Planning an Alaska trip isn’t something to leave for the last minute. With a short summer season, limited-capacity experiences, and bucket‑list travelers booking months ahead, the people who prepare early get the best spots—and the smoothest experiences. If you’re already dreaming about next summer, here’s what to know and how to prepare now.
Why book early?
Alaska’s season runs roughly May-September—only five months to accommodate travelers worldwide. Many top experiences have small daily capacities (helicopter landings, small boats, guided glacier hikes and permits). Booking now doesn’t just reserve a seat—it helps make sure you don’t miss out.
Tours that sell out first
Helicopter glacier flights & landings
Helicopter Glacier Trek - Juneau: glacier landings and flightseeing are highly weather dependent and often sell out first.
Small-group wildlife cruises & whale watchingWhale Watching - Juneau: intimate departures fill quickly on peak cruise days.
Kenai Fjords & small-boat sightseeing (Seward)6 Hour Kenai Fjords Cruise - Seward
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Rail + combo packages - Alaska Railroad pairings with Denali/Talkeetna/Seward move fast during midsummer.
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Exclusive adventure tours & guided glacier hikes - kayaking near Mendenhall, guided glacier walks, or trips requiring permits usually have very limited slots.
What to expect next season
- Continued strong demand - many peak dates likely to sell out early for 2026.
- More eco-friendly, small‑group offerings and local partnerships.
- Weather remains the wildcard - early mornings and shoulder dates often bring calmer conditions.
- Booking early gives best time-slot choice, bundle options, and occasional discounts.
How to prepare now
- Make a priority list - must‑do vs nice‑to‑have.
- Check port schedules - align tours with your ship’s time in port (Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway).
- Book flights & hotels early - Anchorage, Fairbanks, Seward, Sitka have limited rooms.
- Start your gear list - rain jacket, waterproof boots, binoculars, layered clothing.
- Build flexibility - allow buffers for weather or spontaneous wildlife viewing.
Quick links
- Helicopter glacier adventures: Juneau Helicopter Glacier Trek | Denali Glacier Landing
- Whale watching & glacier combos: Whale Watching - Juneau | Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier
- Kenai Fjords Cruises: 6 Hour Kenai Fjords Cruise - Seward
Preparing early doesn’t just secure a spot on the tours everyone dreams about—it sets you up for a stress‑free, once‑in‑a‑lifetime adventure. Our team at Alaska Shore Tours is already preparing for 2026. Start with the high‑demand tours above, plan around your priorities, and arrive ready for glaciers, whales, mountains, and memories.
Ready to lock in your favorites? Book now or contact our team to build your perfect Alaska itinerary.
Haley Mortenson is Director of Marketing at Alaska shore tours, and has been writing about Alaska for over seven years. With inside knowledge of the Alaska tourism industry, a background in creative writing and a love for the mountains and adventure sports of Alaska, she is well-equipped to help visitors to Alaska find the right tours and experiences. Haley describes herself as our resident marketing guru and mac n' cheese connoisseur. Growing up in the Big Sky Country down south, she developed her love of big mountains and epic adventures that drew her here to Alaska Shore Tours.
Kristina is our creative video editor with over 8 years of experience in filmmaking and post-production. After years spent working on video production & capture in the cruise industry in Alaska, she now shares her expertise with us here at Alaska Shore Tours.
All of our content at Alaska Shore Tours is written by experienced travel writers who have visited all of the locations we recommend. And our review board of local tourism experts ensure that all the information we provide is accurate, current and helpful
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