Whale & Marine Mammals Cruise, Hoonah, Alaska, Icy Strait Point
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This definitely includes Harv and Marv’s tours and Icy Strait Whale Adventures tours.
Kenai Fjords National Park Cruise
A breaching humpback hurls it's 66,000-pound body out of the water, only to crash back down again in a mighty splash. Spyhopping orcas stand vertically in the water, checking out the view above the surface. Whale-watching excursions from Kenai Fjords National Park, a quick five-minute car ride from the port at Seward, allow you to view these gentle giants against a glacial backdrop as they graze past your boat. The smaller whale watching boats will typically be either around a 20 passenger boat, but there are smaller whale watching boats too. When it comes to whale watching in Alaska, there can be big whale watching boats with 100+ people, or there can be small whale watching boats.
Best Places for Whale Watching in Alaska – Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a lone humpback or a pod of orcas, every whale sighting leaves a life-long impression. A cruise to Alaska is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe. Discover Alaska wildlife and whale watching onboard the best Royal Caribbean cruise ships. When you book either of these whale watching tours, you will be asked which cruise ship you are arriving on as part of the booking process.
Above & Beyond Alaska: Paddle with Whales Kayak Adventure
From road trips to cruises, we’ve prioritized whale watching on each journey, capturing these majestic creatures through our lenses. We’ve navigated from Juneau to Seward, gathering first-hand experiences that we’re eager to share. We love wildlife photography, and in addition to whale-watching trips, we often go on bear-watching tours in Alaska. Are you dreaming of an up-close encounter with some of the ocean’s most magnificent creatures?
Hiking on Alaska Glacier Tours
Review: Alaskan Dream Cruises - TravelAge West
Review: Alaskan Dream Cruises.
Posted: Sat, 13 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Aging isn’t easy for any species, and brown bears are no exception. Agnes Stabinska is the creative force and co-founder behind the Alaska Itinerary blog. With a degree in Tourism Management and postgraduate studies in Journalism, Agnes combines academic expertise with real-world experience.
Minke whales in Alaska and orcas in Alaska can be spotted year-round, but the migratory humpback whales are only present from late spring into early fall. Learn more about timing your Alaska whale watching cruise—including our recommendations—in the Alaska whale watching season section of our by-month primer for travel to Alaska. Humpbacks are baleen whales known for lunge and bubble net feeding. They work collectively to blow a “net” of bubbles that corrals fish and krill into a column before they jointly lunge to the surface, swallowing huge mouthfuls of food. During the summer, humpback whales in Alaska gather in feeding pods near rich food sources caused by up-welling currents, making their behavior and location predictable for Alaska whale watching cruises. Once whales have been sighted, your skipper will gently maneuver the vessel to allow exceptional viewing and photo opportunities as these graceful ocean giants slowly arc their massive tail flukes into the air.
Humpback Whale
Your destination is the Channel Islands, the whales’ annual feeding ground — and your guides will assess where the most whale activity has been happening. With a love for the sea, I weave stories of marine adventures and share the joy of discovery with a touch of wonder. Alaska Tales operates intimate boats, accommodating a maximum of 49 passengers, and they’re incredibly fast, ensuring you reach the whale-watching areas quickly. Both my husband and I absolutely loved our trip and wouldn't have changed a thing about it.
Guide To Taking The Best Shore Excursions In Sitka In 2024
Another item we suggest bringing along is a high-resolution camera with a long-range zoom lens. Resurrection Bay and Kenai Fjords are great places to see wildlife and glaciers. And Major Marine’s vessels, which have cozy heated cabins and an outdoor viewing area, can take you out to see both. This family-owned tour operator has gone above and beyond to give guests an amazing day on the water since 1990. The seas on Alaska cruises can sometimes be rough, particularly in open areas like the Gulf of Alaska. However, cruises through the Inside Passage tend to have calmer waters due to the protection provided by the coastal islands.
As the myriad bays and channels bloom with krill and feeder fish, the whales converge to feast around the clock. This “bubble net” feeding sometimes brings together a half dozen whales at once. Almost every day, lone humpbacks will cruise through practically every single sound and bight. Killer whales also work these waters, usually appearing in pods of fish-eating residents.
This is when gray whales make their grand appearance, migrating north to their feeding grounds. It’s a period of discovery and new beginnings for the whales and you as an observer. The waters are less crowded, offering a more intimate experience with these gentle giants.
If you’re hoping to view black and white orcas, Alaska cruises in May and June are your best bet. As for gray whales, they are more likely to be spotted earlier in the season, while blue whales are more prevalent during the last half of the summer in Alaska. Choosing the best time to visit Alaska for whale watching is like selecting the perfect moment to witness nature’s grandest performances.
Here are some popular excursion ideas for those who want to maximize their chances of seeing whales in the wild, and possibly even more than one kind of species. We'll match you with a local itinerary expert to help you plan your trip. Small group Zodiac adventures in Ketchikan getting up close with Dall’s porpoises, eagle’s nests, or even whales in the distance. Equipped with an amplified hydrophone system, you can hear the underwater communications of these magnificent mammals while taking in the stunning views of the lush rainforest.
Browse our trips or contact us for a free, personalized recommendation. Watching whales in Alaska aboard small ships has many advantages over larger cruise ships or whale watching day tours. Flexible itineraries aboard small ships mean you can linger longer when whales are sighted. It’s not uncommon for captains to stop the ship for an hour or two if the whale sightings are good. And over the course of a 7-night itinerary you may have several such encounters. An Alaska cruise for whales is best done on board one of our small ships to Alaska.
So unless you have a strong passion for photography, you shouldn't feel obligated to purchase expensive specialty equipment for your whale watch. Having a video option will allow you to record an orca's spray or a humpback whale's pattern of "bubble net feeding," wherein a group of whales circle their prey and then surge to the surface to engulf it. Consider wearing lightweight or fingerless gloves to more easily access your camera's functions while whale watching in Alaska. Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is one of the best ports for whale watching in the state. Situated along the Inside Passage, Juneau offers easy access to prime whale watching areas, such as Auke Bay, where humpback whales are often spotted. Sitka, another popular port for whale watching, offers a rich cultural history along with excellent whale watching opportunities.
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