Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Alaska cruises in May
May is often the driest month in Southeast Alaska and one of the best values, with snowcapped peaks, fewer passengers and daylight stretching past 17 hours by month’s end. Black bears graze on new shoreline grass, humpbacks return to Juneau’s waters, and the White Pass railway climbs through lingering snow. Pack warm layers for chilly mornings.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 54°F
- 16 hrs daylight
Photo: Pat W. Sanders, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alaska in May: Good time to go
May is often the driest month in Southeast Alaska and one of the best values, with snowcapped peaks, fewer passengers and daylight stretching past 17 hours by month’s end. Black bears graze on new shoreline grass, humpbacks return to Juneau’s waters, and the White Pass railway climbs through lingering snow. Pack warm layers for chilly mornings.
Across Alaska cruise ports, May brings average highs around 54°F (12°C) and lows near 45°F, with about 5.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 16 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Late April to early October; warmest and busiest June to August.
- Average high / low
- 54°F / 45°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 5.1 in
- Daylight
- About 16 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 nights; 10 to 14 days with a Denali land tour
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How May compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: No regular sailings
- Feb: No regular sailings
- Mar: No regular sailings
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Good time to go
- Jun: Best time to go
- Jul: Best time to go
- Aug: Best time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: No regular sailings
- Dec: No regular sailings
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Alaska weather in May
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 362 | 362 | 405 | 468 | 5412 | 6016 | 6519 | 6518 | 5915 | 5010 | 405 | 373 |
| Low °F (°C) | 29-1 | 28-2 | 31-1 | 373 | 457 | 5111 | 5613 | 5613 | 5010 | 426 | 331 | 30-1 |
| Rain in (mm) | 10.4263 | 7.0178 | 6.4163 | 5.9149 | 5.1130 | 4.7120 | 5.2132 | 7.2183 | 9.0230 | 11.0280 | 10.6269 | 10.6270 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
May weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | 50°F | 44°F | 7.0 in | 17 h |
| Ketchikan | 58°F | 45°F | 5.2 in | 16 h |
| Skagway | 49°F | 42°F | 3.7 in | 17 h |
| Glacier Bay National Park | 49°F | 44°F | 9.3 in | 17 h |
| Sitka | 51°F | 46°F | 5.0 in | 17 h |
| Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) | 55°F | 44°F | 5.7 in | 17 h |
| Hubbard Glacier | 51°F | 40°F | 4.3 in | 17 h |
| Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm | 50°F | 44°F | 5.9 in | 17 h |
| Seattle | 66°F | 49°F | 2.4 in | 15 h |
| Vancouver | 66°F | 52°F | 3.2 in | 15 h |
| Victoria | 61°F | 50°F | 1.8 in | 15 h |
| Seward (Anchorage) | 46°F | 41°F | 7.8 in | 17 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in May
Alaska in May: FAQs
Is May a good time to cruise Alaska?
Yes, it's a good month. May is often the driest month in Southeast Alaska and one of the best values, with snowcapped peaks, fewer passengers and daylight stretching past 17 hours by month’s end. Black bears graze on new shoreline grass, humpbacks return to Juneau’s waters, and the White Pass railway climbs through lingering snow. Pack warm layers for chilly mornings.
What is the weather like on a Alaska cruise in May?
Across Alaska cruise ports, May brings average highs around 54°F (12°C) and lows near 45°F, with about 5.1 inches of rain over the month and roughly 16 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Alaska cruise in May?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Alaska?
Late April to early October; warmest and busiest June to August.. The best months are usually June, July, August.
Where else can I cruise in May?
May is also a top month for Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, Pacific Coastal, Galápagos Islands.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.