Best time to cruise · Good time to go
Alaska cruises in September
September sailings are quieter and noticeably cheaper, with fall color in the high country, coho salmon running and bears feeding hard before winter. It’s also the rainiest month in much of Southeast Alaska, and some tours wind down mid-month. Longer nights improve your odds of seeing the aurora, particularly on Gulf of Alaska routes.
- Good time to go
- Avg high 59°F
- 13 hrs daylight
Photo: Pat W. Sanders, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alaska in September: Good time to go
September sailings are quieter and noticeably cheaper, with fall color in the high country, coho salmon running and bears feeding hard before winter. It’s also the rainiest month in much of Southeast Alaska, and some tours wind down mid-month. Longer nights improve your odds of seeing the aurora, particularly on Gulf of Alaska routes.
Across Alaska cruise ports, September brings average highs around 59°F (15°C) and lows near 50°F, with about 9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Good time to go
- Season
- Late April to early October; warmest and busiest June to August.
- Average high / low
- 59°F / 50°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 9 in
- Daylight
- About 13 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 September 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 September
| 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 |
September weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | 56°F | 48°F | 13.7 in | 13 h |
| Ketchikan | 60°F | 50°F | 10.2 in | 13 h |
| Skagway | 55°F | 47°F | 7.0 in | 13 h |
| Glacier Bay National Park | 55°F | 50°F | 16.8 in | 13 h |
| Sitka | 57°F | 53°F | 10.4 in | 13 h |
| Icy Strait Point (Hoonah) | 58°F | 49°F | 10.1 in | 13 h |
| Hubbard Glacier | 52°F | 44°F | 8.1 in | 13 h |
| Tracy Arm & Endicott Arm | 56°F | 48°F | 12.6 in | 13 h |
| Seattle | 70°F | 53°F | 2.3 in | 13 h |
| Vancouver | 69°F | 56°F | 5.4 in | 13 h |
| Victoria | 65°F | 55°F | 2.2 in | 13 h |
| Seward (Anchorage) | 53°F | 48°F | 9.9 in | 13 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 September
- Hawaii in September
- Canada & New England in September
- Pacific Coastal in September
- Mediterranean in September
- Western Mediterranean in September
- Eastern Mediterranean & Adriatic in September
- Greek Isles in September
- Western Europe in September
- Tahiti & the South Pacific in September
- Danube River in September
See every destination for September, with a port weather map →
Alaska in September: FAQs
Is September a good time to cruise Alaska?
Yes, it's a good month. September sailings are quieter and noticeably cheaper, with fall color in the high country, coho salmon running and bears feeding hard before winter. It’s also the rainiest month in much of Southeast Alaska, and some tours wind down mid-month. Longer nights improve your odds of seeing the aurora, particularly on Gulf of Alaska routes.
What is the weather like on a Alaska cruise in September?
Across Alaska cruise ports, September brings average highs around 59°F (15°C) and lows near 50°F, with about 9 inches of rain over the month and roughly 13 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Alaska cruise in September?
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 September?
September is also a top month for Hawaii, Canada & New England, Pacific Coastal, Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.