Best Month for Southeast Alaska Charter (Petersburg, Metlakatla: station, trees, island)

[JRR]

It looks like we are going to make it back to Alaska one more time. Planning on chartering a boat for a week in early June or late August 2022; either round trip from Juneau or Juneau to Sitka. Looking to do the usual stuff; whale/bear watching, some kayaking and fishing, maybe some easy hiking and of course, a trip to one of the glaciers.

Any thoughts if one of those times might be better than the other?

[Arktikos]

Early June. Weather is typically better and days are longer. If fishing is important then August may be better, I'm not sure.

[Metlakatla]

If ocean sports fishing is on the agenda, July is best for most species. But the weather is usually better in June. Still king season then but ... anyway, the weather's never predictable in SE, but August seems to bring some nasty rains.

[JRR]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

If ocean sports fishing is on the agenda, July is best for most species. But the weather is usually better in June. Still king season then but ... anyway, the weather's never predictable in SE, but August seems to bring some nasty rains.

Thanks. I was at the Annette Island Coast Guard Air Station for a year, many, many years ago. I don't remember much about the summer, just the wet, cold winter. I still shiver at the thought of walking the stomper watch on those nights with the cutting wind as soon as I stepped out of the barrack.

Fishing isn't going to be the main reason for the trip so anything we catch would be a bonus.

[Parnassia]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

but ... anyway, the weather's never predictable in SE, but August seems to bring some nasty rains.

Well, IME late August is fairly predictable...wet and windy! Also, be aware that tourist destinations and some services start shutting down. Labor Day is often the end of their season.

[Arktikos]

Early June should have the scenic bonus of snow on the mountain tops. More trees and flowering plants blooming then too.
Late August could be when Cohos are running, your best bet at catching salmon. Then again, maybe not. Definitely more likely to be wet then. That's fall around here, with leaves dropping, fall color in the alpine and sometimes nasty windblown rain storms.

[JRR]

Booked for the second week in June. Looking forward to having a great time!

[JRR]

We just got back from our cruise and it was great. Weather was pretty good; mostly overcast with maybe slight drizzle for most of the trip; only day of pure sunshine was the last full day.

Now my wife is all ready to go back next year but the only trip still available is Petersburg back to Petersburg September 4-11 and I understand that the weather in September can be a real crapshoot.

[Techy02]

Originally Posted by JRR

We just got back from our cruise and it was great. Weather was pretty good; mostly overcast with maybe slight drizzle for most of the trip; only day of pure sunshine was the last full day.

Now my wife is all ready to go back next year but the only trip still available is Petersburg back to Petersburg September 4-11 and I understand that the weather in September can be a real crapshoot.

What'd you catch on your trip?

[AKStafford]

Originally Posted by JRR

We just got back from our cruise and it was great. Weather was pretty good; mostly overcast with maybe slight drizzle for most of the trip; only day of pure sunshine was the last full day.

Now my wife is all ready to go back next year but the only trip still available is Petersburg back to Petersburg September 4-11 and I understand that the weather in September can be a real crapshoot.

The key to Alaska weather: hope for the best, be prepared for the worse. And no matter what, have fun.