Sponsored by Gondwana Ecotours
Alaska is a breathtaking state to visit all year round, but it is particularly beautiful in the summer when longer daylight hours illuminate stunning landscapes, when vibrant fauna and lush greenery are blooming, and when its diverse wildlife are active and visible throughout the wilderness.
From hikes to towering glaciers to walks along serene beaches to spotting majestic animals like bears and whales, the summer months offer a variety of natural wonders that are best experienced when temperatures are mild and extended sunlight makes outdoor explorations optimal.
Here are some of the best natural landmarks and wildlife sightings you can’t miss during your Alaskan summer explorations.
Kenai Fjords National Park
The summertime provides an excellent opportunity to visit Kenai Fjords National Park. During the summer, its waters are teeming with wildlife likesea lions, harbor seals, puffins, and porpoises, increasing your chances of incredible marine wildlife sightings. The milder weather also allows for easier exploration.
During Gondwana Ecotours’ Glaciers & Grizzlies Adventure, we embark on a boating excursion where we often spot these diverse species swimming through the crystal clear waters. We also take advantage of the warmer temperatures, increased daylight, and calmer seas to explore the area by kayak, bringing you through narrow inlets, by cliffs, and along the coastline for a closer look at the park’s tidal landscapes and wildlife.
Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield
Visiting Exit Glacier and Harding Icefield is a memorable experience, particularly when the weather is milder. With no snowfall, the hiking trails leading to these magnificent natural spectacles are easily accessible and safer to navigate, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the beautiful scenery that surrounds you. Clear skies also enhance the experience, providing full visibility of the natural ice formations and majestic mountains. Mild temperatures can also lead to frequent glacier calving–a dramatic scene when chunks of ice break off from larger glaciers and come crashing into the ocean.
On Gondwana Ecotours’ Glaciers & Grizzlies Adventure, we hike to the Exit Glacier while noting the unique vegetation around us, discussing the natural history of the area and the gradual melting and recession of the iconic glacier.
Homer Spit
For a tranquil setting in Alaska, consider visiting the Homer Spit during your summer trip. The 4.5 mile strip of land juts out into Kachemak Bay and is home to a variety of local businesses, cozy restaurants, and a bustling harbor to create a lively coastal community.
Make the most of the sunshine and warmer temperatures by visiting its sandy beaches. Comb the beach at low tide for finds like shells, sea glass, stones, and you might even spot marine life like small sea urchins or crabs. During scenic walks amongst wild purple lupine, you can enjoy views of the Kenai Mountains that surround the area.
The Homer Spit is a central location to explore when in the Homer area, and a local community we visit during Gondwana Ecotours’ Glaciers & Grizzlies Adventure.
Grizzly Bears
The summertime is a great season to witness grizzly bears in their natural habitat in Alaska. This season marks a peak in bear activity as they roam the wilderness foraging for food in preparation for their hibernation during the upcoming winter.
In particular, bears congregate around rivers and streams to catch fish during the salmon run, the annual migration when millions of salmon return from the ocean rivers and streams to spawn. Flourishing summer vegetation like berries and other plants provide other food sources, increasing the odds of seeing bears throughout Alaska’s landscapes.
Joining a guided bear-viewing tour like the Glaciers & Grizzlies Adventure is the perfect way to observe the bears safely. We monitor bear activity across different destinations traveling by float plane to locations like Hallo Bay, Brooks Falls, and Moraine Creek, depending on where they are most active.
Whales
As with bears, the summer creates bountiful opportunities for whale sightings in Alaska. Not only is the summer a feeding season for local pods, but many whales travel to Alaska’s nutrient-rich waters in the summer. Species like the humpback whale and orca will migrate to Alaska during this time, creating more opportunities to spot them during your adventures.
The milder weather supports more optimal conditions for your whale-watching excursions, offering warmer temperatures, extended daylight, and calmer waters so you can fully enjoy boating trips through Alaska’s oceans in search of these majestic creatures.
During Gondwana Ecotours’ Glaciers & Grizzlies Adventure, we embark on two boating adventures and a kayaking excursion where you have the chance to spot whales among other incredible marine species.
Alaska during the summer months marks an incredible time to see these natural wonders and observe the majestic wildlife frequenting its coasts, forests, mountains, and rivers. While you can visit these landmarks and see these animals at other times of the year, the summertime provides greater access. Warmer weather, gentle ocean breezes, and extended daylight create the perfect environment to enjoy the iconic sights and rich beauty of this unforgettable state. Alaska awaits.
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