking, wildlife spotting, cruises, kayaking, fishing, glacier tours, rafting, zip-lining, skiing, ice-skating, dog sledding, helicopter rides |
| Accommodations | Hotels, resorts, lodges, cabins, chalets, igloos |
| Cost | $3,000 per person for 7 days (excluding travel to Alaska) |
| Northern Lights | Best viewed from mid-September to March |
| Notable locations | Mendenhall Glacier, Kenai Lake, Chena Hot Springs Resort, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Denali, Hubbard Glacier |
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What You'll Learn
- Adventure activities in May include hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife spotting
- Explore glaciers, ice caves, and fjords by cruise, floatplane, or foot
- Cosy up in a private cabin, wilderness lodge, or high-end resort
- Witness the Northern Lights in winter, alongside skiing and ice-skating
- Anchorage: the perfect base for flights, cruises, railroads, and car rentals
Adventure activities in May include hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife spotting
May is a great time for a honeymoon in Alaska, as it is the start of the summer peak season. Adventure activities in May include hiking, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife spotting.
Hiking
Hiking in Alaska offers a range of options, from paved nature paths to single-track trails through forests and mountain ridgelines. With its vast network of trails, you can choose the level of difficulty that suits you. May through September is the best time to visit due to harsh winter conditions. A guided hike on the Matanuska Glacier is a unique experience, offering incredible glacier landscapes and majestic views. Other options include a trail to the tallest peak on Amaknak Island, with stunning views of the port and coastal landscapes, and a short loop trail to see the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Ft. Abercrombie on Kodiak Island is another popular hiking spot, with a chance to see Kodiak brown bears and mountain goats.
Fishing
May is an excellent month for fishing in Alaska, as it is the start of the fishing season for King Salmon on the Kasilof River. You can also try ocean fishing for halibut and rockfish. The long winters lead to a build-up of excitement for fishing in May, and you may feel like you have the river to yourself before the tourist season kicks in.
Kayaking
Sea kayaking in Alaska offers a quieter and more peaceful way to explore the glaciers and wildlife. You can paddle through icebergs, lakes, or tranquil bays and get up close to marine wildlife such as sea lions, otters, seals, and whales. Port cities like Seward and Homer offer excellent sea kayaking options, with abundant wildlife and scenic views.
Wildlife Spotting
May is a great time for wildlife spotting in Alaska. Migratory songbirds begin to arrive, and seabirds gather at south-central nesting colonies. It is also the best time to see walruses, seals, bowhead whales, and other animals as the ice pack recedes along western Alaska. You can spot brown bears scouting for fish and observe other wildlife such as bald eagles, Dall sheep, deer, and mountain goats.
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Explore glaciers, ice caves, and fjords by cruise, floatplane, or foot
May is the start of the summer peak season in Alaska, which makes it a great time for a honeymoon. With many hours of daylight, greater accessibility to hiking and national parks, and the chance to go cruising near glaciers, May is a perfect time to explore Alaska's glaciers, ice caves, and fjords.
By Cruise
A cruise is a great way to explore Alaska's glaciers and fjords. You can opt for a day cruise or a longer trip, such as the cruise from Endicott's Arm to Dawes Glacier in Endicott Arm fjord. A cruise offers a more relaxed way to take in the majestic landscape, including scenic mountains, glaciers, and wildlife.
By Floatplane
For a more adventurous experience, consider a floatplane ride. This will allow you to access remote areas and take in the breathtaking views from the air. You can fly over massive, 7,000-foot glaciated peaks and land on a glacier. Companies like Northstar Helicopters offer flights from Girdwood or Juneau, with options to simply fly over and take photos, or land and explore the glaciers by foot or even dogsled.
By Foot
If you want to get up close and personal with the glaciers, consider a guided hike. You can explore ancient glaciers and their blue ice, canyons, and pools. One such hike starts with a canoe or kayak trip to the glacier, where you'll don crampons and explore the ice. Another option is the Root Glacier hike, which leaves from Kennicott and involves a 2-mile hike to the glacier, followed by several hours of exploration.
With its mix of natural beauty, adventure, and unique accommodations, Alaska offers a one-of-a-kind honeymoon experience. Whether you choose to explore by cruise, floatplane, or foot, you're sure to create unforgettable memories.
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Cosy up in a private cabin, wilderness lodge, or high-end resort
Alaska is a great honeymoon destination, offering a unique blend of adventure, awe-inspiring landscapes, and cosy accommodations. If you're looking for a romantic getaway with a touch of luxury, consider booking a private cabin, wilderness lodge, or high-end resort.
Private Cabins
For a truly intimate and secluded experience, renting a private cabin in Alaska is a fantastic option. These cabins offer privacy and the opportunity to connect with nature. Many are located in picturesque settings, such as the Eagle Beach State Recreation Area, where you can find the Martin Cabin, offering a cosy retreat amid towering trees and immediate access to river trails.
Another option is the Lynx Lake Cabin 1, nestled on a peninsula within the Nancy Lake State Recreation Area. This snug cabin provides a peaceful escape with breathtaking views of Denali and the surrounding wilderness.
Private cabins can also be found on lakes, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and exploring. Some cabins, like the one near Fairbanks, offer a rustic experience with basic amenities, allowing you to unplug and immerse yourself in nature.
Wilderness Lodges
Wilderness lodges in Alaska offer the perfect balance between luxury and adventure. These lodges are often located in remote destinations, accessible only by boat or small plane, providing an exclusive getaway. The Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, for instance, is the only lodge located within the breathtaking Kenai Fjords National Park.
At wilderness lodges, you can expect comfortable accommodations, gourmet cuisine prepared by talented chefs, and a range of outdoor activities. The Kodiak Brown Bear Center and Lodge, for example, offers exclusive small-group bear viewing on Karluk Lake, surrounded by pristine wilderness.
High-End Resorts
For the ultimate in luxury and indulgence, Alaska boasts several high-end resorts that will make your honeymoon extraordinary. The Alyeska Resort, located in Girdwood, is renowned for its skiing and stunning views of the Chugach Mountains. It also features a Nordic spa and the Seven Glaciers restaurant, contributing to its four-star rating.
If you're seeking a waterfront retreat, Ketchikan's five-star inn provides luxurious accommodations and the chance to spot whales from your window. For an all-inclusive experience, the Pybus Point Lodge in southeast Alaska offers private cabins or rooms with fireplaces and hot tubs, making it an ideal choice for relaxation and wildlife viewing.
Whether you choose a private cabin, a wilderness lodge, or a high-end resort, Alaska offers a diverse range of accommodations to make your honeymoon unforgettable. With breathtaking scenery, outdoor adventures, and cosy accommodations, you can create memories that will last a lifetime.
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Witness the Northern Lights in winter, alongside skiing and ice-skating
Alaska is a great honeymoon destination for those seeking adventure and awe-inspiring landscapes. While May falls within the peak season, which runs from May to September, winter in Alaska, from mid-November to March, also has its benefits.
For those keen on witnessing the Northern Lights, winter is the perfect time to visit Alaska. Fairbanks is one of the best places to view the Northern Lights due to its location, hours of darkness in winter, auroral activity, and the number of tours, activities, and accommodations dedicated to Northern Lights viewing. The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, occur about 60 to 70 miles above the Earth's surface, and the most common colour displayed is a brilliant green, although red and purple patterns can also appear. Other locations in the Interior and Arctic regions for more remote Northern Lights viewing include Coldfoot, Wiseman, Utqiagvik (Barrow), and Prudhoe Bay/Deadhorse. Anchorage-based Northern Lights tours are also available and are designed to maximise fun and opportunity.
For skiing and ice-skating, Alaska also offers a wide variety of terrain, from mild to wild, for every level of skier and boarder. Downhill skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed at Juneau's Eaglecrest Ski Area and Girdwood's Alyeska Resort. Cross-country and skate skiing can be enjoyed at the Eaglecrest Ski Area in Juneau, as well as at the Birch Hill Recreation Area and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Trail System in Fairbanks. For those who prefer the backcountry, there is terrain at Thompson Pass near Valdez, Hatcher Pass near Palmer, and the Kenai Peninsula's Turnagain Pass.
Ice skating is also a popular activity in Alaska. Chugach State Park, which features a seven-mile-long freshwater fjord, turns into a multi-mode travel corridor for ice skaters, hikers, skiers, and bikers during freeze-up. The classic city ice-skating experience can be enjoyed at Westchester Lagoon at the west end of the Chester Creek greenbelt off the L Street/Minnesota Drive corridor. After a hard freeze, hundreds of people can be seen spending the afternoon careening along smooth, winding paths or warming themselves at burn barrels. For wilderness ice skating, the Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge, located 35 miles north of Anchorage, offers frozen channels that wind for miles.
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Anchorage: the perfect base for flights, cruises, railroads, and car rentals
Anchorage is the perfect base for flights, cruises, railroads, and car rentals. It is Alaska's largest city and a major tourist attraction, especially during the summer months.
For those looking to explore Alaska by air, Anchorage offers low-priced flights to and from the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Several car rental companies are available onsite at the airport, including Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, NextCar, Alamo, Alaska Express Car Rental Inc., Avis, Alaska Auto Rental, Hertz, and National. The average rental car price in Anchorage is $115 per day, but prices vary between operators, with economy options starting as low as $25 per day.
If you're interested in a cruise, Anchorage is a popular departure point, with ships often leaving from the Cruise Ship Terminal of Whittier, about 60 miles from the airport. The cost of an Anchorage cruise depends on the time of year, length of the trip, and accommodations, typically ranging from $3,000 to $5,000 per person for a 10-day cruise. Holland America Line offers special deals and promotions, as well as low-priced flights through their Flight Ease program.
The Alaska Railroad, a major tourist attraction in itself, also operates from Anchorage, passing through Denali National Park and Fairbanks. The railroad offers stunning views as the tracks wind through mountains and valleys, with the Denali Star trip taking approximately 12 hours one-way. The summer months, from May to September, are the peak season for this mode of transportation, with the Aurora Winter Train operating during the winter on a reduced weekend-only schedule.
With its convenient transportation options, Anchorage serves as an excellent base for exploring the beauty and adventure of Alaska, making it a perfect choice for honeymooners or any travellers seeking a unique and memorable experience.
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Frequently asked questions
The summer months in Alaska are from May to September, with temperatures averaging around 20°C during the day and dropping at night. There is also rainfall to be expected at any time.
May to September is the peak season for hiking, visiting national parks, and cruising near glaciers. There are also extended daylight hours, with up to 19 hours of daylight, so you can make the most of the days.
Alaska is known for its unique wildlife, and May is a great time to spot whales and puffins on a glacier cruise. You can also see moose, grizzly bears, and watch glaciers calve and whales migrate.
The Alyeska Resort is a 4-star hotel located in a prime setting for couples who want to explore the mountains, rivers, and forests. The Silverbow Inn Hotel & Suites in Juneau is also recommended for its urban apartments and top-floor suites.
