Through the Lens: Alaska in the Early Season
In Alaska’s early season, the landscape stands on the edge of awakening. The quiet of winter still lingers, but change moves through the wilderness—ice loosens in the fjords, rivers run stronger and meadows show their first hints of green. Along the coast, bears emerge to forage after the long winter, while whales surface in the calm fjords and migrating birds return overhead. With each passing day, the light stretches longer, lingering over snow-capped peaks and the freshly thawed valleys below.
Traveling during this time of year, before the pace of summer sets in, offers a rare view of Alaska in transition. The season feels unhurried and filled with promise—a landscape and its wildlife stirring back to life after the long winter of the far north.
Lessons of Spring
Photo: Michael S. Nolan
In the sheltered coves of Chicagof Island, young brown bears begin to emerge from the forest to test their skills along the shoreline. Lingering snow keeps mountain peaks white, prompting hungry bears to head to intertidal zones to forage and learn from their mothers. Cubs watch and imitate, sometimes venturing out on their own with curious confidence—encounters that capture Alaska during a peak season of growth and discovery.
The Last Auroras of Spring
Photo: Alex Rubenstein
Before Alaska’s nights give way to the long glow of summer, the northern lights can still be seen dancing across early-spring skies. In March and April, when darkness lingers just long enough, travelers may witness these ribbons of green and violet shimmering above quiet waters—a final gift of winter before the light returns.
The Blue Heart of Endicott Arm
Photo: David Vargas
During spring, the ice-choked waters of Endicott Arm showcase the raw power of Dawes Glacier. Here, towering blue icebergs drift through the fjord—freshly calved and slow to melt in the early season’s cooler temperatures. The seasonal conditions lead to sculptural forms that are especially striking, framing Zodiac excursions with a vivid display of Alaska’s glacial artistry.
New Life on the Ice
Photo: Michael S. Nolan
Harbor seals gather in Alaska’s fjords each spring to give birth on ice floes freshly calved from nearby glaciers. The fjords stay cool and quiet—ideal for mothers and pups resting together on the drifting ice. The phenomenon is especially striking in Tracy Arm, where you can find hundreds of mother-pup pairs during peak pupping season, often framed by lingering snow and crystalline blue ice.
The First Whales of the Season
Photo: Mike Greenfelder
In the early season, humpback whales are completing their long migration from tropical waters to Alaska’s rich feeding grounds. As plankton blooms and baitfish gather with the increasing daylight, these gentle giants return to the fjords and channels of the Inside Passage. Calm waters and crisp, clear air lend encounters an added sense of stillness and wonder—a hallmark of Alaska in May.
Long Days, Lasting Light
Photo: David Vargas
Alaska’s days feel endless around the summer solstice, the sun skimming the horizon late into the evening in a long, luminous arc. By May, daylight stretches more than sixteen hours. Here, guests aboard National Geographic Sea Bird linger on deck beneath the soft glow of the midnight sun—photographing shifting skies, scanning the water for whales and savoring the quiet magic of wilderness suspended between day and night.
Wildflowers Along the Water’s Edge
Photo: David Vargas
Just as spring brings wildflower blooms across the continent, Alaska has its own vivid awakening. The shorelines near Ketchikan burst into color as lupine, paintbrush and buttercup blanket the meadows near the tide line. Mist rises through the evergreens while National Geographic Sea Lion rests at anchor amid this fleeting display—an early-season moment when the wilderness feels freshly awakened.
A Closer Look
Photo: Andrew Peacock
Guided hikes and photo walks ashore invite guests to slow down and notice the details that define Alaska’s spring. With trails clear of snow at lower elevations, travelers can explore bogs and meadows where marsh marigolds and other early blooms thrive. Here, a guest kneels to frame a single flower in focus—one of countless moments when the wild beauty of the season reveals itself up close.
Return of the Puffins
Photo: Mike Greenfelder
As spring gives way to early summer, Alaska’s seabird colonies come alive once more. Tufted puffins return from months at sea to nest on grassy cliffs and rocky islands along the coast, their bright bills and golden tufts signaling the start of breeding season. Calmer seas during this time of year—when seasonal winds are gentle and boat traffic still light—offer ideal conditions for spotting these striking seabirds resting in waters close to shore.
Learn more about what to expect when exploring Southeast Alaska in the summer >
Featured Itineraries
Related Articles
