What To Wear In Alaska In June: Tips From Our Trips

If you’re looking for the best months to visit Alaska, June, July, and August provide the warmest weather. After booking shore excursions, it’s important to know what to pack. In this article, we share what to expect from the Alaska weather in June and what to wear during that time.

Alaska offers unique experiences like dog sledding on a glacier, which require specific clothing choices. Did you know you can even snorkel in the frigid waters of Alaska?

Regardless of the weather forecast, preparing for cooler conditions, rainy days, and warmer days is crucial. This post includes an Alaska packing list tailored for a June visit.

Alaska Weather In June

In the 49th state, expect unpredictable weather in June or any month. Average daytime highs range from 55-75°F, and lows from 40-50°F. The temperatures can vary significantly from one area to another.

Areas in southeast Alaska, such as Sitka and Ketchikan, often experience more rain. In Juneau, the Mendenhall Valley has its own microclimate, which can be vastly different than downtown.

Liquid sunshine is typical, creating the lush Tongass Rainforest. Ketchikan has about a 50-60% chance of rain in June and has a unique ‘liquid sunshine gauge’ by its visitor center, which measures the amount of rainfall in a day. However, June receives fewer rain showers than August and September.

Anchorage is drier, with a 30-40% chance of precipitation. Further inland, Fairbanks welcomes summer while coastal areas are still experiencing spring. Expect it to be 7F warmer in Fairbanks than in Anchorage.

When cruising, prepare for the cold at a glacier and sunshine on warm days, and pack a waterproof jacket for days when it rains.

Around the summer solstice, the days are long, allowing for more hours to enjoy outdoor adventures.

What To Wear When Cruising

Most areas on the ship are warm, but restaurants and theaters can be chilly, so bring a light sweater or wrap for extra warmth.

Expect a casual vibe on most cruise lines, except Cunard, on formal nights. Fleece and sweats work well during the day. Opt for versatile pieces like black fleece leggings, which are perfect for cooler deck days and can be dressed with a nice dinner top.

We prefer long pants over shorts unless the weather is unusually warm. Combine with several short-sleeved T-shirts and layer with a fleece when needed.

T-shirts are versatile; wear them under a sweater for warmth, to bed if you’re cold, or to the gym. Tongass Trading Co. in Ketchikan offers the best deals when needing an extra jacket or sweatshirt. Its low prices make it an excellent stop for Alaska gifts and souvenirs.

Remember to bring a bathing suit and slip-on shoes to relax in the pool or hot tub. Most cruise ships provide cotton robes on request.

All cruise lines offer laundry services, either self-serve or full-service, making it easier to pack light, especially for longer trips.

Formal Nights

Seven-day cruises will have two formal nights, although some lines call them ‘evening chic,’ ‘wear your best,’ or ‘dress to impress.’ However, with the move to go more casual, formal clothing is optional.

While my husband and I enjoy formal nights, most guests prefer not to dress for the special event. Although, we did observe more ‘dressed up’ guests at the late dinner seating than the early one.

On many cruise lines, guests can follow Norwegian’s slogan of ‘dress up or not.’ Cunard guests are the exception to this rule.

The British cruise line sticks to its tradition of men wearing tuxedos and women wearing ball gowns. You can opt for the Lido buffet if you’re not a fan of the Cunard dress code.

The Lido buffet is an excellent option if you prefer to keep wearing your fleece and sweats.

Hiking In Alaska

In June, Alaska has yet to reach the summer temperature highs, and some areas still need to emerge from winter. Alaskan weather can be mild but unpredictable, so prepare for muddy trails.

If you plan to explore, choose waterproof hiking boots or lightweight hikers. Many trails near the cruise ports offer varying difficulty levels for all abilities.

Columbia hiking boots are affordable, offer good traction, and are waterproof—they are highly rated by over 20,000 hikers on Amazon. Pair them with wool hiking socks to wick moisture and prevent blisters.

For easier hikes, we often wear our Vessi runners. They are lightweight, comfortable, and among the best weatherproof footwear for Alaska, thanks to their waterproof design.

Rain pants or gaiters are optional but helpful in keeping rain and mud out of your boots. In June, trails may still have snow, especially at higher elevations. Collapsible hiking poles provide stability.

Wear a moisture-wicking synthetic base layer to regulate temperature. Add a fleece mid-layer for warmth, and always pack a waterproof, breathable outer layer to protect against rain and wind.

When hiking in a rainforest, we use Deet-based mosquito repellent to fend off bugs. A refillable water bottle, snack, power bar, and waterproof backpack complete our hiking gear.

What To Wear In Port

Port days differ from glacier viewing days. Mornings may be cool, but days can warm up. Wear quick-drying pants with pockets, as denim dries slowly when wet.

We layer for changing weather:

• Starting with moisture-wicking base layers.
• Adding a fleece or lightweight sweater.
• Removing layers as it warms up.

Lightweight cargo pants that convert to shorts save space and have handy pockets for essentials like a phone and cruise card.

A waterproof, breathable jacket is crucial for sudden rain and wind. My husband and I wear a Columbia 3-in-1, which is ideal for Alaska’s weather. Always carry a small packable umbrella.

Late June brings warmer days, so shorts and short-sleeved shirts work well in favorable weather. Early June travelers should opt for long sleeves and pants. Be ready to adjust as temperatures can quickly shift from warm to rainy.

Pack sunglasses and sunscreen, as sun glare can be intense despite cooler weather. Waterproof Vessi footwear is a fantastic option for exploring ports and ship decks—their black-on-black color pairs work well with casual and dressier outfits.

Alternatively, Duck shoes offer a cheaper, less stylish option that keeps feet dry.

Excursions That Require Specific Clothing

Alaska is a place of extremes. Travelers can participate in snorkeling or trekking on an ice field in June.

Those booked on fishing or whale-watching tours may want a rain jacket and waterproof footwear. Even if it’s warm in port, expect it to be cooler on the water. Wind burn can be another factor when heading out on the water.

Some Alaskan shore excursions may require extra clothing, especially glacier tours. Layering is essential to staying warm on glacier dog sledding tours and helicopter excursions with icefield landings.

Dress with a thermal base layer and add a fleece layer. Top it off with a waterproof, windproof jacket, waterproof gloves, and a hat with ear covers. Most tour operators supply glacier boots.

Ski goggles or polarized sunglasses protect your eyes from glare. Some people prefer wearing a balaclava for extra face protection on frigid days.

It should be noted that helicopter tours do not allow guests to bring handbags or backpacks. They provide lockers at the airport for all personal items. However, cameras or smartphones are a must to capture memories.

Glaciers can be 15-20 degrees colder than ground level. Factor in wind chill, and it feels even more frigid. During my dog sledding tour, freezing rain fell the whole time. Although I wore the appropriate layers, I still felt cold.

Those brave enough to snorkel in Alaska will need a towel, bathing suit, shorts, and an extra pair of socks. While snorkeling in Alaska might seem like a crazy idea, it’s a tour growing in popularity.

In Ketchikan, the tour operator, Snorkel Alaska, supplies 7mm wetsuits thick enough to tolerate the 55F water. In the tidal areas, you’ll see sea cucumbers, sea urchins, jellyfish, sea stars, and varieties of fish.

What To Wear At Glaciers

Depending on where you live, you might find glacier viewing days cool, cold, or even frigid. The wind off an ice field can chill you fast, even if the temperature isn’t too low.

Bundle up to protect against the cold. While long underwear isn’t required in June, thermal base layers like the ones used for skiing add warmth. Gloves and a hat are necessary— my hands froze at Hubbard Glacier.

Hand warmers are excellent for those who feel the cold. Balcony or not, the best glacier views are from the deck. Layer up with long sleeves to handle the cold.

While you won’t need a heavy winter coat, a waterproof outer layer, coupled with a sweatshirt or sweater, will suffice. We recommend North Face or Columbia 3-in-1. The outer layer has waterproofing properties, and the inner layer provides warmth.

We wear them together or separately, depending on the weather conditions or activity. The 3-in-1 allows us to add or remove layers as needed. Investing in a good coat for Alaska is a personal choice and may depend on its usefulness where you reside.

Gloves, a hat, and sunglasses are also essential. Sunglasses help reduce the glare from the ice and provide wind protection.

Alternatively, a puffy jacket that provides warmth works well and packs down to nothing in a suitcase. However, these down and synthetic material options don’t have the much-needed waterproofing properties. So, some people carry a plastic poncho, too.

We found moving around to different areas and decks gave interesting perspectives. Remember the Promenade deck. It often lacks people and provides excellent photos with the ship in the foreground.

The captain rotates the cruise ship in front of a glacier, so we didn’t need to worry about where to get the best views.

Traveling To Denali National Park?

When taking a cruise and land tour, knowing that Mosquito season starts in June at Denali National Park is essential. These bugs are giant, abundant, and always searching for their next meal. 

They’re even joked about as being the “Alaska State Bird.” Mosquitoes are more prevalent at dusk and dawn, so avoid being outdoors at these times. To prevent bites, choose tight-weave clothes made from light-colored fabric, as mosquitoes are attracted to darker hues.

Long pants and tops with full-length sleeves are best. Skip scented shampoos and lotions as they attract mosquitoes. Always carry insect repellent and use it often. 

The temperatures in Denali National Park can be cooler, especially at night. In June, Denali can even have snow.

Fairbanks may be much warmer than coastal ports. During my early June visit, I enjoyed temperatures in the mid-80s.

Wrapping Up Alaska’s Clothing Choices In June

Packing and choosing the proper clothing for an Alaska trip in June is mind-boggling. It could be cold one week and hot the next.

How can I pack for three seasons in one suitcase? Utilizing the ship’s laundry and picking multipurpose items can minimize the list. Also, select casual clothing that provides comfort over trendy styles. Wearing pieces for more than one day will also save on space.

Believe it or not, some travelers do a 7-day Alaska vacation in just a carry-on. I’m not sure how they do it, but I’m convinced they forego the main dining room and always eat in the buffet, eliminating the need for dressier items.

Our Alaska cruise packing list is constantly evolving. After every trip, we assess what we used most and didn’t need. Your list may differ from what others use.

Those from Florida or Texas may need more layers than someone from Colorado. In a nutshell, prepare for every weather scenario, and you can’t go wrong.

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